The first to arrive at Sun City was an Ascended with the head of a dog and the body of a man.
Part of a powerful Ascended's body would be transformed into a beast-like form.
His appearance was not surprising.
What was truly surprising was that there was a surviving Ascended—and one who had not been turned into a Vastayan.
Nasus, the name of this dog-headed Ascended, had served in a role similar to a military adviser during ancient Shurima.
After witnessing the empire's disappearance with his own eyes, Nasus carried a heavy sense of guilt in his heart.
It was precisely because of this that, upon learning Sun City had reappeared, he was the first to arrive.
Nasus walked through Sun City, and the familiar sights left him dazed, as though he had returned to thousands of years ago.
But the traces of time left upon the buildings told Nasus that he had not gone back.
He made his way to the very center of Sun City.
A massive Sun Disc stood here. The ordinary human emperor Azir stood atop the altar, while the Sun Priests beside him conducted the ritual.
The stars in the sky shone brightly, and the Sun Disc radiated a brilliance like the sun itself.
Solar flames spread through the surroundings, purifying all filth.
The Ascension Ritual!
As long as the ritual proceeded smoothly, this ordinary human emperor would become a new Ascended.
"If Azir becomes an Ascended, this young Human Emperor will still need my guidance."
"I will never allow Shurima to fall again."
"Never!"
Before he could finish speaking, buildings in the distance collapsed with a thunderous crash. Amid the tremors, a gigantic creature burst out of the ground.
Its entire body was covered in blue armor. It had no eyes, but its