Th Guardian's Warning

Chapter 79 — The Guardian's Warning

Evelyn stood beside the ancient altar.

The six symbols continued glowing faintly.

Aether watched her carefully.

"Explain."

Evelyn nodded.

"This formation was created thousands of years ago."

She placed her hand above the altar.

A thin projection appeared.

It showed a massive network spreading across the continent.

Lines connected mountains, forests, lakes, deserts, and cities.

"This is the Continental Origin Formation."

Seris studied the projection.

"Origin Energy is moving through those lines."

"Exactly."

Evelyn pointed toward one of the major routes.

"The formation was designed to distribute Origin Energy between different regions."

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"Which means the keys control the routes."

Evelyn nodded.

"More than that."

She moved her hand.

One region suddenly became brighter.

Another dimmed.

"The keys can redirect the flow."

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Lyra's expression changed.

"You're saying someone with enough keys could take Origin Energy from one region and send it somewhere else?"

"Yes."

Aria frowned.

"That could destroy entire regions."

"It could."

Evelyn's expression remained serious.

"That is why I came here."

Aether looked at the altar.

"How many keys are needed?"

"Six."

The system immediately responded.

[Origin Key Network detected.]

[Network synchronization increased.]

[Current Keys: 3/6.]

[Network stability: 57%.]

Aether looked at the notification.

"Fifty-seven percent."

Evelyn nodded.

"The network is becoming more stable because the keys are being gathered."

Aether looked at the three keys under his authority.

"Then someone else has the remaining ones."

"At least one."

Evelyn reached into her cloak.

She pulled out a silver compass.

The compass needle began spinning.

Then it pointed toward the west.

"The fourth key is moving."

Aether activated Origin Sense.

He could feel a faint fluctuation beyond the mountain.

"You're tracking it."

"Yes."

Evelyn looked at him.

"But there's something strange."

"What?"

"The keys are responding to you."

Aether glanced at the three keys.

Their light had indeed become stronger.

The system suddenly reacted.

[Temporary Origin Key Authority detected.]

[Candidate: Aether Draven.]

[Compatibility: 100%.]

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"Authority?"

Evelyn looked surprised.

"I've never seen that happen."

Aether didn't take his eyes off the system.

"What does it mean?"

[Authority allows limited interaction with the Origin Key Network.]

[Additional network functions may become available.]

[Authority status: Unconfirmed.]

Aether considered it for a moment.

Then he accepted.

[Origin Key Authority established.]

[Authority level: Temporary.]

[Network access unlocked.]

[Current Keys under authority: 3/6.]

A faint pulse traveled through the three keys.

Aether could suddenly sense their locations.

Not perfectly.

But enough.

He could feel the Crimson Key.

The Sunken Key.

And Kael's damaged fragment.

Three separate points of the network.

Evelyn stared at him.

"You really have no idea what you've just gained, do you?"

Aether smiled slightly.

"I'll figure it out."

Lyra walked over.

"So what's next?"

Aether looked toward the western passage.

"The fourth key."

Aria nodded.

"And the other two?"

"We'll deal with them when we find them."

Seris looked toward Evelyn.

"Are you coming with us?"

Evelyn was silent for a moment.

Then she closed the silver compass.

"For now."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"That's not exactly reassuring."

"I don't need to reassure you."

Aether smiled.

"Fair enough."

The group prepared to leave.

Aether looked back at the six-slot altar.

Three keys were under his authority.

Three remained beyond his reach.

And somewhere across the continent, another key had begun moving.

Someone was searching for it.

Someone else was probably searching for him.

Aether turned away from the altar.

"Let's see who reaches it first."