The ancient doors opened slowly.
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
Brilliant blue light flooded the corridor.
Sam stepped forward.
The moment he crossed the threshold...
He stopped.
It wasn't another arena.
Nor was it another tomb.
It was a garden.
Ancient white flowers bloomed beneath a pale blue sky.
A gentle breeze carried countless glowing soul lights through the air.
In the very center of the garden...
The Eternal King stood beside a lone tree.
He smiled as Sam approached.
"You've returned."
Sam looked around in surprise.
"I wasn't expecting this."
"Most aren't."
The Eternal King rested a hand on the trunk of the ancient tree.
"This was once the royal garden."
"The only place untouched by war."
Sam walked beside him.
"The trials..."
"Were they all yours?"
The King nodded.
"They reflected the qualities I sought in a successor."
"A king without compassion becomes a tyrant."
"A king without strength cannot protect."
"A king without potential has no future."
He turned to face Sam.
"You passed all three."
A golden screen appeared.
---
The Eternal King's Trial
Status: Complete
Calculating Rewards...
---
The screen disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.
The Eternal King extended his hand.
Floating above his palm...
Was a ring forged from black metal.
A single blue gemstone rested at its center.
It pulsed gently like a heartbeat.
"This is not a weapon."
"It is a promise."
Sam accepted the ring.
The instant it touched his hand...
A surge of ancient memories rushed through his mind.
He saw soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder.
He saw generals refusing to retreat.
He saw ordinary people protected behind towering walls.
Finally...
He saw the Eternal King standing alone before an endless tide of monsters.
He never retreated.
Not once.
The vision ended.
Sam slowly opened his eyes.
"...You lost."
The Eternal King smiled.
"Yes."
"I lost the war."
"But my people lived long enough for humanity to have another chance."
Silence filled the garden.
The King's expression grew serious.
"Power alone cannot save this world."
"Neither can kindness."
"A true king must know when to fight..."
"...and when to carry the hopes of those who cannot."
He stepped closer.
"You are not my replacement, Sam."
"You are your own king."
"I have no desire for you to become another Eternal King."
"I want you to become something greater."
The blue gemstone in the ring shone brilliantly.
A System notification echoed through the garden.
DING!
---
Hidden Legacy Acquired
The Eternal King's Signet
Rank: Legendary
Status: Bound to Commander Sam
Effects:
• Charisma +100
• Wisdom +100
• All Undead under your command gain +10% to all attributes.
• Your undead retain their memories and personalities more completely after being raised.
---
Sam stared at the screen.
Then at the ring on his finger.
"This..."
"...is your legacy?"
The Eternal King chuckled.
"No."
"That is merely the key."
Sam looked up.
"The key?"
The King nodded.
"My true legacy cannot be given."
"It must be built."
He pointed toward Sam's chest.
"Every undead you raise."
"Every citizen you protect."
"Every kingdom you unite."
"That..."
"...will become your legacy."
For a long moment...
Neither man spoke.
Finally...
The Eternal King smiled.
"It is time."
The garden began to fade.
The flowers dissolved into blue light.
The ancient tree vanished.
The King's body became countless glowing soul particles.
Before he disappeared completely...
He spoke one last time.
"When we meet again..."
"I hope it is as equals."
The light swallowed everything.
Sam closed his eyes.
When he opened them again...
He was standing inside the throne room.
The massive doors of the Royal Mausoleum were open behind him.
Waiting at the bottom of the stairs...
Was Aldric.
The First Marshal immediately dropped to one knee.
Then...
Every undead knight in the hall knelt.
Outside...
Throughout the entire Ancient Necropolis...
Millions of undead lowered their heads in perfect unison.
Aldric spoke, his voice echoing through the silent castle.
"The Royal Mausoleum has rendered its judgment."
"We welcome the one acknowledged by our King."
The throne behind Sam remained empty.
But somehow...
The room no longer felt lonely.