Chapter 14: Unveiling Ascension
The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over the clearing where Ren had taken Kairos for further training. The air was still and quiet, but Kairos' mind was racing. His recent meditation had revealed more about his Essence, but it also left him with more questions. The system had been guiding him, but something felt off—something about its nature that he couldn't quite place.
Ren circled him as Kairos practiced his stances, his sword sheathed. Each movement was fluid, precise, but there was an underlying tension Kairos couldn't shake.
"You're distracted," Ren said, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Kairos paused mid-strike and glanced at Ren. "It's this… system," he admitted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "The way it tracks my stats, my progress. It feels unnatural."
Ren's eyes flickered with something unreadable, but his tone remained neutral. "Unnatural? How so?"
Kairos shook his head. "I mean, don't you see it? My strength, my speed—it's all laid out before me like a list, like some kind of game. But when I've fought others, it doesn't seem like they're bound by the same rules."
Ren was silent for a moment, and then, to Kairos' surprise, he smiled—a small, knowing smile. "That's because they're not."
Kairos froze. "What do you mean?"
Ren stopped pacing and faced Kairos directly. "The system you've been using—it's unique to you. It's not something everyone has access to. But we know of it."
Kairos blinked, confusion and suspicion swirling inside him. "You know about it? But if others can't use it, how do you know it exists?"
"Because it's ancient," Ren replied. "A remnant of a forgotten power. You've been chosen by it, whether you realize it or not."
Kairos stared at him, his mind racing. "Chosen? By what?"
Ren exhaled slowly. "That's something even I can't fully explain. The system has its own will, its own design. But understand this: while it gives you an advantage, it is also watching you."
A chill ran down Kairos' spine. Watching him? For what purpose?
Zira, who had been sitting nearby, finally spoke up. "We don't talk about it much, but there are legends. Legends of a power that watches over certain individuals—guiding them, pushing them toward… something."
Ren glanced at her, then back at Kairos. "But the system isn't the only way to gain power in this world. There's another path. One that's more dangerous, but also more rewarding."
Kairos frowned. "Another path?"
Ren nodded. "The path of Ascension."
Kairos felt the weight of Ren's words, the intensity in his gaze. This was no casual mention; this was something more. Something important.
"Ascension?" Kairos repeated, the word unfamiliar but charged with meaning.
Ren folded his arms, his tone growing more serious. "In this world, there are beings who surpass the normal limits of strength, spirit, and endurance. Those who achieve this enter the realm of Ascension—a state where they transcend their mortal limitations."
Kairos leaned forward, hanging on Ren's every word.
"The Ascension Stages are divided into seven," Ren continued, his voice carrying the weight of ancient knowledge. "Each stage represents a different level of mastery, a step closer to true power. But each stage comes with its own trials, its own dangers."
He began listing them out, one by one.
The Seven Stages of Ascension
Foundation Stage – The beginning of the path, where one must lay the groundwork for their ascension. It's about mastering the basics of Essence and Spirit, forging the strength of body and mind to withstand the trials ahead.
Soul Awakening – In this stage, the soul is awakened, allowing the Ascendant to tap into a deeper source of energy. Their connection to the world around them grows, and their Spirit Power begins to resonate with nature itself.
Skybound– At this stage, an Ascendant gains the ability to manipulate the very Essence of the skies. They gain mastery over the elements of air and wind, allowing them to influence the battlefield in new and powerful ways.
Earthshaker– This stage is tied to the mastery of the land. An Ascendant can draw strength from the ground beneath their feet, using their Essence to control earth and stone, making them immovable and unbreakable.
Celestial Convergence – Here, an Ascendant begins to blend their Essence with the stars themselves. They gain a limited understanding of celestial forces, allowing them to draw power from constellations and heavenly bodies.
Voidwalker - At this stage, the Ascendant is no longer bound to the physical world alone. They gain the ability to step between realities, to walk through the void between worlds. Few ever reach this stage, and fewer still survive its trials.
Transcendence – The final stage, where the Ascendant becomes more than human, more than mortal. They transcend the limitations of their physical form and become beings of pure energy and Essence. Only legends speak of those who have reached this stage, and their names are whispered as gods.
Kairos stood in stunned silence, absorbing the magnitude of what Ren had just shared. Seven stages, each more powerful and dangerous than the last. This was a path unlike anything the system had shown him.
"You're telling me that there are people who have reached these stages?" Kairos asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Ren nodded. "Yes. But very few. And those who do are often changed forever—some for the better, some for the worse."
Kairos clenched his fists. "And you…? What stage are you at?"
Ren gave him a faint smile. "I'm still walking the path, just like you. But I've reached the Soul Awakening stage."
The revelation hit Kairos hard. Ren was further along than he had ever imagined, and yet he spoke of the higher stages as if they were distant dreams. The path of Ascension was no small thing—it was a lifelong journey, one that required sacrifice and determination.
Kairos' thoughts drifted back to the system. It had given him power, yes, but it felt… incomplete. Like it wasn't the whole story. Now, with the Ascension Stages laid out before him, he realized that the system was just one tool among many. The real challenge was mastering his Essence and walking the path of Ascension.
"So," Kairos said slowly, "if I want to grow stronger, I need to start walking this path. The path of Ascension."
Ren's smile widened. "That's right. But remember, the system is both a blessing and a curse. It will guide you, but it will also demand things of you. If you rely on it too much, you may never reach your full potential."
Kairos nodded, his resolve hardening. "I understand."
Zira stood up, her gaze softening as she looked at him. "You're already on the right track, Kairos. But the real journey is just beginning."
Kairos looked at them both, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie. They knew things about this world, about the system, that he had only just begun to uncover. But he wasn't alone in this.
He took a deep breath, the weight of the world settling on his shoulders, and he welcomed it.