The Hollow Throne's forge hadn't burned in centuries.
Once meant to temper Sovereign blades with soulsteel, now it served Aren—a spiritless king reborn in code and will. At the center of the stone chamber, he placed the Solar Echo Core upon the anvil.
Kaeliah watched from the doorway, eyes wary.
"That thing… it still burns."
Indeed, though cracked and pulsing erratically, the core leaked golden smoke that hissed in contact with shadow—an essence of truth twisted into tyranny.
[Initiate Forge Protocol – Adaptive Crafting Detected]Component: Echo Core (Class 4S – Solar Virtue)System Link: Thornbrand (Rusted – Memory Blade)Domain Modifier: Shadowsovereign Alignment
Warning: Result will be Unstable RelicCompatibility Threshold: 32%Risk Level: ModerateProceed?
Aren's fingers tightened around Thornbrand.
"It's time we stop hiding."
Proceed: Yes
The forge flared.
Shadow and light clashed—not violently, but like two memories that refused to forget each other. Aren stood through it, sweat dripping from his brow as the Sovereign Code pulsed behind his eyes.
[Memory Imprint Accepted]
Crafting Relic: Hybrid Sigil Weapon
Name: TruthcinderType: Light-Eater Blade (Unique – Sovereign Tier)
Traits:– Devours false light on contact– Reveals hidden glyphs, glamours, and forged truths– Emits Whispering Flame when lies are nearby
Passive:➤ Enemies affected by "Truthburn" suffer spiritual backlash➤ Immune to illusions and propaganda-type spirit arts
Aren lifted the newly-forged blade.
It was thinner than Thornbrand—sleek, silver-gray—but the core of the hilt still pulsed with that faint golden glow. The flame at its edge didn't burn outward. It burned inward—like a candle turned against itself.
"Truthcinder," Aren whispered. "You'll carve through the rot."
Kaeliah stepped forward, eyeing the weapon with awe.
"It's… beautiful," she said, then hesitated. "But I can feel something watching."
Aren turned slowly. The flame flickered toward the east.
Not in warning. In recognition.
[System Alert – High-Level Entity Response Detected]Codename: The Witness in the EmberStatus: UnknownAlignment: Dormant Observer
Message:"You hold what was once mine, Sovereign. Come find me… if you dare to see all truth."
Location Pinged: Eastern Ruins – Ember Vault (Sealed)
Aren sheathed the blade across his back. He didn't speak.
He simply walked toward the edge of the Hollow Throne—toward the place where lies had been born… and forgotten truths buried.