The grand chamber of Aethrion stood silent, the silver light of hovering crystals reflecting off the polished obsidian floor. The air was thick—not with hostility, but with something heavier. Expectation.
Rudraen stood at the center, his back straight, his presence dominating the room without effort. Before him were the four who had endured the trials—Ariv, Neel, Rohit, and Vaishnavi.
Ariv crossed his arms, his calm gaze fixed on Rudraen. Neel leaned against a column, casual yet sharp-eyed. Rohit's fists were clenched, traces of his earlier battle still weighing on his mind. Vaishnavi, sitting on the edge of a marble bench, tried to mask the curiosity in her eyes.
Finally, Rudraen spoke, his voice echoing like a blade sliding from its sheath.
"You've all passed the Trial of Aethrion. That means one thing—you're recognized by the Veil System."
Vaishnavi lowered her head slightly, whispering to herself, "Except me…"
Rudraen's sharp eyes caught the words. He gave a faint nod.
"Every role matters, Vaishnavi. You'll understand yours soon."
Then his attention shifted to the others. His tone grew colder, more deliberate.
"What I'm about to explain is not just power—it's survival."
---
The Seven Ascensions
With a flick of his wrist, symbols of seven glowing rings appeared in midair, each rune burning brighter than the last.
"Each Veil is a universe in itself. To master it, you unlock what we call the Seven Ascensions."
The first sigil ignited.
"The First Ascension—Combat Awakening. It amplifies your strength, speed, and reflexes. This is your foundation."
The second rune shimmered with energy.
"Second—Elemental Fist. Your Veil's essence condenses into your strikes. Fire ignites, stone hardens, stars collapse into fists… This is when your blows become lethal."
The third rune shaped itself into the silhouette of a blade.
"Third—The Forged Blade. Your Veil takes form as a weapon—an extension of your soul. Every strike carries your essence."
The fourth rune expanded, radiating heat and force.
"Fourth—The Enhanced Edge. The ultimate refinement of your weapon. Unmatched sharpness, impossible weight, reality itself bends under its edge."
The fifth rune flared like a protective barrier.
"Fifth—Ascendant Armor. Fragments of your essence unite into an unbreakable suit. A second skin, alive with power. You're no longer human—you're a force."
The sixth rune pulsed like a dying star.
"Sixth—Cataclysm Surge. The raw burst of annihilation. One strike can erase an army. But misuse it…"
Rudraen's voice deepened, his eyes sweeping across the four.
"…and it erases you first."
Finally, the seventh rune blazed brighter than all—its glow consuming the room.
"The Seventh Ascension…" His tone dropped, heavy as stone.
"…Absolute Form."
The air trembled, pressure crushing like a tidal wave.
"The state where every form merges—speed, armor, weapon, energy—everything becomes one. For a moment, you ascend beyond mortality."
He paused, letting the silence bite.
Then his voice sharpened, each word a warning etched in steel:
"But hear this—if your control falters, even for a breath… it will kill you. Tear you apart from within. Use it recklessly, and your own Veil becomes your grave."
His gaze hardened further.
"Only those who master control can survive repeated activation. And even then… you pay a price."
---
The projection faded. The hall fell into a silence heavy enough to break bones.
Rohit swallowed hard, his fists trembling—not with fear, but anticipation. Neel's lips curved slightly, calm as ever. Vaishnavi stared at the empty air, her mind racing.
Ariv simply stood there, arms folded, his eyes reflecting the last glow of the vanished runes. He didn't flinch. He didn't speak. But deep inside, something ancient stirred, like a locked storm testing its chains.
---
Rudraen's final words cut through the silence like thunder.
"Memorize this. Because the next time you face the abyss… it will decide whether you live, or die."