Reaper's Revenge

Long ago, in the Age of Chaos, three great powers clashed for dominion over the world.

The Humans—warriors who wielded the power of Resonance Constructs, the physical manifestations of their souls.

The Wraiths—shapeless entities of pure shadow, bound to hunger and destruction, forever seeking vessels to inhabit.

And the Dissonants—traitors of the human race, those who had succumbed to Shade Binding, letting the darkness of the Wraiths infest their souls.

For centuries, the world teetered on the edge of annihilation. But after the Resonant Collapse, a catastrophe that nearly shattered the balance of power, the Dissonants fell into silence. The Wraiths remained an ever-present threat, yet they lacked the one thing that could make them unstoppable—a human mind to control them.

And so, Humanity emerged victorious, uniting under the rule of the Three Great Empires and the Harmonic Academy, the institution responsible for training the next generation of warriors.

"Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred."

Kai Vexen's breathing was heavy, each exhale rustling the leaves scattered across the training ground. His arms burned, sweat dripping onto the dirt beneath him, but he pushed on regardless.

"Just a little more. Just a little stronger."

A harsh voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Kai, push-ups aren't going to help you manifest a Resonance Construct. You have to understand that."

Adrian Vexen stood nearby, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto his son. His tone carried the weight of both disappointment and pity—an unfortunate mixture Kai had grown accustomed to.

This wasn't the first time his father had said those exact words.

"I know, Dad," Kai muttered, pushing himself to his feet. "But what else can I do? If I want to become a Harmonic and get into the Academy, I need strength."

Adrian sighed. "Kai, there are limits to the human body, but none to the soul. When your Will and Soul finally resonate, your construct will appear."

As he spoke, the wind shifted, swirling around him in response to his presence. Then, a glow flickered in his eyes—white-hot embers that danced with life.

From within Adrian, something emerged. A sphere of light, burning bright like a miniature sun, floating just above his palm. His Soul Essence.

Kai watched closely. He had seen this demonstration before, but he scrutinized every movement, every shift in energy, searching for some hidden secret he had yet to grasp.

The soul orb wavered, then rippled, changing like molten liquid.

"Dad, stop slowing the transformation," Kai said flatly. "You know that doesn't matter anyway."

His father chuckled, but there was a heaviness to it. "Maybe so. But there's nothing wrong with a little showmanship."

The liquid soul hardened, shaping itself into a gleaming weapon—a great halberd, its polished metal humming with raw energy.

A five-star Harmonic's Resonance Construct.

Majestic. Absolute.

But for all its beauty, the halberd was more than just a weapon. It was Adrian's soul itself, his greatest strength made tangible.

"The soul cannot surpass the body in strength," Adrian said, gripping the halberd's shaft. "But when it is freed—when it takes form—there is no stopping it."

Kai clenched his fists.

Why couldn't he do it?

No matter how much he trained, no matter how much he willed it, his soul remained silent.

His father exhaled, the halberd dissolving back into pure energy, vanishing within him once more.

"Son, get to class. Today's the final review before the Harmonic Exam. The Harmony class is the prerequisite for the beginner course—this is your last chance."

Kai hesitated, but then nodded. "Alright, got it."

With that, he turned and sprinted toward the academy building.

Adrian watched him go, his expression darkening.

"Poor kid," he murmured to himself. "If only Adam wasn't such a bastard… you wouldn't have been born a cripple."

The words left a bitter taste in his mouth. Memories stirred—memories of the past, of regrets he could never erase.

And the guilt only deepened.

Kai burst into the classroom just as the bell rang.

"Made it."

His feet barely touched the ground before a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Get to your seat."

Kai winced at the tone but nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss Dawn." He slid into a chair near the back, barely catching his breath. His gaze had already drifted out the window, watching the training fields beyond.

"I should be out there, not sitting in a classroom."

Miss Dawn wasted no time.

"Good morning, Harmony Class," she began, her voice crisp and authoritative.

"As you all know, tomorrow is the Harmonic Test. Passing it will earn you the right to advance into the Harmonic Beginner Class. If you fail, don't worry—you will still receive a fully developed education through the Harmony Non-Combat track. While this does mean you cannot become a Harmonic, I want to remind you… there is nothing wrong with being normal."*

A quiet tension settled over the room. Everyone knew what she really meant.

Failing meant no second chances for many of them.

"You may retake the Harmonic Test until you are fourteen. Any older, and your chances of awakening diminish significantly. Since all of you are thirteen, this could very well be your last opportunity."

Kai's hands clenched into fists beneath his desk.

"My last chance…"

"I hope you all pass," Miss Dawn continued. "Now, let's review what you'll need to know for tomorrow."

She took a step forward, folding her arms. "I will ask a series of questions. If you know the answer, do not hesitate to volunteer. If no one does, I will explain thoroughly."

A murmur ran through the students. Everyone was nervous, but eager.

"Question one: What are the three core aspects of being a Harmonic, and what does each one do?"

A few hands shot up, but the first to respond was the Class President.

Miss Dawn nodded. "Go ahead, Sienna."

The eleven-year-old girl stood with confidence. When she spoke, her voice was clear, steady, and far too mature for her age.

"Harmonics are humans with the ability to manifest their souls into physical constructs. But for a soul to leave the body, it must travel across something called The Chord. Each person has their own Chord—it's like an invisible thread that connects their body to their soul. However, the Chord is fragile, which is why it's considered a vital organ—not for life, but for the soul itself."

She extended a hand, closing her eyes. A moment later, a soft hum filled the air as a brilliant blue soul orb emerged from her palm, pulsing like molten light.

"The first aspect of being a Harmonic is the Resonance Construct. Some call it a 'Soul Construct,' but that term is too broad. A Resonance Construct is not just your soul—it is your Will, Mind, and Intention given form. The soul alone is fragile, but when resonating with the Will, it can become a weapon or tool of immense power."

As she spoke, the orb in her hand shifted. Its fluid form began to split into three separate translucent blue panels—shields, each gleaming with a faint glow.

"This is my Resonance Construct. These three panels serve as shields, but by using the second aspect of being a Harmonic, they can become something more."

The panels began to move, floating around her. With a simple thought, she fused them into a single large barrier beneath her feet. Carefully, she stepped onto it. The panel wavered, unstable for a moment, but then held firm, lifting her inches off the ground.

Gasps filled the room.

"What?! Only One-Star Harmonics can fly! How is she this strong?"

Kai scowled. "What a show-off… And she's only eleven."

Sienna ignored the whispers, continuing as she stepped back onto solid ground.

"The Resonance Construct moves according to the mind's command. But on its own, it is just a tool. That's where Psyche Alchemy comes in."

Her expression grew more serious.

"Psyche Alchemy is the art of creating Chords—connections between the body and soul. The soul itself is emotionless, because emotions come from the mind, not the soul. But through Psyche Alchemy, emotions can be transferred into the Resonance Construct, altering its properties."

One of her panels began to change. Its hue shifted from blue to a deep crimson.

"For example," she continued, "if I channel anger into this panel, look at what happens."

The shield began to spin rapidly, its edges sharpening into deadly points. The once-defensive panel had transformed into a spinning sawblade.

Sweat formed on Sienna's brow. The energy fluctuated wildly—then, without warning, the panel shattered into fragments.

Gasps echoed through the classroom as the shards dissolved, returning to her body.

Sienna exhaled, looking slightly embarrassed. "Unfortunately, I'm not very good at maintaining it yet. Focusing on an explanation while demonstrating is a bit too much for me."

She straightened, regaining composure.

"Different emotions enhance different aspects of a Construct. Anger increases offensive power. Joy amplifies speed. Sorrow reinforces defense. And at higher levels, a Harmonic can weave multiple emotions together, creating Constructs with enhanced versatility."

She took a deep breath before moving to her final point.

"The last aspect is Frequency Manipulation. This is the raw power of a soul, and the foundation for advanced techniques like Harmonic Resonance—but that is a Two-Star skill, so we don't need to worry about it just yet."

Miss Dawn nodded approvingly. "Excellent answer, Sienna. Everyone, make sure to take notes—this will be critical for your exam tomorrow."

As the lesson continued, Kai leaned back in his seat, deep in thought.

"Resonance Constructs… Psyche Alchemy… Frequency Manipulation…"

His hands clenched.

"I don't have any of that. Not even a flicker of a Construct. Tomorrow's the last test I can take before my 14th birthday. If I fail…"

His stomach twisted. He refused to finish that thought.

Because failure wasn't an option.

After class, Kai was about to leave when a familiar voice taunted him.

"Hey Kai, any luck yet? Heh."

Kai exhaled sharply. "Go away, Kim."

Kim grinned, unfazed. "What's with the attitude? Don't tell me you've already given up. Pathetic. I expected more."

She walked away, but her words stuck. Kai clenched his fists, staring at the ground. Kim had tormented him for years, but he knew the truth—her insults weren't meant to break him. They were meant to push him. Ever since he figured that out, they didn't sting as much.

Unnoticed, Sienna watched the exchange from the side, her expression unreadable. Once Kai left, she approached Kim.

"Did you have to be that rude to him?" she asked, voice sharp.

Kim scoffed. "Mind your own business, princess. You wouldn't understand. I've known Kai for six years. This is the only way I know how to help him."

Sienna's eyes narrowed. She hated that word. Kim wasn't calling her royalty—it was an insult. A reminder that, despite her efforts, she would always be seen as a privileged noble.

Kim smirked. "Go play teacher's pet somewhere else. I wouldn't want to mess up your perfect little act."

Before Sienna could respond, Kim walked away. Damn it, she thought. I was just trying to help.

Kai stormed home, skipping the rest of his classes.

Their home was small—two rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. It was enough. His father, Adrian, had retired early. His savings could last ten years comfortably, but he lived frugally, sometimes making Kai hunt for their food.

Kai tossed his bag aside, took a quick shower, and ran to the training grounds. His father was nowhere to be seen.

He sat cross-legged, eyes closed.

One last time.

The blood in his veins pulsed. His body tempering method was basic, but at higher levels, it could rival a Resonance Construct's power. Without the ability to cycle soul energy, however, he was stuck at the first stage.

Two hours passed.

The sun climbed high, and more students filled the training grounds—around twenty now.

"Isn't that Kai?" one murmured. "Why is he just sitting there instead of trying to form his construct?"

"Whatever. The test is tomorrow. We should focus on our own training."

Kai opened his eyes. One last try. I can't give up. I need to catch up to her.

He stood, extending his hand.

Pull my soul along the Chord.

Three steps.

Grasp the soul with will.

Find the Chord.

Pull the soul across the Chord.

The first two were easy. He had mastered them. But the third—

A searing pain ripped through him. His soul burned. He coughed up blood, staggering.

"Damn it!" He slammed his fist into the ground. Once. Twice. Thirty-six times. His knuckles bled after the fourteenth hit, but he didn't stop. The impact left a crater six feet wide.

Students whispered in awe. The training ground floor was packed dirt, as solid as stone. No one had ever seen a mere student cause this kind of damage.

Dripping blood, Kai turned to leave, lost in thought.

halfway home, he saw something in the distance

Then—

BOOM.

A shockwave blasted past him, nearly knocking him over.

He looked up.

Smoke. Fire. His house.

His home was in flames.

His father stood atop the rubble, a lone figure against the ruins of battle.

Father's robes were red. Weren't they white this morning? A great light descended—a scythe, a black Resonance Construct that countered his father in every way.

The power of light was devoured, feeding the weapon more and more as the fight dragged on.

A Dissonant.

The black-and-red mask. The midnight weapons. The last confirmation of Kai's fear was the way the bright sun behind the figure simply passed through. No shadow. No substance.

Fear. That was all he could feel.

Dissonants—traitors who consumed human souls to feed their Void Souls. Monsters.

"Drai. It's been a while, hasn't it?" The Dissonant spoke calmly, voice deep—no, not deep. Layered. A chorus of voices forced into one, hundreds speaking in unison.

Adrian didn't answer. He stood, blood soaking through his white garments, a map of crimson spreading over his chest and arms. The wounds should have been fatal.

"Ha ha, don't bring up the past, old friend. But you know I don't go by that name anymore."

A white light pulsed from his halberd, washing over his body. The tension in his muscles eased, his breath steadied. He stood tall again, no sign of his previous injuries.

The Dissonant chuckled. "Ah, there it is. The White Dragon Knight. Or should I call you the Light Bringer? Whichever you choose, choose quickly. Your life isn't hard to take."

A brilliant light erupted from the halberd. A black one answered from the scythe. The dark aura stretched across the sky, but it did not spread beyond a certain radius. A cage of shadows.

"Reaper... you planned this. You came for me." Adrian's voice was steady, but his stance shifted, more guarded. "You even set up a Realm Blocker just for me. I feel honored."

Reaper laughed—a low, knowing sound. "Hah. I remember now why I wanted to kill you so long ago. You're just so... annoying."

Silence fell.

Kai gasped for breath, struggling under the oppressive weight of the black aura. The white energy was soothing, but the darkness—it was something else. It wasn't just pressure. It was draining him, siphoning his strength away. He clawed forward, inching toward the white light, but the darkness held him in place, pulling him down like quicksand.

Then—a shockwave.

The force sent Kai hurtling into a nearby stone structure, air ripping from his lungs. By the time he recovered, the fight had already begun.

Reaper's scythe spun like a razor disc, its black light cutting through the air with a high-pitched shriek. "How long will you last under this form of Psyche Alchemy? You should know that death is endless. My energy will take days to run out. But you—" He sneered. "You've already had to heal yourself once. Just how many more times can you do that?"

Adrian didn't answer. He just braced himself.

Clash.

Halberd met scythe. The impact sent Adrian skidding back several meters, boots digging into the ruined ground. They were both airborne now, suspended in the sky, yet Reaper hovered effortlessly, unbothered. Adrian's gaze flickered to the side.

Kai.

Adrian exhaled slowly. "I know I won't win this fight. Even if my son weren't here." His voice was calm, almost accepting. "It's been an hour. I won't last much longer."

Four times now, he had burned through his reserves to heal. A fifth would drain him dry.

Reaper scoffed, disappointed. "Pathetic. Here I thought I'd have a little fun before killing you. I was going to use that boy as a hostage if you did better than expected. But surrendering..." He shook his head. "That was never like the White Dragon I knew."

His scythe struck the ground. Darkness pulsed from the impact. "Chaos Binding Chains."

A pitch-black chain erupted beneath Adrian, coiling around him like a serpent. The moment it made contact, it burned. The energy within him was drained at an alarming rate. His halberd clattered to the ground, its light dimming.

Reaper stepped closer. "Drai, you remember, don't you? The Academy? I was a young Harmonic with potential. I trained harder than anyone, but no matter what I did, I was always behind someone. You."

His voice dripped with venom.

"Every time we sparred, I lost." His grip on the scythe tightened. "And I. HATE. Losing."

Kai could barely keep himself conscious. Blood dripped from his mouth, from his nose, from his ears. His bones vibrated, some already fractured.

He's toying with my father. Even at his peak, Father doesn't stand a chance.

Reaper's laughter was wild now. "Thirteen years ago, you killed a rogue Harmonic who threatened Maria." He grinned. "Ha ha ha ha. Have you ever wondered why I became what I am?"

Adrian's breath hitched.

"Have you ever wondered why I attacked you and Maria?"

Silence.

"Did you ever think that it might have been your fault?"

His next words shattered the air itself.

"HAVE YOU?!"

The sheer force of his voice unleashed a shockwave. Kai screamed as the pressure crushed him. His vision blurred. His lungs filled with blood. He collapsed, bones cracking under the force.

Adrian looked away, regret deep in his gaze. "I know now. The man I killed... he was your mentor. He was failing. He was unstable. I was young, rash, desperate to protect Maria. She was pregnant. I..." He exhaled shakily. "I should have apprehended him. But I acted without thinking."

Reaper's laughter was pure madness now. Any hope of redemption had long since vanished.

He lifted his mask slightly, just enough to expose his grin. "Adrian Vexan, before you die, you should know my name."

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "You are Adam Zelma. Now called Reaper."

"No, no, no." He shook his head, laughing. "I am not that fake identity. I am much more. I am Odin Vexan."

Adrian's blood ran cold.

"I was your cousin." A pause. "You killed my father." Another pause. "Now, I will kill you."

Kai forced himself to move. "No, don't hurt him!" But the blood in his throat choked the words. His voice barely reached them.

Reaper turned his head slightly. "You took a loved one from me. Let me return the favor."

Adrian's eyes widened. "NO!"

The scythe struck.

The blade impaled Kai, piercing through his stomach and out his back. Blood spilled, his scream a raw, agonized wail.

Adrian's aura exploded in a blinding white light. The chains shattered. In a single movement, he kicked Reaper back, sending him crashing into the barrier. Not even a scratch marred the six-star barrier spell.

Reaper straightened, unfazed. "Soul Corruption, huh? You're willing to burn your soul just to keep fighting?" He grinned. "Now this... this might actually be fun."

The halberd burned bright.

The real battle had just begun.

Adrian, this fight was over the moment I activated the Realm Blocker. Stop wasting my time." Black energy surrounded the scythe, amplifying its size. "Descending Dark."

Jumping away, Adrian thought he was safe, but this attack was unique. The dark energy surrounding the scythe's blade detached, flying toward the unbalanced warrior.

Blocking an attack required more energy than dodging it. In battles at this level, it was rare for weapons to even clash within the same minute.

But this was a special case. A six-star versus a five-star. Adrian was always on the defensive, constantly using his halberd to block the relentless onslaught. He was up against an enraged Reaper while burning his own soul.

The scythe swung toward his neck every five or so seconds. Leaning back, Adrian dodged the spinning blade—only to be forced into blocking the chains that lashed at him from below. With his energy reserves dwindling, he couldn't afford to use Psyche Alchemy; it would only accelerate his soul's decay. He had to rely on pure energy, enhancing only his physical prowess.

"Shit, a close-range fighter with a long-range technique? This is bad."

Adrian thrust his halberd in front of him, muttering, "Absolution Art: Rupture."

A brilliant light exploded from the weapon, colliding with the wave of dark energy. As soon as the halberd made contact with Descending Dark, Adrian spat out a mouthful of blood. The attack hadn't caused it—the chain that struck from his blind spot had. It had pierced clean through his liver.

Tricky bastard. He held back, making me think I could repel the attack, only to strike from behind. He's experienced.

I can heal myself one more time... No, I can't. I can't do that.

His face twisted into a grimace. My time is done.

Regret washed over him. I've been nothing but a failure. My wife died in my arms, even though I'm the greatest healer in the empire. My son was crippled because of me, and now he lies in a puddle of my actions.

Adrian resigned himself to death. Healing himself would consume the last of his energy, increasing the risk of his soul burning to nothing by fifty percent. If he stopped now, there was still a chance—however small—that his soul wouldn't be reduced to ash.

No... I can't just leave this world and let my son follow me right after. His jaw clenched. How can I call myself a father if my son dies younger than I did? I have to take this risk. Even if it means I may never see Maria in the afterlife.

His halberd shrank, folding in on itself until it became a small orb—his very soul, visibly diminishing.

Landing beside his son, he felt Kai's shallow breaths. The boy was alive by sheer luck; the hole in his chest had been so precise that it hadn't caused lethal blood loss.

"Kai, I hope you'll understand. If this works, I will meet you again."

"Did I allow you to have final words? No, I never got to speak to my father before you killed him." The Reaper's voice was cold. "Why should you get to talk to your son?"

"NO!" Adrian roared.

Raging black chains shot toward him.

"Odin. Reaper. Whatever your name is... I swear I will not let you kill my son."

"Soul Desperation."

"Soul Transcendence."

"Soul Fusion."

Adrian's voice echoed through the barrier, causing fractures to spread across it.

"I pronounce this boy as DIVINE."

Under the radiance of my halberd, I swear this weapon will be used to kill you. My soul will not extinguish until yours is vanquished."

"What?!" The Reaper's voice cracked with confusion.

"Is this... Divine Abstraction?! You'd destroy your mortal form just to break my Realm Blocker?!" A note of panic slipped into his voice. "A soul, even a five-star one like yours, can only exist for three days without a mortal form. This guarantees you no afterlife!"

A radiant white light—rivaling the sun in brilliance, but devoid of heat—lashed out at the Realm Blocker.

The halberd shrank to a pathetic size.

As Adrian's mortal body turned to ash, the Reaper lunged, his scythe slicing toward him. The cracks in the Realm Blocker widened by the second.

The scythe struck Adrian's side, carving deep. It cut through flesh, muscle—until it reached his spine, halted only by the sheer durability of the bone.

Blood erupted from Adrian's mouth, gushing from his wounds, staining the Reaper's black robes a deep crimson. His back bent unnaturally as the scythe pressed harder.

"Just DIEEEE!" The Reaper howled, forcing the weapon further.

Black energy surged, eroding Adrian's very being.

Pain.

That was all Kai could feel. Unrelenting, all-consuming agony radiating from his chest.

He couldn't hear. Couldn't think. Could barely see the horror unfolding before him.

His head lifted slightly—just enough to see his father turning to ashes. The Dissonant's scythe had carved through his body.

No... don't die... His mind reeled. If I lose you... What will I have left?

Tears streamed down his face, but they weren't water. Blood leaked from his eyes. The whites of his eyes were drowned in crimson. His vision darkened.

Before everything faded to black, he saw his father's eyes—locking onto his own.

The pain in them vanished.

Adrian smiled, mouthing the words: I love you.

In a black flash, his body was torn in half—along with the Realm Blocker. The halberd disintegrated.

"NO!" Kai's last thought before slipping into unconsciousness.

The Reaper stood among the falling fragments of the shattered Realm Blocker. Sirens wailed in the distance.

"I must go now. It was nice to meet you again... Brother." He turned and dissolved into a black puddle of death energy.

Moments later, the dissolving halberd stopped. It shrank into a single, shimmering string.

The string flew toward Kai—into his soul.

It found his Soul Chord. A long, translucent string, severed in half.

Kai's Soul Chord had begun turning black. The corruption left by the scythe was working its way through him, eroding his very existence, transforming him into a Dissonant.

But the second string—this translucent white chord—was untouched. It was never connected to the corrupted Chord.

The golden-white string fused into the translucent one, purging it, turning it pure gold, glowing with divine energy.

Two Chords. Two forces. One soul.

The white light halted the corruption ravaging Kai's mortal form, momentarily stabilizing his injuries.

For now... the battle was over.