Morning arrived with a strange stillness.

  Arjun opened his eyes to find sunlight spilling across the cracked walls of the lodge. The storm from last night had passed, but something heavier remained in the air—an invisible residue left behind by the Karmaphages.

  Raaka was already awake, sharpening his axe by the window. Ayra stood outside, eyes scanning the forest, always alert. Elaran remained asleep, breathing shallowly as if the weight of history still crushed his chest.

  Arjun sat by the firepit, staring at his hands.

  > [System Notice: Throne Link – Stable]

  [Next Test Location: The Whispering Grove | 27 km South-East]

  [Warning: Presence of Karmic Parasites detected in region]

  He exhaled slowly. There was no rest between trials.

  Ayra stepped back inside. “I scouted ahead. The forest south of here is twisted—trees are alive in a way they shouldn't be. The locals call it the Whispering Grove.”

  Raaka looked up. “A cursed place. Travelers avoid it. Hunters who go in don’t come back.”

  Elaran stirred at the mention of it. “The Grove is ancient. A fragment of the Old World. The Judges seeded it long ago… to test those who claim power.”

  Arjun’s jaw tightened. “Then that’s where we go.”

  ---

  The path southward led through marshy trails and broken ridges, where moss grew thick and black birds watched from twisted branches.

  By midday, the trees grew denser, their roots like veins writhing across the earth. The air was rich with pollen and soft voices—inaudible whispers that tugged at the edge of thought.

  Ayra shivered. “This place is wrong.”

  > [Karmic Interference Detected]

  [Sanity Resistance: Engaged]

  Arjun could feel it too—subtle suggestions creeping into his mind. Regrets. Guilt. The voices of those he had failed whispered accusations into his ears.

  “You should’ve stayed in the village. You should’ve let the throne remain buried.”

  He gritted his teeth and pushed forward.

  Soon, they reached the center of the grove—a wide, circular clearing surrounded by ancient willow trees. At the heart of it stood a massive stone, half-buried, pulsing faintly with golden runes.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  > [Quest Location: Verified]

  [Trial of the Second Throne: Initiated]

  Suddenly, the wind ceased.

  The grove darkened.

  The trees began to move.

  Roots snaked out of the ground, forming a circle around them. And from the trees, figures emerged—not monsters, but echoes of people from Arjun’s life.

  His mother.

  The old temple priest.

  The orphan boy he failed to save from bandits.

  Ayra drew her sword. “What is this?!”

  Elaran whispered, “The Trial of Remorse. The throne weighs the past.”

  Raaka cursed. “I don’t like trials that involve guilt.”

  The figures spoke as one. “To claim the throne, you must forgive yourself. Or be consumed.”

  One of the echoes—Arjun’s mother—stepped forward. Her face was serene but her eyes burned with pain. “Why did you leave the village? Why chase power?”

  Arjun stepped toward her, trembling. “Because I couldn’t protect anyone without it.”

  “You left their bodies behind. Their souls cry out. You abandoned them.”

  He fell to his knees.

  Ayra rushed to help, but the roots stopped her.

  Raaka roared and tried to cut his way through, but every strike simply passed through illusions.

  Only Arjun could face this trial.

  The boy from the village—the one Arjun failed to save—approached. His body was broken, eyes wide. “You said you’d come back. You promised.”

  “I did,” Arjun whispered. “I did come back. Just too late.”

  > [Emotional Core Breach Detected]

  [Sanity Falling – 82%]

  He clenched his fists. The echoes pressed closer.

  “You are not worthy,” they whispered. “You are broken. Your throne will fall.”

  And then—

  A voice cut through the air.

  Not the System.

  Not a whisper.

  But a roar, deep and ancient.

  “ENOUGH!”

  The runes on the stone ignited, burning bright gold. The air shimmered. The illusions froze.

  A figure stepped from behind the throne.

  He looked like Arjun—but older, darker, clad in armor made from ash and starlight. His eyes glowed with karmic fire.

  > [Echo of the Future – Karmic Sovereign Arjun]

  [Link Established]

  The vision spoke.

  “I am what you may become. Not a king. Not a tyrant. But a sovereign who bears the weight of a thousand sins—and still stands.”

  He raised his hand. “These ghosts are your pain. Acknowledge them. But do not let them bind you.”

  The boy’s ghost reached out again.

  Arjun met his gaze. “I failed you. But I will build a world where no child like you ever suffers again.”

  The vision smiled.

  > [Trial of Remorse – Passed]

  The whispers stopped.

  The grove brightened.

  The roots retracted.

  And the second throne rose from the stone—this one shaped like a blooming lotus, surrounded by rings of fire.

  Arjun approached and placed his hand upon it.

  The throne surged with light.

  > [Second Throne Claimed – Throne of Compassion]

  [New Ability Unlocked: Soulbind | Allows temporary merging with karmic echoes to access their skills and memories.]

  [Karmic Throne Sync: 42%]

  Arjun staggered back, the power surging into him.

  Ayra reached him first. “You did it. Are you okay?”

  He nodded slowly. “I saw... what I could become. It wasn’t just power. It was purpose.”

  Raaka clapped him on the back. “Just make sure your future self doesn’t get us all killed.”

  They turned to leave—but behind them, the whispering returned. Softer this time. Not threats.

  Blessings.

  The grove, once cursed, now stood in silent peace.

  And in the distance, a bell rang. Once. Twice.

  Elaran stiffened.

  “That sound… it’s from the Vault of Karma. The third throne awaits.”

  Arjun looked into the horizon, eyes steady.

  “One trial down. Many more to go.”