The Pactum Veil Unveiled

Gold stepped into the shadowed training hall, the air thick with an unseen power. Flickering runes carved into the walls cast ghostly light across the floor. From the shadows, a tall figure emerged—clad in sleek black armor etched with silver sigils. The leader of the Shadow Squad, Velkain, stood before him—his presence commanding and cold.

"So," Velkain's voice was low but firm, "you carry the pact of the forgetten god. Tell me, boy, do you understand the price you've paid?"

Gold swallowed hard but met the man's gaze steadily. "I'm beginning to."

Velkain took a step closer, eyes sharp. "This is no accident. Your pact… it was a shared will. The god you're bound to chose you. We've been watching, waiting for you to awaken."

Gold's mind raced. "Why? Why me? I'm nothing special."

Velkain's expression softened just a little. "Because you have something rare — the strength to carry his burden. The power you wield is dangerous. And the kingdom has long coveted that power."

He raised his hand, and before Gold appeared a shimmering veil — the Pactum Veil — an ethereal realm where Divine Remnants lingered.

"This," Velkain said, "is where true magic lives. The Aether Pactum — contracts forged with ancient remnants. But the price is always sacrifice."

"The Empire defines divine growth through the Aether Spiral: Murmurs for the weak, Echoes for the willing, Wills for the ambitious. And above them all… True Pacts — forbidden, unstable, powerful."

"But within True Pacts… there's a different path. A deeper one."

"We call them the Tiers of Descent — Ember. Wraith. Hollow. Eidolon."He drew four rings in the air, each darker than the last."The Spiral is the map. But these tiers… they show how far you're willing to fall."

Ember Tier: Your first pact awakens your Aether Signature, your divine ability. Sacrifice a small memory or feeling. You begin to sense your remnant's presence.

Wraith Tier: Powers grow stronger or new ones emerge. Sacrifice a relationship, a core belief, or a powerful emotion. Beware — the risk of losing yourself starts here.

Hollow Tier: Powers become lethal. Sacrifice your face, your name, your ability to feel love or guilt. Many who reach this tier become mad… hollow.

Eidolon Tier: The final ascension. Your soul merges with the divine remnant, granting near-godlike power. But the cost is total ego death or full soul possession. Only legends ever reach this stage."

Gold's breath caught. "And you… have you reached that final tier?"

Velkain smiled grimly. "I serve the king. I've seen those who have. Few return."

Velkain summoned ghostly images of past Pactbearers:

"Althaeus the Forgotten — erases memories from existence.Myrrha of the Flame Spine — turns pain into blazing fire.Uru, the Veiled Root — commands plants as monstrous guardians.Ikaron, the Chainless — controls metal by sacrificing emotions."

His gaze settled on Gold. "Your unnamed remnant bends reality itself. But every time you use it, you lose a part of yourself."

Gold clenched his fists. "I can feel pieces slipping already."

"Sacrifice is the currency," Velkain said, voice heavy.

"Memories—your sister's face, a childhood moment.Emotions—fear, joy, empathy.Identity—your name, your personal code, your desires.Even physical parts—your voice, your bloodline."

Gold's mind flashed back to the memories fading like smoke. "Is it worth it? Losing so much?"

Velkain's eyes glinted. "Power has a price. The question is—how far are you willing to pay?"

Velkain's tone darkened.

"With each contract, your soul fractures. Hallucinations haunt your mind. Your body may change—divine marks, whispers in the night. This is the curse of Pactbearers."

Gold shivered. "And if I refuse?"

"You won't refuse. Once the pact is made, the path is set."

Velkain's voice took on a colder edge as he continued, "Now, you must understand the Saints — they are the Empire's champions. Their power rivals yours, but it is not born from pacts with Divine Remnants."

He conjured images of the Saints — formidable figures clad in shining armor, eyes glowing with divine light.

"The Saints wield Sanctioned Magic — a fusion of divine blessing and arcane mastery, sanctioned and blessed by the king himself. They combine Glyph Magic, elemental channeling, and sacred scrolls to perform feats as devastating as any Pactbearer."

Velkain's gaze hardened. "The difference? Their power is granted by the Empire's will and divine sanction, not by the sacrifice of self. Their strength is balanced by their duty and control. But make no mistake — they can match an Aether Pactum wielder blow for blow."

Gold frowned. "So the king's soldiers are as powerful as me?"

Velkain nodded. "Yes. And the Shadow Squad — which I lead — operates directly under the king to hunt and control Pactbearers like you. They are both protectors and hunters."

Gold's voice was quiet but determined. "Then I have no choice but to become stronger. Not just to survive, but to protect."

At that moment, Kane's eyes fluttered open.

She looked at Gold with a soft smile. "There's something different about you… I can feel it."

Gold sighed, exhaustion washing over him. "I've learned the truth — who I am, what I carry."

Kane reached out, taking his hand gently. "It's okay. You don't have to bear this alone. Strength often demands we forget parts of ourselves. But we face it together."

Gold's heart eased, hope blooming.

Suddenly, the heavy door opened with a resonant creak. A regal figure stepped inside, cloaked in finery bearing the kingdom's emblem.

He bowed deeply. "Master Yuki Hara."

Gold tensed at the name — his past self.

The man's eyes sparkled with understanding. "The kingdom acknowledges the change in you. The world itself shifts with your power. Your journey is only beginning."

Gold glanced at Kane, then back at the newcomer.

Kane whispered, "Whatever comes, we'll face it as one."

Gold nodded. "Together."