The void was silent—yet it pulsed like a living thing.
Kael stood on a floating platform of black stone, surrounded by nothing but distant galaxies and shards of broken worlds. His body felt… different. Lighter. Sharper. Pain was gone, replaced by a cold flame that burned quietly in his chest.
> [Void Authority: Synchronization Complete – 40%]
Warning: Humanity continues to decay. Use of Void Skills will accelerate loss.
> "So be it," Kael muttered. "I won't need humanity where I'm going."
Before he could take a breath, the space ahead of him distorted.
Something crawled out of the rift.
A creature of bone and shadow—ten feet tall, jagged ribs exposed, eyes burning with soulless red. A Void Wraith.
> [Enemy Detected: Void Wraith Lv. 6]
Combat Initiation: Survival Protocol Engaged
Kael's eyes narrowed. In his past life, he would've fled. Now?
Now he smiled.
The wraith lunged with a snarl. Kael moved on instinct. His body, enhanced by the Void, dodged effortlessly. Time slowed around him, or perhaps his perception had simply evolved.
He ducked under a bone blade, slid across the stone, and punched upward.
His fist shouldn't have had power—but the Void pulsed.
> [Passive Skill Activated: Evolution Through Defiance]
→ Temporary boost granted: +30% Strength
→ Action: "Strike Beyond One's Limit"
The wraith screeched as Kael's punch shattered its chest. But it didn't die. Instead, its bones twisted, reconfiguring.
Kael didn't wait. He raised his hand.
> [Skill: Devour Essence – Active]
A purple-black sigil formed in his palm. Energy surged.
The creature froze—screaming as its body was torn apart, pulled into Kael's hand like dust into a vacuum.
---
💠 [Enemy Slain: Void Wraith Lv. 6]
> Exp Gained: +60
Essence Absorbed: +1
Skill Copied: [Bone Spikes Lv. 1]
Trait Acquired: [Void Resistance I]
Humanity Decrease: -2%
---
Kael stood still, watching his hand pulse with fresh power.
His bones tingled. His skin hardened. He could feel the new ability settle into his blood.
> "So this is the Void Authority," he said softly. "I gain strength by devouring others…"
He glanced at the mist swirling around the platform. More rifts were opening.
Three more Void Wraiths stepped through.
Kael rolled his shoulders. No fear. No hesitation. Only hunger.
> "Come, then. Feed me."
---
🌌 Scene Shift: Stormwatch Realm – Mortal World
Lysar Draven sat upon the Eastern Throne, dressed in regal black, a smirk playing on his lips.
> "Kael is dead," he said. "Burned from the soul outward. The Flame Core is mine now. Let all branches bow."
Around him, the clan elders nodded—or rather, obeyed.
None noticed the faint shiver in the air… the brief flicker of darkness on the horizon.
None knew that far beyond reality, Kael Draven had returned.
And he would burn this world to ash.