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[Veilmar — Borderlands]
Night fell early in Veilmar. The skies wore a choking grey, and the trees of the Blackthorn Wilds whispered secrets only the cursed dared to hear.
Arden's clone stood atop a forgotten watchtower, his cloak flickering like data against the dim light. Around him, the first dungeon seed pulsed beneath the ground—a sliver of condensed digital space nestled into the earth.
---
> [Dungeon Seed Deployed: Corrupted Crypt - Tier 1]
Spawn Delay: 3 Days
Hostile Entities: Shadow Wights, Revenant Thieves
Goal: Lure awakened talents and mark survivors
---
From his hidden core, Arden watched the simulation flow. He could already feel two scout parties approaching—Veilmar was too broken to ignore power.
"Time to meet the desperate," Arden whispered.
---
[Evernight Palace — Private Garden]
Meanwhile, the real Arden—now a bright and observant three-year-old—sat in Queen Althea's lap. Leon Evernight toddled toward them, wooden sword in hand.
"Mom! Watch this!" Leon said, swinging the toy with all the fierceness a three-year-old could muster.
Althea clapped warmly.
"So strong already, my little knight."
Arden giggled softly. In that moment, a deep peace settled into him. He reached out and gently touched Leon's hand.
And the system responded.
---
> [New Link Established: Twin Bond - Leon Evernight]
Passive Skill: Dual Heartbeat (Shared emotional resilience)
Active Sync Skill: Twin Strike (Temporarily boosts Leon's strength during danger)
Shared EXP: +10% gain to both when nearby
---
It wasn't just power. It was connection. Family. Arden would conquer the world... but he would do it with his brother by his side.
---
[Veilmar - Slum District, Underground]
Elia Veyren's eyes glowed faint violet. The system interface shimmered above her palms.
> [Quest Completed: Royal Guard Map Acquired] EXP +50 Skill Node Unlocked: "Blood Echo Blade"
She stared in awe. A voice whispered into her mind—calm, intelligent.
"You have done well. Rest. A new task awaits. Soon, you will command more than shadows."
---
[Back in the Palace]
Darius Evernight stood atop the palace wall, gazing toward the north. A messenger knelt behind him.
"My King, Veilmar's borders have grown... restless."
"They always are," the king said softly.
He turned to the guard beside him. "Send word to the Duke of Ravelle. If war brews again, I want our borders secure."
Unseen, from the shadows of the wall, a tiny insect with silver eyes flitted away.
A shadow clone in disguise.
Arden now knew the king's movements too.
---
[MindHub Interface Update]
> Shadow Root One - Status: Stable
Inhabitants: 6 Shadowborne
Arsenal: 1 Dungeon, 3 Skill Crystals, 2 Defensive Arrays
Next Step: Launch second seed in Ravelle territory
---
As the moon rose, Arden reached toward it with his quantum mind. The multiverse was wide. But his reach would be wider.