Aiden stood alone in the private sanctum beneath the capital's main temple. The air was cool and thick with incense residue from earlier rites. Stone walls etched with glowing runes hummed faintly around him.
He held the Goddess Avatar Fragment in his palm—a small, pulsing crystal that felt heavier than its size suggested. The system prompt flashed across his vision without delay.
[Warning: Activating Goddess Avatar Fragment will trigger Ascension Trial. Balance divine energy with your Incubus Core or face temporary backlash. Proceed? Y/N]
He tapped Y.
Power surged into his body like liquid fire. His veins burned, his muscles locked, and the sanctum spun around him. The trial pulled him under immediately.
Reality folded, dropping him into a surreal dream-realm arena. Floating ancient ruins drifted in a starless void, connected by crumbling bridges covered in glowing runes.
