"The earliest Beast Kings were not rulers," Maelina continued. "They were guardians, children of the Saints, born with the ability to shift into sacred beasts."
Eliora leaned closer, soaking in every word.
"These forms were not chosen; they were inherited by blood. The Lion Line carried Saint Theron's courage and authority. The Cheetah Line carried Saint Arion's swiftness. The Wolf Line held Saint Lyrica's loyalty and intuition. The Tiger Line inherited Saint Miralda's healing and insight."
Maelina paused.
"And the rarest, the Dragon Line, appeared only once every few centuries. There have only been three Dragons to ever exist… each believed to be an echo of the Saints themselves."
Eliora's breath slowed. The room felt suddenly sacred.
"Each line had their own kingdom long ago," Maelina explained. "But war, alliances, and fate merged them into one realm governed by a single Beast King with mixed bloodlines."
