The Sea of Tears stretched to the horizon, its surface calm, its depths warm, its shores lined with the floating platforms that housed five million freed souls. Kafu stood on the deck of his yacht, watching the sun rise over the world he had helped build.
Eighty-five worlds. Five million, three hundred ninety-eight thousand souls. Two hundred fourteen thousand shadows. Two billion souls waiting in the void.
And in ninety days, the Bloody Scavenger Hunt would begin.
[THE BLOODY SCAVENGER HUNT — COUNTDOWN]
Aspect Value
Time Until Event 90 days
Location Universe 10, The Writer's Shadow
Participants 1,000 strongest beings in existence
Prize Unknown (legendary)
Host's Status Invited (as The One and The Unkillable)
Kafu touched the rune on his heart. Ninety days until he would face the strongest beings in existence. Ninety days to prepare. Ninety days to become something more than he was.
Kyrella appeared beside him, her Starlight form soft in the morning light. "You're thinking about the Hunt."
"I'm thinking about what comes after. The Fifth Seal. The First Liberator's Tomb. The power that was stolen from me." He looked at her. "I'm thinking about what I will become when the seals are broken."
She took his hand. "You will become what you were always meant to be. The one who keeps promises."
He smiled. "Then let's make sure I survive long enough to keep them."
---
THE PREPARATIONS BEGIN
Kafu called his council to the war room. The holographic display showed the known information about the Bloody Scavenger Hunt—the location, the participants, the dangers.
[THE BLOODY SCAVENGER HUNT — KNOWN INFORMATION]
Aspect Details
Location Universe 10, The Writer's Shadow
Terrain Shifting reality, living stories, conceptual hazards
Duration 30 days
Participants 1,000 (invitation only)
Known Participants 47 Eternal Sovereigns, 312 Eternal Celestials, 641 others
Past Winners 3 (all became legends)
Survival Rate 12%
Varus stepped forward, his datapad glowing. "Master, the Hunt is the most dangerous event in existence. Past winners include the First Blood, the First Dreamer, and the Observer himself. Those who survive are changed. Those who win become legends."
Kafu studied the display. "And the prize?"
"Unknown. Each Hunt has a different prize. Some say it is a Seal. Others say it is a direct boon from the Writer. A few whisper that the prize is a fragment of the Writer's own power."
Kafu's gold-red eyes narrowed. "A fragment of the Writer's power?"
"Enough to elevate a cultivator from Eternal Celestial to Chaos Sovereign. Enough to break seals that have held for eons. Enough to change the course of existence."
Kafu touched the rune on his heart. The Writer's power could break the seals Xynthos had placed on him. Could restore what had been stolen. Could make him what he was meant to be.
"I will win this Hunt."
---
THE GIFTS
Before he left, Kafu had gifts to give.
[GIFTS — THE TWELVE WIVES]
Wife Gift Purpose
Kyrella Starlight Weeping Willow (Evolved) Amplify Starlight power 10×
Veyla Primordial Energy Lotus (Light) Absorb light-based attacks
Morana Void Root Sapling (Shadow) Connect to shadow network
Terrana Primordial World Tree Fragment Anchor worlds to reality
Aquana Primordial Energy Lotus (Water) Control all waters
Ignia Primordial Energy Lotus (Fire) Control primordial flames
Aeria Primordial Energy Lotus (Wind) Control dimensional winds
Luminara Promise Keeper's Rose Seal their bond
Tenebris Void Root Sapling (Darkness) Control shadows
Crysa Primordial Energy Lotus (Ice) Control absolute zero
Terra Primordial World Tree Fragment Strengthen foundations
Sylva Soul Nourishing Lotus (Evolved) Heal any wound
---
[GIFTS — THE SHADOW ASCENDANTS]
Ascendant Gift Purpose
Greenwarden Primordial Energy Lotus (Plant) Control all plant life
Crystalmere Crystal Heart Fragment Create unbreakable shields
Ironheart Forge of Souls Forge weapons from shadow essence
Shadowveil Shadow Crown Command all shadows
Firebrand Flame of Redemption Burn away corruption
Frostmorne Heart of Winter Freeze enemy power
Voidborn Void Seed Create pocket dimensions
---
[GIFTS — THE LIVING COMMANDERS]
Commander Gift Purpose
Varus Karma Weaving Vine (Evolved) See enemy karma, predict moves
Seraphina Void Root Sapling Connect intelligence network
Elara Promise Keeper's Rose Seal strategic bonds
Theron Primordial Energy Lotus (Combat) Absorb enemy power in battle
Others (17) Attribute-matched Various enhancements
---
THE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
Kafu gathered his council for the last time before the Hunt.
"I will be gone for thirty days. Perhaps longer. The Hunt will take me to places even I cannot predict. But I will return."
He looked at each of them.
"While I am gone, you will guard what we have built. The shadows will protect the freed worlds. The living forces will train for the war to come. The soul army will watch for threats from the Royal Families."
He turned to Kyrella.
"You are in command. If the Royal Families move against us, if the First Varnax stirs, if anything threatens our people—you have the authority to act. Trust your judgment. Trust your power. Trust each other."
Kyrella nodded. "I will not fail you."
"You have never failed me." He looked at all of them. "None of you have."
He touched the rune on his heart.
"In thirty days, I will return. I will have the prize. I will find the Fifth Seal. I will break the chains that bind me. And then—" He smiled. "And then, we will finish what we started."
---
THE DEPARTURE
The Golden Scorpion lifted from the Sea of Tears, its hull gleaming, its engines humming, its destination set for Universe 10. Kafu stood on the bridge alone, his wives watching from the shore, his army waiting in the void, his promise burning in his heart.
The golden text appeared one last time.
[DIVINE GOD SYSTEM — BLOODY SCAVENGER HUNT]
Aspect Value
Location Universe 10, The Writer's Shadow
Travel Time 30 days
Duration of Hunt 30 days
Return Time 60 days from departure
Kafu looked at the stars, at the darkness that waited beyond the light, at the Hunt that would determine his future.
"Set course for Universe 10. The Writer's Shadow awaits."
The Golden Scorpion leaped into dimensional space.