The world around Joy Quinn Talen slowed to a crawl.
Her breathing was shallow, her pulse steady but intense. The ring on her finger—blue-black with ancient glyphs etched in silver—pulsed with ethereal energy. Quinn's consciousness stirred within.
> [New Quest Received: Learn More About Your Twin — Vaatu]
Description: Your twin, Vaatu, holds the Father Spirit of Dark. Discover his location, history, and his intentions to unlock a hidden part of your system.
Reward: +1000 EXP | Shadow Trace Skill (LV1) | Dialogue Unlock with Quinn
Joy stared at the holographic display that floated in front of her. "Vaatu… the Dark Prince," she murmured. It was still hard to believe she had a twin—one born of shadow while she embodied the latent Mother Spirit of Light. She clenched her fist, the ring reacting as if it, too, remembered.
"He's not just your twin," Quinn's voice echoed in her mind, deep and calm. "He's your balance. The stronger he becomes… the stronger you must be."
Joy swallowed hard. "Then I need to get stronger. Fast."
---
The Path to Power
> [Quest Unlocked: First Steps to Ascension]
Complete three of the following tasks:
Train with a combat specialist.
Defeat 5 Darkspawn.
Meditate at the Shrine of Ancestral Light.
Discover one hidden relic of the Old System.
Reward: +500 EXP | Class Upgrade Path Unlock: Deity-Initiate
This time, the system seemed more animated. Joy could almost feel it anticipating her journey. She opened her status window again.
---
[Name: Joy Quinn Talen]
Race: Human
Level: 2
XP: 150/200
Title: Descendant of the Bloodless Hero
Equipped Artifact: Ring of Eternal Legacy (Bound)
Affinities: Light (High), Wind (Moderate)
Unlocked Skills:
Light Pulse (LV1)
Swiftstep (LV1)
Analyze (LV1)
System Link (Locked)
??? (Hidden)
---
The ring buzzed as Quinn's spirit chuckled. "You're progressing faster than I expected. But you'll need allies, Joy. Not just strength."
She closed the panel. "I've got to find someone who can help me train."
---
The Arrival of New Faces
At Ravenveil Academy, the ancient institution built atop the ruins of an old teleportation nexus, the whispers about Joy were spreading like wildfire.
"That's her," one boy whispered. "The girl with the ancient ring."
"She's got Quinn's bloodline," another murmured, awe and fear mixing in his tone.
Joy felt the eyes on her as she walked into the sparring dome. Her cloak whipped behind her, boots clicking with purpose. She was headed toward one of the most mysterious figures in the academy—Professor Kairo Selven, an ex-Adjudicator known for training top-tier system users.
Kairo was a tall, stoic man with grey robes and violet eyes that seemed to see through the soul. He turned toward her before she even spoke.
"I've been expecting you, Joy Talen."
She hesitated. "You know who I am?"
"More than you know. You're late to your own awakening. Let's fix that."
He threw her a short training spear, and with no time to speak, lunged at her. The battle was on.
---
Trial by Combat
Joy barely parried the strike, her Light Pulse activating instinctively. A wave of white energy deflected Kairo's second blow, but he was already behind her.
"Too slow!" he barked.
She twisted midair and activated Swiftstep, blinking a few feet forward, her landing rough but effective.
"Better," he nodded. "Again."
Minutes turned to hours as sweat dripped down Joy's face. Every movement burned her muscles, but her body was adapting—faster than any normal human.
Quinn spoke softly in her mind. "You're syncing with the ring. The deeper you push, the more of me you awaken."
---
The Level-Up
> [Training Complete: Combat with a Specialist]
+300 EXP
Level Up!
[You are now Level 3]
Stat Points Earned: +5
Skill Points Earned: +2
[New Skill Unlocked: Light Barrier (LV1)]
Creates a glowing shield that absorbs 50 damage points for 10 seconds.
Joy stood, panting, as a soft golden light surrounded her.
"I leveled up…" she whispered.
Kairo looked at her, clearly impressed. "You're still green, but... you have the spark. I can see why he chose you."
"He?" she asked.
Kairo simply turned. "Find the Shrine. Your next lesson awaits."
---
Shrine of the Ancestral Light
That night, Joy ventured beyond Ravenveil's walls into the Whispering Glade. According to legend, the shrine hidden within it was once used by Quinn himself to commune with the ancient deities.
Following her system's faint guidance, she reached a silver pool surrounded by crystalline flora. As she approached, the ring hummed—activating something deeper.
> [Quest Complete: Meditate at the Shrine]
+200 EXP
+1 Attribute: Wisdom
Hidden Buff: "Divine Sensitivity" Applied
As she sat and meditated, visions filled her mind.
She saw a boy cloaked in darkness—Vaatu. His eyes were like dying stars, and behind him loomed an army of shadows.
"Joy…" a whisper echoed.
"I will become stronger, Vaatu," she murmured. "No matter what path you take."
---
System Surge
> [System Expansion Unlocked: Path of the Ascended]
You have chosen to walk the Path of Light and Divinity.
Your body will now begin adapting to the Deity Framework.
[New Class Available: Ascendant Lightborn (Locked)]
Requirement: Discover at least 3 Deity Relics | Learn True Name of Your Spirit
"True name…" Joy frowned.
Quinn spoke again. "To ascend, you must unlock the name of the spirit you carry. The Mother of Light has been dormant for centuries. But she stirs… because of you."
---
New Quests Unlocked
> [Quest: Defeat 5 Darkspawn]
Darkspawn are creatures born of corrupted energy. Purify them using your Light abilities.
Reward: +500 EXP | "Radiant Cleanse" Skill (LV1)
> [Quest: Find the Broken Deity Relic]
Rumor has it that one of the Lost Relics lies hidden beneath the academy's catacombs.
Reward: +1000 EXP | Deity Relic: "Feather of Eluna"
> [Quest: Discover Vaatu's Intentions]
Find one who has seen the Dark Prince. Question them. Piece together the truth.
Reward: +800 EXP | Unlock System Feature: Twin Sync
Joy's eyes widened. "Twin Sync?"
Quinn nodded solemnly. "If you're to face your brother, you must understand him. Only then will the system allow you to mirror his growth… and surpass him."
---
End of Chapter 5