Silence swept across Skyreach.

Thousands of people stood frozen beneath the burning sky as the illusion cast by the Veiled Eclipse faded into the wind.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Then…

“The video is fake!”

Another voice shouted,

“No… the royal archives mention Lunareth!”

“He belongs to the lost kingdom!”

“He’ll destroy us all!”

Within seconds, the crowd turned into chaos.

Some pointed at Ren with fear.

Others demanded his arrest.

Royal soldiers surrounded the arena.

Captain Seraphine stepped between them and Ren.

“No one touches him.”

General Vargos, commander of the Royal Guard, glared at her.

“Stand aside.”

“He may be the greatest threat this world has ever seen.”

Seraphine lowered her spear.

“Or the greatest victim.”

For a long moment…

Neither moved.

Finally, Grand Sage Orion raised his staff.

“Enough!”

His voice echoed across the capital.

“We will uncover the truth before passing judgment.”

Reluctantly, the soldiers backed away.

But Ren could still feel thousands of suspicious eyes following him.

…

That night…

Ren stood alone on the academy rooftop.

The city lights shimmered beneath the floating islands.

Footsteps approached.

Mira quietly handed him a warm meat bun.

“You always disappear when you’re thinking.”

Ren accepted it with a faint smile.

“Thanks.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“You looked hungry.”

“I looked depressed.”

“That too.”

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Finally Ren sighed.

“What if they’re right?”

“What if I’m connected to something terrible?”

Mira looked at him as if the answer were obvious.

“I’ve traveled with you.”

“I’ve laughed with you.”

“I’ve seen you risk your life for strangers.”

She smiled gently.

“I trust the person.”

“Not the rumors.”

Ren looked away before she noticed his face turning red.

“So…”

Mira grinned mischievously.

“Are you blushing?”

“No.”

“You definitely are.”

“It’s cold.”

“It’s summer.”

“I have… seasonal confusion.”

She burst into laughter.

Even Ren couldn’t help smiling.

…

The next morning…

Grand Sage Orion gathered Ren, Mira, Captain Seraphine and a handful of trusted warriors.

“We’ve located another entrance.”

“To where?”

“The Heart Archive.”

“The deepest chamber beneath Lunareth.”

“It contains the true history of the forgotten civilization.”

“If answers exist…”

“They’re waiting there.”

…

Hours later…

The expedition returned to the Hidden City.

This time…

The streets felt different.

Ancient crystal lamps lit themselves as Ren walked past.

Doors that had remained sealed for thousands of years slowly opened.

“It recognizes him…”

One scholar whispered.

Deep beneath the city…

They reached an enormous stone gate.

Seven empty circles were carved into its surface.

Ren instinctively placed his marked hand against the center.

The hidden symbol beneath his skin glowed brilliantly.

BOOOOOOM!

The gate slowly opened.

Warm golden light flooded the tunnel beyond.

Inside waited an underground forest unlike anything they had ever seen.

Trees with silver leaves stretched toward a glowing ceiling filled with floating stars.

Crystal rivers flowed upward through the branches.

Tiny dragon-like creatures slept inside glowing flowers.

“It…”

Mira whispered.

“It’s beautiful.”

Captain Seraphine nodded.

“This place has survived untouched for ten thousand years.”

They continued deeper.

Suddenly—

The forest became silent.

Too silent.

A low growl echoed through the trees.

Massive shadows appeared between the glowing trunks.

Crystal Fang Beasts.

Ancient guardians.

Their bodies resembled enormous wolves covered in silver armor.

Their glowing eyes locked onto the intruders.

One.

Five.

Ten.

More emerged from the darkness.

“There are dozens…” Mira whispered.

The largest guardian stepped forward.

Instead of attacking…

It looked directly at Ren.

Then slowly bowed its head.

Every other guardian followed.

The scholars stared in disbelief.

“They’re…”

“Greeting him.”

Before anyone could understand why…

A loud clap echoed through the forest.

“Wonderful.”

A familiar voice laughed.

The masked leader of the Veiled Eclipse stepped from the shadows.

This time…

He wasn’t alone.

Beside him stood a young woman wearing white armor decorated with black roses.

Her face was hidden beneath a silver fox mask.

She carried a long black spear.

Captain Seraphine’s expression froze.

“…Lyra?”

The woman slowly removed her mask.

Golden hair.

Blue eyes.

A calm smile.

It really was Lyra.

Captain Seraphine’s younger sister.

“You…”

Seraphine whispered.

“You died five years ago.”

Lyra smiled sadly.

“That’s what they wanted everyone to believe.”

Mira stepped backward.

“You’ve been with the Veiled Eclipse all this time?”

“I was saved by them.”

Lyra answered quietly.

“They showed me the truth our kingdoms buried.”

Seraphine gripped her spear tightly.

“Come home.”

Lyra slowly shook her head.

“I already have.”

Without warning—

She raised her spear.

Dark silver energy erupted across the forest.

The Crystal Fang Beasts roared.

The masked leader smiled.

“The Heart Archive belongs to Lunareth.”

“And so…”

“So does Ren.”

Hundreds of Veiled Eclipse warriors emerged from hidden tunnels surrounding the forest.

The expedition was trapped.

Grand Sage Orion whispered,

“This was never an expedition…”

“It was an ambush.”

Lyra looked directly at Ren.

Her voice was almost gentle.

“Come with us.”

“If you don’t…”

“The Seven Kingdoms will never stop hunting you.”

Ren tightened his grip on his sword.

“I still don’t know who’s telling the truth.”

“Then let me find it myself.”

For the first time…

Lyra smiled with genuine respect.

“So be it.”

She pointed her spear forward.

“Capture him.”

The Crystal Fang Beasts charged.

The Veiled Eclipse attacked.

Royal warriors rushed to defend the expedition.

The underground forest erupted into a battle unlike anything Ren had ever witnessed.

And hidden deep beneath the roots of the oldest silver tree…

An ancient pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.

A forgotten king…

Had awakened.

END OF CHAPTER 4