Chapter 3 — The Shrine That Rejected Him
The walk to the Beast Shrine felt longer than it should have.
Zarek's chains clinked softly with every step as the royal guards escorted him through the palace gates and into the upper roads of the capital. Soldiers cleared the streets ahead of them, forcing merchants and civilians to move aside.
But even then, people gathered along the path, whispering as they watched the disgraced prince pass.
"He should already be dead."
"Why take him to the shrine?"
"The king must want proof of something."
Zarek kept his eyes forward.
Inside, however, his thoughts were anything but calm.
So this world really revolves around beasts…
Memories that were not his own still lingered in his mind, drifting through his thoughts like scattered pages of a book.
He now understood the basics.
Every warrior in this world formed a Beast Bond during a sacred ritual performed at the Beast Shrine. Once the bond was formed, the warrior gained abilities from their beast.
Strength. Speed. Armor-like skin. Wings.
Some warriors could even transform partially.
The strongest could become the beast itself.
But Prince Zarek had failed that ritual.
Spectacularly.
He remembered it clearly now.
The shrine had been filled with nobles that day. Young heirs from powerful families had stepped forward one by one, touching the ancient altar as glowing beasts appeared behind them.
A falcon.
A lion.
A war elephant.
Cheers had echoed through the shrine each time a bond formed.
Then Zarek had stepped forward.
He had placed his hand on the altar.
And nothing had happened.
No light.
No beast.
Only silence.
The humiliation had followed him ever since.
Yet now…
Zarek felt something different stirring deep inside his chest.
A presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
We are close, the voice of the ancient lion rumbled inside his mind.
Zarek exhaled slowly.
You're still here.
Of course.
The voice sounded almost amused.
You are my heir.
The word still felt strange.
You keep saying that, Zarek thought back. But I don't even know who you are.
For a moment, the presence inside him was quiet.
Then the lion finally answered.
I am the one who once ruled the beasts.
I am the shadow beneath the throne.
I am the first predator of this land.
Zarek felt the weight of those words.
The Beast King…?
The lion did not confirm it directly.
But the silence that followed said enough.
Before Zarek could ask anything else, the guards suddenly stopped walking.
"We've arrived," one of them muttered.
Zarek lifted his head.
The Beast Shrine towered before them.
Even from the base of the stone path, the structure looked ancient and imposing. The shrine had been carved directly into the face of a massive cliff, its entrance guarded by enormous statues of lions.
Their stone eyes seemed to watch everything.
Torches burned along the carved steps leading upward.
And at the very top stood the shrine gates.
Waiting.
Zarek felt his chest tighten.
Memories of his previous visit flooded back.
The whispers.
The laughter.
The looks of pity.
One of the guards shoved him lightly.
"Move."
They dragged him up the steps.
Each step echoed heavily beneath his feet.
The doors of the shrine opened slowly as they approached, revealing a vast chamber beyond.
Inside, the air felt different.
Heavier.
Older.
Massive pillars lined the chamber walls, each carved with images of beasts—lions, eagles, serpents, panthers.
At the center of the room stood the Beast Altar.
A slab of ancient stone covered in glowing runes.
Zarek stared at it.
The last time he had stood there, it had rejected him.
The royal court had never forgotten that.
King Rael entered moments later, his presence immediately silencing the room.
Several high-ranking nobles followed behind him, their eyes fixed curiously on the prince.
Zarek could feel their judgment.
King Rael descended the steps toward the altar slowly.
"Remove his chains."
The command startled the guards.
"Your Majesty…?"
"Now."
The chains were unlocked quickly.
Metal fell away from Zarek's wrists.
For the first time since waking up in this world, he stood freely.
King Rael stopped several steps away from him.
Father and son faced each other.
Zarek tried to read the king's expression.
But Rael Valhar was not an easy man to understand.
"Years ago," the king said calmly, "this shrine rejected you."
The nobles murmured softly.
Zarek said nothing.
"But today…" the king continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "the shrine reacted to you."
He gestured toward the altar.
"Touch it."
The room fell silent.
Zarek stared at the stone slab.
Memories of humiliation clawed at the edges of his mind.
Last time, nothing happened.
Inside his mind, the ancient lion spoke again.
This time will be different.
Zarek swallowed.
Slowly, he walked toward the altar.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
He could feel dozens of eyes watching him.
Waiting.
Judging.
Finally, he reached the stone.
The runes carved into the altar pulsed faintly.
Zarek lifted his hand.
For a brief moment…
He hesitated.
What if it rejects me again?
The lion's voice was calm.
Then we will make it regret that mistake.
Zarek almost smiled at that.
Then he placed his hand on the altar.
For a single heartbeat—
Nothing happened.
Then the entire shrine exploded with light.
The runes blazed like stars.
Wind roared through the chamber as a deep, thunderous growl echoed from beneath the stone floor.
The nobles stumbled backward in shock.
Even the king's eyes widened slightly.
And behind Zarek…
A massive shadow began to rise.
The shape of a lion.
But far larger.
Far darker.
Its burning eyes opened slowly as it stood behind him.
The ancient predator had revealed itself.
And every person in the shrine suddenly realized something terrifying.
Prince Zarek had not been rejected by the beasts.
He had been waiting for the right one.