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Here is Chapter 8 of Spectral Sovereign: Code of the Forgotten King. This chapter explores the past through relics left behind, giving Aren a glimpse into the original Sovereign—and how deeply he is tied to a power the world has long tried to erase.
Chapter 8: Echoes of the Broken Crown
The snow fell heavier beyond the eastern edge of the Hollow Throne. Aren moved through the dark-twined forest, his footsteps nearly silent. Fang trailed ahead, ears sharp. Kaeliah followed behind, her fawn flickering like a second shadow.
[New Location: Grave of Sovereigns]Warning: Area marked [Cursed Ruins – Class B]
Relic Signatures Detected: 3Hidden System Echoes Present
They stood before what had once been a temple—now collapsed and half-buried beneath ice. Six black stone pillars remained, etched in a forgotten language. A circular dais cracked down the middle, where a shattered throne once stood. The place smelled of ancient grief.
"I've seen this symbol before," Kaeliah murmured. She pointed to a sigil engraved on a broken slab.
A ring of thorns. A crown of splinters. A blade turned inward.
Aren felt something cold stir behind his ribs.
[System Fragment Detected – Origin Match: 94%]
Accessing Sovereign Memory…
Playback Initiated: Memory Shard – [Last Thronefall]
The world around Aren warped.
Snow vanished. The ruins reformed. And suddenly, he was inside the vision—watching a man in tattered robes kneel before the very throne he'd seen in his dreams.
This man wore a full black crown, but half of it was cracked, jagged like Aren's own mask. A dozen shadow-spirits knelt around him—half beast, half memory.
The man's voice echoed, full of sorrow and fury.
"They bound themselves to spirits. I bound myself to truth."
"They gave names to gods. I broke mine to be forgotten."
"Let the world burn in its light. I will rise again… in shadow."
Lightning struck. The crown cracked. The memory shattered.
Aren gasped, falling to one knee. Blood dripped from his nose.
Kaeliah caught him. "What did you see?"
He wiped the blood from his face and looked up at the broken throne.
"I saw the last Sovereign. He didn't fall."
"He chose to be forgotten."
[Memory Shard Absorbed]Sovereign's Will: +6%New Title Fragment: "Bearer of the Broken Crown"
Skill Acquired:➤ Throneshard Recall – Gain access to ancient Sovereign memories when near cursed ruins. Unlock system fragments tied to forbidden knowledge.Uses: Limited to Sovereign-class users.
[Relic Gained: Thornbrand (Rusted Blade Fragment)]– Once wielded by the Forgotten King– Weapon Type: Memory Blade (Adaptive)– Locked: Requires 20% Sovereign Will to awaken
Aren picked up the blade. It was jagged. Old. Dead.
But it fit in his hand like it had always been waiting for him.
They left the Grave in silence.
Night fell as they returned to the Hollow Throne. But Aren did not sleep.
He sat at the edge of the cold throne room, staring at the broken crown etched into the sword's hilt.
The world had feared Sovereigns not because they defied the spirits…
But because they were never meant to exist.