The summons arrived on golden wings—a magical construct that dissolved into words of light after delivering
its message:
"Kaelen Thane, Void Archon and Bearer of the Sovereign System, is hereby commanded to appear before the Council
of Archons. Failure to comply will result in immediate classification as Hostile Entity.
"
Seraphina read it three times, her expression shifting from confusion to concern to anger.
summon you like a servant!"
"They can't just
"They can,
" Kaelen said quietly.
"And they're right to be worried.
"
He had researched the Council during his nights in the archives. Seven beings who had reached Level 100,
achieved apotheosis, and become something more than human. They were the System's administrators, the
final authority on all matters relating to the Ascension path.
And according to the Prime Records, they had been watching him since the gallows square.
The meeting place was a floating citadel above the clouds, accessible only through a portal that required
Level 80 to activate. Kaelen stepped through alone, leaving Seraphina behind despite her protests.
"This is my burden,
" he had told her.
"Not yours.
"
The Council Chamber was a perfect sphere of white marble, devoid of decoration except for seven thrones
arranged in a circle. Each throne was occupied by a figure wrapped in light so intense that Kaelen's [Eyes of the
Sovereign] could barely penetrate it.
"V oid Archon,
" a voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere.
"You have grown quickly. Too quickly.
"
"The System rewards efficiency,
" Kaelen replied, keeping his voice steady.
"The System rewards controlled efficiency.
" Another voice, female and cold.
ability is... anomalous. It should not exist.
"
"Your [Infinite Regression]
[Warning: Hostile Analysis Detected]
[Source: 7x Level 100+ Entities]
[Recommendation: Conceal True Nature of Regression]
9The Council of Archons
Kaelen kept his expression neutral.
"It's a standard part of the Sovereign class package.
"
"Liar.
" The third voice was young, almost childlike, but carried the weight of eons.
Sovereign class template. It was never meant to include time manipulation.
"
"We created the
Silence fell like a hammer.
Kaelen's mind raced. They created the class? Did that mean they knew about the Ancient Ones? About the
prophecy?
"What do you want?" he asked directly.
The lights dimmed slightly, and for the first time, Kaelen saw hints of faces. Ancient. Tired. Afraid.
"We want you to stop,
" the first voice said.
"Stop leveling. Stop growing. The faster you ascend, the weaker
the seals become. You are... resonating with something in the void. Something that should remain asleep.
"
"The Ancient Ones,
" Kaelen said.
Seven gasps echoed through the chamber.
"You know,
" the female voice whispered.
"How much do you know?"
"Enough to understand that you're scared. Enough to know that my existence is tied to their prison
somehow.
" Kaelen stepped forward, void energy beginning to swirl around his fists.
"But here's what you don't
know. I'm not going to stop. I'm going to reach Level 100. I'm going to achieve apotheosis. And then I'm going
to do what you seven never had the courage to do—I'm going to face the Ancient Ones and end them.
"
The chamber erupted in light. Kaelen felt seven distinct consciousnesses probing his mind, his soul, his
very concept of self. They were trying to break him, to force him to submit.
He let them.
And then he showed them what [Infinite Regression] truly meant.
The vision he projected was simple: Kaelen dying, returning, dying again, returning again, an infinite loop
of persistence that no force in existence could break. He had died thousands of times in his pursuit of power. He
would die thousands more.
And each time, he would come back stronger.
The probing ceased.
"You're insane,
" the childlike voice said, but there was wonder in it now.
"Completely insane.
"
10The Council of Archons
"I'm determined,
" Kaelen corrected.
"Now, are you going to help me or try to stop me? Because I promise
you—trying to stop me will only waste time we don't have.
"
The lights flickered. Consultations happened in frequencies Kaelen couldn't perceive. Then:
"We will help you,
" the first voice said.
"But know this, V oid Archon—if you fail, if the Ancient Ones break
free because of your actions, we will spend our last breaths ensuring you suffer for eternity.
"
Kaelen smiled.
"Fair enough. Now, let's talk about how to kill a god.