The ground pulsed again—like the forest had a heartbeat.
Kael was already up, scanning the shadows outside the ruined walls.
Lira checked her vials. "We don't have enough to fight it again. That last potion took years to brew."
Kael's jaw clenched. "Then we find a way to break its anchor."
She raised an eyebrow. "You know how to sever a Wraith-bound curse?"
Kael shook his head. "No. But the System might."
He focused.
> System Query: Locate Wraith anchor.
> Analyzing regional aether flow… Result: Anchor located beneath central courtyard. Object class: Burial Sigil. Origin: Ancient Rite of Ascension. Warning: Tampering may awaken dormant spirits.
Kael relayed the information. Lira stared at the courtyard, then back at him.
"You're suggesting we dig up a cursed object. While being hunted by something that can phase through walls."
"Pretty much."
"…I hate this plan."
They moved quickly.
Kael grabbed a rusted shovel from one of the collapsed sheds. Lira swept the courtyard with her foot until she hit stone—a carved square slab, partially buried in dead leaves.
Together, they dug.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became. The mist thickened until it felt like breathing fog.
Then Kael hit something solid.
A circle of obsidian—etched with golden runes, pulsing like a heartbeat. Beneath it, the earth was cracked and blackened.
Lira knelt beside him. "This is old. Older than the Empire. I've only ever seen this design once—in the Grand Library vault."
Kael touched the stone.
> Interaction detected. Burial Sigil resonance activated. Do you wish to absorb anchor power? Warning: Absorbing this relic will increase Corruption by +10%.
Lira's eyes widened. "No. Don't touch it."
Kael didn't answer.
The Wraith screamed again—closer.
Lira stood up, dagger drawn.
Kael stared at the System message.
> If I don't take it, the Wraith keeps coming. If I do… I lose more of myself.
He made his choice.
"Do it."
The sigil flared.
Golden light exploded from the ground, carving symbols into the air. Kael screamed as energy surged into his body—ancient, furious, not meant for human flesh.
His veins turned black for a moment.
Then it was over.
> Burial Sigil absorbed. New spell unlocked: "Eclipse Brand." Type: Dominion. Effect: Mark a cursed entity, suppressing soul presence for 30 seconds. Corruption: 16%
Kael gasped, falling to his knees.
Lira was already pulling him up. "It's coming—move!"
The Wraith burst into the courtyard like a tidal wave of mist. Its masked face twisted in silent fury.
Kael's eyes glowed faint gold.
He raised a hand, fingers crackling.
"Eclipse Brand."
A burning sigil appeared in the air, then shot forward—slamming into the Wraith's chest.
Silence.
The creature froze. Its form flickered—fading, glitching like a broken spell.
It staggered back.
For the first time, Kael saw fear in its movements.
Lira's voice was tight. "Now!"
Kael didn't wait. He ran forward and, with both hands, shoved the Burial Sigil back into the ground—burning it with the System's energy.
CRACK.
The stone split.
The Wraith screamed one final time, then shattered into mist.
Silence fell.
The mist slowly lifted. The pressure in the air faded. Birds chirped for the first time.
Kael slumped against a wall, chest heaving.
Lira dropped beside him, hands shaking.
"You're insane," she muttered. "Absolutely. Insane."
He gave a weak grin. "Told you I was royalty."
She didn't laugh.
She just stared at him.
"Kael… You've used too much forbidden power. You're already halfway to becoming something else."
"I know."
She looked away.
Then she whispered, "What happens when you hit 100%?"
Kael didn't answer.
Because the truth was—he didn't know.
But the System did.
> Projected result at 100% Corruption: Host transformation into Entity Class: Wraithborne. Warning: Human soul will be overwritten. Autonomy lost.
Kael closed his eyes.
He had power now. But it was eating him alive.
He opened them again—and looked at Lira.
She was already moving. Repacking her gear. Avoiding his gaze.
Kael stood, slow and steady.
This wasn't over. The Wraith was just the first gatekeeper. Someone—something—had locked that Burial Sigil down for a reason.
And if he wanted real answers...
He had to find out who buried the king.