The city burned behind me as Kael and I ran through the fractured streets. The cries of Angelics echoed from the towers above, their wings casting radiant shadows across the cobblestones. Demonics slithered through alleys, their laughter sharp and cruel. The people scattered, torn between fear and awe, whispering my name like a curse.
Orion Vale. Null. Heretic. Freedom.
The System's voice pulsed inside my mind, fractured and trembling.
[System Notice]: Quest Active.
Quest: Defy Fate.
Objective: Survive pursuit.
Warning: Wrath's influence spreading.
Penalty: Death.
Every step carried weight. The ground itself seemed to resist me, cracks spreading beneath my feet as Origin Power surged uncontrolled. Kael struggled to keep pace, his breath ragged, but he refused to fall behind.
"You should have left me," he gasped.
I shook my head. "No. You saw the truth. That makes you part of it now."
He stared at me, fear and determination warring in his eyes. "The Angelics will hunt you. The Demonics will try to claim you. You've made yourself the enemy of both."
"I've made myself free," I said.
The words felt heavy, but they were true. For the first time in countless lifetimes, I was not bound by Sin or Boon. The Origin Path was mine alone.
A tremor shook the city. The sky darkened, clouds swirling with crimson fury. The air grew thick, heavy with rage. Wrath was awakening.
Kael stumbled, clutching his chest. "What is that?"
"Wrath," I said. "One of the Seven. The System has unleashed it."
The boy's eyes widened, terror flooding his face. "We can't fight that."
"We don't have a choice."
The System screamed again.
[System Notice]: Critical Error.
Entity: Wrath.
Status: Awakening.
Location: Northern Wastes.
Directive: Null must be terminated.
Warning: Influence spreading into city.
The streets erupted. Citizens collapsed, consumed by fury. Angelics turned on each other, wings blazing with uncontrolled rage. Demonics tore at the walls, shadows writhing with madness. Wrath's influence spread like wildfire, corrupting everything it touched.
Kael clutched my arm. "They're losing their minds!"
I clenched my fists, Origin Power surging. "Wrath feeds on anger. The more they fight, the stronger it becomes."
The boy's voice trembled. "Then how do we stop it?"
I raised my hand, light and shadow twisting together. The Null Domain expanded, stripping the corrupted of their borrowed strength. Angelics fell, their wings dimming. Demonics collapsed, their shadows dissolving. For a moment, silence returned.
But Wrath's presence grew stronger.
The storm on the horizon roared, crimson lightning tearing across the sky. The ground shook, buildings crumbling, screams filling the air. Wrath was coming.
Kael's voice was barely a whisper. "We'll die."
I looked at him, steady and unyielding. "Not today."
The System trembled.
[System Notice]: New Skill Acquired.
Skill: Reincarnation Recall.
Effect: Access fragments of past lives.
Duration: Variable.
Cooldown: Unknown.
Memories surged through me—wars fought, kingdoms lost, betrayals endured. I remembered facing Wrath before, consumed by its fury, torn apart by its rage. But this time was different. This time, I was free.
I clenched my fists, Origin Power swirling. "Wrath is coming. And I will face it."
Kael's eyes widened, fear and awe mingling. "You're insane."
"Maybe," I said. "But I am Orion Vale. Null. Origin. And I will not bow."
The storm loomed closer, crimson lightning tearing the sky apart. Wrath's roar echoed across the city, a sound of pure fury. The people fled, Angelics and Demonics scattering. Only I remained, standing at the edge of fate.
The System whispered one last time.
[System Notice]: New Quest Generated.
Quest: Confront Wrath.
Objective: Defeat Wrath.
Reward: Unknown.
Penalty: Death.
I smiled. For the first time in countless lifetimes, the quest was mine to choose.
And I chose to fight.