Chapter 23: The Messenger of Heaven

The Hidden Sovereign: Beyond Fate

The sky above Nox Aeterna cracked open.

Golden pillars of light descended from the heavens, bathing the ancient city in a blinding glow.

At their center stood Cassian, the Divine Apostle.

His white robes fluttered despite the still air.

Six radiant wings spread behind him.

His silver eyes remained fixed on Abster.

"The judgment of Heaven cannot be delayed."

---

Caelum drew his sword.

The Royal Guardians immediately formed a wall in front of Abster.

"No one touches our King."

General Gruk stepped beside Caelum.

The two commanders exchanged a glance.

Once enemies.

Now united.

"If Heaven wants him..."

Gruk growled.

"They'll have to go through us."

---

Cassian sighed.

"Still as stubborn as ever."

He slowly raised one hand.

Golden chains materialized from the sky.

Each one radiated overwhelming divine power.

Helena's face paled.

"Those are..."

"Chains of Judgment."

"They're designed to seal mana itself."

---

The chains shot toward Abster.

WHOOSH!

Before they could reach him—

CLANG!

Zarek stepped forward.

His black blade intercepted the chains, sparks flying in every direction.

The impact shook the city.

Cassian frowned.

"Lord Zarek."

"So you've chosen rebellion."

Zarek calmly pointed his sword toward the apostle.

"I chose my king."

---

The Black Legion and the Royal Guardians stood shoulder to shoulder.

For the first time in history...

The two ancient factions fought as one.

The citizens of Nox Aeterna watched in awe.

Old enemies had become allies.

---

Cassian looked disappointed.

"So be it."

He snapped his fingers.

The heavens trembled.

From each pillar of light emerged armored warriors with golden wings.

Divine Knights.

Hundreds of them.

Lucien tightened his grip on his sword.

"...An entire army."

Lyra swallowed nervously.

"I've never felt mana like this."

Even Fenrir lowered his stance, his silver fur crackling with energy.

---

Abster stepped forward.

"No."

Everyone turned toward him.

He looked at Caelum, Gruk, Zarek, Lucien, Lyra, Elena, Garrick, and Helena.

"I won't let anyone die for me."

Cassian smiled.

"A noble heart."

"But pointless."

He pointed his sword toward Abster.

"Capture him."

The Divine Knights charged.

---

"Protect the King!"

The battlefield exploded into chaos.

Caelum crossed blades with three Divine Knights at once.

Gruk's massive sword crushed the ground, forcing dozens back.

Lucien and Garrick fought side by side, their attacks perfectly synchronized.

Lyra's magic created walls of wind to protect the wounded.

Fenrir leaped through the battlefield, scattering enemies with deafening roars.

Meanwhile, Elena moved among the fighters, healing injuries with radiant holy magic.

A wounded guardian smiled weakly.

"Thank you... Princess."

She nodded.

"We all protect each other."

---

In the middle of the battlefield, Abster and Cassian finally faced one another.

Cassian drew a sword made entirely of light.

"You still refuse to reclaim your throne."

Abster answered calmly.

"I don't need a throne to protect people."

Cassian's expression hardened.

"That answer..."

"...is exactly why Heaven fears you."

Their swords collided.

BOOOOM!

The shockwave split the clouds.

The entire city trembled.

Neither of them moved an inch.

Cassian smiled.

"So you've grown stronger."

Abster narrowed his eyes.

"You knew me before."

"I watched you from Heaven."

Cassian's gaze turned distant.

"I once admired you."

"But admiration means nothing when the balance of the world is at stake."

---

Suddenly—

A frightened scream echoed from behind.

"Abster!"

He turned.

A Divine Knight had slipped past the front lines and was rushing toward Elena.

Without thinking, Abster broke away from Cassian.

He reached Elena just as the knight swung his spear.

CLANG!

Abster blocked the strike with his own body, the spear scraping across his armor.

Elena's eyes widened.

"You...!"

"I'm okay," Abster said with a reassuring smile.

The Divine Knight raised his weapon again.

Before he could attack—

A brilliant burst of golden light erupted around Elena.

Everyone froze.

Even Elena looked at her own hands in shock.

The holy mana surrounding her had changed.

It was stronger.

Pure.

Ancient.

Cassian stared in disbelief.

"No..."

"It can't be..."

He took an involuntary step backward.

"The Blessing of the Eternal Queen..."

"How did a human princess inherit that power?"

A mysterious emblem appeared on the back of Elena's right hand—a silver crown encircled by twelve stars.

Far above, the Twelve Gods watched in silence.

Nyxara whispered,

"So..."

"The Queen has awakened."

Aurelius slowly clenched his fist.

"Impossible."

"History is repeating itself."

---

End of Chapter 23

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