Chapter 2562: Story 2563: The Seven Hundred Thirteen Worlds

The first golden gateway opened above Asterion.

Beyond it lay an unfamiliar universe filled with violet stars and enormous floating continents drifting through a sea of clouds.

Victoria Kane stood at its threshold.

Behind her, the people of Asterion gathered beneath the radiant sky. The Heart of Harmony pulsed beneath the palace, sending golden streams toward every corner of the realm.

Cole Mercer adjusted his rifle.

"Seven hundred and thirteen worlds."

He looked at Victoria.

"That’s a lot of places to visit."

Lucas Reed smiled.

"At least we won’t run out of scenery."

Dr. Evelyn Brooks opened Elias Crow’s journal.

The pages turned rapidly.

"Something is wrong."

Victoria looked at her.

"What?"

"The coordinates are changing."

Hundreds of crimson symbols vanished from the celestial map.

Then reappeared elsewhere.

"They aren’t fixed targets."

Evelyn’s expression hardened.

"Valerius is moving the Harvest."

Nox’Rath stepped closer.

"He’s testing us."

"He wants to know which worlds we choose first."

Victoria stared at the shifting map.

"Then we’ll choose the ones that need us most."

Aurelius approached.

"The Heart of Harmony can open only a limited number of gateways at once."

"How many?"

"Seven."

Victoria looked toward the seven glowing pathways.

Seven worlds.

Seven missions.

Seven chances to stand against the Crimson Throne.

She smiled.

"Then we divide."

Cole immediately stepped forward.

"I’m going with you."

Selene shook her head.

"No."

"You need someone who can coordinate the defense here."

She pointed toward Asterion.

"The Crimson Ark is still above us."

Cole looked upward.

Thousands of crimson warriors remained aboard the enormous vessel.

Selene continued.

"If they attack while everyone leaves, Asterion becomes vulnerable."

Roland drew his Marshal sword.

"Then I remain here too."

Father Gabriel nodded.

"Someone must protect the people who have just learned to live again."

Victoria understood.

She turned toward Cassian.

"You know Valerius better than anyone here."

Cassian remained silent for several seconds.

Then he lowered his crimson spear.

"I will guide you."

Nox’Rath studied him carefully.

"Why?"

Cassian looked toward the crimson vessel above them.

"Because I have served the wrong king for too long."

The revelation stunned everyone.

Victoria stepped closer.

"Are you betraying Valerius?"

Cassian shook his head.

"No."

"I am correcting my mistake."

A distant explosion suddenly shook the heavens.

The Crimson Ark fired a massive crimson beam toward the ground.

Aurelius raised his hands.

The Heart of Harmony answered.

A golden shield erupted above Asterion.

The beam struck it with tremendous force.

BOOM!

The entire city trembled.

Children cried out.

Citizens gathered together instead of running.

Thousands of golden threads connected them.

Their combined strength reinforced the shield.

Victoria looked at them proudly.

"They’re ready."

Aurelius smiled.

"They are no longer silent."

Another crimson blast struck the barrier.

This time...

The shield held.

Victoria turned toward the seven gateways.

"Let’s go."

Cole raised his rifle.

Lucas lifted his radiant bow.

Dr. Evelyn secured the journal.

Nox’Rath stepped beside Cassian.

Together they entered the first gateway.

The moment Victoria crossed the threshold, the universe changed.

A colossal world appeared before them.

Three suns burned above an endless desert.

Ancient cities rose from golden dunes.

But black towers had begun emerging from the sand.

Crimson banners flew above them.

Dr. Evelyn stared in disbelief.

"The Harvest has already begun."

Cassian tightened his grip on his spear.

"Then we are not early."

Victoria raised the Dawnblade.

"We’re exactly on time."

Across the desert, millions of crimson soldiers began marching toward the nearest city.

Then something enormous moved beneath the sand.

The dunes split apart.

A creature made of black stone and crimson fire rose toward the sky.

Cassian’s face turned pale.

"That isn’t one of Valerius’s soldiers."

Victoria stared at the colossal beast.

"What is it?"

Cassian whispered,

"The reason the Crimson Throne fears this world."

The creature opened its enormous eyes.

And beneath the desert...

Something ancient awakened.