Chapter 1: The Fallen
Location: Vabos plain.
Dax opened his eyes to a world of gore.
"Where am I?" He touched his head and felt a warm, sticky sensation.
"Blood?"
Ugh.
Suddenly, waves of memories that didn't belong to him poured into his mind. He saw a group of hooded figures fleeing through a dark forest. Amidst them, a man who shared his face ran, gasping for air, struggling to keep pace. The others were his guards, forced to match his speed.
Behind them, a tide of beasts gained ground with every second.
When the horde finally caught up, all hell broke loose. As Dax digested the memories, the original owner's hatred, anger, love, lust, and ambition fused with his soul.
But one emotion burned brighter than the others: hatred. It seared like a volcanic mountain. He hated the world for stealing what was rightfully his, for its blatant unfairness, and for his unfortunate end. His dying wish was to make the world feel the same way he had.
Powerless.
"What is this? How can this be?" Dax's heart boiled with a foreign rage. "I've been reborn." He felt no joy, only a deep, simmering upset.
That realization birthed anger and disgust. Furious, he punched the ground, only for a mind-bending pain to shoot through his arm.
Ugh.
Just when he thought it couldn't get worse, he realized the truth: all the strength he had accumulated over 400 years was gone.
"Hahahaha. Am I not the biggest joke?" He laughed at his own predicament.
Welcome to Epoch. A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
Inerous?
A faint smile crept over his face. "I guess I haven't lost it all."
Booting.
Displaying Stats.
1%.. 10%.. 30%…. 70%… 90%… 99%… 100%.
Name: Dax Godfall
Race: Human
Bloodline: None
Realm: Trait Emperor
Rank: 0
Title: The Mad Scientist
Traits: Synthesis, Insatiable Hunger
Attributes: None
Skills: Telekinesis
Strength: 30
Agility: 6
Physique: 3
Mana: 0
Aura: 0
Luck: -1
Hmmmm? Are these this boy's poor stats because his talent was stolen? Dax wondered. How cruel. They didn't even spare his luck.
"Yes."
An exact replica of Dax appeared, walking gently toward him.
"My talent was stolen from birth," the double said, his words loud and clear. Dax was too flabbergasted to respond.
This should be what they call the soul. But how?
The soul smiled knowingly. "You didn't inherit my complete memories, I see. You will understand in time."
Dax didn't react, observing coldly, but he could feel the attraction his new body had to the soul before him.
"I am a gentle flame," it muttered. "My soul is that flame, and my body was the wood that fuelled it. I let my wood burn out, so please don't be wary of me."
Hearing this, Dax lowered his guard. "I understand that you're the original owner of this body…" he paused. "How did you end up like this?"
"I don't know. I've been in this state since my death."
Strange. This new world is very strange. Who knew a soul could gain physical properties? As he was lost in thought, soul-Dax turned into a little orb and gently integrated with him.
In that moment, the image of a beautiful black-haired woman materialized in his mind.
"It can't be."
"Mother."
A tear dropped from Dax's eye. "She is still so beautiful, even in this world."
Then, another memory surfaced: cultists in red and black robes, surrounding his mother and him.
"What is this?" Dax boiled with a rage calmer and deadlier than any before. This is how you lost your talent. It's truly unfair, because your reality doesn't understand fairness.
He carved the images deep into his mind.
"I understand you," he whispered to the lingering presence of the soul. "All your emotions have been mirrored into me. We are one being."
As he spoke these words, his body felt lighter and more comfortable. "Ahhh. This body feels like it's mine now."
Restoring 10%.. 30%…. 70%… 90%… 99%… 100%.
Gene Palace Restored.
Mutant Soul Acquired.
Personal World: Gene Palace. (Sealed)
Epoch Storage Restored.
+1 Cil
+1 Annihilation Horn.
Star Farm Restored. (Sealed)
Good. Good.
Hmhmhahahaha!
Dax laughed like a madman. "What exactly did I lose? I have my traits, my realm, and my belongings. Maddening. This is truly maddening!" He was happy. To him, physical prowess was something that would eventually improve.
"With this, predecessor, your dream is not far off." He looked up at the bright sky.
From a distance, he heard rustles.
"Danger."
Dax saw a blade travel towards his neck like a gust of wind.
Killing Series: Second Form. Blood Flow.
His muscles relaxed as killing intent slowly seeped from his pores. Dax spread his legs apart and spun.
Cough.
Boom!
Stab!
Swiftly, the man aiming for Dax's head planted his sword in the soil to reduce the push force of the dodge. In the blink of an eye, a priest in red appeared behind Dax, instantly halting his movement.
"This boy," the swordsman growled, watching him like prey.
"Vos!" the priest screamed in an insane tone. "Kikikikiki!" He scratched and wriggled his body.
"The fuck is this?" Dax observed calmly. This combination... One is insane while the other is impulsive. Surely there is someone else.
"Why don't you come out?" Dax asked, his tone extremely calm.
"Interesting…" A black-haired man in red robes appeared. He was fairly handsome, with long hair that accentuated his features. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Tell me, how did you counter his attack?"
"Who are you?" Dax asked.
The man smirked. "How rude of me. I am known as Vabon of Blood River. The priest is Kakarai, and the other is Mike." He smiled. "We are here to kill you. Don't worry, it won't pain you… or else that is what you want." Vabon said these words in a deceptively gentle tone.
Blood River?
That was the last thing Dax heard. "They have presented themselves. Ahh ahhh."
"This boy has gone insane, haha! He behaves like this when he's about to die," Vabon mocked.
"Let's begin."
"Kneel." Dax spoke calmly as energy seeped out of his body.
Ehh! Vabon's face twisted in irritation. "I shou—" His face contorted.
Crack!
Crack!
Mike and Kakarai were on their knees, bleeding from their kneecaps.
"What is this humiliation?" Mike was enraged but couldn't get up.
"Vos! Vos! Vos! Vos!"
Kakarai's expression was a mix of pleasure and pain.
This is bad. Seeing the situation, Vabon slowly withdrew. The cunning bastard sank into the ground at an abnormal speed, vanishing from plain sight, his presence gone.
"You have been abandoned." Dax walked toward them, smiling evilly. He raised his hand, levitating Mike with his telekinesis.
"Let me down!" Mike yelled in a commanding tone.
"My pleasure."
Mike shot twenty feet into the air only to be pulled down with immense force.
Boom!
His body created a deep crater, but he wasn't dead. Dax walked over, picked him up by the leg, and dragged him toward Kakarai.
Vos!
The priest appeared beside Dax, but this time he was different. His eyes were bloodshot like a beast's, and his body was covered in muscles of steel.
Crack!
Boom!
Cough!
Dax was embedded into a boulder, coughing out a mouthful of blood.