Edwin Lunar Chapter 30: The Last Marshal

Read chapter 30 of Edwin Lunar by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The underground abyss trembled violently beneath Noroel. Massive chains snapped around the Eclipse Vault one after another while corrupted Flame energy flooded through the darkness like a rising storm. The enormous Defender beneath the platform roared again, its giant body climbing closer toward the Vault as ancient alarms echoed endlessly across the underground sectors. ECLIPSE VAULT: 91% OPEN Orion Team stood frozen before the glowing projection of Groader. And Edwin's world had just shattered. Your father sealed both me… and himself. The words repeated endlessly inside his mind. Wingard Lunar had not simply died in battle. He chose to stay behind. To seal Eclipse. To protect Noroel. Edwin stared silently at the holographic image of his father still flickering across the giant screens surrounding the abyss. Wingard standing beside the Flame Lock. Alone. Carl stepped closer carefully. "Edwin…" But Edwin barely heard him. Groader's projection watched quietly from the Vault entrance. "You finally understand." Lucien immediately stepped forward. "Stop manipulating him." Groader's crimson eyes shifted calmly toward him. "Truth is not manipulation." Iris looked toward Edwin sharply. "Don't let him inside your head." But it was already happening. The ring pulsed painfully. The visions returned again— Only clearer now. Edwin saw the final battle through fragments. The Marshals fighting collapsing Eidolon machines. The Vault breaking apart. Wingard Lunar forcing Headmaster Humming away from the sealing chamber while red Flame consumed the underground world. Then Edwin heard his father's final words. "Protect my son." The memory vanished violently. Edwin staggered backward slightly. Carl grabbed his shoulder immediately. "You okay?" "No." The answer came honestly. The underground platform suddenly shook harder than before. The giant Defender slammed against the central structures beneath them while more corrupted Guardians climbed from the abyss walls around the platform. Lucien activated his weapon instantly. "We're out of time." Groader raised one glowing hand slowly. The corrupted Guardians stopped immediately. Then the projection looked directly at Edwin again. "The Flame Lock cannot hold forever." The giant Vault doors opened wider behind him. Darkness moved inside. Alive. "You can continue your father's failure…" Groader's voice echoed across the abyss. "…or you can evolve beyond it." Silver and crimson Flame energy collided around the chamber. The ring burned hotter. Edwin clenched his fist painfully. "What do you want from me?" Groader answered instantly. "Choice." The holographic screens around the platform activated again. This time they showed the future. Noroel burning. Academy towers collapsing. War spreading across planets. Then the images changed. Advanced cities. Peace. Technology beyond imagination. Humanity evolving through Flame energy. Groader's voice became softer. "The Eternal Flame was never meant to remain locked away." Iris shook her head immediately. "He's showing selective simulations." "But not false ones," Groader replied calmly. Lucien pointed his blade toward the projection. "You caused the Great War." "And your Marshals preserved weakness afterward." The abyss shook violently again. ECLIPSE VAULT: 94% OPEN The Defender finally climbed onto the platform level. Its gigantic armored body towered over Orion Team while corrupted Flame poured from its fractured mouth. Carl looked upward in complete horror. "That thing keeps getting larger!" The Defender roared. The entire platform cracked beneath them. Lucien immediately charged forward to intercept while Iris activated defensive barriers around the platform edges. Carl grabbed Edwin again. "Please tell me we have a plan." Edwin stared toward the Flame Lock. Then toward the Vault. Then at the ring. Everything connected now. The ring wasn't just a key. It was part of the seal itself. Which meant— If the Vault fully opened— The ring might become useless forever