The sanctuary pulsed with new energy as Ayato stood tall, his awakened Aspect swirling gently around him. The equilibrium between light and void no longer warred within him; instead, it danced in perfect harmony.
Renka bowed her head slightly, a gesture of deep respect.
"You've done what many thought impossible. You've become the first in generations to awaken the full potential of the Seal of Eternity."
Ayato exhaled, feeling lighter, calmer — and stronger than ever before.
"It's not over yet, is it?"
Renka's eyes turned somber.
"No. In fact... it's only just begun."
---
The Prophecy Unfolds
Kaito stepped forward, holding a worn scroll Renka had handed him earlier.
"This is what you've been keeping from us, isn't it?"
Renka nodded.
"The prophecy of the Seal. Long ago, it was written that one would rise to balance the eternal war between light and void — to either restore the realms or doom them all."
Ayato's eyes narrowed.
"You think I'm that one?"
"You are." Renka's voice was steady. "But others believe you are a threat that must be destroyed before you reach your full power."
As if summoned by her words, the air around them shifted.
A tremor ran through the sanctuary, and a massive horn blast echoed through the void—a deep, resonating warhorn unlike anything they had heard before.
Renka's face hardened.
"They're coming."
---
The Invasion Begins
Outside the Chamber of Equilibrium, the sky fractured like shattered glass.
Thousands of Hollowed warriors poured through the rifts, led by towering Void Beasts — abominations of swirling darkness and corrupted energy. Behind them, the masked figure from their previous encounter hovered, his void blade pulsing.
The Sovereigns had declared war.
Kaito cursed.
"They aren't wasting any time."
Renka drew her blade, its light burning brighter than ever.
"We hold the line here. Ayato — this is your first real battle as the Voidborn of Equilibrium."
Ayato summoned his dual energies into his palms, forming twin spears — one of radiant light, the other of pure void.
"Then let's show them what we've become."
---
The Battle for the Seal
The Hollowed charged like an endless tide. Renka led the charge, her blade slicing through the corrupted masses with surgical precision. Kaito provided cover, his Anchor abilities amplifying Ayato's control as waves of energy surged through him.
Ayato leaped into the fray, his spears spinning like deadly comets. He danced between enemies, using his newfound balance to adapt to every attack — nullifying void strikes with light, and piercing light defenses with void.
The masked Hollowed watched from above, narrowing his eyes.
"He grows stronger... but he is still untested."
The Void Beast roared and lunged toward Ayato, its massive form crushing everything in its path.
Ayato focused his Seal and drew upon his core: the Aspect of Equilibrium.
The twin energies merged into a single beam of spiraling black and white — an energy that sang with pure harmony.
"Balance Break!" Ayato shouted.
The beam struck the beast, disintegrating it into harmless particles.
---
The True Enemy Revealed
But as they fought, the skies darkened even further.
A colossal portal formed — larger than any before. And from its swirling center descended a figure cloaked in robes of flowing shadows:
The First Sovereign.
Renka's face paled for the first time.
"No... not him."
Ayato froze, feeling the immense pressure crash upon him like an ocean of gravity.
The Sovereign spoke, his voice smooth but filled with undeniable malice.
"Voidborn... You have delayed your fate long enough. The Seal belongs to us."
Ayato stood his ground, though his legs trembled.
"Not while I'm still breathing."
The Sovereign extended his hand.
"Then I shall take both your Seal... and your breath."
The air cracked as the Sovereign unleashed a monstrous surge of corrupted power. The first true war between the Voidborn and the Sovereigns had begun.
---
End of Chapter 10
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Awakening Arc Complete 💯 ✅