Chapter 42: Lyra and Eiren — Story Beginning, Part 2
Perspective: Velkaris
Velkaris knelt in the heart of the sanctuary, clutching the cracked Divine Card as it shimmered with residual light. His vision blurred, not from pain—but from something deeper.
The feeling of sacrifice.
It had been a long time since he had felt anything so... human.
DING!
System Update Complete.
A smooth voice echoed in his mind, layered over the distant whispers of the mirror's depths.
New Features Unlocked:
✦ Soul Bound Protocol: Activated
✦ Secondary System Framework: Operational
✦ Soul Bound
Function: The system is now tied directly to the host's soul essence. When divided, the system will automatically replicate essential functions across all three soul fragments.
Each soul piece now has synchronized awareness.
All can interact with the system interface.
The main system remains only in the core soul.
Benefit: Stability. Without this tether, the soul split would result in complete personality drift, madness, or spiritual decay.
Drawback:
All divine purchases (cards, summons, upgrades) will now cost 1.5x more.
Maintenance costs for avatars and constructs will rise.
Unlocking deeper Sefirah-related secrets will require additional Faith Points.
✦ Secondary System
Function: The two other soul fragments—meant to become Lyra and Eiren—will receive access to a limited, streamlined version of the main system.
Does not require points to function.
Features include:
Inventory (basic)
Identity Stabilization
Passive Defense Mechanism
Quest and Achievement log
Communication with core system (through dreams or divine signs)
"In short," the system explained, "they are like Isekai protagonists, gifted with small 'cheat systems' of their own."
Velkaris slowly stood, the weight of power and exhaustion pressing down on him like chains of glass.
"So… they'll live," he said. "And they'll have their own choices."
"Not illusions. Not puppets. Not shadows of my grief."
Velkaris glanced at the empty Faith Point counter—at his drained system—and at the altar that pulsed in time with his soul.
"This… is the price I'm willing to pay."
He clenched his fist, staring at the sky reflected in the mirror above.
"Even if I become a lie…"
"They will be my truth."
End of Chapter 41: Lyra and Eiren — Story Beginning, Part 2