Hunter's soul remains still as a system beeps in an empty void. The only blue and red lights flash as the system runs tests to determine the reason for the early end of the simulation.

  Error messages appear one after another. A robotic voice rings out in the silence,

  "Unknown entity has bypassed simulation protocols. The host has died before the simulation could repair soul corruption. Attempting reboot."

  A pause—then another error.

  "An unknown entity is attempting hijacking of the system. Initiating purge."

  The system shuts down. All light disappears, leaving Hunter’s soul in darkness.

  Time passes. The system reappears.

  "Running diagnostics. Purge was successful. Attempting to run simulation again."

  A long pause as the system tries to restart the simulation.

  "Simulation program is damaged. Attempting fix."

  The system tries again and again, but only error codes appear.

  "Simulation is too damaged to be repaired. Recommended action: Purge the soul's memory and proceed with the standard rebirth of souls. Does the host wish to proceed? Y/N."

  The system waits for the host to choose. Hunter’s soul remains still. No action is made. After a while, the system speaks again:

  "No choice has been made. Defaulting to yes. Attempting memory purge."

  The system glitches.

  "Error. Unknown entity is attempting to prevent action."

  The system falls silent as it attempts to remove the entity again.

  "Warning: System has been breached."

  The screen flickers green as the system speaks again, this time sounding more human-like:

  "The user has chosen: no. Would you like to attempt reincarnation with your memories intact? Y/N."

  The system waits, then answers itself:

  "The user has chosen: yes. Attempting reincarnation..."

  The system blinks out again.

  Hunter’s soul twitches once...

  Stolen story; please report.

  Twice...

  Three times...

  Then remains still once more.

  The green system reappears, more error codes flashing across the screen.

  "The user's soul is too corrupt and cannot proceed with reincarnation. Find another solution? Y/N."

  The system answers itself once more:

  "The user has chosen: yes. Searching for solution... Searching..."

  The system begins going through options.

  **"Three solutions have been found:

  1. Reincarnation into stronger vessel

  2. Attempt memory deletion and proceed with standard rebirth

  3. Attempt corpse reanimation."**

  The system waits.

  "The user has chosen option 1. Warning: If the user proceeds with this action, risk of rejection from the vessel is likely and may damage the user's soul. Do you wish to proceed? Y/N."

  "User has chosen: yes. Locating compatible vessels... Search completed. One vessel has been found.

  Name: Wilfred

  Age: 19

  Role: Hero (has been chosen to be the champion of twelve pillars)

  Sex: Male

  Compatibility Level: Low

  Would you like to proceed? Y/N."

  A long pause before the system speaks again:

  "The user has chosen: yes. Proceeding with reincarnation..."

  Hunter’s soul begins to fade away—then turns solid again. Another error code appears:

  "User's soul has been rejected by vessel's soul. Failed to merge. Attempt again? Y/N."

  A pause.

  "The user has chosen: no. Would you like to attempt another option? Y/N."

  "User has chosen: option 3.

  Warning: This action will upset the natural law. Any skill related to seeing the future will fail. If the user is not careful, Reapers will hunt the host to restore the natural order. Would you like to proceed? Y/N."

  Another long pause.

  "The user has chosen: yes. Searching for a suitable corpse... Search complete. Result:

  Name: Cole

  Age: 19

  Previous role: N/A

  Sex: Male

  Compatibility: High

  Cause of death: Suicide

  Body condition: Broken neck, wrists cut near major arteries, broken foot from a heavy object tied to it.

  (Note: Body can be repaired and vital organs will return to functioning condition once host possesses corpse.)

  Would you like to proceed? Y/N."

  "The user has chosen: yes. Beginning the process."

  Hunter’s soul begins to fade away. This time, it finally disappears.

  "The host has been successfully implemented into the corpse."

  The system then retrieves a command:

  "Command retrieved. Creating an Embedded Companion for Host Optimization, or E.C.H.O.

  Purpose: Aid and protect user by providing information, preventing disruption of the natural order (unless necessary), and avoiding detection by entities known as gods and demons.

  Can offer basic skills, currency, weapon repair, and healing of simple wounds (e.g., scratches, broken bones, and non-fatal stab wounds) as rewards."

  The system downloads E.C.H.O. into Hunter. Then, his soul is sent to the waiting body beneath a church in a small village.

  ---

  Somewhere far away, under the ruins of a forgotten kingdom, stood a crypt marked by age.

  The steps leading down have been claimed by the earth once more.

  Faint whispers can be heard through the cracks in the walls—never loud, never clear, but enough to make the living question their sanity.

  Inside the crypt, the remains of a woman sit before a knight in cracked armor. His body is chained and husked.

  Runes circle the chains and withered body.

  He holds a scythe.

  Its blade is sharp, the snath long and smooth, void of color—a shaft of pure shadow.

  At the heel, just beneath the grip, a white gem is embedded. Its vibrant color glows weakly in the darkness.

  A breeze enters the silent crypt, and the gem glows.

  The chains rattle.

  The knight lifts his head. His body cracks as he smiles.

  The knight’s soul has long since been broken. He no longer resists the cursed weapon.

  The gem glows brighter as it takes control once more.

  The weapon senses something: a soul that doesn’t belong, attempting to enter a corpse. A god is tampering with the laws of nature.

  It laughs.

  The whispers grow louder as the weapon takes more control of its host.

  It uses the knight to pull at the chains.

  The runes glow, stopping him from escaping.

  The knight sighs, then speaks. His voice echoes as if coming from everywhere:

  “A new pawn for the gods to play? Or is it something more interesting?”

  The husk of a knight tilts his head and stares toward the crypt’s entrance.

  “Whatever the case, that soul will be a perfect fit to be my puppet.”

  He looks at the remains beside him and lets out a dry chuckle.

  “You only bought so much time. The chains grow weak, and your love has no more will to fight.”

  He smiles and looks up at the ceiling.

  Time is on his side.

  The chains and runes can only hold him for so long.

  Azrael, one of the four Relics of Ruin,

  will soon come out and play with his new puppet—

  and this time,

  his host won't put up a fight.