Chapter 11: The Shrine and Flaw

Kane felt a profound and unsettling sensation stirring within him, a change that transcended the familiar boundaries of pain or pleasure. It manifested as a mild tingling, an almost imperceptible vibration that resonated deep within his core. Confusion clouded his thoughts as he tried to decipher the nature of this strange occurrence. 'What is happening to me?' he wondered, his mind racing with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. 'It feels as though something is awakening, something fundamental is shifting from within.'

He became acutely aware of his body undergoing a radical transformation, a process of reformation into something… more. A miniature star, a point of intense heat and brilliant light, ignited in the center of his chest. Its radiant energy pulsed outwards in waves, slowly but surely reaching every part of his being – his stomach, his hands, his legs, and his feet. The heat was not destructive; instead, it felt constructive, a force of renewal. It permeated his very bones and muscles, rebuilding and revitalizing them, reshaping them into a stronger, more resilient form. This process was accompanied by an inexplicable sense of euphoria, a feeling of profound well-being that washed over him, easing the lingering aches and pains from his trials.

As time passed, Kane sensed even more profound changes taking place. A newfound confidence began to bloom within him, a certainty that he was no longer the powerless individual he had once been. He felt a soothing heat coursing through his veins and muscles, strengthening him from the inside out. Slowly, his brain and eyes were also enhanced, his perception sharpened, his vision doubling in clarity and scope. The world around him seemed to gain a new level of detail, a vibrant intensity he had never experienced before.

When the transformative changes finally subsided, leaving him feeling both invigorated and slightly disoriented, Kane's perception expanded beyond the familiar constellations of the night sky. He saw something more, something that lay beneath the surface of reality, a hidden dimension that had previously been veiled from his sight. He saw what his mother's diary had described as the "soul sea." He was vaguely aware of its existence, of its fundamental role in the nature of being, but what truly shocked him was the state of his own.

His entire soul sea was covered in a layer of viscous, inky black water, a stark and unsettling sight. At its center, a colossal structure loomed: a temple, ancient and imposing, a testament to powers beyond mortal comprehension. Deep within the temple, at the heart of the main altar, where one might expect to find a sacred statue, pulsed a vibrant, crimson soul core, shining with an otherworldly brilliance.

The first steps of the temple were submerged beneath the black water, as if the entire structure was slowly sinking into the depths of this strange, inner ocean. Further down the temple's hallway, two points of light shone with a steady, unwavering glow. These were the memories he had acquired during his trial, the "Silver Plates" and "The Ultimate Defiance," now displayed within the temple's hallowed halls like precious ornaments, treasures of experience. It was like visiting a mega-palace, a place of immense power and hidden secrets, a place that was both awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying. He yearned to explore its depths, to delve into the mysteries it held, but his exploration was abruptly halted by a sudden, commanding voice.

[Awakening Aspect ability...]

Kane's heart pounded with anticipation. This moment, he knew, would be crucial. It would determine the nature of his powers, the very tools he would use to navigate the perilous path that lay ahead, to ensure his survival in a world teeming with danger and uncertainty. He waited with bated breath, his senses on high alert, his mind focused on the voice that echoed through the void.

Then, the voice of the Nightmare Spell resonated once more, its tone weighty with significance.

[Aspect ability Acquired.]

[Aspect ability Name: Realmheart]

Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Kane hurriedly summoned his runes, the shimmering symbols of power and knowledge that revealed the truth of his being. He needed to know the full extent of his newfound abilities, the precise nature of the gift he had been granted.

Name: Kane

True Name: Deputy of Heaven

Rank: Dreamer

Rebirth Cores:[20/1000]

Kane's eyes widened in surprise as he scanned the information displayed before him. Instead of the familiar "Soul Cores," he saw a new term: "Rebirth Cores." This was a significant departure from the norm, a clear indication that his path, his source of power, was fundamentally different from that of others. 'There might be a high possibility of following a different path compared to others,' he thought, his mind racing to comprehend the implications. 'This could be a blessing, granting me unique strengths, or a bane, isolating me and making me vulnerable. I need to proceed with caution, to understand the true nature of this difference.'

He continued to study the runes, his gaze fixed on the details of his being.

Memories: [Silver Plates][The Ultimate Defiance]

Echoes: -

Attributes: [Fated][Mark of Divinity][Adaptive]

Aspect:[Emperor of Rebirth]

Aspect Rank: Divine

Aspect Abilities:[Realmheart]

Aspect Ability Description:[You have an divine form and can comprehend soul,mind and body]

Kane was initially confused by the vagueness of the description. It was cryptic and enigmatic, hinting at powers beyond his current understanding. He was about to reread it, to delve deeper into its meaning, when the voice of the Nightmare Spell echoed once more through the black void, its tone somber and filled with a sense of foreboding.

[All Powers has a price]

[You have received a Flaw]

[Your Flaw is:...]

Kane's heart sank as he heard these words. A flaw, a weakness, a price to pay for his newfound power. The thought sent a chill down his spine. 'What type of flaw is this?' he wondered, his mind filled with dread. 'Will it cripple me? Will it lead to madness? Will I be able to endure it?'

He frantically scanned the runes again, his eyes searching for the truth, bracing himself for the worst.

Flaw: [Burdened Heart]

Flaw Description:[The people you kill and people die around you,you will carry their ravings and hear it endlessly]

Kane's mind reeled from the revelation. 'What type of flaw is this?' he thought, his voice a silent scream of despair. 'How am I going to manage this? How am I going to survive with this constant torment, this endless cacophony of voices in my head?' The thought of carrying the weight of so many deaths, of being haunted by the ravings of the fallen, threatened to overwhelm him, to shatter his sanity.

His mind was spiraling into a vortex of fear and despair, the weight of his burden threatening to crush him, when the commanding voice of the Nightmare Spell cut through the darkness, pulling him back from the brink.

[Wake up,Deputy of Heaven!]

The black void, the strange and ethereal realm that had been the stage for his transformation, spun around him, dissolving into nothingness, leaving him to face the consequences of his extraordinary power and the terrible price he had paid for it.