The glowing prompt lingered in the air, a faint shimmer casting eerie reflections on the still water around them. James stared at it, his gut filled with a mixture of curiosity and dread. He could see Joey eyeing it, that eager spark in his gaze betraying his excitement. James took a breath, his voice steady as he spoke.
"It says that it's solo. I don't think we would be able to help each other," James said, frowning slightly. "I don't know, Joey. I feel confident in our abilities, but it's all still so fresh, and I don't have nearly enough experience to fight in a duel with someone who knows what they're doing."
Nyx threaded between James' legs, her soft fur brushing against his calves through the tears in his pants. She let out a reassuring purr, as if to back up James’ caution. James glanced down at her, feeling the warmth of her presence and the comfort she provided. He reached down, scratching her head absently.
Joey, however, wasn't ready to let go of the idea just yet. He looked at the prompt with a longing expression, then back at James, and he let out a deep sigh. "Yeah, you're probably right," he said, his shoulders drooping slightly. "It's just... my parents always told me that if I ever got an opportunity, I should take it as far as it could go." There was an edge to his voice—half convincing himself to let go, half yearning to take the leap.
James turned, his gaze softening as he looked at Joey. He took a step closer, his voice quiet but firm. "Joey, if you want to do it, I'll be here to support you. But I don't think it’s worth the risk right now. It's one thing to fight beasts—creatures driven by instinct. It’s another to face intelligent opponents who strategize, who learn. Do you remember that salamander we fought before we got separated?"
Joey's face tightened, the memory playing behind his eyes. He nodded slowly. James continued, "It was intelligent, Joey. We both saw it adapt during that fight. We barely made it out, and we had each other then. Imagine facing something like that alone, without backup. If it happens again in there, there's no stream to dive into, no desperate current to carry us away."
Joey sighed, and the defiant spark in his eyes dulled slightly. He knew James was right, even if he didn't want to admit it. He stared at the lake for a moment, watching the fish swim in gentle patterns beneath the surface. "Alright," he finally said, his voice carrying a reluctant acceptance. But then he straightened his shoulders, his chin lifting with renewed determination. "But if we get the chance after we train some more, we’re coming back. And we’re going to conquer the whole thing!" There was a fierce determination in his eyes, his voice firm and unyielding.
James couldn't help but smile, shaking his head. There was something contagious about Joey's enthusiasm, something that always seemed to lift his spirits. "Alright, it's a deal," he said, nodding. He turned his gaze towards the fish that continued their lazy swim around the island, their bodies glowing with an ethereal light that reflected off the dark water. James bent down slightly, looking at Nyx, who had settled down at his feet, curling into a relaxed position.
"Can you call the fish back, Nyx?" James asked, his tone gentle. He didn’t know how deep Nyx's connection with these luminescent creatures went, but there was an understanding in her eyes—a spark that told him she understood far more than he often gave her credit for. Nyx glanced up at James, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement, then let out a soft meow before leaping onto a nearby rock, her tail flicking with a lazy sort of grace.
The fish responded almost instantly, their bodies shifting beneath the water as they began to swim closer. James felt a surge of relief, watching as the largest of the fish approached, its luminescent body glowing brightly beneath the dark waters. Nyx glanced at James, her eyes meeting his for a moment, and James could have sworn there was a knowing look there—as if Nyx was reminding him of their unique connection.
Taking a gamble, James spoke again, his voice hesitant but hopeful. "Nyx... do you know where we could find the Shadow Guardian?" The question hung in the air, heavy with the implications it carried. The Shadow Guardian—the Rift's ultimate challenge, the being that had been haunting their steps since they entered. It was the one threat they had been warned about, the one presence that seemed to hold power over the entire Rift.
Nyx paused, her gaze shifting to meet James's once more. She let out a soft, uncertain meow, her head tilting slightly. James could see the caution in her eyes, the hesitation. It was as if she was weighing the risk in her mind, calculating whether they were truly ready for such a challenge.
"I think we are strong enough," James said, his voice quiet but resolute. He looked down at Joey, who was watching him with a mix of awe and curiosity. "I mean, I'm a lot stronger than you'd think for my level." There was an excitement in his voice, a belief that he was ready to push beyond what he had thought possible.
Nyx seemed to sense the confidence in James, and she turned her head to Joey, watching him for a moment. Joey stared back, his eyes wide, a hint of jealousy flashing through them, Nyx noticed though James didn't. Joey masked it well, his lips quirking up into a small smile.
Nyx let out another meow, this one carrying a weight of affirmation. James took it as a yes, a confirmation that she did know where the Shadow Guardian was. But there was something in her eyes—something almost protective, as if she were warning him without words. "Do you think we could take on the Guardian?" James asked, his tone almost lighthearted. The absurdity of asking a kitten if they were ready to face down a Rift Guardian was not lost on him, but Nyx was more than just a kitten. She was his partner, his equal, and he valued her insight.
Nyx gave a small, cautious meow, and James could sense the hesitation in her. He got the impression that it would be a hard battle—that there would be risks. But he also felt her belief in them. He reached down, running a hand gently over her fur, and she responded with a soft nuzzle against his palm.
Suddenly, Nyx's eyes widened, her gaze locking onto James's. She let out a plaintive meow, her eyes pleading, as though asking him an unspoken question. James blinked, understanding dawning on him. "You want to know if you're going to come with me when we leave the Rift?" he asked, his voice soft.
Nyx's eyes glistened, her body tensing slightly as she stared up at him. James felt a pang in his chest, and he knelt down, bringing his face closer to hers. He gave her a small smile, his voice filled with warmth. "You and me are bonded together, Nyx. We're a team."
At his words, Nyx's entire posture shifted—her body relaxed, and she let out a contented purr. She leaped onto James' shoulder, curling against his neck, her head nuzzling into him as he smiled.
"Alright," James said, turning towards Joey, who had been watching them with a soft expression on his face. "Let’s get out of here."
The glowing fish drifted towards them, their bodies shifting and lengthening until one was large enough for them to climb inside. They stepped into the creature's mouth, Nyx perched confidently on James' shoulder. The inside of the fish was unsurprisingly cold still, and James settled back for the ride, feeling the walls begin to grow translucent around him.
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The journey was brief but calming. James watched the glowing world of the underwater lake drift by, the shadows of other creatures moving in the distance. It was almost peaceful—a strange beauty that seemed to fill the Rift despite all its dangers.
The fish landed, sliding smoothly onto the rocky shore of the cavern. James and Joey climbed out, their feet crunching against the pebbles and silt. James gave the fish a few grateful taps on its side, and Joey followed suit, giving a faint nod. Nyx hopped down, padding along the shore, her ears perked up as she led the way.
The air was different here—thicker, more oppressive. It carried a weight that pressed down on them, filling James with an uneasy anticipation. Nyx led them to a narrow path winding around a rocky outcropping, her movements slow and deliberate. She paused, her body tensing, her hackles rising as she let out a low hiss. James and Joey exchanged glances, immediately going on alert.
Nyx indicated a cavern just beyond the path. Her eyes narrowed, and her fur bristled as if she sensed something dangerous. Before they could investigate further, a shadow burst from the darkness. The shape of a salamander lunged at James, its claws raking across his leg. He stumbled back, feeling the sting, though the wound wasn't deep—just a graze. It hurt, but it wasn't enough to slow him down.
"James!" Joey yelled, his voice filled with alarm.
James gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay focused. The salamander was a creature of the Rift, its dark, scaly hide blending with the cavern shadows. It hissed, its glowing eyes fixed on James, who instinctively brought his trident up in a defensive stance. He could see Joey already moving, lantern flickering in the dim light as he stepped into position.
This time, James didn't hesitate. He drew upon {Battle Strategy}, feeling the shift in his mind as patterns began to form—each movement of the salamander mapped out, its possible trajectories laid out in front of him like threads of a web. The world seemed to slow as he readied himself, his grip on the trident tightening.
"Joey, hold your ground. Let it come to us," James called out, his voice level.
Joey nodded, holding the lantern high, its beam casting eerie shadows that danced across the rocky cavern walls. The salamander lunged again, its claws outstretched. But this time, James was ready. He stepped forward, thrusting the trident forward with a precision that seemed almost instinctual. The weapon connected with the creature's side, the force amplified by {Trident Power Thrust}.
The salamander let out a shrill screech, its body twisting in pain as it tried to recoil. James moved with it, keeping his trident embedded, his muscles straining as he pushed further. He could feel the resistance, the struggle of the creature, but he didn't let up. He twisted the trident, forcing the salamander to the ground.
Joey watched, his eyes wide. He moved to flank the creature, but James shook his head. "I’ve got this," he said, his voice tight with concentration.
The salamander's movements grew sluggish, its eyes dimming as James drove the trident deeper. Finally, with a shudder, the creature collapsed, its body dissolving into a dark mist that dissipated into the air. James let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his muscles relaxing as he stepped back.
{Level seven Dark Salamander Defeated - Kill}
{88 EXP Awarded} -> {44 EXP Shared With Familiar}
{Congratulations! From your efforts, you are rewarded}
{Short Sword of Bleeding (Ashen)}
{Congratulations! Your reward is Doubled!}
James leaned back, breathing heavily, the weight of the battle beginning to lift from his shoulders. He opened his status screen, the glowing prompts filling his vision. The moment he did, the familiar sensation washed over him—that strange compulsion to allocate his points, to shape himself with the essence he had earned. It was a mechanism that felt almost alien, as if the SYSTEM itself was urging him to grow, to evolve.
Name - Jameson Castellio Age - 10 Titles - | Dungeon Marauder (Crimson) |
| Convergent Soul (Crimson) |
| Mana Harmonization (Cobalt) | Achievements - First Kill Race - Human (Ashen Rank One) Level - 5 (4/506) Class - N/A
HP -
565/615 MP - 320/410 Stamina - 327/615 Strength -
8
Dexterity - 8 Agility - 7 Intelligence - 13 Endurance - 21 Charisma - 6 (+1) Wisdom - 12 Fate - 13 Innate skill Level 1
******
Level 50 Locked Level 100 Locked Active Skills
| Trident Power Thrust (Ashen Rank Four) |
| Swimming (Ashen Rank One) |
| Meditation (Ashen Rank three) |
| Essence Sight (Saffron Rank Four) |
| Battle Strategy (Saffron Rank Three) |
| Essence Inspect (Saffron Rank Four)
Passive Skills | Trident Proficiency (Ashen Rank Eight)|
| Familiar Bond (Saffron Level Two)|
Affinities ********
It was interesting to look at his status now—how the numbers and words seemed to represent not just power, but a journey, each level and skill a testament to the battles fought and the challenges overcome. He had gained a level in {Familiar Bond}, {Trident Power Thrust}, and {Trident Proficiency}. Even his charisma had grown by a point—an unexpected but welcome change.
The compulsion to allocate his points grew stronger, a subtle pressure building inside his mind and body. He wished he could save them for when they were safely out of the Rift, but the pressure was becoming almost painful, an insistence that he could no longer ignore. James sighed, considering his options.
He wanted to focus on magic once they were free of the Rift—he wanted to understand the essence, to master it. But there were more pressing concerns. He had to be prepared to face whatever awaited them with the rift guardian, and he had to be ready to face his parents. He needed the strength to handle those conversations, the charisma to explain what had happened to him, to make them understand. Remembering the prompt at the beginning of the rift he was confident that he would level up with the 1500 EXP from the rewards. kicking the can down the road James spread the points out across strength, dexterity, agility, Intelligence and endurance—rounding them out to satisfy some inner sense of balance.
James closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath as the points settled into him, the changes rippling through his body. He felt... different. Not dramatically, but there was a sense of something shifting—a new strength in his muscles, a clarity in his thoughts, a confidence that hadn't been there before.
His gaze drifted to the essence forming above the fallen salamander—a shimmering mist that seemed to call to him, urging him to claim it. His eyes narrowed, and an inner greed began to stir. His hand tightened around the trident, his mind racing. The reward had been a short sword—a weapon that promised bleeding damage, a different kind of power.
Joey moved up beside him, his eyes on the shimmering essence as well. "Hey, James," Joey said, his voice soft, his eyes wide with wonder. "That sword... it could be useful. But... do you think you want to switch weapons now? I mean, that trident has saved your life more than once."
James looked down at the trident, its worn but dependable form glinting in the dim light. It had been his companion through all of this—a weapon that had guided him through every challenge they had faced. He glanced at Nyx, who was watching him intently, her eyes shining with a knowing light.
After a moment, James smiled, shaking his head. "No, Joey," he said, his voice steady. "The trident stays. It's gotten us this far, and I think it'll see us through whatever comes next."
Joey nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that." He clapped James on the shoulder, his expression brightening. "Besides, you make that trident look cool. Can't have you changing up your whole look now."
James chuckled, feeling a warmth spreading through him—a sense of belonging, of purpose, James wanted a brief time to get acclimated to the changes to his body and then they would be free to end the rift once and for all.