Chapter 2521: Story 2522: The Guardian of the Crown

The heavy footsteps echoed through the Heart Forge like the beating of an ancient drum.

Each step shook the crystal bridges and sent ripples across the rivers of molten gold. The collapsing chamber fell strangely quiet as every eye turned toward the massive stone seal beneath the Crown of the Black Star.

Victoria Kane lowered her sword for only a heartbeat.

"What is that?"

Gideon Black’s weathered face grew pale.

"I prayed no one would ever awaken it."

The stone platform split apart with a deafening crack.

Golden fire erupted from the darkness.

Then a colossal armored hand gripped the edge of the opening.

Slowly, an enormous warrior climbed from the abyss.

He stood nearly twenty feet tall.

His armor shone like polished gold, yet countless battle scars covered every plate. A long crimson cloak hung from his shoulders, untouched by time, while a massive war hammer rested across one shoulder.

His helmet completely concealed his face.

Only two calm blue lights burned within the visor.

Father Gabriel fell to one knee.

"The Crown Guardian..."

"The Last Sentinel."

The giant planted the war hammer upon the crystal floor.

The impact silenced the trembling forge.

His deep voice rolled through the chamber.

"Who seeks the Crown of the Black Star?"

Roland Thorne stepped forward immediately.

"I do."

"I am Marshal Roland Thorne."

"I claim the right of succession."

The Sentinel remained motionless.

Then he slowly turned toward Victoria.

"And you?"

Victoria held the Marshal’s sword before her.

"I seek no crown."

"I seek only to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

The blue lights behind the Guardian’s visor brightened.

"I have heard your answer."

Roland’s expression darkened.

"You cannot judge me before the trial!"

The Sentinel finally faced him.

"The trial began long before you entered this chamber."

"The Forge has watched every choice."

"It remembers every sacrifice."

Roland roared with anger.

"I built this future!"

"I searched for this place while others hid behind legends!"

He lunged toward the Crown.

The Sentinel moved with astonishing speed.

The great hammer swept through the air.

BOOM!

The blow never touched Roland directly.

Yet the force alone hurled him across the chamber.

His black sword spun from his hand and disappeared into the molten river below.

Crimson sparks exploded as the blade sank beneath the liquid fire.

Roland staggered to his feet, breathing heavily.

"You dare stand against me?"

The Sentinel answered calmly.

"I stand against anyone unworthy."

Suddenly, another violent tremor rocked the forge.

The black flames corrupting the Eternal Flame spread farther across the chamber.

Golden crystal pillars began turning crimson one after another.

Dr. Evelyn Brooks looked in horror.

"The corruption is still growing."

"It doesn’t need Roland anymore."

Elias Crow gritted his teeth despite his wounds.

"The Hollow King planted his darkness here long ago."

Victoria looked toward the spreading corruption.

"If it reaches the Crown..."

Gideon finished her sentence.

"The Black Star will fall forever."

Without hesitation, Victoria charged toward the nearest corrupted pillar.

She drove the Marshal’s sword into its crimson surface.

Golden light surged through the cracks.

The corruption recoiled like a living creature.

The pillar returned to brilliant gold.

Lucas stared in amazement.

"The sword can purify the Forge!"

Father Gabriel smiled for the first time in days.

"The Eternal Flame has accepted its bearer."

The Sentinel watched Victoria in silence.

Slowly, he lifted his enormous hammer and struck the floor once.

Thirteen circles of golden light appeared around the chamber.

Each circle displayed the crest of one of the original Marshals.

The Guardian’s voice echoed like thunder.

"The Trial of the Black Star begins."

"Only one worthy soul may approach the Crown."

Outside the Heart Forge, the sky above Blackstone Ridge darkened until it resembled midnight.

Far beyond the fortress, the Hollow King raised one chained hand toward the mountain.

His crimson eyes narrowed.

"So..."

"The Guardian has awakened."

A cruel smile spread across his shadowed face.

"Then let the final test begin."

As the mountain trembled once more, a blinding beam of golden light burst from the Heart Forge into the heavens, visible for hundreds of miles.

Every survivor looked up in hope.

Every undead warrior looked up in fear.

The fate of the Black Star had entered its final trial.