The sixth day's grueling trials were finally yielding to the gentle embrace of twilight on Trial Island Theta. Sebastian and Kael had retreated to a secluded, spacious cave near the cooling shoreline, the air inside settling into a profound quiet after the immense volatility of the Ignarok's ascension. They were preparing a meal, the simple act a necessary anchor after the week's high-stakes chaos.
One by one, they released their companions, filling the vast cavern with a congregation of elemental might. The very atmosphere thickened with the presence of so many formidable spirits.
Sebastian waved his hand, and his majestic cohort appeared: the small Storm Hawk and its silent, armored partner, the Gale Shield Cicada; the stoic Blairon Giant and the fruit-bearing Springshoot Panda. Then came the heavy hitters: the electrically charged Thunderjaw Wyvern and the cunning Stribane Tiger. Last among his Tier IVs, the imposing, beautiful Frostmaw materialized, its fur shimmering with pure ice crystals, its massive head resting on the cave floor, its powerful aura radiating a welcome chill.
Finally, the Soul Sentinels took their place: the celestial Seraphaquor, its scales the color of distant stars, and the newly forged Ignarok, its Magma-Infused Adamantine body a brilliant, controlled crimson, a perfect counterpoint to the Ice dragon.
Kael brought forth his family: the shadowy Umbralwing, the dependable Stoneclaw Grizzly, the defensive Glimmadillo, and the healing Mystaflora. His Tier IVs appeared next: the unyielding Boulder Fang and the azure streak of the Azure Zephyrex. Closing the circle was Kael's own Soul Sentinel, the ethereal Duskmane, its spiritual energy casting a serene, stabilizing peace over the gathering.
Sebastian surveyed the immense, formidable gathering, a ook of profound satisfaction passing over his face. He stepped forward, raising his hands slightly to command attention.
"My friends, please, settle down," Sebastian began, his voice warm and clear, echoing slightly in the stone chamber. "I want to thank all of you. Every single companion here, from the smallest Springshoot Panda to our newest Soul Sentinel, the Ignarok. Thank you for making the journey on this island so memorable and exciting. We have worked as a perfect unit, and you have all performed beyond expectation."
A chorus of appreciative roars, howls, and trills rose in response—the Ignarok's low, controlled rumble mixing with the Seraphaquor's bell-like chime.
"I know everyone is tired and needs rest," Sebastian continued, smiling. "So I won't be taking much time. Today, we will have a true feast for dinner—a celebration of victory and family. But this celebration is also a preparation. Tomorrow is the seventh and final day on this island, and the end of the trial."
He paced slowly, his gaze sweeping across their faces. "I am certain that tomorrow will be the most brutal, dangerous day of this trial. We will have to fight and survive many battles against opponents who are desperate, well-trained, and extremely powerful."
Sebastian stopped and turned, looking directly at the colossal Frostmaw. "Tomorrow, according to the information we've gathered, a legendary treasure is going to surface in the mountain located in the exact center of the island Theta. That treasure is necessary for one of our dearest friends, Frostmaw, to finally evolve."
The Frostmaw lifted its head, its intelligent eyes fixed on Sebastian, a deep, eager breath fogging the air.
"The item is a Mythical Grade Treasure, known only as The Heart of Ice," Sebastian explained, his voice gaining intensity. "It is the ultimate prize, and every remaining candidate knows its worth—the key to unlocking a Mythical Evolution Path for any Ice-type Rune-Beast. It will be a magnet for every desperate faction."
Kael stepped forward, his eyes bright with excitement and determination. "So, My Lord, it's a war for the last prize, right? A war for the Frostmaw!"
Sebastian nodded firmly. "Precisely. Today, we feast, we rest, we talk strategy, and we gather our strength. We feast before entering the war for the treasure, to secure it for our friend, Frostmaw."
Kael cheered loudly, and the Rune-Beasts responded with a unified, echoing roar of anticipation and loyalty. The Ignarok and the Seraphaquor exchanged a look, an unspoken promise to fight as one, no matter their elemental differences. The Thunderjaw Wyvern let out a crackle of competitive energy, eager for the fray.
The feast began. The masters and their companions shared the meal—high-energy rations, foraged fruits from the Springshoot Panda, and fresh water purified by the Duskmane's aura. It was a perfect, harmonious moment of unity and calm before the cataclysmic dawn.
Meanwhile, far removed from the quiet intimacy of the cave, the professors of the Mysticrium Academy were gathered in the immense viewing hall, their eyes glued to the giant holographic map where the remaining candidate icons were converging on the central peak.
Archon Tyrus, her expression stern, addressed her colleagues. "The hour approaches, gentlemen and ladies. The Heart of Ice will surface at dawn. The political and elemental stakes are now at their highest. We have not just two strong teams; we have the last remnants of the Fourteen Empires and Three Sovereign Territories vying for a Mythical asset."
Professor Jian gestured at the map, highlighting several icons. "Indeed, Tyrus. Look at the quality of the competition Sebastian and Kael now face. This is no longer a scavenger hunt; it is a clash of royal houses and ancestral talents."
He focused the view on the Eastern Continent candidates. "We have the two great Eastern powers. From the Tenkai no Omikuni Empire, Princess Mikazuki Sayaka brings the Mythical Talent Guardian's Compassion, paired with her Tier IV Voidwhisper Kitsune. Her brother, Prince Mikazuki Renjiro, has the fearsome Mythical Talent Sword Heart, bolstering his Tier IV Dewdrift Wyvern and Murakaze Warrior."
"Next," Jian continued, moving to the Tianxuan Daguo Empire, "we have Prince Long Yulin, a powerhouse with the Mythical Talent Spear Saint Dragon Piercer, and his newly evolved Tier IV Dracozen. And his sister, Princess Long Yuhua, is an Earth mastery expert, her Mythical Talent Earth Protector's Sacred Domain commanding her Tier IV Verdanix and Bombooza—a highly evolved form of the Springshoot Panda."
Professor Elara focused the screen on the Southern Continent's representation. "The South is just as formidable. From the Ayathaya Empire, Prince Thakin Zeyar Thanaviraj carries the aggressive Mythical Talent Thotsakan Rage, commanding his Tier IV Buildhorn Rhino. His sister, Princess Hasanda Yuwadi Thanaviraj, relies on the defensive power of her Tier IV Fernback Tortoise and the spiritual strength of her Mythical Talent Emerald Buddha Blessing."
"And the Bayinchai Empire's contingent," she added. "Prince Vicheka Chan Sovannaratha is a Fire specialist with the Sunset Phoenix and the Mythical Talent Sacred Fire. Princess Mala Devi Sovannaratha possesses the Mythical Talent Forest Guardian Staff, capable of massive Earth manipulation with her Tier IV Terrakor Elephant and Bambrook—another rare Panda evolution."
Professor Varen cut in, pointing to the Marashtan and Tashradan Empire groups. "Don't forget the sheer, raw might of the Marashtan Prince Tovros Erem Darakel, commanding the powerful Tier IV Maelstrom Dragon and wielding the sheer physical force of Hayk's Giant Heritage. And from Tashradan, Prince Ashmed Khazran Khurzaban is a deadly combatant, his Mythical Talent Ali's Zulfiqar making his Tier IV Scorialis Tiger an absolute terror."
Jian nodded. "The Central Continent offers the greatest concentration of Holy and Knightly talents. Prince Theodar Valerian Von Halberstein of the Holy Theroustadt Empire is armed with the Mythical Talent Michael's Blade and his Tier IV Lumilion. His brother, Prince Aurelio Isambard Von Halberstein, has the defensive strength of Paladin's Covenant. And their sister, Princess Adelheid Catherine, uses the swift elegance of the Storm Phoenix Wings."
"And the Valtenerra Empire," Tyrus emphasized, her eyes sharp. "Prince Leopold Amadeus Von Hohencrist is the only other candidate besides Sebastian and Kael to command a confirmed Tier V: Soul Sentinel—the formidable Quartzion Rhino, backed by his Mythical Talent Atlas's Burden."
"Moving quickly North," Varen continued, "The Rurikid Ascendancy and Rimeward Empire are all cold specialists. Prince Alaric Ruriksson commands the Tier IV Icevern Dragon with the Jarl's Command talent. His brother, Prince Alexei, is a lightning and ice user with the Mythical Talent Mjolnir's Thunder. And Princess Anya Frosthelm of Rimeward, with her Mythical Talent Rusalka's Depth, commands the formidable Tier IV Aurorawing Dragon."
"Finally, our own Western Continent," Elara finished, highlighting the familiar icons. "Prince Theren Arindhelm of the Sapphire Empire has his Tier IV Ashrariel Phoenix and the Phoenix Blood talent. And the mercenary, Rathis Duneclaw, while illegitimate, possesses a Legendary Tier Talent, Dune Walker, making his Tier IV Draconic Tyrannous a wild card."
Archon Tyrus silenced the room with a commanding wave of her hand. "The total count: dozens of Tier IVs, multiple candidates wielding Mythical Tier Talents, and two confirmed Tier V Soul Sentinels besides Sebastian's. This will be an absolute Tier V Convergence. The goal is simple: the Heart of Ice must be obtained by the most worthy. Sebastian is now the greatest prize on the board. Let us see if his strategy, or his strength, can stand against the combined might of the world's royalty."
The clock on the main screen clicked down to the final hours before dawn. The stage was set for the trial's ultimate, bloody climax.