The Shimmering Forest pulsed with life, its crystalline roots gleaming like stars trapped in vibrant coils. Rian traced the winding trail, the pendant warm against his chest, his mind fixed on the ruins Velan had described—a place of answers, shrouded in danger. If Velan was right, what secrets was the Gray Divinity hiding there?
Craevon's voice, the divinity stirring in his mind, rumbled deep within. Keep it buried, Rian told himself, guarding the secret. Ahead, Lina vaulted over a glowing root, her boundless energy defying the forest's oppressive tension.
"You're quieter than a dried-up vine, Rian," Lina teased, spinning on her heels with a grin. "Planning revenge—or just sleepy?"
"Just focused," Rian replied, his voice steady, masking the faint tremor as Craevon whispered: Guard the inner flame. He adjusted his glove, concealing the "C"-shaped mark pulsing on his hand.
"Focused, huh?" Lina laughed, kicking a loose stone that sparkled as it rolled. "You look like a snuffed-out campfire. Relax—we'll hit the ruins before dawn."
"Unless the vines grab us first," Rian shot back, a half-smile breaking through.
Lina pointed at the motionless vines weaving through the trees. "Check the pattern. They only strike if you step wrong. Stay sharp."
Rian followed, marveling at her razor-sharp instincts, reading every subtle shift in the forest's rhythm. Craevon's voice rumbled again: Beware, boy. Danger flies on crystal wings. Rian frowned, hiding his unease, eyes locked on the path.
Suddenly, Lina froze. "Hear that?"
A shrill hum sliced the air, followed by blinding glints. Crystal birds swooped down, their razor-sharp feathers flashing like shattered mirrors.
"Blaze!" Rian shouted, summoning the Flame Sword. His left hand ignited, shaping the blazing blade, but his fingers trembled, the heat flickering. He unleashed a Heavy Strike, the sword carving a fiery arc—but the birds were swift, dodging with deafening screeches.
Flame Sword created!
Energy: 10/15.
Three strikes, maybe four, Rian thought, heart pounding, the memory of flames devouring his home flooding his mind.
"Too many!" Lina yelled, hurling a moss-wrapped stone that glowed faintly. "Rian, left—lure two to the vines!"
Living vines lashed out, their colored thorns snaring two birds in gleaming clutches. The mark on Rian's hand burned beneath his glove, pain mingling with exhaustion. He spun, the sword's flames faltering before erupting in a wide arc. "Spinning Flame!"
Three birds incinerated in a shower of sparkling ash, but the blade grew heavier, its fire dimmer.
New skill unlocked! Spinning Flame (Level 1).
Energy: 7/15.
"Nice one, Rian!" Lina shouted, a shallow cut on her arm bleeding from a feather's slice. "But more are coming!"
"Get behind me!" Rian ordered, chest heaving, his rage against the Gray Divinity pulsing as fiercely as the mark. Lina lobbed another stone, drawing more birds toward the vines.
"I don't hide!" she snapped, laughing despite the wound. "Just cover me!"
Rian charged, the blazing sword slicing the air, but each swing drained him, the heat slipping like sand. The last birds fell, reduced to glittering ash, and the forest fell silent, save for the rhythmic pulse of the gems.
Energy: 5/15.
Rian dropped to his knees, sweat dripping from his brow. Velan said the ruins would reveal the truth about the mark—but at what cost? Lina approached, wiping blood from her arm.
"That was… intense," she said, a half-smile breaking through. "Your sword's getting scary."
"Just practice," Rian said quickly, covering the mark. He spotted the ruins ahead, stone arches glowing under diffused light.
"You think Velan was right about the answers?" Lina asked, her tone sobering.
"Only one way to find out," Rian said, his voice steady despite the fatigue.
In the clearing, the air thickened, heavy with ozone and ancient stone. An obelisk loomed, its purple runes pulsing in sync with Rian's mark. The hum of the crystals faded, as if the forest held its breath. Craevon whispered: He comes. A corrupted fragment of our essence. Not human—not entirely.
Slow, deliberate footsteps echoed, precise as a clock's tick. The crystals darkened, their light sucked into a shadow forming between the arches. A figure emerged—a scout in a flowing cloak, rippling like smoke, its silver mask reflecting the purple runes. Glassy eyes glowed, inhuman, and the spear in its hand pulsed with a purple crystal, draining the life around it. The scout drove the weapon into the ground, a sharp crack splitting nearby gems, their lights winking out.
"You bear the mark?" the scout asked, its metallic voice slicing the air like a blade.
Rian tugged his cloak tighter, fear of exposure gripping his chest. The scout tilted its head, a predator sizing up prey.
"If you do, I was sent to erase you—before you understand."
"Rian, behind you!" Lina yelled.
Rian rolled, the spear tearing into the ground where he'd stood. The Flame Sword flared, but its flames wavered, weak.
Energy: 3/15.
One strike, maybe two, he thought, fear blending with fury. The memory of the cloaked figure returned, and he gritted his teeth. I won't fall here.
"Nullium Crystal," the scout said, spinning the spear with mechanical precision. "Forged to slay abominations like you."
"Abomination's what you'll be when I'm done," Rian growled, lunging. He feinted low, spinning to strike high—but the spear parried with a hum, forcing him back. His muscles screamed with each move.
Craevon whispered: It was shaped from our fragments. Beware.
Rian barely had time to think. A second spear thrust nearly pierced his chest, the weapon's hum cutting the air.
"Hold still," the scout said. "I promise a swift death."
Rian stumbled back, feet scraping the crystallized ground, his body begging for rest. Lina, hidden among the roots, signaled. He understood.
"Lina, now!"
She shoved loose stones, sending them rolling toward the scout. It dodged effortlessly—but didn't see Lina spring from behind. With uncanny precision, she smashed a stone tied to a vine into the base of its helmet. The scout dropped to its knees, groaning, struggling to rise with the spear.
Energy: 3/15.
Rian kicked the weapon away, his vision blurring. He pressed the flickering Flame Sword to the scout's neck, the flames trembling in his hand.
"Who sent you?"
"I owe you no answers," the scout muttered before collapsing.
"Nice play!" Rian gasped, the Flame Sword dissolving. He slumped to the ground, chest heaving, the mark pulsing like a second heart. A voice echoed in his mind: Status updated.
[Rian's Status!]
Strength: 30/50 to Level 2
Speed: 16/50 to Level 2
Energy: 3/15
Skills:
Flame Sword (30/100 to Level 3)
Fire Strike (10/100 to Level 3)
Heavy Strike (10/50 to Level 2)
Spinning Flame (10/50 to Level 2)
Items:
Resilient Cloak
Crystal Water
Rian's gaze locked on the obelisk, its runes glowing as if calling to him. He and Lina stood before the open doorway, a distant roar echoing from the depths. Purple flames danced, casting shadows that seemed to whisper his name. Craevon spoke: Enter, Rian. The truth awaits.
"You ready for this?" Lina asked, courage and doubt mingling in her voice.
Rian felt exhaustion weigh him down, purple blurs flickering at the edges of his vision. Sweat trickled down his brow, and the memory of fire—his home in flames, the cloaked figure—hit hard, fueling his resolve. They'll pay.
"More than ever," he said, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hands.
"Let's do this, then," Lina said, stepping forward with a defiant grin. "But seriously—no vines."
Rian managed a half-smile, his mind on Craevon. A louder roar rumbled, closer, like something ancient stirring. Lina glanced at him, and Rian nodded firmly.
"Whatever's in there, we face it together," he said, determination burning in his chest.
They crossed the threshold, purple flames lighting the path to Valdaris, where danger waited—awake and hungry.