Ethan found himself standing among the remains of the Shadowborn after his substantial win as his blood continued hot from the victory. A quick challenge in an obedient world turned out to be the creature's sole role before becoming merely a passing distraction for him. Before the war the human restriction constricted his heart yet after this engagement he gained a cool calculating engine which served as his fighting force. No doubts or hesitations existed at this moment since he had reached this stage. Human restrictions no longer held him captive.
{System Alert: Blood Sovereign Title Updated: Unstoppable.}
The words were a confirmation. The system confirmed through its words that he had achieved the milestone of passing beyond mortal existence. Meeting his validation of strength from the System failed to quiet the icy thoughts beneath Ethan's consciousness. What am I now?
A hidden query disturbed his thoughts and mind. Killing others without hesitation had become his defining habit throughout his life. His hands showed the marks of those individuals who used to be his close friends as well as his enemies and those souls which had reached out to him with kind offers of release. Through destroying the world he created his new route. Death had transformed him into something that exceeded his former human weakness.
His past sounds still resounded even after these actions.
With his eyes shut Ethan allowed the confusion to circle through his thoughts. The dwindling pieces of his human character still managed to surface in his thoughts as he could recall memories from before he became what he is today. His previous life now seemed distant because the current moment was a complete disruption from what he had known before. His mind navigated away from a personal reality that floating in space no longer corresponded with his current state.
{System Update: New Trait Acquired – Bloodborn Ruler.}
The alert message intervened to stop his thinking process. A dark smile appeared on his lips after he finally returned to the present moment. Bloodborn Ruler. The title felt right. His fresh being emerged as a blood-powered entity which escaped all vulnerabilities of his prior life.
The realization of his new identity failed to suppress his inquiry regarding whether he possessed manly qualities or had transformed into an inferior being. A monster, perhaps? From this perspective he understood every situation as coming naturally from his dominance over others. He maintained knowledge within him about what other people would name him. People in his town named him as the ultimate antagonist. A tyrant. This being displayed traits of someone who had abandoned human characteristics.
{System Notification: Humanity Percentage Decreased.}
The displayed numbers presented themselves with harsh brutality. His deceased humanity escaped his grip exactly like grains of sand. The System monitored his decreasing humanity with the precision that reduced Ethan to a simple tool while simultaneously steering him toward more acts of murder and devastation. He paid no attention to either the titles or numbers which no longer held significance to him. His primary objective at this moment became the world he would inherit because destiny had chosen him to lead an empire. But was that enough?
A heavy feeling crushed his heart as he released his breath. Ethan spent his first period without thinking about all the deaths he has brought. Not as casualties or obstacles, but as people. One brief reflection triggered a terrible reaction in his gut. The desire to dominate all had shifted his capacity to make right decisions throughout his years of power thirst. Had he lost himself completely?
{System Alert: Blood Sovereign Skill Activated – Soul Splitter.}
An activation of the skill caused Ethan to sense a new ability pulsating within him. An instant break occurred within his soul when the edges of his existence spread wide. Upon activation of his new power his darker side emerged because he experienced a boost in strength through inflicting pain on others. His might grew proportionally with every fresh hurt he dealt. He fell into a brutal pattern which turned into his normative existence.
{Soul Splitter Skill: Allows the wielder to divide and manipulate their soul essence to create avatars, control the essence of others, and enhance combat abilities.}
His facial expression slightly curdled into a grin. He had started to grasp every possible capability of this new power. Because his power allowed him to divide his soul essence into numerous shapes he could transfer his existence across countless planes simultaneously. His power allowed him to enter others' bodies as well as make them work as extensions of his will while converting their souls into weapons. His novelty as being unlimited by the restrictions of one physical vessel became apparent.
The power was intoxicating.
With the system guiding his following action Ethan paused one more time. Am I human?
The empty room allowed him to clearly hear the unanswered question reverberating through its space. There was no answer. His pulsing heart was the only thing he heard while his heartbeat remained unaffected and emotionless. His weapon now cut into his grip reminding him of the devastating reality he had transformed into existence. His version of chaos now ruled over the world during its total disarray.
He would purposefully set everything on flames to achieve his need.
A small uncertainty moved through his determination. Did this path hold any potential for bringing him satisfaction? The time would arrive when he examined the ash-ridden remnants of his creation before acknowledging it all for nothing?
He dismissed a passing thought that pursued him as he departed from the shadows which previously served as his singular companions. He did not have moments for doubting his decision. Only a bloody future waited to receive him.
{System Message: Blood Domain Expanding.}
The notification flashed before him. Expansion of his lands became a steadily advancing growth which similarly resembled the ominous advance of a fog. His expanding bloodline brought greater dominion to him over the world. His terminal responded instantly to every order which forced it to distort reality according to his commands.
In that moment, Ethan understood. The world already suffered destruction since he carried out the act of destruction. Through his own creation he intended to establish something much larger than what existed before. Through his personal dominion of blood and power he controlled the entire kingdom as his sole master.
The matter of human concern and moral ethics no longer held any meaning to him. He was no longer a boy. He was a ruler. A king of blood. Creation through the intense heat of war and power has birthed this being.
His ambition would force everyone who resisted him to sink into oblivion.