Crown of Dawn

Kazuki turned, heart hammering.

From the endless white, a figure stepped forth—clad in flowing radiance, her presence blinding and beautiful, bathed in dawnlight.

Before he could speak, she lifted her hand, and the words froze in his throat.

"I am Sraosha," her voice rang, both gentle and unshakable. "Messenger of Gods."

Kazuki's breath caught. "What about my friends? Zephyr—everyone! I can't die here, not now. I was summoned to save them!"

"Summoned, yes," she said, her gaze steady. "But summoned out of folly. We see and know everything. You were never meant to be their savior. You were meant to die here, as you did."

His fists clenched. "What kind of gods are you? Do you even care about your subjects? If you knew, if you saw this—why didn't you send someone to save them? Why not a true hero?"

Sraosha's expression softened, but her eyes held a depth that made his words feel small.

"We did. Long ago. And his blood still walks this realm. It is hero's lineage, not you, that was chosen to save this kingdom. That is why your summoning was… misplaced."

Kazuki's eyes narrowed. "Hero's lineage? Who are you talking about?"

She raised her hand again, silencing him with nothing more than a glance. "You already know them, though you do not yet realize it. In time, you will." Her tone grew sharper. "But for now, think not of others—think of yourself."

Kazuki's world was white, swallowed by the presence of the goddess, but back in the storm, the battle was unraveling.

"Cannonballs!" Gorran roared, sweat and seawater pouring down his face as he fired another thunderous blast point-blank into Scylla's scaled hide. The recoil shuddered through his arms, but he held the cannon like it was an extension of himself. "Load me more!"

A sailor staggered forward with trembling hands. "Th-that's the last of it!"

Gorran slammed the empty barrel aside, his bloodied knuckles tightening. Around him, men scrambled with ropes and empty powder-kegs, their faces pale. He looked up just in time to see Scylla's heads weaving through the storm and bellowed, "We're out, Alvis—what now?"

Alvis's jaw tightened, rain streaking down his face. "I… I don't know."

Above, the twins danced through the rain, blades flashing.

"Keep it busy!" one shouted.

"Don't let up!" the other echoed.

But lightning split the sky—and one of Scylla's heads snapped forward with brutal speed, its jaws clamping around a twin's leg. Verena screamed, her blade tumbling into the sea.

"NO!" Vada screamed, only to be slammed by another thrashing head, her body spiraling helplessly back onto the deck, crashing unconscious into the splintered planks.

Maeryn darted across the shattered deck, skidding to her knees beside the fallen twin.

Verena still in Scylla's teeth. The beast lifted her higher, dangling her above the waves—ready to devour her whole.

At the water's edge, Ardent's sword blazed with gathered power. His eyes narrowed, rain streaking across his scarred face. He inhaled deeply, focusing.

With a single cut, his sword slashed into Serika, cleaving her body clean in two.

For a heartbeat, silence. Her body slumped into the sea.

But then—laughter. Dark, bubbling, terrible. Her sundered body oozed black mana, weaving itself together. Her grin stretched as her form was whole again.

"You…" she hissed, "…you're the first to best me in combat on the sea. Congrats." She leaned forward, her coils spreading around him. "But as long as dark mana flows, my affinity heals me. Makes me immortal."

Her grin widened, fangs dripping venom.

"Why do you think I struck down the one with Sovereign Authority first? Do you think we didn't know about him?"

Before Ardent could answer, she surged forward. Her tail whipped around his arm, and with inhuman strength—SNAP—his sword shattered in his grip, shards scattering across the waves.

Back in the white expanse, Kazuki staggered, his heart pounding as if he could feel his friends breaking. "No—" he whispered, clutching his chest, his head bowing. "So that's it? All the training, all the battles, all the pain… for nothing."

"Not nothing." A small smile touched her lips. "You became more than the man you were on Earth. Stronger. Tougher. Kinder."

"What's the point of becoming better," he muttered, "if my story ends like this?"

Sraosha stepped closer. With a touch, she lifted his chin, her light warm against his skin.

"Who said anything about your story ending?"

Kazuki's eyes widened. "You… just said I died."

Her smile deepened, almost playful.

"Firstly—death is not the end. This is not the first time we've returned a soul from the Well back to the living world. Secondly—we like the choices you made. You could have destroyed the kingdom, but you chose to save it. You could have despised Ardent for his harsh training and harsher words, but instead you earned his respect, to the point he sees you as a son. You could have run from Vaerik Morrath, but you stood and fought to save Zephyr."

Her voice dipped lower, and she leaned close, her whisper brushing his ear.

"Gods take favor in those who choose not only the right path… but the path that entertains them."

She drew back, her eyes gleaming. "No—this is not where your story ends. You were meant to die here, so we could give you a message."

Kazuki straightened, his breath heavy. "What message?"

"As of now, you've only bested kidnappers and a clever, but weak, demon. The foes ahead will be stronger—far stronger. If you face them as you are, you and your companions will perish."

His jaw tightened. "Then how do we get stronger? We're already marching toward the demon lands. There's no time!"

"There is," she said simply. "For now, we will grant you a power to survive your current trial. But before you set foot in the Verdant Shroud, you and your companions must seek a hidden dungeon near it—an ancient tomb buried within. There lies the strength you will need to complete your mission… and to save not just the kingdom, but this realm itself."

Before Kazuki could speak again, her light began to fade, as if she were dissolving back into the white expanse.

"It is time to return," she said, her voice softening. "The truth will reveal itself soon enough. There are those who rely on you… don't keep them waiting."

She winked, and the world of light collapsed around him.

"Do you remember what I told you?" Zephyr whispered, clutching Kazuki tighter. "That I'd follow you anywhere, no matter what?" Her laugh broke on a sob. "You're not leaving me, Kazuki. Do you hear me? Not now. Not like this."

She pressed her lips to his, desperate, pouring everything she had into him—her voice, her will, her soul.

Kazuki gasped. His body jolted, air rushing back into his lungs. His eyes snapped open.

Zephyr pulled back just enough to see his face, her own streaked with tears.

He gritted his teeth, pushing himself up, his hand gripping hers with strength renewed. "I hear you."

Kazuki turned to his Sovereign's Authority form but it looked different from before. His eyes not burning red, but glowing white, radiant as starlight. The crown shards upon his head was no longer black but gold. Rays of light poured from him.

Slowly, he rose to his feet. His hand gripped the harpoon buried in his chest. With one swift pull, he wrenched it free. The wound sealed at once, flesh whole as though it had never been torn.

Gasps rippled across the deck as he lifted into the air, light blazing around him. Every eye turned upward, locked on him in awe and fear alike.

And in the storm's heart, where darkness and despair had ruled, hope started to glow like dawn.