Chapter 7: Through the Breach

The castle shook violently, ancient stone groaning under the force of an unseen power. Dust rained from the ceiling as Aiden sprinted through the narrow corridors, Kael and Thalor close behind. The flickering torches that lined the walls struggled to stay lit, their flames dimming against the creeping darkness seeping through the cracks in reality.

[Alert: Dimensional Breach Expanding.]

Threat Level: A-Class. Immediate Action Required.

Aiden's heart pounded, adrenaline surging alongside the volatile magic coursing through his veins. His breath came in ragged bursts, but he didn't slow down. There was no time to process the fear clawing at his mind. Only one thought mattered: get there before it's too late.

As they rounded a corner, a pulse of dark energy blasted through the hallway, sending debris flying. Aiden barely managed to throw up a Protego shield, deflecting a chunk of stone that would've crushed him.

"Move!" Kael barked, blasting the rubble aside with a flick of his wand.

When they reached the breach, Aiden skidded to a halt, his breath catching in his throat.

The corridor had been torn apart. Walls crumbled like paper, and the ceiling had partially collapsed. But it was what floated in the center of the destruction that stole his attention.

A jagged rift, suspended mid-air, its edges crackling with raw energy. Beyond it, a swirling void stretched into infinity, filled with shadows that seemed to whisper.

And stepping through the rift was a figure—a humanoid silhouette wrapped in tattered, black tendrils, its face hidden beneath a cracked mask with a single glowing eye.

Anathema Fragment.

Aiden didn't wait for instructions. His instincts roared louder than the system's warnings.

He charged.

[Combat Initiated: Anathema Fragment (A-Class Entity)]

The creature reacted instantly, raising an arm and unleashing a wave of dark energy. Aiden dove to the side, rolling back to his feet as Kael and Thalor joined the fray.

"Stupefy!" Kael roared, firing a bright red beam.

The spell hit the creature square in the chest… and dissipated like smoke.

"It's immune to basic spells!" Thalor shouted, casting a complex rune mid-air. "Aiden, focus on your bloodline abilities!"

Right.

Aiden closed his eyes briefly, summoning the darkness within.

[Skill Activated: Shadow Veil - Enhanced Precision]

Tendrils of shadow erupted from his hands, slashing toward the creature. This time, the attack connected, wrapping around its limbs. But the Anathema Fragment retaliated, its tendrils striking like vipers, forcing Aiden to release his grip and dodge.

The battle raged on, magic colliding with dark energy, shaking the very foundations of the castle. Aiden fought with everything he had—Shadowstep to evade, Umbra Blast to strike, and pure willpower to keep standing.

But it wasn't enough.

The creature was relentless, adapting to their attacks with terrifying speed.

Aiden…

A voice echoed in his mind—not from the chat, not from Thalor, but something older.

You cannot win with borrowed power. Unleash me.

Aiden stumbled, the words searing into his thoughts. He clenched his fists, feeling the unstable magic boiling beneath his skin.

No. He wasn't ready to lose control again.

But as the Anathema Fragment charged a devastating attack, aimed directly at Kael and Thalor—Aiden made a choice.

Fine. Let's see what you've got.

[Bloodline Ability Activated: Echo of Anathema - Partial Synchronization]

Warning: Stability Dropping. Risk of Overload: High.

Aiden's body convulsed as a surge of power unlike anything he'd ever felt exploded from within. His vision blurred, but he didn't care. The darkness welcomed him like an old friend.

When his sight cleared, he was standing between the creature and his companions. His hands were wreathed in black flames, and his shadow stretched unnaturally across the floor, alive and writhing.

The Anathema Fragment hesitated. Just for a second.

Aiden smiled, though it felt more like a snarl. "My turn."

He didn't cast a spell.

He became the spell.

With a roar, he unleashed a torrent of dark energy, merging Umbra Blast and Shadow Veil into a single, devastating wave.

The impact shook the world.

When the dust settled, the creature was gone—obliterated.

But Aiden didn't feel victorious.

His body trembled, his vision darkening at the edges.

[Critical Alert: Bloodline Overload Imminent.]

Stability: 8%

Identity Dissociation Risk: Extreme.

His knees buckled.

Thalor caught him just before he hit the ground.

"Breathe, Aiden!" Thalor shouted, shaking him. "Don't let it consume you!"

But Aiden couldn't hear him anymore.

The darkness had found its way in.

[Scene Transition: The Mindscape]

Aiden floated in an endless void, surrounded by fragments of shattered memories—his, and others that didn't belong to him. Faces he didn't recognize. Voices from the past.

And standing among them was a figure cloaked in shadow. No face, no features—just eyes like burning coals.

"You've tasted my power," it whispered. "But power has a price."

Aiden gritted his teeth. "Who are you?"

"I am the part of you that was never meant to exist."

Aiden clenched his fists, summoning what little strength he had left. "I'm not afraid of you."

The shadow stepped closer. "You should be."

It lunged.

[Mental Combat Initiated: Inner Demon]

The battle wasn't fought with spells or swords, but with willpower. Every strike was a memory, every defense a piece of his identity.

The shadow whispered his fears, his doubts, his failures.

"You're just a vessel."

"You're nothing without me."

"You'll lose control again. And next time, you won't come back."

But Aiden fought back with something stronger.

Not power.

Defiance.

"I'm more than a vessel," he snarled, launching himself at the shadow. "I'm Aiden Thorne, and I don't break."

With a final roar, he shattered the shadow into fragments of light.

[Inner Battle Complete.]

Bloodline Stability Restored: 50%

New Ability Unlocked: Anathema's Edge (Rank B)

• Effect: Temporarily boosts all abilities, but at the cost of physical strain. Use with caution.

Aiden's eyes snapped open.

He was back in the real world, lying on the cold stone floor. Thalor and Kael stood over him, relief etched into their faces.

"You stubborn bastard," Kael muttered, offering a hand.

Aiden took it, pulling himself up. His body ached, but he was alive.

Barely.

Thalor nodded. "You won the battle. But the war is far from over."

Aiden glanced at the spot where the Anathema Fragment had been.

Yeah, he thought, clenching his fists. I figured.

[End of Chapter 7]