Far to the south, where sun-scorched spires of alabaster jutted from desert sands, a tremor shook the heart of the Temple of Radiant Judgment. The stained-glass windows shimmered in hues of blood and gold, casting divine illusions across the marble floors. Priests chanted in unison—but their rhythm faltered as a chilling pressure spread through the air like the onset of a storm.
High Cardinal Velgrith paused mid-chant, eyes narrowing as an acolyte burst through the sanctum doors, breathless and pale.
"My lord," the boy rasped, holding out a trembling hand. "A system flare. Demon Lord resurrection… confirmed."
A cold silence followed. Then murmurs. Then stunned disbelief.
"Impossible," Velgrith hissed. "The cycle isn't due for another century. The last one—Cedric—perished during the Purge. The seal—"
"Remains intact," a voice interrupted. A tall man in gleaming armor stepped from the shadows, silver hair flowing over his shoulders like woven moonlight. His presence silenced the room.
Sovereign Knight Elric of the Seven.
He removed his gauntlet, revealing a golden ring inscribed with seven names—his, and the six who had betrayed Cedric beside him. "If the system has chosen a new vessel, then we proceed as ordained."
Velgrith's eyes flickered with unease. "It's early. That concerns you not?"
Elric's lips thinned. "It only confirms what we feared. The anomaly we buried may not have died."
"You mean Cedric?" Velgrith whispered. "But the records show—"
"No body. No ashes. Only that the system went silent." Elric's gaze hardened. "Now it's not."
The acolyte stepped forward again, swallowing hard. "There's more, sir. The flare pattern—it didn't match the standard resurrection. There were… echoes. As if two sources responded. One strong, one fragmented."
Elric turned slowly. "Two?"
The boy nodded. "But the fragmented one was familiar. It bore the same signature as the Cedric Anomaly. The readings came from the north—near Ish'thar's ruins."
Elric clenched his fist. "Then it wasn't a death. It was containment."
Velgrith's face darkened. "If he's truly alive—"
"Then we have a traitor turned Demon Lord. And a system spiraling out of control."
He turned to leave, mantle trailing behind him like a blade's shadow.
"Summon the Seven. Tell them the time has come. The world believes our legend," Elric muttered, almost to himself. "Let them believe it a little longer—until we've buried the truth again."
---
Meanwhile, in the ruins of Stoneglass Hold, Cedric stood before a broken mural.
A carving of two thrones—one of flame, one of shadow. Below them, chains spiraling toward the earth. And beneath the earth: something vast, sleeping.
> System Notice:
Legacy Protocol 001A — "Genesis Memory" Available.
View?
Cedric narrowed his eyes. "Show me."
The room darkened.
And what he saw was not a story… but a warning. Of what was imprisoned beneath the world. And why a Demon Lord must always exist—to keep it sealed.
He exhaled slowly.
"It's not just revenge anymore," Cedric murmured. "It's war."