A low rumble echoed throughout the valley.Dust billowed from the bodies of dozens of stone statues lined up before the ancient gate. Fine cracks began to spiderweb across their surfaces, followed by the grinding sound of stone rubbing against stone.KRAAK... KRAAK...One by one, the statues' eyes opened.Golden light radiated from their eye sockets, illuminating the valley that had previously been veiled in mist. An overwhelming pressure filled the air, making Akseli’s breathing labored.He gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.His gaze remained fixed on the guardians."They are... alive."There was no answer.Only the sound of stone footsteps began to shake the earth.DUM... DUM... DUM...The lead guardian took the first step. It stood nearly three meters tall, clad in stone armor etched with ancient carvings eroded by time. In its hand, it gripped a long spear, its tip emitting a golden glow.Behind it, twelve other guardians began to move.Not in a rush.But slowly.Methodic

The golden light within the hall slowly dimmed.Dozens of Ancient Kings returned to their silent positions upon their thrones. The eye sockets that had once emanated brilliance now grew hollow again, leaving behind a silence heavy with authority.Only the First King remained standing before Akseli.His black robe rippled softly, though no wind stirred the air. His form appeared like a shadow woven from light, yet his presence felt far more tangible than anyone Akseli had ever met.Akseli still struggled to process everything that had just occurred.Only moments ago, he was merely a youth cast aside by the world.Now...he was being called the heir to the kings."You still have many questions written on your face."The First King's voice was calm.Akseli gave a slow nod."Too many.""If I am truly the heir...""Why is all of this happening only now?"The First King offered a faint smile."Because a legacy does not choose based on age.""A legacy chooses based on time."Akseli frowned."

The violent tremors that shook the Tomb of the Kings slowly began to subside. The blackgold light filling the King’s Library receded, leaving a soft glow upon the ancient symbols etched into every wall. Although the atmosphere had calmed, Akseli could sense that something had fundamentally changed.He remained seated crosslegged on the stone altar. His breathing gradually stabilized after successfully awakening the first pulse of his Origin Core. His body felt exhausted, but for the first time since he was born, he felt a flow of energy that was truly a part of him.Akseli opened his right palm. The black symbol still glowed faintly, but its light now pulsed in rhythm with the small throb at his core. Each time the Origin Core beat, the symbol emitted a nearly invisible ripple of light.The First King observed this change without saying a word. His gaze was calm, yet his eyes showed that he had been waiting for this moment for a very long time. After a few moments, he finally spoke."

Akseli stopped right at the gates of the Tomb of the Kings. The cold mountain air greeted him after so long spent underground. The sunlight piercing through the trees felt warm against his face.He took a deep breath. For the first time since being cast out of the Holy City, he saw the sky stretching out wide before him. But the tranquility lasted only a few seconds.The sound of footsteps echoed from behind the fog.Tap... Tap... Tap...Three figures in black cloaks slowly emerged from behind the trees. Their faces were covered by expressionless silver masks, while a black eclipse emblem was clearly etched onto each of their chests.They stopped about twenty paces from Akseli.Their leader scanned Akseli from head to toe. His gaze was sharp, but it quickly turned into a look of disdain."So...""...this is the Heir to the Kings?"His tone was heavy with disappointment."I thought we would be facing a monster.""As it turns out...""...just a boy."The two assassins behind him chuckled

Dawn had barely broken when Verdan City began to stir with activity. Merchants opened their shops one by one, while trade caravans lined up to depart through the city gates toward the various corners of Elarion. The quiet morning atmosphere marked the beginning of a new journey for Akseli.In front of the city gate stood Kael, his black spear slung across his back. His appearance was far more modest than when he first met Akseli. The black robe, once adorned with the emblems of the Twilight Guardians, had been replaced by simple traveler’s garb."We leave now," Kael said.Akseli nodded. He cast one last look at Verdan City before finally stepping forward to follow the old man. He realized that every city he passed would take him further away from his old life.They walked along a stone road that cut through the vast plains to the east. The morning air felt cool, and fields of grass swayed gently in the breeze. In the distance, towering mountains stretched out like a giant wall, separa