The seven pillars of silver light reached the skies.

They stood tall like beacons, visible from every kingdom of the continent.

Prayers arose.

Celebrations started.

Emergency measures were taken by kings.

Mission were ceased by hunters.

Everybody came to the same conclusion.

A relic from the Age of Heroes had awaken.

Nobody knew its real name.

Only Jennie.

She silently looked towards the distant Asterion Mountains.

"...The Ancient Sword Tomb."

Dusk approached the Royal Academy.

Its usual lively environment was exceptionally quiet.

Royal Knights guarded all entrances.

Magic barriers could be seen around the academy walls.

The Headmaster forbade everybody to leave.

But Jennie couldn’t sleep.

She was standing alone on the balcony of her room.

A soft wind caressed her white long hair.

Her crimson eyes were fixated at the distant silver pillars.

They looked beautiful.

But she knew better.

Beauty often concealed great danger.

Within her hair, Excalibur spoke.

"Master."

"I am listening."

"The time has come."

Jennie nodded.

"It has."

There was no sense in pretending anything else.

The past which she had tried so hard to forget...

...had finally found her.

"...Tell me everything."

For a second Excalibur remained silent.

But when it spoke again...

...its voice carried unusual emotion.

Almost nostalgic.

"Eight hundred years ago..."

"During the last days of the Age of Heroes..."

"You forged seven swords."

Jennie closed her eyes gently.

Images of distant past appeared.

Blazing forge.

Melting divine metal.

The blessing of Goddess Miasa.

Seven swords lying side by side.

"Each of those swords was created for certain purpose."

"Not only as a weapon..."

"...but also as a guardian."

Jennie bitterly smiled.

"And humanity turned them into treasures."

"Yes."

Kings started wars in order to own them.

Countless heroes died.

Enemies were born.

Nations disappeared under the endless war.

That was why Leonis decided to hide them.

Not because they were too valuable.

But because they were too dangerous.

Excalibur continued.

"Allow me to introduce my brothers."

A weak circle of silver mana appeared in front of Jennie.

Seven glowing swords slowly appeared within illusion.

The first one was hovering proudly in the center.

Black blade of the sword was reflecting moonlight like glass.

Golden runes were shining on its surface.

"Excalibur."

"The Sword of Kings."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Dominion."

"The sword which commands."

Jennie smiled faintly.

"...As proud as always."

"Naturally."

Second blade appeared.

Unlike Excalibur, this sword was crimson.

Its edge was jagged, almost brutal.

Red dark flames were surrounding it.

Even illusion made Jennie feel uncomfortable.

"Gram."

Excalibur’s usually gentle voice became cold.

"The Blade of Wrath."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Destruction."

Jennie looked at it silently.

"...You changed."

Excalibur replied softly.

"No."

"It was humanity that changed him."

The third sword appeared.

Its blade was pure white.

Golden feathers were floating around it.

It was emitting warmth.

Peace.

Hope.

"Aurelia."

"The Blade of Light."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Salvation."

Jennie’s face softened.

"...She always hated fighting."

"But never denied protecting somebody."

Fourth weapon seemed to look like water more than steel.

Blue runes were constantly moving on its surface.

Droplets of water were floating near the blade.

"Leviathan."

"The Blade of Oceans."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Tides."

"Current status..."

Illusion distorted.

"...Missing."

Jennie frowned slightly.

"Still?"

"Yes."

Next sword appeared.

Green longsword.

Flashes of lightning were dancing on its edge.

Waves of wind were swirling underneath it.

It seemed to want to move.

"Tempest."

"The Blade of Storms."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Tempest."

Jennie chuckled.

"...The most noisy among us."

"Indeed."

And then...

Darkness.

Black as night sword appeared.

Stars were disappearing around it.

It was devouring light.

"Eclipse."

"The Blade of Shadows."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Void."

"Current status..."

Once again...

Illusion was distorting.

"...Missing."

Jennie exhaled quietly.

Two missing already.

This complicated everything.

Finally...

Last sword appeared.

Unlike other...

It had no specific color.

Its blade was changing constantly.

Silver.

Gold.

Blue.

White.

All colors were existing inside it.

It was emanating divine aura.

Jennie’s heart rate was unconsciously increasing.

"Genesis..."

Excalibur respectfully lowered its tone of voice.

"The First Blade."

"The Blade of Creation."

"Bearer of Divine Authority: Origin."

"The strongest among the Seven Divine Blades."

Silence filled the balcony.

Jennie was staring at the illusion.

"So..."

"Genesis is still sleeping."

Excalibur answered.

"Deep inside the final chamber."

"Secured by all existing seals."

Jennie nodded slowly.

"Good."

At least there was still time.

And then once again Excalibur quietly said.

"Master..."

"There is one more thing."

Jennie immediately felt warning coming from her instincts.

"What?"

Illusion changed.

The image of Gram was expanding.

Cracks were spreading on its crimson blade.

Dark smoke was leaking from its edge.

Jennie froze.

"...Impossible."

"It became corrupted."

Heavy silence followed.

Jennie looked down.

She remembered Gram.

Proud.

Hot-tempered.

Impatient.

But not evil.

Never.

"What happened?"

Excalibur sadly answered.

"Centuries of hatred."

"The resentment of countless humans."

"Bloodshed."

"War."

"Greed."

"The sword absorbed all of it."

Jennie clenched her fists.

Divine Blade...

...corrupted.

She had long ago known about this possibility.

She just hoped that this would never happen.

Suddenly...

Excalibur began shaking.

Much more violently than before.

Its voice was urgent.

"Someone entered the tomb."

Jennie’s eyes opened instantly.

"What?"

"One of the outer seals..."

"...became broken."

Somewhere far away...

Deep beneath the Asterion Mountains...

Stone door of the ancient tomb was slowly opening.

Dust of ages was filling the air.

Crimson eyes glimmered in the darkness.

Calm voice echoed in the forgotten chamber.

"So this..."

"...is the place where legendary blades are lying."

First intruder has arrived.