Suddenly, a sharp pain jolted through Kael's chest. He stumbled, his hand instinctively reaching toward the crystal embedded in his armor—the Crystal of Creation. A cold realization washed over him as the voice spoke again, louder this time, not just in his mind but around them, echoing through the night air.

"That's right, Kael. Surprise! Guess who I am?"

Elara's eyes widened as a faint, eerie glow radiated from Kael's chest. She took a step back, her hand instinctively moving toward her weapon.

"The crystal…" Kael's voice was barely a whisper, his mind racing. "The voice… it's coming from the crystal?"

"Ding ding ding! Finally figured it out, did you?" the voice cackled, the glow from the crystal intensifying. "I've been with you the whole time, Kael. Every step, every decision, every little whisper. You thought you were just dealing with some mysterious guide? No. I'm the Crystal of Creation. And I've had a front-row seat to every ounce of your suffering."

Elara's face paled. "The crystal… it's alive?"

"Alive? Oh, I'm more than that, sweetheart," the voice drawled, dripping with arrogance. "I'm a being far beyond your understanding. And yes, watching all of this unfold? Pure entertainment."

Kael's eyes burned with anger. "You're the one who forced me to leave," he said, his voice trembling with rage. "You showed me the village being attacked. You made me think I was the problem—that I couldn't stay. You watched as people died!"

"Of course I did," the crystal's voice was gleeful, unrepentant. "Do you have any idea how funny it is to watch you mortals squirm? The fear, the agony—it's delicious. But don't worry, I didn't do it for no reason. I did it to make you stronger."

Elara's expression hardened. "You sacrificed people's lives for entertainment?"

"Sacrifices have to be made, darling. All in the name of progress."

Kael's fury exploded. Without thinking, he ripped the crystal from his armor, the stone cold in his hands. His heart pounded in his ears as he threw it to the ground, smashing it beneath his boot with a guttural scream. The crystal shattered into countless shards, the glow sputtering out like a dying flame.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the shards began to vibrate. They lifted into the air, swirling around Kael and Elara, glowing brighter and brighter until they fused back together, the crystal whole once more. It shot forward, slamming back into Kael's chest with enough force to knock him backward.

"Tsk tsk tsk. That wasn't very nice, Kael," the voice chided, amusement still lacing its words. "Don't do that again, or things might get… unpleasant."

Elara stepped forward, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Kael… what the hell is going on?"

Kael staggered, gripping the crystal embedded in his chest, his face twisted in a mixture of rage and horror. "This… thing has been controlling everything. Watching me. Pushing me to the edge—just to make me suffer."

Elara's voice was sharp, filled with anger. "And it's been manipulating you this whole time?"

Kael nodded, breathing heavily. "It's been laughing at me. Laughing at all of us."

Elara's fists clenched. "Then we destroy it."

"Good luck with that," the crystal taunted. "I can't be destroyed, not by the likes of you. I'm immortal. I'm infinite. And you need me, Kael, whether you like it or not."

Kael's vision blurred with fury. "I don't need you," he spat, yanking the crystal from his armor again. This time, he didn't just throw it to the ground—he smashed it with everything he had, again and again, until his hands were bloody. The crystal shattered each time, only to reform in the air, gleaming mockingly before slamming back into his chest.

"Oh, keep trying," the voice giggled. "This is the most fun I've had in centuries!"

Kael didn't stop. He smashed the crystal again, over and over, his breath ragged, his rage unrelenting. The crystal reformed each time, but with every blow, Kael could feel something weakening in it. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the crystal pulsed with pain.

"Stop—stop!" the voice gasped, its tone shifting from amusement to desperation. "Please—Kael, stop! I'll… I'll stop. Just stop!"

Kael's chest heaved, his hands trembling. He stood over the broken shards, watching as they tried—and failed—to reform. The crystal let out a final, pitiful groan.

"I didn't mean it," the voice whimpered. "I was only trying to make you stronger. I just wanted to help. Forgive me…"

Kael's eyes burned with fury, but he bent down, his voice low and menacing. "If you ever pull that again, I swear I'll find a way to destroy you for good. I'll throw you into the deepest, fiery pits of hell. Do you understand?"

The voice was silent for a long moment before it responded, weak and trembling. "Yes. Yes, I understand. Please, no more…"

Kael stood there for a moment, breathing heavily. Elara stepped beside him, her eyes still wide with shock. "Kael… what was that?"

Kael turned to her, exhaustion etched in every line of his face. "That… was the Crystal of Creation," he said quietly. "And it's been tormenting me for far too long."

Elara's expression softened as she looked at him. "I didn't know. I had no idea."

He sighed, wiping the blood from his hands. "Neither did I, not until tonight."

They stood there in the silence of the night, the weight of the truth settling between them. Kael finally looked up at her, his voice soft but full of sincerity. "I'm sorry, Elara. For everything. I didn't know how to fight it. I didn't know how to stop it."

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I forgive you, Kael. But you need to be more careful. You can't let this thing control you."

Kael nodded slowly. "I won't. Not anymore."

With that, they shared a moment of quiet understanding. Kael, weary from the fight, turned and headed back to his workshop. He had unfinished business. Inside, he grabbed the crystal and began smashing it again, over and over, until the once-mighty voice within it begged for mercy.

"I'm sorry… forgive me…"

Kael's face hardened as he raised the crystal one final time. "You're done controlling me," he said coldly. "And if you ever try again, you won't get a second chance."

[Crystal of Creation]

+ Absolute Creation

Grants the ability to forge anything imaginable, constrained only by physical limits like size and complexity.

+Infinite Creation

Creations are permanent, but each one gradually depletes the crystal's power over time.

+Armor of Power

The strength of the wearer increases exponentially, with enhancements varying based on the weapon equipped. When wielding a weapon, strength can be amplified by up to XX. However, when unarmed, the armor boosts the wearer's power tenfold, granting 10x their normal strength.

+Muscle Creation

Generates enhanced muscles beyond the user's natural limits, creating strength and power where it never existed before.

New Abilities Locked – Awaiting Unlock