Kaelix''s gaze shifted to the [Ascendar Traits] section. The presence of five traits caught his attention immediately. He furrowed his brow, about to ask a question when the XenoArch spoke up first.


    "Five traits? That''s... unusual," it mused aloud, its tone laced with curiosity. "Most Empowered manifest only one trait. On rare occasions, a truly exceptional individual might have two. But five? This is unheard of."


    Kaelix smirked at the notion of being "unheard of." "Guess I''m just built different, huh?"


    "Perhaps," the XenoArch replied dryly. "Or perhaps you''re just an anomaly, for better or worse."


    Kaelix ignored the jab and focused on the [Wanderer] trait. As he did, words materialized on the glowing sheet:


    [Wanderer]: Your soul has wandered and crossed boundaries many believe to be impossible. You are a special soul among many.


    He frowned at the cryptic description. "What''s that even supposed to mean? ''Special soul''? I don''t feel very special."


    "It likely pertains to your soul''s nature," the XenoArch offered, its voice betraying its own uncertainty. "Perhaps it has traversed planes or undergone some transformation. Still, it''s merely speculation."


    Kaelix scratched his head. "Helpful as ever, huh?"


    Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the next trait, [All You Can Eat], focusing on it as instructed.


    [All You Can Eat]: No lifeform is safe from your appetite. For you, eating is survival, and survival is eating.


    A grin crept across his face. "Finally, something that makes sense. I guess all those weird meals growing up paid off."


    "Paid off?" the XenoArch mocked. "If eating like a beast is an accomplishment, then yes, you''ve achieved greatness."


    Kaelix snorted. "You''re just jealous you don''t have a stomach as great as mine. Or a stomach at all."


    Moving on, he focused on the [Underdog] trait, and the description appeared:


    [Underdog]: Despite your struggles, you possess the unyielding spirit of one who refuses to bow. Not out of pride, but because you simply do not care who stands before you.


    Kaelix couldn''t help but chuckle. "Now this one I like. Feels like it was written just for me."


    "A fitting description," the XenoArch admitted begrudgingly. "Even if it implies recklessness rather than valor."


    "Hey, I''ve gotten by just fine with ''recklessness'' thank you very much."


    The next trait, [Hateful], was less flattering.


    [Hateful]: You are a being of pure hate. You hate weakness and strength, good and evil. There is nothing but hate within you, for there is no rest for you. In the end, a hater has to hate.


    Kaelix read the description twice, his expression caught between annoyance and bemusement. "Is this supposed to be an insult?"


    "Not necessarily," the XenoArch remarked, almost amused. "Though it''s a bit... blunt, even for you. Still, there''s power in such unfiltered emotions. Just don''t let it consume you."


    "I''ll keep that in mind," Kaelix muttered, though he wasn''t sure how he felt about being labeled as a "hater."


    Finally, he turned to the [Flaw] trait. Unlike the others, its description was unsettlingly brief:


    [Flaw]: You are a Flaw.


    Both Kaelix and the XenoArch stared at the sheet in silence.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "That''s... cryptic," the XenoArch admitted after a pause.


    "No kidding," Kaelix grumbled. "You''ve got nothing for this one?"


    "Nothing definitive," it replied. "It could mean many things. Perhaps it''s tied to your past, or maybe even about why you had no dormant Nexus when I met you. But I can''t say for certain."


    Kaelix huffed, frustrated. "Great. So even the ancient, all-knowing relic has no clue."


    "Careful, Kaelix," the XenoArch said with a sharp edge to its voice. "The fact that it perplexes me should concern you more than it does."


    Kaelix leaned back, his eyes still on the sheet. The word "Flaw" seemed to pulse faintly, almost mocking him. "Yeah, well, I''ll figure it out eventually. Until then, I''ve got other things to worry about."


    "Just don''t forget," the XenoArch warned. "Traits define your essence. Dismissing one, no matter how vague, could be a fatal mistake."


    Kaelix sighed but didn''t argue. Instead, he turned his attention back to the Runic Sheet, wondering what other secrets it might hold.


    Kaelix''s eyes narrowed as he focused on the [Etherion Limit] section of his Runic Sheet. Unlike the other entries, this one remained blank, refusing to reveal any details. "Hey," he muttered, his tone sharp. "Why isn''t there anything here?"


    The XenoArch''s voice resonated within his mind, carrying a tone of self-importance. "Ah, the Etherion Limit. Typically, this section displays an Ascendar''s innate potential—the ceiling of their strength. It represents the absolute limit of what they can achieve without extreme intervention. Most Empowered obsess over it, as it''s a direct indicator of their talent."


    Kaelix raised an eyebrow. "So, what''s mine?"


    "Yours?" the XenoArch said, almost scoffing. "My dear host, you should count yourself fortunate. I am an artifact of unlimited potential. Gods and fiends alike feared me in my prime! My limit is nonexistent—I can grow as powerful as long as you can survive. Truly, you should be praising me for giving you such an opportunity."


    Kaelix rolled his eyes. "Yeah, thanks for being so generous, mighty artifact. I''ll be sure to grovel later."


    The XenoArch''s voice faltered in mock indignation. "Ungrateful brat."


    Ignoring its grumbling, Kaelix''s gaze shifted further down the sheet, his eyes landing on the [Nexus Spark] section. It was blank, too, which immediately caught his attention. "What''s the deal here? Why don''t I have a Nexus Spark?"


    The XenoArch''s tone shifted, becoming more neutral. "That''s because you haven''t obtained one yet. Once I recover my other parts, you''ll acquire a few Nexus Sparks."


    Kaelix froze mid-step, his boots scraping against the rocky surface. "A few?" he repeated, incredulous. He turned his focus inward, questioning the XenoArch. "Since when does anyone get more than one Nexus Spark?"


    The XenoArch chuckled, a haughty sound. "No one does. Nexus Sparks are the lifeblood of a Nexus. It''s impossible for a single Ascendar to possess multiple unless..."


    "Unless what?"


    "Unless they have more than one Nexus," the XenoArch concluded, its tone dripping with superiority. "Which, as you might guess, is also impossible—unless I''m involved. I am the sole means by which such a feat can be achieved. Your body will adapt as I restore myself, making you capable of holding what others cannot even dream of."


    Kaelix folded his arms, feigning disinterest. "Huh. Cool, I guess."


    "You''re impressed," the XenoArch declared smugly.


    "Not really."


    "Liar."


    Kaelix ignored the retort, shifting his attention to the final empty sections: [Wills] and [Dreams]. He leaned forward slightly, expecting the XenoArch to explain them in its usual grandiose manner. Instead, it abruptly cut in with a cryptic warning.


    "You have five seconds until it turns nighttime."


    Kaelix blinked. "What? That''s not poss—"


    Before he could finish, he instinctively leaped onto one of the towering rock pillars and clung to it tightly. A heartbeat later, the shift began.


    The gray sky above darkened into a black abyss, and the rocky terrain below him warped, becoming an equally dark void. Gravity twisted violently, pulling Kaelix toward what had once been "forward," turning the pillar he held into a makeshift platform.


    He steadied himself, keeping his weight balanced to avoid toppling off. His gaze darted around, taking in the surreal transformation. The gray world he had grown accustomed to was now bathed in black. Even the rock pillar beneath him had turned dark, blending into the strange new environment.


    "What the hell is this?" he demanded. "It wasn''t supposed to be nighttime for hours!"


    The XenoArch''s voice was unnervingly calm. "I cannot explain this. In all my millennia spent in this realm, such an event has never occurred."


    Kaelix frowned, uneasy. The XenoArch was ancient and full of itself, but for it to admit ignorance... "That''s not reassuring."


    Before he could press further, the XenoArch''s tone shifted, taking on a note of urgency. "Boy. You better look down."


    He hesitated but eventually listened, peering into the dark void below. At first, he saw nothing, just an endless expanse of black. Then, a faint movement caught his eye. Shadows swirled deep within the pit, coalescing and growing.


    The movement quickened, the shadows taking form and expanding at an alarming rate. What had started as a faint disturbance was now a massive, ominous shape rising toward him.


    Kaelix''s jaw tightened. "Let me guess. That''s not normal either?"


    "Not in the slightest," the XenoArch confirmed, its tone almost grim. "But at least it seems that your question about Wills and Dreams will be answered soon. That is if you are able to kill whatever this is."


    Kaelix cursed under his breath, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his blade. Whatever was coming, it wasn''t friendly—and it wasn''t waiting.