Chapter 16: The Name Lost to Time
Silence engulfed the ancient city.
Thousands of armored guardians remained kneeling.
Not one moved.
Not one spoke.
Their unwavering gaze was fixed on a single person.
Abster.
Abster slowly stepped forward.
"There must be some mistake."
"I've never been here before."
"I don't even know what this place is."
Caelum Ardent lowered his head respectfully.
"You have forgotten."
"But your soul has not."
Abster frowned.
"My... soul?"
Caelum nodded.
"The memories of the mind can be sealed."
"The memories of the soul cannot."
Helena stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
Caelum rose to his feet.
"I am Caelum Ardent, the First Royal Guardian of Nox Aeterna."
"For one thousand years, I have guarded this city under a single command."
He looked at Abster.
> "Wait until my king returns."
A heavy silence followed.
Lyra whispered,
"He really waited... a thousand years?"
Caelum slowly walked toward the center of the avenue.
"There is something His Majesty must see."
He raised his hand.
The ancient city trembled.
Stone pathways shifted.
Golden light spread across the ground.
A hidden stairway slowly rose from beneath the earth.
At its end stood a pair of enormous black doors.
Upon them was the same emblem everyone had seen before.
A crown above a black sun.
"The Hall of Sovereigns," Caelum said.
"It has remained sealed since the day our kingdom fell."
He looked at Abster.
"It will only open for its rightful master."
Abster approached the doors.
His heart beat faster with every step.
He reached out.
The instant his fingers touched the ancient stone—
BOOM!
A surge of black-and-gold light erupted from the doors.
The symbols across the city blazed brilliantly.
The massive doors slowly opened.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
Inside stood a magnificent throne room.
Pillars of obsidian stretched toward the ceiling.
Golden banners hung untouched by time.
At the end of the hall stood a throne unlike any ever created.
It was carved from black crystal, with veins of gold running through it like living light.
Abster couldn't explain why...
But it felt familiar.
As he entered the hall...
Fragments flashed before his eyes.
A battlefield.
Burning skies.
A city in flames.
A man wearing a black-and-gold crown.
Voices echoed through the darkness.
> "Protect the King!"
> "Do not let the Sovereign fall!"
> "Seal his memories!"
Abster staggered.
He clutched his head.
"No..."
"What are these?"
Princess Elena rushed forward.
"Abster!"
She caught him before he collapsed.
"I'm here."
Her voice was calm.
"Take a deep breath."
Abster slowly steadied himself.
The visions faded.
Caelum watched quietly.
"The seal is weakening."
Helena looked at him.
"What seal?"
"The one placed upon His Majesty before he was sent away."
Lyra stepped forward.
"Sent where?"
Caelum answered softly.
"To another world."
Everyone froze.
Abster's eyes widened.
"Earth..."
Caelum nodded.
"It was the only place beyond the reach of those who sought your death."
The throne suddenly began to glow.
Ancient runes appeared in the air.
One by one, they formed words in the language of old.
Then...
They changed.
Into words everyone could understand.
> "Bloodline Verified..."
> "Royal Soul Confirmed..."
> "Identity Restored..."
A brilliant light filled the throne room.
Caelum knelt once more.
His voice echoed through the hall.
> "Welcome home..."
> "Your Majesty..."
> "Abster Valen Zorlav..."
> "The Hidden Sovereign..."
The name echoed across the ancient city.
Every guardian lowered their head.
Outside, bells that had been silent for a thousand years began to ring.
Dong...
Dong...
Dong...
Princess Elena stared at Abster in disbelief.
Lyra covered her mouth.
Lucien tightened his grip on his sword.
Garrick whispered,
"So that's..."
"...his true name."
Abster stood motionless.
The name felt unfamiliar...
Yet somehow...
It also felt like it had always belonged to him.
Far away, within the Celestial Realm, the Twelve Gods felt the ancient bells.
Chronos slowly closed his eyes.
"The seal has broken."
Nyxara whispered,
"He remembers his name..."
Aurelius stood from his throne.
"Then the age of peace..."
"...is over."
End of Chapter 16