Kael stood frozen, heart racing, as he watched the expressions on the faces of The Veil members shift from suspicion to intrigue. The revelation that he had been marked by the Abyss sent shivers down his spine. He had expected blades drawn and an onslaught of questions. Instead, Evans reached into his cloak and produced a small crystal orb that pulsed with an ethereal light.
"Wait—what are you doing?" Kael asked, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for the worst.
"Trust me," Evans replied, his tone reassuring. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the orb. It shimmered and grew brighter until it enveloped them all in a blinding light.
When the light faded, they stood in a vast white space, the air crisp and filled with an otherworldly energy. Kael blinked, disoriented. He looked at Varin, who wore a similar expression of bewilderment.
"Welcome to the core of Eternal Aethlar City ," Evans said, his voice echoing around them.
Kael opened his mouth to respond, but before he could find the words, a figure materialized before them. The being appeared human, with ash-blonde hair that glimmered like sunlight filtering through leaves. A warm smile spread across his face, radiating calm.
"You've come, Kael Relan," the figure said, his voice smooth and melodic.
Kael furrowed his brow, confusion coursing through him. "You know me?"
"Of course," the figure replied, stepping closer. "I know all of the Reborns. I am Arthur, the Eternal Dimenshaper. I am the one who bridges your world and the realm of Erendath."
"Wait. Arthur? Don't tell me you're THE Arthur—the Creative Director of Ascension Corp?" Varin exclaimed, shock lacing his voice. Kael turned to Varin, surprised by his mentor's familiarity with this being.
"Yes. In the flesh," Arthur replied with a playful grin. "But no, Kael, the people at Ascension Corp are not The Eternals. It's just me. And we don't create the games." A sudden sorrow crossed his features, as if haunted by memories of a long-lost past.
Kael's mind raced. "What do you mean? You're saying—"
Arthur held up a hand. "Let me explain. I am now the guardian of Aethlar's Eternal City after Aethlar's passing, along with Sylvan. Each Eternal City has two Eternals guarding its core. I can exist simultaneously in Erendath and Earth due to my abilities."
Before Kael could respond, Arthur's gaze shifted to Varin. The warmth of the space seemed to dim slightly as he focused on Varin's presence. "Your Rebirth Core is damaged," he stated matter-of-factly.
Varin straightened, surprise and apprehension crossing his face. "Can it be fixed?"
Arthur nodded, his expression resolute. He reached out, summoning Varin's guide, Sion. The shimmering figure of Sion appeared, bowing deeply as it recognized Arthur's authority.
"Arthur?" Sion questioned, its voice a melodic echo in the white space.
"Stand by, Sion," Arthur commanded gently. He placed his hand on Sion's head, and a brilliant glow emanated from their connection.
Kael watched in awe as Varin's face illuminated with hope, his eyes gleaming. A notification alert rang out in Varin's mind, and he read the details aloud, each requirement echoing like the tolling of a great bell:
Collect Rebirth Gem 5
Collect 10,000 Dark Essences
Collect Eternal Aethlar Essence
Bath in Eternal Lifebringer Light Essence
Meet the Eternal of Creation and Rebirth to forge a new Rebirth Core.
Varin's breath caught, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in his eyes. "This—this is incredible!"
But Arthur's expression turned serious. "However, your lifespan is nearing its end," he stated, gaze penetrating. Varin's face paled as the truth sank in.
"I didn't want you to worry, Kael," Varin admitted, a hint of regret lacing his words. "I wanted you focused on growing stronger to protect Erendath."
Shock coursed through Kael, mingling with anger and hurt. "You've kept this from me? All this time?"
Arthur intervened, placing a hand on Varin's shoulder, "He did so to guide you. But we cannot hide the truth any longer. You are vital, Kael."
Varin, his voice soft, added, "You're the most important piece of the puzzle—not just to protect but also to cure Erendath. Your Rebirth Core is unique, special."
Kael's heart raced at the weight of the words.
"Your Rebirth Core is the origin of all Rebirth Cores," Arthur explained. "It awakened the soul of the creator of Ascension—Ethan Soren."
Gasps filled the space as the gravity of Arthur's statement settled in. Even the members of The Veil seemed taken aback.
Kael felt as if the ground had dropped out from under him. "Wait, what? So the guide I've been calling just 'the guide' is actually—?"
"Ethan, yes," Arthur confirmed, his tone firm. "All the Reborns in Erendath possess a copy of the child core of the Rebirth Core. When they arrive, their will is matched with the system to determine compatibility. You, however, possess 100% compatibility, which granted you the main Rebirth Core and awakened Ethan's soul within."
Kael felt a swell of disbelief, awe battling confusion in his mind. He had been chosen, marked for something far beyond his understanding.
"Why were we created?" Kael blurted, a question clawing at his mind.
Arthur's smile faded, replaced with solemnity. "To prepare for the worst. Once Erendath falls, the Abyss will invade Earth. The Abyss is a virus, capable of corrupting worlds."
A silence enveloped them, thick and suffocating.
Arthur stepped closer, his presence commanding yet comforting. "Your Rebirth Core holds the key to not only your growth but the survival of Erendath and your previous world --Earth. It contains the source of the Eternal energy that fuels the protective barriers of the cities. It is powerful enough to heal, to protect, and ultimately, to confront the Abyss."
Varin chimed in, his voice steady. "Kael you have to remember. The Rebirth Core is a part of you. It's connected to your very essence, your will. You must learn to wield it, to understand its depths, if you are to face the challenges ahead."
"But what about the others?" Kael questioned, his brows knitting together. "Can they also access this power?"
Arthur shook his head, his expression grave. "The others have been gifted the mirror version of your Rebirth Core. They are bound by limitations; their potential is lesser. They can still wield great power, but they cannot hope to match the true core's capabilities."
Kael clenched his fists, frustration rising within him. "Then why me? Why did I get chosen?"
"Perhaps," Arthur mused, "it is because you have the heart to carry such a burden. Your spirit is unyielding, your determination palpable. You've already faced darkness and emerged stronger. That resilience is what we need."
Kael's mind swirled with the gravity of the moment. Just then, Tiara, a member of The Veil, a woman with red hair and piercing green eyes, stepped forward. "There's more, Kael," she said. "We were told of The One—you—who could be the savior of Erendath."
The weight of her words pressed down on him. "How do you know that?"
"It's simple, really," she continued, her voice calm. "Every Reborn knows another Reborn. It resonates with their Rebirth Cores. It's an instinctive connection. But with you, it was different. It's more of dominance and reverence. We instantly knew that you're must be The One."
Kael's brow furrowed in confusion. "So, you knew I was a Reborn? Why didn't you invite Varin?"
They exchanged glances, and Evans replied, "Varin's Rebirth Core is damaged. He's not strong enough to sense us or the truth of his own existence as a Reborn. Also he hasn't reached that level yet. That's why you also didn't notice us."
Varin's expression darkened as he absorbed their words, understanding the implications. "And you all…you reside within the Abyss Rift?"
"Yes," the Tiara confirmed. "We are all who have reached mastery of our Rebirth Cores. Varin, you are stucked at Rebirth Core Mastery Level 8. Every mastery level unlocks after ten levels. We, on the other hand, are all at Level 100 with Level 10 mastery. We are the closest to being Eternal ourselves, able to withstand the Abyss's corruption."
Kael's heart raced. "Then what does that make me? If I'm still at Level 2 with my core…"
Arthur interjected, his voice firm. "Your Rebirth Core is special, Kael. You have the main Rebirth Core at your disposal. You may have just begun your journey, but you possess the potential to reach their level—and beyond faster. You are destined for greatness."
Kael's breath hitched, the weight of impending doom crashing down upon him. The implications were staggering. The fate of two worlds rested on his shoulders, and he barely understood the power he wielded.