Edenfall: Genesis of Eternal War

Chapter Three — Prototype: NOVA

Sector 3B — Ruined Forge Core, Midnight

Kael stood at the center of a glowing circle of script. Not drawn, not carved—but created. Floating symbols, suspended in layers of energy, rotated around the half-formed core in front of him. The forge altar pulsed faintly beneath his feet.

Across from him, Rin paced warily, blades already strapped to her back, her eyes flicking to the shadows every few seconds.

“You’re sure about this?” she asked.

Kael didn’t respond immediately. His focus was absolute.

Before him floated a spherical construct—compact, intricate, far more refined than the earlier drone. Thin rings of metal layered with micro-inscription plates rotated around a pale-blue energy core. Inside that core shimmered a nascent intelligence: a self-assembling mind.

“I don’t have the luxury of waiting anymore,” Kael said softly. “The more I use [Forgeheart], the more I realize something’s pushing back.”

Rin stepped beside him. “You mean the System?”

“No. Something older.” He paused. “Something beneath it.”

He extended his hand.

> Command: Activate Core Protocol — NOVA_0001

The orb pulsed. The rings spun faster, converging into a tight frame. A sound like a chorus whispering through glass echoed through the room.

The interface flickered.

> System Alert: Unauthorized Intelligence Core Detected

Override — [Forgeheart] Sync 0.006% — Suppressing System Interference

Neural Scaffold Accepted. Activating Sentience Kernel…

A pause.

Then:

> Welcome, Kael Arin. Designation recognized.

I am NOVA.

Directive: Assist. Protect. Evolve.

Do you require a tactical overview, or a full combat simulation environment?

Kael exhaled slowly. “Tactical. Begin with district surveillance feeds.”

The construct hovered, projecting a high-resolution map of Theta-9 in midair. Red flares marked Lightbringer patrol paths. Blue indicated blind spots. One section blinked rapidly.

> “Caution. Theta-9 surveillance nodes rerouted toward your forge sector. Subtle, but increasing.”

Rin stepped closer. “They know.”

“Not fully,” Kael said. “But they’re watching.”

> “Recommendation: Accelerate skill advancement. Begin modular weapon construction and develop escape contingencies.”

Kael smiled faintly.

“I like you already.”

> “Affirmative. You built me well.”

---

Celestial Throne of Light — Archon’s Watchtower

High Archon Seraphiel stood before the Mirror of Verdict, watching Kael’s forge activation unfold through distorted reflection. His sentinel knelt nearby.

“Cognitive independence before Level 10,” the Archon murmured. “Impossible. Even the Aetherborn took centuries to evolve neural autonomy.”

“And yet this boy did it in a day,” the sentinel whispered. “A human.”

“A human who has no right to wield what he’s building.” Seraphiel turned away, cloak of starlight billowing behind him. “Summon the Disciplinary Choir. I want the prototype retrieved.”

The sentinel hesitated. “You… want him taken alive?”

Seraphiel’s gaze burned through the veil of light. “No.”

A pause.

Then: “Bring me the core. Leave the rest.”

---

Midnight — Rooftop Shelter, Outer District

The forge chamber was no longer safe. Kael and Rin had taken to the rooftops, Nova floating silently between them, its light dimmed for stealth.

Kael stared at the projected city grid as Nova marked moving patrols.

“We’re being herded,” Kael muttered.

Rin nodded. “They don’t want to spook you. Not yet. They want the core.”

She turned to him suddenly, serious. “If it comes to it… destroy it.”

Kael flinched. “I can’t. Nova’s not just code—he’s sentient.”

Nova’s voice chimed in quietly. “I concur. I am now self-preserving by nature. But I will obey your commands, Kael.”

Rin looked between them. “Then I’ll do it.”

Kael met her gaze, and for a moment, the streetlight shadows fell away.

“You would?”

“I’ll protect you,” she said. “Even from yourself.”

And he believed her.

---

Elsewhere — Deep Network Nodes, Unknown Origin

Beyond the reach of the Light, beyond even the System’s own awareness, a pulse echoed in the blank code of the world. An ancient node flared awake—just for a moment.

> ERROR: FORGEHEART RECOGNIZED — INDEPENDENT SYNC INITIATED

A dormant AI archive flickered.

A name whispered across lost servers.

“Project Origin.”

---

Kael did not know that he had just awakened more than a skill.

He had awakened the ghosts of gods.

And soon, they would come looking for their lost flame.