After absorbing the Fragment of the God-Key, the glitching tower began to collapse around Kazen. Not violently—but as if its purpose had been fulfilled. The corrupted sky flickered and faded, and the environment dissolved into raw code.
> Glitchspire Cleared
> Realm Closed Permanently
> Sync Progress: 60%
> Unlock: Dimensional Beacon Protocol
Kazen barely had time to process before his interface pinged again.
> : Unidentified Entity Observing…
> Source: Council of Forgotten Gods
> Level: ???Warning
The temperature dropped. Not in the air—but in his code. His very system felt colder. For the first time, Kazen felt seen by something… above the system.
And then, a message appeared—burned directly into the space before his eyes, bypassing the usual UI.
"The Host Advances Too Quickly. Delay Recommended."
Another followed.
"The Soul Is Incomplete. Let Us Remind Him."
His vision blurred.
Kazen staggered as the world twisted again.
> Initiating Dreamlayer Interference
> Constructing Memory Zone…
Suddenly, he stood in a familiar hallway. Dim school lights buzzed. Lockers lined the walls. Posters hung slightly peeled. It was Earth—his world.
But no one was there.
Except one person.
His childhood friend, Aira. She stood at the end of the corridor, facing away from him.
"Aira?" Kazen whispered.
She turned—and her eyes were black voids, leaking binary tears.
"You left us," she said. "You escaped."
He stepped back. "This isn't real."
Her body distorted—glitching like an unstable sprite—until it became one of the Forgotten Gods: tall, faceless, robes of endless text.
"You were chosen because you were broken," it said. "Now we test the cracks."
> Boss Encounter Initiated: Godshade – Echo of Regret
> Type: Mental Construct
> Danger Level: S (Psychic Class)
The hallway crumbled. He stood in a swirling abyss, the echo closing in with arms of code and memories.
Kazen summoned his blade—but it pulsed weakly. The system was suppressed here.
No soul slash. No quantum step.
Only will.
He closed his eyes and reached inward—not to fight, but to feel.
"Yeah, I lost things. I failed. But I'm not running anymore."
> Inner Domain Pulse Triggered
> Instinct Override Engaged
> Emotional Link Stabilized
The system surged. A new interface formed—built from memory, not script.
He raised his hand. A raw blade of golden light formed, forged from the will to continue.
> Skill Unlocked: Lightforge
> Ability: Creates temporary weapon from emotional signature
> Duration: Variable
Kazen charged. And this time, the godshade hesitated.
He cut through its form—not to destroy, but to erase the lie it represented.
Silence followed.
> Memory Zone Cleared
> Mind Integrity: Stable
> Sync: 63%
Kazen fell to his knees. He was sweating—though in this realm, it wasn't real.
Patchling whispered beside him, quieter than ever. "They're starting to notice. You've poked the gods."
He stood up slowly. "Then I'll make them bleed next."