Chapter 22: Fragment of the Forsaken Cube
[Location: ??? – Within the Riemabour Portal – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]
The portal's light pulsed softly, casting shimmering reflections across their faces. They arrived in a realm of absolute darkness, devoid of any natural light. Their Lumina Cores immediately flickered to life, emitting a faint glow that revealed their surroundings. However, they quickly realized the Arcane Network within their Lumina Cores was non-functional. Beside them lay the lifeless body of a Golem—an advanced automaton previously sent for exploration—with no signs of external damage.
Their eyes met, some glimmering with determination while others betrayed a flicker of doubt. Lysander Everhart and Amisha Kaputri were the first to step forward, disappearing into the mysterious energy vortex. One by one, the rest followed until the portal sealed behind them, leaving a heavy silence.
Lorcan Grindelwald shot a glance at Amisha, his expression half-protest.
“Aunt, why just us? Wouldn’t it be safer with more people? You turned everyone else away?”
Amisha, her gaze calm yet piercing, tilted her head slightly.
“Too many people would cause chaos, Lorcan. Space here is limited, and they’re more useful guarding the city if something happens to us.”
Beside them, Reine Lindt hesitantly stepped forward.
“I—I’m honored to be here, Grandmaster, with all of you,” He stammered, his voice trembling.
The tense atmosphere shifted as Lysander’s voice cut through the silence. His dark eyes swept over the team, carrying a weight that was palpable.
“You’re young. Missions like this leave marks—not just because of success but because of what you’ll learn here.” He paused, his gaze narrowing.
“But don’t be reckless. This isn’t the academy.”
Amisha allowed a faint, amused smile to play across her usually stoic face. Her spectral raven, Raven, fluttered its shimmering wings before settling back into stillness.
“Hear that, Lorcan? Even Lysander thinks you need to stay calm.”
Lorcan let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes theatrically.
“Fine, Aunt. Thank you, Grandmaster. I’ll try to be the perfect little soldier.”
Amisha arched an eyebrow, her smirk widening slightly.
“Let’s see how long that lasts.”
Their footsteps echoed as they moved cautiously through the unfamiliar, dark terrain. Drifter, walking near the rear, felt an unusual weight in his movements. His breaths were deeper, his sharp eyes scanning the shadowy edges of their faint light.
"This place... feels like the Abyssal Breach," he mused silently, noting the living-like quality of the shadows around them.
The air grew colder, each breath forming faint clouds of mist. They approached the entrance to an ancient structure—a massive stone door adorned with glowing carvings that seemed to ripple like water. Amisha’s raven darted forward, its spectral form shimmering as it passed the threshold.
The carvings flared brilliantly for a moment before fading entirely. Amisha’s brow furrowed.
“Raven, return,” she commanded sharply.
There was no response. Her hand moved in intricate patterns, materializing her familiar back. Nothing happened. Concern flickered across her normally composed face.
Alina Walsh stepped forward, her posture rigid, her gaze sharp. She addressed Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine with commanding clarity.
“The three of you—if we go in, be ready for the worst. Stay together. No recklessness. Understood?”
Her cold tone left no room for argument. Reine and Sloane swallowed hard, nodding, while Lorcan followed suit without his usual sarcasm.
One by one, they stepped through the door as though walking through water. Inside, Drifter was struck by the haunting beauty of the scene—crumbling dark stone structures, faceless statues standing frozen in eerie silence, and blackened walls inscribed with alien glyphs that seemed to pulse faintly.
Lysander and Luna Sabriel paused in front of one of the inscriptions, their gazes locked onto the unfamiliar symbols etched into the wall. Lysander’s brows furrowed as he spoke, his tone laced with curiosity and unease.
"What language is this? It’s not Old Selvarian, is it?"
Luna shook her head slowly, her expression shadowed with concern.
"No, Grandmaster. This is... something entirely different. I’ve never seen anything like it before."
The team’s mood grew heavier. Jaxon Virelli, Alina, Reine, Lorcan, and Sloane exchanged uneasy glances, the oppressive weight of the unknown pressing on them.
Meanwhile, Drifter brooded in silence, his mind racing.
"If even Grandmaster Lysander can’t identify it... What is this place?"
Meanwhile, Sloane glanced around with a grim expression, struggling to mask his unease. Deep down, he muttered to himself in regret.
"Why did I agree to this? Damn it... Should’ve stayed behind."
The group moved deeper into the structure, each step amplifying the suffocating weight of the haunting silence around them. Alina suddenly halted, her eyes glowing faintly as she attempted to activate her Enchanted Sight.
"Even the Enchanted Sight picks up nothing," she murmured, her voice edged with growing wariness.
They exchanged uncertain glances before proceeding with greater caution. The temperature dropped further, and the thick, oppressive air made breathing feel labored. Ancient symbols along the walls began to emit a faint, pale blue glow, their eerie light casting slow-moving shadows across the space.
As they stepped into a massive circular hall, Luna Sabriel came to an abrupt halt. Her sharp eyes were drawn to a grand mural spanning one of the walls. The painting depicted an enigmatic being—a creature with six wings, its head a baffling geometric structure, unlike any known species. Its arms resembled those of a feral beast, while its tail and colossal legs exuded an aura of primal power. Surrounding the central figure were depictions of various species, some familiar and others entirely alien—such as a giant winged beast that, despite its size, appeared diminutive next to the winged entity. Nearby, peculiar box-shaped structures stood, its purpose and meaning shrouded in mystery.
Lysander, Amisha, and Luna stared at the mural for a long time, their expressions contemplative and laced with wonder. Finally, Luna raised her Lumina Core and began capturing a detailed portrait of the mural, ensuring every detail was preserved.
Meanwhile, Drifter wandered off, his gaze sweeping across the other parts of the chamber. He noticed more of the strange, glowing symbols—writing in a script he could not decipher. His attention shifted to additional murals, which seemed to depict a diverse array of races and species: humans, elves, beastkin, and others he could not recognize. The imagery hinted at a history or mythology far older than anything they had encountered before.
Suddenly, the chamber trembled, a low rumble reverberating like the fold of the cosmos itself. The air pulsed, and a static crackling noise grew louder until a small figure emerged from the darkness.
A Hooded Child stepped forward, their frail body clad in a tattered white shirt and dark shorts. Barefoot, they hovered slightly above the cracked stone floor. Jet-black hair framed a pale face, frosted like morning dew. Yet it was their eyes that stood out most—luminescent violet orbs, as if fragments of shattered constellations burned within them.
The child raised a hand, the surrounding air rippling with energy that reverberated off the ancient walls.
With a voice cold and layered with an unnatural echo, the Hooded Child spoke:
"Leave."
Lysander stepped forward, his hand raised as a golden barrier shimmered into existence, pushing back the oppressive energy in the chamber.
"Wait. We will leave—but first, tell us. What is this place? Who are you?"
The child tilted their head, expression blank, as if deliberating the question. A long silence followed, broken only by the faint hum of vibrating energy. Then, suddenly, their body jerked violently, causing the team to tense. The child’s head snapped upward, their voice shifting to a guttural, piercing growl.
Tendrils of darkness sprouted from their back as they bellowed:
"LEAVE."
The child’s pale skin cracked, revealing gleaming, obsidian-like armor beneath. Their body expanded into a towering six-meter monstrosity—a terrifying fusion of swirling smoke, jagged black armor, and shimmering star-like patterns rippling across its surface.
Its head morphed into a geometric blend of a V and X, its violet eyes blazing into a fiery crimson. Behind the armor’s bladed edges, a gaping maw of serrated black teeth emerged, hidden behind layers of razor-sharp plating.
At its chest, a small Cube floated faintly, its cracked, glowing geometry slowly expanding. Massive wings unfurled, as large as the creature itself, adorned with glowing, angular patterns that radiated a majestic yet menacing presence.
Around them, the dark stone walls began to distort, bending and twisting as if reality itself were fracturing. The group felt an overwhelming gravitational force pressing down on them, making every movement arduous.
From the suffocating void, dozens of alien creatures began to materialize. Their forms resembled X-shaped squid-like entities, their sleek black bodies etched with mysterious inscriptions. The fusion of metallic and organic surfaces exuded a chilling, otherworldly energy.
Lysander acted swiftly, materializing his Celestial Blessing. Brilliant sigils of white light glowed around his hands, radiating a divine light that enveloped his team.
Drifter immediately felt the effect. The oppressive weight eased, his breaths returning to normal, and the heaviness in his limbs subsided.
Ahead of them, the child—now transformed into the monstrous Voioscirax, a colossal entity commanding the alien creatures—let out an ear-splitting roar. The sound, like jagged metal grinding, shattered the silence and increased the suffocating pressure in the chamber.
The X-shaped creatures attacked without hesitation. Some opened gaping void-like holes in their centers, firing dark energy projectiles with deadly precision. Others compressed their X-shaped forms into long, shadowy spikes, charging at incredible speeds toward the group, their attacks radiating a blackened aura of destruction.
Drifter teleported directly to one of the X-shaped creatures, attempting to cleave it with his sword, Exaltare, followed by a formation of dozens of spectral blue swords that hovered around him. The creature spun rapidly, deftly evading his attack, then morphed into a long spike cloaked in dark energy, launching a counterattack.
Drifter’s natural barrier flared, absorbing the impact, but the sheer force drove him to his knees, his breath labored.
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"What are these things? Not Cataclysmaris... but close..." he thought, trying to make sense of the situation.
As he turned, he caught sight of Voioscirax materializing behind Lysander, its massive arm resembling a jagged black diamond with elongated, razor-sharp fingers cloaked in shadowy energy, slicing through the air toward him.
Lysander, ever vigilant, activated Radiant Shield—a large, glowing white barrier that intercepted the attack. The clash sent a powerful shockwave of darkness rippling through the room, pushing Drifter back several steps and nearly toppling him.
Recovering quickly, Drifter unleashed a volley of Exalt Bolts—luminous blue projectiles—at Voioscirax, followed by a swarm of spectral swords aimed directly at the creature. But before the attacks could connect, Voioscirax appeared behind him in a flash, its massive hand gripping Drifter tightly and crushing him with overwhelming, dark energy.
Drifter’s Natural Barrier shattered under the overwhelming pressure, and he let out a cry of pain as the massive hand of Voioscirax squeezed him mercilessly. Dark energy seeped into his body, sending waves of excruciating agony coursing through him.
"A-Ahh… ngh…!" Drifter gasped, his voice breaking and uneven as the searing pain overwhelmed him.
Seeing their comrade in peril, Amisha, surrounded by spiraling shadow energy, Alina, cloaked in freezing, crystalline ice, and Jaxon, his fiery steps leaving glowing embers in his wake, sprang into action, rushing toward Drifter at breakneck speed.
"Hold on, pal!" Jaxon shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as they closed the distance, determination blazing in their eyes.
Their attacks synchronized perfectly. Amisha unleashed Dark Crescent Strike, a sweeping, crescent-shaped shadow wave. Alina followed with Blauzorn Frostbreaker, delivering a powerful, explosive slash of blue ice with her greatsword. Jaxon fired Incendiary Barrage, a flurry of explosive projectiles from his twin bow guns.
The combined onslaught shattered Voioscirax’s natural barrier, causing it to flicker momentarily before breaking apart entirely. The creature’s massive hand, still clutching Drifter, was severed, freeing him.
Yet within seconds, tendrils of dark energy enveloped Voioscirax’s severed limb, regenerating it completely as though nothing had happened.
Drifter, weak and struggling to move, collapsed to the ground. From the corner of his eye, he saw Lysander activate Healing Aura, emitting streams of warm, radiant light that enveloped the team. Slowly, Drifter felt his strength returning and pushed himself to his feet.
On the other side of the chamber, Reine materialized Ice Barrier from the ground, attempting to shield himself, Luna, Lorcan, and Sloane. But the barriers crumbled quickly under the relentless assault of the X-shaped creatures. His face was pale with fear, and He gripped his frostshield tightly.
At the rear, Sloane, clutching his dagger with trembling hands, wiped sweat from his face as his eyes darted anxiously around, trying to assess the chaos. Using Wind Step, he vanished into a swirl of green wind, narrowly dodging an attack, but the exertion left him gasping for air.
Lorcan, cloaked in shadowy energy, tried repeatedly to land a punch, but the creatures seemed to toy with him, battering him one after another until he collapsed. His natural barrier shattered, leaving him prone and vulnerable.
Luna stepped forward without hesitation, placing herself between Lorcan and the advancing enemies. She activated Glacialis Dominus, creating a field of intense frost that slowed the X-shaped creatures. Following up, she cast Glacial Shard, materializing massive, floating shards of ice through magical sigils before slamming them into the creatures, shattering several on impact.
Turning back, her voice was steady but laced with urgency.
"Grandmaster, we need to retreat before anyone gets seriously hurt. This is beyond us."
Lysander nodded grimly.
"We’re pulling back. Amisha, Alina, Jaxon, clear the path. The students stay in the center. Drifter, Luna, and I will guard the rear."
Amisha, Alina, and Jaxon moved swiftly, with Amisha leading the charge without hesitation. Her Spectral Ravens soared ahead, some drawing the attention of the creatures while others guided the middle and rear teams.
Lysander materialized Prismatic Wisp, conjuring glowing orbs that fired rapid white energy beams to distract the enemies.
Suddenly, Voioscirax reappeared directly in front of Amisha, Alina, and Jaxon, unleashing a barrage of razor-sharp dark energy from its massive, shadowy wings.
Alina stepped forward, attempting to block the attack with her greatsword, Frostshard Legacy, but the weapon disintegrated instantly, consumed by the dark energy. The assault grazed her white armor, which began to corrode under the creeping darkness. Without hesitation, she shed the armor to prevent further damage.
Though she avoided a fatal blow, the attack left her visibly shaken. Amisha and Jaxon narrowly evaded the onslaught, their respective shadow and fire abilities propelling them out of harm’s way.
"Don’t try to block it! Avoid every shot!" Alina yelled, warning the others. She quickly reforged Frostshard Legacy and her white armor through sheer will and magic.
At the rear, Sloane, Reine, and Lorcan began to panic, their retreat marked by hurried, clumsy steps as the X-shaped creatures closed in relentlessly. Luna held her ground, firing off a barrage of Ice Bolts while raising Ice Shields to block their advance. Meanwhile, Drifter counterattacked with Exalt Bolts and a formation of spectral swords that both defended the team and struck back at the encroaching enemies.
Lysander unleashed Luminous Bolt, beams of piercing light that cut through the ranks of the creatures. However, the situation grew dire as more of Amisha’s Spectral Ravens and Lysander’s Prismatic Wisps began to vanish one by one, overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies.
Ahead, Drifter saw Voioscirax looming in their path. Sweat drenched his face, and his breathing was labored. Determined, he commanded his spectral swords to target Voioscirax’s chest directly.
"I’ll distract it. Hit it with everything you’ve got when it’s vulnerable!" he shouted to the team.
As Luna and Lysander advanced, Sloane, Reine, and Lorcan, though hesitant, steeled themselves and stepped up to help hold the line. Together, they coordinated with the wisps and ravens to stave off the relentless wave of X-shaped creatures.
As predicted, Voioscirax materialized in front of Drifter, its massive clawed hand swinging forward to strike. But Drifter was ready. He activated Azure Tempest.
In an instant, the space around Voioscirax became a storm of afterimages as Drifter and his spectral swords blurred into a deadly dance. Blazing blue slashes rained down on the monster, cracking its dark armor in several places.
"Now!" Drifter shouted urgently.
Luna stepped forward, forming a massive sigil glowing with cold energy. In seconds, Ice Prison manifested—a colossal crystalline structure that encased Voioscirax, freezing it completely. For the first time, the creature was immobilized, its movements locked within the unyielding ice.
Amisha followed with Spectral Grasp, materializing massive tendrils of shadow that wrapped tightly around Voioscirax, reinforcing its imprisonment.
With deliberate steps, Lysander moved forward. Floating sigils of light around him intensified, radiating immense power that filled the chamber with a thundering hum. Concentrating his energy, he unleashed Divine Judgment—a beam of blinding light like a divine laser that pierced the frozen monster. A deafening crack echoed as Voioscirax’s armor shattered, fragments falling to the ground.
"Now! Full assault!" Lysander commanded sharply.
Luna materialized Glacialis Lanzaris, conjuring spears of ice from hovering sigils and launching them at Voioscirax, piercing its form. She followed up with Frost Nova, releasing an explosive wave of icy energy that further weakened the creature.
Jaxon, surrounded by flames, zipped across the battlefield with rollerblade-like movement, firing a relentless stream of explosive fire projectiles that engulfed the target in destruction.
Amisha directed her shadow tendrils to strike from all directions, battering Voioscirax with a ceaseless barrage.
Alina, her body brimming with icy power, closed the distance with her greatsword, Frostshard Legacy. Each swing of her blade detonated in bursts of freezing energy, and with a final strike, she severed one of Voioscirax’s arms.
Meanwhile, Drifter, his sword Exaltare glowing with pulsating blue energy, unleashed waves of Exalt Edge—devastating energy slashes that struck from a distance—while his spectral swords whirled around him, attacking with deadly precision. The relentless assault ripped through Voioscirax, tearing off its wings and dismembering its limbs one by one.
At last, Voioscirax was reduced to its core form—its body battered, surrounded by a flickering aura of dark energy. Sensing an opportunity, Drifter, Amisha, Alina, and Jaxon surged forward for the final blow.
But before they could strike, an invisible force seized them, locking their bodies in place. Their movements froze as if shackled by an overwhelming presence.
Drifter struggled, attempting to activate Exalt Shift to break free, but the oppressive power nullified his ability. Desperately, he materialized Exalt Barrier, encasing each of them in protective, transparent blue domes that spun slowly, their last line of defense.
The cube embedded in Voioscirax’s chest began spinning rapidly, emitting a high-pitched whine that escalated into a deafening roar. Suddenly, a blinding white explosion erupted, sending shockwaves that fractured the surrounding space. The floor rippled, the air distorted, and reality itself seemed to tear apart.
Blinding shards of energy ricocheted wildly, casting distorted shadows that danced across the walls. The cacophony of shattering glass and splitting dimensions overwhelmed the team. The force shattered their Exalt Barriers and natural defenses instantly.
Amisha activated Void’s Shift vanished into the shadows at the last second, narrowly avoiding the brunt of the blast. Lysander and Luna were hurled violently across the chamber, their bodies crashing to the ground with a bone-rattling impact.
At a distance, Sloane, Reine, and Lorcan turned pale, their wide eyes fixated on their fallen comrades.
On the ground, Drifter, Alina, and Jaxon lay motionless. Drifter’s armor and Alina’s armor were gone, while Jaxon’s aviator glasses and hat lay shattered. Their torn clothing and battered bodies were the only remnants of their fierce fight.
From the shadows, Amisha emerged with steady, deliberate steps, approaching Lysander. Her expression radiated cold determination, her eyes brimming with unwavering resolve.
Lysander raised his hand, surrounded by glowing white sigils. He activated Luminous Resurgence, releasing a golden light that illuminated the area. Above the motionless bodies of Drifter, Alina, and Jaxon, celestial winged sigils appeared, shining brightly.
The warm light flowed over their bodies, enveloping them in restorative energy. Their wounds began to close, their breathing steadied, and the vitality that had drained from them slowly returned. However, the glow around Lysander began to dim, beads of sweat forming on his brow as his breaths became shallow and labored.
Drifter stirred, rising to his feet as Exaltare materialized in his grasp, his black armor reforming around him. His gaze locked onto the fragmented body of Voioscirax, now cloaked in dark energy and rapidly reassembling itself with terrifying speed. Turning to the side, he caught sight of Alina, clad once more in her white armor with her greatsword firmly in hand, and Jaxon, re-materializing his twin bowguns. Yet, as he studied their faces, he noticed the signs—hardened jaws, slumped shoulders, and vacant stares.
He felt it too—a gnawing mental weight, the oppressive sense that this battle was beyond their ability to win.
From behind, Lysander’s voice broke through the tension, drawing Drifter’s attention.
"Damn it… He’s toying with us," Lysander muttered, his tone thick with regret and exhaustion.
Amisha stepped forward, her sharp eyes glinting with a deadly focus.
"This isn’t just about power. He’s smart. He’s reading every move we make," she said, her voice cold but filled with sharp calculation.
Lysander nodded, his tone shifting to one of urgency.
"We push forward now, while he’s still recovering!"
The team surged forward, moving past Voioscirax with swift, determined steps. Glancing back, they launched volleys of energy projectiles at the massive creature, but their efforts were in vain. Voioscirax remained unmoved, the dark energy surrounding it forming an impenetrable shield that deflected every attack without effort.
Meanwhile, the relentless tide of X-shaped creatures closed in from behind, their numbers swelling. The constant pressure compressed the team’s movements, leaving them with ever-narrowing options as the oppressive darkness crept closer.