Chapter 2524: Story 2525: The Final Trial – The Choice of the Crown

The Heart Forge trembled beneath Blackstone Ridge.

Golden rivers of fire surged through ancient channels as the Crown of the Black Star floated high above the crystal pedestal. Its thirteen radiant points shone like stars, filling the chamber with a warm light that pushed back the growing corruption.

Victoria Kane stood alone before the Last Sentinel.

Behind her, Gideon Black, Elias Crow, Lucas Reed, Dr. Evelyn Brooks, and Father Gabriel watched in complete silence.

Far beyond the fortress walls, the earth continued to shake.

The Hollow King’s enormous hand clawed toward the surface, dragging broken chains behind it.

The Sentinel slowly lifted his great war hammer.

"The Final Trial..."

"...is not a test of strength."

His glowing blue eyes settled upon Victoria.

"It is the Test of Choice."

The crystal floor vanished beneath her feet.

Victoria found herself standing upon a lonely hill beneath a crimson sunset.

Before her stood two ancient doors.

The first was forged from shining gold.

Above it were carved the words:

Power Without Sacrifice

The second door was plain black stone.

Upon it were written:

Sacrifice Without Reward

A calm voice echoed through the empty landscape.

"Only one path may be chosen."

Victoria looked toward the golden door.

Through its surface she could see a peaceful future.

Cities flourished.

Children laughed.

The Hollow King had vanished.

She stood upon a magnificent throne wearing the Crown.

The people celebrated her as the greatest Marshal in history.

Then she looked through the second door.

She saw endless darkness.

The Hollow King was defeated...

...but she was nowhere to be seen.

No statues honored her.

No songs remembered her name.

Only the people she loved remained alive.

Cole laughed beside a rebuilt Blackstone Ridge.

Lucas trained young scouts.

Dr. Evelyn opened a great academy where survivors learned the truth about the infection.

Father Gabriel blessed new families.

Gideon finally smiled in peace.

Victoria whispered softly,

"So that is the price."

The mysterious voice returned.

"One future grants glory."

"The other grants hope."

She closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, there was no hesitation.

She walked toward the black stone door.

"I never wanted a throne."

"I only wanted tomorrow."

The moment her hand touched the ancient stone—

Both doors disappeared.

Golden light consumed the world.

Back inside the Heart Forge, every remaining lock upon the Legacy Chest burst open at once.

The Crown descended slowly from the air.

The Last Sentinel knelt.

"So it has been decided."

"The Black Star has found its true bearer."

The magnificent crown floated toward Victoria.

Before it could reach her—

Roland Thorne roared with fury.

"No!"

Dark crimson energy exploded from his body.

The Hollow King’s corruption completely consumed him.

Black armor spread across his skin like living shadows.

His crimson eye became a blazing inferno.

"I will not lose everything again!"

He hurled himself toward the Crown.

The Last Sentinel swung his mighty hammer.

A thunderous shockwave echoed through the forge.

Roland crashed across the chamber, but this time he rose laughing.

"You are already too late!"

At that very instant, the mountain shook with unimaginable force.

Far beneath Whispering Canyon...

Another three golden chains shattered together.

The Hollow King’s second arm broke free.

His terrible laughter rolled across the world.

"Excellent..."

"While you fought over a crown..."

"...my prison has finally fallen."

Outside Blackstone Ridge, every zombie, every Abyss Walker, and every Hollow Guard dropped to one knee.

The storm clouds split apart.

A colossal crimson shadow began rising from the depths of the earth.

Inside the Heart Forge, the Crown finally settled upon Victoria’s head.

The chamber erupted with blinding golden light.

The Last Sentinel smiled for the first time in centuries.

"The Age of the Last Marshal..."

"...has begun."