Ascendancy: The System’s Chosen

Ronan led Eleanor through the heart of Ravensrest, past wooden shops and small homes, toward the towering stone building at the center of the village.

It was a fortress—solid, unyielding, with high walls and fortified windows. This was the Warden's Hall, where the village's most powerful and influential resided.

Garrick's voice rang out behind them. "Don't go causing trouble, Ronan. Keep your head down."

Ronan didn't reply, pushing open the heavy doors to the hall. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old leather, parchment, and smoldering incense.

At the far end of the hall, a man sat at a massive desk, cluttered with maps and scrolls. His face was hidden by the shadows of his hood, but his eyes—sharp, calculating—studied them the moment they entered.

The man's voice was deep and steady, with the kind of authority that didn't need to be loud to be felt. "Ronan. You're late. And you've brought company."

"Yeah, well, things got messy out there," Ronan said, avoiding the Warden's gaze. "This is Eleanor. She's… different."

Eleanor stepped forward, her gaze never leaving the Warden. "Eleanor Holt. I hear you know things. Things that might help me understand what's happening to me."

The Warden studied her for a long moment before finally speaking. "Ascendant."

Eleanor's breath hitched. "You know about it?"

He nodded, his voice quiet. "I've seen it before. Not many, but there are a few who gain the power of the Ascendant System. It's a dangerous power, one that can drive a person to madness or destruction if they don't understand it."

Eleanor's pulse quickened. "What is it? How did I get it?"

The Warden didn't immediately answer. Instead, he gestured to a chair. "Sit. You've come this far. You deserve to know."

Eleanor took the seat, her mind racing.

The Warden leaned forward, his fingers tapping the desk. "The Ascendant System… it's not something you just 'get.' It's a response. A reaction from the world itself."

"The world itself?" Eleanor repeated, confusion clouding her mind.

He nodded slowly. "This world—this entire realm—has been in a state of decay. Corruption and monsters have been spreading, and the systems that govern this world are breaking down. But every so often, something or someone with the potential to fix it rises. You're one of them, Eleanor."

Eleanor's heart thudded in her chest. "Fix it? What do you mean?"

"The Ascendant System is a last resort. It doesn't grant you power simply for survival. It gives you the tools to reshape the world, to fight back against what's breaking it apart." The Warden's gaze locked with hers. "But be warned. There are others like you—those who seek power for themselves. They'll stop at nothing to claim it."

Eleanor leaned forward, every fiber of her being alert. "Others? Who are they?"

The Warden's lips tightened. "I don't know their names. But they've been gathering, waiting for the moment when the systems crumble completely. And when that happens, they'll take everything."

Eleanor felt a chill run down her spine. Others. People with the same system, the same power, and no morals about using it for their own gain.

"You need to be careful," the Warden warned. "Not all who are Ascendant are here to save this world. Some want to bring it to its knees."

Eleanor's mind raced, the weight of his words sinking in. Her power was more than just an advantage—it made her a target.

"I can help you," the Warden continued, his tone softening. "But first, you must prove you're more than just a survivor. You need to build your strength, gain allies. And most importantly, learn to control your power before it controls you."

Eleanor nodded slowly. "How do I do that?"

"Training," he said, standing. "And more importantly, knowledge. The more you understand this world, the better equipped you'll be. You should start by meeting with the Scholars of Ravensrest. They have the knowledge you seek. And after that, we'll discuss the next steps."

Eleanor stood, her resolve hardening. "Then let's go."

The Warden watched her for a moment before nodding. "One last thing, Eleanor. Don't let your power blind you. The more you wield it, the harder it will be to keep your humanity intact. Many fall when they lose sight of that."

Eleanor clenched her fists, the Phantom Edge flickering faintly in her mind.

She wasn't going to fall.

Not now. Not ever.