"Stay back, everyone," Elizabeth ordered sharply.
In the grand hall, a statue of a goddess loomed tall, its features blurred with time, but its flowing robe still distinct. A bald priest in white robes stood before it, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze indifferent.
In front of him, a young man emerged from a massive egg-like cocoon, his blue eyes glowing. His well-built body was clad only in shorts, muscles sharp and defined.
Axel rushed into the hall, breathless. His eyes widened at the scene. "What the hell is happening?"
The priest barely turned his head. "Have you gained enlightenment?"
Matias stepped forward, his movements deliberate. He raised his hand, and a shadow formed, twisting unnaturally before solidifying. A metallic black spider materialized, surrounded by a dark aura. Its eight legs twitched, and its many eyes gleamed with an eerie intelligence.
The hall fell into stunned silence. Even the usually cold and emotionless Priest Damian let a rare glint of excitement flash across his face.
"HAHAHAHA!" Damian burst into laughter. "A wild spirit! Kid, do you know what you've just obtained? Wild spirits are as rare as war souls. And yours— a spider— is a multi-tasking specialist. But this one... it's different. It might have abilities no one has seen before."
The excitement in the air was thick. Even Axel had to admit—this was big.
Damian pulled out two books and handed them over to Matias and Axel. "Soul guides. Do not lose them. When you're ready, place your hand on the cover, recite the incantation, and it will reveal what you need to know."
Matias held the book carefully, but Axel, as always, just glanced at his, tucking it under his arm. "Sounds easy enough."
With that, the ceremony ended, and the crowd slowly dispersed. But Damian lingered, watching the two boys leave with something unreadable in his eyes.
As soon as they were out of sight, his expression darkened. He turned toward the far end of the hall, where a glowing magic circle shimmered. A portal opened, and out stepped a fat, middle-aged man in golden robes, a greasy smile stretching across his face.
"You did well, Damian," the man said, voice oozing with greed. "The church will be pleased. That boy is valuable. Once the other one goes through Ascension, we'll take them both."
Damian's jaw tightened. "No. Let them stay. If you take them too soon, they'll resist, and their potential will be wasted."
The fat man narrowed his eyes. "And what if they refuse to serve the church?"
A muscle in Damian's jaw twitched, but he kept his tone calm. "Then you'll have wasted something irreplaceable."
The fat man hesitated, then scoffed. "I'll think about it." And with that, he vanished back into the portal.
Damian exhaled sharply, his fists clenching. "It's time to leave. But where the hell do I go?"
---
Escape
Outside, the camp was filled with nervous energy.
Matias sat under a tree, flipping through the soul guide. Axel peered over his shoulder.
"See anything cool?" Axel asked.
Matias grinned. "Yeah. This book is something else. It's like my whole life written out in stats."
Inside the book, glowing letters displayed:
Name: Matias
Race: Human
Age: 18
Phase: Awakening
Level: 1
Soul Type: Wild Spirit – Shadow Weaver Spider
Matias read further. "Skills: Web Dominion, Venom Surge, Shadow Camouflage… damn, this is insane!"
Before they could celebrate, Elizabeth stormed in, her face tight with urgency.
"Everyone, pack your things. We leave. Now."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Eliza… what's going on?"
She exhaled, trying to keep her voice steady. "The church is after Matias. Damian is stalling, but we have to go before they make a move."
Matias went rigid.
Axel leaned back, rubbing his chin. "Well, shit."
Mat shook his head. "Of course, the moment I get something cool, it turns into a death sentence."
"Not if we move fast," Elizabeth snapped. "Get your things. No arguing."
No one dared to resist.
Seventeen children, led by three adventurers, boarded a large cart, their small possessions crammed inside. Axel and Matias rode separately with Elizabeth in a smaller cart.
As the city faded behind them, Axel couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
---
A Silent War
Back in the city, chaos erupted. The church—or what was left of it—lay in ruins, a massive crater swallowing half the holy ground. Smoke curled from the debris, and in the wreckage, a bloodied figure crawled forward, his face twisted in rage.
"You… you bastards..." he wheezed. "No one will save you now..."
Not far away, an old man stroked his beard, watching the destruction with amusement.
"Hahaha… Looks like someone finally dared to spit in the church's face. This is going to be interesting."
---
Days passed.
The group finally stopped near a river. The children played, but the tension hadn't left. The adventurers stood guard, watchful.
Axel was sharpening a knife when he felt it—an odd pull in his chest. He staggered slightly.
"Axel?" Elizabeth asked, concern in her voice.
"I... I think something is waking up inside me…" Axel muttered.
A second later, he collapsed. Mist swirled around him, forming a cocoon.
Matias and Elizabeth watched in shock.
"I'll keep watch," Matias said.
---
The next morning, the cocoon cracked open, and Axel stepped out.
His body had changed. Muscles more defined, eyes sharper—something raw and powerful was flowing through him.
Matias grinned. "Finally awake? What'd you get?"
Axel smirked. He raised his hand, and the Grim Skyth appeared.
A dark, massive blade, its jagged edge humming with a strange energy. The air around it seemed to twist. It wasn't just a weapon—it was alive.
"One Skyth to carve my path. A weight that humbles gods. A blade that rends the unworthy." Axel's voice carried an edge of satisfaction.
Matias stared. "You got a war soul?"
Axel swung the Skyth once. The very air vibrated with force.
"Looks that way," he said, his grin widening.
---
The Hunt Begins
Far away, high in the mountains, an old man stood on a lone tree, his eyes piercing through the sky.
"You have reached Ascension, which means you're now a Paladin," he muttered to himself. "No wonder you dared to challenge the church..."
Above him, a figure floated—a priest, cold and calculating.
"You followed me here?" the priest asked. "Are you ready to die?"
The old man smirked. "I would be, if that was the biggest problem today."
The priest frowned. A wave of power rippled through the air.
Somewhere, something massive stirred.
Deep in a forgotten abyss, a golden hazel eye cracked open.