Chapter 2560: Story 2561: The Herald of the Crimson Throne

The crimson star grew brighter with every passing heartbeat.

Its unnatural light spread across the heavens above Asterion, staining the peaceful blue sky with streaks of scarlet. Citizens paused in the streets, shielding their eyes as they watched the strange celestial visitor descend from the distant reaches of creation.

The music of the Festival of Voices slowly faded.

Children stopped laughing.

Not because they felt fear...

But because the sky itself had changed.

Victoria Kane stood upon the palace balcony, her golden eyes fixed upon the approaching star.

The Living Dawn within her heart burned steadily.

"It isn’t attacking," she murmured.

"It’s announcing its arrival."

Beside her, Nox’Rath’s expression became solemn.

"Then we have little time."

Far above the clouds, the crimson star suddenly stopped.

Silence swept across the entire realm.

Then...

The star unfolded.

Its blazing shell separated into thousands of crimson crystal fragments, revealing a colossal vessel hidden within.

It resembled neither a ship nor a fortress.

It looked like an enormous cathedral drifting through space, its towering spires forged from black crystal veined with crimson fire.

Ancient bells rang from within the structure.

Each note echoed across the stars.

Dr. Evelyn Brooks stared upward in amazement.

"A city..."

"...floating between universes."

The silver journal opened by itself.

Fresh words appeared.

The Crimson Ark. Once a sanctuary of the First Era. Now the flagship of the Crimson Throne.

Cole Mercer whistled softly.

"I was hoping for something smaller."

Lucas grinned nervously.

"You always hope for that."

A beam of crimson light descended from the immense vessel.

Within it stood a lone warrior clad in crimson crystal armor.

A flowing scarlet cloak drifted behind him despite the still air.

His face was uncovered.

He appeared no older than Victoria.

His silver hair shimmered beneath the crimson sky, while his deep red eyes held neither hatred nor cruelty.

Only unwavering resolve.

He carried a magnificent spear whose blade resembled a burning ruby.

The warrior landed silently before the palace gates.

Thousands of citizens watched from a respectful distance.

He looked directly at Victoria.

"So..."

"The Keeper of the Living Dawn truly exists."

Victoria stepped forward, the Dawnblade appearing in her hand with a gentle flash of light.

"And you are?"

The warrior lowered his spear until its tip rested upon the marble ground.

"I am Cassian."

"First Herald of the Crimson Throne."

"I have not come to conquer Asterion."

"I have come to deliver a message."

Father Gabriel exchanged a cautious glance with Selene.

"A messenger carrying a weapon rarely brings peaceful news."

Cassian nodded.

"A wise observation."

He reached into his cloak and withdrew a small crimson crystal.

As it floated into the air, an enormous image appeared above the city.

It showed countless universes linked together by rivers of light.

Then...

One after another...

Entire realms vanished into scarlet fire.

Not consumed by darkness.

Erased.

Victoria’s expression hardened.

"What happened to them?"

Cassian’s voice remained calm.

"They were sacrificed."

"By whom?" Cole demanded.

Cassian slowly lifted his gaze toward the distant stars.

"By the one who sits upon the Crimson Throne."

A heavy silence followed.

Nox’Rath stepped forward.

His eyes widened with recognition.

"It cannot be..."

Cassian looked at him.

"So."

"The Fallen Shadow still walks beside the Dawn."

Nox’Rath whispered a single name.

"Valerius..."

Cassian’s calm expression changed for the first time.

"You remember our King."

The crimson vessel above Asterion suddenly released a deep, resonating horn that echoed across the universe.

Cassian looked back at Victoria.

"My King has awakened."

"He offers you one choice."

He raised the crimson spear toward the heavens.

"Join the Crimson Throne..."

"...or witness every world you save become another forgotten star."

Far above them, the Crimson Ark opened its colossal gates.

Behind them waited an endless army of crimson-armored guardians standing in perfect silence.

The Age of Exploration had ended almost as quickly as it had begun.

The Age of the Crimson Throne was about to begin.