The black crystal now lay sealed in the royal arcane vault, guarded by seven Archmages. Yet ever since the cloaked man's arrival, the air in Valendria had shifted. Whispers stirred through the streets. And suspicious eyes… began turning toward me.
Aurelia led me deep into the heart of the kingdom's ancient library—a place said to house forbidden knowledge, records long erased from history.
"If you're not just an ordinary High Human," she said quietly, "then maybe… we'll find something that reveals what you really are."
We descended into a sealed corridor far beneath the castle. At the end, a massive bronze door stood tall—unchanged for centuries.
The moment I touched it—
> [System Notification: Genetic Signature Detected. Access Granted.]
Aurelia gasped. "You… you're one of them?"
As the door creaked open, the carvings within began to glow—revealing a forgotten tale etched in light and shadow.
A story… of The Origin Flame—an ancient race born from the fusion of divine will, arcane mastery, and lost technology. They once saved the world… and were annihilated for being too powerful.
At the center of the mural…
A young man stood with glowing blue eyes, holding a dragonblade.
It was me.
> [Zephyros: "That's you… before you were reborn."]
[Flashback Fragment Unlocked – Memories Recovered]
Pain shot through my skull.
Flashes.
Fire in the skies.
A girl screaming my name.
A promise echoing again and again:
"If you're reborn, you'll carry all our sins…"
Aurelia stepped closer. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were burning with intensity.
"You are the reincarnation… of the last Flame Bearer."
I said nothing.
What could I even say?
"And that means," she continued, "many will come. To kill you… or to use you."
Suddenly, the entire castle shook with a deep rumble.
> [System Alert: Dark Dimension Breach – South Gate]
Elena burst into the chamber, breathless. "They're already here. We're out of time!"
I gripped my blade tight. My eyes lit up with radiant blue fire.
"Then let's give them a welcome."
---
Scene Transition – South Gate, Valendria
The southern skies tore open as obsidian beasts emerged from the rift—creatures of shadow and hunger.
Royal knights fought valiantly, blades clashing against darkness. Aurelia and Elena flanked me, striking with deadly precision.
I launched into the battlefield, the roar of war in my blood.
My dragonblade surged with power—radiating golden-blue flames.
> [Skill Unlocked: Awakened Origin – Level 1]
[Element: Divine Fire + Light | Duration: 1 Minute]
With a single swing, dozens of monsters were reduced to glimmering dust.
I didn't know how many more would come.
But one thing was clear.
I would not run anymore.