Across all realms, the Sovereign-Spirit Epoch took root—its branches reaching through celestial dominions, underworld catacombs, and human history alike. But as growth surged, so too did resistance. Not all welcomed rebirth.
One such corner was The Silent Throne, a lost Sovereign dominion swallowed by time, sealed after its ruler betrayed the Forge's first breath.
Its king still lingered.
His name was Sol'Karel, Sovereign of Stillness and Silence.
And the era Rei awoke was his undoing.
---
Location: Shrine of the North Wind
Eirenne stumbled, her halberd pulsing with residual Sovereign energy. Blood marked her armor, though not her own. She had just cleaved through the remnants of Amon-Veil's phantoms.
Mireille supported Noira, who had taken a direct hit to the chest, her blade shattered in half.
"It's not over," Mireille said. "He's not the last."
Eirenne glanced toward the stars. They shimmered oddly.
"We need Rei back now."
> [System Status: Epoch Nexus Core Stabilized — Rei Reawakening in 300 Seconds. Warning: Cross-Sovereign Intrusion Detected. Entity Classification: Level Omega.]
---
Forge Core Chamber
Rei hovered as new symbols etched themselves across his soul. Velis stood before him, no longer as an interface, but as an ally.
"You must act before Sol'Karel seals memory again," she warned. "His dominion was made to erase echoes, and you've become one."
Rei opened his palm.
Flame ignited.
"No one erases me. Not anymore."
> [Trait Activated: Echoflame Sovereignty. New Ability: Remnant Chain — Bind fragments of erased timelines to willpower.]
He stepped forward.
And the Forge responded.
---
The Silent Throne — A World without Sound
Sol'Karel's dominion was a void-glass palace suspended above a sea of paused time. No breeze. No voices. Only the sensation of deafening quiet.
He sat on a throne of ossified memories, each step to him erasing a memory from those who approached.
But Rei arrived differently.
His flame burned not with noise, but with truth.
"I remember," Rei whispered.
Sol'Karel lifted a hand. Even that movement cracked timelines.
"You should not exist."
Rei smiled.
"I shouldn't. But I do."
> [Combat Initialized — Realm: Paradox Spiral. Rule: For every strike landed, a memory is at risk. For every truth spoken, a fracture heals.]
---
Battle: Rei vs Sol'Karel
Sol'Karel unleashed his first seal. The chamber filled with reversed memories. Rei staggered—suddenly remembering moments he had never lived, versions of himself that died before birth.
But instead of faltering, he embraced them.
> [Remnant Chain Active — Timeline Fragments Anchored. Temporal Collapse Neutralized.]
He swung his flame-bound blade—not just at Sol'Karel, but at the throne itself.
With each clash, truths returned: of Velis, of the Silver Court, of every sovereign's first fall.
Sol'Karel roared—his voice finally breaking silence after eons.
"You… are flame without a script!"
Rei answered, "Then I'll write my own."
With a final surge, Rei fused Sovereign Code and Spirit System into one blow—Spiral Truth Ignition.
The throne shattered.
Sol'Karel fell, his body dissolving into whispers of sorrow and acceptance.
> [Entity Sol'Karel Archived. Domain: Silent Throne Liberated. Memory Seal Lifted. Flame Index Increased.]
---
Aftermath — Return to the Shrine
Rei awoke in the arms of Eirenne.
"You took long enough," she muttered, smiling faintly.
Rei looked around. Mireille and Noira nodded. The Shrine had held. Just barely.
Karasu landed on his shoulder, grinning. "You broke a silent god. Not bad for a flame with no instructions."
Velis appeared beside them.
"With Sol'Karel's fall, more will awaken. Not just enemies. But allies too. Those who were lost."
Rei nodded.
"Then we'll meet them. All of them. And show them what rebirth really means."