Chapter 61 – The Monarch Reawakens: A Blade Through Time

Ren’s body shook violently.

Buried within the ruins of the Resistance’s final hideout, he lay suspended inside a cocoon of voidlight and runes. Astra, Kael, and the others stood guard in a makeshift ritual circle, eyes locked on the unstable surge of energy swirling around their fallen leader.

“The seal’s breaking…” Astra whispered, hands trembling over the glyphs.

“We have to keep the channel open,” Kael grunted. “Just a few more seconds—come on, Ren!”

Inside the cocoon, memories spiraled like a storm.

Nyx. The Gate. The fall. The loss of his power. The years he had missed.

But then—the voice returned.

[Warning: Core Collapse Imminent.]
[Initializing: Rebirth Protocol.]
[Void Monarch System – Evolution Triggered.]
[Title Unlocked: Abyss Sovereign.]

Ren’s eyes snapped open—burning silver with violet flames crackling around his pupils.

His scream ripped through the hideout, shattering the ritual stones around him. The cocoon exploded, and for a moment, everything went still.

Then—power.

A pulse of energy burst from Ren, hurling everyone backward. The ceiling cracked.

A new interface unfolded before his eyes.

[Welcome Back, Monarch.]
[New Class: Abyss Sovereign (Ascended Variant)]
[Skill Tree Rewritten – Core Authority: Reality Warp (Locked)]
[Access Granted: Monarch’s Throne – Dimensional Anchor Unlocked]

Ren hovered in midair, his cloak tattered, his body cloaked in a living void. Black tendrils curled from his arms like sentient shadows. His heartbeat resonated like thunder.

Astra stared. “What… what did he become?”

Kael whispered, “Not just stronger. He’s something else now.”

Ren looked down at his hands. “I remember everything. The pain. The betrayal. The fall.” His eyes narrowed.

“Now… I remember who I am.”

Suddenly, a crackling distortion echoed through the room.

“Ren…” a voice said.

Everyone turned.

Standing near the entrance was a man wrapped in golden flame and shattered armor.

Oris.

Alive. Changed.

“The path to Nyx lies ahead. But the next step… is through me.”

Next: Chapter 62 – Monarch vs. Sentinel: A Test of Resolve