Chapter 2676: Story 2677: The Prisoner

The throne groaned.

Kael stared at the ancient version of himself chained beneath the white tree.

Silver eyes watched him without fear.

“Why did I run?” Kael asked.

The prisoner smiled.

“Because you remembered what I became.”

The chains tightened with terrible force again.

Lena stepped forward.

“Release him.”

The prisoner looked at her.

“You are the red heir.”

“Who are you?”

“I am what Kael was before the world taught him to forget.”

Azael moved beside Kael.

“Then why are you chained?”

The prisoner looked toward the darkness above.

“Because I discovered what was sleeping beneath creation.”

First Father lifted his sword.

“Do not listen to him.”

Kael turned sharply.

“You knew about this.”

“I knew enough.”

“You lied to us.”

“I protected you.”

“From what?”

The prisoner answered.

“From yourself.”

The seventh mark on Kael’s chest opened wider.

White light poured through his armor.

The prisoner’s chains began breaking.

One.

Two.

Three.

Elias stepped back as golden veins burned across his arms.

“It is responding to him.”

Adrian’s voice echoed faintly from beyond the memory.

“Kael! Don’t let the seal break!”

“Adrian?”

“We’re losing the connection! Something is attacking the memory!”

A black crack appeared beneath the white tree.

Something moved inside it.

The sixth child stared into the crack.

“Not something.”

He swallowed.

“Someone.”

A hand emerged.

Long black fingers gripped the edge of the opening.

The prisoner suddenly stopped smiling.

“No.”

Kael approached him.

“You know it.”

“I remember.”

The hand pulled itself upward.

A tall figure rose from beneath the tree, wrapped in chains and darkness.

Its face was hidden.

But its voice filled the memory.

“Elarion.”

Kael’s sword ignited with white fire.

The figure tilted its head.

“You finally returned.”

Kael stepped between it and Lena.

“I am Kael.”

The figure laughed.

“No.”

The seventh mark burned.

“You are the door.”

Kael felt something awaken inside his chest.

The forgotten child grabbed his arm.

“Brother, don’t fight it.”

“Why?”

“Because it wants you to open yourself.”

Kael looked at the prisoner.

“What happens if I do?”

The ancient Kael lowered his eyes.

“The prison becomes a body.”

A violent tremor shattered the white tree.

Branches fell like burning stars.

The First Father shouted for everyone to retreat.

But Lena refused to move.

“I won’t leave Kael.”

Elias stood beside her.

“Neither will I.”

Azael raised his blade.

“Then we face it together.”

The black figure slowly lifted one hand.

Every child around the tree disappeared.

Only Kael remained.

The memory became empty.

No Lena.

No brothers.

No Father.

Only Kael and the prisoner.

The prisoner whispered.

“Now you must choose.”

Kael tightened his grip on the sword.

“Choose what?”

“Whether you want to remain the key...”

The chains exploded.

“...or become the one who locks the door.”

Behind Kael, the enormous white eye opened again.

And from beyond it came a final voice.

“Open.”

Kael raised his sword.

But this time, the voice came from inside his own heart.