The Void became completely silent.
Even the endless darkness seemed to stop moving.
Kael stared at the figure before him.
The first Beast Sovereign.
The one whose name had become a legend.
The one whose sacrifice had protected countless worlds.
But the presence standing before him was different.
There was no warmth.
No feeling of a guardian.
Only absolute authority.
The First Sovereign smiled.
"You have grown stronger than I expected."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"You are alive."
The ancient being looked around the Void.
"Alive?"
A faint laugh escaped.
"No."
"I exist."
The difference between those words sent a chill through Kael.
The Void Monarch lowered its head.
Even this ancient enemy showed respect toward the First Sovereign.
Kael noticed.
"You know him."
The Void Monarch answered quietly.
"He is the beginning of everything."
"The first one to touch the power of the Void."
"The first one to become the Beast Sovereign."
Kael looked at the First Sovereign.
"Then why were you hiding?"
The ancient ruler remained silent.
Then he walked forward.
"Because I was waiting."
"For what?"
"For someone worthy enough to replace me."
Kael's expression hardened.
"Replace you?"
The First Sovereign looked at him.
"Do you think this title belongs to you?"
The Void around them shook.
"The Beast Sovereign is not a gift."
"It is a burden."
"It is a chain connecting you to every battle, every sacrifice, and every death."
Kael clenched his fists.
"I know."
The First Sovereign's eyes changed slightly.
"No."
"You don't."
A wave of energy exploded.
Kael was forced backward.
The power was overwhelming.
Even with his new Primordial Sovereign Form, he struggled to stand.
The First Sovereign moved instantly.
He appeared in front of Kael.
"This is the power you inherited."
"Power that carries the suffering of millions."
Kael blocked the attack.
BOOM!
The shockwave shattered the surrounding darkness.
The Void Monarch watched silently.
The battle between two Sovereigns had begun.
"You are strong."
The First Sovereign said.
"But strength is not enough."
Kael pushed forward.
"Then what is?"
The ancient ruler's expression became cold.
"Choice."
Another strike.
Kael avoided it.
"You created the Sovereign power."
"Why?"
The First Sovereign stopped.
For a moment...
A trace of sadness appeared in his eyes.
"Because I failed."
Kael froze.
"I was the strongest being in existence."
"I defeated armies."
"I defeated gods."
"I defeated the Void."
The First Sovereign looked at his own hands.
"But I could not defeat myself."
The darkness around him changed.
Kael saw memories.
The First Sovereign standing above countless worlds.
Every creature worshipping him.
Every enemy fearing him.
Then slowly...
The protector became a ruler.
The ruler became an emperor.
And the emperor became alone.
"I wanted to create a perfect world."
The First Sovereign whispered.
"So I tried to control everything."
Kael understood.
The same temptation of the Void.
The same temptation of absolute power.
The First Sovereign looked at him.
"That is why I created the inheritance."
"To find someone who could achieve what I could not."
Kael stared.
"Balance."
The First Sovereign nodded.
"Yes."
"Someone who could possess infinite power..."
"Without becoming its prisoner."
The Primordial Beast inside Kael finally spoke.
"He is testing you."
Kael looked at the ancient Sovereign.
"You came here to see if I would become like you."
The First Sovereign smiled.
"Exactly."
The Void began collapsing around them.
A final trial had begun.
The First Sovereign raised his hand.
"Show me, Kael."
"Show me whether this age belongs to you."
"Or whether you will repeat my mistake."
Kael activated his Primordial Sovereign Form.
Golden and black energy surrounded him.
"I won't become you."
The First Sovereign smiled.
"Good."
"Then defeat me."
The two Sovereigns charged.
And the battle that would decide the future of all worlds began.