The white beacon continued to shine across the stars.
Its light reached far beyond the First World, passing ruined civilizations, forgotten battlefields, and silent planets that had not seen hope in thousands of years.
Then...
Someone answered.
Far from the First World, on a planet covered by endless snow, a lone warrior stood atop a frozen cliff.
His armor was cracked.
His sword was chipped.
Behind him lay the remains of a battlefield.
Before him stretched an army of Devourers.
For three days and three nights, he had fought alone.
When the white beacon appeared in the heavens, he slowly looked up.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"So..."
"The Last Core has finally awakened."
He planted his sword into the frozen ground.
"The wait is over."
Without another word, he turned toward the stars.
Back in the capital of the First World, the beacon suddenly pulsed.
Lyra looked up in surprise.
"Someone has responded."
The crystal map above the throne changed.
One of the distant blue lights began moving.
Not away from the darkness...
Toward it.
Orion smiled.
"Our first ally."
Kael stared at the map.
"Who is it?"
Aetherion answered quietly.
"Someone I thought had fallen long ago."
The palace doors opened.
A messenger rushed inside.
"Your Majesty!"
Kael sighed.
"I told everyone to stop calling me that."
The messenger bowed apologetically.
"My apologies... but the eastern watchtower reports a strange object entering the atmosphere."
The room fell silent.
"So soon?" Lyra whispered.
Everyone hurried to the palace balcony.
A streak of silver light raced across the sky.
It wasn't falling.
It was flying with purpose.
The object slowed above the capital before landing outside the city gates with a thunderous impact.
Dust rose into the air.
The Guardians immediately formed a defensive line.
Kael stepped forward.
As the dust settled, a tall man emerged from the crater.
His silver cloak was torn.
A long sword rested across his back.
A scar ran across one eye.
Despite his worn appearance, he carried himself with quiet confidence.
He looked directly at Kael.
Then at Aetherion's glowing Core.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, the stranger smiled.
"I was beginning to think I was the last one left."
Aetherion's voice trembled with recognition.
"...Caelum."
The warrior laughed softly.
"You still remember."
Without warning, he dropped to one knee before Kael.
"My sword belongs to the Heir of the Last Core."
Silence spread across the gathering.
The first ally had arrived.
But as Kael stepped forward to welcome him...
Far beyond the stars...
Hundreds of blue lights began to move.
The beacon had awakened more than hope.
It had awakened an army.