Kael's footsteps echoed softly through the forest as he walked deeper into the wilderness, the weight of his decision pressing down on him with each step. The city, with all its noise, chaos, and temptations, felt like a distant memory now. Here, in the quiet of nature, he could find peace—or at least, he hoped he could.
After everything, the battles, the divine interventions, and the constant tug of his growing power, Kael needed a place to breathe. A place away from the gods, the wars, and the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth. The woods, thick with towering trees and the rustle of unseen creatures, would be his refuge.
The world around him seemed to shift in rhythm with his thoughts. As he walked further, the sounds of the city faded, replaced by the soft whispers of the wind through the branches. He reached a small clearing, the ground beneath him soft and moss-covered. There, nestled against the backdrop of the forest, Kael began to envision his new life.
[System Notification: New Objective Available]
Objective: Build a Shelter.
Kael sighed, his exhaustion catching up with him. Despite the overwhelming weight of power in his body, he was still human, still vulnerable to the elements. He needed shelter, something simple, something sturdy to call home for the time being.
Without hesitation, Kael turned to the task at hand. The trees surrounding him were ancient, tall, and full of potential. His hands, though accustomed to the intricacies of divine magic and warfare, found a certain comfort in the simple act of shaping the world around him.
He summoned his Riftborn Legion, calling forth the spectral warriors from the timelines he had shattered. The ethereal soldiers stepped forward, ready to obey his command. Kael gestured to the towering trees around him.
"Help me build a shelter," he ordered.
The soldiers, though made of spectral energy, began their work. They moved with precision, chopping down the trees with ghostly axes, their forms phasing through the material world. The forest itself seemed to breathe in harmony with Kael's will, as if the very air acknowledged his power.
In a matter of hours, a modest log cabin began to take shape. The walls were constructed with great care, and the roof was lined with thick, intertwined branches. Kael worked alongside his legion, occasionally stepping in to help guide the structure with his own hands. The rhythmic sound of axes striking wood and the hum of his magic filled the air.
As the cabin neared completion, Kael stepped back and admired the result. It was simple but sturdy—a perfect refuge for one who sought peace.
The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the clearing. Kael, his body covered in the dirt and grime of the day's labor, allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction.
[System Notification: Shelter Complete]
Kael's eyes scanned the newly completed cabin. The warm glow of the setting sun illuminated the wood, giving the structure an almost ethereal glow. It felt right—this was where he needed to be for now.
Stepping inside, he found the space modest but functional. A simple bed in the corner, a small fireplace for warmth, and a table crafted from the same logs that built the cabin. He let out a breath of relief. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of calm.
But that peace was short-lived.
[System Notification: New Objective Available]
Objective: Check Status Report.
Kael raised an eyebrow, sensing something important was on the horizon. His instincts told him it was time to take a closer look at his progress. His mind buzzed with the weight of the Forgotten's Shadow and the unresolved mysteries of the universe.
With a quiet sigh, Kael summoned the familiar interface in front of him. The glowing screen flickered into existence, and the details of his status filled his vision.
[STATUS REPORT]
Name: Kael Drayven
Class: Gatekeeper
Level: 200
XP: 0/500
HP: 10,000/10,000
MP: 25,000/25,000
Attributes:
Strength: 2,500
Dexterity: 2,200
Constitution: 2,300
Intelligence: 1,800
Wisdom: 1,700
Charisma: 1,000
Skills:
Riftblade Mastery (Max Level)
Shadow Fusion (Max Level)
Echo Step (Max Level)
Dimensional Strike (Max Level)
Rift Storm (Max Level)
Battle Instinct (Max Level)
Riftborn Legion (Max Level)
Worldbreaker (Max Level)
Time Dilation (Max Level)
Soul of the Gatekeeper (Unlocked)
God's Harvest (Unlocked)
Nexus Core (Unlocked)
The Forgotten's Shadow (Active)
Kael's eyes lingered over the new skill—The Forgotten's Shadow. The ominous energy it radiated left a lingering unease, and he could feel its influence gnawing at the edges of his consciousness.
New Objective: Confront the Forgotten
Kael closed the status screen with a grim look on his face. The Forgotten wasn't a threat he could ignore. No matter how isolated he became, the forces of the universe were still in motion. There was no hiding from destiny.
He stepped outside the cabin and looked up at the sky. The stars twinkled softly, as if silently watching him, waiting for the inevitable. The Forgotten was coming. And no matter how much he wanted peace, Kael knew he would have to face it.
For now, though, the woods would be his sanctuary. The solitude would be his armor. But the storm was always on the horizon, and Kael knew it
END OF CHAPTER 22