The Sovereign Arc HQ towered like a monolith under the pale twin moons, its walls of blackened alloy pulsing faintly with anti-Echo runes. Jayden stood at the observation deck, gazing at the neon skyline of Sector Nine. The world looked peaceful from up here — a deceptive stillness. The truth was far more volatile.
Behind him, Commander Lys entered quietly. Her reflection appeared in the observation window beside his.
"You're adjusting fast."
Jayden didn't look at her. "Do I have a choice?"
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "That's the right answer."
---
System Prompt:
> Incoming Transmission:
Sovereign Arc Briefing - Level 2 Clearance
Topic: The Nullborn Threat
Displaying...
---
A large holo-screen unfolded in front of them, filling the room with projected data.
Dozens of red markers blinked on a global map.
---
Sovereign Intelligence Summary:
> The Nullborn operate as an anti-System cult.
Their goal is to sever humanity's connection to all advanced System interfaces, believing them unnatural and corruptive.
Current leadership: UNKNOWN.
Known Agents: "The Breaker of Sight", "Whispersong", "Veil Prophet", "Ashwake".
Warning: Extremely high Echo Levels.
---
Jayden crossed his arms. "They see us as threats."
"They see you as cursed." Lys corrected. "To them, the System is the ultimate sin."
"And you want me to fight them."
"We need you," she admitted. "Because unlike others, your Echobound system is still adapting. You're evolving."
---
Jayden remained silent for a moment. His thoughts churned back to Nyxorath — the future that might await him if he made one wrong choice.
"Fine. Where do I start?"
---
Before Lys could answer, the room's lights flickered as a cold whisper rolled across Jayden's mind.
---
[Echobound System Alert]
> External psychic interference detected.
Attempted intrusion blocked by Passive Mental Guard.
Source: Whispersong.
---
A soft, melodic voice echoed inside Jayden's head like a wind through broken glass.
"So you're the new Variant. Curious... your thoughts are loud, boy. The Echo will drown you like it drowned the others."
Jayden gritted his teeth, shutting his eyes. "System — isolate foreign link!"
---
[System Response]:
> Counter-Resonance activated.
Whispersong link severed.
---
The voice dissipated with an eerie laugh. But the chill remained in the air.
Lys narrowed her eyes. "She found you fast."
"She's testing me."
"Or marking you," Lys whispered.
---
Suddenly, alarms blared across the HQ.
---
[Security Alert]
> Sector Nine perimeter breach.
Unknown hostiles detected.
Echo Signature: Breaker of Sight.
---
Jayden's heart jumped. The second name from the Chronicle.
Without hesitation, he turned. "Where?"
"Eastern wall breach!" Lys barked to her officers. "Mobilize units Alpha through Delta. Jayden — stay back."
"No." Jayden's voice was calm but firm. "This is my fight too."
---
Eastern Wall – Sector Nine
Storm clouds brewed overhead as Jayden arrived with Alpha Squad. Bright floodlights cut through the rain, illuminating the figure standing atop the shattered barrier.
The Breaker of Sight.
His face was wrapped in ornate cloth, exposing only glowing amber eyes. Chains floated around him, etched with ancient runes — alive, writhing like snakes.
---
"You tread where you do not belong, boy," the Breaker's voice boomed, echoing unnaturally. "You serve a machine that devours your soul."
Jayden raised his fists, shadows curling around his arms.
"I serve my own choices."
---
The chains snapped toward him like vipers. Jayden ducked under the first lash, twisting mid-air, and slammed a shadow spike into the second. The System interface lit up rapidly.
---
System Combat Active:
> Shadow Dominion [45%]
Echo Shift [Ready]
Chrono Disruption [Cooldown: 8s]
Doppelgänger [Ready]
---
"Doppelgänger!"
A replica of Jayden burst from his shadow, flanking the Breaker. But the enemy's chains coiled mid-air, intercepting the clone mid-strike and crushing it into dark mist.
---
System Prompt:
> Doppelgänger destroyed. Cooldown: 15s.
---
The Breaker spoke again, voice colder.
"I see into you, Jayden. Into the pieces of Nyxorath buried beneath your heart."
Jayden's pulse spiked.
---
"System — initiate Emotional Stability Protocol!"
---
[System Response]:
> Stabilizing emotional spike.
Resistance to psychological assault increased.
---
Jayden steadied himself as the chains swirled again.
---
Suddenly, the Breaker paused. His head cocked to the side, as if listening to an unseen voice.
From the shadows behind him, Nyxorath emerged.
---
"I warned you, Jayden," Nyxorath said softly. "They will come. Again and again."
Jayden stared at him — unsure whether Nyxorath was helping or manipulating.
---
The Breaker's voice darkened.
"You dare stand against us, anomaly? You belong to the Nullborn, or you belong to nothing."
Nyxorath smiled coldly.
"I belong to myself."
---
Without warning, Nyxorath lunged — his mastery of Shadow and Time overwhelming even the Breaker's chains for a moment. His attack created the opening Jayden needed.
---
"System — Echo Resonance, activate!"
---
A surge of energy ignited Jayden's core. His body moved like liquid shadow, his strikes blurring into seamless attacks. Shadow tendrils latched onto the floating chains, pulling them down.
The Breaker stumbled, eyes widening.
---
"Impossible—"
---
With a final blast of concentrated shadow, Jayden launched him backward into the barrier ruins. The Breaker's form flickered, destabilizing.
---
"You're... stronger than predicted…" he hissed before vanishing into the night.
---
The battle was over.
For now.
---
As rain poured harder, Nyxorath stood beside Jayden under the broken wall.
"You're growing," Nyxorath said quietly. "But growth always has a price."
Jayden met his gaze.
"Then I'll pay it."
---
[System Chronicle Update]:
> Breakthrough Achieved: First Direct Battle with Nullborn.
System Evolution Path: Branching.
Two Paths Available: "Dominion Ascension" or "Echo Fusion".
---
Jayden exhaled.
The world was far bigger than he realized. And his choices would shape it.