The heavens trembled.
The seven colossal eyes hovering above Elysium stared down upon the forgotten kingdom as if judging the fate of its people. Their overwhelming presence alone was enough to make even the ancient guardians fall to their knees.
Kael stood frozen upon the crystal walls of Elysium, unable to look away.
For the first time in his life, he felt insignificant.
These beings existed long before kingdoms were established. They had witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations. Compared to them, he was merely an eighteen-year-old prince who had only recently discovered his true identity.
"The Seven Sovereigns..." Kael whispered.
Orion's expression darkened as he looked toward the heavens.
"They're awake much sooner than I expected."
Seraphina tightened her grip on her staff.
"This shouldn't be possible. The Sovereigns were supposed to remain dormant until all seven fragments were found."
"Someone must have accelerated their awakening," Orion replied.
The voice of one of the Sovereigns echoed throughout the skies once more.
"The Heir of Echoes has finally returned to his kingdom."
The second Sovereign laughed.
"How amusing. He is far weaker than I imagined."
A third voice interrupted.
"Do not underestimate him. His existence alone has already begun changing fate."
Kael clenched his fists.
"What exactly do you want from me?"
Silence followed his question before the Sovereign of Time finally answered.
"That depends upon which future you choose."
"The future where you save the world?"
"The future where you destroy it?"
"The future where you rule it?"
"The future where you burn it to ashes?"
Their voices overlapped as if they were speaking directly into his soul.
"Your existence was never meant to happen, Kael Arwyn."
The statement immediately caught everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?" Kael demanded.
The Sovereign of Death spoke for the first time.
"You were never supposed to survive the night you were born."
The entire kingdom fell silent.
Seraphina's eyes widened.
"That's impossible."
"No," the Sovereign replied. "It is the truth."
Images suddenly appeared across the sky.
Kael saw the night of his birth once again. The royal palace was engulfed in flames while countless enemies fought against the royal guards.
His mother held him in her arms as tears fell from her eyes.
But this time, the vision continued further than before.
He saw another child.
A baby boy wrapped in black and gold cloth sleeping peacefully beside him.
Kael froze.
"That's..."
"Your brother," Orion whispered.
The Sovereigns continued speaking.
"The prophecy originally spoke of two children."
"One born of light."
"One born of darkness."
"One who would inherit the Echo Crystal."
"One who would inherit the Fallen Star."
Kael slowly turned toward Orion.
"So it was true."
The mysterious prince smiled sadly.
"We were always meant to stand together."
The vision continued.
An ancient woman appeared before Queen Elara carrying a golden book.
"The children cannot remain together," she warned.
"If they grow side by side, the prophecy will awaken far too soon."
Queen Elara looked between her sons.
"Then what must be done?"
"Separate them."
The memory disappeared immediately.
Kael's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Our mother separated us?"
"To protect us both," Orion answered.
Before Kael could speak further, another explosion shook the kingdom.
This time, it came from beneath the palace.
"The Echo Crystal!" Seraphina exclaimed.
Golden light erupted from the depths of Elysium and shot into the heavens.
The seven Sovereigns immediately became silent.
"Interesting."
"It has chosen him."
"No."
"It is testing him."
The kingdom itself began responding to the crystal's awakening. Ancient ruins hidden throughout Elysium emerged from beneath the ground while forgotten symbols illuminated the city.
The guardians immediately recognized what was happening.
"The Royal Trial has begun!"
Kael frowned.
"The Royal Trial?"
Seraphina nodded.
"Every true ruler of Elysium must complete the Seven Trials before being acknowledged by the Echo Crystal."
"Seven?" Kael asked.
"One for each fragment of the crystal."
Orion smiled slightly.
"It seems fate has no intention of allowing you to rest."
Suddenly, the palace gates opened by themselves.
A bridge made entirely of golden light appeared before them, extending far beyond the mountains surrounding Elysium.
At the very end of the bridge stood an enormous floating temple surrounded by countless ancient dragons.
Kael stared in amazement.
"What is that?"
"The Temple of Eternal Echoes," Seraphina answered quietly.
"The resting place of the First Fragment."
The Sovereign of Light spoke once more.
"The Heir of Echoes."
Kael looked toward the sky.
"If you wish to protect your kingdom, prove that you are worthy of its power."
"Complete the First Trial."
"And if I refuse?" Kael asked.
The Sovereigns laughed simultaneously.
"Then watch your kingdom fall."
Silence followed their response.
Kael already knew he had no choice.
He looked toward the floating temple once more.
Something about it felt familiar.
As though he had been there before.
The echoes within his mind suddenly became louder.
"Do not go alone."
"Trust no one."
"The First Trial changes everything."
The warnings continued endlessly.
Then his mother's voice returned once again.
"My son."
"Mother?" Kael whispered.
"When you enter the Temple of Eternal Echoes, you will discover the truth that your father protected with his life."
"What truth?"
The voice hesitated.
"The truth about why the Seven Sovereigns fear you."
Kael froze.
"They fear me?"
"More than you can imagine."
Her voice became softer.
"There is one thing I must tell you before the trial begins."
"What is it?"
"Your power is not the Echo Crystal."
Those words shook him completely.
"What?"
"The Echo Crystal merely responds to you. It was never your true power."
Kael could hardly breathe.
"If that isn't my true power, then what is?"
For several moments, his mother remained silent.
Then she spoke the words that changed everything.
"You are the Eighth Sovereign."
The entire world seemed to stop.
The Seven Sovereigns immediately fell silent.
Even Orion's expression changed completely.
The heavens themselves trembled.
"Impossible."
"She told him!"
"No!"
"He was never supposed to learn the truth yet!"
The Sovereigns began arguing amongst themselves.
Kael could not believe what he had just heard.
An Eighth Sovereign?
That was impossible.
"There were only seven Sovereigns," he whispered.
"Once," his mother's voice replied. "Until you were born."
Before he could ask another question, her voice disappeared completely.
The sky suddenly darkened once more.
For the first time since their awakening, the Seven Sovereigns sounded afraid.
"Kill him before he awakens."
"Seal his power immediately."
"He must never become complete."
Their murderous intent filled the heavens.
Kael looked toward the floating temple.
Whatever answers he sought were hidden within the First Trial.
But deep within his heart, one terrifying question remained.
If he truly was the Eighth Sovereign...
Then what would happen when his power finally awakened?
Far within the Temple of Eternal Echoes, an ancient figure sitting upon a crystal throne slowly opened its eyes.
After waiting for thousands of years, it finally smiled.
"The Eighth Sovereign has returned."
To be continued...