> Location: Classified System // Sector X-Black // Executor Chamber
The chamber was silent.
Not from lack of sound—but because silence was commanded. The very walls obeyed.
At its center stood Executor 01, encased in obsidian armor etched with starlight runes. He observed the report flickering before him—the Starcode Fragment "CINDER ONE" had been awakened.
> "So… Solaris trains him faster than expected."
A soundless ripple moved through the air. Then—twelve figures materialized, kneeling in a perfect circle.
Each wore a mask forged from fallen stars. Their bodies shimmered with glitch-armor and void silk.
> "Obsidian Choir," Executor 01 said calmly,
"Commence the Extinction Protocol."
One of the figures—shorter, voice like cracked crystal—spoke:
> "Target: Kael Veyar.
Estimated Threat: Ascending beyond Protocol Tier 3.
Strategy?"
Executor 01 didn't blink.
> "We don't kill him yet. We test him. Bleed him.
And we make him choose."
The Obsidian Choir vanished, warping through rift-gates into the galaxy.
---
Back on Lys'Tera – Subvault Transition Zone
Kael stood in silence, the CINDER ONE fragment pulsing beneath his skin. His body felt different—warmer, alive, like fire had become part of his blood.
Solaris observed him, arms crossed.
> "You're stabilizing faster than I predicted," she said.
"Cinder energy is volatile. It's not just power—it's memory. It remembers every soul it burned."
Kael looked down at his hands.
They shimmered faintly. His breath fogged even in the heat.
> "I feel like I'm burning from the inside," he muttered.
> "Good," Solaris said. "That means it's working."
But the moment was broken—when the lights above them shattered.
A tear in space split open.
Twelve dark shadows dropped through.
Kael backed up.
> "Who are they?"
> "The Obsidian Choir," Solaris hissed. "Elite executioners of the Protocol Order.
Each one's killed a god."
---
[ALERT: Incoming Signal Distortion – Hostiles Identified]
> Enemies: 6 Engaged | 6 in Phantom Phase
Warning: Power Disparity Detected
Kael activated Flamecore Recursion—flames erupted from his boots and shoulders as he launched forward. His blade collided with one of the Choir—a tall assassin wielding a weapon that looked like a folded black star.
The clash shook the vault.
Another Choir member sent a chain of dark matter into the wall beside him—Kael barely dodged.
> "You can't fight all twelve," Solaris snapped.
"You need to unlock the Phoenix Loop now."
> "But it's locked!"
> "Then break the lock."
---
Kael shut his eyes—drew in every burn, every fragment, every echo of pain. His memories, his rage, the spark inside him—
> And then—
He ignited.
---
[Protocol Burst Detected – Unknown Pathway Unlocked]
> New Skill: PHOENIX LOOP (Lv. 0)
Burns Kael to death and rebirths him instantly in a blast radius of flame. One use per day.
Kael exploded into fire—his old body incinerated in an inferno of starlight. The Choir staggered back, blinded.
From the ashes, Kael rose.
His body new. Eyes glowing white-gold.
He moved like fire given form.
---
He struck. Again. Again. Faster than they could predict.
Three Choir members fell.
Solaris leapt in, cutting down a fourth with her plasma scythe.
> "Kael—focus! We're retreating. The vault's collapsing!"
As the final structure crumbled, Kael grabbed the Starcode cube, leapt, and Solaris opened a warp gate with her bare hands—ripping spacetime.
They vanished—
—just as Lys'Tera detonated in a blinding firestorm.
---
Elsewhere – Void Hall of the Protocol Lords
Executor 01 stood before the remaining High Lords.
> "He's stronger than we calculated," one growled.
"The Choir failed."
> "No," Executor 01 replied.
"They did exactly what I wanted."
He stared into the distance.
> "Now he believes in himself.
That's when he'll fall."