Shadow Slave: Flaw of Gods.

Veil felt something awakening inside him. He sharply inhaled, then froze, listening to himself. The sensation was... strange. It didn't cause pain, but it didn't bring pleasure either. Rather, it was like waking up from a long sleep, when reality and dream are still intertwined, and the body feels foreign.

But this energy didn't come from outside. It had always been within him, hidden behind the veil of oblivion, like an echo of the past he couldn't remember. Now, it was slowly filling him, encompassing every corner of his being.

At first, Veil felt warmth spreading through his body, starting from his chest and moving outward, filling his arms, legs, even the tips of his fingers. In that moment, he clearly realized: his body was changing. It was becoming stronger, faster, lighter. His muscles filled with power, each cell renewing and restructuring under the influence of this strange force.

But along with this change came something else. Cold. It wasn't unpleasant, but it penetrated to his bones. It was as much a part of him as breathing. The cold spread through his body, washing away the last traces of fatigue and tension. Then, it moved upward, enveloping his head, and finally reached his eyes.

And then his vision changed.

Before him stretched an endless darkness, dotted with silver threads. Among this darkness hovered small lights — fragments of forgotten memories, slipping away before he could grasp them. Further, beyond their boundaries, lay something greater. A silent ocean, as still as frozen time, and above it — a gloomy flame burning in the void.

He knew what it was. His own soul. The Sea of Oblivion.

No one else should have been here, but Veil felt it — someone was watching. Hidden in the shadows, beyond the visible, intangible silhouettes moved, elusive, formless. He couldn't make them out, but he knew they were there.

But even this wasn't the main thing. His attention was drawn to two revolving glowing fragments, pulled by a force he couldn't explain. Memories? No. More like echoes of a power that had always been with him.

The spell spoke, drawing him out of his thoughts:

[Aspect Ability Acquired.]

[Aspect Ability Name: Dreams of the Crossroads.]

Runes before him began to change, reflecting his status. Veil focused, wanting to see all the changes:

Name: [Veil].

True Name: [The Forgotten Spark].

Rank: [Dreamer].

Soul Core: [Dormant].

Fragments of Dream: [12/1000].

He frowned. "Fragments of Dream?" Where were the usual Soul Shards? What did this mean? Was his development different from the others? If so, what was he supposed to do now? But somehow, he had already gained twelve of these fragments...

'So, I've already done something right.'

Memories: —

Echo: —

Attributes: [Heaven's contempt], [Mark of Divinity], [Heir of Dreams].

Aspect: [—]

Aspect Rank: Divine.

Aspect Abilities: [Dreams of the Crossroads].

Aspect Ability Description: [You are the boundary between dream and reality. Your steps leave marks that cannot be erased, and your presence can be forgotten even by those who swear they've known you forever.]

What does this mean? Veil frowned, rereading the description over and over. His ability sounded... strange. It wasn't like an attack, defense, or support. Rather, it seemed to be some kind of foundation embedded in his essence. How could he use it?

But before he could figure it out, a new message appeared before him that shocked him.

[Every power has its price.]

[You have acquired a Flaw.]

[Your Deficiency: Phantom Identity]

Deficiency Description: [You forgeting yourself.]