The Path of Power

Aaron's breath became slow and steady. The world around him seemed to hold its breath, waiting for his decision.

Selene's voice was firm but pleading. "Aaron, don't do this."

Orin Varyx simply smiled, his piercing gaze locked onto Aaron. "Well? What will it be?"

For a moment, Aaron hesitated. Orin was offering knowledge, power—control over his limitless strength. But something about the old man set his instincts on edge.

But then he remembered the Black Knight's unwavering resolve to kill him, the way the Kingdom hunted anomalies without question. He thought of the gods who dictated the fates of men—and how he was an error in their perfect system.

I won't be a pawn in their game. I won't let them decide my fate.

Aaron exhaled slowly. "I'll listen to what you have to teach."

Selene's hands clenched into fists. "Aaron—"

He turned to her, his gaze steady. "I need to understand what I am, Selene. If the Kingdom and the gods fear me, I need to know why."

Her expression was a mix of frustration and concern, but she didn't argue.

Orin, meanwhile, chuckled softly. "Wise choice." He extended a hand. "Come. There is much to discuss."

A Lesson in Power

Orin led them deeper into the ravine, where an ancient ruin lay hidden beneath the twisted roots of colossal trees. Cracked stone pillars stood as remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. Strange symbols glowed faintly along the walls, humming with energy Aaron could feel in his bones.

"Where are we?" Aaron asked.

Orin stepped ahead, running his fingers along one of the glowing runes. "This place was once a temple to the old gods. Before the current pantheon wiped them from existence." His eyes darkened. "Before they rewrote the rules of this world."

Aaron frowned. "Rewrote?"

Orin turned to face him. "Did you really think this world was always like this? That power was always restricted by the so-called 'Blessings' of the gods?"

Aaron remained silent, sensing the importance of what Orin was about to say.

"The truth," Orin continued, "is that long ago, power was limitless for everyone. People could grow as strong as their will and effort allowed. But the gods… they feared what they had created. They saw mortals rising, challenging their rule. So they sealed humanity's potential, branding it as divine law."

Selene scoffed. "You're telling me the gods sabotaged their own people?"

Orin smirked. "Is it really so hard to believe?"

Aaron thought about it. The idea sounded absurd—gods fearing humans? But then again, if he himself was proof that limits could be broken, then wasn't it possible that everyone had once been like him?

Orin faced Aaron directly. "You, anomaly, are a remnant of the world before the chains. Your existence is a crack in the system, proof that their hold over this world is weakening."

Aaron's mind whirled. If this was true, then his very presence in this world was a threat to the divine order.

Orin continued. "Now tell me, Aaron Voss—what will you do with this knowledge?"

Aaron clenched his fists. "I'll become stronger. I'll break their limits." His voice hardened. "And I'll make them pay for trying to erase me."

Orin grinned. "Then let me show you how."

The Forbidden Training Begins

Orin led Aaron to the center of the ruins, where a massive stone slab lay embedded in the ground. Arcane symbols shimmered on its surface, pulsating with an unseen force.

"This," Orin said, "is a remnant of the old magic—before the gods tainted it."

Aaron could feel the energy radiating from the stone, a power so raw it sent shivers down his spine.

"Place your hand on it," Orin instructed. "Let it awaken your potential."

Aaron hesitated only briefly before pressing his palm against the stone.

The moment he made contact, the world shifted.

A surge of ancient energy rushed through him, a force unlike anything he had ever felt. His vision darkened, and suddenly Inside the Void

Aaron found himself in an endless expanse of darkness, a realm devoid of time and space.

And then, he heard it.

A voice—whispering in the abyss.

"You are unchained… but incomplete."

Aaron spun around, searching for the source. "Who's there?"

"You wish to break the chains of the gods? Then prove yourself worthy."

A shape emerged from the darkness a towering figure with hollow eyes, wrapped in swirling shadows.

Aaron instinctively dropped into a battle stance.

"Face the Trial of the Forgotten. Survive, and claim the power that was stolen from mankind."

Before Aaron could respond, the shadow attacked.

A massive claw slashed toward him, but he dodged, barely avoiding the strike. The force of the blow shattered the ground beneath him.

Aaron's instincts roared—this wasn't just training. This was a battle for survival.

No limits. No restrictions. Just raw power.

His pulse quickened.

If he won here… he would ascend.

And nothing—not the Kingdom, not the gods—would be able to stop him.