Chapter 2561: Story 2562: The Choice of the Living Dawn

The Crimson Ark hovered above Asterion like a second moon forged from war.

Its enormous gates remained open, revealing thousands of crimson-armored warriors standing beneath towering arches of black crystal. None moved.

None spoke.

They simply waited.

Cassian stood before Victoria Kane with his crimson spear resting against the marble floor.

"My King does not demand an answer today," he said.

"He merely wants you to understand what stands against you."

Victoria looked toward the countless soldiers above.

"And if I refuse?"

Cassian’s crimson eyes remained calm.

"Then Valerius will begin the Harvest."

Dr. Evelyn Brooks tightened her grip around Elias Crow’s journal.

"Harvest?"

Cassian glanced toward her.

"Every universe produces something the Crimson Throne requires."

"Hope."

"Memory."

"Life."

"When a civilization becomes strong enough to resist, Valerius removes it before it can become a threat."

Father Gabriel’s expression darkened.

"That isn’t conquest."

"That’s extermination."

Cassian lowered his gaze.

"I never claimed otherwise."

A sudden tremor passed through the ground.

The Heart of Harmony beneath the palace released a brilliant golden pulse.

Across Asterion, citizens stopped what they were doing.

The golden threads connecting their hearts suddenly rose into the sky.

Thousands of streams of light gathered above the city, forming an enormous radiant shield.

Cassian looked upward.

"So the Heart has awakened completely."

Aurelius stepped beside Victoria.

"It belongs to the people now."

Cassian studied him.

"Then they will become Valerius’s first target."

Victoria’s eyes hardened.

"No."

She raised the Dawnblade.

"They won’t."

The blade released a brilliant wave of golden energy.

Every citizen of Asterion saw the same vision.

They saw their ancient suffering.

Their forgotten laughter.

Their families.

Their dreams.

And finally...

They saw Victoria standing beneath the stars.

Not as their ruler.

Not as their savior.

As one of them.

The city erupted in voices.

"We stand together!"

The cry spread from street to street.

"We stand together!"

Thousands of citizens raised their hands toward the golden sky.

Cassian watched in silence.

For the first time, uncertainty appeared in his eyes.

"This..."

"...is what the Crimson Throne fears."

Nox’Rath stepped forward.

"The moment people discover they can choose for themselves."

Cassian looked toward him.

"You speak as though choice saved you."

"It did."

Nox’Rath’s voice was quiet.

"And it can save others."

Suddenly, the crimson crystal hovering above the palace shattered.

A massive projection appeared in the sky.

A throne emerged from an ocean of crimson fire.

Upon it sat a mysterious figure wearing a crown of black metal and red crystal.

His face remained hidden.

But his voice crossed the universe.

"Victoria Kane."

The Living Dawn inside her heart surged.

"You have inherited what does not belong to you."

Victoria stared upward.

"The First Dawn belongs to everyone."

The figure laughed softly.

"Then let everyone defend it."

The projection vanished.

Immediately, thousands of crimson symbols appeared across the sky.

Dr. Evelyn’s face turned pale.

"Those aren’t messages."

"What are they?" Lucas asked.

"Coordinates."

She looked toward the horizon.

"He’s marked the worlds connected to Asterion."

Cole lifted his rifle.

"How many?"

Dr. Evelyn looked at the journal.

Her voice became quiet.

"Seven hundred and thirteen."

Silence followed.

Cassian lowered his spear.

"The Harvest has begun."

Victoria looked at the frightened citizens below.

Then at her companions.

Then toward the distant stars.

Seven hundred and thirteen worlds.

Seven hundred and thirteen chances to protect life.

She smiled.

"Then we won’t defend one world."

"We’ll defend all of them."

The Dawnblade erupted with golden fire.

Behind Victoria, six wings of living light unfolded.

The Heart of Harmony answered.

And across the heavens, countless golden pathways opened toward the marked worlds.

Cassian stared in disbelief.

"You intend to reach them all?"

Victoria stepped into the first gateway.

"Not alone."

Behind her, Asterion’s people raised their voices.

The age of one heroic guardian was ending.

A greater alliance was beginning.

And somewhere beyond the stars...

Valerius prepared for war.