[Tower – Floor 10: Inner Sanctum]
The battlefield had faded.
Only ash and silence remained.
In the heart of the broken ground, a glowing sigil pulsed—gold and crimson, swirling like a dying sun.
Lohan stepped forward, holding the Divine Key tightly.
> [System Prompt: Use Divine Key to unlock the Vault of the First Flame?]
[Confirm: Yes / No]
He didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The sigil exploded in light. The ground opened, revealing a staircase descending into what looked like an endless abyss.
---
[Vault Interior]
It was cold.
The walls burned with ancient flame—blue, white, and red. Symbols written in Phoenix Tongue flickered on the air.
And in the center… floated a memory crystal.
Lohan approached it, breath steady.
> [Memory Fragment Detected – Soulbound Signature: Hajun Ardyn]
[Initiating Playback…]
---
[Memory Vision – 50 Years Ago]
Hajun Ardyn knelt, battered and bloody, atop the Tower's final floor.
Justine stood before him.
Her divine aura shimmered like starlight, but her hands trembled.
"Please… don't make me do this," she whispered.
Hajun looked at her, eyes not angry—but tired.
"You already did."
A blade of divine light pierced his chest.
She sobbed, even as she finished the betrayal.
The gods behind her smiled.
But Hajun only said one thing before fading:
> "One day… I'll burn it all. And I'll start with you."
---
[Back to Present]
The memory ended.
Lohan stood still, silent.
Not with hate.
But resolve.
"She cried… even then?"
The Vault glowed again.
> [Vault Reward – Flameheart Armor: Fire Resistance +60%, Soulbound]
[Vault Memory Unlocked: Secret of the Divine Chains]
[New Mission: Break Justine's Chains of Godhood]
---
[Academy – Kael's Dorm]
Kael tossed in his sleep.
Flames danced in his dreams. A voice whispered.
> "Child of Echo… awaken."
He sat up, breath ragged.
His hands were glowing.
---
[Justine's Domain]
She clutched her chest.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Why… does it still hurt?"
She turned to the altar of the gods and muttered—
"…Forgive me, Master. I'll kill you again… if I have to."
---