Chapter 2695: Story 2696: The First World

The first world returned.

Kael stood beneath a sky.

Kael whispered,

“This was the beginning.”

The ancient Elarion stood beside him.

“No.”

Kael turned.

“This was the world before the beginning.”

The child stood between them.

His empty eyes reflected the burning sky.

“You remember now.”

Kael looked around.

“I remember this place.”

“You should.”

The King Before Kings appeared above the city, his enormous crown blocking the stars.

His voice shook the heavens.

“Elarion!”

Kael raised his sword.

“You called me punishment.”

The King smiled.

“I called you consequence.”

The ancient Elarion stepped forward.

“You lied to him.”

“I protected the worlds.”

“You feared him.”

The King’s expression darkened.

“I feared what he would become.”

The child laughed.

“You feared what he already was.”

The sky suddenly cracked.

Black fire poured through the opening.

The inhabitants screamed.

Kael watched the darkness spread across the kingdom.

“What happened?”

The ancient Elarion answered.

“You summoned the enemy.”

Kael shook his head.

“No.”

The child looked at him.

“Yes.”

Kael turned toward him.

“Why?”

“Because you wanted to end suffering.”

Kael froze.

The child continued.

“You believed destroying one world would save every other world.”

Lena suddenly appeared beside Kael.

Her silver armor was covered in blood.

“Kael, stop.”

He stared at her.

“Was I responsible?”

Lena looked away.

“Yes.”

Azael appeared behind her.

“But you were not alone.”

Elias stood beside him.

“We all chose.”

The fifth and sixth children emerged from the burning streets.

The Forgotten Child followed.

Kael looked at them.

“You helped me?”

Azael nodded.

“We believed you could control it.”

The ancient Elarion lowered his head.

“But none of us understood what you had awakened.”

The child stepped forward.

“I did.”

Kael stared.

“What did I awaken?”

The child pointed toward the sky.

A gigantic crimson eye opened above the kingdom.

The first enemy descended.

Its six arms spread across the heavens.

The King Before Kings raised his sword.

“Divide him!”

Kael understood.

“You divided me because the enemy was inside me.”

The King answered,

“No.”

The ancient Elarion looked toward Kael.

“The enemy was born when you tried to destroy it.”

Silence followed.

The crimson eye turned toward Kael.

Its voice echoed across the first world.

“You created me.”

Kael raised his sword.

“Then I will destroy you.”

The child stepped between them.

“You already tried.”

The enemy laughed.

“And failed.”

The ground shattered.

The first world began collapsing.

Their voices became one.

“Save us.”

Kael dropped his sword.

The ancient Elarion grabbed his shoulder.

“Do not listen.”

Kael looked at him.

“I cannot abandon them again.”

The ancient Elarion whispered,

“Then remember the final choice.”

Kael closed his eyes.

A white door appeared.

Behind it stood the King, the children, and the enemy.

And in the center stood Kael.

But this time, he held a black blade.

The child whispered,

“That was the moment you chose.”

Kael opened his eyes.

“What did I choose?”

The entire first world fell silent.

Then the King Before Kings answered.

“You chose to become the monster they needed you to fear.”