Episode 27
The silence after the Covenant Binding was deafening.
Ethan stood at the center of the ritual chamber, a sheen of sweat clinging to his bare chest, the sigils etched across his skin still glowing faintly. Crimson energy pulsed through his veins, making every heartbeat feel like a war drum against the walls of his ribs. The very air seemed heavier—denser—as if time itself was holding its breath.
> [System Update: Legacy Integration — 41%]
> [Condition Stable: Blood Pact Sustained | Aura Surge Detected]
The altar still shimmered from the aftermath of their pact. Beside him, Althea Nyx—now no longer just the Headmistress but a covenant-bound ally—stood silent. Her silver hair flowed down her bare back, eyes alight with ancient knowledge and dark promise.
She spoke first. "You've done what few have dared. The Sinkeeper's Mark. My covenant. You've awoken something old. And now, it stirs."
Ethan turned to her, his voice low. "Let it come."
She smiled grimly. "Then prepare yourself. The first Trial begins now."
---
⟢ Trial One: The Awakening Ritual
> [New Quest Initiated: Trial One — Survive the Ritual Echoes] [Objective: Endure the memories of those who failed before you. Duration: Until mental collapse or triumph.]
Althea raised her hand, summoning a circle of runes around Ethan. The stone floor cracked, revealing a spiral descent of stairs illuminated by flickering violet torches. A whisper crawled along the edges of his mind—a voice not his own, yet eerily familiar.
"I am you. The version that failed. The soul that bled."
Ethan's feet moved on instinct, the pull of the ritual forcing him downward. Each step echoed with moans of long-lost souls. As he descended, memories—not his, but belonging to past covenant-bearers—flooded his mind.
A woman sobbing over a dead lover. A man screaming as his aura was torn apart. A child begging a demon for mercy.
> [Mind Fortitude Test: Active — Hold 60 seconds against mental collapse.]
His knees buckled. Fire burned behind his eyes. But he gritted his teeth, drawing on the covenant.
> [Passive Bonus: Bound Will — Mental Resistance +50%]
A shriek pierced his mind. Ethan screamed back.
And silence returned.
The staircase ended in a black room filled with mirrors. Each reflected a different version of Ethan—coward, killer, victim, god.
One of the reflections stepped forward.
It spoke: "Only one version may survive."
> [Ritual Duel Initiated: Ethan vs. Mirror Shade]
---
⟢ Ritual Combat: Mirror Shade (HP: 2200)
Ethan summoned his will, invoking his new ability.
> [Skill Activated: Crimson Bind — Mirror Shade's Movement Restricted for 3 Minutes]
Chains of red energy lashed out, wrapping the reflection's limbs. It snarled and thrashed but couldn't break free. Ethan surged forward.
> [Basic Attack x3 | Critical Strike! | HP Remaining: 1240]
The Mirror Shade shifted, adapting. Its eyes glowed and it countered with:
> [Dark Echo: Shared Pain – Ethan loses 340 HP]
Blood trickled from Ethan's mouth. He grinned.
"You're me, huh?" he spat. "Then you know how stubborn I am."
> [New Skill Unlocked via Adrenaline Surge: Sin Flare — Fire-based blast scaled with Sin Aura.]
> [Sin Aura at 88% — Skill Multiplier x2.2]
Ethan roared and released a blinding wave of flame.
> [Sin Flare Activated — Direct Hit! | Mirror Shade HP: 0]
The reflection screamed and shattered like glass. Ethan fell to his knees, gasping.
> [Trial Complete: Ritual Echoes Survived] [Reward: Will of the Past | Mental Resistance +20 | HP +500]
---
Back in the sanctum, the staircase resealed. Althea awaited him.
"You lived," she said, impressed. "Barely."
Ethan chuckled. "Barely's all I need."
> [System Message: 3 Trials Remain]
Althea stepped close, brushing hair from his forehead. "You've earned more than power. You've earned attention. Eyes beyond this world are watching."
> [New Status: Marked by the Forgotten — Cosmic Awareness Detected]
---
⟢ Midnight Interlude: The Sinborn Visitation
That night, as Ethan lay in the candlelit chamber Althea had gifted him within the Sanctum, dreams found him. Not mortal dreams—these were visions. And he wasn't alone.
She appeared—tall, cloaked in celestial silk, her skin dark as obsidian, her eyes glowing violet.
"You are the newest link," she said, kneeling beside his bed. "The chain must remain unbroken."
"Who are you?" Ethan asked.
"I am Lilathe. The first Sinbound."
> [Hidden Memory Accessed: Lilathe's Descent – Sinborn Origin Chronicle Unlocked.]
She reached out and touched his chest, her fingertip glowing.
> [Temporary Ability Granted: Sinborne Memory Dive – One-time use]
"You may glimpse what we were," she whispered. "And choose what you will become."
Ethan blinked.
She vanished.
---
The next morning, Althea handed him a blade wrapped in runes.
"Trial Two awaits. The Hall of Chains. Not all enemies there bleed. Some remember you before you were born."