THE FINAL ARCHIVE
The Executioner's enormous blade descended.
Straight toward Orion.
The Guardian struggled to stand, but the force of the previous strike had shattered the floor beneath him.
For the first time since awakening...
He couldn't move.
The blade was only inches away.
Then—
CLANG!
A crimson wave of energy crashed against the Executioner's sword.
The attack was deflected.
Kael stood between Orion and death.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
His right arm trembled violently.
But he refused to step back.
"So..."
Kael laughed weakly.
"I finally get to save you for once."
Orion looked up in surprise.
For a brief second, fragments of another memory returned.
Two young warriors.
Training together.
Laughing.
Competing with wooden swords.
Kael..
And Orion.
Not enemies.
Brothers-in-arms.
The Executioner roared.
It swung its sword again.
This time Elias and Lyra joined Kael.
Silver light and crimson flames collided with the monster's attack.
The entire throne hall exploded with energy.
Even together...
The three guardians were barely holding it back.
Queen Aurelia turned toward the Four Heirs.
"You must go."
Riva shook her head.
"We can't leave them!"
"You must."
Aurelia's voice remained calm.
"The Final Archive has chosen one of you."
"It cannot wait."
Eva stepped toward the glowing doorway beneath the crystal throne.
The compass floated into the air.
Its needle pointed directly inside.
The pendant around Riva's neck glowed.
Aarvi's mysterious box opened completely for the first time.
Inside was not a weapon...
But an ancient crystal key.
It floated into the air beside the compass.
Parna's emerald mark shone brighter than ever.
Nature's energy surrounded the four girls.
The four artifacts slowly joined together.
The pendant.
The compass.
The crystal key.
The emerald light.
They formed a single glowing star.
The doorway responded.
Its light became brighter.
Aurelia smiled.
"The Four Keys have become One."
The Final Archive spoke.
Its voice echoed through every corner of the fortress.
"Primary Heir Selection Beginning."
Four pillars of light surrounded the girls.
Each showed a different future.
Riva saw herself standing before countless gates.
Parna saw forests spreading across a dying world.
Eva saw endless libraries filled with forgotten knowledge.
Aarvi saw broken hearts reunited through hope.
The visions disappeared.
Then one final light appeared.
It surrounded Riva.
The others vanished.
The chamber fell silent.
Aurelia nodded.
"The Archive has made its choice."
Riva slowly looked around.
"Why me?"
"Because," Aurelia answered softly,
"You were always the one who could see what others could not."
Before anyone could speak
The doorway began closing.
"You have only one chance."
Aurelia said.
"Enter."
Riva looked at her friends.
"I won't leave you."
Eva smiled.
"You aren't leaving us."
"You're leading us."
Parna nodded.
"We'll hold the line."
Aarvi laughed despite the battle raging around them.
"And if you find answers..."
She pointed at Riva.
"You better come back and tell us everything."
Riva smiled through tears.
"For the first time...
She didn't feel alone.
She stepped into the doorway.
The entrance sealed behind her.
Inside...
Everything changed.
There were no walls.
No floor.
No ceiling.
Only stars.
Millions of stars floating through endless darkness.
Ancient books drifted through space.
Crystal spheres revolved around glowing constellations.
It felt less like a room...
And more like the universe itself.
A voice spoke.
Gentle.
Ancient.
Neither male nor female.
"Welcome..."
"Riva."
She turned.
A figure made entirely of starlight stood before her.
Its face constantly changed.
Young.
Old.
Woman.
Man.
Child.
Elder.
As though it represented every generation that had ever lived.
"Who are you?"
Riva whispered.
"I am the Keeper."
"I protect the Final Archive."
"Were you waiting for me?"
"For centuries."
The Keeper raised a hand.
Thousands of stars began moving.
They formed a single image.
The ancient kingdom of Aurelia.
Then...
Another kingdom.
Another.
Another.
Hundreds of kingdoms appeared.
Connected by glowing lines.
Riva stared in disbelief.
"Aurelia wasn't alone...
The Keeper nodded.
"It never was."
Then all the kingdoms disappeared.
Only one remained.
A dark kingdom surrounded by black light.
Its name was hidden.
Its symbols had been erased.
Riva stepped closer.
"What is that place?"
The Keeper remained silent.
Then answered.
"The kingdom whose story has not yet been told."
Before Riva could ask another question—
The Keeper suddenly looked toward the fortress entrance.
Its expression changed.
"They're here."
Outside...
The Executioner unleashed another devastating attack.
Kael was thrown through a frozen pillar.
Elias fell to one knee.
Lyra's barrier shattered.
Orion struggled to stand again.
The Seekers poured into the throne hall from every direction.
The battle was being lost.
Then...
The entire fortress trembled.
Not because of the Executioner.
Not because of the Seekers.
Something else had arrived.
A horn echoed across the mountains.
Different from the Seekers' horn.
Older.
Louder.
Majestic.
Every person stopped fighting.
Even the Executioner turned toward the fortress gates.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the snow.
One...
Two...
Three...
A massive shadow appeared beyond the entrance.
Its glowing golden eyes pierced the blizzard.
Selene whispered in disbelief.
"No..."
"It can't be..."
The gigantic gates slowly opened.
A lone figure stepped inside.
Wrapped in white armor covered with ancient golden stars.
Its face hidden beneath a royal helmet.
Across its chest was the same crest worn by Queen Aurelia.
The mysterious warrior drew a golden sword.
Then spoke a single sentence.
"The Royal Guard has returned."
End of Chapter 28