He stood at the edge of a blackened ridge overlooking the once-familiar silhouette of the Draven Clan's outer gates. Nothing had changed—same towers, same banners, same arrogance stitched into every stone.
But to Kael, it felt like staring at a different world.
Because this time, he wasn't part of it.
"Time to see what the vermin look like from above."
He adjusted the tattered black cloak over his shoulder and began walking down the slope, every step cloaked in the subtle shimmer of [Shadowmeld], a passive Void trait that masked his presence from weaker senses.
As he approached, two outer sentries leaned lazily against their posts, joking about who would win the Inner Sect tournament.
"Lysar's already a favorite," one laughed. "Did you see him crush that Silverroot disciple last week? Split the arena in half!"
Kael's fingers twitched.
Lysar.
The same brother who betrayed him.
The same golden boy everyone bowed to after Kael was thrown into the Void.
"Let's test how long favorites last... when faced with a real monster."
---
🏯 [Draven Clan – Outer Gate]
"Halt. State your identity."
Kael didn't answer.
The guards tensed. One reached for his weapon, but too slow—Kael moved like shadow and flame.
A hand grasped the man's face.
[Void Drain] Activated.
The guard's scream was cut short as his life was siphoned into Kael's palm. His body collapsed, dry and gray like ash.
The second guard turned to flee.
"No. You announce me."
Kael stepped forward, whispering a command into the fleeing man's mind using [Fear Aura].
"Tell the Elders. Tell Lysar. Kael Draven is home."
---
🕯️ [Draven Clan – Inner Sanctuary]
Lysar sat in meditation, surrounded by the floating embers of his fire core, his long golden hair swaying with the heat.
He opened one eye, sensing the distant tremble.
"A Void tremor… here? Impossible."
Moments later, the terrified scout burst into the chamber, stumbling and pale.
"E-Elder Lysar! S-someone's at the outer gate—he… he killed Sorin, and the body—sir, the body turned to ash!"
"What did he say?" Lysar growled, rising slowly.
The scout swallowed hard.
"He said… Kael Draven is home."
Silence.
Then, a slow smile crept onto Lysar's face.
"So, the trash crawled back from the dump. Good… Now I get to kill him properly."
---
🔥 [Scene Shift – Clan Courtyard, One Hour Later]
Kael stood in the open courtyard now, surrounded by armored disciples and curious onlookers. Some whispered in shock. Others laughed.
"Is that really him?"
"Didn't he fall into the Void?"
"He looks… different."
A low rumble interrupted them as Lysar stepped into the arena.
He wore a cloak of phoenix feathers, his aura burning like the sun, his golden flame spirit swirling behind him.
"I commend your bravery, brother. Returning here, alone… uninvited. Daring."
Kael met his gaze.
"Not brave. Just inevitable."
"You should have stayed dead."
"You should have made sure I was."
---
⚔️ [Duel Initiated: Kael Draven vs. Lysar Draven]
Lysar: Lv. 23 – Flame Sovereign Bloodline
Kael: Lv. 17 – Void Authority
"I'll erase you this time," Lysar growled, conjuring twin swords of golden flame.
"Try."
They clashed.
Flame met Void.
Heat met hunger.
And the skies darkened as the two powers collided violently.
Kael fought with precision and wrath. Every time Lysar struck, Kael absorbed it, redirected it, twisted the laws of the battlefield using Void manipulation. His [Ashbound Blade] turned fire to dust.
But Lysar was no fool. His bloodline burned brighter with anger, and with a roar, he unleashed his signature technique—
[Phoenix Descent]
A massive bird of fire screamed down from above.
Kael didn't move.
"That trick again?"
He raised one hand—and smiled.
"Then let me show you how Void treats gods."
[Devour]
The phoenix screamed once—then imploded, consumed mid-flight.
Lysar staggered.
Kael appeared behind him in a flicker.
"You were never the sun."
A blade of darkness pierced through Lysar's shoulder.
"You were just the torch someone lit to burn me."
---
💠 [Battle Ended]
Lysar Defeated – Not Killed
Humanity -2%
Void Sovereign Seed Progress: 62%
Title Gained: Shadow of the Fallen Phoenix
Kael stood over his brother's writhing form.
"I'm not done with you yet. You still have something I need."
He looked up at the crowd—dozens of clan members frozen in fear.
"Listen well," he called. "The trash has returned. But I won't stay here long."
"Next, I take the Outer Realms."