The group stood frozen, their eyes locked on the towering stone figure before them. Its enormous body glowed faintly with etchings of golden light that pulsed like veins. When the creature's eyes snapped open, burning like twin suns, the heavens trembled at the sound of its thunderous roar.
Kori swallowed hard, forcing his voice steady.
"We saw a ruin on the land below," he explained, his gaze never leaving the guardian. "The writing said we should come here… to the Castle of Kings."
The giant tilted its head, its massive shadow falling across the group. Its gaze suddenly fixed on Kaosu, narrowing in suspicion. The creature's voice was deep, vibrating through the air like the toll of a great bell.
"…Your name. Speak it."
Kaosu stepped forward, though his chest tightened under the weight of that voice.
"My name is Kaosu."
The creature's burning eyes flickered, as though searching his very soul. Then, after a long silence, it spoke again.
"…Is there another who looks like you?"
Kaosu's jaw tightened, but he did not hesitate. "Yes. My Servant but i treat him like a brother—Kudo."
The giant froze. Its enormous hands clenched into fists, and for a moment, the light within its body flickered violently. Recognition turned into fear… then rage. The air grew heavy as it shifted into a battle stance, its voice breaking into a snarl that shook the sky.
"You… carry his blood. Then you carry his sins."
The air became heavy from the creature's power.
Kaosu clenched his teeth. The team could feel it—this fight was hopeless. Even together, they couldn't stand against this guardian. Kori acted without hesitation. He summoned the Star Nexus, its light wrapping around the group like a shimmering constellation. With a burst of energy, he launched them through the gates of the kingdom.
The last thing they heard before the gates closed behind them was the creature's roar.
"MY NAME IS HONO!"
The heavens quaked.
But Kori didn't retreat. He remained outside the gates, standing tall as the others vanished into safety. He turned back, summoning both of his Nexus. His body burned with radiant energy as he declared, "Then my name… is Kori!"
The light of the stars swirled around his arms, condensing into a massive, glowing claw made of celestial fire. With a shout, he lunged at the giant. The blow shook the air itself, sparks scattering like constellations.
The scene shifted.
Inside the gates, Kaosu, Kaiyo, and Supira staggered to their feet. Their jaws fell open in awe. Before them stretched not just a castle, but a vast country suspended in the heavens. Cities glittered in the light of floating suns. Bridges of glass and gold arched across clouds. Rivers of light flowed like liquid starlight. And at the farthest edge of this sky-born land, towering above it all, stood the Castle of Kings—its spires piercing the very heavens.
"This isn't just a castle…" Kaosu whispered. "It's an entire kingdom."
Kaiyo unfolded a map that shimmered with runes, his brow furrowed. "The castle is at the farthest point of this realm. The Kingdom of Light stretches endlessly. If we want answers, we'll need to move through its towns and villages, gathering what we can."
Supira crossed his arms, still glaring toward the closed gates. "Then let's not waste time. The sooner we reach it, the sooner we find out what this 'Kingdom of Light' is hiding."
As the group pressed forward into the radiant kingdom, the story cut back to Kori.
His breaths came heavy, his body battered, but his eyes still burned with determination. His Star-filled claw shimmered with fading light as he clashed blow for blow against Hono. The guardian's strikes shook the skies, and every roar threatened to break Kori's will. Yet he refused to fall.
The giant planted its feet, its body glowing brighter. The runes across its stone form blazed with golden fire, and the ground trembled under its sheer power.
Hono's voice thundered through the heavens.
"You will learn, child of stars—this gate does not open for intruders!"
The chapter ended as Hono's power erupted, a wave of energy that lit the skies like a second dawn.