The alarms echoed through the Sanctuary.
Dark shadows moved outside the walls.
Ji Young held the Lightbound Blade tightly.
Its glow was soft.
Not strong.
Not bright.
He looked at it.
"Is this… all its power?" he asked.
Kael stood beside him.
His eyes were serious.
"No," he replied.
"This sword is still sleeping."
Ji Young turned.
"What do you mean?"
Kael placed his hand on the blade.
"Right now,
it holds only a small part of its strength," he said.
"Because you are still growing."
Ji Young listened carefully.
"When your heart becomes strong…
when your will becomes unbreakable…
the sword will change."
"How?" Ji Young asked.
Kael's voice became low.
"It will shine like the Ancient Light," he said.
"Bright enough to light the world."
Ji Young felt chills.
"And then?" he whispered.
Kael looked toward the dark sky.
"Then," he said,
"you will be able to face the King of Darkness."
Ji Young's eyes widened.
"The… King?"
"Yes," Kael replied.
"The ruler of all shadows.
The one who destroyed your village."
Ji Young clenched his fists.
"I'll defeat him," he said.
"No matter what."
Kael looked at him deeply.
"If that day comes," he continued,
"only your blade can end him."
They were silent.
Far away, Ji Min slept peacefully,
surrounded by light.
Kael walked to the window.
His face became sad.
In his heart, he spoke words he could not say.
> *He does not know yet…*
> *He is not only a guardian…*
> *He is the one chosen to rule the Light…*
Kael remembered an ancient prophecy.
> *When blood of courage
> and light of heaven unite,
> a hidden king shall rise.*
He looked back at Ji Young.
The boy was still young.
Still afraid.
Still learning.
But inside him…
A crown was waiting.
Kael whispered softly,
so no one could hear.
"Grow strong, my king…"
Outside,
darkness gathered.
The final war was still far away.
But fate had already chosen its ruler.