Location: Reality Fracture Zone, Vault Core Zero
---
The world on the other side of the Vault was not a world.
It was a wound — a rift in reality stitched together by broken gods and forgotten systems. The ground pulsed like a heartbeat, and the sky... was full of code.
> [WARNING: Entered Forbidden Field — Godshell Zone 0]
Caution: Your existence is not compatible with this layer.
Initiating temporary soul-layer patch...
Aethan clutched Elise's hand tighter. "Where the hell are we?"
Elise's eyes were glowing again, her voice half-human, half-machine.
"This is where you were made. Not born… made."
---
A massive structure stood before them—a cathedral built from dead timelines. Inside, statues of entities that had once been gods, now petrified by paradox.
Each one had a name carved beneath:
Chronos.EXE
Divina.sys
Null Prime
EdenCode 13
But at the center... a cracked throne.
And above it, floating in a sphere of suspended light—
A Child.
Naked, glowing faintly, eyes shut, suspended in system runes.
Aethan froze.
"Elise... is that...?"
She nodded slowly. "That's you. Or rather... the original copy. The template the gods designed."
Aethan staggered back.
"What the hell are you saying?!"
Elise looked into his eyes, gentle and tragic.
"You're not the first Aethan. You're the 17th reincarnation. The only one who survived the Soul Wars."
---
> [ERROR: Blood Code Conflict Detected]
Subject Aethan-17 attempting to interface with Root Version: Aethan-Origin.
Probability of Memory Collapse: 88%
Override?
He didn't hesitate.
"Do it."
---
The moment he allowed the override, the world shattered.
And he fell—into himself.
He saw them all. The 16 Aethans before him. Each a warrior. Each a failure.
Version 07 died in the Void Wars.
Version 11 lost Elise to the System Hunters.
Version 14 turned into a god—and was erased by a higher power.
And then... Version Zero.
He saw the first version, standing in front of a council of god-like programmers.
"We need a being who can bend the system... break rules by existing."
"Make him flawed. Emotions, chaos, rebellion—so he won't obey."
That was Aethan Prime.
The first one. The rebel they couldn't control.
---
Suddenly, Aethan woke up—drenched in sweat, inside the cathedral again.
But something had changed.
His veins glowed gold. His eyes flickered like code. And behind him, Elise was crying.
"You did it. You connected to the Root."
> [Blood Code Fully Activated]
You are no longer bound to System Laws.
Trait Unlocked: Paradox Genesis
Effect: You exist simultaneously as a bug, a feature, and a rule.
System Response: You are now recognized as a System-Class Entity – Rogue Deity Class*
---
Suddenly, a deep rumble shook the world.
Not a quake.
A summoning.
From the heart of the cathedral rose a throne of iron and flame. And seated on it... something monstrous.
Not a god. Not a man.
A walking contradiction.
"Aethan-17... your awakening was inevitable."
"Who the hell are you?"
"I am the architect of the Admin Purge. I am the reason Elise was fragmented. I am the one who watched you die sixteen times."
Aethan's eyes narrowed. "And this time?"
The being stood. "This time... you fight me. Not for the system. But for the truth."
Elise screamed, "Don't! He's—"
But it was too late.
The being's fist collided with Aethan's chest—and reality exploded.
---
The battle began with concepts, not punches.
Memories as weapons. Time reversals. Logic bombs.
Aethan threw a paradox—"What if I already won?"
The being countered—"Then why are you bleeding?"
Blood dripped from Aethan's nose. Real blood. Not system blood.
He grinned.
"Because pain means I'm still human, you bastard."
And then Elise's voice echoed inside him.
"Remember your link… use me."
He reached out mentally—
> [Link Sync – 100% Achieved]
Companion Merge: Elise.exe Fusion Mode – HEART/CORE Overdrive
New Skill: Love War Protocol
Effect: Amplifies strength, speed, and intellect based on emotional bond. Current Multiplier: x∞
---
The cathedral cracked under the force of his transformation.
Now wearing a spectral armor made from Elise's data core and his own soul essence, Aethan flew forward like a falling star.
His punch wasn't just an attack.
It was everything he felt:
Love for Elise.
Hate for the gods.
Pain of his deaths.
Hope for this one chance.
BOOM.
The throne shattered. The being screamed—not in pain, but in fear.
"YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO EXIST!"
Aethan stood over him.
"Yeah? Well I do. And now I write the rules."
He raised his hand.
And deleted him.
Like bad code.
---
Silence again.
But this time... peaceful.
---
> [System Shock Detected]
Main Admin Structure destabilizing.
You now hold temporary ownership of Layer 0.
Do you wish to rebuild this world in your image?
Y/N
He looked at Elise.
She smiled.
He pressed "Y"
---
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next Chapter: New World Draft — Love, Logic, and Legacy