Chapter 4 – Embers of Home
Kael walked in silence beside Sylva, the wreckage of the village laid bare under the moonlight. Burnt homes stood like broken teeth against the sky. The scent of ash and dried blood lingered in the air like an accusation.
Sylva didn't speak much. Her steps were heavy, and the stiffness in her shoulders betrayed the pain she hadn't voiced. Kael could feel it—the grief radiating off her in quiet waves. Her adoptive parents had died in this very disaster, and yet she had barely shed a tear. It wasn't strength; it was shock.
The cottage came into view. Though scorched along the outer wall and missing a portion of the fence, it still stood—sturdy and welcoming. Light flickered from within.
As they approached, the door flung open.
"Kael!" his mother gasped.
She rushed out, apron still stained from tending wounds, eyes wild with emotion. She didn't wait for an explanation—just wrapped him in her arms. Her strength surprised him. The warmth of her embrace settled into the hollowness he hadn't realized was forming in his chest.
Her hug was filled with love, she really loved him with all her hearth, he was thankful that he decided to come back he can't imagine how devastated she will be if he went without her knowing and he didn't even have a destination.
"You're safe…" she whispered into his shoulder, and Kael realized her voice was trembling.
"I'm fine, Mother," he said softly.
Patting her back gently with his hand holding her, she was a very beautiful woman.
She pulled back to look at him, then turned to Sylva.
"Sylva, sweet girl—" Her voice broke. I wasn't able to save them, they were already dead before being brought to me. "I heard. I'm so sorry."
Sylva finally faltered. Her lips quivered, and she looked away. But she replied in a meek tone it isn't your fault you tried your best, Thank you.
Kael's mother wrapped her arms around her next, letting the girl sob silently into her shoulder.
"You'll stay here with us. No arguments."
Sylva nodded mutely.
Kael helped them inside. The house still smelled of herbs and salve, the way it always had. The walls, though slightly cracked from shockwaves, held firm.
His mother sat them both down and examined them like the healer she was. She gently touched Kael's arms and shoulders, noting bruises and hidden gashes beneath his shirt.
"These wounds… they've already begun to close. That's not natural."
Her hands brighten with a gold white light and she brought it to the wounds on his body healing him, although the wounds were already closing she can't bear to see her son with wounds on him.
Kael hesitated. "I fought a creature near the ridge. Just one. Black armor… slow, but strong."
Her eyes widened in alarm. "You fought alone?"
"I didn't have a choice."
She stared at him, then slowly exhaled. "The way your skin is knitting… you didn't inherit my healing gift."
Kael looked at her.
"You inherited something else," she whispered, more to herself. "From that fruit... the one I never told anyone about."
His wound closed as she removed her hands from it, checking again if she missed any one, his wound was now closed without even a tiny scar on it.
He looked away, letting the moment pass without pressing further.
"The wounds should have killed him," she murmured. "But he is not. And thank the stars for that."
She turned to Sylva next, bringing her hands to her twisted ankle, she set it in place then healed it with her hands glowing whitish gold.
"We've taken in the injured," she said, voice steadier now. "The square has become a makeshift clinic. I'll need to return tomorrow. Half the herbal supplies are gone."
The herbs are used to stabilize the people before she got to them. Kael nodded. "I'll help."
"No," she said firmly. "You rest. You too, Sylva."
As the night wore on, Sylva curled up beside "seraphina" his mother with seraphina hugging her. She said nothing more, just lay quietly with red-rimmed eyes.
Kael stood by the window of his room, gazing at the stars.
"System," he whispered.
> **[Genesis System Online]**
> **Initializing Core Sync… Standby.**
The voice that responded was feminine, calm, and distant—like a song echoing through a crystal cavern.
> "Host state: Stabilized. Bloodline suppression in effect. Transcendent Adaptability functioning at 16% capacity due to physical limitation."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "So it's not locked?"
> "Negative. Your body is not yet strong enough to harness full potential. Talent will gradually adapt and strengthen alongside cultivation growth."
Kael exhaled. "And the bloodlines?"
> "Four bloodlines suppressed. Mostly due to host not being able to handle them with the demon bloodline awakened and the vampire bloodline stirring. Soul Core is maintaining balance."
He nodded, then asked, "Do I have any quests?"
> **[Quest Unlocked]**
> **Title:** Shadows Beneath the Flame
> **Primary Objective:** Investigate the origin of the black-armored monster
> **Secondary Objective:** Ensure Sylva reaches her Awakening safely (11 days remaining)
> **Reward:** 5 Genesis Points
> **Bonus:** Unknown
Kael stared into the dark sky. "Genesis Core… Do you have a name?"
> "Negative. This core is unique to host. No prior designation exists."
"Then I'll name you later," Kael said. "When I know what you really are."
The system went silent, but something about the pause felt more… attentive.
His eyes drifted to his desk where his old wooden carving knife lay. He remembered carving runes into the toy soldiers he once made—simple things that never worked. But now, real power flowed under his skin, and the world no longer felt so far away.
He lay down after a while, but sleep came slowly.
When dawn finally broke, Sylva sat at the edge of the bed, legs folded, watching him silently.
"You talk in your sleep," she murmured.
Kael blinked. "What did I say?"
"You vowed to be the strongest and not let anyone decide your fate."
He turned to look at her.
"Still weird," she added, then smiled faintly.
Though she thought he was referring to the attack on their village but she is only half right.
He was also referring to fate before being reincarnated here.
His mother called them from the kitchen. The scent of baked roots and broth filled the house. Despite the ash outside, something here still felt like home.
Kael's journey hadn't started yet—not truly.
But the fire inside him had been lit.
And he wasn't alone anymore.