Episode 28
The morning in the Sanctum was unnaturally still.
Ethan stared at the blade in his hands—the one Althea had given him after surviving the Ritual Echoes. Its hilt pulsed faintly, runes crawling across the metal like living vines. A whisper echoed in his ear, faint and fragmented.
> [Item: Soulbrand Blade | Bound to Sinbearer | Effective Against Memory Phantoms]
Althea stood across from him in the stone corridor that led to the Trial Chamber. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes betrayed the weight of what came next.
"The Hall of Chains," she said, voice soft but firm, "was built to bind gods. What lingers within it... remembers who dared to challenge the old powers. Some of them think you're one of those souls returned."
Ethan slid the blade into the loop at his waist. "And if they recognize me?"
"Then they'll try to tear you apart. Limb by limb. Thought by thought."
---
✲ Trial Two: Hall of Chains
> [New Quest: Trial Two — Walk the Hall Unbroken] Objective: Navigate the memory-locked corridors and confront the Warden of Chains. Reward: Chainbreaker Title | +10 Aura Fortitude | Unique Skill
They stood before a circular gate etched with rotating sigils. Althea pressed a hand to the surface, and it groaned open, revealing darkness so thick it seemed to devour light.
"Once you enter," she said, not looking at him, "I can't help you. Only your will, and what you claim within, can bring you out."
Ethan nodded and stepped through.
---
The Hall was endless.
Iron chains dangled from above like metallic vines in a jungle of pain. Each one shimmered faintly with spectral energy. The walls were lined with carvings—faces twisted in agony, mouths open in screams that had no sound.
> [Environmental Hazard: Aura Suppression — Regen Rate -70%]
Ethan took a deep breath. Every step echoed as if a thousand ghosts were listening. His blade felt heavier. His body felt slower. The air gnawed at his thoughts.
Then came the voices.
"You let her die."
"You wanted the power more than the people."
"You were always meant to be a monster."
Ethan gritted his teeth, ignoring them. He passed statues that moved when he wasn't looking. He passed mirrors that didn't reflect him but other versions of himself.
One of them reached out.
> [Warning: Manifested Guilt Entity Detected]
> [Combat Initiated: Specter of Betrayal | HP: 1800 | Ability: Mind Spike]
Ethan spun around just in time to block a shadow blade. The specter was his own face—but pale, sickly, with hollow eyes.
> [Skill Used: Sin Flare] [Enemy Resists Fire Damage by 60%]
> [New System Advice: Fear feeds it. Starve it.]
He closed his eyes. Focused on his breath. A memory came unbidden: his sister laughing. Althea's touch on his shoulder. Lira's betrayal. Pain, but also purpose.
The specter hesitated.
Ethan attacked.
> [Blade Technique: Soul Sever] [Critical Hit! Specter HP: 0]
The figure dissolved into ash, chains rattling around it. Ethan stumbled forward, sweat pouring from his brow.
> [Checkpoint Reached: Chamber of Restraints]
The next room was worse.
Chains crisscrossed the ceiling and floor, forming a cage in the shape of a maze. Voices hissed in his ears. One of the chains wrapped around his ankle.
> [Trap Triggered: Bind of Regret] [Movement -90% | Aura Drain Active]
He fell to one knee.
A figure stepped forward from the shadows.
Tall. Armor forged of bone and brass. A mask of iron hiding its face.
"Warden of Chains," Ethan whispered.
> [Boss Encounter: Warden of Chains | HP: 6000 | Traits: Unbreakable Will, Memory Leech, Chainstorm]