The dragon's roar split the Sanctum apart.
Its last restraint chain shattered, and with a final surge of corrupted energy, the Husk Dragon rose to its full height. Bone and shadow, fire and void—it was no longer a beast. It was a memory made monstrous.
Kael's HUD flooded with red:
> [Final Phase Engaged – Draconic Husk: UNCHAINED]
[Survival Probability: 3.8%]
[Seed Fragment Core – EXPOSED: 4.7 Seconds Only]
The masked figure fought at the flank, blades of light spiraling through air. They yelled—but Kael didn't hear.
Because the Seed was calling him.
> "Burn, Riven. Burn. Or be forgotten."
His body moved.
Kael sprinted up the sloped bones, leapt from a shattered ribcage, and hurled himself toward the beast's chest—where a glowing sphere of fractured crystal pulsed like a heartbeat behind translucent bone.
> [Skill Engaged: Hellfire Barrier – Modified Form]
[Mana Reserve: Empty. Using Core Integrity.]
> [Confirm Absorption Attempt? This action is irreversible.]
Kael screamed through gritted teeth.
> "Do it!"
His hand plunged into the dragon's chest.
The Seed fragment flared to life.
---
Flashes. Visions.
A city in the sky collapsing in violet flame.
A Reclaimer team tearing itself apart—turning on one another.
A gate opening into nothing, swallowing time itself.
Twelve bearers, twelve fragments, and one who erased their name.
> "Do not remember me."
"If they recall what I was… the Gates will open wider."
Kael's mind trembled. Blood leaked from his nose. But his grip didn't loosen.
> "If you're cursed… then curse me too."
He clenched the fragment—and absorbed it.
---
> [SEED FRAGMENT ABSORBED: 1 of 12]
[SYNC IN PROGRESS… 9%]
[New Passive Unlocked: Draconic Echo – Physical Form Enhancements Active]
[Core Corruption: 2% - Stable]
[Legacy Warning: Path Divergence Imminent]
The light exploded outward.
The dragon shrieked—its entire body caving inward, dissolving into black sand and ash. The entire dungeon began collapsing. Bone spires fell. Fire twisted into smoke.
Kael landed in the center of the hollow, one knee down.
Around him… silence.
The masked figure approached, slowly.
> "You took it," they said. Not anger. Not surprise. Just… acceptance.
Kael stood. His eyes glowed faint gold and red, like fire held behind glass.
> "It's part of me now."
The masked figure paused. Then whispered:
> "Then we're enemies."
They turned—and vanished into the smoke.
Kael didn't chase them.
He looked up—toward the still-rumbling Gate.
And smiled.
> "Then let them come."