The words of the Void Monarch echoed through the endless darkness.
"You are the last."
Kael stood silently.
The Throne of the Void behind him continued to crack, releasing waves of ancient energy.
"What does that mean?"
The Void Monarch looked at him.
"It means the cycle ends with you."
The darkness around them began forming images.
Kael saw countless worlds.
Countless timelines.
In every one of them, a Beast Sovereign appeared.
And in every one...
They failed.
Some were destroyed by enemies.
Some lost control of their power.
Some became the very monsters they fought against.
"The Sovereigns were never meant to continue forever."
The Void Monarch's voice was calm.
"They were created as temporary guardians."
Kael watched the visions.
"Then why was I chosen?"
The Void Monarch turned toward him.
"You were not chosen."
"You were created by the choices of those before you."
The memories of the previous Sovereigns entered Kael's mind.
Their sacrifices.
Their regrets.
Their final wishes.
They were not failures.
They were preparing the path.
The Primordial Beast spoke within him.
"Every Sovereign carried a part of the burden."
"Every generation became stronger."
"Until you."
Kael looked at the ancient creature.
"Why me?"
The Primordial Beast answered:
"Because you are the first one who did not seek the throne."
The Void Monarch remained silent.
Kael understood.
The previous Sovereigns wanted strength to protect the world.
But somewhere along the way...
Protection became control.
And control became destruction.
Kael turned toward the broken Throne of the Void.
"What happens now?"
The Void Monarch looked beyond him.
"The Void has accepted you."
"The power that once belonged to us now belongs to you."
A strange symbol appeared on Kael's hand.
Half golden.
Half black.
The mark of two opposing forces united.
"You can rebuild the Void."
"Or destroy it."
Kael stared at the symbol.
"And what do you want?"
The Void Monarch laughed.
"For the first time in eternity..."
"I do not know."
The ancient enemy lowered its head.
"I was created to bring back the Void."
"But you have shown me something I never understood."
Kael looked at it.
"What?"
"That existence does not need a master."
"It needs a guardian."
Suddenly—
A violent shockwave passed through the Void.
The entire dimension shook.
The Void Monarch's expression changed.
"Impossible."
Kael turned.
"What happened?"
The ancient being looked toward the distance.
"Something entered the Void."
"But nothing should be able to cross that boundary."
A new presence appeared.
One far greater than the Void Monarch.
The darkness separated.
A figure walked forward.
A human figure.
But the pressure it released was enough to make the Void itself tremble.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
The stranger smiled.
A familiar voice answered.
"I am the reason every Sovereign eventually falls."
Kael froze.
Because he recognized that voice.
It was the voice of the first Beast Sovereign.
The stranger looked at him.
"Congratulations, Kael."
"You reached the truth."
A pause.
"But now..."
"You must face the consequence."
The Primordial Beast inside Kael became restless.
"No..."
For the first time, it spoke with fear.
"That cannot be."
Kael looked at the figure.
"Who is he?"
The Primordial Beast answered:
"The one who started everything."
"The original Beast Sovereign."
The figure smiled.
"And I have returned to take back what was always mine."