In the beginning, before time as mortals knew it, there was only the Void—a boundless emptiness stretching endlessly in all directions. From this Void emerged twelve cosmic beings, each embodying a fundamental aspect of existence. They called themselves the Primordial Gods, the architects of creation and the essence of life, death, chaos, order, and all in between.

These gods—Anima (Life), Mortis (Death), Pandemonium (Chaos), Harmonia (Order), Lux (Light), Umbra (Darkness), Sophia (Wisdom), Bellum (War), Pax (Peace), Somnium (Dreams), Chronos (Time), and Moirai (Fate)—each held dominion over their aspect, giving shape and meaning to the universe. Together, they created worlds, filling the Void with stars, planets, and realms beyond mortal comprehension.

As eons passed, the gods found themselves isolated in their greatness. They had constructed everything, given birth to endless wonders, and watched worlds evolve and fade. But something was missing—a sense of purpose beyond mere creation. Even their most intricate designs followed a predictable course, and the universe, once thrilling, had become mundane.

In their longing for purpose, the gods conceived a new plan: they would introduce Rends, dimensional tears that would open at their will, releasing creatures from their own divine realms into the mortal world. These Rends would create conflict, uncertainty, and chaos, drawing mortals into battles against beings beyond their understanding. The gods would bestow Charisms—powerful abilities linked to their divine aspects—upon select humans to help them fight back. This would give mortals a fighting chance, all while allowing the gods to observe a thrilling new game of survival, courage, and unpredictability.

To ensure their experiment would be captivating, each god took special care in creating creatures for the Rends that reflected their own nature. Lux, the God of Light, crafted radiant beings that could blind and scorch. Mortis, the God of Death, unleashed specters and decaying creatures that spread rot and despair. Bellum, the God of War, forged monstrous warriors that thrived in conflict, Pandemonium, the God of Chaos, spawned ever-shifting abominations that defied understanding and so forth.

The gods eagerly awaited the humans' reactions, curious to see how they would fight, adapt, and overcome the odds. But simply creating conflict was not enough. The gods wanted heroes, champions who would rise from the chaos, wielding the powers they bestowed, embodying the will of each god. And so, they called these chosen warriors Eternals—mortals blessed with a single Charism, making them conduits for divine power. Each Eternal represented the essence of one god, acting as an avatar of their will within the mortal world.

Every Eternal has a personal reserve of energy called Aether, which fuels their Charism. Aether is a life force unique to each person, and it replenishes over time. The amount of Aether required to activate a Charism depends on its power and complexity. Aether is vital for using Charisms effectively, and overexerting it can lead to fatigue or even permanent physical harm.

As the Rends began to open, the gods watched from their ethereal realms, each reveling in their chosen champions' feats and failures. Life and Death observed the delicate balance of creation and destruction. Chaos and Order marveled at the dance of unpredictability and stability. The gods placed wagers, testing their Eternals in increasingly difficult challenges, granting them gifts or revoking their powers on a whim, all to keep their interest piqued.

Yet, despite the spectacle, the gods were not omniscient. They were so consumed with observing the Rends and the struggles of their chosen Eternals that they failed to sense an anomaly—a child born with the power to wield not just one Charism, but all twelve. Unbeknownst to the gods, this being, prophesied in the distant past as the True Eternal, had the potential to unify the powers of every god and end their game forever.

And that 'True Eternal' just so happened to be me-

-Primordial Gifts in the Apocalypse-

My name was Aries. Yeah, like the God of War. Ironic, right? Because in this world, I'm in a literal war against beings beyond comprehension, all thanks to the boredom of twelve cosmic creators.

I died in my sleep—murdered by my girlfriend of five years. Sad? Sure. But I'm kind of desensitized now. After that charming betrayal, I woke up reincarnated into this world as an 18-year-old named Tyros Celestorn.

Tyros—well, I stood at 6ft tall with short wavy black and white hair that contrasted sharply with my glowing golden eyes, set against my warm, rich light brown complexion. I wore a simple black athletic t-shirt, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes, combining a striking presence with a casual, grounded look.

When the Rends first opened, the creatures they released killed my parents. I didn't even get the chance to know them. The System filled me in on that grim backstory when I arrived.

Speaking of Rends, I'm on my way to the Ascendant Order to figure out my Charism. Charisms are abilities gifted by the Primordials to help humans survive these divine monstrosities.

The Ascendant Order tests the Charisms of newly awakened Eternals, recording the nature, strength, and limitations of each power. This information is stored in a secure archive known as the Vault of Manifestations, where records of every known Charism are kept. The Order's agents, known as Evaluators, possess advanced skills in detecting and measuring Charisms, as well as identifying potential risks or corruptions.

The Ascendant Order also acts as a regulatory force, stepping in if an Eternal's Charism grows unstable or threatens others. Some Eternals are vulnerable to corruption or even transformation when overusing or misusing their powers, and the Order's Wardens are responsible for intervening in these cases. Wardens are highly skilled and often wield Charisms of their own, granted by the Ascendant Order through mysterious means.

I took a temporary pause in my steps as I looked at the Ascendant Order building.

The Ascendant Order building loomed ahead like a gothic fortress. Its towering black spires stretched toward the heavens, adorned with crimson flags bearing the Order's golden emblem. Gems of various hues shimmered along its walls, casting faint rainbows across the surrounding plaza.

"Well, this is ominous.." I muttered, pausing to take it in. Few people were around—strange, given the chaos outside. Lucky for me.

Pushing open the heavy doors, I stepped inside and grinned. "Only three people in line? Today's my lucky day."

I joined the queue, watching the first person—a young man with black hair and green eyes—step forward. He placed his hand on the Aetherium Lens, a crystalline artifact etched with divine runes, designed to identify a person's Charism.

The Lens flared pale blue with accents of white. A glowing symbol resembling an open book with a key appeared.

"You have a Wisdom Charism!" the Evaluator announced with a broad smile.

The young man fist-pumped the air, unable to contain his excitement.

"Rank C: Mental Fortress. Increases resistance to mental manipulation and illusions, but… prolonged use could isolate you emotionally." the Evaluator warned, his tone softening. "That said, you have potential to unlock higher-ranked Charisms in the Wisdom domain. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, sir!" the young man said, bowing slightly before walking off, still grinning.

The next person in line, a striking woman with silver hair and red eyes, approached the Lens with measured grace. As her hand touched the device, it glowed deep violet and midnight black. A crescent moon partially obscured by clouds appeared.

"A Darkness Charism.." the Evaluator murmured, a flicker of surprise in his voice. "It's been a while since I've seen one of these."

The woman exhaled slowly, relief washing over her face.

"Rank A: Shadow Control. You can manipulate existing shadows to attack, defend, or trap enemies. And…" The Evaluator's voice brightened. "You have a God's Mark. Umbra herself has taken notice of you. Congratulations."

Her crimson eyes widened, then softened with a pleased smile. "Thank you."

As she walked away, the next person stepped up—a young man with disheveled black hair, dark circles under his blue eyes, and patches of black spreading across his skin.

Symptoms of the beginning of Overbinding. 

Each time an Eternal successfully closes a Rend, they gain an Essence Fragment from the Rend's core. These fragments can be absorbed to strengthen their Charism, enhancing its power or unlocking new techniques. However, taking too many fragments can lead to Overbinding, where they become so connected to their god's power that they begin to lose their own identity. Overbound Eternals, often called Corrupted, are considered highly dangerous and are hunted down by the Ascendant Order to prevent chaos.

The Evaluator frowned, his voice sharp. "Zairus. Overbinding again?"

Zairus laughed weakly, scratching the back of his neck. "W-what? No! I'm fine, boss!"

"Don't lie to me. You're halfway to corruption." The Evaluator pointed toward a side hall. "You know the protocol. Go."

Zairus opened his mouth to protest but was suddenly yanked away by an invisible force.

The Evaluator shook his head. "Some people never learn… Alright, next!"

It was my turn.

I stepped forward, placing my hand on the Aetherium Lens. The crystal flared, colors swirling chaotically. I waited, heart pounding. One second… two… five… The glow dimmed, and the words Unable to Identify Charism appeared.

The Evaluator raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's unusual. Follow me. We'll need the Sanctum Lens for this."

'I hope this is just a glitch or something. I would hate to have to work an office job in this world too..' I thought with a sigh as I followed the Evaluator.

We reached our destination. The Sanctum Lens chamber radiated power. A massive crystalline structure dominated the room, its surface etched with intricate runes glowing faintly in the dim light.

"Place your hand here." the Evaluator instructed, gesturing toward the base of the crystal.

I slightly hesitated briefly before pressing my palm against the cool surface.

The crystal came alive, bathing the room in a kaleidoscope of colors. I felt a strange pull, as though the Lens were delving into the very core of my being.

Minutes passed, the glow shifting wildly. The Evaluator exchanged uneasy glances with his assistant.

Finally, the light dimmed, and the Evaluator's face went pale. His assistant's jaw dropped.

"This…" The Evaluator's voice wavered. "This is impossible…"