Russ stood before the ancient door of Obsidian Hold, his hand hovering above the glyphs etched into its surface. The seal pulsed with a dull red light, responding not to magic or force, but to something deeper—blood.
Specifically, his.
"You're sure about this?" Xel asked, glancing warily at the door. "These kinds of seals were used to lock away ancient horrors… not birthday gifts."
Russ didn't answer. His mind was already locked into the presence he felt beyond the seal—a cold consciousness, restrained yet… aware.
The stone under his palm warmed. A sigil flickered to life: a mirrored version of Quinn Talen's original mark. His father's symbol had signified dominion over space and shadow. But this one was different.
It was twisted. Evolved.
The door rumbled. Cracks of light burst through the seams as the ancient seal began to unravel. With a final grinding groan, the entrance to the vault split open.
Beyond was nothing. Literally.
A dark chamber, void of floor, ceiling, or wall. Just an expanse of whispering shadows, stretching into eternity. In its center floated a platform—and on it, a black blade stabbed into a stone pedestal. Tendrils of shade curled around the weapon, resisting even the ambient light from behind Russ.
"The Voidblade," Xel muttered, stunned. "I thought it was a myth. The blade forged during the last Cycle War. Said to consume not just life—but time, space, and memory."
Russ stepped forward, the whispers brushing against his ears like secrets he'd forgotten. The system pulsed.
> [WARNING: ANCIENT ARTIFACT DETECTED – VOIDBLADE: KAIROS]
[WARNING: POTENTIAL CORRUPTION 78% – REQUIRES BALANCE SEAL]
He gritted his teeth. "Balance seal? How?"
Then a familiar voice echoed within him. Deep. Calm. Infinite.
"You are the Heir. But inheritance is not ownership. You must earn dominion… or fall into madness."
It wasn't Quinn. It was something older. Maybe even part of the Void itself.
Russ approached the blade. With every step, he felt his system flicker, like it was being overridden. Shadows clung to his limbs. His memories flashed—his childhood, his mother's laughter, his father's silhouette disappearing into starlight, his first fight…
And then… silence.
Russ stood before the blade. It shimmered as if aware of his presence. Slowly, he reached out, wrapping his fingers around the hilt.
The moment he touched it, his body convulsed.
Pain tore through his mind. His vision blurred. The blade tried to eat everything he was—his thoughts, his name, even his identity.
But at the brink, he roared—not with fear, but defiance.
"I am Russ Talen! I am not just his son—I am my own shadow!"
A burst of silver and black light erupted around him. The blade's tendrils recoiled, then merged into his arm, branding a new seal into his skin—a fusion of the Void and something uniquely his.
> [NEW SYSTEM MODULE UNLOCKED: SHADEBOUND FORM – LV.1]
[VOIDBLADE KAIROS EQUIPPED – ADAPTIVE SYMBIONT STATUS: STABLE]
Russ staggered but stood tall, the blade now fused to his arm like living armor. Behind him, Xel blinked in disbelief.
"You're insane… but impressive."
Russ turned, eyes now shimmering with the same eerie glow Quinn once bore. "We need to find the others. Whatever's coming… this was just the beginning."
And somewhere in the cosmos, an ancient eye opened.
The Void had chosen its Heir.