WARRIOR OF LIBERATION

"Every throne is forged.

Every king is chained.

Only the ash-born choose to rise without one."

— Wall engraving, Core Sanctum: First Flame

📍 Location: Zone V – The Core of the First Forge

The final door stood open.

A gate of soulsteel, scorched black, its surface marked with symbols that glowed faintly — some familiar from Sei's system panels. Others older than language.

Sei stepped through.

Mina followed, slower. The heat changed here.

It wasn't burning.

It was waiting.

The chamber inside was vast, circular, lined with molten cracks in the stone.

In the center sat a massive stone forge — cracked, silent. Cold.

But above it, suspended in chains, floated a crown of flame — six spokes, burning without smoke. Golden-white, like Sei's soulfire.

System Notification:

You have reached the Core of the First Flame.

A choice must be made.

A voice echoed across the chamber.

It wasn't the system.

It wasn't human.

It was the Flame itself.

"Child of broken fire… do you seek a throne, or a purpose?"

Sei stepped toward the forge.

"I didn't come here to rule."

"I came to burn the world that made people kneel."

Class Evolution Options Unlocked:

🔥 Crown of Flame (Legendary Class)

Become a sovereign of soulfire. Gain command over liberated zones. Control others' flames and bind enemy abilities.

+Authority | +Area Control | +Charisma

🌑 Ashbound Vagrant (Mythic Class)

Abandon all crowns. Wield only flame born of belief. Grow stronger with each soul freed, but never command.

+Raw Power | +Anarchy Flame | +Unbindable Soul

❓ [Unknown Path] – "Echo of the First Flame"

Requirements: ??? | Locked.

Sei stared at the crown above the forge.

It pulsed in time with his heartbeat.

Mina spoke, gently.

"If you take it… they'll follow you."

"I know," Sei said.

He looked down at his fists—scarred, glowing with ember lines.

"I'm not afraid to lead."

"But I won't chain anyone to me to do it."

He reached out—

Not to take the crown.

To shatter it.

CRACK!!!

The forge roared.

Chains exploded outward.

The crown screamed.

And in its place—a new flame rose.

It wasn't gold. It wasn't red.

It was pure, silver-blue soulfire.

CLASS EVOLUTION SELECTED:

ASHBOUND VAGRANT (MYTHIC)

You walk the flame path with no master, no throne, and no fear.

Your fire grows not from command—but from belief, memory, and rebellion.

+New Trait: Soul-Sovereign — Cannot be controlled or sealed by external systems.

+New Skill: Chainless Ignition — Your fire ignores suppression. +100% damage vs. Authority-tier enemies.

The chamber cracked open—revealing a spiral staircase upward.

Sei turned to Mina, eyes blazing like galaxies.

"No more hiding in the slums."

"No more waiting."

"We go back to the surface."

Mina smiled. "What then?"

Sei clenched his fists.

"The Empire chained the people with fire."

"I'll show them what fire looks like…"

"…when it's free."

Far above, in the highest ring of the Imperial Skycity…

A cloaked figure watched the forge light surge from the depths.

He held a mirror of flame.

It cracked.

And he whispered:

"The Vagrant has chosen the ash."

"Begin the hunt."

TO BE CONTINUED…

🔥 Chapter 16 Tease: The Surface Burns Back

Sei and Mina return to the surface… but things have changed. Districts now fly banners of "Liberation" — but not all of them are real.

A fake flamebearer has risen… wearing Sei's name.