Chapter 3: The Sanctuary of the Last Guardian

The roar echoed through the mountains long after it had faded.

Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Lyra instinctively looked toward the distant peaks, where rivers of molten gold flowed between jagged black mountains. Although they were miles away, she could still feel the immense pressure emanating from that direction.

"...The Ancient Dragon Emperor?" she asked quietly.

Caelan's golden eyes remained fixed on the horizon.

"Yes."

"You said he awakened because of me."

"I don't know."

His reply was honest.

"But dragons do not awaken without reason."

He turned toward the forest path.

"We have to leave."

"The sanctuary isn't far."

Lyra followed silently.

As they walked, she couldn't help but observe the strange world around her.

The trees were unlike anything she had ever seen. Their trunks were silver instead of brown, and luminous blue leaves drifted gently through the air without ever touching the ground.

Tiny glowing butterflies fluttered around flowers that bloomed even in the darkness.

The forest felt...

Alive.

Not merely filled with life.

It was as though the forest itself was watching them.

"Don't wander from the path," Caelan suddenly said.

"There is only one path."

"There are many."

He pointed ahead.

Lyra blinked.

To her eyes, there was only a narrow trail stretching through the trees.

Caelan stepped off it.

Immediately, another path appeared beneath his feet.

Moments later it vanished again.

She stared.

"...Illusion magic?"

"The forest protects itself."

"It only reveals the true path to those it accepts."

"And it accepts you?"

"It tolerates me."

His answer was so matter-of-fact that Lyra almost laughed.

For someone called the Last Guardian, "tolerated" seemed like an odd choice of words.

After nearly an hour of walking, the forest gradually became brighter.

The trees parted.

A breathtaking sight unfolded before Lyra.

Hidden within the heart of the forest stood a tranquil lake whose crystal-clear waters reflected the twin moons above.

At its center rose a small island.

Upon the island stood an ancient stone sanctuary covered in flowering vines.

Dozens of glowing spirits floated peacefully around it.

The atmosphere was so calm that the terrifying events from earlier seemed like a distant dream.

"This..."

Lyra whispered.

"...is beautiful."

Caelan nodded slightly.

"This is the Moonlit Sanctuary."

"It has existed since before the Seven Kingdoms."

A narrow stone bridge stretched across the lake.

The moment Lyra stepped onto it, the water beneath her rippled with silver light.

Ancient runes appeared beneath every footstep before disappearing again.

Caelan noticed.

"So even the sanctuary recognizes you."

"I don't understand."

"Neither do I."

That answer unsettled him more than he wished to admit.

---

Inside the sanctuary, everything was simple.

Stone walls.

Wooden shelves lined with old books.

A fireplace.

A table.

Nothing suggested this place belonged to someone who had lived for centuries.

Caelan lit several crystal lamps.

Warm golden light filled the room.

"You may rest here."

Lyra looked around cautiously.

"You live here... alone?"

"For the most part."

"For how long?"

He paused.

"I stopped counting."

His expression remained unchanged, but something about those words carried a loneliness that Lyra couldn't ignore.

Trying to change the subject, she glanced toward a large map hanging on the wall.

The map depicted a vast continent divided into seven regions.

"The Seven Kingdoms?"

Caelan walked beside her.

"Elarion."

He pointed toward a mountain range burning with crimson light.

"Ignisar."

"The land of dragons."

His finger moved toward a massive glowing forest.

"Sylvaris."

"The Spirit Forest."

Then frozen mountains.

Floating islands.

An endless sea.

A crystal desert.

Finally—

His hand rested over a ruined city drawn in faded gold.

"Astralis."

"The Divine Capital."

"It was once the heart of this world."

"What happened?"

Silence.

Then he answered softly.

"It fell."

"One thousand years ago."

Before Lyra could ask another question—

Her stomach growled loudly.

The sound echoed embarrassingly throughout the sanctuary.

She immediately covered her face.

"...I'm sorry."

For the first time since they had met...

Caelan smiled.

It was faint.

Almost imperceptible.

Yet it softened the coldness in his expression.

"I suppose heroes from another world still need to eat."

"I'm not a hero."

His smile disappeared.

"No."

"I don't think you are."

A short while later, he placed a bowl of steaming vegetable soup and freshly baked bread on the table.

Lyra stared.

"You cooked this?"

"I've had time to learn."

She hesitated before taking a bite.

The soup was surprisingly delicious.

"I wasn't expecting this."

"Most people don't."

She looked at him curiously.

"Have many outsiders come here before me?"

His hand stopped.

"...No."

"You are the first."

"Then why did the Voice call me 'World Walker'?"

Caelan looked into the fireplace.

"Because legends speak of someone who crossed the worlds long ago."

"They vanished before the Sundering."

"No one knows what became of them."

Before Lyra could respond—

A sharp crack echoed outside.

Caelan immediately stood.

His spear appeared in his hand as if summoned from thin air.

"Stay here."

"What happened?"

"Someone crossed the sanctuary barrier."

He opened the wooden door.

Outside, one of the glowing spirit lights had turned black.

Another shattered into countless fragments.

Caelan's expression darkened.

"Impossible..."

"The barrier has never been breached."

A cold laugh drifted through the trees.

"So..."

"The Guardian finally found his little guest."

A man stepped from the shadows.

He wore a long crimson cloak, his face hidden behind a silver mask.

Behind him stood dozens of black-armored figures.

Unlike the Voidborn, these were human.

Each carried weapons forged from dark crystal.

The masked man slowly applauded.

"Congratulations, Guardian."

"You've hidden her for almost an entire hour."

Caelan lowered his spear.

"You shouldn't be here."

"Neither should she."

The masked man looked directly at Lyra.

His silver mask reflected the moonlight.

"Our master has searched for the World Walker for a very long time."

Lyra's heartbeat quickened.

"Who is your master?"

The man smiled beneath the mask.

"When you meet him..."

"You'll understand why every world fears his name."

He raised one hand.

The black-armored soldiers drew their weapons.

Caelan stepped forward, shielding Lyra.

His voice was calm.

"Run."

"What?"

"Follow the path behind the sanctuary."

"I'll hold them off."

Lyra shook her head.

"There are too many!"

"They're not my concern."

His golden eyes never left the enemy.

"My duty..."

"...is protecting you."

At that moment, the masked man pointed his sword toward Lyra.

"Capture the World Walker."

"Alive."

The soldiers charged.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***