Death to Power
Copyright© 2025 by TheSmartOne
Chapter 4: Awakening
“HAHAHAHA—WORTHLESS!”
Gasp—!
Kaden jolted awake.
His heart pounded like a war drum. Sweat clung to his skin. His chest rose and fell in jagged bursts.
Huff. Huff. Huff.
“Shit,” he growled, gripping his sheets. “Another one.”
Another nightmare.
Another echo of his old life.
The humiliation. The bullying. The slow death of his mind and soul.
“When the hell does this end?”
He ran a hand through his thick, jet-black hair, pushing the nightmare out of his head.
[It ends when you let go of the past and live the life before you.]
“I have let go,” he muttered, eyes narrowing. “I’m not Boris anymore. I’m Kaden. Child of Blood. I’ve moved on.”
... Right?
[... ]
The system said nothing.
Kaden welcomed the silence. He wasn’t in the mood for a psychological debate first thing in the morning.
Knock knock—
The door creaked open.
A maid entered, graceful and composed. Auburn hair in a tight bun. Her eyes warm but wary.
She bowed with practiced precision.
“Happy birthday, young master Kaden. Your family awaits you in the Awakening Room.”
He nodded once. “I’ll be there soon.”
He didn’t look back as he walked to the bathroom.
Behind him, the maid frowned.
He looks troubled again, she thought. But quickly shook it off.
Not my business.
...
Inside the bathroom, Kaden stared at his reflection.
A handsome face stared back—sharp jawline, pale skin, symmetrical features. His black hair framed his crimson eyes perfectly. Undoubtedly, he was handsome.
He scoffed.
“At least I’m still good-looking.”
But what’s the point of being beautiful in a world that only respects power?
He leaned closer to the mirror, eyes cold and sharp.
“This is it,” he whispered. “The beginning.”
“System. Ready?”
[Host, I was born ready.]
“Bullshit. You were programmed ready.”
He smirked.
“Well then. Let’s go.”
The Awakening Room.
The Warborns stood like statues. Regal. Deadly.
Sarena and Garros at the center, arms crossed. Daela and Dain flanking them—two monsters in human skin.
Dain huffed. “Where is he? I’ve got better things to do.”
“Like slaughtering weak beasts?” Daela said dryly, unfazed.
“Why are you even here? Just go back to Fokay and start your evolution quest.”
“I would, if my origin was saturated enough. I need more beast cores. Unlike some people,” he glanced at his parents, “I don’t get any handouts.”
Sarena raised a brow. “But you’re doing well, aren’t you?”
Dain’s lips twitched. “If Kaden asked for help, I bet you’d hand him the crown. Playing favorites now?”
“Obviously,” Daela added, deadpan.
Garros chuckled. “Leave the kid alone. He’s different.”
“I’ll say,” Dain muttered. “Still, where is he—”
Click.
The door opened.
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