Xaden nearly choked on the air in his lungs.
Ancient god level! How is that even possible?
Xaden stared at the screen, mouth ajar. He had never even dreamed of reaching a transcendent level, much less a divine rank—but god-level? That was beyond even his wildest dreams.
As many things were in the world, one's awakened abilities were divided into various ranks. One's potential for growth was usually confined within these ranks, and only a small few managed to surpass the limitations of their ranks. In fact, this was one of the reasons individuals like Leo and Kent still had to undergo the first crucible, despite already awakening their abilities.
'Chaos Wielder, I've never heard of a chaos wielder.' Xaden thought. By the description, it sounded cool enough, just that he had never heard of anyone claiming to be a chaos wielder.
'Primordial chaos has chosen you to be its vessel. Do you accept?'
A screen tab appeared in front of him once again.
"Hell yeah!" He nearly screamed. Who the hell would say no?
The voice continued.
'You are the undoing of order, the breaker of every chain. Where you walk, nothing remains entirely whole.'
'The Threads of fate become you.'
[Awakened artefact unlocked.]
A wave of excitement washed over Xaden. Had he truly received an ancient artefact on top of receiving a god-level ability? Even in higher sectors where the kids train all their lives to defeat the crucibles, not all could boast of receiving an artefact. It was all too good to be true.
[Artefact: Ariadne's Thread]
'The ancient gods have seen and acknowledged you as their own, sending their blessings to go on and accumulate strength.'
[Divine acknowledgement received.]
[Authority over chaos: partially granted]
[Level 1 Chaos Wielder]
[Chaos Energy: 3/100]
Golden light shone around Xaden, coming together to form golden runes that spun around him as the deep voice continued. The words flowed through his soul, awakening something dormant inside of him. He felt it hum under his skin, washing over his tired spirit.
'You have unlocked your secret name.'
Secret names were one of the most important aspects of awakened abilities. They correspond with who you are both inside and out, the very sum of your being. A skilled individual who knew your secret name could be granted unlimited control over the person. Luckily, no one can know your name unless you tell them, or hear it from the person closest to you.
[Left, and abandoned in the world, you will defy every limitation of your birth. A sorrow-filled child. A strong-willed individual. A weapon of mass destruction... All correct, and yet none truly are.]
[Strange circumstances and peculiar events are destined to follow wherever you go, drawn towards you like a moth to a flame. A true harbinger of disharmony.]
[The Chaos Incarnate. The one who holds the helm.]
[Secret name: Born Of Ruin]
His secret name. Rather strange, really. But honestly, what had he expected? Born of ruin. It sounded rather tacky.
Nevertheless, he swore then and there that he would never tell anyone ever. Not even Leo. It was far too risky, especially now that his ability rank was revealed to be god-level.
Anything above the transcendental rank was absurdly rare. The only proof Xaden had that it even existed came from drunken Valeguard soldiers at Sue's tavern, rambling about what should've been classified information
Xaden didn't even notice when the golden light faded.
The runes dissolved slowly, one by one, like they had never truly existed. The warmth they left behind did not disappear with them. It settled somewhere deeper, somewhere beneath the exhaustion and the pain and the fear he had carried since stepping into the ruined city.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the voice returned.
'Evaluation incomplete.'
The words fell into the silence like a pebble dropped into still water.
Xaden frowned slightly. Incomplete? After everything he had just been through, after surviving the crucible, after being acknowledged by something that literally called itself ancient gods, the system was still not done with him?
The darkness in front of him rippled again. Another screen appeared. However, it wasn't the golden this time. Crimson letters formed slowly, one after another, almost like they were being carved into existence by an invisible finger.
[Aspect compatibility detected.]
Xaden's throat tightened.
"What now…?" he whispered hoarsely, even though he already knew the crucible scarcely cared about what he thought.
The black screen flickered once.
The words appeared.
[First Aspect granted: Psionic Abilities]
For a second, nothing happened.
Then the pain struck.
It wasn't physical. Not really. It felt like something had reached directly into his skull and pressed inward. His vision blurred instantly, stars bursting across the darkness as a sharp pressure built behind his eyes.
Xaden staggered back a step, grabbing his head with one hand. He held on for a moment more, and just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain stopped. It suddenly stopped.
Xaden opened his eyes.
'Aspect stabilized.'
[Compatibility: exceptional.]
'Phew.' Xaden sighed, releasing the tension he hadn't even known he'd been carrying.
The black screen shifted again. New words appeared beneath the others.
[Warning: fatal flaw detected.]
The crucible did not hesitate. The voice spoke.
Your strength increases in direct correlation with emotional loss.
Every advancement will demand detachment.
Every increase in power will reduce emotional stability.
Every step toward divinity will distance you further away from your humanity.
The darkness around him felt colder now, and he suddenly felt just how empty the endless space around him was.
For the first time since the crucible ended, Xaden didn't feel excitement. He didn't feel relief. He didn't even feel fear.
Just a quiet, sinking understanding.
The voice finished, as calm and merciless as ever.
[Fatal flaw identified: Emotional Attrition.]
A pause. Then the final line appeared.
[The stronger you become, the less you will feel.]