Ravenna
Location: Rust town; The Waning festival
The alarm shouts 'Outliers detected' repeatedly as three black orbs quickly circle us. Reacting instantly, we take defensive positions. The acolyte, watching us intently from behind his white metal mask, gestures with his hands, and the orbs recede. "Are you sure you want to take this path?" he asks, his voice carrying a note of caution. Simon, picking up on the acolyte’s wary tone, turns to me and quietly asks,
"Are you sure about this, Rav? The temple’s vessels don’t rely on technology to harness the Nexus. We might be outmatched."
"Do you have another plan?" I whisper, now focusing on him.
Claire moves back and forth between us, likely still piecing together the situation.
"We could hijack the portal device, using it to sneak in when the city folks depart," Simon murmurs, his brow furrowed as he glances around to ensure no one else is listening.
I pause as I consider his idea. It is interesting but extremely risky
I shake my head. "That wouldn’t work for several reasons. First, the device is monitored by the temple, making it tough to hack. Even if I had the skills to manipulate such tech, I couldn’t do it on such short notice, and most importantly..."
"The portal wasn’t created with technology," I say as I look at where the space had split open. "It was activated by a vessel, likely the Black Raven."
"Such power," Claire acknowledges with awe.
I prefer not to confront her directly.
As I turn to face Simon, the words slip out, "This is the only way." I assert. Simon, typically a man of few words, furrows his brows, clearly having considered this possibility already.
As Simon and Claire consider their choices, I stand quietly, grappling with the persistent inner voice that questions, Is this truly the only way? What is driving this sudden obsession to go to the temple? I reassure myself that it's all to uncover my past and explore the secrets of the dark realm. But is that all that motivates me?
Pushing my doubts aside I assert "We are strong, we can take them," I rub my Morphring, bracing myself mentally for the battle ahead.
Claire shakes her head as she looks up at the high table "No, we really can't."
I glance at Simon. He looks at me intently then quickly looks away as if hiding something. His dwindling energy is apparent, especially noticeable in his sunken, dark-circled eyes. I suspect his mention of the portal devices indicates he's been meddling with unstable and powerful arcane technology.
"According to old Nexal tradition, anyone deemed worthy by the Black Raven is offered a chance to train at the temple," I explain.
"We might not be vessels, but we have our means of accessing the Nexus," I say, raising my hand to show my MorphRing.
"We don't need to win; we just need to stay alive and demonstrate our ability to harness and manipulate energy."
Claire frowns but adds reluctantly agreeing " Survival means we are strong enough to learn the arts"
The acolyte clears his throat. "What have you decided? Do you want to challenge the temple for a chance to be revered as a chosen?"
His question hangs heavy as I look at Simon and Claire.
"What’s it going to be? Are we doing this together?" I ask. I’m resolved to proceed, with or without them. Saving my father is just one of my objectives. My instincts are loudly urging me down this path—the path that I believe will lead me to the elusive dark realm, a place from my past I barely remember.
Simon nods, and Claire sighs, "I swear you guys are being melodramatic. Dad is practically immortal, he's fine. But..." She pauses, biting her lip as she glances between me and Simon. "If you're both this worried, it must be serious. Okay, let's do this—but can we at least try not to get ourselves killed?"
With their agreement, I look up at the acolyte, and with firm resolve, I respond, "Yes, we accept the challenge. We will fight to earn our place among your ranks," as the crowd around us cheers and whistles enthusiastically. I look up at the high table, meeting the intense stares of the high ones seated there. Their faces are mostly obscured, but I can feel their disdain, bordering on indifference. However, it's the Black Raven that captures my attention. I can't see her face through her veil, but her intense, piercing gaze is unmistakable.
"What will be your sacrifice if you are deemed unworthy?" the acolyte asks, his tone ominous.
"Our energy. We will freely offer our energy to the temple as penance," I answer. Claire gasps
Surrendering our energy would gradually cut us off from the Nexus, our source for manipulating energy. It would mean a slow drain of our life force, eventually reducing us to nothing. This is the ultimate sacrifice. I look over at Simon; in his current condition, he's not fit to fight. Once this is over, I'll find a way to restore him.
For now, I reassure them, "Trust me, I'll take care of this."
The Black Raven shifts her attention from me to the acolyte and signals her agreement with a nod.
The acolyte declares, "The Black Raven allows two of you to proceed. The boy's energy field is unstable. He does not qualify; he is unworthy." The crowd repeats, "He is unworthy." I look over at Simon who stands firm, showing no emotion. Our eyes meet and he nods, indicating he understands the situation.
"For your trial, you will face Syph, an esteemed vessel of the temple and member of the high table. She will determine your fate as the emissary of the Nexus."
This announcement triggers a loud uproar from the crowd, their screams nearly overwhelming.
The acolyte adds. "May the Nexus’ light guide you and its darkness shield you” his statement echoed by the audience.
The acolyte returns to his seat at the high table, and the floating disk he used moves back to the stadium's center, expanding into a large platform that emits a light blue glow.
Syph, a muscular and imposing blonde woman, rises from her seat, leaps from the high table, and lands solidly on the platform. Up close, her intense physical training and mastery over her body are evident, and she towers over me at my height of 5 feet 3 inches.
As I touch the MorphRing on my right index finger, bracing myself mentally for the upcoming confrontation, I'm keenly aware of the risks involved in facing an opponent who wields considerable power, both through the Nexus and within the city's political realms. Simon offers a reassuring tap on my shoulder and a nod of encouragement, while Claire's smile does little to hide her evident concern and fear. Stepping onto the platform amidst the crowd's roaring excitement, I'm conscious of the significance of this moment. For a Rust town native to challenge for a position in the city is unprecedented, making this a historic event, regardless of the outcome.
Casting one last look at the table, I catch the shadowy figure leaning in, his face obscured but his intrigue and anticipation palpable even from a distance.
Facing my challenger, she greets me with a smirk, her posture rigid, hands clasped behind her back. "
You are bold," she observes, looking down at me. Activating my detector, I examine her energy signature through my omni-lens. It's vast, marked by streams of dark Nexus energy interwoven with her own. I spot a concentration of Nexus energy around her eyes, indicating she's scrutinizing me as well.
"Intriguing," she remarks, her eyes briefly widening in surprise. "You're a self-taught tech wizard," she deduces. "You rely on technology to harness your thought energy," she notes.
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"It's a lesser technique, I'm curious to see your capabilities," she invites, signaling for me to make the first move. Normally, I adopt a defensive fighting approach, relying on my instincts to predict and counter my opponent's moves. Observing her powerful energy field, doubts creep in; perhaps this challenge was a mistake. Syph, catching my moment of uncertainty, taunts with a confident smirk, "Don't worry, I'll be easy on you."
Turning briefly to Simon and Claire, I notice their intense focus on me. Their faith in me strengthens my resolve. Tapping my index finger, my MorphRing transforms into sleek black gloves, perfectly fitting my hands, and syncs with my omni-lens, displaying "Morphring connected." I activate the shock function on the MorphRing psychically.
Ignoring Syph's scornful gaze, I inhale deeply, steeling myself before charging at her, aiming a powerful, shock-laden punch at her throat. However, she's astonishingly quick, dodging my attack effortlessly, seizing my arm, and tossing me across the platform with ease. The crowd's uproar fills the air as I crash against the platform's protective barrier, the impact sharp enough to suspect a shoulder fracture. She is strong, perhaps even stronger than Simon.
Simon reflexively moves towards me, halted by the protective field. Struggling to my feet, I reassure him with a nod, shifting my focus away from the pain to the challenge before me.
Syph, positioning herself at the platform's center with her hands clasped behind, watches my effort to stand, a hint of disappointment flickering across her face. "Is that the extent of your skills, tech wizard? You won't be chosen with such a performance. And surely, you're aware of the consequences of failure," she says, her smile taking on a dark edge as she mentions "Death."
Now standing tall, frustration ignites within me, fueled by her underestimation. Perhaps her overconfidence could turn the tide in my favor, lowering her defenses enough for me to seize control.
With a focused thought, I signal to my MorphRing through my omni-lens, commanding a portion of its Flexi-metal to launch a series of small arrows at Syph. She dodges them with remarkable speed, her movements almost a blur. This momentary diversion allows me to close the distance between us. However, she outpaces me once more, circling to my back to deliver a sharp punch to my back. The impact sends me crashing to the ground, adding a new layer of pain atop the ache in my shoulder. The roar of the crowd and Simon's calls fade against the throbbing pain.
Recognizing her lack of seriousness, I resolve to unveil my predictive prowess. After enduring another of her potent hits, I rise, taking a moment to catch my breath. Through my omni-lens, I catch a glimpse of her future position, right after dodging my next move. With calculated swiftness, I attack, she moves as anticipated, evading my strike. Yet, this time, I'm ready; I've already dispatched two shock-laden arrows to where she'll be. They strike true, targeting her shoulder and neck, and send jolts of electricity coursing through her. She stifles a grunt of pain and, with a fierce scowl, removes the arrows.
"Nicely done. Let's see if you can do that again," she challenges her gaze now sharp with renewed focus. Now the tables have turned. As she advances, I switch from attack to defense, ready for her next move.
The fight evolves, and I find myself dictating the pace. Observing Syph's attack patterns allows me to exploit her vulnerabilities effectively with electrified strikes. Although she withstands the assaults, I can tell they are doing some damage. I regulate my speed to conserve energy, aiming to endure till the battle's conclusion.
The atmosphere shifts dramatically. We stand, battered and weary, locked in a mutual gaze, isolated from the world as the crowd's excitement fades to a distant murmur. "It seems I've underestimated you," concedes Syph, her arrogance resurfacing.
"Now witness," she proclaims, turning briefly to the audience, "a glimpse of what a mind shifter can truly do." Bracing herself, she inhales deeply, prompting me to adopt a defensive posture. As she exhales, her eyes turn an inky black, void of any light. "Let’s see what is in your mind," she taunts, her smile now bearing a malevolent edge. "You talk too much," I retort, my voice steady and low, her smirk transforming into a look of annoyance.
The platform becomes enveloped in a dense fog, obscuring my view of Syph and the onlookers. Amidst the unsettling silence, Syph's mocking laughter echoes around me. Struggling to stay calm, I hold my defensive position, straining to detect any sign of her. The laughter subsides, replaced by a man's indistinct mutterings, unfamiliar to me. "Who are you?" I call out, striving for authority, despite feeling apprehensive. The murmuring voice grows clearer, repeating, "Ravenna, ignore what you hear or see. Do not leave the dark realm without my signal."
Confused and increasingly anxious, I demand, "Show yourself," though I can't mask the fear creeping into my voice. As the fog dissipates, I find myself in the dark realm, a place from my childhood memories. Just like back then, a beam of light breaks through the darkness, drawing my curiosity. Approaching the light, this time it guides me to a room inside a wooden cabin.
Scanning the room, my heart races as I try to make sense of the situation. This shift from a grand floating stadium to this scene seems impossible. Was I transported through a portal? I dismiss the thought, knowing the immense energy required for such a feat is beyond Syph's capabilities. It's likely an illusion, drawn from my memories and subconscious. I need to break free before Syph seizes this chance to defeat me. Just as I start planning my escape, the vision changes and two figures materialize before me.
A woman in a flowing white dress with her dark, curly hair up in a bun and a tall older man with unkempt dark hair appear to be engaged in a confrontation. He manipulates the shadows in the room, making them solid enough to reach for the woman, who dodges them with ease. When he notices me, his expression shifts to one of fear and anger and he says, “Why did you leave the dark realm?” Distracted, his guard drops, and the woman's eyes darken ominously. She smirks at him as his own eyes match the blackness of hers, paralyzing him. His shadow betrays him, throttling him by the neck as he struggles against its grip.
Facing me the woman says in a menacing tone "This is your fault. Now, you will watch him die." She then smirks, turns back to him, and adds, "May the pain you feel from his loss strengthen you as a vessel for the Nexus." Fear grips me, fearing for his life. This fear quickly turns to guilt, and then to rage. How dare she threaten to take him from me? How dare she do this to me? Suddenly, a surge of power erupts within me, releasing a massive wave of the Nexus's dark energy. It all happens so quickly, leaving me bewildered by my sudden burst of power.
Filled with panic, I notice the energy of the two figures in the room rapidly draining, funneling into me. They both struggle for breath as their energy seeps out. My gaze fixes on the man, and a sharp pang of fear and regret hits me. As he weakens, I murmur a faint "No," reaching out to him. "I am sorry," I say, realizing my voice and hands are those of a child.
Watching him collapse, I scream "No" repeatedly, not understanding why I am so deeply affected when I don't even know them. I'm overwhelmed with a desire to erase this memory, to forget everything. Amidst my distress, a faint female voice calls out to me, urging me to awaken from the illusion. "Rav, wake up. It's an illusion," it whispers, growing louder, "Wake up, or she'll kill you." Suddenly, as if snapped out of a dream, I jerk back to consciousness in the auditorium, the sound of the audience anchoring me to reality. Syph grips my neck, landing another hit on my face before tossing me across the room. "Welcome back," she smirks.
Lying on the floor, pain overwhelms me. It's clear Syph took advantage while I was trapped in the illusion, but I can't tell how much time passed. I'm too weak to move, the pain is too intense. I don't have the energy to keep fighting. Giving up seems like the only option now, hoping I've shown enough to be considered worthy. I see Syph enjoying the crowd's praise. Simon looks for a way past the barrier, and Claire watches me, anxiety clear on her face. I then remember the voice that snapped me out of the illusion was hers. Breaking through Syph’s mind fuck was impressive.
Syph looks at me, then turns to the high table with a smug smile. From the table, a woman announces, "You both have been Chosen," prompting a mixed reaction from the crowd—cheers mixed with boos."I'm curious to see what you'll become, tech wizard" she says before walking away as the platform’s barrier disappears.
Simon rushes over, with Claire right behind him. Syph gets on a disk that takes her up to the table. "You okay, Rav?" Simon asks. I reply sarcastically, "Oh, I'm fantastic, thanks." He laughs, "Screw you,"
Claire makes a face and teases, "Ew, please don’t." Both Simon and I grimace, and he quickly scolds her, "Cut out the weird comments, will you?"
Despite our banter, I can't forget the Black Raven's decision. I'm relieved our plan worked, yet I'm concerned for Simon. "We pulled it off," he says, looking at me, he adds "You did." I try to respond, but he cuts me off.
"Let's focus on getting you back on your feet before we think about what to do next," he suggests, as I use all the energy I have left to stand. Side by side with Simon and Claire, we offer a respectful bow to the high table and the Black Raven, acknowledging their decision with a gesture of thanks. My attention briefly shifts to a mysterious figure at the table, who watches me intently. His gaze raises questions—does he recognize me? Why does his interest seem so intense?
But before I can ponder further, the crowd's celebratory cheers abruptly turn into shrieks of terror and confusion, sweeping a wave of panic across the stadium.
"What's happening?" Claire's voice echoes my thoughts.
"Their eyes," Simon exclaims in alarm. A quick look confirms the horrifying sight of individuals with pitch-black eyes, collapsing as though their life force is being drained away.
The alarms blare sharply, plunging the crowd into chaos. Panic seizes the auditorium as people scatter in every direction—some dash toward the exits, while others stand frozen, their faces etched with confusion and fear. Shouts and desperate cries fill the air, creating a cacophony of terror. Families and friends cling to each other; some frantically attempt to revive their loved ones.
For a brief moment, I find myself gasping for breath, a shrill noise piercing through me. Recalling what triggered this sensation, I glance at the high table just in time to see the Black Raven and her entourage, including the city's high ones, enter a portal. Syph pauses to survey the chaos, her expression shifting to shock before she quickly regains her composure and follows them into the portal. The portal closes behind them, fading away like dissipating smoke.
As I turn back to the unfolding disaster, my heart pounds in my chest. Claire, Simon, and I are stranded amid the chaos. Scanning for an escape route, I see that all exits are blocked by a mass of people desperate to escape. "I would do anything for a portal device right now," I think to myself.
Looking at Claire and Simon, I urgently say "We need to get out of here,"