The ancient Elven Sacred Tree radiated a soft, pale green glow. Thick, sturdy bark was etched with winding magical runes that looked like flowing galaxies, gently flickering in rhythm with the elves' chanting. Following the Great Elder, Kai stepped to the base of the Sacred Tree and looked up. The towering giant seemed to connect heaven and earth itself, inspiring an instinctive sense of awe.
Ironhammer and Linore stood some distance away, surrounded by elves who spoke quietly of the changes that had taken place over the past century. Ironhammer gazed at the Sacred Tree with deep emotion in his clouded eyes, his fingers lightly rubbing the wineskin at his waist—the last flask of strong liquor he had brought from the Eros Continent, once meant to celebrate his return home.
"Child, place your hand upon the runes of the Sacred Tree," the Great Elder said gently yet solemnly, pointing to the clearest pattern on the trunk. "The power of the Starcore shard shares the same origin as the Sacred Tree. Only here can you truly hear its whispers and master its strength."
Kai took a deep breath and slowly placed his hand on the warm rune. The moment his fingertips touched the bark, a gentle yet immense surge of energy rushed up his arm and into his body, resonating powerfully with the Starcore shard in his palm. The pocket watch erupted in brilliant blue light, intertwining with the tree's green glow to form a dazzling pillar of light that shot straight into the sky.
Countless images flooded Kai's mind—the birth of the Starcore, the age of peace between the two worlds, the conspiracy of the Thorn family's ancestors, the devastation of the Starfall Event, and the sight of elves, dwarves, and humans struggling amid catastrophe. These memories were not his, yet they were vivid beyond doubt, as if he had lived them himself.
"The mission of the Starcore is protection, not destruction," an ancient, weathered voice echoed in his mind. "The two worlds share the same origin. Magic and technology were never meant to stand opposed."
Kai's body trembled slightly. He could feel the Starcore shard's power merging deeply with his soul. The meteor-iron wrench in his hand began to hum, its engraved runes answering the Sacred Tree's markings, shining with blinding brilliance.
"So this is… the power of inheritance?" Kai murmured. His vision expanded, allowing him to sense every trace of magical energy flowing around him—he could even hear the heartbeat of fish swimming in a distant stream.
A satisfied smile appeared on the Great Elder's face. He nodded to the surrounding elves, who raised their staves as their chanting grew more fervent. The Sacred Tree's glow intensified, and countless points of light drifted down from its crown like falling stars, settling onto Kai and merging into his body.
Linore watched Kai within the pillar of light, excitement shining in her ice-blue eyes. She knew he was receiving the Sacred Tree's inheritance. Once complete, he would become a true Guardian of the Starcore, possessing the power needed to oppose Victor.
Suddenly, Ironhammer shouted in a low voice, "Careful! Killing intent!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, a black shadow shot out from the Sacred Tree's shade, lunging straight at Kai. The figure moved with terrifying speed, cloaked in black, wielding a dagger coated in dark green poison that gave off a sharp, acrid stench.
"Victor's shadow guard!" Linore's face changed as she instantly drew her sword and charged forward, her blade slicing through the air toward the attacker's wrist.
The shadow snorted coldly and twisted its body like a specter, narrowly evading Linore's strike. Its sole target was Kai, still trapped in the inheritance ritual. If Kai died, the Starcore shard would spiral out of control, allowing Victor's plans to continue.
"You will not harm him!" Ironhammer reacted at once, swinging his massive forging hammer down with tremendous force. The wind from the blow forced nearby elves to stagger back.
The shadow did not dare meet the strike head-on. With an eerie turn midair, it narrowly avoided the hammer. Its gaze remained locked on Kai, eyes filled with greed and murderous intent.
The Great Elder's expression grew grave. He raised his staff and began chanting a complex spell. The Sacred Tree's glow sharpened, and countless vines burst from the trunk like giant serpents, whipping toward the shadow.
The attacker's face finally changed. He had not expected the Sacred Tree's defenses to be so formidable. Realizing the mission had failed, he clenched his teeth and hurled the poisoned dagger toward Kai before turning to flee.
The dagger shrieked through the air, aimed straight at Kai's heart. Kai was at the critical stage of inheritance and could not move at all. Linore was too far away to reach him in time, and Ironhammer's hammer had already been fully committed.
Just as the blade was about to strike, Kai's pocket watch erupted in a brilliant blue flash, forming a solid energy barrier. The dagger shattered on impact, and the dark green poison splashed onto the ground, hissing as it corroded the earth into small pits.
The shadow's face turned deathly pale. He dared not linger, dissolving into a wisp of black smoke and vanishing into the depths of the forest.
Linore rushed to Kai's side. "Kai, are you alright?"
Kai slowly opened his eyes. A faint blue light shimmered within them, and his presence felt calmer, heavier, more resolute. He shook his head and looked toward where the shadow had fled, cold resolve in his gaze.
"I'm fine," Kai said calmly, his voice carrying undeniable authority. "But this debt—I will settle it with Victor myself."
The Great Elder exhaled in relief and smiled at Kai. "The inheritance is complete. From this day forward, you are the true Guardian of the Starcore—and the hope for peace between the two worlds."
Kai nodded, tightening his grip on the meteor-iron wrench as he felt the power surging within him. He knew the real battle was only just beginning. Victor would never stop, and the appearance of the shadow guard was merely the opening move.
Deep within the forest, the shadow reappeared. He removed his mask, revealing a pale face twisted with resentment as he stared toward the Sacred Tree. He took out a communicator and spoke in a low voice.
"Mission failed. Kai Leonard has completed the Sacred Tree inheritance. His power has increased significantly."
A cold voice answered from the device. "Understood. It doesn't matter. Once I gather the remaining Starcore shards, even a true guardian will be nothing more than an ant. Continue to lie low in the Aurora Continent and report their movements at all times."
The shadow bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Victor."
The communicator went silent. The shadow vanished once more into the forest, as a new storm quietly began to gather.