Chapter 67: When Legacies Clash
The air within the vault twisted.
Kael steadied himself, drenched in sweat and blood. The energy from the Vault King still pulsed within him—its echoes bouncing through his veins like thunder. Yet, there was no time to bask in triumph.
The dimension cracked.
Across the mirrored ceiling above, fissures spiraled outward, revealing glimpses into other realms. From beyond one rupture, a silhouette stepped forward.
A man. Tall. Regal. Garbed in robes of dusk and starlight.
His eyes locked onto Kael.
> [System Warning: Legacy Signature Detected — Origin Class Inheritor: 1st Ascendant]
> [Warning: Dimensional Stability Failing. Multiple Legacy Paths Converging.]
Kael lifted his weapon instinctively. "Who are you?"
The man didn't answer. Instead, another voice spoke—feminine, fierce. From the opposite end of the vault, a pillar of white flame erupted. A woman emerged, her hair a flowing sheet of radiant silver.
And behind her, yet another echo stirred—a hooded figure wreathed in green mist, carrying a tome carved from bone.
Three others. Each drawn here by the Vault King's fall. Each a bearer of another ancient legacy.
And none looked friendly.
The Vault trembled.
> [System Alert: Dimensional Instability Detected. Initiating Separation Protocol in 60 seconds.]
Kael narrowed his stance. He couldn't win this fight—not yet. But he could learn.
"Tell me something," he growled, blade sparking with stored energy, "are you here to challenge me... or test me?"
The man in dusk robes smiled faintly. "Both."
The woman of fire flicked her wrist. "Let's see what the 'Successor of the Vault King' is made of."
A countdown appeared in Kael's vision.
> [Separation in: 57... 56... 55...]
He dashed forward.
---
Outside the Vault — Meanwhile
Selene landed softly beside Evelyne inside the Sacred Pearl Dimension's boundary chamber. Only she could come and go freely—thanks to the Divine Inheritance she had received days ago. A privilege not even Evelyne shared.
Thalaria, still outside the dimension, gazed at them from a distant scrying orb. "What's happening in there? His aura is unstable."
Selene's voice was low, shaking slightly. "He's surrounded. I felt three legacies—each terrifying."
Evelyne clenched her hands. "We should be in there with him."
"You know the rules," Selene whispered. "You left, Thalaria hasn't entered. Only I can walk freely… because of the Moonshadow inheritance."
Thalaria's voice cracked across the magical link. "Then why don't you drag him out?! Gods, Selene, what if he—"
"He wouldn't let me," Selene interrupted, her eyes glistening. "He said he had to face it… to grow. I… agreed."
A silence fell.
Then Evelyne asked softly, "Do you regret it?"
Selene didn't answer at first. "I regret letting him fight without all of us."
Her voice lowered to a whisper. "But I don't regret believing in him."
---
Elsewhere — The Mortal World
Nysera and Valeria (the priestess of Serenthaal) reached a tranquil grove in the eastern ranges. Valeria rested her hand on a sacred tree, staring into the sky.
"I can't feel him," she murmured.
Nysera nodded slowly. "I know. It's maddening."
Valeria turned, for once unguarded. "Do you think... we're doing enough?"
Nysera met her gaze. "No. But we trust him to return. We have to prepare for what comes next."
Valeria lowered her gaze. "The others have touched legacies too. It's not just Kael evolving. It's all of us."
---
Back Inside the Vault — Countdown: 12... 11... 10...
Kael clashed blades with the first challenger—the dusk-robed man. Sparks rained as their weapons met, energy distorting space around them. Kael was overpowered in strength, but faster. His blade traced lines of lightning through the air.
The woman of fire joined, attacking from behind. Kael ducked under a flaming kick, twisting midair to deflect the green mist mage's tendrils.
> [HP: -5,700]
[Stamina: Low — Adrenal Surge Triggered]
He wasn't fighting to win. He was fighting to survive—and observe.
> [Separation in: 3... 2... 1...]
A rupture opened beneath his feet.
Light devoured him.
---
Outside the Trial — Antechamber of Inheritance
Kael landed hard on solid ground. Alone. No longer in the Vault.
But the whisper from earlier echoed in his mind:
"The other heirs awaken. Their trials begin. Prepare."
He sat up, panting.
A glowing screen blinked into focus.
> [System Alert: Dimensional Clash Resolved. Trial Phase Ended.]
[EXP Earned: 6,500,000]
[Overflow EXP Stored: 106,500,000]
[Tribulation Locked — Realm Advancement Pending]
---
STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN
System Level: 28
EXP: 106,500,000 / 220,800,000
Realm: Sunbound Realm — Tier 9/9 (Bottleneck — Tribulation Required)
HP: 30,500 / 30,500
Mana: 35,100 / 35,100
Stats (with buffs):
Strength: 675 ×2.1 ×2 = 2,835
Endurance: 648 ×2.1 = 1,360
Willpower: 662 ×2.1 = 1,390
Charm: 734 ×2.1 = 1,541
Intellect: 580 ×2.1 = 1,218
Dexterity: 615 ×2.1 ×2 = 2,583
Bonded Wives:
Evelyne (Moonglade 8/9, Ice/Lunar Flame) — Inside
Selene (Skyshatter 9/9, Shadow/Moon) — Inside (Special Inheritance Access)
Thalaria (Sunbound 3/9, Lightning) — Outside
Nysera (Skyshatter 1/9, Blood/Curse) — Outside
Valeria aka Priestess of Serenthaal (Skyshatter 3/9, Nature/Wind) — Outside
Pet Panel:
Emberfang — Flame Tiger Cub (Tier 3)
Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2)
Cultivation Realms:
1. Initiate
2. Essence Drawn
3. Veinwoven
4. Soulroot
5. Starforged
6. Sunbound ← Current (9/9)
7. Moonglade
8. Skyshatter
9. Worldpiercer
10. Heaven's Echo
11. Celestiaflame
12. Worldbreaker
13. Eternal Crown
14. Primordial Ascendant → 18. Origin Flame Locked