The last Dawn

The awakening

Three days passed before Feng and the others reached the Valley of Stars.

They had barely spoken since leaving Aetheria. Every step reminded Feng of what they had lost. He could still hear the screams from the night of the catastrophe. More than anything, he wondered whether Tangiro was still alive.

On the fourth morning, Feng woke beneath an enormous tree.

Wu was sitting nearby.

"You finally woke up," she said.

Feng slowly sat up.

"How long?"

"Most of the night."

He looked around.

"Where are the others?"

"They're gathering food."

Feng stared at his hands.

The golden light was still there.

Wu noticed.

"You're afraid of it."

Feng shook his head.

"I'm afraid of what it might become."

Before Wu could respond, the ground suddenly began shaking.

Samuel came running through the trees.

"Feng! We found something!"

Everyone gathered around him.

Behind the trees stood an ancient stone temple covered in glowing symbols.

Haochan touched one of the symbols.

"The writing is ancient."

Tangiro had once taught Feng how to read some of the old Light inscriptions.

Feng stepped closer.

Then he saw the words.

THE LAST SON SHALL RISE WHEN THE FIRST DAWN FALLS.

His heart stopped.

"The last son..."

Caire looked at him.

"That means you."

Feng said nothing.

Suddenly, the temple doors opened by themselves.

A golden light emerged from inside.

Feng stepped forward.

The moment he entered, the doors closed behind him.

Inside the temple was a massive statue of an ancient warrior.

The warrior held a sword made entirely of light.

A voice echoed through the chamber.

"Feng, Son of Light."

Feng looked around.

"Who are you?"

"I am the memory of those who came before you."

The statue's eyes opened.

"You have inherited the final light."

Feng stepped backward.

"Why me?"

"Because every other Son of Light has fallen."

The words struck him harder than any weapon.

"What?"

"The catastrophe was not an accident. Tang has spent centuries preparing for this moment."

Feng remembered Tang's words.

You are my true target.

The voice continued.

"If the Demon King reaches the final gate, the world will enter eternal darkness."

Feng looked at the glowing sword.

"How do I stop him?"

"You cannot."

Feng froze.

The voice continued.

"But you can become strong enough to challenge him."

The sword floated toward Feng.

He reached for it.

The moment his hand touched the weapon, a blinding light filled the temple.

Outside, Wu and the others watched the entire mountain glow.

Feng screamed.

Power rushed through his body.

He saw visions of the past.

He saw Tangiro as a young warrior.

He saw the first Demon King.

He saw the ancient war between Light and Darkness.

And finally, he saw himself standing before Tang.

But this time, Feng was holding the sword.

The vision ended.

Feng fell to his knees.

The sword remained in his hand.

The voice spoke one final time.

"Your trial begins now."

The temple doors opened.

Wu rushed toward him.

"Feng!"

He slowly stood.

His eyes were different now.

There was determination in them.

"We're going back."

Samuel stared at him.

"Back where?"

Feng looked toward the distant horizon.

"To face Tang."

But none of them noticed the shadow watching from the mountains.

A demon spy had witnessed everything.

And before the sun set, the message reached the Demon King.

"The Son of Light has awakened."

Tang smiled.

"Then let the trial begin."