The alley was colder than before.
Kairo's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, his skin still tingling with the burn of the Blood Sigil awakening deep within him. The ancient runes beneath his flesh pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat tethered to something far older than himself.
His gaze flicked to the lifeless figure he had found—the armored warrior whose blood had sparked this impossible transformation. The red light from the Sigil's core in the man's chest still shimmered faintly, a remnant of a power Kairo barely understood.
Why me? The question echoed through his mind, unanswered.
The Blood SigilNo one in Cinderhold had ever heard of the Blood Sigil—a power whispered only in the darkest legends. It was said to be the last remnant of the Veyril, an ancient and forgotten race believed extinct by most.
The Veyril were not vampires, but something far more primal. They were predators of potential, feeding not just on blood but on the essence of life itself. Unlike those who merely drank to survive, Veyrils evolved by absorbing traits from their prey, shifting their bodies and minds into ever more powerful forms.
Kairo's newfound system was a relic of that bloodline—one that had been dormant for centuries, waiting for a worthy host.
A New RealityHe looked at his trembling hands, watching as faint crimson lines traced over his skin—sigils born of ancient magic, alive and responding to his heartbeat.
[Blood Sigil Detected.]
[Host: Kairo Vance]
[Tier: Resonance 0 – Unstable]
[Trait Shards Acquired: None]
[Blood Points: 50]
The system interface was not like any machine or AI Kairo had heard of—it was organic, a living bond that connected him to the blood of the Veyril ancestors.
The words formed in his mind, clearer now:
"Feed. Adapt. Ascend."
The World WatchesUnknown to Kairo, shadows flickered from the rooftops above.
Two figures cloaked in black observed the alley in silence.
"The Sigil has chosen," whispered one, voice low and gravelly. His eyes gleamed red in the darkness.
"It has been centuries since the last Veyril emerged," said the other. "If he survives the Awakening, the balance will shift."
They melted back into the night, leaving Kairo alone to face his impossible new reality.
The First TestThe silence shattered as footsteps approached—guards, drawn by the scream that echoed through the city streets.
Kairo's instincts screamed at him, his heart pounding in sync with the Sigil's rhythm.
[Predator's Pulse Activated.]
[Nearby Threats Detected: 3]
[Host Status: Unstable.]
He barely had time to think.
The first guard rounded the corner, baton raised.
Kairo's body moved before his mind could catch up—a blur of motion fueled by newfound reflexes. A punch landed squarely on the guard's jaw, sending him sprawling.
The other two charged, but Kairo dodged with unnatural speed, striking and weaving through the attackers like a storm.
Each hit sent ripples through the Blood Sigil—fragments of power absorbing into his soul.
[Trait Shard Acquired: Crimson Reflex – Movement and reaction speed +20%.]
[Blood Points Consumed: 5]
AftermathBreathing hard, Kairo stood over the fallen guards, their groans fading into the night.
He felt a terrifying exhilaration coursing through his veins—a predator born anew.
But with power came danger.
The Sigil whispered warnings of instability. If he fed too fast or mutated beyond control, he would lose himself completely.
Above the city, the ancient war between hunters, monsters, and forgotten bloodlines was awakening again—and Kairo was at its center.
What Comes Next?Kairo had to learn to master this power… or be consumed by it.