Celebration echoed throughout the First World.
Guardian warriors filled the streets.
The crystal dragons soared through the skies, their roars carrying across the ancient kingdom.
For the first time since the war had begun...
There was hope.
Kael stood on the palace balcony beside Arion, watching the celebrations below.
"You should enjoy this," Arion said with a smile.
Kael laughed softly.
"I'll celebrate after we win."
Arion nodded.
"Fair enough."
Inside the Hall of Stars, Orion, Lyra, Caelum, Seraphine, and the other commanders gathered around the galactic map.
Blue lights had begun to spread across nearby star systems.
More worlds were answering the Last Core's beacon.
"We're growing stronger," Lyra said.
"But not fast enough," Caelum replied.
Orion pointed toward the edge of the map.
"The Devourers have stopped advancing."
Everyone frowned.
"Why would they stop now?" Seraphine asked.
Aetherion answered quietly.
"Because they're waiting."
The room fell silent.
"Waiting for what?"
Before anyone could answer—
The Harbinger's warning systems activated.
A deep alarm echoed through the capital.
Arion's expression changed instantly.
"Something's coming."
The galactic map flickered violently.
One by one...
Every star on the map dimmed.
Darkness spread across the projection like ink.
At its center appeared a single crimson sphere.
Unlike the Devourer fleet...
It wasn't moving.
It simply existed.
Aetherion's voice trembled.
"That presence..."
"I know it."
Kael looked at him.
"What is it?"
Aetherion closed his eyes.
"The first Devourer."
A chill swept through the Hall.
"The first?"
Orion whispered.
"I thought it was only a legend."
"So did I."
Suddenly, the crimson sphere split apart.
A single eye opened within it.
It was enormous.
Larger than planets.
Its crimson iris slowly turned.
Not toward the First World.
Toward Kael.
Across impossible distances...
It had found him.
Every Guardian in the capital collapsed to one knee under the overwhelming pressure.
Even the Harbinger staggered backward.
Only Kael remained standing, protected by the Last Core.
The eye blinked once.
Then it vanished.
The pressure disappeared.
Silence consumed the Hall.
"What..."
Kael whispered.
"...was that?"
Aetherion took a slow breath.
"His name..."
"...is Nox."
"The Devourer King before Veyrath."
"The one who began the Ancient War."
Far away, aboard the Void Citadel...
Even Veyrath lowered his head.
A rare smile crossed his face.
"Our creator..."
"...has awakened."
The war that Kael thought he understood had just become something far older.
Something far more terrifying.
The true origin of the Devourers had finally opened its eyes.