Far beyond the Chamber of Equilibrium, deep within the swirling chaos of the Void Nexus, a gathering commenced.
Seven massive thrones floated in a perfect circle, suspended in endless darkness. Upon each throne sat a Sovereign — beings of unimaginable power, their forms constantly shifting between monstrous and divine.
At the center of the circle hovered a holographic projection — showing Ayato's battle with the Hollowed.
One Sovereign, a towering being of skeletal wings and molten eyes, broke the silence. His voice echoed like cracking stone:
"The Voidborn resists."
Another Sovereign, formed entirely of flowing mist and glimmering eyes, whispered:
"He grows... faster than expected."
The third, whose body was a mass of spinning rings and stars, hummed with curiosity:
"Balance has not been achieved for centuries. This boy… may be different."
Then, the largest Sovereign — veiled entirely in shadows — spoke last.
"It matters not. The Seal of Eternity cannot be mastered. When the time comes, he will fall… like all the others."
Their voices overlapped in dark harmony.
"Prepare the next Hollowed."
---
Back in the Sanctuary
Ayato sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as the Seal glowed faintly. He meditated, focusing on keeping the balance between light and void.
The battle with the Hollowed haunted him. Despite their victory, he knew it was only the beginning.
Renka approached quietly. "You've done well, Ayato."
He opened his eyes. "I couldn't have done it without Kaito. Without both of you."
Renka smiled faintly. "Even the strongest Voidborn cannot stand alone. The Seal tests not just your strength, but your connections. The stronger your bonds, the stronger your control."
Kaito joined them, bringing supplies. "Well, I'm officially exhausted. Do we get a break?"
Renka shook her head. "There is no time. The Hollowed won't stop. The Sovereigns won't stop. But now... you're ready for the next phase."
Ayato stood. "Next phase?"
Renka gestured, and a hidden passage opened behind her. A staircase spiraled downward into glowing mist.
"To face the Sovereigns," she said, "you must awaken your True Aspect."
---
The Path of Awakening
As they descended the staircase, Ayato felt the air grow denser, almost pressing against his skin.
Renka explained, "Every Voidborn carries within them a unique Aspect — a manifestation of their deepest truth. It defines their abilities and shapes their destiny."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "So it's like... a personal core power?"
"Exactly," Renka said. "But awakening it requires confronting yourself."
At the bottom of the staircase, a vast crystalline chamber awaited. Floating mirrors surrounded them, each shimmering with strange reflections.
Ayato looked around, feeling a strange pull. His reflection in the mirrors warped, showing versions of himself:
One consumed by darkness.
One lost in blinding light.
One standing alone in endless void.
Renka stepped back. "This is the Chamber of Reflection. Step forward when you're ready."
Ayato swallowed his fear and stepped into the center.
Instantly, the mirrors glowed. The reflections spoke in haunting unison:
"Are you the master of your fate… or its prisoner?"
---
The Internal Struggle
The chamber melted away around Ayato. He stood now in a strange realm of swirling void and light — facing his own doppelgangers.
The dark version of him sneered.
"You desire power. You fear weakness. Surrender to me, and no one will ever hurt you again."
The blinding version whispered.
"You seek peace. You fear conflict. Deny the void, and be free of pain forever."
Ayato clenched his fists.
"No... I am not one or the other. I am both."
The world shook as Ayato's true voice roared through the illusion.
"I accept my fears! My doubts! My desires! But they do not control me!"
The reflections shattered. A burst of pure energy erupted from Ayato's chest as a new symbol appeared above his Seal — a mark shaped like an infinity loop enclosed by twin wings.
Renka's voice echoed from afar:
"You've done it, Ayato. Your True Aspect has awakened."
---
The Aspect of Equilibrium
The chamber reformed, and Ayato stood, his aura vastly stronger.
A perfect fusion of void and light swirled around him like a halo.
Renka smiled with pride.
"You are now the Voidborn of Equilibrium."
Kaito whistled. "Now that's an upgrade."
But far beyond, within the Void Nexus, the Sovereigns watched with growing interest — and fear.
"The Seal of Eternity… has begun to awaken fully."
---
End of Chapter 9