[Days Later – Above the Stormlands]
Kael hovered midair, cloaked in shadows and ash, staring at the horizon where massive islands floated among black clouds. Lightning streaked between them, illuminating jagged ruins and fallen statues.
This was Skygrave—a floating battlefield suspended in time, where ancient gods died and their remains still poisoned the wind.
"The second Core lies here," Kael muttered, pulling his cloak tighter as Void-flame danced in his palm.
"But so does something else… something watching."
---
[Skygrave – Entry Point: The Cradle of Fallen Wings]
The moment Kael stepped on one of the islands, reality shifted. Gravity twisted sideways, and time slowed around him.
Whispers from the dead clawed at his mind.
"He should not be here…"
"Void-borne… cursed child…"
"The flame should've burned him clean…"
Kael drew his blade and focused his Aura. The whispers fell silent.
The ground was littered with old bones—massive, winged, godlike.
At the center of the island stood a shattered statue with six wings.
The Last Angel King, Kael recalled from the [Forbidden Archive].
Killed during the Primordial Cleansing. His core was sealed beneath his throne…
Suddenly, the air rippled. Something else had arrived.
---
[Selena's Return]
Lightning cracked the sky.
Descending in a stream of silver starlight, Selena Vael landed across the island—sword glowing with runes, eyes blazing with divine light.
"We meet again, Kael."
He didn't flinch.
"Still chasing me? I'm flattered."
"I told the Council I'd bring back your corpse. But… now I think I want your power first."
She raised her blade.
"Fight me. Here. Now."
---
🌩️ [Duel Initiated: Kael vs. Selena – Round 2]
Selena Vael – Celestial Lv. 35
Kael Draven – Abyssal Lv. 26 (Hybrid Flame/Void Core)
Selena launched forward, her sword burning with divine light—[Heavenrend Slash]—splitting the air in half.
Kael dodged and countered with [Ash Step], teleporting behind her.
[Corrupt Flame Lance – Triple Burst!]
Three lances of burning void-flame erupted toward Selena.
She deflected the first.
Evaded the second.
The third burned through her shoulder pauldron, searing the skin beneath.
She hissed, more angry than hurt.
"You've improved."
"I had to. You were a terrible first boss," Kael smirked.
---
[Twist: The Skygrave Awakens]
Their battle triggered an ancient seal.
The broken throne behind them exploded in blue flame. From the ashes, a skeletal giant with rusted wings rose—chains dragging behind it.
[Skygrave Sentinel – Keeper of the Core]
LV: 40
Type: Undead Primordial
Trait: Soul Decay Aura
The sky turned black. Wind howled. The two enemies paused.
Selena narrowed her eyes.
"It's going to absorb the Core before we can."
Kael grimaced.
"Then we kill it. Together."
For a moment—an uneasy alliance.
---
[Boss Fight: Skygrave Sentinel]
Kael & Selena vs. Sentinel
The skeletal giant roared and slammed its massive blade down, shattering the floating island's surface.
Selena danced around its attacks, launching divine bolts.
Kael corrupted the broken terrain, using [Ash Step] and [Void Chains] to cripple the creature's legs.
Selena shouted, "NOW!"
Kael unleashed everything
[Corrupt Flameform: Final Lance]
A single spear made from pure hybrid essence—half Void, half Flame—pierced the Sentinel's chest.
The beast howled. Crumbled. Fell.
The winds calmed.
---
[System Notification]
Skygrave Core Secured
· [Primordial Core: Soulfire] Acquired
· Trait Gained: Undying Ember – Auto-revival once per realm cycle
· Flame/Void Core Integration: 100%
New Evolution Path: Hybrid Voidlord – Flameborn Path
Ascension Stage: Pending Divine Spark
---
[Post-Battle]
Kael stood with the glowing Soulfire Core in hand. Selena, bloodied, watched him from across the rubble.
"You absorbed two Cores," she said. "The Council will panic."
"Let them."
"They'll send more than me next time."
Kael walked past her.
"Then I'll kill more than you next time."
Selena didn't strike. She watched him vanish through a Void rift—expression unreadable.
"He's no longer trash..." she whispered.
"He's becoming a threat even I might not be able to stop."
---
[Far Beyond – The Celestial Gate]
A being wrapped in golden chains opened its eyes. Wings of fractured light spread behind it.
"So… the boy has found the Soulfire."
"Then it's time... to awaken the First Hunter."
A new enemy was coming.
And Kael would soon be hunted not just by mortals…
But by gods.