A Field is the true manifestation of Spark. Spark is the tangible form of Genesis, one that can be wielded directly as a weapon.
Kyle had always known about it. For the longest time, he wondered why, despite being able to wield Genesis with such freedom, he had never been able to manifest a Field.
He had always blamed his lack of experience.
But the truth was far simpler.
He only needed a push.
And tonight, standing before this monster, he finally received it.
"So you can create your own domain now, eh?" the man asked, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.
Despite the deteriorating state of its body, its voice remained calm. Then again, that physical form was nothing more than a vessel.
Kyle slowly swept his eyes across the endless expanse of darkness, where countless tiny orbs floated silently around him.
It was as though he had been forced to relive the same dream from days ago.
The dream where countless beings had knelt before him in reverence... in fear.
This place was almost identical to that dream, save for one difference.
There was no one here except his prey.
"DIE!!" And he still held the hope of killing him as it lunged toward Kyle with golden lightning crackling around him.
Without a word, Kyle raised a hand. Acting on pure instinct, he willed the creature to kneel.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, an overwhelming force descended upon the Apostle.
Krak
Its knees buckled, shattering beneath the pressure before it crashed to the ground. There was no chance to resist, not even enough time to comprehend what had happened.
Kyle frowned and slowly increased the pressure.
He was relying entirely on instinct. He had no idea how a Field truly functioned, much less how his own was supposed to work.
Piece by piece, the creature began to fall apart.
Its muscles ruptured. Its bones splintered.
Even its soul began to crumble.
Kyle watched as the golden radiance drifted out of the creature, dissolving into the surroundings before flowing toward him.
He liked it.
Consuming the fragment filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction.
[Host...]
Kyle ignored the system.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he stepped forward and slowly clenched his fist.
"Gaaah!"
The Apostle screamed.
No... not the Apostle.
It was the being controlling it.
Kyle was ripping apart the divine fragment the deity had bestowed upon the vessel, tearing it away piece by piece.
Without ever laying a hand on the withering corpse, he steadily absorbed that divine essence into himself.
[Host... that amount of energy will backfire. Please restrain your emotions.]
Kyle let out a low growl.
"This thing wanted to lay its hands on Ethara. Do you expect me to spare it?"
[Host, tormenting a divine being will only invite greater trouble.]
Kyle paid the warning no attention.
His focus remained fixed on the fragment as he stripped away its pride, peeling it apart layer by layer.
He could feel the energy surging through him, nourishing and strengthening his soul.
He loved this feeling.
The act of devouring something so powerful stirred a satisfaction unlike anything else.
Just then...
"Kyle."
The gentle voice made him flinch.
He turned toward it.
There she stood, bathed in a soft silver radiance. A woman he had never truly seen before, yet one he recognized instantly.
"Artemis..." he breathed, releasing his hold on the lifeless vessel.
"Kyle..." she called again. "Please... control your emotions. You aren’t like this."
Kyle clicked his tongue.
"I am like this, Ethara. I can kill anyone who dares threaten the safety of my people."
She lowered her head, a gentle smile blooming across her flawless face.
"I am happy to hear you consider me someone close to you. But consuming divinity will bring severe consequences for both of us."
Kyle’s expression stiffened.
[That is what the system has been trying to tell you, Host. Once you consume a divine fragment, those who have yet to form an opinion of you will begin to see you as a threat.]
Realization finally dawned on him.
Now he understood why the system had sounded so panicked.
"You still have a chance to remain within the limits of mortals. Don’t cross that line, Kyle... at least not yet," Ethara urged softly, genuine concern filling her voice.
He let out a slow sigh.
"Ethara... are you safe?"
"I am," she replied. "I simply needed to stay away from you for a while, so I wouldn’t draw any more attention to you than I already have."
"I don’t care about that."
His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"I don’t give a damn who comes after me."
He stepped closer and gently cupped her cheek.
He couldn’t feel her warmth.
But he could look into her eyes.
That alone was enough to ease the weight pressing against his heart.
In a quiet whisper, he said,
"Just... don’t stop talking to me."
She gazed back at him, her eyes trembling ever so slightly.
"I... have put both of us at risk. You must hate me."
Her voice carried a vulnerability he had never heard before.
Ethara needed reassurance.
And he was more than willing to give it.
Smiling gently, he said, "No, I don’t. I don’t resent anything you’ve done. If anything, I feel we’ve formed a bond that always protects me whenever I stand beneath the moon."
Ethara could only look into his eyes.
A moment later, relief washed over her face, and a radiant smile slowly bloomed across her lips.
Kyle rested a hand on her head.
"So stop hiding and come see me from time to time. I’ll be waiting."
Like an obedient girl, she gave a small nod.
Soon, the world around him began to shift.
Ethara’s figure gradually faded away as her final words resonated in his ears, "Thank you, Kyle."
The Field was collapsing, and with it, the Apostle’s body dissolved into nothingness.
As his vision cleared, Kyle noticed one thing.
He was no longer alone in the garden.
Every teacher, along with several guards, had surrounded the area.
The sheer number of people left him momentarily stunned.
He turned toward the Headmaster.
"Headmaster, I..."
"Come with me."
Christopher gave him no chance to explain. He grabbed Kyle by the arm and began walking away, forcing Kyle to follow beside him.
Crap.
His plan to keep his Field a secret had just fallen apart.