Chapter 10: Crimson Heart

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Kael was on his knees in the central chamber of the vault, where he could eave broken status of Progenitors who had long since disappeared off the historical maps. It was full of the presence of the ancestors. His blood book hung in the air in front of him, depending clearer, more continuously than ever.

He wasn't being guided now.

He was being watched.

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> [Mutation Path Update – Initiation Request: Mutation II – Crimson Heart]

Requirements Met:

▸ Mutation I Complete

▸ Vault Guardian Defeated

▸ Blood Memory Fragment Absorbed

Proceed with Core Awakening?

Warning: Irreversible. Mutation is permanent.

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Kael didn't hesitate.

He reached out and touched the book.

The ground rumbled.

The air vanished.

His back slammed against the stone floor as he clutched his chest, pain bursting his chest, his spine arched as he gasp for air.

His heart had stopped.

Not metaphorically.

Literally.

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> "Do not fight against it."

It was not the book speaking, but in his blood. "May the old heart be dead. Fire on the Crimson Heart."

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Kael felt his blood slowing. Cooling.

For a moment, he saw only black.

Then… the beat returned.

Not with blood.

With fire.

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> [Mutation II Achieved – Crimson Heart Awakened]

▸ Vampiric Core Formed. Heart functions as internal power furnace

▸ Blood Circulation replaced with "Crimson Cycle"

▸ New Organ: Vampiric Furnace (generates "Burn Points")

▸ Passive Aura Unlocked: Predator's Pulse

▸ Burn Ability I: Surge Phase, Temporarily Overclock Strength/Speed by 200%

▸ Burn Ability II: Blood Echo, Replay any enemy attack seen within 10 seconds

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Kael gasped awake.

He was drenched in sweat… or was it blood? His chest glowed faintly, a red glyph pulsing in sync with the Crimson Heart. Every sense felt sharper. Every sound clearer. He could hear the dust falling from the ceiling.

He stood. Instinctively.

Power surged through him, like steam through pipes.

His human heartbeat was gone.

Replaced by something better.

Something monstrous.

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He raised his hand.

The veins beneath glowed with slow, ember-like light.

> "Burn Points: 2/5"

The book floated beside him.

> "Burn Points generate passively over time. Can be used for Surge or Blood Echo. Beware: Overburning may collapse your body."

Kael nodded. "I'll adapt."

He looked to the vault walls.

To the names of dead Progenitors.

And to the throne in the back… crumbled and empty.

Not for long.

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Outside the ruins, the sky had darkened.

A silver light blinked from the northern ridge.

> A divine observer.

The Church of Ascension had seen the flare of power.

The hunter was on his way.

And Kael… was ready to meet him.

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End of Chapter 10

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/> Lore Fragment – Blood Codex of the First Fang

"To awaken the Crimson Heart is to lose the rhythm of mortality. The heartbeat no longer exists to sustain life… it becomes a furnace, a weapon, a throne. Those who survive its ignition shall never bleed the same way again."

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