By IMERPUS RELUR
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The shadow stood at the edge of the forming world.
Obsidian flames licked around his form, burning in silence. He was tall—taller than Auren—his skin pitch black with cracks of fire across his chest and arms. His face was obscured by a mask of scorched bone. Behind him floated a trail of ash, and behind that… eyes.
Hundreds of eyes.
Each eye blinked once—then disappeared.
Eléa stepped in front of Auren instinctively, though her glow dimmed against the stranger's pressure.
> "He's watching your core," she whispered. "Protect it."
The stranger finally spoke, his voice like crushed charcoal.
> "Another god. Another seed. Another failure."
"You should not exist."
Auren stepped forward, surprised by the calm in his chest.
> "I didn't ask to exist," he replied, "but I do."
A strange click rang from the stranger's neck as if bones shifted.
> "Then let me burn your name before it takes root."
The ground blackened under his feet.
The sky dimmed.
And with a gesture, he summoned a creature—a hound of flame with empty sockets and a name carved across its ribs:
Ashkin.
> "This is one of his Races," Eléa said, narrowing her eyes. "Born from judgment. Fed on the destruction of the unworthy."
The Ashkin growled, its body crackling with searing hate.
Auren's hands clenched. He didn't know how he would fight. He had no army. No skills. Only… her.
> "Eléa," he said, "what can I do?"
She touched his chest. A glyph glowed.
> "You have only one Divine Seed," she said. "You can awaken one Ability Tree."
A panel formed before his eyes—shimmering light etched with three paths.
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DIVINE ABILITY TREE SELECTION:
1. Tree of Grace (Compassion)
> Summon healing constructs and protect your race from emotional corruption.
Bonus: Your world's growth accelerates through peace.
2. Tree of Reflection (Truth)
> Reflect divine attacks, absorb enemy will, and shape-shift your world based on inner clarity.
Bonus: You gain insight into your opponent's race origin.
3. Tree of Remembrance (Memory)
> Manifest forgotten knowledge, awaken sleeping emotions in enemies, and cause divine regression.
Bonus: Your enemies risk recalling their own trauma—and self-destructing.
---
Auren hesitated.
The Ashkin lunged forward.
The stranger raised his hand.
Eléa stood glowing, hand on his heart.
> "Choose. Not for power. But for meaning."
Auren closed his eyes… and chose—