Codex Fragment: The Eternal Vow of Service

  "Time may change all things, but it cannot erase the devotion of one who serves. Whether the master is king or peasant, the servant's heart remains true. In moments of wealth or ruin, the vow to serve never falters, for true glory lies not in dominion, but in unwavering loyalty to the act of service."

  Transcribed from the Scrolls of the Ever-Servant, Found Beneath the Forgotten Palace of Aetheron

  ***

  Arin continued to explore the delicate intricacies of bone structure, his connection to the world around him deepening. He had spent hours, then days, immersed in this strange, obsessive study. Every piece of bone he touched became more than just a fragment of the past—it was a lesson in itself. The knowledge poured in, layer by layer, as if he were uncovering the lost language of the world. Yet there was something more, something stirring just beyond his grasp. His hands moved of their own accord now, instinct guiding his actions.

  But Arin’s attention wasn’t entirely consumed by the bones anymore. He found himself occasionally stopping to watch the shadows dance on the walls, tracing their movements. The sanctuary, for all its tranquility, was far from empty. Something was here, something that was beginning to stir in the very air he breathed. It whispered to him, faint at first, but growing louder with every passing day.

  One evening, after a particularly grueling session of bone disassembly, Arin noticed the strange markings etched into the walls of the sanctuary. They were faint, barely perceptible—almost as if they had been waiting for him to notice them. The lines curved and spiraled like tendrils of thought, beckoning him toward a hidden passage. Intrigued, Arin followed the markings, his fingers brushing against the wall, a strange tingling sensation coursing through him as he did. The wall split open with a quiet groan, revealing a dark tunnel beyond.

  The passage was narrow and winding, but Arin felt drawn forward. His heart quickened with excitement, his senses heightened as he ventured deeper into the unknown. The darkness of the tunnel swallowed him whole, but it wasn’t oppressive—it felt alive, as though the very walls were guiding him toward something.

  The deeper Arin went, the more intense the sensation grew. The air thickened with an almost palpable energy, and the floor beneath his feet seemed to hum with power. He paused at one point, feeling a sudden chill crawl up his spine. It was then that he noticed something he had missed before: a faint glow emanating from the walls themselves, casting an eerie light that illuminated a carved inscription in a language he didn’t recognize.

  For a moment, he hesitated. This was beyond what he had expected—this was new. But his instinct, sharpened by days of discovery, urged him forward. The glow seemed to pulse with a rhythm, as if it were alive. He reached out, his fingers grazing the inscription.

  System Notification:

  You have unlocked the Hidden Passage.

  Reward: Unlocks Ancient Knowledge.

  Mission Update: Uncover the Sanctuary’s Secrets.

  You feel the presence of something ancient stirring in the darkness. A force that once slumbered now watches you, its gaze ancient and full of weight.

  As his fingers brushed against the ancient script, the world around him shifted. He felt the bones within him resonate—an almost symphonic connection, as if the very marrow of his being had aligned with the energy in the air. For the briefest moment, Arin saw something—an image, a vision of a vast, forgotten city buried beneath layers of time and earth. Massive structures, towering spires, and the faint outline of figures in robes, walking with purpose, their faces hidden in shadows.

  The vision faded as quickly as it had come, leaving Arin breathless, the pulse of energy fading from his fingertips. But now, more than ever, he felt it: a deep, resonating knowledge, just out of reach but tantalizingly close. The bones, the sanctuary, the visions—it was all part of a larger puzzle.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Arin’s senses heightened, the tunnel now seeming to stretch out endlessly before him. He stepped forward with purpose, determined to uncover the truth behind the strange energy that had been calling him. But as he moved further into the darkness, a new sensation crept into his mind—a gnawing feeling that he wasn’t alone.

  System Notification:

  You have sensed a new presence in the Sanctuary.

  The bones of the ancient world stir with an unnatural energy.

  Warning: Unseen Forces Gather.

  New Mission: Investigate the Source of the Ancient Energy.

  As Arin pressed on, he felt an undeniable pull toward something—or someone. It was subtle, a whisper in the back of his mind, but it was there. A voice, almost imperceptible, calling to him, urging him onward.

  And then, as if in answer to his unspoken question, the tunnel opened up into a vast chamber. The walls were lined with glowing runes, and at the center of the room stood an altar—a massive stone structure, covered in intricate carvings and dusted with centuries of neglect. The altar seemed to throb with energy, its power unmistakable. Arin approached it cautiously, his heart racing. As he drew closer, the whispers in his mind grew louder, and the sensation of something watching him intensified.

  System Notification:

  You have discovered the Ancient Altar.

  Reward: Unlocks Paragon’s Pathway.

  Mission Update: Awaken the Power Within.

  At that moment, a figure materialized in the center of the altar, a figure draped in tattered robes. It was tall, its features shrouded in darkness. The figure turned to face Arin, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. Arin felt a strange recognition in his chest—a pull, a deep connection to this being.

  The figure spoke, its voice low and resonant, like the echo of a forgotten truth.

  “You have awakened. And with your awakening, the path to mastery is now open to you. But know this—the path ahead will not be easy. There are forces beyond your understanding that will test you.”

  Arin stood motionless, his mind racing. This was more than just survival. This was a test of his very essence. And deep down, something within him thrilled at the challenge.

  But then, with a sudden, desperate tone, the figure called out:

  “MASTER, MASTER, are you there?” The figure’s voice quivered, a plea wrapped in desperation.

  Arin’s heart skipped. He stepped closer, unsure of what he should do.

  “Please... find this last gift. Forgive me... Your servant cannot be there to serve.”

  The figure’s tone broke, and it wept—tears of despair mingled with joy, a strange paradox.

  The sight filled Arin with confusion and sympathy. He reached out, his voice barely a whisper, "I’m here. I hear you." But the figure seemed not to notice, locked in its own sorrowful weeping.

  The figure, though not conscious of Arin’s presence, felt the aura of its master within him. The bones before Arin had once belonged to the servant who had followed the traces of his master to this place, dying unknowingly while waiting for his master’s return. The servant's lingering presence in the bones dissolved as they finally met their fate, and the altar now took its place.

  With a sudden, nearly imperceptible gesture, the figure vanished, leaving behind something tangible: a faintly glowing relic, pulsing with a subtle energy. It seemed like a part of the altar itself, an embodiment of its ancient power, now in Arin's hands. It was light, yet its weight felt immense—an ancient energy contained within.

  System Notification:

  You have received a Gift from the Servant.

  Reward: Ancient Power Relic.

  Mission Update: Discover the Relic’s Power.

  Important:

  The previous artifact (book) has been destroyed. The system will now use this relic as your anchor.

  Arin held the relic carefully, its energy filling him with a sense of urgency and purpose. This was no ordinary object—it was a key, a conduit to something greater. As his fingers closed around it, the relic resonated with the bones within him. He had no idea what lay ahead, but the path was clearer now.

  System Notification:

  All stats under 1.0 have been increased to above 1.0 with the relic's power.

  Your Vitality has been enhanced: Vitality: 1.0 (+0.5)

  Stats Update:

  Strength: 1.0

  Speed: 1.0

  Endurance: 1.0

  Agility: 1.0

  Perception: 1.2

  Resilience: 1.2

  Vitality: 1.0 (+0.5)

  Wisdom: 1.3

  New Abilities:

  Bonecrafting Mastery

  You can now craft bone-based tools and weapons with greater efficiency. Your understanding of bone structure allows you to create items that are stronger and more durable.

  Arin’s journey had just begun, yet already, it felt like he had stepped into something far beyond mere survival. Each moment, each discovery, led him closer to a power that pulsed through him, binding him to the world in ways he couldn’t fully understand. But that uncertainty—those unknowns—felt like a challenge to him. The path ahead was unclear, but Arin had already tasted what it meant to awaken. And now, he was ready to embrace whatever came next.

  LEVEL UP: Level 1

  Your tattoo glows, and everything fades to black as you cross a threshold of power.

  Requirements Met:

  Level 1. All available stats at least 1.0.

  Mastery of Bones.