Three days after Ardyn's awakening…
Strange things began happening across Frostwind.
Northern Mountains
Rivers flowed backward.
Spirit beasts knelt.
Trees bloomed overnight.
Cultivators felt their cultivation fluctuate.
Something…
Was awakening.
Imperial Observatory
Mira stood before a massive star disk.
Runes rotated endlessly.
Her voice was tense.
"The Twin Sovereigns Omen has appeared."
"It only manifests when…"
She paused.
"…When a Forbidden Gate is preparing to open."
Arin frowned.
"Explain."
She took a breath.
"The Gate of Ancient Gods."
History Archive — Secret Chamber
They descended deep underground.
Past countless seals.
Into a forgotten hall.
Stone tablets floated.
Covered in divine script.
Mira translated slowly.
"Ten thousand years ago…"
"The Ancient Gods fell."
"Their corpses became realms."
"Their wills were sealed."
"One gate connects to them."
"Whoever controls it…"
"Can steal godhood."
Silence.
Seren muttered, "…That sounds bad."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Hidden Main Quest Activated
Gate of Ancient Gods
Difficulty: Catastrophic
Reward: Godhood Fragment
Location: Unknown (Activating)
Elara held Arin's arm.
"So someone is trying to open it?"
"Yes," Mira replied.
"And they're using…"
She looked at Ardyn and Auren.
"…Their bloodline resonance."
Arin's aura surged.
"Over my dead body."
Secret Realm Entrance — Midnight
Coordinates were found.
A裂 in space above Frostwind's capital.
Invisible.
Unstable.
Only royal blood could enter.
"Everyone stays behind," Arin ordered.
"No," Elara replied firmly.
"We go together."
Seren crossed her arms. "Try stopping us."
Mira nodded. "Group survival probability: higher."
Arin sighed.
"…Fine."
They entered.
Space folded.
Reality inverted.
Ancient God Realm
They emerged on floating ruins.
Broken temples.
Colossal bones.
Stars beneath their feet.
A dead god's heart pulsed in the distance.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Auren whispered, "Big."
Ardyn giggled.
Flames flickered.
Enemy Appears
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Applause echoed.
The crystal-faced man stepped out.
Smiling.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Welcome."
"To my playground."
He bowed mockingly.
"Void Herald Kharos."
"Servant of the Sleeping God."
Dark energy surged.
Dozens of corrupted Immortals appeared.
Eyes empty.
Bodies stitched with runes.
"You're late, Emperor," Kharos said.
"But perfect."
"Your children…"
"Are the keys."
Arin stepped forward.
Dragon wings spread.
"Touch them."
"And I erase you."
The dead god's heart beat faster.
The gate began opening.