The sound of the machine resembled the heartbeat of a colossal entity that upheld the existence of the entire city. Its waves echoed between the towering crystal spires, reflecting beautiful golden-blue light that flowed from the artificially created sky of Nexus Spiral City. From the highest balcony of the Sanctuary of Bonds, Fitran Fate stood with a sharp gaze, observing the cityscape that looked like a grand marriage between a civilization of machines and ancient, awe-inspiring magic.
In the distance, six massive gates rotated slowly, emitting a shimmering glyph light. "Each of these symbols holds a profound story," Fitran murmured, relishing the flashes dancing in the air. "As if they are the pulse of thoughts from an unseen entity," he continued in a reflective tone, as if trying to grasp the meaning behind every light that appeared.
Fitran raised his hand, and at that moment, a holographic light appeared before him. A status panel formed in the air, glowing with clarity and informativeness. "Let's explore what I have," he said in a concise yet excited tone, his curiosity ignited between anxiety and hope.
📜 Status Panel — Player
Name: Fitran Fate
Class: Voidwright Progenitor
Level: 99 (Legacy Level — Spiralborn System: Skill Tree Locked)
Stats:
Charm (CHR): 92/100
Affinity (AFF): — (Locked)
Stamina (STA): 80/100
Wisdom (WIS): 88/100
Void Mastery: 95/100
Reputation: 0 (Neutral)
"Full level... but understanding of the Spiralborn skill tree is still undisclosed. Very intriguing," he thought, his voice pausing briefly in deep reflection.
"Did you hear that? There are footsteps approaching from behind," Fitran remarked, glancing back with sharp, watchful eyes. "Soft, yet precise."
Suddenly, a woman with silver hair appeared before them. Her eyes resembled blue prisms, reflecting thousands of shimmering light spectrums. Her skin gleamed like the surface of a holographic glass. "Welcome to Nexus Spiral City, Fitran Fate," she said, her voice seemed to float in the air, resembling an echo refined by advanced machinery.
Fitran did not move from his position. "This city… is it heaven or a prison?" he asked skeptically, his eyes carefully assessing every corner.
Lyria stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the bustling streets filled with crowds. "It all depends on your perspective. Here, you're no longer just an observer. Nexus—" she gestured broadly toward the throng, "—has assigned you a role. You are the Progenitor Spiralborn."
Taking a deep breath, he watched as beings from various races interacted with one another. "Some among them are engaged in transactions, while others have no hesitation in dueling. And the rest… simply stand there, staring at the spiral sky that invites awe."
Fitran turned, looking sharply at Lyria. "That sounds like a position filled with consequences. What exactly is the task… in simpler terms?"
"Connections. Bonds. Blood."
Lyria raised her hand, pointing to a second hologram that appeared in the air. "Look at this," she said while observing the glowing circles that started to rotate, interconnected by fine lines like veins in a body, forming a softly pulsing web. "You must forge a Spiral Bond with a woman from the world connected to the Spiral Gate."
Fitran scrutinized the display, raising one eyebrow, appearing both confused and curious. "So, you mean from that bond, Spiralborn will emerge?"
"Exactly right. They are the only ones who can stabilize the Nexus core that is currently fractured. If not, we risk losing everything," Lyria explained, her voice filled with tension that shimmered in the complexity of the situation.
"Hero, diplomat… or perhaps a farmer?" Fitran commented, a sarcastic tone in his voice underscoring his skepticism. "Because it feels more like a political game, doesn't it?"
Lyria smiled gently, as if she understood Fitran's doubts. "In truth, all of it is important. In this battle, you will need every skill you possess. The Nexus is the source of everything; it provides facilities, status, even a system that continuously monitors our every step."
"But the feelings you build… they can't be faked," she added, her voice softening, adding intimacy to the conversation. "You must feel them genuinely."
The hologram shifted smoothly, displaying a list of quests that shimmered and captured attention.
📜 Quest Log
Main Quest: First Contact
Objective: Interact with the first potential partner.
Reward: +10 Charisma, +5 Reputation, Unlock Gift System.
Failure: — (No penalty on first attempt)
Fitran stared at the panel with a puzzled expression. "Why is my Partner List empty, huh?" he asked, his voice echoing with curiosity in the quiet room. The contours of his face showed concern, as if he were searching for answers from the seemingly vacant screen.
Fitran stared at the blank holographic panel, his brow furrowed as his fingers hovered over the empty space, as if he could pluck some meaning out of the void. "This list... it's not just empty. It feels like a massive, hollow hall waiting to be filled, but there isn't a single footprint left behind. Why?"
Lyria didn't answer immediately. The prismatic glow in her eyes dimmed—a sign she was digging into the Nexus's restricted archives.
"The list isn't empty because we're just getting started, Fitran," she said, her voice dropping to a somber, heavy tone. "It's empty because you're the only one left."
Fitran's head snapped toward her. "Left? What do you mean?"
"Plenty have tried before you—so-called heroes from across the dimensions, knights brimming with more courage than sense." Lyria stepped closer, the faint light of her wings flickering nervously. "But forging a Spiral Bond with the Nexus core takes more than just guts. Without a high enough level of Void Mastery, the synchronization process doesn't just fail—it shreds your soul into jagged pieces."
She gestured toward his stats, where his Void Mastery score pulsed with a bruised, deep purple light: 95/100.
"The ones before you didn't have enough 'nothingness' in them to withstand the pressure of the core. They shattered the second they made contact. You're the first Spiralborn in history with the capacity to shoulder this resonance without losing your mind."
Fitran let out a short, hollow laugh, seeing the empty screen in a grim new light. "So, this isn't a matchmaking menu. It's a survivor's log. And right now, it's a list of one."
"Exactly," Lyria said, her expression dead serious. "That empty screen is a warning. If you fail to bond with Makima, you won't just be 'unpaired.' Your name won't even make it to that list. You'll just be another footnote—the latest Progenitor whose soul was shredded by eternity."
"It's only temporary," Lyria replied, gracefully waving her hands in the air as if she were carving something invisible. The panels around them transformed, displaying a dark screen containing an enticing sentence. "There are many worlds waiting for you. This is just the beginning."
📜 Partner List
No active partners.
Hint: Meet the main character from the worlds connected to the Spiral Gate.
Fitran leaned against the balcony railing, trying to absorb the atmosphere surrounding him. "What if I start with just one partner?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"So, the whole world will be watching our every move?" he continued, his expression turning serious. "Spiral Bond radiates emotional resonance throughout the Nexus network. Some must be waiting with hopeful anticipation, while others… may fight tooth and nail just to grab your attention," Fitran said, gazing toward a future filled with opportunities and challenges.
Fitran chuckled softly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "So, in the end, it all revolves around high-level politics. It's just that the battlefield is located between the bedroom and the dining table, isn't it?"
Lyria looked at him, her eyebrows furrowing in surprise. "Don't underestimate the power of jealousy. In this system, emotions can become weapons—or even deadly poisons."
Confidently, Fitran shrugged off his Voidwright coat. "Then show me that Spiral Gate. I'm ready to face whatever lies ahead."