The journey to Elaris began beneath a crimson sunset.
Kael, Lyra, and Seraphine traveled along an ancient mountain road that had once been part of the Celestial Empire.
Most of the road had been swallowed by nature.
Broken statues stood among the trees.
Ancient stone pillars leaned toward the cliffs.
Every few kilometers, Kael noticed the same symbol carved into the ruins.
A broken star.
His symbol.
Or perhaps the symbol of the person he used to be.
Kael stopped beside one of the statues.
"This road belonged to me?"
Seraphine shook her head.
"Not exactly."
"Then what was it?"
"The Sovereign Road."
Kael looked at her.
"Who built it?"
"You did."
He stared at the enormous stone road stretching toward the mountains.
"Why?"
Seraphine smiled faintly.
"Because you hated traveling on ordinary roads."
Kael laughed.
"That sounds like something I'd do."
Lyra looked between them.
"You two really knew each other."
Seraphine's expression softened.
"We did."
Kael noticed the hesitation.
There was something Seraphine wasn't telling him.
He decided not to push.
Not yet.
By nightfall, they reached a ruined village.
Only a few buildings remained standing.
Kael activated Void Sense.
"There are people nearby."
Lyra drew her sword.
"Enemies?"
"No."
Kael paused.
"Scared people."
They entered the village.
Several villagers immediately hid inside their homes.
An elderly man eventually stepped outside.
"Travelers?"
Kael nodded.
"We need a place to rest."
The old man looked at Seraphine.
Then Lyra.
Then Kael.
His eyes stopped at Kael's pendant.
He went pale.
"That symbol..."
Kael touched it.
"You recognize it?"
The old man didn't answer.
Instead, he dropped to his knees.
"Your Majesty."
Everyone froze.
Kael stared at him.
"Who are you talking to?"
The old man looked up.
"You."
Kael's expression changed.
"I've never been here."
The old man shook his head.
"Not in this life."
Seraphine closed her eyes.
"That's enough."
Kael looked at her.
"You knew this would happen."
"I suspected."
The old man whispered:
"We were told you would return."
Kael stepped closer.
"By whom?"
The old man pointed toward the mountains.
"The Keeper."
Kael frowned.
"Who is the Keeper?"
The old man looked terrified.
"The one sitting on your throne."
That night, Kael couldn't sleep.
He sat outside the ruined village.
Lyra joined him.
"You aren't surprised."
"About the villagers?"
"Yes."
Kael looked at the stars.
"I'm starting to realize that my past is everywhere."
Lyra sat beside him.
"And you're afraid of what you'll find."
Kael smiled.
"Maybe."
She looked at him.
"You don't have to pretend with me."
Kael was silent.
Then he said:
"I'm afraid that the person I used to be isn't someone I'll like."
Lyra considered his words.
"Then become someone better."
Kael looked at her.
"It's that simple?"
"No."
She smiled.
"But it's possible."
Kael smiled back.
"You're surprisingly wise."
"I know."
They both laughed.
For a moment, the weight of the past disappeared.
Then the system appeared.
> **[Bond development detected.]**
>
> **[Trust with Lyra Valen: 35%]**
Kael stared at it.
"Stop doing that."
Lyra looked confused.
"Doing what?"
"Nothing."
The next morning, they continued toward Elaris.
By noon, the mountains became darker.
The trees disappeared.
The land became covered in black stone.
Kael suddenly stopped.
His Void Sense detected something.
"Don't move."
Lyra froze.
Seraphine looked ahead.
"What is it?"
Kael pointed toward the ground.
"Formation."
A faint golden line appeared beneath their feet.
Then another.
Then hundreds.
Seraphine's expression changed.
"It's a celestial trap."
Kael activated the system.
> **[Ancient Formation detected.]**
>
> **Type:** Soul Severance Array
>
> **Purpose:** Separate soul from body.
>
> **Origin:** Celestial Court.
>
> **Age:** 9,873 years.
>
> **Warning:** Designed specifically for Starborn entities.
Kael smiled.
"They really planned ahead."
Seraphine looked at him.
"Can you disable it?"
Kael examined the formation.
"Yes."
He stepped forward.
The formation activated.
Golden chains erupted from the ground.
Kael moved.
**Shadow Step.**
He avoided the first chain.
Another appeared.
He twisted sideways.
A third came from above.
Kael caught it.
The system analyzed it.
> **[Celestial binding technique acquired.]**
>
> **[Weakness identified.]**
Kael pulled.
**BOOM!**
The entire formation cracked.
He struck the ground with Thunder Fist.
**BOOM!**
The formation shattered.
Golden light disappeared.
Lyra stared.
"That was supposed to be an ancient Starborn-killing formation."
Kael shrugged.
"It wasn't very good."
Seraphine smiled.
"You're definitely remembering."
They traveled another few kilometers.
Then the mountains opened.
Kael saw it.
A massive ruined city built into the mountain.
Black towers.
Broken bridges.
A gigantic palace at the center.
And above the palace—
a throne.
The system appeared.
> **[Destination reached.]**
>
> ### **ANCIENT RUINS OF ELARIS**
>
> **Former designation:** Capital of the Eternal Sovereign.
>
> **Current ruler:** Unknown.
>
> **Status:** Occupied.
Kael stared.
"My capital."
Seraphine nodded.
"Yes."
Lyra looked at the enormous palace.
"Who lives there now?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
A voice suddenly echoed across the ruined city.
**"Someone who has been waiting for you."**
The palace gates opened.
Thousands of black-armored warriors appeared.
At their center stood a young man wearing a dark crown.
He looked almost exactly like Kael.
Same black hair.
Same silver eyes.
Same sharp features.
But there was something different.
His eyes were completely empty.
He smiled.
"Welcome home."
Kael slowly raised his sword.
"Who are you?"
The stranger touched the crown.
"I am the one who ruled this world after your death."
He stepped forward.
"And I am the reason history remembers the Eternal Sovereign as a monster."
Seraphine's face went pale.
"Impossible..."
The stranger laughed.
"Hello, Seraphine."
She stared at him.
"You..."
Kael looked between them.
"Who is he?"
Seraphine whispered:
"Your clone."
The stranger smiled.
"Not a clone."
He pointed at Kael.
"Your replacement."
The system suddenly exploded with warnings.
> **[EXTREME THREAT]**
>
> **[Target possesses 41% of Host's original soul authority.]**
>
> **[Target possesses Sovereign bloodline.]**
>
> **[Target has access to sealed memories.]**
>
> **[Recommended action: DO NOT ENGAGE.]
**
Kael looked at the stranger.
Then smiled.
"Interesting."
The stranger laughed.
"You still have that arrogance."
Kael stepped forward.
"Let's see if you have the strength to match it."
The stranger's smile widened.
"I've been waiting ten thousand years for this."
Behind him, the palace doors opened.
A dark throne waited inside.
And for the first time since his reincarnation, Kael stood face-to-face with the person who had stolen his past.
**To be continued...**