They found the final shrine of the arc by accident.
Well, technically Mistral found it by chasing a squirrel into a cave system and refusing to explain himself. As usual.
The entrance was buried under centuries of dirt, vines, and sarcasm. But the moment Kazuki stepped near it, the sigil on his chest flared.
And the system said:
[Final Shrine of the Cycle – Echo Point Accessed][Path Alignment Required: Choose One to Proceed]
Inside, it was quiet. No monsters. No traps.
Just a stone platform, a reflection pool, and seven ancient statues, all missing their faces.
Kazuki stepped onto the platform. The system lit up.
[WARNING: Your soul has reached divergence. You must now choose a path.]
Three icons floated before him:
🩸 Infernal Path – Power through suffering. Unstable. Corruption increases. Skills enhance violently.
💀 Broken Path – Embrace failure, trauma, and lost identity. Unpredictable. Echo-based abilities enhanced.
🔥 Redeemed Path – Reject the cycle. Gain resistance to corruption. Delayed power spikes. Support-focused.
Mistral appeared beside him, serious for once.
"This isn't just a skill tree. This is who you'll become. You don't have to pick now—"
Kazuki reached out.
And chose… nothing.
The system blinked.
[Path Selection Delayed. Trait Acquired: The Unchosen]You walk between destinies. The gods are not pleased.]
The pool rippled.
A voice echoed from the water:
"The Unchosen walks again. The cycle frays. The watchers stir."
"He delays. He defies. He will fall."
"Or ruin everything trying."
Kazuki backed away. "Cool. Cool cool cool. I love it when water lectures me."
Then the shadows moved.
Something dropped from the ceiling with a flutter of black cloth and the dramatic silence of a professional rooftop brooder.
A figure stood there—masked, cloaked, and 100% certified Main Antagonist Energy.
"Hello, Kazuki," he said, voice smooth and awful. "I've been waiting."
The system pinged:
[??? Detected – Alignment: Inverted Vessel]
Kaelith drew her bow instantly.
Vera whispered, "That's you. Or it was."
Darin raised his swords. "I hate time travel. I really hate time travel."
The figure stepped closer.
"You shouldn't have stalled. Every time you delay, the gods shift the board. But me?" He raised a hand. Flames poured from his palm. "I made my choice. And I broke everything they gave me."
Mistral hissed. "Kazuki. That's a future you. Or a possible you. You do not win that fight yet."
Kazuki raised his ladle anyway. "Cool. Guess I'll lose with style, then."
But the figure only laughed.
"Not today. I just wanted to see you before you burn."
He turned and vanished—smoke, shadows, silence.
The shrine shook.
The system pinged again:
[New Objective Unlocked: Defy the Future][Volume 1 Complete.]
Outside, the team emerged into sunlight, blinking like people who'd been emotionally punched.
Kazuki looked at them and said, "So. Anyone else feel like things just escalated?"
Vera muttered, "You think?"
Darin said, "I still vote for Team Catastrophe."
Kaelith sheathed her bow. "Shut up and keep walking."
Mistral, smug as ever, whispered in Kazuki's ear:
"Welcome to the worst timeline, kid."