The sky above Elarion had turned completely black.
Seven enormous purple symbols floated above the kingdom.
Each symbol was different.
One looked like a crown.
One looked like a dragon.
One looked like an eye.
One looked like a sword.
The remaining three were symbols Ryu had never seen before.
But somehow…
His soul recognized them.
The Elarion Guardians remained on their knees.
None of them dared to look toward the sky.
Ryu slowly raised his head.
—So these are the Seven Thrones?
Lyra nodded.
—Yes.
Ryu looked at her.
—What exactly are they?
Lyra didn’t answer.
Instead, Morvath spoke.
—They are not a group.
Ryu turned toward him.
—Then what are they?
Morvath’s eyes remained fixed on the sky.
—They are seven individual rulers.
—Each one controls a different part of existence.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
—How powerful?
Morvath smiled bitterly.
—Powerful enough that even the gods refused to fight them.
Ryu’s expression became serious.
—Then why are they here?
Lyra looked at him.
—Because of you.
Silence.
Ryu frowned.
—Me?
Lyra nodded.
—Three hundred years ago, you defeated six of them.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—Six?
Morvath corrected her.
—No.
He looked at Ryu.
—He didn’t defeat them.
Ryu stared at him.
Morvath continued.
—He imprisoned them.
Kael’s eyes widened.
—All six?
Morvath nodded.
—And the seventh…
His expression became darker.
—He couldn’t defeat.
Ryu looked toward the seven symbols.
—Which one?
Morvath pointed toward the symbol shaped like an eye.
—That one.
The enormous purple eye symbol suddenly opened.
The entire kingdom shook.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A voice descended from the sky.
“Ryu.”
Ryu’s aura immediately flared.
—Show yourself.
The voice laughed.
“You still have that arrogance.”
Ryu clenched his fist.
—And you still hide behind the sky.
The voice became silent.
Then—
The clouds split apart.
A gigantic figure slowly descended.
It looked like a man.
Tall.
Thin.
Covered in black robes.
His face was hidden behind a white mask.
Only one purple eye was visible.
He floated above Elarion without moving his wings.
The pressure coming from him was overwhelming.
[Scanning…]
[Analysis initiated.]
[1%…]
[3%…]
[ERROR.]
[Target exceeds system authority.]
Ryu’s expression hardened.
—Again…
The mysterious being looked at him.
“You have changed.”
Ryu answered coldly.
—So have you.
The figure laughed.
“No.”
He slowly raised one hand.
“I have been waiting.”
Purple energy began gathering around his fingers.
Lyra immediately stepped forward.
—Ryu!
—What?
—Don’t let him touch you.
Ryu looked at her.
—Why?
Lyra’s face became pale.
—Because he doesn’t attack the body.
Ryu’s eyes narrowed.
—Then what does he attack?
Lyra whispered—
—The soul.
The figure disappeared.
SWOOSH!
Ryu’s eyes widened.
Something struck his chest.
BOOOOOOM!
He was sent flying through the palace wall.
—Ryu!
The Shadow Wolf immediately chased after him.
Kael raised his sword.
—Everyone stay back!
Morvath suddenly laughed.
—Interesting.
Caelum looked at him.
—What’s funny?
Morvath pointed toward the destroyed wall.
—Look.
The rubble began moving.
Ryu slowly emerged.
Blood covered his face.
But he was smiling.
—That all you’ve got?
The masked figure looked at him.
For the first time—
His purple eye widened.
“Impossible.”
Ryu wiped the blood from his mouth.
—You tried to attack my soul.
His blue aura grew brighter.
—But something inside me blocked you.
The mysterious figure stared at Ryu.
Then his voice became serious.
“So it really is awake.”
Ryu’s smile disappeared.
—What is awake?
The figure didn’t answer.
Instead, he looked directly into Ryu’s eyes.
“You will learn soon enough.”
Ryu raised his hand.
—I’m done listening.
Blue-black energy gathered around his arm.
—King’s Shadow Claw!
A gigantic claw shot toward the sky.
The masked figure raised one finger.
The attack stopped.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
The figure slowly moved his finger.
The claw shattered.
BOOM!
Ryu was pushed backward.
The Shadow Wolf jumped beside him.
Ryu looked at it.
—Together?
The Shadow Wolf growled.
Its body began changing.
Black flames erupted from its back.
Its claws became longer.
Its eyes turned completely crimson.
[Royal Shadow Link activated.]
[Synchronization increasing.]
[18%…]
[24%…]
[31%…]
Ryu felt the energy flowing through him.
His aura changed.
The blue energy around his body became darker.
The masked figure watched silently.
Ryu smiled.
—Let’s try again.
He disappeared.
The Shadow Wolf disappeared at the same time.
SWOOSH!
Two shadows moved through the sky.
Ryu attacked from the front.
The Shadow Wolf attacked from behind.
The masked figure blocked Ryu’s claw.
But the Shadow Wolf struck his back.
SLASH!
A crack appeared across the white mask.
The figure slowly turned.
Ryu appeared above him.
—Got you.
The masked figure looked up.
Ryu’s hand was surrounded by blue-black flames.
—King’s Abyss Breaker!
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The sky exploded.
A massive shockwave spread across Elarion.
The seven symbols flickered.
The masked figure disappeared into the smoke.
Ryu landed on the palace roof.
He looked toward the sky.
—Did we win?
Morvath laughed.
—No.
Ryu looked at him.
—Then what?
Morvath pointed upward.
The smoke cleared.
The masked figure was still standing.
But his mask was broken.
Ryu’s eyes widened.
A single drop of blood fell from his face.
The figure touched it.
Then smiled.
“Interesting.”
His purple eye glowed.
“You actually made me bleed.”
Ryu smiled.
—Then I guess I can kill you.
The figure laughed.
“Not today.”
The seven symbols suddenly began rotating.
The entire sky became filled with purple light.
Lyra shouted—
—He’s opening the Thrones!
Kael looked upward.
—What happens if he does?
Lyra’s voice trembled.
—The other six will descend.
Ryu stared at the sky.
—Then I’ll fight all seven.
Lyra looked at him.
—You don’t understand.
Ryu turned toward her.
—What?
Lyra pointed at the black mark on his chest.
—They’re not coming here to fight you.
Ryu froze.
—Then what are they coming for?
Lyra whispered—
—They’re coming to wake you up.
The black mark suddenly spread across Ryu’s chest.
[Emergency Warning.]
[Ancient Authority awakening.]
[Suppression level decreasing.]
[5%…]
[4%…]
[3%…]
Ryu grabbed his chest.
—What’s happening?!
The system responded.
[Unknown entity inside the user’s soul is attempting to awaken.]
Ryu’s eyes widened.
—Inside my soul?
The masked figure smiled.
“Welcome back…”
His voice echoed across the kingdom.
“Old Ryu.”
Ryu’s vision suddenly went black.
And somewhere deep inside his soul…
A second version of himself slowly opened its eyes.
It smiled.
Then whispered—
“Finally.”
To Be Continued…