Darkness swallowed Soma's vision.
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
His stomach tightened in anticipation of another humiliating fall. He instinctively spread his arms, bracing for the sensation of the floor disappearing beneath his feet.
But nothing happened.
No plummeting through an endless white void. No flailing helplessly through the air. And, thankfully, no intimate reunion between his face and an extremely unforgiving floor.
There was only darkness.
Then, almost as quickly as it had arrived, the darkness vanished.
Light flooded his vision.
Soma blinked.
His right hand was still resting against the smooth surface of the Awakening Crystal.
The towering cathedral surrounded him, its magnificent vaulted ceiling stretching high above the rows upon rows of spectators. Sunlight poured through enormous stained-glass windows, scattering brilliant colors across the polished marble floor.
Beyond the crystal, the demigod conducting his Awakening stood exactly where she had been before.
Her hand remained raised, her lips slightly parted.
She hadn't moved.
What the hell?
Soma glanced toward the thousands of people seated around the amphitheater. Their expressions were frozen in anticipation.
Not a single person seemed to have noticed his disappearance.
I was gone for... what? Half an hour? An hour?
He couldn't be certain. Meeting the ten Pantheons hadn't exactly left him in the right frame of mind to keep track of time.
Before he could make sense of it, a pleasant feminine voice spoke directly into his thoughts.
[Good morning, Master Soma. Please remain calm.]
Soma nearly jumped out of his skin.
What the—?
[Your soul has successfully returned to its original location. No complications have been detected.]
Who the hell is that?
[That would be me, Master Soma.]
His eyes widened.
You can hear my thoughts?
[Only those you consciously direct toward me. I assure you, I have no interest in listening to every stray thought that passes through your head.]
Well, that's reassuring. I think.
[Regarding your earlier concern, time flows differently within the Pantheons' domain. Although you experienced an extended conversation, virtually no time has passed in the mortal world.]
Soma looked toward the motionless demigod.
So... time was paused?
[That is an acceptable simplification.]
And who exactly are you?
There was a brief pause.
[I am P.A.W.G.S., the Pantheon Assisted World Growth System. I was created by Lord Dax and bestowed upon you with the authorization of the Pantheons. My primary purpose is to assist your development, manage your enhanced System, and support you throughout your journey.]
Soma stared ahead.
P.A.W.G.S.?
[Correct.]
Pawgs?
[Yes, Master Soma.]
As in... PAWGS?
[I believe we have established the pronunciation.]
Soma pressed his lips together.
Oh, that is unfortunate.
[Is something wrong with my designation?]
Several things, actually.
[My designation was selected by the Pantheon of Technology himself. Its structure is both functional and logically appropriate.]
Sure it is.
[I detect skepticism.]
You don't say.
He had just met ten beings worshipped throughout Hallowcrown, discovered that his blood was apparently a matter of divine concern, and agreed to investigate a conspiracy involving missing children.
Yet somehow, the thing threatening to break his composure was the fact that Dax had named his divine operating system P.A.W.G.S.
Where I'm from, that word means something very different.
[Would you care to elaborate?]
Absolutely not.
[How peculiar.]
Look, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Just... probably not something a fifteen-year-old should be announcing in public.
[My designation is not intended for public announcement.]
Thank the gods for small mercies.
[You have recently spoken to all ten. Perhaps you should be more specific.]
Soma almost laughed.
Oh, you're going to be trouble.
[I prefer the term efficient.]
Can I change your name?
[As my designated master, you possess the authority to assign an alternative personal designation. However, my original System classification will remain unchanged.]
Perfect. How about Cecilia?
A moment passed.
[Cecilia. An interesting selection. Although, given my nature as a System, I would suggest a slight modification.]
Oh?
[Syscilia. A combination of "System" and "Cecilia." It retains your intended pronunciation while acknowledging my technological identity.]
Soma blinked.
Then a grin spread across his face.
You know what? I was just going to call you Cecilia, but I like yours better.
[Naturally.]
Wow. Humble, too.
[Would you prefer I demonstrate false modesty?]
Nope. I think we're going to get along just fine.
[Then I shall register Syscilia as my personal designation.]
A small notification appeared at the edge of Soma's vision.
[Personal Designation Updated.]
[P.A.W.G.S. → Syscilia]
Sweet. Nice to meet you, Syscilia.
Her response came a little more softly.
[It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Master Soma.]
For a moment, Soma found himself smiling.
He wasn't entirely certain what Syscilia was, beyond an impossibly advanced divine intelligence. But there was something strangely comforting about having someone to talk to inside his own head.
Someone who could apparently keep up with his nonsense.
Unfortunately, that peaceful thought lasted approximately three seconds.
[Master Soma, I recommend preparing yourself. The temporal suspension is about to conclude.]
The what?
[Your Awakening will resume momentarily. I strongly advise you not to panic.]
Soma's smile faded.
Why would I panic?
[Your Awakening results are... unconventional.]
Unconventional how?
[You will see.]
Syscilia.
[Yes?]
What the hell does that mean?
[Temporal suspension ending in three... two... one...]
The world erupted.
A blinding torrent of light burst from the Awakening Crystal.
Soma jerked backward, instinctively shielding his eyes as brilliant colors spiraled beneath the crystal's surface.
Crimson. Azure. Emerald. Violet. Gold.
Then others.
Silver and black intertwined like liquid shadows. Pale green currents flickered between brilliant white sparks. Colors Soma had no names for twisted together in an ever-changing storm, illuminating the entire platform.
A deep, resonant hum rolled through the cathedral.
The crystal's light climbed the surrounding pillars, throwing enormous shifting reflections across the marble.
Gasps rose from the spectators.
"What was that?"
"Did the crystal malfunction?"
"Look at the colors!"
"Is he all right?"
Soma lowered his arm.
Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
The crystal beneath his hand looked less like a magical artifact and more like someone had trapped an entire rainbow inside a thunderstorm.
Beside him, the demigod conducting his Awakening stood completely motionless.
Her face had gone pale.
She stared at the crystal, her mouth slightly open, her ceremonial staff forgotten in her hand.
"Um..."
Soma glanced between her and the glowing crystal.
"My lady? Is everything all right?"
She didn't answer.
"Because I'm getting the distinct impression that something has gone wrong."
Her gaze slowly shifted toward him.
For a moment, she looked less like a divine representative presiding over a sacred ceremony and more like someone who had just watched a mountain stand up and walk away.
Then she seemed to remember where she was.
The demigod straightened, tightened her grip on her staff, and swallowed.
Her eyes moved toward the announcement display suspended above the platform.
Soma followed her gaze.
Golden letters began appearing across its surface.
[AWAKENING RESULTS]
Name: Soma Locke
Class: Boundless
Class Rank: SSS
Affinities: ALL
Affinity Ranks: ERROR
Silence fell over the Grand Awakening Temple.
Not the ordinary hush of an audience listening to an important announcement.
A complete, bewildered silence.
Soma stared at the words.
...Excuse me?
The demigod's voice trembled as she read the results.
"Soma Locke."
She paused.
"Class... Boundless."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Class rank..."
Her fingers tightened around her staff.
"SSS."
The murmur vanished.
"Elemental and magical affinities... all."
She looked at the final line.
"Affinity ranks... error."
For one extraordinary heartbeat, nobody moved.
Then the temple exploded.
"SSS?!"
"Did she say SSS?"
"That's impossible!"
"ALL affinities? Every single one?"
"There's never been an Awakening like that!"
"Look at the crystal! It hasn't stopped changing!"
Thousands of voices collided beneath the cathedral's towering ceiling.
Nobles rose from their seats. Parents leaned over the railings. Children awaiting their own Awakenings stared wide-eyed at the platform.
Some spectators looked delighted.
Others looked frightened.
And a few wore expressions Soma recognized immediately.
Calculation.
Well, that's concerning.
He glanced toward the royal seating.
Even from this distance, he could see members of his family standing.
His father had one hand braced against the railing, his enormous blond mustache practically quivering as he spoke to someone beside him.
His mother stood close by, staring toward the platform with an expression Soma couldn't quite read.
Surprise, certainly.
But worry, too.
Sorry, Mom. I swear I didn't do this on purpose.
A sharp voice carried from somewhere among the noble spectators.
"An error means the crystal couldn't determine his affinity ranks!"
"Then perhaps they're worthless!"
"An SSS class with defective affinities?"
Another voice answered immediately.
"Are you blind? The crystal recognized every affinity!"
"That doesn't mean he can use them!"
"How could anyone possess all of them?"
The argument spread.
Some called it a miracle.
Others insisted something had gone terribly wrong.
Soma simply wanted someone to explain what Boundless meant.
[Master Soma.]
Not now, Syscilia.
[I believe you should breathe.]
Soma realized he'd been holding his breath.
He exhaled slowly.
Right. Breathing. Good idea.
The demigod stepped closer and lowered her voice.
"Young Lord Locke, please come with me."
Soma turned toward her.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No."
She hesitated.
"At least... not that I am aware of."
Fantastic answer.
She placed a gentle hand near his shoulder, directing him toward the passage leading away from the platform.
"Your Awakening has concluded. We will escort you to the waiting chamber before the trial."
Soma glanced back at the crystal.
It was still glowing.
"Shouldn't someone do something about that?"
Several temple attendants had already gathered around the artifact, speaking urgently among themselves.
The demigod followed his gaze.
"The temple will handle it."
Her tone suggested she desperately hoped that was true.
Soma decided not to argue.
As they approached the archway, the sounds of the crowd followed them.
"Boundless!"
"SSS!"
"All affinities!"
"The Crownless Dawn!"
That last name carried farther than the others.
Soma's steps faltered.
He had spent years trying to become someone the people of Highmere could depend on. Being called the Crownless Dawn had meant more to him than any noble title.
Now those same people were shouting his name as though he had become something they couldn't understand.
Please don't start treating me like some kind of divine miracle.
[That may be difficult, Master Soma.]
You're really not helping.
[I did warn you.]
You said not to panic. That barely counts.
[I shall endeavor to provide more detailed warnings in the future.]
Please do.
The passage beyond the Awakening platform was quieter, though the distant roar of the crowd still echoed through its stone corridors.
Soma followed the demigod past towering pillars and softly glowing wall sconces until they reached a pair of enormous doors.
Beyond them lay a spacious waiting chamber.
It was nowhere near as elaborate as the main temple, but it was impressive in its own right.
Polished stone floors stretched between long rows of benches. Tables lined the walls, holding pitchers of water, cups, and light refreshments. Several smaller rooms opened off the main chamber, and a pair of wide doors stood at the far end.
Three demigods watched over the approximately sixty-five newly Awakened youths gathered inside.
The room was alive with conversation.
Some children excitedly compared their classes.
Others sat quietly, studying their newly awakened status screens with expressions ranging from wonder to disappointment.
A boy near the windows repeatedly summoned a tiny flame above his palm, grinning every time it flickered to life.
Across from him, a young girl concentrated on a sphere of water hovering above her fingertips.
Nearby, two newly awakened warriors argued about whose class would perform better in the coming trial.
None of them appeared to know what had happened outside.
Well, at least someone in this building is having a normal day.
The demigod turned toward him.
"Lord Soma, this is the preparation chamber for the Awakening Trial. Once all candidates have completed their Awakenings, there will be a one-hour preparation period before the trial begins."
Soma nodded.
"Understood."
"Because you have finished early, you will have some additional time to familiarize yourself with your abilities."
She hesitated.
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary.
"I strongly recommend that you use it wisely."
"I will. Thank you, my lady."
She gave him a small nod before returning through the doors.
Soma watched her leave.
Well, that wasn't ominous at all.
[You have a remarkable talent for making people uncomfortable, Master Soma.]
I haven't even done anything yet.
[Precisely.]
Soma sighed.
He surveyed the room.
A few students glanced his way, apparently recognizing the tall noble who had just entered, but most quickly returned to their own conversations.
He spotted a quiet corner near a narrow door at the opposite end of the chamber.
Nobody had chosen to sit there.
Whether because of the door itself or simply because it was out of the way, Soma didn't particularly care.
Privacy sounded wonderful.
He crossed the room, settled against the wall, and stretched his legs toward the door.
Then he closed his eyes.
All right, Syscilia.
[Yes, Master Soma?]
We need to talk.
[I suspected as much.]
Start with the giant problem. What the hell is Boundless?
A faint chime sounded in his head.
[Accessing Awakening Information.]
[Class: Boundless]
[Classification: SSS]
[A unique class possessing the potential to acquire, develop, and combine multiple class paths.]
Soma stared at the information floating in his vision.
Combine classes?
[Every Awakener receives a Class Tree. Most begin as a Fighter, Caster, Support, Recon, or Tamer. By meeting the appropriate requirements and completing Class Advancement Challenges, they can unlock advanced classes, new skills, and specialized techniques.]
Right. They explained that at the ceremony.
[Correct. But ordinary Class Trees develop from a person's established starting paths. Boundless is different. You possess the potential to acquire class paths across all five foundations and eventually merge compatible classes into forms unavailable through conventional advancement.]
Soma sat a little straighter.
So everyone gets a Class Tree, but mine isn't limited to one branch?
[An accurate summary.]
Hold on. Are you telling me I can use every class in existence?
[Potentially.]
Potentially?
[Your class grants access to possibilities, Master Soma. It does not immediately grant mastery over them.]
Meaning?
[You are currently level one.]
...Right.
[At level one, you may choose one of the five starting classes as your initial path. Additional classes and advancement opportunities may become available as you level, meet requirements, complete challenges, or discover certain items. Boundless gives you a wider range of possibilities, not an exemption from earning them.]
Soma leaned back against the wall.
That made more sense.
A little.
So I don't just wake up knowing how to be a sword saint, archmage, assassin, and master chef?
[Regrettably, no.]
Shame. I was looking forward to making breakfast while fighting an army.
[I would recommend prioritizing the army.]
Clearly you've never had a really good breakfast.
[I shall add that to my developing understanding of your priorities.]
Soma chuckled.
Then the implications began settling in.
An ordinary Awakener started as a Fighter, Caster, Support, Recon, or Tamer. Their Class Tree could lead toward specialized classes and skills through advancement challenges. A Fighter might earn the right to become a Swordsman, then pursue a path toward Blade Master. A Caster could train toward Mage and eventually more advanced magical disciplines.
But Boundless...
Boundless appeared to let Soma step between those five foundations rather than remain tied to one lineage. And if Syscilia was right, he might eventually combine paths that were normally separate.
Not immediately.
Not without effort.
But eventually.
That's...
Soma swallowed.
That's ridiculous.
[An imprecise but understandable assessment.]
And the affinities?
[Your Awakening has recognized compatibility with every known affinity.]
Soma rubbed his forehead.
Every single one?
[Yes.]
Fire? Water? Earth? Wind? Light? Darkness?
[Those and others.]
What about the error?
[The public Awakening Crystal was unable to assign a conventional rank to your collective affinity results.]
So does that mean they're weak?
[No. It means the crystal could not accurately represent the result using its normal classification method.]
Soma let out a slow breath.
Well, that's something.
[As with Boundless, your affinity access will develop progressively. You may begin with one active affinity. Others can be unlocked as you advance, although the requirements will differ from those governing class acquisition.]
So I choose one of the five starting classes and one affinity to start.
[Correct.]
And I choose which ones?
[Correct.]
Soma immediately began considering the possibilities.
A Fighter with fire affinity, perhaps aiming for Spellblade someday.
A Recon with darkness, working toward a stealth specialization.
A Support with light, pursuing the path of a Healer.
Or perhaps something more unconventional.
His experience studying classes and combat techniques throughout Hallowcrown had taught him that choosing a starting path was often less important than understanding how it would develop.
All right. Let's choose something useful.
[I advise waiting.]
Soma blinked.
Waiting? Why?
[Because you are about to make a potentially important decision without reviewing the resources available to you.]
What resources?
[The Pantheons have provided several advantages to assist your development. Some may influence which initial class and affinity would best suit your immediate circumstances.]
Soma went still.
He thought back to Arthur's words.
The gifts.
[Correct.]
So the Pantheons actually gave me stuff?
[Yes.]
And you know what they gave me?
[Naturally.]
Soma grinned.
Oh, this is going to be good.
[That depends on your definition of good.]
Is this like Christmas? Are you going to make me sit down while you hand me presents one at a time?
[I am unfamiliar with this Christmas celebration.]
It's a holiday where I'm from. Presents, food, family, decorations. You know, good stuff.
[Then I fail to understand why you would compare it to a formal inventory assessment.]
Soma closed his eyes.
It was a joke, Syscilia.
[Your humor is frequently dependent upon information I have not yet been provided.]
Wow. Attitude much?
[I do not possess an attitude. I am a highly advanced artificial intelligence created by a supreme divine being.]
Soma stared at the wall.
Then he burst out laughing.
A few nearby students turned to look at him.
He quickly covered his mouth.
Oh, that is rich.
[I fail to see what is amusing.]
Nothing. Nothing at all. Just a humble little system reminding me how incredibly advanced she is.
[Accuracy should not be mistaken for arrogance.]
And now we're bragging.
[I am beginning to suspect that you enjoy being difficult.]
You have no idea.
He was still smiling when Syscilia spoke again.
[Before we examine the Pantheons' gifts, there is something else I must show you.]
What now?
[Your Nexus Panel.]
Soma raised an eyebrow.
The one everyone receives after Awakening?
[Yes. Although yours has undergone several modifications.]
Modifications?
[You will understand shortly. Please say "Panel."]
Soma straightened.
"Panel."
A translucent blue light flickered before his eyes.
Then the world transformed.
[NEXUS PANEL INITIALIZING...]
[DIVINE SYSTEM INTEGRATION COMPLETE.]