The sky remained fractured.
The dark rift above the valley expanded slowly, like a wound tearing through reality itself.
A terrifying presence descended from the other side.
Even the Abyssal Fenrir, an ancient Sovereign beast that had never bowed before anyone, looked toward the rift with caution.
Kael noticed the change.
"You know them."
The Fenrir's expression became cold.
"Yes."
Its claws dug into the ground.
"They are the reason the age of beasts ended."
A heavy silence followed.
Lyra stepped forward.
"The age of beasts?"
The Fenrir glanced at her.
"Long ago, beasts were not hunted. They ruled this world alongside ancient civilizations."
"Then came the ones from beyond this realm."
"The Void Hunters."
The name alone carried unimaginable hatred.
The rift suddenly shook.
A figure stepped through.
A tall being wearing black armor covered in strange symbols.
Its face was hidden beneath a silver mask.
Behind it floated countless weapons made from unknown materials.
The creature looked down at Kael.
"So..."
"The new Beast Sovereign has awakened."
Kael stared back.
"You killed the previous one?"
The masked figure remained silent for a moment.
Then it laughed.
"Not killed."
"Destroyed."
The surrounding air became frozen.
"We removed his heart, his soul, and his power."
The Beast Sovereign inside Kael reacted violently.
A wave of rage exploded through his body.
Kael grabbed his chest.
The inheritance was trembling.
The masked hunter noticed.
"Interesting."
"The previous Sovereign's will still exists inside you."
The Fenrir growled.
"Leave this place."
The hunter looked at the ancient beast.
"You survived all these years just to protect another failure?"
The Fenrir's eyes burned.
"I survived to witness the arrival of the one who will end you."
The hunter raised his hand.
Thousands of black blades appeared in the sky.
"Then let us see if your faith is misplaced."
The attack began.
The entire valley was covered in darkness.
Kael moved instantly.
His new power erupted.
A massive black claw formed behind him and crushed the incoming blades.
BOOM!
The shockwave destroyed the surrounding trees.
The hunter looked surprised.
"So you can already use the Primordial power."
Kael disappeared.
In an instant, he appeared before the hunter.
His fist covered in black flames struck forward.
The hunter blocked.
But his body was pushed backward.
For the first time, his calm expression disappeared.
"You..."
Kael looked at him coldly.
"I am not the previous Sovereign."
"I will not lose control."
The hunter removed his mask slightly.
A strange red eye appeared.
"Then prove it."
The red eye released a wave of energy.
Kael's mind suddenly filled with countless voices.
Memories that were not his own.
The previous Beast Sovereign's final moments.
His defeat.
His despair.
His rage.
Kael saw everything.
He saw the ancient Sovereign standing alone against an army of Void Hunters.
He saw his power turning against him.
He saw the moment he lost himself.
The hunter whispered:
"Every Beast Sovereign reaches the same end."
"They become monsters."
Kael closed his eyes.
For a moment, the darkness tried to consume him.
Then...
He smiled.
"No."
The hunter froze.
Kael opened his eyes.
"I saw his mistake."
"He fought the power."
"The power is not the enemy."
The Primordial Beast behind him opened its eyes.
"It is a part of me."
The entire valley shook.
The Fenrir lowered its head.
Because it finally understood.
The new Sovereign was different.
The hunter stepped back.
Impossible.
A human had achieved what no previous successor could.
Harmony with the Primordial Beast.
Kael raised his hand.
"Now..."
"Tell me everything about the ones who destroyed my predecessor."
The hunter's expression changed.
Because behind Kael...
The shadow of the Primordial Beast had fully awakened.