"What are those?" Leo asked, gesturing to the different alien symbols strewn around the shop's basement. Ever since they had arrived here, the merchant had been etching them into the floor without a word.

  "Primal Runes," Naz'Tor muttered, his focus remaining on his work. "Nobody's really sure where they come from. Some speculate that the few survivors of the first Outbreaks created them, but I have my doubts… Regardless, they're useful little things."

  Leo raised an eyebrow. "To me, they are anything but little."

  The merchant chuckled as he carved another rune. "Fair enough. But this is actually a scaled-down version of them. Would you believe me if I told you that the first Primal Runes were found etched into planets? Each one was at least the size of those small countries you got on Earth."

  "But why? What's the point?"

  "Honestly? Nobody knows!" Naz'Tor laughed at the look on Leo's face. "Nowadays, we might know their meaning and how to combine them to achieve certain effects, but with the planetary ones? Either someone messed up, or runes on that scale work much differently than these little things I'm making now."

  Leo furrowed his brow as he leaned against a wall. "And you're telling me nobody tried to recreate those giant runes?

  Naz'Tor's tentacles raised in something akin to a shrug. "So it seems. Remember, kid, when something doesn't make sense in the Void, it usually comes down to power. Just look at those." He motioned to the runes he was carving. "I'm a fairly strong B-rank, but just one of these takes a hundredth of my Essence reserves. Then, to power them all up? That will probably take about a half."

  "So to create even one the size of a country…"

  The merchant snapped his fingers—tentacles. "Exactly! Now you're getting it. I would die from simply trying. Some might manage a few before burning out, but those are the real monsters of the Void. That's why I don't buy the theory that early survivors created the runes. No, someone much more powerful had to be responsible. Like the Old Ones…"

  Leo hummed, his gaze drifting to the small black cat lying next to the inactive Void Gate. He opened the link between them and nudged her awake.

  'I'm not asleep,' Nyx grumbled.

  So you heard everything?

  'Yes. Why?'

  He looked back at the merchant, who was still hard at work. You mentioned runes a few times. I'm just wondering if Naz'Tor's idea has any merit. Do they look familiar to you?

  In the corner of his vision, he saw Nyx lift her head, her colorful eyes scanning the engraved floor. It took a while before her answer came through their link.

  'I… I think so?' she muttered. 'They aren't the same, but some come really, really close. And I'm talking one line away from being perfect. There is definitely a relation between the two.'

  That's what I thought. In the end, everything always leads back to Nikra and her siblings.

  'That surprises you?'

  Leo shook his head lightly. No. Not at all. At worst, it's a bit annoying. I'm still a mere C- rank, but I have to deal with stuff way above my pay grade… But whatever, that's our life now… You better tell me if you can read those things.

  Nyx tilted her head, her gaze going from him to the symbols scattered across the floor. 'I don't know. Maybe? Give me a moment.'

  And so he did, allowing the silence to claim the room once more. If not for the constant scratching of Naz'Tor's tool as he etched rune after rune, it would have been the perfect time to close his eyes and take a nap.

  Hmm. He scrunched his brow. Maybe Nyx's habits are rubbing off on me after all…

  Another minute, maybe two, passed like this, with more and more runes joining the alien mosaic on the floor. Every once in a while, some of them would light up in different colors. Naz'Tor would pause then, glance around the room, and nod to himself before going back to work.

  'So I have no idea what, like, about ninety percent of those mean, but the remaining ten? I think I got right,' Nyx finally spoke up. 'See those?'

  She gestured to a few runes close to her. They looked a bit like flowery vines combined with some spirals. 'They work as stabilizers. For what? I have no clue, but they should limit the power output going to the surrounding runes. I think there is also a failsafe somewhere in there, but I could be wrong.'

  Leo nodded. Anything else?

  'Not much… There is definitely something about transformation in there. Shielding too. Aside from that? It's all gibberish to me. The modifications to the runes do nothing to help my already fragmented memories about them.'

  So, about what I expected. Still, thanks, Nyx.

  The feline yawned. 'Yeah, yeah. Wake me up when he's done.'

  Just like that, she closed her eyes at the same time as their link quietened. Leo shook his head, stifling a chuckle.

  "Something's wrong, kid?" Naz'Tor's voice suddenly filled the chamber.

  Leo looked up only to find the merchant already turned in his direction. Even though the alien's eyes weren't visible, he was pretty sure they were on him right now. He fought back a shiver.

  "Just thinking," he answered casually. "I know you said that the runes are needed for the sealing ritual, but what's up with the soul shard? What's that for?"

  "Hmm, how to explain it best…" Naz'Tor muttered. "You see, sealing alone isn't too complicated. Just a few runes and a proper container will do for most stuff. However, what we want to do here is to take your godson's power away without harming him. He still needs to exist in the real world with his power locked away. That's where the soul shard comes into play. It will act as a regulator of sorts."

  "Still not getting it," Leo admitted.

  The merchant waved him off. "Think of it this way. If we just sealed away Adam's power outright, he would die in a day or two. His soul simply wouldn't be able to support the other pillars. Hence, the shard's job as a regulator. It will become a bridge between the seal and the boy, trickling just enough power into his soul to keep him alive."

  "Sounds a bit like what I did inside my soulscape."

  Naz'Tor snorted. "Yes, in a way. But your method didn't seal anything—it just redirected your power, making the boy stronger. You really should have told me about this earlier." The alien raised a few tentacles before Leo could say anything. "But I get why you didn't. Trust isn't easy to give. I understand that well, maybe better than most."

  "Yeah," Leo mumbled. "Hindsight is twenty-twenty."

  "Ah! Another one of your human sayings. You people really have a lot of them. I like it, but is it really so hard to say things as they are?"

  Really now? He arched an eyebrow. "Says the guy who couldn't even tell me how Artemis and Apollo fought without being cryptic."

  Naz'Tor scoffed. "That's different. I just wanted you to have fun for once. Really, when was the last time you did something for pure enjoyment?"

  "I…" Leo opened his mouth, only to close it a moment later.

  "See? You need to pace yourself, kid, or you will burn out. We’ve talked about this already, haven't we?"

  He sighed. "That we have. But you gotta admit, this isn't really the time for me to relax. The Slayers are coming, and soon I will have to jump back into the Void."

  Naz'Tor nodded. "Fair enough, but you seem to be forgetting about something… The Void is dangerous, that's true. You will struggle there, but that doesn't need to be all you will experience. For all the horrible things waiting inside, the Void can be beautiful. Take this chance and explore. Learn about the survivors living there. Take some odd jobs here and there. Maybe join a tournament or two. The possibilities are endless."

  Leo couldn't lie. He liked the sound of that. Yet, he couldn't help but be at least a bit skeptical. "And what about those who would love to slay a Prime? Or just an Akirian in general?"

  The merchant laughed at that. "Oh, kid. Sometimes, I forget how clueless you are about the true Void. Yes, you will need to be careful. The strongest factions won't hesitate to strike you down. The same goes for other Primes. But others? They will just assume you're a child of a Lord or Baron of Ediovr and leave you alone. Nobody, aside from the Big Three and their sub-factions, will risk angering them. Sure, people will look at you with distrust—maybe even hatred—but that's better than being constantly attacked."

  Leo frowned, considering those words. It wasn't that he didn't trust the alien, but could it really be that easy? He hadn't forgotten about Sazim and how they had to organize an extraction to save him. Could the situation away from the Big Three really be that simple?

  If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  "So I just have to stay away from the Big Three's planets? That's all?" he asked, just to make sure.

  Naz'Tor shrugged. "Pretty much. With the maps I prepared for you, it will be easy. I even marked a few planets worth visiting. A couple of low C ranks, some high Ds, and a few others to spice things up. Think of it as your personal trip through the Void."

  Leo blinked, his mind stopping for a moment. "Wait… Did you just say D rank? There are D-ranked planets in the Void?"

  His question was met with another snort. "Of course there are. The Edge has all kinds of planets. There are even some E ranks that the Void has absorbed in the last few Outbreaks. Nobody really lives on them, but those are good places for younglings to learn and practice."

  "Guess you learn something new every day," he muttered under his breath.

  "That you do. That you do, kid," Naz'Tor said, clearly amused. "Now, enough about that. We'll revisit this when it's time for you to leave for the Void. The ritual is ready. Move the boy to the center."

  Throwing the alien a mock salute, Leo crouched and picked up Adam. Careful to avoid the lines of the runes, he moved to the middle of the basement and placed the boy in the only spot free of the mysterious symbols.

  "Good, now step back and watch. The show is about to begin."

  Once Leo returned to his previous position, Naz'Tor moved to the only cluster of runes that Nyx had recognized. His tentacles extended and slid over a rune that looked a lot like the musical symbol at the beginning of every music sheet.

  The rune flared to life with a deep yellow glow, its carved lines filling with liquid energy that spread outward. One by one, the surrounding symbols ignited, each adopting a different color. That went on until the entire room pulsed with the full spectrum of the rainbow.

  A star? Leo mused, inspecting the formation. To him, it really looked like a star, filled with clusters of different symbols, and his godson lying in the middle.

  "Now for the regulator," Naz'Tor's muffled voice reached his ears. The alien took out the dormant soul shard and, without hesitation, plunged it into the runes.

  The shard shattered on impact, and a silvery-gray phantom rushed out of the pieces. At first, it tried to flee, but then the runes changed color, mimicking that of the freed creature. It hesitated, and that was all the time the ritual needed.

  Silver tendrils erupted from the runes placed closest to Adam. They latched onto the phantom and pulled it in, wrapping around the boy like a shimmering cocoon. Nothing else happened afterward.

  "That's our cue to leave," Naz'Tor said, appearing right beside him.

  Leo flinched. "What? Why?"

  "The ritual needs time to do its job. A few hours at least," the alien explained. "Come on, kid. You mentioned an evolution. Might as well get this out of the way in the meantime. Nyx can stay here and watch the boy."

  Leo's gaze flicked to the feline. You hear that?

  'Yeah, yeah. Go. Stop wasting time.'

  He rolled his eyes but nodded and followed after the merchant to the main area of the store. For some reason, they didn't stop there and continued until they left the building.

  Unable to stop himself, he asked, "Why are we here?"

  Naz'Tor turned to him, exasperation evident even without any visible eyes. "Why else? For you to evolve. Go on."

  Leo, still confused, frowned. "But why here? Out in the open?"

  "What? Did you think I would let you evolve inside my shop?" Naz'Tor shook his head. "No, no, no. That ain't gonna happen, kid. I have no idea what you will become, but I'm not risking you destroying my merchandise. Do it here. You will be safe. You have my word."

  "Fine."

  With that, Leo stopped some distance away from the shack and summoned the evolution menu. After dismissing his Sealed From, he selected the Dark Veil and gave the System another command.

  Do it. Proceed with evolution into Prime Indomitus Drakdel.

  Acknowledged.

  Proceeding with evolution. System Protection: Unavailable. Estimated time to complete: 5 hours. Please note that while your current injuries won't affect the process, you also won't be healed. Do you wish to proceed?

  Leo glanced at Naz'Tor, who waited by the entrance to his shop. "Five hours."

  "Huh. Not bad. Good luck."

  Hopefully, I won't need it. Go on System.

  As you wish, User. Beginning Stage IV Evolution.

  Three.

  Two.

  One…

  Let the true Awakening begin.

  As those final words echoed in his head, the familiar tar-like substance erupted all over his body. Ruination and Stormveil activated, too, joining the formation of the cocoon that soon became more red and violet than black. Before long, most of his body was consumed.

  Leo exhaled and waited for the inevitable pain to come.

  It never did.

  Once the darkness claimed the last of his sight, he felt a pull on his mind—a pull he recognized well at this point. A wave of drowsiness engulfed him, and before he knew it, sleep arrived to claim him.

  You've got to be kidding me… This again?

  "Wake up, child. Wake up!"

  Leo gasped, his now open eyes instantly falling on the creature hovering over him. A red phantom, one he recognized well.

  "You," he muttered, rising to his feet. At least, unlike the last time he had arrived in this dark realm, he still possessed his true body. "I thought we were done after the last evolution."

  The phantom backed off, its expression twisting into a grimace. "We were until we weren't. Maybe we should have expected this, but none of us could have predicted how your deal with the System and the following events would affect you. Now, it's obvious…"

  Leo looked around them, trying to pierce through the endless darkness surrounding them. Yet his enhanced eyesight failed, just like it did the last time he was here. He turned to the phantom.

  "Explain. I have a feeling this isn't about my Apex Aspect."

  The creature sighed. "It isn't. At least not in the way you th—"

  The word died in the phantom's mouth as an earth-shaking roar rocked this entire realm. It came from everywhere and nowhere at once, sending a chill down Leo’s spine.

  "What the hell was that?" he hissed, his gaze darting all around.

  "That," the phantom said calmly. "That was you, young Prime. It's also the reason why I'm here. To warn you."

  Just like that, Leo snapped toward the creature. "What? I'm right here! How could that be me? Start making sense."

  "Your evolution, child. Remember what it said!" the phantom growled. "A power of divinity and destruction. Seen only in the depths of the Endless. Void and Veil combined."

  "That still doesn't explain anything!" Leo shot back as another roar filled the realm. "I already know all of that. I read the description."

  "But you haven't understood it!" the creature shouted. "Your Akirian side didn't need divinity. It was thriving—more than thriving—on its own. So the seeds had to go somewhere else. They reached for a dormant part of yourself, one you've carried ever since you slew the Nest Mother in your hometown. And now… it's awakening."

  The roar returned, cracking the ground beneath their feet.

  "The power of the Veil… It was never meant to combine with those creatures," the phantom continued. "They both are too wild, too hateful, too hungry for each other. My own past is proof of that. Yet here we are. Again…”

  "The creatures—"

  "There's no time," the phantom cut him off. "You shouldn't even be here yet, so listen, Leo Hale. In your veins now flows the power of one of the Endless Four. Your evolution shall grant you the skill to unleash it. Don't hold back. Let it out the moment you return—become one with it. You don't want to know what will happen if you don't. Trust me, I've experienced it firsthand. Now go. Live!"

  Before Leo could even form a single sentence, the ground beneath his feet exploded. Darkness and sleep came to claim him once more. But before it could, he spotted something in the cracking earth.

  Eyes.

  Two massive, crimson eyes.

  Stage IV evolution completed successfully. Cooling stage initiation in progress. Please take this time to acquaint yourself with previously unlisted changes brought about by your evolution.

  Golden letters of the System's notification lit up the darkness he again found himself in. However, this time, there was no red phantom next to him. The roars also vanished. He was back inside the cocoon, alone.

  You better have answers for me, System.

  Your mutations, Enhanced Sharpness, Waterflow Poison, and Nightmare Heart, have been absorbed by your evolution.

  Congratulations! Your traits, Basic Akirian Physiology, and Void's Embrace have combined to form Indomitus Might. Displaying description.

  Indomitus Might (Radiant)

  An Akirian never stops adapting, never stops growing stronger. You are proof that nothing's impossible. An Akirian and Indomitus combined, sharing the same blood.

  Effects:

  Complete immunity to all Void conditions below B rank. Waterflow poison flows through your veins. Void is your home and helps you grow much faster. Natural armor strengthened. All body functions and senses enhanced. Cannot die from old age. Healing factor improved. Resistance to Ether and Light greatly improved. Limit Break: +3 to all attributes per level.

  If Leo could move his body, his eyebrows would be raised high. It wasn't every day that he learned that he was effectively immortal. Or at least immune to death by old age.

  All right, I'm already impressed, but I still have no idea what is going on. Next, System.

  Your trait Venax Wings has been deleted. Flight is now possible with your body alone.

  Good to know.

  The awakening of your Indomitus blood is now in progress. You have gained access to a special racial skill meant to unleash some of this power. Displaying now.

  Visage of the Indomitus (Unique)

  A power fueled by the Void, the Veil, and the Storm. It boils underneath your skin, waiting to be freed. Don't let it wait.

  Effects:

  You now might unleash the true power of your blood and assume a brand-new form for a limited time. All attributes gain +20% effectiveness in this form. Connection with the Veil and Void becomes enhanced. Warning! Bloodlust and the corruption of the Void are intensified in this form.

  There it is. A brand new form…

  Leo had no idea what to even think about it. In the end, the phantom still forgot to explain what the Endless Four was and how it really related to him. Sure, it mentioned the killing of the Nest Mother in Wolford, but it had been a while since then. What was so special about it?

  Need to check Bestiary once I get out. And speak with Naz'Tor. Though first... His gaze returned to the skill's description. I should probably use you. No point in ignoring the phantom's words.

  Cooling stage ready.

  Evolution menu will become available again at level 200. Your path has been decided. There is no turning back now. Good Luck.

  Beginning cooling stage. No hostile presence detected in the area.

  That's new but not unwelcome. Though what about Naz'Tor? He really ain't a threat?

  It was either that or the System had decided to once again mess with him and sent him to some land far, far away. If that was the case, Leo just hoped his connection with Nyx would still work. There was still Adam to worry about, after all…

  Three…

  Two…

  One…

  Cocoon cooling in progress. Time to release: 10 seconds.

  Read the end of book 4 now:

  Discord: