Chapter 2568: Story 2569: The Seven Successors

The seven ancient statues continued to glow.

Golden light spread across the black plain as the forgotten guardians slowly raised their weapons.

The First Hunger watched from beneath the fractured earth.

Its enormous crimson eye remained fixed upon Victoria Kane.

"You cannot inherit what belongs to the dead."

Victoria stepped forward.

"Then they can choose for themselves."

The first statue moved.

Stone cracked across its ancient armor.

Dust fell from its shoulders as it stepped down from the pedestal.

Its face remained hidden behind a weathered golden mask.

In its hand rested a massive sword covered in glowing symbols.

Elias Crow’s journal immediately filled with silver letters.

Guardian One: Arkon, Keeper of Courage.

Arkon lowered his sword toward Victoria.

"Do you possess courage?"

Victoria looked into the darkness beneath them.

"Not always."

The guardian remained still.

Victoria continued.

"I feel fear."

"I simply refuse to let fear decide for me."

The golden symbols on Arkon’s armor brightened.

He stepped aside.

The second statue awakened.

This guardian was smaller, wearing silver robes and carrying a crystal bowl filled with shimmering light.

Guardian Two: Seraphine, Keeper of Compassion.

Seraphine approached Dr. Evelyn.

"Can you carry the pain of another without making it your own?"

Evelyn looked at the memories surrounding them.

"I can listen."

"I can understand."

"And I can help."

The guardian smiled.

Her crystal bowl released a warm glow.

The third statue awakened.

It carried a radiant bow.

Lucas stared at it in amazement.

Guardian Three: Thalen, Keeper of Hope.

The guardian looked toward him.

"What do you see when the world is ending?"

Lucas swallowed.

"Another chance to save it."

Thalen lowered his bow.

The fourth guardian emerged.

A massive warrior wearing black-and-gold armor carried a shield larger than a human body.

Guardian Four: Ordan, Keeper of Sacrifice.

He approached Cole.

"What are you willing to lose?"

Cole looked at Victoria.

Then at Lucas.

Then at the people who had followed them across universes.

"Whatever it takes."

Ordan’s shield began glowing.

The fifth statue awakened.

A woman covered in silver armor stepped forward, twin blades resting at her sides.

Guardian Five: Elara, Keeper of Freedom.

Her eyes settled upon Selene.

"Why fight?"

Selene answered without hesitation.

"So people can choose their own path."

Elara nodded.

The sixth guardian awakened.

An old figure holding a staff appeared beneath the crimson sky.

Guardian Six: Malachor, Keeper of Wisdom.

His gaze turned toward Father Gabriel.

"What is stronger than knowledge?"

Father Gabriel smiled.

"Knowing when to use it."

The old guardian lowered his staff.

Finally...

The seventh statue began to move.

Unlike the others, this guardian wore no armor.

No crown.

No weapon.

Only a simple white robe.

The inscription above it changed.

Guardian Seven: The Keeper of Memory.

The guardian walked toward Nox’Rath.

Everyone became silent.

Nox’Rath stared at the figure.

"I already failed once."

The guardian replied,

"That is why you remember."

Nox’Rath lowered his head.

"I became the Endless Shadow."

"And now?"

He looked toward Victoria.

"Now I choose to become something else."

The seventh guardian touched his chest.

Golden light entered Nox’Rath.

His dark aura changed.

Not disappearing...

Transforming.

The shadows surrounding him became silver.

Victoria watched in silence.

Then the seven guardians turned toward her.

Arkon spoke first.

"The successors have been chosen."

The First Hunger laughed beneath the earth.

"Seven mortals against eternity?"

The ground exploded.

Crimson roots erupted across the battlefield.

Azrakar charged forward, smashing several roots beneath its enormous feet.

Cassian raised his spear.

"Everyone!"

"Defensive formation!"

Golden and crimson energy collided across the plain.

Victoria stepped into the center.

The seven guardians formed a circle around her.

Their weapons pointed toward the enormous eye.

The Living Dawn within Victoria’s heart suddenly connected with all seven.

Seven streams of light entered her.

She gasped.

For a moment, she felt everything.

Courage.

Compassion.

Hope.

Sacrifice.

Freedom.

Wisdom.

Memory.

The seven qualities merged with the Living Dawn.

Her golden wings transformed.

Each wing gained a different radiant color.

The First Hunger recoiled.

"No..."

Victoria raised the Dawnblade.

The blade now carried seven glowing symbols.

"You were waiting for one hero."

She looked toward her companions.

"You should have feared seven hearts."

The First Hunger’s eye widened.

"Then I will devour them all."

A colossal wave of crimson darkness erupted from beneath the realm.

The seven guardians raised their weapons.

Victoria raised the Dawnblade.

And for the first time since the First War...

The ancient defenders of creation stood together again.

The final battle had not begun.

The choosing had.