The battle had ended, but its scars were fresh in the minds of every warrior as the Drakovians and Crimson Talon forces returned to their homeland, battered and broken. The air was heavy with a somber silence, and the once proud soldiers walked with their heads low, the weight of loss settling on their shoulders. The sun had begun to dip below the horizon as the familiar spires of Drakovia came into view, casting long shadows over the returning forces.
Lucan Ravik stood at the gates, his keen eyes scanning the crowd of warriors. A frown creased his brow as he failed to spot a familiar figure. Where is she? The question gnawed at him like a festering wound. Talia was always at the front, leading the charge back home. But today, she was absent.
As the warriors entered the fortress, whispers spread quickly. The Crimson Talon had lost one of their finest. The reality of Talia’s death hit them all like a cold wind, cutting deep into their hearts. Mourning filled the air, and the once vibrant halls of Drakovia now echoed with sorrow.
Lucan retreated to his private chambers, the memories of Talia flooding back unbidden. He could still see her—her laughter echoing through the halls, her fiery spirit igniting the room with energy. She had been more than just a comrade to him. She was family.
Sitting at his desk, Lucan ran a hand through his silvered hair, feeling the weight of her absence more keenly than he had anticipated. His fingers trembled as he reached for a small, worn piece of parchment. It was a letter from Talia—one she had written him before their first battle together.
"Lucan, I fight with everything I have, not because I seek glory, but because I believe in us. In what we’re building here. I’ll always be by your side, no matter where the winds take us."
Lucan clenched the letter in his fist, his knuckles turning white. She had always been there. And now, she was gone. I should have been with her. The guilt gnawed at him, twisting in his gut like a blade.
The silence stretched on, but Lucan refused to let his grief consume him. He needed to be strong—for his people, for the Crimson Talon, for Talia.
---
Meanwhile, in a darkened chamber deep within the Vorgath Dominion, an unsettling calm lingered. The base was a labyrinth of towering iron structures and vast underground chambers, carved into the side of a jagged mountain. The walls were adorned with crimson banners bearing the insignia of a black dragon, its wings spread wide in an imposing display of dominance. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and steel, a place where sunlight was a rare visitor.
At the heart of the fortress, a tall figure in a black coat entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. He moved with a deliberate grace, his cold gaze surveying the room as his long coat trailed behind him like the shadow of death itself.
Ravyn, still shaken from the battle, approached cautiously. Her usual confidence was overshadowed by the memory of the power she had felt on the battlefield—something dark, something beyond what she had ever encountered.
“My lord,” Ravyn began, bowing her head in respect. “The battle was... chaotic. We succeeded in weakening them, but there was something—someone—on the field. A power unlike anything I’ve felt before.” Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her discomfort. “I couldn’t see the source, but it was... overwhelming.”
The tall figure, known only as Lord Varian Darkfell, turned his icy gaze on her. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous curiosity. “A power, you say?” His voice was deep, smooth, and chilling, like the whisper of a blade drawn in the dark.
Ravyn nodded. “Yes, my lord. It was faint, but enough to send a shiver down my spine. Whatever it was, it’s growing.”
Lord Varian stood silent for a moment, processing her words. “This power you speak of,” he said slowly, “it could be... useful. But we cannot let it remain unchecked.”
He turned toward the massive iron doors at the far end of the chamber. “Train the apprentices harder. They must be prepared for what’s to come.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, and the soldiers in attendance straightened, their expressions hardened by the unspoken command.
“Long live Lord Varian Darkfell!” they chanted, their voices echoing in the cavernous hall.
Varian’s lips curved into a thin smile. Let the power grow, he thought. Soon enough, we’ll find its source—and bend it to our will.
---
Back in Drakovia, Sid remained unconscious, his body still recovering from the sheer exertion of his awakening. His mind, however, was restless—locked in a storm of rage, guilt, and sorrow. Even in his unconscious state, the memory of Talia’s death haunted him, the image of her lifeless body etched into his soul.
Nearby, Darron and Kael sat in silence. The battlefield may have been left behind, but its ghosts still lingered. The battle had ended, but the war—both outside and within—had only just begun.
Five days had passed. Sid’s mind felt like a tangled web, fragments of memory slipping through his consciousness like grains of sand. He sat up abruptly, beads of sweat clinging to his skin as his vision swam. For a moment, everything felt unfamiliar—the room, the bed, even his own body. He pressed a hand to his temple, trying to shake off the haze clouding his thoughts.
What happened?
His memory was fractured, bits and pieces of that fateful battle flashing before him. Talia. Karna. Blood. Then, like a floodgate opening, it all came rushing back—the battle, the rage, the loss. And with it, the crushing regret.
Sid gritted his teeth, his hands curling into fists on the bed. I wasn't ready. If I had been stronger...
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He looked out the window, the world outside seeming indifferent to his turmoil. The sky was a dull gray, as if mirroring the weight in his chest. His gaze softened, his mind slipping into a quiet resignation. He couldn’t change the past, but that didn’t dull the pain gnawing at his soul.
And then, without warning, a strange sensation washed over him. A flicker in the corner of his vision. He blinked, and a translucent screen appeared before his eyes, hovering in the air like something out of a dream.
"This is the Ascendant Path," a voice echoed inside his head, cold yet calm. "Your previous battle has gained you 120 EP (Experience Points). You can now learn skills by using the experience points you’ve earned."
Sid stared at the floating words, his heart racing. His mind flashed back to the moment in battle, when everything had seemed hopeless. The power—he had felt something surge within him when he fought Karna, something unnatural. And now this... system?
He frowned, still groggy from sleep, but the memory was sharp enough. I heard that voice during the fight... His confusion only deepened. Was this some kind of dream? Or had he gone mad from the grief?
Sid swallowed, then hesitantly spoke aloud, his voice low and measured. “What is this power?”
The system responded immediately, its voice as steady as before. "This is the Ascendant Path, a power system that allows individuals to tap into their latent potential, enhancing their abilities through the process of Awakening."
Sid’s breath hitched. Awakening? Latent potential? He shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the concept. The explanation felt like something from a storybook, yet... it resonated with him. His thoughts drifted back to when he first woke up in this new body, reborn and free of the illness that had once consumed him. Was it all connected?
Slowly, he closed his eyes, letting the weight of the information settle into place. It felt surreal, but at the same time, it explained things—why he had felt different, why he had survived that battle when all logic dictated he should have perished.
Sid took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before addressing the system again. “So... this Awakening, it’s why I’m still alive?”
"Partially," the system replied. "Your body was already conditioned to accept this power. The Awakening process has multiple stages, and you are currently at the Initial Awakening phase."
Sid opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. “How many stages are there?”
"There are four stages of Awakening: Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Ultimate. Each stage unlocks greater potential, but comes with increased risk. The more you awaken, the more your body and mind are pushed beyond their natural limits."
The answer hung heavy in the air. Sid felt a mixture of awe and dread curl in his chest. This wasn’t just some newfound strength—it was something far more dangerous. He wasn’t just growing stronger. He was evolving into something else. And the thought both thrilled and terrified him.
“Why me?” His voice was barely above a whisper now. “Why do I have this?”
The system remained silent for a moment, then answered in its usual calm tone. "Your destiny is intertwined with this power. Whether by fate or circumstance, you have been chosen to walk this path. The Ascendant Path seeks those who have the potential to rise above the ordinary."
Sid’s mind raced, but the more he thought about it, the clearer things became. Rise above the ordinary? It sounded like a philosophy more than just power. And perhaps, that’s what he needed. He had failed before, but now... now there was a way forward, a way to grow beyond his limits, to make sure he’d never be too weak again.
He exhaled slowly, letting the tension ease from his body. There was no turning back now. Whatever this Ascendant Path was, it was his only chance to survive—and maybe, just maybe, to atone for what had happened.
“I’ll walk this path,” he said softly, his voice firm but calm. “But on my terms.”
The system responded almost immediately. "Understood. You may use your accumulated experience points to learn new skills or enhance existing ones. The choice is yours."
Sid’s eyes lingered on the floating display before him, the blueish light of the system interface casting a soft glow over his face. The idea of power—real, tangible power—lay just within his grasp. But it was strange, almost surreal, to think that this entire process was happening within his own mind.
“What... what do I do next?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. The promise of growth tugged at him, like an ember waiting to ignite.
The system answered without hesitation. "To purchase abilities, you must use Experience Points (EP). Each ability has a set EP cost. You can access the Ability Store by focusing your mind."
Sid closed his eyes briefly, concentrating. As soon as he did, the world seemed to shift, and an array of options appeared in front of him—abilities, techniques, and enhancements, all with flashing prices listed next to them. It was like browsing through a catalogue of raw, untapped power.
The first ability caught his eye almost immediately.
Quick Slash (50 EP)
A basic, lightning-fast sword attack aimed at overwhelming opponents with speed. Deals moderate damage but leaves the user exposed for a brief moment.
Sid’s brow furrowed. A decent ability, but not quite what he needed. He scrolled further, scanning the options, when another one appeared.
Guard Breaker (100 EP)
A powerful strike aimed at shattering the opponent’s defense. This technique works best against shielded or heavily armored foes but consumes more stamina.
Now that sounded useful. His mind immediately raced back to the battle with Karna. If he’d had something like Guard Breaker, would things have ended differently? His fingers hovered over the selection, but before he made his decision, something else caught his attention—a skill that made his heart race with both excitement and hesitation.
Ragnarok (4,000 EP)
The ultimate sword technique, unleashing an explosive wave of destruction that radiates from the sword in all directions, capable of leveling an entire battlefield.
Sid’s breath hitched. The sheer weight of the technique’s description sent shivers down his spine. Ragnarok—the name itself felt heavy with promise and destruction. But as tempting as it was, he knew it was far beyond his reach for now.
4,000 EP. He barely had 120.
He mentally stepped back from the extravagant choice, pulling himself back to reality. “Not yet,” he muttered to himself, almost as if reminding his own mind to be patient.
But in his heart, the thrill of possibility flickered. He would get there one day—he would earn it.
Shaking off the allure of Ragnarok, he focused on Guard Breaker. It was practical, efficient, and exactly what he needed right now. With a mental command, he selected it, feeling a slight shift within himself as the points drained from his total.
Your EP has been reduced from 120 to 20.
Ability "Guard Breaker" acquired.
Sid felt the change immediately, like an invisible weight settling into his muscles, his body adjusting to the new knowledge as if it had always been there. It wasn’t something he could explain with words—it was more instinctual, like learning to breathe a little differently.
He stared at the number next to his remaining EP. 20. Not much left, but it didn’t matter. He had taken the first step. His lips curled slightly, not quite a smile but something close. In the silence of the room, a quiet thought crept into his mind.
I’m getting stronger.
Sid leaned back against the bed, his eyes tracing the faint lines of the ceiling. The journey ahead was long, but for the first time in a while, he felt... prepared. And that sense of readiness, of being able to shape his own fate, gave him a glimmer of something he hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.
“Is there anything else I should know?” Sid asked, his voice steady, as if speaking to an old friend.
The system responded, its tone unchanged. "Abilities can be further enhanced as you gain more experience. You are currently in the Initial Awakening stage. Higher stages of Awakening will unlock greater potential, but be cautious—each step comes with its own risks."
Sid considered this for a moment, digesting the information. Power always came with a cost, didn’t it? He had learned that the hard way, but at least now, he was making that choice consciously.
“Awakening...” he repeated quietly. “What does that mean, exactly?”
"Awakening is the process of unlocking the full potential of your body and mind. As you progress through the stages—Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Ultimate—your abilities will grow exponentially. But each stage places greater strain on both your physical and mental limits."
Sid nodded slowly. Ultimate Awakening—the thought was almost daunting, but it excited him nonetheless. He couldn’t deny the hunger building within him. The desire to reach that stage, to push himself beyond what anyone else could imagine—it was intoxicating.
“Then I’ll just have to get stronger,” Sid said quietly, almost to himself.
The system remained silent, and Sid closed his eyes, letting the calm wash over him. He had taken the first step on this path. There was no turning back now. The memories of the battle, of Talia, still lingered at the edges of his mind, but with each breath, they became less painful.
Instead, they became fuel.
"I won’t be weak again," he whispered to the empty room, a promise made to no one but himself.
And as the light from the system flickered and faded from his view, Sid felt a new resolve settle in his chest. The road ahead was long, but he was ready to face it, no matter the cost.
It was tempting, yet daunting. This was no longer just about survival—it was about what he would become.
He leaned back on the bed, staring up at the gray sky through the window. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Sid could no longer afford to be the person he was before.