CHAPTER 308: EX 308. THRONE OF ORIGIN

The world twisted for a second.

Leon barely had time to curse before the floor under his feet disappeared. His body lurched as space folded, and then, he was somewhere else.

A cold, ancient pressure pressed against his skin. Three pairs of eyes crawled over him, they were sharp and invasive, as if dissecting his very being.

He clenched his jaw. ’What the hell...’

The chamber he stood in was vast and dark, lit only by faint silver lines running along a round table. Three thrones were already occupied, each by beings that exuded power far beyond what Leon had ever faced.

He frowned, his gaze sweeping across them without flinching. ’I hate it when people stare too much,’ he thought irritably. That meant something, especially coming from someone as self-assured as Leon Kael.

The rulers exchanged brief, surprised glances. It wasn’t arrogance that unsettled them, but the calm. A Rank 4 standing before three rulers, each a Rank 9 powerhouse and he was not even twitching under their pressure. Most would have collapsed, trembling on the floor.

But Leon... was still.

And to them, that stillness felt unnatural. It made sense though, someone who carried corruption within their soul could hardly be considered normal.

Alexander, caught the flickers of disbelief on their faces and exhaled quietly. ’Thank the stars I’m not the only one who finds this boy strange.’

He stepped forward. As a throne of shimmering gold materialized behind him as he took his seat, the emperor’s presence anchoring the air.

Leon followed without hesitation. And the moment he reached his place, another throne rose from the darkness behind him, born from nothing and forged by pure authority. He sat casually, one leg crossing over the other, as if he’d done this a thousand times before.

The rulers froze. Even Alexander’s composure cracked for a second.

Silence rippled across the room, heavier than before.

Leon looked around at their stunned expressions and blinked.

"...Did I do something wrong?" he asked, genuinely confused.

For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then, from the northern throne, Eragon leaned forward. His crimson hair shimmered in the dim light, horns casting long shadows across the table.

His golden eyes glowed faintly as he grinned.

"Boy," he said, voice deep with amusement, "you’re not human... are you?"

****

The Throne of Origin.

That was what the ancient artifact was called, it was a relic forged by a master artisan more than a millennia ago. It had been commissioned by the world powers of that era to commemorate the very first Racial Council of Pandora. A symbol of unity, they had called it.

But the artisan had left behind something more.

As long as a being belonging to one of the four great races approached the council table, a throne would manifest for them, perfectly tailored to their nature and born from the world’s acknowledgment of their existence.

It was Simple, elegant and absolute.

Which was precisely why the current scene was nothing short of mind-boggling.

A fifth throne had just formed.

It rose from the dark floor beside Alexander’s seat, carved of shadow and light, neither divine nor demonic. It hummed faintly with a power that didn’t belong to any known race.

The rulers’ expressions darkened.

That throne, its very appearance meant Leon was not human, not elf, not dragon, and not beastman.

Alexander exhaled softly, mind racing. ’I always thought he was some kind of mutant... I never imagined he was something more.’ The emperor’s gaze lingered on Leon, a quiet mix of awe and exasperation flickering behind his eyes. ’I swear, this boy never stops surprising me.’

As for Eragon’s question it still hung in the air.

Leon hadn’t answered immediately. His silence was sharp and thoughtful. Finally, he looked up and asked evenly, "What makes you think that?"

Alexander leaned back, fingers steepled, as he explained the details to Leon. "The Throne of Origin only manifests for the four major races. Yet when you approached the table, a new throne appeared. That means Pandora itself recognizes you as something... outside of the four."

Leon’s eyes gleamed faintly. He gave a small, knowing nod as he finally answered. "You’re right, I’m not human."

Eragon’s pupils contracted. "Then what are you?"

Leon’s expression hardened, eyes narrowing. "What I am, is of no concern to you."

The Dragon Lord’s golden gaze sharpened, a faint heat radiating from his throne, but before tension could spill into open hostility, Alexander’s voice cut through the air like steel.

"This is not the reason we are here, Eragon," he said evenly. "And it would be unwise to antagonize the only person who might help us through the crisis we face. I’m sure Elaine and Francis agree."

Across the table, the blindfolded Elf Queen inclined her head in silent agreement, while the towering Beast Chief grunted lowly, his golden eyes unwavering.

"Tch." Eragon clicked his tongue, leaning back with clear annoyance. "Fine."

Alexander nodded once, satisfied. The pressure in the chamber eased.

"Good," he said, his tone shifting to something more formal. "Then let us begin. By the authority of the Rulers of Pandora, this council is now in session."

****

Alexander’s voice filled the chamber, it was steady but heavy with the weight of years.

"Corruption has plagued Pandora for the past three years," he began, his tone echoing through the dark hall. "And it’s slowly killing our world. The longer days were just a prelude. Then came the clusters, bringing abominations that grew stronger with every passing day. Beasts that could not die, but could only be sealed away... and those seals, too, were destined to fail when the creatures within outgrew their prisons."

He paused, letting the truth settle like dust in the suffocating air. "We have searched for every possible way to halt this encroaching disaster. Every relic, every spell, every forgotten god. Yet all roads led to ruin."

His gaze shifted toward Leon. "But now, there’s no need to search any further. Because the means to destroy the corruption sits among us."

The room fell still.

Elaine turned her covered eyes toward Leon. Even with the blindfold, it felt as if her sight pierced straight through him. Her voice was calm, but her words carried an edge sharper than any blade. "And what makes you so sure we can trust him?" she asked. "For all we know, he could be one of them. A spy from the corruption itself."

Alexander didn’t flinch. "The answer is simple," he said, his tone clipped but resolute. "Because we no longer have time."

He looked to her and to the others. "And I’m sure you know why."

Francis, the towering beast chief, was the first to respond. His deep, guttural voice rumbled through the chamber. "The Hallow."

At that single name, both Elaine and Eragon’s expressions darkened. Even the Dragon Lord, ever arrogant and dismissive, straightened in his seat. The air grew heavier, colder and thick with unspoken dread.

Leon, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "What is the Hallow?" he asked, his tone calm but curious.

All eyes turned toward him.

For a moment, no one answered. Only the faint hum of the ancient thrones filled the void. Then, slowly, Alexander exhaled, his voice quieter this time, carrying the weariness of a man who’d seen too much.

"The Hallow," he said, "is the heart of the corruption itself."