The world was quiet again.
The storm had passed, but the stars above him felt closer than ever — like they were watching.
Aren exhaled slowly, feeling the strange warmth inside him fade into a steady pulse beneath his skin. His body still ached, but it wasn't pain. It was… potential.
"System," he muttered, testing the word aloud, "uh, show me… stuff? Status? Whatever you do?"
There was a faint chime. Then — a window unfolded before his eyes, woven from starlight and data.
[Status Window – Primal Interface Online]
Name: Aren Vale
Designation: Primal Evolver
Physique: Primal Genesis (Unique)
Bloodline: Stellar Origin Sequence
Evolution Nodes: 1/12 (Initiate Rank)
Astral Resonance: 4.2%
Core Stability: 63%
Attributes: [Data Corrupted – Recalibrating…]
Aren blinked. "Wow. I'm basically a cosmic bug report."
[Analysis: Calibration in progress.]
[Note: Organic integration incomplete.]
He frowned. "Incomplete, huh? So… I've got a system that's half-broken, and a body that thinks it's a star. What could go wrong?"
He tried focusing on the word "Physique." The panel shifted.
[Primal Genesis Physique]
An ancient form of evolution that harmonizes the body with Astralis — pure, natural cosmic energy. Adaptability increases exponentially with Node progression.
Warning: User's vessel is unstable. Reinforcement required.
"Yeah," Aren said, flexing his sore arms, "my vessel agrees."
Next, he tapped Bloodline. The words glowed brighter, resonating with his heartbeat.
[Stellar Origin Sequence]
The blood of creation. A lineage born from Astral Flame. Capable of channeling stellar energy and regenerating through cosmic radiation. Potential: Unknown.
A chill ran down his spine. The word "Unknown" didn't sound reassuring.
But beneath the fear, there was something else — a quiet, burning excitement.
Then another section flickered at the bottom of the interface:
[Origin Data: ?]
[Access Restricted.]
"Yeah, sure. Keep your secrets," Aren muttered. "I'm just the guy holding the exploding lightball."
He laughed softly. It sounded tired — but alive.
The System pulsed once more, like a heartbeat in the void.
[End of Initialization Sequence.]
[Welcome to the Path of Evolution, Aren Vale.]
As the stars shimmered above, Aren smiled faintly.
For the first time in his life, he didn't feel small beneath them.
He felt… connected.
---
Author's Note:
Hey everyone, thank you for reading this far! 🌌
It means a lot that you've joined Aren on his first steps into the stars. Your support — every read, comment, and collection — helps this story shine brighter.
If you're enjoying it so far, please don't forget to add it to your library and leave a review.
Let's keep walking this cosmic path together. ✨
— Written by O.D.