Ascension Protocol: Rise Beyond Limits

Kai stood at the edge of the obsidian cliff, the wind howling like a chorus of ancient wraiths. Before him loomed the Abyss of Severance—a tear in reality itself, rumored to be the resting place of ancient gods who had dared defy the primordial rules of ascension. Its surface shimmered like a dark mirror, reflecting not just one's image, but one's fears, regrets, and the truth they refused to face.

The voice of the Ascension Protocol whispered in his mind:

"Warning: No soul who enters the Abyss leaves unchanged. Proceed at your own peril. Soul Fragmentation: 87% probability."

Kai tightened his grip on the Blade of Echoed Light. The sword pulsed faintly, sensing the volatile energy in the chasm below.

Beside him stood Yurei, his cloak fluttering like smoke. "You're not seriously going in there," he said, eyes narrowed. "Even the Voidborn fear that place."

"I have no choice," Kai replied, his voice low. "The Phantom Sovereign's Mark is spreading. If I don't cleanse it, I'll lose control. Forever."

Earlier that day, the mark—burned into his chest during the last clash—had begun to corrupt his system. His stats had surged unpredictably, granting him power but eroding his mind. He could no longer trust his own emotions, nor control the outbursts of temporal rage that now came without warning.

Yurei's tone softened. "There are other ways. Other realms."

"Not fast enough," Kai said. "I saw the vision last night. If I don't stop it, the Dominion will breach the Barrier within five days."

He stepped closer to the Abyss. The System reacted immediately.

"Abyssal Trial initiated: [Path of Severance: Awakened Self vs Shadowed Self]."

"Conditions: Full stat reversal. Memory bleed active. No external support permitted."

"Survive for 13 abyssal cycles to achieve cleansing."

Suddenly, a clawed hand shot from the darkness below, grabbing Kai's leg. A shadowed version of himself, identical in every way, emerged—except its eyes glowed red, and its aura was filled with malice.

"Kai... I am who you could become," it hissed. "And I am stronger."

Kai swung his blade instinctively, but the shadow countered effortlessly. The Blade of Echoed Light faltered—its power nullified.

"Alert: Equipment suppression in effect. Battle must be fought with base skills only."

The real battle had begun.

Inside the Abyss, Kai was stripped of all enhancements. All titles, skills, buffs—gone. The System UI faded. It was just him and his dark mirror, locked in a duel that spanned not seconds or minutes, but a war of consciousness stretching across time.

Each blow they exchanged ripped memories from Kai's past—his mother's lullaby, his first battle, Rin's smile, his betrayal of the Skybound Clan. They weren't just fighting—they were consuming one another's soul.

By the sixth cycle, Kai collapsed, bleeding and disoriented. The shadow stood over him, grinning.

"You are weak because you still care," it mocked. "Compassion makes you vulnerable."

Kai coughed, blood spilling from his mouth. "No... It makes me human."

And in that moment, the Blade of Echoed Light reignited—not from stats, but from conviction.

"Override Protocol activated: [Soul Flame - Emergent Code Detected]."

"Stat Recalibration: Active."

He rose again, no longer fighting for survival, but for identity.

By the thirteenth cycle, the Abyss trembled. The shadow, now withered, snarled in fury as Kai landed the final blow—not to destroy, but to absorb. He pulled the Shadow into himself, accepting it.

"Abyssal Trial complete. New Title earned: [One Who Embraced the Abyss]."

"Curse Cleansed: Phantom Sovereign's Mark neutralized."

"Unique Trait Acquired: [Duality Core – Allows alternate persona invocation with separate skill trees]."

Kai staggered back to the surface, gasping as color returned to the world. Yurei ran to catch him.

"You did it…" Yurei whispered, astonished.

"No," Kai murmured, eyes gleaming silver and red. "I became it."

As the sun rose, Kai felt something deeper stir—an evolution not just of stats, but of self. He wasn't the same anymore.

And somewhere in the Dominion's capital, the Phantom Sovereign's eyes snapped open.

"He's awakened the Duality Core," the Sovereign growled. "So the true game begins."