Before anyone could speak further, a voice echoed inside Kaal's mind, ancient, emotionless, and mechanical:
"Player has passed the First Trial. Time to clear: One week. Evaluating performance... Grade: S. Heaven-Rank Genius detected."
"Error: Designated reward unavailable. Allocating alternative reward... Healing all injuries."
In a flash of divine energy, the pain in Kaal's body vanished. His bones shifted, healed. Torn skin restored itself.
He stood there, panting, shocked.
"Player…?" he muttered.
He stared at the obsidian monolith.
"That term… It's not from this world. I've only read that in Raven's memories… on the Blue Planet."
He turned toward the temple, his voice was low
"Founder… What are you?"
The brilliant pillar of light slowly faded, leaving behind a stunned silence in the grove.
Kaal stood before the Stone of Will, his palm still glowing faintly. His breath was heavy, but the pain that once wracked his body had vanished.
He blinked.
