Nova_Verse

In the world of NOVA, death is not the end. Beneath the mortal realm lies the Soul Land, where the spirits of the departed linger, sustained by the memories of the living. But once the last person who remembers you is gone, so are you.

For most, this is an inevitable fate. For a rare few, it is a chance to rise.

Those who leave behind a lasting impact—be it through legend, power, or sheer will—gain the ability to defy the boundaries of life and death. These beings, the Soulbound, can forge bonds with the living, exchanging power for emotion. The greater their influence, the stronger they become, even gaining the ability to walk between worlds.

But not all spirits wait to be remembered. Some claw their way back through sheer hatred. Some carve their names into history through blood and fire.

This is the story of one such soul.

A man betrayed. A warrior forgotten. A legend reborn.

And now, Rael Noctis will forge his own destiny—one soul at a time.

The masochists

The last of the Wraithborn dissolved into nothingness, its essence flowing into Elara like a tide drawn to shore. She stood motionless, absorbing the lingering echoes of sorrow and rage that had fueled the lost souls. For a moment, the world seemed sharper—every shadow crisper, every breath she took heavy with unseen weight.

Rael studied her with quiet intensity. "How do you feel?"

Elara exhaled, flexing her fingers. Her tattoos pulsed in response, their dark markings shifting like liquid ink beneath her skin. "More… complete," she admitted. "Like I was starving, and I didn't even know it."

Rael nodded, unsurprised. "The more you consume, the more you solidify your existence as a Soul Bonder. But the real test is how well you can control it."

Elara met his gaze, something unspoken passing between them. She had felt the hunger sink deeper into her, but instead of feeling trapped by it, she felt capable. More than she ever had before.

Rael smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."

They returned to the heart of Varos, the city's neon glow casting eerie reflections against the wet streets. The energy of the city pulsed around her, alive with human emotion. Every flicker of anger, grief, or desperation thrummed against her senses, tempting her to reach out and take more.

Rael led her into an alleyway where a man leaned against a brick wall, clutching his side. His breath was ragged, his clothes torn. Blood dripped from a gash along his temple, but his focus remained locked on the two figures approaching him.

"Who… who are you?" he gasped, pushing himself upright despite his injuries.

Rael ignored the question and turned to Elara. "Here's your next test. This man is on the edge. Fear, pain, desperation—he's drowning in them." He gestured toward the injured man. "Take what you need. But don't take too much."

Elara hesitated, staring at the man. His eyes were wide, darting between her and Rael. He was weak, vulnerable. She could feel it radiating off of him.

"You want me to drain him?" she asked quietly.

Rael tilted his head. "I want you to control yourself."

Elara took a step forward. The man recoiled, pressing himself against the wall, his breathing growing shallower. She could feel the weight of his terror, the raw energy thrumming just beneath his skin. It would be easy—so easy—to reach out and take it all.

Instead, she inhaled deeply, focusing on the tendrils of emotion swirling around him. Gently, she reached out—not with her hands, but with her mind. A whisper, a pull.

The man gasped as a sliver of his fear left him, flowing into Elara like mist. She shivered as the energy sank into her core, steady and controlled.

When she stepped back, the man's breathing slowed. His fear was still there, but it no longer ruled him. He blinked rapidly, confusion flickering across his face. "What… what did you do?"

Elara glanced at Rael, waiting for his response. He only smirked. "She let you breathe."

The man didn't understand, but he nodded weakly, staggering away into the night.

Elara exhaled, steadying herself. The hunger inside her still whispered, still yearned for more, but it was quieter now. More controlled.

Rael placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good," he murmured. "You're learning."

Elara lifted her gaze to the darkened city beyond. Tonight, she had proven something to herself.

She could take, but she could also choose.

And in this world, choice was power.

EMBRACING THE VOID