After everyone had wished Nyx a happy birthday, the clearing buzzed with laughter and warmth. The long table was filled with delicious food—cakes, roasted meats, grilled fish, vibrant vegetables, and fresh juices. Nyx ate her fill, savoring every bite, her silver eyes sparkling with delight.
“It’s delicious,” Nyx said, her voice filled with wonder. “The best I’ve ever had!”
The constellations chuckled, their gazes soft as they watched her enjoy the meal.
Once the plates were cleared, Drac stood, his massive form towering over the gathering. He cleared his throat, and the chatter immediately quieted.
“I want to say a few words,” he began, his voice deep and steady, resonating across the clearing. “Nyx, you are the reason we’re here tonight. Without you, the seven of us would still be scattered—divided by old wounds and grudges. It was your kindness, your strength, and your unwavering spirit that brought us back together. For that, I am truly thankful.”
Nyx blinked, tears welling in her eyes. She bit her lip, her gaze shifting to each of the constellations.
Len leaned closer, whispering with a smile, “You’re making us soft, you know.”
“Shh,” Ryu hushed him, his wings flitting. “This is the good part.”
Drac’s voice softened. “We weren’t always like this. We weren’t always… fallen.” He glanced upward at the starry sky, his golden eyes clouded with memories. “Our pasts are heavy, full of mistakes. But tonight, we look to the future—because of you, Nyx.”
The constellations fell into a contemplative silence. Slowly, one by one, their thoughts drifted to the moments that had led to their downfalls.
Drac: The Dragon God of Wrath
Drac’s tail swished against the ground as his mind wandered.
“I was the Dragon God of War,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “I was proud, strong, and revered. But I wanted more. I thought I could lead better than anyone else. I thought I could bring order by becoming the head of the pantheon.”
He paused, his ruby red eyes flickering with regret. “So, I sowed discord among the gods, forcing them to choose sides. My arrogance led to chaos, and I was punished for it.”
Nyx reached out, placing a hand on his massive claw. “You’ve made up for it,” she said softly. “You’ve been like a father to me.”
Drac’s gaze softened. “Thank you, little one. That means more than you know.”
Snake: The Snake God of Pride
Snake coiled around a nearby branch, his emerald eyes glinting in the firelight.
“I was the Snake God of Pride,” he began, his voice as smooth as silk. “I thought I could make a perfect creation. I meddled with the species of the world, reshaping them to fit my vision. But I didn’t stop to think of the consequences.”
His voice grew quieter. “I caused extinctions. Chaos. And still, I couldn’t admit I was wrong. My pride blinded me, and I paid the price.”
Nyx tilted her head, her silver eyes thoughtful. “You’ve helped me so much, Snake. I don’t see pride—I see wisdom.”
Snake let out a soft hiss, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. “Perhaps there’s hope for me yet.”
Tiger: The Fanged Tiger God of Envy
Tiger leaned back against a tree, his sharp claws idly tapping the bark. His amber eyes dimmed as he spoke, the weight of his past pulling his usually confident posture into something more subdued.
“I wasn’t always wandering this forest,” he began, his voice rough but steady. “Once, I was a god. Respected. Revered.”
Nyx’s silver eyes softened as she watched him, sensing the turmoil beneath his words.
“But envy…” Tiger’s claws dug slightly into the bark, leaving faint marks. “It consumed me. There was another—a god of wisdom and clarity—who had everything I wanted. I couldn’t understand why he deserved it when I didn’t. It ate at me, day after day.”
Nyx remained silent, letting him speak.
“One day, I snapped. I destroyed the sacred Book of Knowledge—the source of his wisdom, the key to his role. I thought…” His voice faltered, and he let out a bitter laugh. “I thought it would make me feel better. I thought it would fix things.”
Nyx reached over, brushing a hand against his fur. “But it didn’t,” she said gently.
“No,” Tiger admitted, his amber eyes meeting hers. “It didn’t. All it did was bring my fall. I lost everything—the respect, the admiration, the purpose. They cast me down here, and honestly, I deserved it.”
Nyx squeezed his paw gently. “You’ve become someone I admire, Tiger. That means something, doesn’t it?”
Tiger’s lips twitched into a faint, hesitant smile. “Yeah,” he murmured. “It does.”
Peacock: The Proud Peacock God of Lust
Peacock adjusted his feathers, their usual shimmer dulled as he stared off into the distance. For once, his flamboyant confidence was replaced by quiet introspection.
“I wasn’t always like this,” he began, his voice softer than Nyx had ever heard it. “When I was first named, lust wasn’t part of who I was. It wasn’t part of my nature at all. I was… curious. That’s what started it.”
Nyx tilted her head, her silver eyes fixed on him. She could sense there was more beneath his words.
Peacock let out a faint sigh, his gaze dropping. “It began with the Genosians. I watched them. Day after day, they indulged in these… intimate acts. At first, I didn’t understand. Why did it look so… enjoyable? Why did they do it? What was the appeal?”
He hesitated, brushing a hand lightly over his feathers as if soothing himself. “Curiosity turned into something more. I wanted to know what it was like—to feel what they felt. But no one had answers for me. The other constellations dismissed me. So, I descended to Nelion, the world of the Genosians.”
Nyx’s eyes widened slightly. “You left the celestial realm?”
“I did,” Peacock admitted, his voice tinged with both pride and regret. “I took on a form so beautiful it turned heads wherever I went. And I indulged. Man, woman—it didn’t matter. As long as they were willing, I let myself explore.”
He paused, his brilliant feathers ruffling slightly. “At first, it was harmless. Or so I thought. But there were consequences. Children were born—half-constellation, half-Genosian. Demi-gods. I didn’t think much of it until there were… too many.”
“What happened?” Nyx asked softly.
Peacock’s voice grew quieter. “The celestial balance tipped. I disrupted it. And the other constellations… they noticed. They cast me down for my indulgence, for my recklessness. I suppose I deserved it.”
Nyx reached out, resting a hand on his arm. “You made mistakes, Peacock. But you’ve also brought so much beauty and joy to this forest—and to me.”
Peacock’s lips curled into a small, sad smile. “You’re kind to say that, little star. Perhaps there’s some redemption in that.”
Griff: The Griffin God of Sloth
Griff yawned, his tail lazily swishing.
“I left,” he said simply. “The noise, the arguments—I didn’t care for it. So, I choose solitude over responsibility.”
Len snorted. “So you weren’t banished—you just walked out?”
“Pretty much,” Griff replied with a smirk.
Nyx laughed. “Well, I’m glad you’re here now.”
Griff gave a lazy nod. “Me too, kid.”
Fox: The Nine-Tailed Fox God of Gluttony
Fox sat on the edge of the clearing, his sharp eyes fixed on the flickering firelight. His tails swished restlessly behind him, betraying the calm expression he wore.
“I wasn’t always the guardian you see now,” he began, his voice low but steady. “Once, I was a god, respected among the constellations. But my hunger—my greed—destroyed everything.”
Nyx tilted her head, watching him intently.
“There was a tree,” Fox continued, his gaze darkening. “The Divine Tree of Carior. Its branches held the past, present, and future within them. Its Golden Apples weren’t meant to be eaten—they were the threads holding existence together.”
He paused, his tails curling closer to him. “We were warned not to touch it. Cenis, the god who forged us, made it clear: the tree was sacred. But I…” He let out a bitter laugh. “I couldn’t resist. The golden sheen of the apples, the promise of power they seemed to hold—it was too much. I thought, ‘What’s one bite? What could it hurt?’”
Nyx’s silver eyes widened, her voice barely above a whisper. “What happened?”
“The moment I bit into the apple, the entire realm trembled,” Fox admitted, his voice growing quieter. “Cracks appeared in the sky, rippling outwards. The balance of existence itself began to unravel. The constellations—my family—looked at me with horror. I’d done the unthinkable.”
Nyx’s heart ached at the raw regret in his voice. “And then?”
Fox sighed, his sharp eyes meeting hers. “I was cast down, stripped of my divine standing. My hunger—my gluttony—had cost me everything. I became a reminder of what happens when we let our desires rule us.”
Nyx reached out, placing a hand on one of his tails. “But you’ve used your strength to protect this forest—and me. That matters, Fox. It really does.”
For a moment, Fox was silent. Then, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You’re too kind, little one. Perhaps you see something in me I’ve long forgotten.”
Bull: The Three-Horned Bull God of Greed
The Bull crossed his massive arms, his three horns gleaming in the firelight. His usually intimidating demeanor seemed subdued, his gaze distant.
“I was the God of Greed,” he began, his deep voice steady. “And I earned that title well. I always wanted more—more treasures, more power. It wasn’t enough to have what I needed. I had to take what belonged to others.”
Nyx listened quietly, her silver eyes fixed on him.
“At first, the others tolerated it,” Bull continued, his expression hardening. “A little theft here, a little hoarding there. But then, I crossed the line. I took something sacred. Something vital to the realm.”
“What was it?” Nyx asked softly.
Bull hesitated, his gaze flickering toward the flames. “That doesn’t matter now. What matters is that my actions tipped the balance. The other gods finally had enough. ‘You’ve gone too far this time,’ they told me. And they were right. I was cast down, banished to this forest to live with the consequences of my greed.”
Nyx tilted her head, her voice gentle. “Do you regret it?”
Bull’s shoulders slumped slightly, and he let out a heavy sigh. “At first, no. I told myself I was justified—that they were just jealous of my strength. But now… I see the harm I caused. The trust I destroyed. I regret that most of all.”
Nyx reached out, her small hand resting lightly on his arm. “You’ve done so much for me, Bull. You’ve shared your strength, your wisdom. That’s not greed—that’s generosity.”
For a moment, the Bull stared at her, his expression unreadable. Then, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You’ve got a way with words, little one. Maybe there’s hope for an old bull like me after all.”
As Drac and the others finished their speech, Nyx rose from her seat, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling. “All of you. You’ve given me so much, and I’ll never forget it.”
The constellations nodded, their bond stronger than ever. They laughed, shared stories, and basked in the warmth of their little family. For one night, the weight of their pasts felt lighter, their hearts filled with hope for the future.
Under the starry sky, Nyx knew she was exactly where she belonged.
As the celebration wound down, Drac rose to his full, towering height, his golden eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. His deep voice rumbled through the clearing, commanding attention. “It’s time,” he announced, his tone both solemn and proud.
Nyx tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her silver eyes. “Time for what?” she asked softly, her voice carrying over the quiet hum of the forest.
Drac’s lips curved into a rare, gentle smile. “For your gift, little one. One that only we can give.”
The constellations exchanged knowing glances, their celestial forms beginning to glow faintly. One by one, they stepped forward, their presence radiating warmth and power.
Peacock was the first. His vibrant feathers shimmered in an ethereal cascade as he moved gracefully toward Nyx. He bent slightly, extending a glowing orb of pure, pulsating blue energy from his hand.
“This,” he said, his voice soft but resonant, “is my core—a piece of my essence. It symbolizes our bond and my trust in your strength.”
Nyx’s gaze fixed on the orb, her heart racing. “What does it mean?” she whispered, her fingers hovering near its glow.
Peacock’s warm smile softened the moment. “It means you carry a part of me now. Use it to create beauty, and let it guide you.”
The orb floated toward her chest, merging seamlessly into her being. A radiant light engulfed her, and she gasped as a surge of energy coursed through her veins. She placed a hand over her heart. “Thank you, Peacock,” she murmured, her voice trembling.
Next was Snake, his movements deliberate and fluid as he approached. In his coiled grasp, he held a shimmering golden sphere.
“Take it,” he hissed, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. “Let it be your guide when pride threatens to lead you astray.”
Nyx nodded, her hands steady as the core merged into her. The world around her seemed sharper, more vivid, as though she could feel the threads of magic more clearly. “I’ll honor your trust,” she said solemnly.
Tiger strode forward, his massive frame exuding strength. In his paw was a core glowing a fierce orange, its light crackling with energy.
“This is my essence,” he said, his voice gruff but sincere. “Use it to protect what matters most.”
Nyx reached for the orb, her hands steady despite the overwhelming energy it radiated. As it entered her chest, she felt a fiery determination bloom within her. She smiled up at Tiger. “I’ll make you proud.”
Tiger’s lips curved into a small grin. “You already do, little one.”
Griff approached slowly, his golden eyes half-lidded with his usual laziness. He held a dimly glowing core, its light steady but unassuming.
“Here,” he muttered, extending it to her. “Don’t waste it.”
Nyx chuckled at his tone, her heart warmed by the quiet sincerity beneath his words. As the core merged with her, she felt a deep, grounding calm settle within her. “Thanks, Griff,” she said with a teasing grin. “I’ll try not to nap too much.”
Griff snorted softly. “Good luck.”
Fox sauntered up, his nine tails swishing behind him. His core shimmered with multicolored light, a kaleidoscope of energy that seemed to shift with every angle.
“This one’s special, kid,” he said, a playful grin tugging at his lips. “Don’t let it go to waste.”
Nyx accepted the core, feeling its vibrant energy spread through her. “Thank you, Fox,” she said, her voice warm.
“Anytime,” he replied, flicking one of his tails against her shoulder.
The Bull stepped forward next, his crimson core pulsing with raw power. His massive frame loomed over Nyx, but his voice was calm and steady.
“Take it, little one,” he said. “You’ve earned my respect. Let this strength be yours.”
Nyx placed her hands over the core as it merged into her chest. A surge of raw energy filled her, steady and unyielding. She looked up at him with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Sir Bull.”
Finally, Drac stepped forward, his commanding presence filling the clearing. In his claw, he held a golden-red sphere that pulsed with an almost tangible warmth. The glow illuminated the clearing, casting flickering shadows against the trees.
He knelt before Nyx, lowering the core. “This is my heart—my wrath, my strength, and my protection. It is yours now.”
Nyx hesitated, overwhelmed by the gravity of the moment. “Drac… are you sure?”
His golden eyes softened. “More sure than I’ve ever been. You brought us together, Nyx. You mended what we thought was lost. This is my gift to you.”
With trembling hands, she accepted the core. As it merged into her, an incredible surge of power enveloped her, the light around her growing brighter than the stars. She gasped, steadying herself as the energy settled within her.
The constellations stepped back, their expressions filled with pride. Nyx stood at the center, her silver eyes glowing with newfound strength. “Thank you,” she said, her voice strong and full of gratitude. “I’ll carry this with me, always.”
The celebration continued into the night, filled with laughter, stories, and warmth. Nyx felt the bond between herself and the constellations solidify in a way she could barely describe.
As the fire burned low and the forest quieted, she glanced at the stars above, a smile playing on her lips. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew she wouldn’t face them alone. She carried the strength of her family—their cores now intertwined with hers.
And with that strength, she was ready for anything.
She fell asleep shortly after receiving her gifts from the constellations.
Nyx began to stir, her mind struggling to process the chaos of the system’s flashing warnings.
Warning! Warning! Warning!
The relentless alerts pounded in her head, mingling with the acrid scent of smoke that filled her lungs. Her silver eyes blinked open, and the sight before her wrenched a gasp from her lips.
The forest of Tivera was ablaze.
Golden flames, unnaturally bright and searing with Divine Energy, roared across the landscape. Trees that had stood for centuries crumbled to ash in moments. The air shimmered with unbearable heat, distorting her vision as she tried to focus.
System Alert: High Exposure to Divine Flame Detected. Initiating Phoenix Flame and Restoration Mastery.
Cool energy surged through her body, clearing the haze clouding her thoughts. She pushed herself upright, her heart pounding as she took in her surroundings.
The seven constellations—Drac, Snake, Tiger, Peacock, Griff, Fox, and Bull—stood frozen in a protective formation around her. Their massive forms were as still as statues, locked in place as if bound by an invisible force.
“Drac?” Nyx whispered, her voice hoarse from the smoke. “Tiger? Fox? What’s happening?”
She stumbled to her feet, her legs trembling as she reached out to Drac’s wing. It felt warm, solid—but lifeless.
System Alert: Protective Entities Temporarily Sealed. Current Status: Inactive. Cause: Overexposure to Divine Energy.
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The words sank in like stones, and her breath hitched. “Sealed?” she muttered, her voice trembling. “You’re not gone, but… you’re not here either?”
Her hands balled into fists, her nails biting into her palms. “No,” she growled. “This can’t be happening. You can’t leave me like this!”
The flames surged closer, their golden light reflecting in her tear-filled eyes. Unlike normal fire, the Divine Flame radiated an oppressive energy, choking the life out of everything it touched.
System Alert: Divine Flame is inextinguishable. Combustion Rate: 95%. Suggested Solution: Combine Phoenix Flame and Steam Convergence to suppress flames temporarily. Probability of success: 37%.
The Divine Flame, she realized, couldn’t be put out—not completely. It would burn endlessly, consuming everything in its path unless suppressed.
Nyx’s gaze darted back to the constellations, her heart aching as she looked at their frozen forms. For years, they had protected her, guided her, and given her a family. Now, they were helpless—and she was the only one who could save them.
She reached out to Drac, her fingers trembling as she touched his lifeless wing. “Drac, wake up! Please! I need you!”
The system chimed in coldly, cutting through her despair.
Necromancy Protocol Activated. Prompt Required for Skill Use.
Nyx froze. A prompt? She had unlocked necromancy weeks ago but had never actually used it. The system had never mentioned needing a word to activate the skill.
“What prompt?” she demanded, her voice trembling as tears blurred her vision.
User must supply a command word to initiate necromantic abilities.
“What word?” she screamed, her voice cracking. She clenched her fists, her mind racing. The system offered no examples, no guidance. Just an insistent demand for a word.
“Please!” she cried, pressing her hands to her temples. “I don’t know! Just bring them back!”
But the system was unyielding.
Command word required. Suggested action: Recall a term of significance.
Nyx’s thoughts swirled in chaos, but a single fragment surfaced in the storm—a memory of Drac’s voice during one of their training sessions.
“Words carry power,” he had said, his golden eyes gleaming with wisdom. “The right word can move mountains, summon storms, or stir the souls of the lost.”
“Stir the souls…” she whispered, her voice shaky. She clung to the memory, searching for something—anything—Drac might have said that could guide her.
Then it hit her. A word he used often, commanding and resolute.
“Rise,” she said aloud, the sound barely a whisper.
The system chimed again.
Command word confirmed: Rise. Necromantic skills will now activate with this prompt. Proceed? YES / NO.
Without hesitation, Nyx shouted, “Yes! Just do it!”
Dark energy erupted around her, swirling like a living shadow. The clearing filled with a deep hum, the vibrations shaking the ground beneath her. Nyx poured all her will into the spell, her hands glowing with an ominous black light.
“Rise!” she commanded, her voice carrying through the inferno.
The necromantic energy surged forward, wrapping around Drac’s still form and extending toward the other constellations. But as it touched them, the energy flickered and dissolved, unable to take hold.
Error: Protective Entities Unavailable for Necromantic Revival. Divine Energy Interference Detected.
Nyx stared at the system’s message, her heart shattering as the realization hit her. Necromancy wouldn’t work. Not against the Divine Fire.
“No…” she whispered, her legs giving out beneath her. The shadows faded, and the clearing grew quiet save for the crackling of flames. She had failed.
Tears streamed down her face as she clenched her fists. “Why? Why won’t it work? I need them!”
But she couldn’t stop.
She turned away from the frozen constellations, her breath catching as she realized who she hadn’t yet seen. “Len…” she murmured, fear gripping her chest.
Nyx sprinted through the scorched clearing, ignoring the crackling flames and the acrid smoke that stung her eyes and throat. The forest she loved was unrecognizable now—a graveyard of blackened trees and ashen earth.
When she finally found them, her heart shattered.
Len, Ryu, Suli, Nabi, and Guerim lay still among the charred remains of the forest. Their delicate forms were burned and broken, their vibrant energy snuffed out.
“No!” Nyx screamed, collapsing to her knees. She crawled toward Len, her hands trembling as she reached for his tiny frame. “Len, wake up! Please!”
Her system chimed, cold and detached:
Necromancy Protocol Available. Prompt Required: Rise.
Nyx’s breath hitched. The word felt heavy on her tongue, but desperation pushed her forward. “Rise,” she whispered, her voice shaking.
Dark energy flared around her once again, swirling with desperate intent as she extended her hands toward the Aetherlings. The shadows wrapped around Len’s form, then Ryu’s, then the others.
For a moment, hope flickered in her chest.
But then, the system spoke again:
Error: Divine Energy Interference Detected. Revival Not Possible.
The necromantic energy dissipated, leaving nothing but silence in its wake.
“No, no, no…” Nyx sobbed, clutching Len’s lifeless body to her chest. “Please, don’t leave me. Don’t leave me alone!”
Her cries echoed through the forest, mingling with the roar of the Divine Fire. The weight of loss pressed down on her, suffocating and relentless.
She had lost them all—the constellations, her family, her forest. Everything that had made her feel whole.
Nyx buried her face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks as the flames continued to devour the forest around her.
The system’s voice broke through her sobs:
Suggested Action: Activate Phoenix Flame and Steam Convergence. Suppress Divine Fire to stabilize entities. Probability of success: 37%.
Nyx wiped her face, her sorrow hardening into determination. She couldn’t afford to give up. Even if necromancy failed, she still had a chance. She would fight with everything she had.
The Divine Fire roared louder, its golden light intensifying as it consumed more of the forest. Her system’s voice cut through her despair:
Solution Required: Suppress Divine Flame. Activate Phoenix Flame and Steam Convergence. Immediate action necessary.
Nyx gritted her teeth, her body trembling with both fear and determination. She couldn’t let this fire destroy everything—not the forest, not the constellations, not the life they had built together.
Taking a deep breath, she whispered, “Activate Phoenix Flame.”
The air around her shimmered, and her body ignited with a swirling aura of crimson and gold. The flames wrapped around her like a cloak, cool to her touch but radiating immense power.
“Combine with Steam Convergence,” she commanded, her voice steadier now.
A rush of water vapor surged from her hands, intermingling with the Phoenix Flame. The combination created a dense, hissing mist that blanketed the golden fire, smothering it in places and forcing it to retreat.
The battle was intense. The Divine Flame lashed out like a living creature, its golden tendrils flaring toward Nyx with unrelenting fury. She stumbled under the force of its power, the heat scorching her skin despite the protection of the Phoenix Flame.
“Keep going,” she told herself, her voice barely audible over the roar of the flames. “Don’t stop now.”
She unleashed another wave of steam and fire, her magic pushing the Divine Flame back inch by inch. Patches of green began to reappear as the golden fire dimmed, the forest reclaiming itself bit by bit.
But Nyx wasn’t done.
The Divine Flame surged again, retaliating with bursts of energy that knocked her off her feet. She cried out as she hit the ground, her vision blurring from the impact.
“Get up, Nyx,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You have to save them. You have to.”
Pushing herself upright, she poured every ounce of strength into one final attack. The Phoenix Flame and Steam Convergence collided with the Divine Fire, their energies clashing in a brilliant display of light and heat.
Her heart raced as the golden flames began to retreat, their once-unstoppable force dwindling to faint embers. The forest fell silent, the oppressive heat giving way to a cool, damp stillness.
Nyx collapsed to her knees, gasping for air as the Phoenix Flame receded into her body. The clearing was eerily quiet, her ragged breathing the only sound.
The Divine Fire was consuming more than just the forest. It had unraveled the constellations’ essences, their celestial forms unable to withstand its ancient power.
One by one, the constellations began to glow faintly, their light dimming. Streams of energy, each a unique hue, rose into the air like shooting stars.
Nyx watched in horror as Snake was the first to dissolve, his essence unraveling into a golden thread. Peacock followed, his radiant feathers fading into specks of light.
“No… no, please!” Nyx cried, her voice breaking.
Tiger gave her a solemn look, his emerald eyes locking with hers one last time before he too disappeared.
Fox’s mischievous grin lingered even as his body dissolved into flickering embers. Griff yawned lazily, his form shimmering briefly before ascending.
Bull and Peacock faded together, their combined glow merging with the roaring flames.
Finally, Drac, her protector and mentor, knelt before her, his golden-red eyes dimming.
“Stay strong, little one,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “We’ll always be with you.”
His essence ascended, leaving Nyx alone in the midst of the inferno.
Her system’s detached tone broke the silence:
All celestial essences have returned to the celestial realm. Protective entities unavailable.
The words felt like a final blow. Nyx fell to her knees, staring at the sky where their lights had vanished. Tears streaked down her soot-streaked face as she clutched the ground, her sobs lost in the roar of the Divine Fire.
Nyx screamed in pure agony, the sound tearing from her throat and echoing through the blazing ruins of the forest. Her cries reverberated off the dying trees, a raw, guttural wail filled with anguish and fury.
Tears streamed down her face, but they weren’t enough. The sorrow burned so fiercely within her that even her body rebelled—dark rivulets of blood ran from her silver eyes, streaking her cheeks with crimson trails.
She clawed at the ground, dirt crumbling beneath her trembling fingers as her mind churned in frantic disbelief. “Why?” she sobbed, her voice hoarse and cracking. “Why couldn’t I save you?”
Helplessness wrapped around her like the suffocating heat of the Divine Fire, pressing down on her chest until she could barely breathe. No matter how hard she fought, no matter how desperately she tried—it hadn’t been enough.
She couldn’t save them.
The truth was a blade, cutting deeper with each repetition in her mind.
“I need you,” she whispered, her voice breaking as her fingers clutched at the lifeless form of Len. “Please… I can’t do this without you. I can’t…”
But there was no response.
The constellations—her protectors, her family—were gone. The Aetherlings—her companions, her friends—were still and silent.
Her silver eyes turned to the heavens, a mix of desperation and fury burning within them. “You promised me!” she screamed, her voice ragged and raw. “You said you’d stay until I left the forest! This isn’t what you promised!”
Her fists pounded against the earth, her frustration and pain spilling over. “You lied to me! All of you!”
Grief twisted into anger, searing through her like a fresh wound. She hated this feeling of helplessness. She hated the forest for burning. She hated herself for failing.
But most of all, she hated them for leaving her.
Her breath hitched, her body curling in on itself as the weight of her emotions crushed her.
“I don’t want to stay here,” she whispered, so faint it was barely audible over the crackling flames. Her fingers dug into the earth, her gaze distant and unfocused. “I don’t want to be here without you. I want to be with you… wherever you are.”
The thought lingered, heavy and suffocating. The void left behind by their absence felt insurmountable. How was she supposed to go on when they were gone? How could she face another day alone?
For a long moment, she allowed herself to sink deeper into the despair, her sobs echoing in the empty forest.
And yet…
Somewhere in the depths of her sorrow, a memory stirred. It was faint, fragile as a whisper in the wind. Laughter shared over silly games. Drac’s gruff yet reassuring voice. Len’s mischievous grin. Their promises, their belief in her strength.
“You told me to be strong,” she murmured, her voice shaking as tears and blood continued to fall. “But how can I… when you’re not here to show me how?”
She squeezed her eyes shut, the words like an anchor pulling her back from the brink.
The forest around her still burned, the world still crumbled, but for a fleeting moment, a tiny ember sparked within her—a reminder of who she was and who they believed she could become.
As Nyx’s sobs echoed through the dying forest, a sudden chime interrupted her despair. The sound reverberated in her mind, distinct and commanding.
System Prompt:
All current skills will combine and evolve.
Nyx froze, her tear-streaked face lifting slightly. The system’s voice continued, its calm, detached tone a stark contrast to the chaos around her.
Explanation:
Exposure to Divine Fire, combined with raw magical essence from the environment, has triggered a system response. Magic from the flames, your essence, and residual energy from all that has been burned have begun to merge within you. To accommodate this influx of power, the system will now upgrade and consolidate all skills.
Nyx’s breath hitched as the words sank in. “Combine… evolve?” she whispered.
The system continued:
Estimated time to complete the evolution: one week.
A week? The thought of staying in this burning, broken forest for so long made her stomach twist.
“Can’t it go faster?” she asked, her voice trembling but laced with desperate hope.
System Response:
Yes. Acceleration requires sacrifice.
Her fingers tightened against the scorched earth. “What kind of sacrifice?”
The system’s answer came without hesitation:
Magic stones and treasures collected.
Magic items currently in possession.
One skill: Eye of Analysis.
Nyx’s silver eyes widened, her body stiffening. The Eye of Analysis wasn’t just a skill—it was a lifeline. It had guided her through countless battles, unraveled the complexities of ancient dungeons, and revealed the secrets of the constellations. Without it, she would lose the clarity and understanding that had shaped her survival.
Her thoughts churned in frantic circles. Could she truly let it go?
Her gaze flickered to the smoldering remains of the forest, the charred stumps of trees, and the lifeless forms of her friends. This wasn’t just about her anymore. If the system could help her grow strong enough to stop this destruction—to honor those she’d lost—then she had to take the risk.
“I’ll do it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper but steady with resolve. “Take whatever you need.”
System Confirmation:
Acknowledged. Sacrifices accepted. Commencing accelerated evolution.
Before Nyx could react, a brilliant light engulfed her. It was as if the system itself had reached into her core, pulling away the treasures she’d hoarded, the items she cherished, and the skill that had guided her.
Her chest tightened as images flashed through her mind—moments when the Eye of Analysis had saved her. The first time she used it to spot a hidden trap in a dungeon. The way it allowed her to decode the mysterious runes in Snake’s lair. The bittersweet pride on Drac’s face when she mastered it.
As the light intensified, those memories began to shift. For a fleeting moment, Nyx swore she saw their faces—Drac’s steady gaze, Fox’s playful grin, Tiger’s confident smirk. Each constellation seemed to linger in her mind’s eye, as if silently reassuring her.
“You’re stronger than you know,” she imagined Drac saying.
The faint images faded as the light grew brighter, leaving her with a hollow ache.
Her body trembled as the essence of her sacrifices flowed into the system, feeding its mechanisms.
“You’re doing this for them,” she murmured to herself, her silver eyes fluttering closed as exhaustion crept in. “For all of them.”
The system spoke again, its voice softer now, almost lulling her to sleep.
Evolution process initiated. Rest required for optimization.
Just before the light enveloped her entirely, a whisper of something unfamiliar crept through her mind—an unsettling yet enticing promise of change.
This power will come at a cost, the system murmured faintly, almost as if it were warning her.
Nyx barely registered the words before her body gave in. She collapsed onto the ashen ground, her breathing steadying as an unnatural slumber claimed her.
The forest was silent now, save for the soft hum of energy that surrounded her. Though her body rested, the evolution had begun, reshaping her in ways she couldn’t yet comprehend.
Evolution In Process
As Nyx slipped into the enforced slumber of the system’s evolution, her mind was adrift in a space that felt neither real nor imagined. The system’s voice echoed faintly, distant yet commanding, pulling her deeper into the process.
System Update:
Evolution in progress. Synching abilities with system parameters. Combining Rift Mastery and Harmonic Convergence with Airy.
The announcement sent a faint ripple of energy through her body. In her subconscious state, Nyx could feel Airy’s presence—once just a pocket dimension for her belongings—now becoming something more. It pulsed with power, like a living, breathing extension of her own magic.
The system continued, its tone steady:
Echo Vision and Spectral Insight will merge. Enhancing sensory capabilities.
Nyx’s mind stirred, flashes of the two abilities flickering in her thoughts. Echo Vision, her ability to track magical signatures, and Spectral Insight, her gift for seeing hidden truths, began to intertwine. The boundaries of each skill blurred until they became a single, unified force. The sensation was both exhilarating and overwhelming, like looking at the world through a prism that showed infinite layers of reality.
System Adaptive Algorithms in Sync.
User and System Compatibility Reaching New Thresholds.
The declaration reverberated through her consciousness like a bell tolling in a vast, empty space. For a fleeting moment, Nyx felt the system itself—not as a detached tool but as something almost alive, working with her, its own complexity evolving alongside her.
System Update:
Combined skills integrating into user matrix. Process 45% complete.
In the depths of her consciousness, Nyx saw flashes of light and color, patterns of energy weaving together like threads in an intricate tapestry. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think, but she could feel the immense power shifting within her.
New skill created
System Update:
Evolution complete. Skills integrated successfully.
A final notification appeared in her mind:
New Skill Unlocked
Ethereal Convergence
Description: The user achieves perfect harmony with the rift’s energy and Airy’s ethereal essence, unlocking unparalleled clairvoyance. This fusion amplifies rift control, unveils hidden pathways, and enhances perception of spectral and temporal anomalies. With this power, the user can manipulate the battlefield, foresee enemy actions, and synchronize abilities for devastating precision
Level: ??
The words burned themselves into her awareness, resonating with a newfound power. She could feel the rift’s energy coursing through her veins, mingling with Airy’s essence. A pulse of clarity shot through her mind—she could sense everything around her, every thread of magic and distortion in the air.
The system’s voice rang out once more, calm yet commanding:
Seons system reconfiguration complete.
The Seons System is now: Uriel The Great.
System Update
Shadow Domain and Necromancy are merging.
New Skill Unlocked: Sovereign of Shadows.
The words pulsed through her mind, followed by an influx of cold, commanding energy that wrapped itself around her essence. A new notification appeared, glowing faintly in her consciousness:
New Skill Unlocked
Sovereign of Shadows
Description: The user becomes the unrivaled master of shadows, wielding the power of necromancy intertwined with the dark energies of the shadow realm. This skill grants dominion over shadow constructs and undead entities, blending them into an unstoppable force. The user can summon armies from the void, manipulate the battlefield with shadow-based tactics, and cloak themselves in near-invisibility, becoming a silent and deadly predator
Level: ?
Nyx shivered as she felt the power settle within her. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before—cold yet invigorating, ominous yet filled with potential. She could sense the shadows bending to her will, no longer just a part of her environment but an extension of herself.
Another prompt flashed in her mind:
Skill Synergy Detected:
“Sovereign of Shadows” is now integrated with Ethereal Convergence. New synergy effects include advanced battlefield control, amplified shadow manipulation, and precision undead summoning. These skills now operate harmoniously, providing unparalleled adaptability.”
New Skill Created
As the energy of the Divine Fire and the remnants of her previous skills coalesced, Nyx felt a profound shift within her. The Great Uriel’s voice resonated through her mind, calm and deliberate:
System Update:
Restoration Mastery, Steam Convergence, and Phoenix Flames have reached perfect alignment.
New Skill Unlocked: Eternal Rebirth.
Nyx’s heart raced as the name burned into her consciousness, accompanied by a radiant glow that filled her being.
New Skill Unlocked
Eternal Rebirth
Description: The user gains the ability to transcend death and maintain immortality. “Eternal Rebirth” fuses the life-giving essence of Restoration, the fluid adaptability of Steam Convergence, and the purifying power of Phoenix Flames. This skill allows the user to regenerate from fatal injuries, cure ailments, and endure even in the most hostile environments. Additionally, it can rejuvenate allies, bringing them back from the brink of death or restoring them to full strength.
Level: S
The system continued:
Special Effect Unlocked: When activated during fatal damage, the user’s body undergoes complete restoration, emerging stronger after each rebirth. The user’s essence cannot be destroyed, ensuring survival even in the face of absolute annihilation.
New skills
As Nyx remained in her deep, restorative sleep, her body glowing faintly with a mixture of golden and crimson energy, the Great Uriel’s calm yet commanding voice echoed within the silence of her mind:
System Update:
Chrono Collapse, Draconic Rise, and Time Travel have synchronized.
New Skill Unlocked: Temporal Ascension.
Within her subconscious, Nyx’s form floated in an endless expanse of starlight, her silver hair shifting like waves in the void. She was unaware of the monumental changes occurring within her system, but the process was relentless and precise.
The Great Uriel continued:
“You have been exposed to raw Divine Fire and unparalleled magical essence. To accommodate these forces, your system has achieved perfect synchronization of time-based and draconic energies.”
The skill materialized in her mind as a radiant sphere of energy, pulsing with infinite potential. Images of shattered timelines, fiery dragon forms, and rewritten fates flickered in her dreams, though she could not yet comprehend them.
New Skill Unlocked
Temporal Ascension
Description: Wield mastery over time and the ferocity of dragons to transcend mortal limitations. Temporal Ascension fuses the destabilizing might of Chrono Collapse, the fiery empowerment of Draconic Rise, and the reality-altering abilities of Time Travel.
Primary Effect: Freeze the battlefield, halting enemies and disorienting them with chaotic time fractures.
Secondary Effect: grants the ability to soar through the skies, with shimmering silver dragon wings manifesting as a radiant mirage, striking awe and fear into enemies.
Tertiary Effect: Rewrite pivotal moments of battle through precise manipulation of time, altering reality to achieve tactical dominance.
Level:?
Special Feature Unlocked:
Temporal Dragon Form
For a brief duration, assume the form of an ancient temporal dragon, attacking across multiple timelines simultaneously. This ability overwhelms enemies with unavoidable strikes and supreme control over the battlefield.
In her dreams, Nyx’s unconscious form flinched as a surge of temporal energy coursed through her. Her fingers twitched faintly, the power embedding itself into her very core.
Uriel’s voice resonated again:
“The balance of time and destruction rests within you now. This power, born of necessity and raw magic, is a gift—but also a responsibility. Use it wisely, for it is both a tool of salvation and a weapon of devastation.”
New skill
Aegis Bond and Arcane Tempest have synchronized.
New Skill Unlocked: Aegis Tempest
Description: The ultimate fusion of protection and destruction, Aegis Tempest summons a majestic guardian enveloped in a storm of arcane energy. This guardian creates an unbreakable Aegis Bond, shielding allies with a fortified barrier while linking their health and mana to ensure sustained endurance. Simultaneously, the Arcane Tempest rages across the battlefield, striking enemies with relentless arcane blasts, dispelling debuffs from allies, and restoring their magical energy. As the storm grows, it counters enemy attacks with precision strikes, empowering the team to overcome any challenge.
New skill
Skill Name
Lunar Veil of Deception
Level: SS
Description: The user harnesses the mystic power of the moon to conceal their true strength while empowering themselves and their allies. Essence Drain siphons energy from enemies, weakening them and restoring health and mana to the team. Simultaneously, Lunar Blessing channels celestial energy to enhance allies’ abilities, granting increased resilience and regenerative power.
The Veil of the False Divinity cloaks the user in an illusory aura, masking their magical presence to appear weaker or entirely different, deceiving enemies into underestimating their capabilities. This strategic deception, combined with the draining and empowering effects, turns the tides of battle with precision and subterfuge.
Additional Skills
Merging the limitless storage of Infinity Sheathe with the advanced capabilities of Uriel the Great, the user becomes a walking armory of divine precision.
Skill Name
Solar Storm Rend
Level: SSS
Description: The user channels the combined forces of light, thunder, and spatial mastery to dominate the battlefield with overwhelming precision. Teleportation allows instantaneous movement, enabling the user to outmaneuver enemies or deliver surprise attacks with lightning speed. Solar Aegis forms a radiant shield of solar energy that absorbs incoming damage and reflects searing bursts of light upon attackers.
In tandem, Thunderclaw Slash transforms into a devastating ranged assault: the user unleashes electrified slashes charged with solar energy, generating arcs of blinding light and crackling thunder that tear through enemies. These slashes send out powerful shockwaves that deal immense damage, stun foes, and leave a trail of residual energy causing ongoing burns and shocks.
When combined, Solar Storm Rend creates a dazzling, thunderous battlefield presence that overwhelms enemies while protecting allies with divine solar energy.
“Fusion progress: 50%… 75%… 90%… Analyzing. Completing evolution sequence.”
Evolution Progress: Completion 99%
Name: Nyx
Age: 11
Race: Human
Level: ??
Title: Sovereign of the Lost Seven, Emperor of Slime
Class: Omniscient Monarch
Attributes:
Attunement: Anubis’s Blessing: ?
Speed: ???
Intelligence: ???
Strength: ???
MP: ???
EXP: ???
Skills Acquired:
1. Uriel the Great
2. Eternal Rebirth
3. Ethereal Convergence
4. Sovereign of Shadows
5. Temporal Ascension
6. Aegis Tempest
7. Lunar Veil of Deception
8. Solar Storm Rend
The glowing light around Nyx’s body began to dim, though faint traces of divine fire continued to dance across her skin. She stirred slightly, her breath shallow as her system spoke again, its voice now imbued with an almost reverent tone.
“Sovereign, you have transcended the limitations of mortals. Prepare to wield your legacy.”
As the evolution neared completion, another wave of memories surged. This time, they carried weight—the faces of the constellations she had come to know and love flashed before her mind’s eye. Drac’s unwavering guidance. Tiger’s playful challenges. Snake’s wisdom hidden beneath his pride. The moments they shared felt fragile now, like threads binding her to the person she once was.
The system’s voice softened, almost as if acknowledging her hesitation.
“Nyx… what will you become, Sovereign of the Lost Seven?”
Her consciousness wavered, caught between the old and the new. She didn’t know. Not yet.
As the fusion process completed, Nyx’s eyes fluttered open, glowing faintly with a mix of silver and gold. Her surroundings were quiet, yet charged with an unspoken reverence. She felt stronger, faster, smarter—but there was something more. A heaviness in her chest, a responsibility she couldn’t yet define.
The system hummed once more as it approached its final stages.
Evolution Progress Completion: 99.9%
And with that, Nyx vanished from the burning forest of Tivera, her body enveloped in a swirling vortex of silver and gold light. The roar of the divine fire faded into silence as the teleportation magic whisked her away.
She was gone—plucked from the only world she had ever known, leaving behind the life she had built and the bonds she had nurtured.
The forest, now engulfed in golden flames, seemed to cry out in anguish, its once vibrant heart reduced to ash and embers. The towering trees she had climbed, the caves she had explored, and the dungeons she had conquered—each a fragment of her story—disappeared into the consuming fire.
Her memories clung to the air like a bittersweet farewell, whispered by the crackling flames. The laughter of Len and the Aetherlings, the warmth of Drac’s protective gaze, and the playful scoldings of Peacock as he tailored her gowns—all now ghostly echoes lost in the blaze.
The End