A night of quiet power

In the beginning, the Primordial's tears formed vast oceans, and its breath gave life to cosmic gales. A universe was crafted from the past, where divine essence never failed. From divine marrow, humanity was born, infused with a spark of longing, a reflection of the god's own flame, to wander through the stars belonging. 

-True Genesis - Verse 3 - interpreted-

This was the age when the universe was young, and the echoes of creation still whispered through the void. 

At present, there are two main continents known to exist: the Northern Continent and the Southern Continent, and the Five Seas. Legends speak of a Western Continent, shrouded in mystery, the fabled homeland of the Niphilms, but the opinions of contemporary historians differ on the topic.

The Age of Harmony is the first recorded historical Era we have written knowledge off. 

For centuries, the lands were at peace. Humanity, spread across the continents, lived in relative tranquility. The Northern Continent, a land of towering mountains and vast forests, was home to the Kingdom of Auria. Its people, known for their wisdom and art, built cities that shimmered like jewels along the coasts of the Great Northern Sea. 

The Southern Continent, a realm of rolling plains and fertile valleys, was ruled by the Kingdom of Serath, a people of great strength and valor.

Trade routes flourished across the Five Seas, connecting the two great continents. 

Merchants sailed the Azure Sea, the largest and most prosperous of the Five, bringing goods and culture to distant lands. 

The White Sea to the north was a frigid expanse, known for its treacherous storms, but its icy waters were rich with fish and other sea creatures, sustaining the hardy Northern tribes. 

The Crimson Sea, so named for the blood-red coral reefs beneath its surface, was both a haven for pirates and a vital artery of commerce. 

The Sapphire Sea, with its impossibly blue waters, held an ancient magic, its depths hiding ruins of forgotten civilizations. 

Lastly, the Twilight Sea, shrouded in perpetual dusk, was feared by many, for it was said to be a gateway to the Forsaken Land of the Sky

But as all things, peace was not eternal. The turning point came when the stars began to fall from the heavens, a sign that the Constellations themselves were in turmoil. 

Stars plummeted from the skies, crashing into the seas and land, creating massive craters and sending shockwaves across the continents.

The Starfall, as it came to be known, was a cataclysmic event that shook the foundations of the world. 

(The first Era - Daedalus IV)

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The tiny apartment was dark and cluttered, barely big enough for the bare essentials. A small bed was pushed against one wall, its blankets rumpled from use. A single wooden chair sat in front of a narrow desk, its surface covered with scattered papers, a few half-burned candles, and an old, leather-bound book. The room's only window, situated just above the desk, was half-open, letting in the cool night air.

Outside, the midnight sky was moonless, leaving only the stars and constellations to illuminate the darkness. The heavens stretched out like a vast, black canvas, dotted with tiny points of light. 

Inside, the only sound was the soft rustling of pages as Felix skimmed through the history book on his desk. His gaze was calm, almost serene, as he turned a page every second, each movement precise and deliberate. Despite the speed at which he read, Felix absorbed every word, his mind processing the information with ease.

The reason for this was simple: Felix's body was no longer that of an ordinary mortal. He had become an Incarnation of the Fire Hunter pathway...technically speaking. It was this transformation that allowed him to read at such a pace, his mind sharp and clear as a blade.

As he read, Felix reached down and grabbed a 40 kg dumbbell from the floor, lifting it with the same ease one might use to pick up a much lighter weight. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the dumbbell into the air, watching as it spun before catching it effortlessly. He repeated the process several times, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

This level of physical enhancement was to be expected, but what pleased Felix the most was the profound increase in his proprioception and hand-eye coordination. He felt as though he could sense every muscle, every fiber in his body, and control them with pinpoint accuracy. It was a sensation that brought him no small amount of satisfaction.

'That pawn really did a good job corrupting this shard,' Felix mused, picking up two more dumbbells and beginning to juggle them. His movements were fluid and precise, the weights moving in perfect sync with his intentions.

The corruption of the shard had been a necessary step, like jailbreaking a phone to remove its restrictions and protect against data theft. 

Celestial shards, like the one Felix now had, were bound by the influence of higher authorities within their respective pathways. 

These higher beings could influence those who possessed the shards, intentionally or not.

However, by having a Void Incarnation swallow the shard, Felix had severed that connection, freeing the shard from their interference. 

Of course, there were downsides to this method—such as said higher authorities being able to sense the location of the transgressor during the Corruption process—but Felix had lowered this risk by using others as scapegoats. 

Once the shard was corrupted, the benefits far outweighed the risks. There were almost no downsides to speak of...for Felix at least. For others, well...

As he continued to juggle the dumbbells, Felix suddenly triggered a change within himself.

His hand darkened, turning black as pitch, while his nails elongated into sharp, claw-like talons. 

The transformation was swift and natural, the metal of the dumbbell groaning under the pressure as his claws dug deep into its surface. The metal yielded, bending and twisting as though it were nothing more than cardboard in his grip.

This, too, was part of his power. 

Felix now owned not just the rank 9 Fire Hunter shard, but also the rank 9 Void shard, which he had leased to Jonathan. 

When used together, they amplified his strength and speed even further, granting him resistance to fire as a bonus, and a weak regeneration ability. 

The trade-off was the loss of his human appearance while he used the Void Shard, making him easily recognizable as a Void Incarnation or a Fallen.

"Alas, even though it's not much, this strength is enough for me to start making some moves," Felix murmured to himself, his voice low and contemplative. He set the dumbbells down with a thud, rising from his chair and stretching out his newly transformed limbs.

He wandered over to the window, his eyes scanning the night sky. The stars were bright and distant, their light cold and unfeeling. 

Felix's gaze drifted down to the city below, careful not to let his gaze linger in one place for too long. The enhanced vision granted by his shards allowed him to see farther and clearer than any human could.

As he looked out, something caught his attention. In the distance, a dark form began to materialize, like a thin, lengthening shadow creeping across the sky, like a veil covering part of the city. It moved with an unnatural grace, spreading above rooftops and alleyways, consuming the light as it went.

"My, my... they moved quickly, didn't they?" Felix said with a smirk, amused by the sight. 

With a shrug, he drew the curtains closed, shutting out the night and whatever it concealed. 

He plopped down onto his bed, the mattress creaking under his weight. For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, feeling the quiet hum of power coursing through his veins. 

Then he fell asleep. 

Whatever happened in the city tonight...it had absolutely nothing to do with him, after all...