Chapter 2693: Story 2694: The First Enemy

The black ocean exploded upward.

A colossal body emerged from its depths. Six enormous arms unfolded from its shoulders.

Kael stared.

“That is the first enemy?”

The stranger shook his head.

“No. That is only its body.”

The creature lifted its head.

Its face had no eyes.

Then six crimson eyes opened across its forehead.

The entire realm trembled.

Lena stepped beside Kael.

“We cannot fight that.”

Kael tightened his grip on his sword.

“Then we will survive it.”

Azael appeared beside them, raising his blade.

“Together.”

The stranger remained near the fallen white tree.

“Do not attack.”

Kael looked back.

“Why?”

“Because it is waiting for you to remember.”

The enemy suddenly spoke.

Its voice came from every direction.

“Elarion.”

Kael felt his chest burn.

White and black fire spread across his armor.

The enemy raised one massive hand.

Every world beyond the realm appeared inside its palm.

Kael saw cities, oceans, mountains, and people. Then the hand closed.

Millions of lights disappeared.

Lena gasped.

“It is destroying the worlds.”

The stranger shook his head.

“No.”

He looked at Kael.

“It is showing him what he destroyed.”

Kael froze.

Images flooded his mind.

He saw himself standing beneath a crimson sky.

Elarion. Whole. Powerful. Terrifying.

Around him stood countless armies beneath the First Soul.

Then Elarion lifted his hand.

White fire descended.

Kael watched kingdoms disappear.

He saw Azael falling.

Lena reaching toward him.

Elias calling his name.

Kael staggered.

“No...”

“You remember.”

Kael raised his sword.

“I remember enough.”

“You still blame me.”

“You were there.”

“I was created by you.”

Silence.

Azael looked at Kael.

“Brother...”

The enemy lowered itself until its enormous face was near Kael.

“I am not your enemy.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

“Then what are you?”

The six crimson eyes closed.

“I am your consequence.”

The white realm cracked.

A gigantic black wound opened beneath Kael.

Something moved inside it.

The stranger suddenly shouted,

“Do not look down!”

Too late.

Kael saw another version of himself beneath the realm.

It was chained.

Its body was covered in ancient symbols.

Its eyes were closed.

Lena whispered,

“There is another one.”

The enemy stepped backward.

“That is the truth you buried.”

Kael stared.

“Who is he?”

The stranger answered quietly.

“The first Elarion.”

Kael’s sword lowered.

“That is impossible.”

The chained figure opened one eye.

Silver light erupted through the wound.

Every fragment of the First Soul screamed.

The enemy turned toward the opening.

For the first time, it appeared afraid.

The chained Elarion spoke.

“Why did you wake me?”

Kael stepped closer.

“I didn’t.”

The ancient figure smiled.

“You always say that.”

The chains began breaking.

One.

Two.

Three.

The enemy raised all six weapons.

“Stop him!”

Kael looked at the stranger.

“Who is he?”

The stranger’s face went pale.

“The one even the first enemy feared.”

The final chain snapped.

The ancient Elarion stood.

The silence that followed felt older than creation itself.

And every world went silent.