"Before there were hunters and systems, there were chains—and those who dared to break them."
---
📍 Northern Outlands – Ruins of Galthan Hold
Wind howled through the shattered peaks.
Kael stood before what remained of Galthan Hold—an ancient fortress devoured by time and shadow. Stone pillars leaned inward, as if pulled by something deep below.
> [System Alert: Forgotten Zone – No Mapping Available]
[Danger Level: Unknown]
[First Chain Resonance: Active]
He took a step forward, shadow magic pulsing with each breath.
Behind him, Syl and Myrla kept pace.
"You really think this place holds answers?" Syl asked.
Kael didn't look back. "It called to me."
---
📍 Below the Surface – The Chain Crypt
Descending into darkness, the trio passed murals carved into stone—each depicting enormous figures wielding chains of light and shadow, binding stars and tearing open skies.
Myrla ran her hand along the carvings.
"These aren't myths," she whispered. "This is pre-system history."
Kael paused before a final mural.
It showed a lone figure—hooded, cloaked in black fire—standing before five titanic beings, chains wrapped around his arms, broken.
> "The First Shadowbearer," Kael muttered.
> [New Lore Unlocked: Origin of the Chainbearers]
– Long before the portals, the Arcontes ruled as gods.
– One rebelled. A mortal who defied the system's design.
– He bore the first living shadow… and shattered a link.
Kael's pulse quickened.
Could this forgotten warrior… be tied to his bloodline?
---
📍 Elsewhere – Mirror Nexus (Vel'Zhara's Domain)
Vel'Zhara watched Kael through a glass pool that shimmered with memory.
She hummed softly, fingers weaving a thread of illusion into the air.
"He has found the first trail," she whispered. "But he does not yet see the truth."
Behind her, three shadowed figures emerged—other Arcontes, drawn by Kael's awakening.
> Arconte #2: Mal'Torak – The Binder of Fates
– A withered being, eyes stitched shut.
– Manipulates destiny threads and can alter probability.
– Carries a harp of bone whose notes can erase memories.
> Arconte #3: Veylsha – The Crimson Dusk
– A towering woman draped in blood-soaked robes.
– Her breath burns worlds; her gaze turns mana to ash.
– She rides a beast formed from lost timelines.
Xal'tor appeared beside them, silent.
Vel'Zhara turned.
"The chainbearer remembers too quickly."
"Let him," Xal'tor replied. "When he reaches the end, he'll either join us…"
"…or burn."
---
📍 Back in Galthan – Crypt Core
Kael reached the altar at the heart of the ruin.
A chain floated above it—fractured, glowing faintly.
He reached out.
> [You are linked to the First Bearer]
[Dormant Ability Awakening: Shadow Chain – Origin Thread]
[Warning: This will alter your class path permanently]
He didn't hesitate.
> [Accept – Confirmed]
The chain surged into him—pain, light, shadow, fire.
Kael screamed.
The system exploded with alerts.
> [Class Path Updated: Shadow Executor ➤ Chainbreaker of the Void]
[Passive Ability Unlocked: Chain Resonance – Tier I]
[Your presence will now attract Arcontes within global radius]
He collapsed.
Syl caught him.
Myrla checked his vitals. "He's alive… but something's different."
Kael opened his eyes.
They burned violet.
"I remember... fragments. A war they tried to erase."
---
📍 Final Scene – Unknown Chamber
Deep in a sealed vault elsewhere in the world…
A pair of eyes opened.
Old. Burning.
A chained voice whispered:
> "The successor has awakened."
And a massive, rusted gate began to tremble.
---
📌 *Next Chapter: Chapter 28 – Vel'Zhara's Game