Outside the grand capital of Ket, in the stormy desert.
Sett inhaled deeply. From the very core of his being, a sound erged—a soft yet keening resonance, like the toll of a distant, divine bell.
His system flickered wildly, the screen before him shifting, distorting, buzzing with unseen power.
Sett watched with his golden eyes, a grin full of passion on his face.
—
≫ Tomb Raider Pathway:
(Tier 2) (9/9) (Sacred)
≫ Crypt Walker Pathway:
(Tier 2) (9/9) (Sacred)
—
The puzzle that had been weaving itself within his body all this ti had finally clicked into place. A perfect equilibrium was reached—Crypt Walker and Tomb Raider, two opposing forces now locked in absolute balance.
Life and Death beca one.
Mummy and Human beca one.
Crypt Walker and Tomb Raider beca one.
And so, the True rge began.
A jolt of electricity ignited deep within his core. First, it sizzled—sharp, biting. Then it surged, spreading outward—from his bones to his flesh, from his flesh to his blood, and from his blood to the very essence of his existence.
Skin. Hair. Nails. Teeth. Every single cell of his body.
It filled him—overwheld him—transford him before he could even grasp the magnitude of what was happening.
He was no longer what he once was.
No longer a Tomb Raider. No longer a Crypt Walker.
He had ascended.
A Tomb Walker.
A true Tomb Walker.
The system screen trembled, the "Sacred" designation vanishing from his forr pathways. They lded, fused, evolved into sothing greater.
And in their place, a new path was born.
≫ Tomb Walker Pathway:
Tier 2 (Unholy) [18/18 Tomb Hearts].
He breathed in, the dust swirling into his nose and making him cough like an idiot.
[Limitless Evolution Art: 2/6 Unlocked]
***
The nights in the deserts of Ket were cold. That was the nature of the desert—scorching heat by day, bone-chilling cold by night. So places were more extre than others, and atop Ket's city wall, the wind cut like a knife, whistling through narrow alleyways and rattling wooden shutters.
Fortunately for the sisters, Zainah and Zarah, there was a city built into the very walls, its bustling inns, vibrant markets, and flickering lanterns casting a golden glow over the ancient stone.
The scent of grilled ats and spiced tea mingled with the ever-present dust of the desert, while rchants haggled late into the night. Sett had given them more than enough money for a comfortable stay, and for that, they were grateful.
"You Tomb Raiders are lucky," Zainah muttered, breathing into her hands as she gazed out of the inn's window. Below, the city stretched like a labyrinth of sandstone buildings, its winding streets alive even at this late hour. "You don't have to worry about the cold, sickness, or even falling from high places. anwhile, Axiom Holders are fragile."
On the bed, Zarah slurped up a mouthful of hot noodles, the steam curling in the air, and grinned. "Yeah, but the downside is I'm always hungry."
"That's normal," Zainah replied, her eyes focused on the distant desert. "Your body beca much stronger than before. Of course, you need more sustenance."
Zarah nodded. "Obviously." Then, she turned her attention to the view outside. "I wonder what Big Brother Sett is up to…"
Zainah's hands clenched around the window sill. "Sett… he's out there, huh?"
"Big bro is a hard worker." The little sister bead, slurping up a big noodle. "It's been a few days already, but I've rarely seen him do nothing. He's always doing sothing… and most of the ti, it feels like he's up to no good."
Zainah blinked, then smirked. "And you? Aren't you always pushing your sister into that rascal's hands?"
"Obviously."
Zainah's eye twitched. "There is nothing obvious about that."
Shaking her head, she turned back to the window.
Silence settled for a while before she took a deep breath and began, "Zarah, I have sothing to tell you—"
A sudden commotion cut her off.
"DO YOU THINK I'LL STAY TRAPPED HERE?!" a voice roared outside.
The sharp crash of breaking glass followed, shards scattering across the cobblestone streets.
Zarah paused mid-bite, then hurried to the window. "What's going on?" She hesitated., looking at her sister, the instincts of a street born kicking in. "Big brother Sett isn't here—we shouldn't get involved in anything troubleso."
Zainah leaned out the window, scanning the street below.
She seed a bit bold to Zarah.
The noise had drawn a crowd, voices buzzing with excitent. The lantern-lit streets cast long shadows over the packed marketplace, the flickering light reflecting off the polished brass of rchant stalls and the ornate armor of patrolling guards.
"What's happening?"
"A fight!" soone shouted.
"It's a fight between Tomb Raiders! There was another one with an outsider yesterday, too."
The sisters' eyes darted across the gathering throng, but the growing number of spectators made it difficult to see clearly.
"YOU WON'T STAY HERE? HOW WILL YOU ESCAPE?" another voice challenged.
This one was familiar.
Zarah frowned. "Ugh, it's that ugly prince." Her brows furrowed. "Is the other person Big Bro Sett?"
Zainah shook her head. "No, that's not his voice."
She seed certain.
Through the shifting crowd, Zarah finally caught sight of two figures in the street—two young n, their resemblance undeniable. Their richly embroidered robes were torn, dust clinging to the fabric as they glared at each other.
Her suspicions were quickly confird by the murmuring of the onlookers.
"It's the second prince and third prince!"
"Why are the princes so furious?"
As the murmurs swelled into a clamor, guards poured in from all sides, their halberds gleaming under the torchlight as they shoved the crowd back to clear a wide circle around the two princes. The tension in the air was palpable, crackling like a storm about to break.
A boy stood trapped between them, each prince gripping one of his arms in a vice-like hold. His expression was frozen in terror, eyes darting between his captors as though searching for an escape.
Jean, the Second Prince, seethed with barely contained rage. "Egrith, I am leaving. Let go of the boy, you can inherit the throne!"
Egrith, the Third Prince, sneered. "No, Jean. You are not. And I am. Hand over the brat!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)