The shattered battlefield slowly stilled.
The remnants of the Forgotten God dissolved into streams of golden sand, swept up into the sky by invisible winds. Lian, Jayce, and Demist stood surrounded by a thousand fragmented memories—ghosts of past gods whispering warnings, secrets, and envy.
But one voice rose above the rest.
[System Notice: You have claimed a Divine Throne – Choose your Domain.]
A massive translucent screen opened before Lian. The throne, jagged yet beautiful, pulsed with energy that responded to his very thoughts.
Available Domains:
1. Fortune's Dominion – Your coins influence fate.
2. Path of the Lost – Grants command over those forgotten by the system.
3. Cycle's End – The longer something lives under your influence, the stronger your control.
4. Throne of Echoes – Hear whispers from the multiverse. Predict events, extract secrets, or rewrite small truths.
Lian hesitated, then chose:
Throne of Echoes.
His eyes lit up—literally—as symbols from a thousand worlds tattooed themselves across his irises.
Jayce backed up a bit. "Uhhh… bro? You okay? You look like a fortune cookie had a baby with a glitch."
Lian smiled. "I can hear them… the voices of paths not taken."
New Passive Unlocked: [Whisper Insight]
> Once per day, hear a possible future outcome or hidden truth.
Probability of accuracy: 80%
Cooldown: 24 Hours
Jayce, naturally, opened his own new reward screen.
[ Talent Evolution Confirmed ]
> Title: Trickster Herald of Laughing Realms
New Ability: "Absurdity Surge" – Every 10th joke causes a local time loop (3s), reapplying last used skill at no cost.
World Event Trigger: "Festival of Fools" now randomly spawns once per world, causing chaos and rare loot drops.
Demist's Throne transformed into a literal mobile fortress—hovering stone battlements, anchored by loyalty and vengeance.
---
As they rested, the System pulsed again:
[ World Message: Rider-Kingdom Detected. Would you like to manifest your Kingdom's Realm here? ]
> WARNING: Doing so will open the world to conquest attempts from rival Riders.
Lian accepted.
[ Kingdom of Cycleborn Echo manifested ]
The ground cracked open. Golden roads formed, spiraling outward from a glowing central spire shaped like a wheel. A miniature realm—half city, half divine fortress—rose beneath their feet. Defenders made of coin and clockwork lined the walls. Survivors rescued from Devastia began appearing, looking healthier, with hope in their eyes.
But hope never comes alone.
A deep rumble echoed through the skies.
A tear opened above them.
From it descended four Riders—each clad in armor, each surrounded by floating banners.
[ World PvP Invasion Triggered – Tier 7.1 Opponent Riders Incoming ]
Their leader spoke, voice cold, proud, and cruel:
"I am Asir of the Blood-Forged Realm. We heard whispers of a kingdom formed by nobodies… and came to erase the echo."
Behind him, a Rider with a book glowing with thousands of souls laughed. "You've got nice loot too."
Jayce cracked his knuckles. "Finally. A crowd I don't have to apologize to when I explode into dance-battles and chaos."
Demist simply stepped forward, shield in hand, aura burning blue.
Lian looked at his throne, then at the invading Riders.
He saw seven outcomes.
Six ended in defeat.
One in victory.
And in that one… something beautiful bloomed.
"Let's make some noise," Lian whispered.
And the kingdom came alive.