Chapter 19 – Daren
The fire crackled in the small chamber of their hidden safehouse, casting flickering shadows on the walls lined with ancient texts and magical artifacts. Aric sat cross-legged on the floor, still recovering from his first confrontation with the System agent. Sweat clung to his brow, and his hands trembled slightly—not from exhaustion alone, but from the exhilaration of having faced something so beyond mortal comprehension.
Daren's eyes softened, though his expression remained serious. He had seen that same fire in his son's gaze before: a spark that could either ignite greatness or burn recklessly out of control.
"You survived," Daren said, voice steady, carrying the weight of both relief and pride. "And that is no small feat. But surviving alone will not be enough. You must understand the hierarchy you are part of. The System, the gods, the dragons—none of them exist in isolation. They are layers, and every layer has its rules."
Aric leaned forward, eager. "Tell me, father. I need to understand. I need to know where I stand if I'm to ever stand against them."
Daren reached for a large, weathered map, spreading it across the floor. The parchment was covered in symbols, some ancient and some his own invention, representing levels of power and influence throughout the world.
"Look here," he said, pointing to a cluster of symbols near the top. "Divine beings. Gods. Dragons. These are the pinnacle of mortals who broke through natural limitations. But even among them, there are ranks. Not all divines are equal. Some are transcendent, reaching heights others can only dream of. Some wield dominion over nations, others over armies, or even elemental forces themselves. And there are those who remain largely unseen, manipulating events from the shadows."
Aric's eyes scanned the map. He recognized the names of a few legendary figures, their reputations whispered in fear across towns and kingdoms. "And the System agents?" he asked.
Daren's lips pressed into a thin line. "The System is… an instrument. A tool designed to maintain balance. It siphons power, controls magic, monitors growth. Agents like the one you faced are extensions of that tool. They operate on the assumption that no mortal or divine should grow unchecked. In a way, they are meant to prevent what we saw in the ancient era—the near collapse caused by mortals and gods accumulating unchecked divine power."
Aric frowned. "Unchecked divine power… like Taboo breakers?"
"Yes," Daren replied, a shadow crossing his face. "Taboo breakers are anomalies. They do not follow the same growth patterns. A Taboo breaker can achieve in years what a system-bound mortal may never reach in decades. That is why the System fears them. That is why the gods fear them."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "But remember, Aric, hierarchy is more than power. It is influence. It is knowledge. It is the ability to bend reality itself. A divine being's true strength is not measured by raw magical reserves alone, but by their understanding of the world and their ability to manipulate it to their advantage."
Aric clenched his fists. "So the more I learn… the higher I climb, the more I can challenge them?"
Daren nodded. "Exactly. But beware, my son. Divine hierarchies are not just lists of names. They are living, shifting structures. Alliances form and break, loyalty is bought and sold, and betrayal is as common as the air you breathe. You must learn to see not just the power someone wields, but the intentions behind it."
He traced a finger down the map. "Mortals, dragons, elves, giants, demons… all of them exist in their own hierarchies. Understand them, anticipate their moves, and remember: strength without strategy is meaningless. Even a king of dragons can fall if blind to the currents around him."
Aric exhaled slowly, his mind racing. The weight of what his father had just laid out pressed down on him, but instead of fear, a spark of determination ignited. The confrontation with the System agent had been a glimpse, a shadow of the battles to come. And now, with knowledge of the divine hierarchy, he could see the battlefield clearly—not just of power, but of politics, influence, and survival.
"Father," Aric said, his voice steady, "I understand. I will not just survive. I will learn. I will adapt. And one day, I will rise beyond what even the gods consider possible."
Daren's stern face softened, and he reached out to place a hand on Aric's shoulder. "That is my son. Remember this truth: the world does not bend to the strong—it bends to the prepared. Knowledge, foresight, and cunning will carry you farther than raw strength alone. Master these, and you may shape the hierarchy itself."
Outside, the winds shifted, as if the world itself had heard those words. Aric stood, resolved. The first steps of his journey through power, knowledge, and survival had been taken. And now, with the understanding of divine hierarchies and the dangers of unchecked growth, he was ready to face what the world—and the System—had in store.