The courtyard fell silent.
The young crown prince stumbled backwards, terror filling his eyes.
Three masked assassins advanced without hesitation.
On the opposite side...
Lord Kael stood motionless, his crimson blade lowered.
He waited.
Not for an attack.
For a decision.
The Codex glowed.
Sovereign's Trial
A Beast Sovereign cannot save everyone.
What will you protect first?
Time Remaining:
10 seconds.
Captain Rowan gripped his sword.
"Lady Lyra!"
"The prince!"
Pyron remained silent.
Nereus watched calmly.
Neither Guardian moved.
This choice belonged to Lyra alone.
Nine...
Eight...
Seven...
Lyra looked from Kael to the frightened prince.
Then she smiled.
"I refuse the question."
Everyone stared at her.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
Lyra turned to Umbra.
"You know what to do."
Through Shared Instinct, the golden bond between them shone brilliantly.
Without another command, Umbra sprang towards the assassins.
At the same instant—
Lyra charged directly at Kael.
The courtyard erupted into motion.
CLANG!
The crimson blade met Lyra's wooden staff.
The impact sent splinters flying.
Kael looked surprised.
"You trusted your partner..."
"...without giving an order."
Lyra smiled.
"I don't command my friends."
"I believe in them."
Behind her, Umbra fought like a silver storm.
He leapt between the assassins and the prince, forcing them apart instead of meeting them together.
The frightened boy remembered his sword training.
He picked up a fallen guard's shield and hid behind Umbra.
Captain Rowan rushed forward, engaging one assassin.
Nereus trapped another in flowing chains of water.
Within moments...
The assassins were overwhelmed.
Not because Lyra had chosen one side.
But because everyone fought together.
Kael stepped back.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So..."
"You found the third path."
The Codex shimmered.
Trial Complete
Evaluation:
Exceptional
Reason:
A Sovereign creates opportunities instead of accepting impossible choices.
Synchronization:
72%
New Passive Skill Unlocked:
Leader's Resolve
Nearby allies instinctively coordinate while fighting beside the Beast Sovereign.
The prince hurried to Lyra.
He couldn't have been older than twelve.
"My name is Prince Leon."
"You saved my life."
Lyra shook her head.
"We all did."
She pointed towards Umbra, Rowan, Nereus, and Pyron.
"A leader never stands alone."
Kael watched silently.
A memory surfaced.
Years ago...
A young black wolf had stood beside him on a battlefield.
"We'll always fight together."
His partner's final words echoed in his mind.
He closed his eyes.
For the briefest moment...
The hatred in his heart weakened.
Suddenly—
A spear of black energy burst from the palace tower.
It was aimed directly at Kael.
Lyra reacted instantly.
"Look out!"
She threw herself forward.
The dark spear struck her shoulder instead.
A violent explosion shook the courtyard.
Lyra crashed to the ground.
Umbra howled in fury.
Pyron's flames erupted.
"Who attacked?"
A sinister laugh echoed from the highest balcony.
Malakar stepped into view.
"So disappointing, Lord Kael."
"You were beginning to hesitate."
He looked down at Lyra with contempt.
"Compassion is contagious."
"Fortunately..."
"It can be cured."
Kael slowly turned toward Malakar.
His crimson eyes burned with anger.
"You attacked your own ally."
Malakar smiled.
"You were never an ally."
"You were only a useful weapon."
For the first time since Lyra had met him...
Lord Kael's sword pointed not at the Beast Sovereign...
But at the Cult of the Empty Heart.
The battlefield had changed.
The enemy who had hunted Lyra until now had just become the cult's next target.