The Cost of Power

Aamir sat cross-legged on the rocky training ground, his breath slowing as he fixed his gaze on the glowing system screen before him. His fingers hovered over the interface, his eyes narrowing as a new stat caught his attention.

[Bloodline Purity: 3%]

His brow furrowed in confusion. "Bloodline Purity?" he muttered, the question barely leaving his lips before he asked again, his voice low with uncertainty. "Luman, what the hell is this?"

A long silence stretched before Luman answered, the AI's tone unusually serious.

"Bloodline Purity... is a measure of how much your human nature is being replaced by something more powerful."

Aamir's frown deepened. "Replaced?"