Helper

Darkness.

For a long time—if time even existed here—there was nothing but an empty void stretching endlessly in every direction.

Then, like a pulse from the heart of the universe itself, a surge of energy burst through the void. Aether. 

Revik felt it coil around him like an unseen force, filling his veins, seeping into his very existence. It was familiar, yet… different.

His eyes snapped open.

Above him stretched a sky unlike any he had seen before—swirling with shifting colors, like a living storm of energy. 

Beneath him, a platform of solidified light suspended him over nothingness. He had heard a voice but he had collapsed before he could figure it out.

Then, a voice spoke again.

[Initializing System…]

Revik stiffened. The voice he heard was cold, emotionless, and absolute, almost like it was talking directly to his soul rather than to him.

[User: Revik detected.]

[Reconnecting with soul frequency…]

[Complete.]

[Granting access to System Interface…]

After the series of messages rang through his head, a strange golden panel flickered into existence before him, its symbols shifting too fast for his mind to fully comprehend. 

Before he could react, a wave of understanding slammed into him causing him to buckle, immediately vomiting the wraith-born meat he had eaten.

This wasn't the Aether he once knew.

This wasn't the world he once knew.

A flickering list of pathways appeared before him, each radiating an overwhelming presence. 

He could feel them—powerful, ancient forces locked behind unseen barriers. 

• [Aetherforging – Unlocked]

• [Wraithbinding – Locked]

• [Aetherweaving – Locked]

• [The Hollow Path – Locked]

Revik clenched his fists, feeling a familiar yet foreign energy surging within him. 

Aetherforging—the path of warriors. He knew it well, had lived by its blade, had wielded its power in the heat of battle. Yet, something was different. 

Something was wrong.

" I know of wraithbinding but what of the other two. I have never heard it before"

[You will know in due time. For now focused on the current situation]

He exhaled sharply. "Why only that though. I mean, why only Aetherforging? Why?"

[Access to additional paths is currently restricted.]

The answer was immediate, final. It wasn't a suggestion. It was a law.

Revik's jaw tightened. "Who are you?"

[System Interface. Assigned to assist and regulate your progression.]

"Regulate?" His eyes narrowed. "I didn't need a damn system before. We cultivated, we fought, we forged Aether as our will dictated. And who even assigned you? Why does it feel so… structured now?"

The system did not hesitate.

[The previous method of cultivation was inefficient.]

[The concept of 'knowing' when one has risen in level was inconsistent.]

[Power progression has been standardized.]

Before he could demand further clarification, another screen materialized.

[Current System: Aetherforging]

[Progression: Each rank is divided into ten numerical levels before ascension to the next stage.]

A diagram formed in his mind.

• Sparkborn – Level 1-10

• Emberforged – Level 1-10

• Aetherknight – Level 1-10

• Overlord – Level 1-10

Before, advancement had been an instinctual thing. A warrior felt when he had grown stronger, knew it in the weight of his strikes, in the sharpness of his manifestations. 

Now? Now, it was a measured process, broken into numbers and classifications.

"This is nonsense," he muttered. "What's stopping me from forging Aether right now?"

[Nothing. However, without progression, manifestations will be unstable and inefficient.]

"Tch." Revik scoffed but extended his lean and petit hand. Energy rushed to him like a beast recognizing its master, coiling around his fingers. He clenched, forcing it into form—

A blade flickered into existence.

Or at least, the outline of one. The moment he tried to solidify it, the Aether wavered, breaking apart like dust scattered in the wind.

Revik exhaled sharply. "Damn it."

[Current Level: Sparkborn, Level 1.]

"So I really am starting over."

[Correct.]

The system's detached tone irritated him, but he forced himself to stay calm.

He glanced back at the locked pathways. Wraithbinding. Aetherweaving. The Hollow Path. Power he could not access. Yet.

"Where are you from?"

[You cannot know yet.]

Revik's teeth clenched. "Why not?"

[You cannot know yet.]

The same answer. The same absolute response. It was like speaking to a wall—no, something worse. Something that knew but refused to speak.

He took a slow breath. Fine. If the system wasn't going to answer him, he'd try something else.

"How long has it been?" His voice was low, steady. "Since I died."

For the first time, there was silence.

The swirling sky above him darkened, the golden panels flickering slightly as if the system itself hesitated.

Then, the answer came.

[…You cannot know yet.]

Revik felt something cold creep into his chest.

Not would not. Could not.

Something had happened. Something bigger than just his death.

And for the first time since awakening, a sliver of unease crept into him.