Chapter Four: Voice of the Vessel
Darkness crept from the first gate as if the night itself were bleeding out of its core.
The creature that emerged wasn't just a beast—it was a living shadow, breathing hatred and feeding on fear.
Kain struggled to rise. Blood soaked his shoulder, but his eyes gleamed with something new—not just courage, but resonance.
"This thing…" he muttered hoarsely, "it doesn't belong in our world."
The monster advanced slowly. Each step shook the ground, its three crimson eyes shifting unnaturally across its skull. Between steps, it roared—and dust fell from the sky like rain.
Suddenly, a scream pierced through Kain's mind, drowning out all other sounds:
"You're late... Host."
Kain froze.
"Who...?"
"I've slept within your blood since your birth… I am the Origin Vessel: Vera."
It felt as though Kain was being pulled inward. He saw a dark realm—shattered stars—and one voice screaming within him:
"Raise your hand… and let me be born."
He didn't understand, but he obeyed.
He lifted his hand. A faint red symbol glowed on his arm, as if it had always been hidden there. Light burst from his body, and with it… a figure appeared behind him—half shadow, half light.
It had a faceless visage… and a broken wing.
Commander Pharos shouted:
"That's… an Origin Vessel!"
The creature lunged forward, opening its mouth as if to swallow the wind.
But Kain—or rather, Vera—moved first.
With a single slash of energy, the air split open. A shockwave crashed into the monster, sending it flying backward, smashing through rock and rubble.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Kain dropped to his knees again, but his eyes no longer looked at this world.
He saw beyond the wall… beyond the gate… he saw seven doors, seven souls, and seven chosen ones.
And above them all… an empty throne of light, waiting for someone to claim it.
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In an ancient tower far away, a man wearing a mask made of bone watched the scene through a dark mirror.
He smiled and said:
"The first Origin Vessel has awakened… and the war hasn't even begun."
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