The cold stone floor bit into Kael Draven's knees as he knelt, shirtless and bruised, at the heart of the Stormwatch Courtyard. A circle of robed elders and noble scions surrounded him, sneering down like gods judging a worm.
Above them loomed the sky, darkened not by clouds but by the shimmering glow of a magical dome—the Judgment Seal, sealing off escape. It shimmered gold, mocking him with its divine brilliance.
> "Kael Draven, son of Aran Draven, former heir of the Eastern Flame Branch," an elder's voice thundered, amplified by magic. "You are hereby stripped of your name, title, and soul rights. For your crime—attempting to steal the Clan's Flame Core—you are sentenced to death by soul fracture!"
Kael's lips cracked as he laughed bitterly.
"You all know I was framed."
A murmur rippled through the spectators. Even now, some didn't know the full truth. But Kael knew who stood behind this betrayal. His cousin, Lysar—the golden prodigy of the Draven clan—smirked at him from the crowd, arms wrapped around Kael's former fiancée, Serina.
Lysar leaned down, just enough for Kael to hear.
> "Trash like you should never have been born. Serina was always mine. You were just a placeholder."
Kael's fists trembled, but the magical restraints around his arms sizzled with violet chains, forcing him still.
He once dreamed of protecting this clan. Now they spat on him, branded him as nothing more than "the trash without affinity." Born with no elemental link, he had trained in secret, clawing for every ounce of power with blood and grit. But talentless? No. His cultivation was simply unorthodox.
And that scared them.
> "Begin the soul fracture ritual."
A massive rune ignited beneath him—ancient and cruel. Kael felt his soul start to rip apart. White-hot agony coursed through his veins as his vision blurred, blood pouring from his eyes.
> "I swear… even if I fall into the abyss… I will rise again."
His voice, barely a whisper, was swallowed by the wind.
Then, darkness.
---
💀 [SYSTEM BOOTING…]
> Welcome, Chosen of the Void.
You have died.
Initializing 'Void Authority Protocol.'
Error: Host soul fragmented… reconstructing from remnants...
WARNING: Humanity threshold critically low. Void corruption imminent.
Kael opened his eyes—but not in the mortal world.
He floated in an endless sea of stars, surrounded by shattered mirrors of reality. Whispering voices slithered through the black, speaking languages older than creation. In front of him hovered a jagged crystal of obsidian light—the core of the Void Authority System.
> "You who were discarded… shall now rule all that was denied."
Kael reached forward, hand shaking, and touched the crystal.
---
💠 [VOID AUTHORITY BOUND TO HOST: KAEL DRAVEN]
Soul Fusion: 32%
Humanity Remaining: 48%
Starting Skill: [Devour Essence]
Trait Unlocked: [Evolution Through Defiance]
Mission: "Slay the ones who killed you. Rule their world. Ascend to the next."
Kael fell to his knees again—only this time, on a platform of voidstone under a swirling, alien sky.
But he didn't bow in weakness.
He smiled.