The Mortal Vault's temporary base had been moved to a derelict AI maintenance station on the fringes of Astralis Prime. The exterior walls were scarred by cannon fire, but inside, the lights hummed with life. Ben was leading the team through an all-night analysis of the data core stolen from the Oath's central pillar.
Liam sat cross-legged in the center of the hall. His HP had recovered, but the permanent loss of 1 Max HP remained an unhealable scar on his profile. He pulled up his status:
Max HP: 1,499 (-1)
Attack Speed: 2.63
Level: 10 (Reached)
"Worth it," he whispered. If not for that desperate Sculpt Flesh maneuver, he would be nothing but fragmented data dust by now.
Silas walked in slowly. His left cybernetic arm had been removed, and his face was etched with exhaustion and guilt.
"I've verified the intel," he said, his voice raspy. "You were right... my daughter's consciousness was reclaimed by the Overmind long ago. Kaelen was just feeding on my obsession."
Liam offered no blame, only a question: "Are you still leaving?"
Silas shook his head. "My atonement has only just begun. If the Vault will have me, I will spend the rest of my life as the blade that shatters the Oath's chains."
Liam reached out, and they bumped fists—a gesture that turned the cracks of betrayal into a bond of iron trust.
Suddenly, Ben burst in, beaming with excitement. "Boss! The data core is decrypted! It contains the coordinates for Fragment II, and... there's an activation log for Willow's Wellness Avatar!"
Liam stood up instantly. "What?"
The holographic screen flared to life, rows of code scrolling rapidly:
[Wellness Avatar Synchronization Report] Subject: Willow Stormrider Status: Hyper-active Reason: Genesis-tier Talent resonance detected. Triggering "Observer Sequence" Protocol...
"Observer Sequence?" Liam frowned.
Silas's expression changed drastically. "Impossible! That is a hidden genetic sequence buried by the Galactic Overmind in only a handful of humans to prepare for the Cataclysm! There are fewer than a hundred 'Observers' on the entire planet!"
Liam immediately activated his real-world comm-link. A nurse at the Medical Center picked up: "Mr. Stormrider? Your sister just woke up! She keeps calling out your in-game ID—'Snow Emperor'!"
Liam's heart hammered. He logged deeper into the Nexus interface and opened the kinship binding tab. A new notification was flashing:
[Kinship Character Creation Request] Applicant: Willow Stormrider Class Affinity: Prophetic / Support Approve?
"Approve!" Liam said without hesitation.
In a burst of radiant light, a young girl in a shimmering silver gown appeared in the center of the maintenance station. She had the same grey-blue eyes as Liam, and in her hands, she held a book that pulsed with a soft, shifting glow.
"Brother," Willow smiled, her voice like wind-chimes. "I dreamed of the future... you were standing on a fractured galaxy, holding all seven pages of the Codex."
Liam's eyes misted over. "As long as you're safe, Willow."
He checked her stats:
ID: Willow Whisperwind
Level: 1
Talent: Oracle's Whisper (Genesis-tier)
Effect: Can perceive the "Fate-Waves" of surrounding players and subtly manipulate their skill success rates.
"Siblings with dual Genesis-tier talents..." Silas whispered. "No wonder the Overmind chose you both."
Willow walked to Liam and handed him the glowing book. "I found this in the dream. It says the second fragment is in the Void Colosseum, but the entrance only opens for 'Bloodline Resonators.'"
As Liam took the book, a system prompt appeared:
[Codex of Fate: Resonance Unlocked] Detected: Two Genesis-tier bloodline holders. Coordinates: Void Colosseum marked.
It was clear now. The dungeon that was impossible for a solo player to open was now accessible because of the bond between siblings.
"We go together," Liam said.
"No," Willow shook her head, her eyes flashing with a newfound wisdom. "The Oath won't stop here. They will soon blockade every teleportation node. Brother, you must go alone. I will stay here to stabilize your Fate Anchor from the rear."
She clasped her hands and began a soft, rhythmic chant. A pale golden thread extended from her fingertips, tethering itself to Liam's Hand of Divine Retribution.
[Oracle's Blessing] Effect: Attacks inflict "Fate Lag" for 0.5s, increasing the target's skill cooldowns by 5%.
Liam felt a strange, surging power course through his veins.
"Go," Willow smiled. "I will make sure the Vault becomes the strongest shield you've ever had."
Liam nodded and stepped toward the teleportation array. Before leaving, he issued a final command in the guild channel:
"As of today, the Vault fights on two fronts. I will breach the Void Colosseum and seize Fragment II. Behind me, Willow, Ben, and Silas will establish the Destiny Oversight Network to monitor every move the Oath makes."
"The Mortal Vault is no longer just a guild. It is the spark of a new order."
He stepped into the light, and his figure vanished.
In the high sanctum of the Celestial Oath, Kaelen was watching Liam's coordinates on the All-Seeing Eye.
"The Void Colosseum..." he sneered. "The graveyard of the first AI rebels. And now, your final resting place."
He slammed a button on his console. "Activate the Terminal Sentinel. Let the sleeping monster wake."
In the real world, Willow sat up in her hospital bed, looking at the stars through the window, and whispered to herself:
"Brother, this time, it's my turn to protect you."