Silence filled the ruined village.
The dark clouds slowly disappeared.
The pressure that had covered the battlefield vanished with General Nocthar.
Saksham remained on his knees, breathing heavily.
Every muscle in his body screamed in pain.
Captain Leon slowly walked toward him.
His armor was broken, and blood covered his face.
Yet his eyes were full of shock.
"You... survived."
Saksham gave a weak smile.
"Barely."
Suddenly—
DING!
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Level Up!
Level 37 → Level 42
Stats Increased.
New Stat Points Available: 25
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Another notification appeared.
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Item Obtained:
Fragment of Fate ×1
Description:
A mysterious fragment left behind by the threads of destiny.
Collect all fragments to uncover the truth.
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"A fragment...?"
Before Saksham could think further, he suddenly felt dizzy.
The excessive use of his Divine Eyes had exhausted him.
His vision blurred.
"Saksham!"
Captain Leon caught him before he could fall.
"Take him back to the palace immediately!"
The royal knights quickly prepared a carriage.
As they left Aeris Village, none of them noticed a pair of crimson eyes watching from the forest.
A dark figure stood among the trees.
He smiled.
"The game has finally begun."
Then he disappeared.
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Royal Palace – Next Morning
Sunlight entered through the windows.
Saksham slowly opened his eyes.
His entire body ached.
He looked around.
He was in his room.
"You're awake."
He turned his head.
King Alexander was sitting beside his bed.
For the first time...
the king looked worried.
"Father..."
The king sighed in relief.
"You scared everyone."
Saksham slowly sat up.
"How long was I asleep?"
"Two days."
"What?!"
"You overused your new powers."
The king became serious.
"Tell me everything."
Saksham explained the battle.
Nocthar.
The prophecy.
The mention of a mysterious master.
And finally...
the words:
"The prophecy was true."
The king's expression changed.
He slowly stood up.
"So it has finally begun..."
Saksham frowned.
"What do you mean?"
For several seconds, the king remained silent.
Then he spoke.
"There is something I have hidden from you."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
"When you were born..."
"A prophecy appeared."
Saksham's eyes widened.
"A prophecy?"
The king nodded.
"On the night of your birth, all the stars disappeared from the sky."
"At the same moment, the Oracle of the Kingdom received a divine message."
The king's voice became low.
"The Child of Fate has been born."
"He shall stand between light and darkness."
"He will either save the world..."
"...or destroy it."
Silence filled the room.
Saksham froze.
Destroy the world?
Me?
The king continued.
"The prophecy was considered too dangerous."
"So only a few people know about it."
"Your mother."
"Archmage Valerian."
"Myself."
"And now..."
"You."
Saksham couldn't speak.
Everything suddenly made sense.
The gods.
His strange powers.
Nocthar's appearance.
The mysterious eyes.
Everything was connected.
Then—
DING!
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Main Quest Updated
The Child of Fate
Objective:
Discover the truth behind your destiny.
Rewards:
Unknown.
Failure:
The world may fall into darkness.
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Saksham looked at the screen.
His hands trembled.
Suddenly—
Knock! Knock!
The door opened.
Archmage Valerian entered the room.
But his expression was unusually serious.
"Your Majesty."
"What happened?" asked the king.
Valerian took a deep breath.
"I have received a message from the Holy Temple."
He looked directly at Saksham.
"They know."
Silence.
The king's face became pale.
"That's impossible."
Valerian slowly shook his head.
"The Temple has learned about the awakening of the Divine Eyes."
"And..."
He hesitated.
"They have sent someone."
"Someone?" Saksham asked.
Valerian nodded.
"The strongest young genius of the Holy Temple."
"He is already on his way to the Royal Capital."
"His mission..."
Valerian's expression darkened.
"...is to judge whether the Child of Fate should be protected..."
"...or eliminated."
The room instantly became silent.
Saksham's eyes widened.
Eliminated?
The Holy Temple wanted to kill him?
Far away, on a mountain road, a young man wearing white robes slowly opened his golden eyes.
A holy sword rested on his back.
He looked toward the Royal Capital.
"The Child of Fate..."
His expression remained cold.
"I hope you're worthy of living."
He continued walking.
Behind him, golden light covered the sky.
To be continued...