A New World to Shape
The cathedral was silent after Azrael's departure. Only the residual vibrations of their titanic clash bore testimony to the battle that had unfolded. Eren stood at the center of the hall, his right hand still trembling from the intensity of the newfound power. Lyssandra approached cautiously, her eyes scanning Eren with a mix of awe and apprehension.
"You survived," she murmured, her soft voice echoing in the void."Not just survived," Eren replied, his golden eyes glowing with an unnatural intensity. "I've become what Azrael could never be."
Lyssandra raised an eyebrow. "A bearer... or a savior?"Eren turned away, his gaze fixed on the looming darkness outside the cathedral. "That remains to be seen."
The System's Vision
As they left the sacred grounds, a System panel appeared before Eren.
New Main Quest: Restore the World's Balance.Objectives:
1. Destroy the Pillars of the Current Order (3/7 identified).
2. Confront the Divine Champions.
3. Reform or Eliminate the System itself.
Reward: Access to Omniscience.
Eren growled in frustration."The System is still playing its games. Even with this power, it manipulates me like a pawn."
Lyssandra crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Perhaps its very existence is tied to something greater. Perhaps... it chose you for reasons beyond our understanding."
Eren clenched his fists. "If I find out this System is just another tyrant in disguise, I'll destroy it."
A Return to the Past
The duo continued their journey, traversing desolate fields and abandoned villages. Every place bore the scars of a world in decline: barren lands, charred ruins, and desperate faces.
At one point, they reached a familiar crossroads. Moonlight illuminated the scene, revealing a dark forest on the horizon. The Forest of Nyx.
Lyssandra stopped abruptly. "We can't go through there. That forest... it will bring back your worst memories."
Eren shrugged. "I'm not afraid of my past. What broke me once will never break me again."
As they entered the cursed forest, Eren felt a familiar pressure, as if the place itself was trying to resurrect his worst nightmares. Shadowy faces appeared, and murmuring voices accused him:"Traitor... monster... forsaken..."
But this time, Eren didn't flinch. He stood tall, confronting them with icy resolve.
The Trial of Ghosts
As they advanced, a massive creature emerged from the darkness. A golem of wood and bone, its eyes glowing with a malevolent green light, blocked their path.
The System appeared again:
Mini-Quest: Defeat the Forest Guardian.Reward: Forgotten memory of a key event.
Lyssandra opened her grimoire, ready to cast spells. But Eren raised a hand."No. This one is mine."
The battle was intense. Each of the golem's strikes was an explosion of raw energy, but Eren, using his Stellar Blades, dodged with supernatural grace. As the fight progressed, he combined his physical prowess and magical skills, employing techniques perfected in the cathedral.
Finally, Eren plunged into the creature's core, destroying it with a precise strike. The golem crumbled to dust, and a vision flooded his mind.
The Secret Unveiled
In the vision, Eren relived his betrayal in the Forest of Nyx. But this time, he saw details he had never noticed before:
The hesitant looks of his former comrades.
Their whispers of uncertainty.
And most importantly, a shadowy figure manipulating their minds.
This figure wore a radiant mask, a chilling voice echoing:"Eren must die. His potential surpasses what the world can tolerate."
The vision ended abruptly. Eren opened his eyes, a mix of anger and determination burning within."It wasn't just betrayal. It was orchestrated."
Lyssandra, concerned, stepped closer. "What did you see?"Eren, his voice low and dangerous, replied, "The real enemy. And I'll find them."
Toward the Next Battle
The duo left the Forest of Nyx, but the atmosphere had changed. Eren was more determined than ever, and Lyssandra, though concerned, sensed that her companion would reach heights no other bearer had ever achieved.
A final panel appeared before him:New Side Quest: Identify the Masked Figure.Reward: Unlock Ultimate Ability.
Eren smirked, a blend of arrogance and cold fury in his expression."The game truly begins now."
To Be Continued...