Morning arrived like smoke—quiet, heavy, and gray.
Eron stood at the edge of the old courtyard, looking over the moss-covered ruins of what once was a thriving fortress. His breath fogged in the chill air. Behind him, Rurik hammered broken metal into shape, and Lyra collected herbs near a cracked fountain.
They were still strangers.
But this place? It already felt like a heartbeat waiting to rise again.
---
> [System Alert]
Undiscovered Relic Site Detected: 12.6 meters beneath current location.
Access Requirement: Minimum 2 Clan Members Present.
Eron's eyes lit up.
> "Rurik!" he called. "You like digging?"
The blacksmith grunted. "Depends what we're digging for."
> "Answers," Eron said. "And maybe a weapon no one's touched in a hundred years."
---
For the next two hours, they worked with picks and makeshift tools. The ground was stubborn, the stone thick. But then — clang.
Rurik struck something hollow.
They looked at each other.
Eron crouched, brushing away the dirt. Beneath it was a rusted iron hatch, covered in a sigil neither of them had ever seen — but one that Eron's pendant responded to.
It pulsed.
Then… it clicked.
> Hatch Unlocked.
---
⚙️ Underground Vault, Depth Level 01 – Caelora Core Access Point
Dust danced in the stale air as they descended into the darkness. Old lanterns along the wall flickered—still powered, somehow.
> "How is this even working?" Rurik asked.
> "This place isn't just stone," Eron said. "It's alive."
They reached the central chamber.
In the center stood a strange structure — a fusion of crystal, steel, and soulstone. It looked like a sarcophagus… or a cradle.
And floating above it, a faint blue core pulsed weakly.
Then a voice — crisp, confident, mechanical — echoed in the chamber:
> "Heir of Caelora detected.
Initiating awakening protocol…"
---
🧠 [AI SYSTEM ERIC – Awakening Sequence Started]
> Core Power: 3.8%
Sync Rate: 12%
Voice Output: Limited
Memory Integrity: Corrupted
---
Eron stepped forward. His body trembled—not with fear, but recognition.
> "Eric," he whispered. "You're real."
The blue core flickered brighter.
> "Heir confirmed.
Name: Eron Caelora.
Status: Alive, Unbound.
Directive: Restore the Flame."
> "Can you help me?"
> "Not yet. Core systems… sealed. Power… insufficient.
Unlock path… linked to territory growth, clan expansion, and soul resonance."
Eron nodded. "Then we'll grow. I'll bring them here. I'll raise this house again."
> "Then I… will rise with you."
---
Suddenly, the vault trembled.
From a side tunnel, something moved.
Growling. Snarling. Metal scraping.
---
> [Emergency Warning: Intrusion Detected]
[Beast-Type Entity: Hybrid Scavenger – Class: D-Rank]
Rurik drew his blade.
> "They followed us. I knew it."
> "Protect the core," Eron said.
"Eric, give me anything you've got."
---
> [Temporary Skill Uploaded: Flame Edge (Tier 0)]
Effect: Adds soulfire to blade. Lasts 60 seconds. Cooldown: 12 hours.
Eron grabbed a nearby training sword from the rack, and the edge ignited with blue-white flame.
The beast lunged.
> "Let's test this dynasty's fire," Eron said.
---
The fight was brutal — but fast. Eron's strikes were guided by instinct and Eric's voice in his mind.
> "Left shoulder — exposed. Now. Strike."
> Slash!
The scavenger let out a howl and crumpled to the ground.
> [Enemy Eliminated. Soul data stored.]
[Combat Sync Boost: +1.2%]
[Eric System Stability Improved.]
---
After the battle, Eron stood over the body, chest heaving.
Eric spoke again.
> "You are not your father.
You are… something new."
> "We'll become something stronger," Eron said.
"Together."
---
📈 [System Summary]
Core AI (ERIC): Active – Limited Function
Territory Claimed: 1
Clan Members: 3 (Eron, Lyra, Rurik)
System Unlock: Combat Link, Core Chamber
Relic Site Cleared
Threat Level: Noticed
---
Far away…
In a metallic hall, lit by dark-blue flames, a man with glowing red eyes smiled.
> "Eric has awakened," he said.
"Then it begins."
---