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### Chapter 2: A Flicker Across Universes
Far beyond Earth's atmosphere, within the boundless void of the cosmos, something stirred. It wasn't a comet, nor a rogue asteroid—it was a light, golden and radiant, brighter than any star in the universe.
The light moved with purpose, weaving through the fabric of existence, searching. It passed through dimensions, breaching barriers imperceptible to the mortal eye. Then it stopped, hovering at the precipice of Universe 2653, as if considering its next move.
A voice, ancient and commanding, whispered into the void:
**[Calculating Worthiness...]**
For a moment, nothing.
Then the calculation began, digits cascading into eternity.
**[0.000000001%...]**
The silence was broken by a chime that resonated across galaxies, vibrating with an almost divine authority.
**[Candidate identified: Kade Alford. Criteria met. Activation imminent.]**
The golden light surged forward, faster than any force imaginable, breaching Universe 2653's barrier. It plunged toward Earth, its brilliance piercing through the planet's atmosphere. For a fleeting moment, the heavens above District Seven glowed as if ignited by a divine hand. Then, just as quickly, the light disappeared, vanishing into the shadows of the slums.
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### Military Point of View
Buried deep within the fortified command center of District Two, alarms blared. Red lights pulsed across the room, illuminating rows of monitors and frantic personnel.
General Kyle stood at the center of the chaos, his crisp white hair a stark contrast to the room's dim glow. He was a man of discipline, his every movement deliberate, his ice-blue eyes piercing.
"Status report," he demanded, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
An officer scrambled to his side, clutching a tablet. "Sir, we detected a massive energy spike in District Seven. It was... unlike anything we've ever seen."
Kyle's gaze flicked to the main monitor, which displayed a satellite feed of the event. A golden streak of light shot through the atmosphere, its brilliance so intense that the camera struggled to capture it.
The general's brows furrowed. "What am I looking at?"
The officer hesitated. "We... we don't know, sir. The object disappeared after entry. No impact site, no debris—just gone."
Kyle clenched his jaw. "Increase surveillance on District Seven. I want every anomaly, every irregularity flagged. Whatever this is, it didn't just vanish. Find it."
"Yes, sir!"
As the officer hurried away, Kyle's attention returned to the screen. The image of the golden light lingered in his mind, an enigma that defied explanation.
"It's not from this world," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
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### Kade's Point of View
Kade knelt on the cold floor of his dilapidated shelter, his heart racing. The glowing screen before him pulsed with light, its words etched into his mind.
**[Forgotten Warrior Activated.]**
The voice echoed in his head, low and resonant, like the toll of a distant bell. Before he could react, the world around him dissolved into darkness.
A sharp chill enveloped him, and for a moment, he felt weightless, suspended in the void. Then, the darkness shifted, giving way to a vivid scene.
Kade stood in the grand hall of a castle, its towering stone walls adorned with banners. The air was heavy with the scent of iron and ash.
His body felt different—stronger, more robust. He looked down and saw his reflection in the polished surface of the blade he held. He was older, his crimson hair streaked with gray. His armor was dented and scarred, bearing the marks of countless battles.
The sword in his hand was massive, nearly as tall as he was, its width perfect for blocking. It was a weapon that demanded immense strength and endurance to wield.
"Where am I?" Kade whispered, his voice deeper, rougher.
The memories came flooding back like a torrent.
This wasn't District Seven. This was the kingdom he had sworn to protect. He was a knight, a warrior renowned for his unmatched skill in battle. He had no time for elegance or finesse; his style was one of pure endurance, relying on his immense strength to overpower his enemies.
The hall was eerily silent. Bodies lay scattered across the floor, their lifeless eyes staring into the void. Blood pooled beneath them, its metallic scent mingling with the acrid smoke that filled the air.
At the far end of the room, atop a grand throne, sat the king. His regal robes were stained with blood, his crown tilted precariously on his head. His face twisted into a cruel smile as he gazed at Kade.
"My king," Kade—no, the warrior—spoke, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. "What have you done?"
The king chuckled, the sound cold and hollow. "What needed to be done," he replied, his tone devoid of remorse.
"You betrayed us," Kade said, his grip tightening on his sword. "You betrayed *me*."
The king stood, descending the steps of the throne with deliberate slowness. "And I would do it again," he said. "You were becoming too powerful, Kade. A blade like yours doesn't serve a kingdom. It serves itself."
Kade's mind reeled. He had fought for this kingdom, bled for it, given everything he had to protect it. And now, the very man he had sworn to serve had turned on him.
Memories surfaced—his wife, his children, their laughter echoing through the halls of their home. He saw their faces, felt their warmth, and then... nothing. Their lifeless bodies lay before him, slain by soldiers bearing the king's crest.
Pain erupted in his chest, raw and unrelenting.
"You took everything from me," Kade growled, his voice thick with emotion. "My family, my honor—my *life*."
The king smirked. "And yet, here you stand."
Kade let out a roar, charging forward with his sword raised. But before he could strike, the scene dissolved, leaving him once again in darkness.
---
The void around him was suffocating, pressing against him from all sides. Then, a voice spoke, soft and melodic.
"You are the Forgotten Warrior."
Kade turned, but there was no one there.
"You fought with unmatched strength, endured unimaginable pain, and yet you were cast aside, forgotten by the very people you swore to protect."
The memories burned in his mind, each one more vivid than the last. The battles, the betrayals, the loss—it was as if he had lived an entire lifetime in the span of moments.
"But you are not forgotten," the voice continued. "Your strength, your endurance, your pain—they are your legacy. And now, they are yours to reclaim."
A light appeared in the darkness, faint at first but growing brighter. Kade reached for it, his hand trembling.
As his fingers brushed the light, a surge of energy coursed through him, filling him with a power he had never known.
When he opened his eyes, he was back in his shelter. The glowing screen still hovered before him, its words sharp and clear.
**[Skill Acquired: Endurance Blade Technique - Level 1]**
**[System Integration: 1% Complete.]**
Kade stared at the screen, his breath coming in shallow gasps. His mind raced with questions, but one thought overshadowed them all:
My life will be more dramatic
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