While Nash and Eliath focused on their own battles, Kyle, Luna, Seraphine, and Jasper faced an unimaginable foe in the wildlands.
—
A sharp crack echoed through the forest, slicing through the oppressive silence like a blade. Kyle’s hand instinctively went to his sword, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt. Luna crouched low, her alchemical pouch clinking softly as she prepared for whatever was coming. Seraphine’s sharp gaze scanned the shadows, her hand twitching near her staff, and Jasper knelt beside his gryphon, one hand steadying the trembling beast.
“What was that?” Jasper hissed, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.
Kyle’s eyes narrowed, his stance shifting as he positioned himself between the group and the direction of the sound. “Something big,” he muttered, his tone edged with certainty. “Stay close and stay quiet.”
The forest seemed to exhale, the trees groaning as if weighed down by an invisible force. From the treetops, faint movements betrayed the presence of something unnatural. Shadows danced along the forest floor, shifting and twisting in ways that defied the faint light filtering through the canopy.
Luna’s voice broke the tense silence, trembling but firm. “It’s not just the Rift. This is different.”
Kyle nodded grimly. “And it’s here.”
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The First Sight
The ground beneath them quivered, a subtle tremor that sent ripples through the foliage. Then it emerged—a towering beast, its form partially obscured by tendrils of shadow that clung to its body like living armor. Its eyes glowed an otherworldly blue, and its maw dripped with an iridescent liquid that hissed and burned as it hit the ground.
The creature stood on four legs, its sinewy frame exuding a terrifying grace. Long, jagged horns jutted from its head, and its tail whipped the air with a sound like cracking thunder. Around it, the shadows seemed to move of their own accord, shifting and swirling as though alive.
“A Rift Reaver,” Seraphine whispered, her voice tight with disbelief. “I’ve only read about them. They’re not supposed to be here.”
The Reaver tilted its head, its glowing eyes locking onto the group with an intelligence that sent a chill through their spines. It let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the forest and shaking the very air around them.
Kyle drew his sword, the blade gleaming with a faint, pulsing light. “Ready yourselves,” he commanded. “This thing isn’t going to wait.”
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The Battle Begins
The Reaver lunged forward, its massive claws ripping through the underbrush as it charged. Kyle met it head-on, his blade clashing against its shadowy armor. Sparks flew as the two forces collided, the sheer power of the beast’s strike forcing Kyle back a step.
Jasper shouted a command, and his gryphon, Shea, launched into the air. The beast circled above, releasing a piercing cry as it dove toward the Reaver. Its claws raked against the creature’s back, tearing through the shadows, but the Reaver barely flinched.
“Luna!” Kyle barked. “We need something to slow it down!”
Luna was already moving. She pulled a vial from her pouch, the liquid inside glowing with a soft, golden light. With practiced precision, she hurled it at the Reaver’s feet. The vial shattered, releasing a burst of light and a viscous substance that clung to the creature’s legs, momentarily halting its advance.
The Reaver snarled, its movements hindered but not stopped. Seraphine stepped forward, her staff glowing with an ominous red hue. She muttered an incantation under her breath, and a wave of shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Reaver and pulling it deeper into the forest floor.
“Keep it contained!” Seraphine shouted, her voice strained as she maintained the spell. “I can’t hold it for long!”
Kyle took advantage of the opening, his sword slashing through the creature’s exposed flank. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, sizzling as it hit the ground. The Reaver howled in pain, its tail lashing out wildly and forcing the group to scatter.
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A Strategic Shift
Jasper whistled sharply, recalling Shea. The gryphon landed beside him, its golden feathers singed but intact. Jasper swung onto its back, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the battlefield. “We need to hit it from above!” he called out.
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Shea launched into the air again, circling the Reaver and distracting it with quick, darting movements. The beast swiped at the gryphon, its claws narrowly missing each time, leaving it exposed to the group below.
Kyle seized the moment. “Luna, another potion! Seraphine, hit it hard!”
Luna tossed another vial, this one releasing a cloud of shimmering dust that clung to the Reaver’s form, marking its weak points. Seraphine channeled her energy, her staff glowing brighter as she unleashed a focused beam of dark energy at the creature’s chest. The blast struck true, shattering the shadow armor and leaving the beast momentarily vulnerable.
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The Final Blow
Kyle rushed forward, his sword gleaming with a golden light as he activated a skill honed through years of combat. He leapt into the air, bringing the blade down with all his strength. The strike pierced the Reaver’s exposed chest, driving deep into its core. The creature let out a final, deafening roar, its body disintegrating into shadowy wisps that dissipated into the air.
The forest fell silent once more, the oppressive weight lifting as the Reaver’s presence vanished.
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Aftermath
The group stood in the clearing, their breaths heavy and their bodies weary from the fight. Kyle’s sword hung loosely in his grip, its light fading as he sheathed it. Luna knelt to the ground, her hands trembling as she reached for a stray shard of the Reaver’s armor, now solidified into a crystalline fragment.
“What was that thing doing here?” Jasper asked, his voice laced with frustration and concern.
Seraphine studied the shard, her brow furrowed. “It shouldn’t be,” she said, her tone grim. “Rift Reavers are guardians of the Rift’s core. If it’s out here…” She trailed off, her expression darkening.
Luna glanced toward the fractured horizon, where Eidolon and Earth continued their silent, looming dance. “It’s not just the Rift merging,” she murmured. “Something’s pushing it faster.”
Kyle nodded, his jaw tight as he surveyed his companions. “Whatever it is, we need to be ready. This was just the beginning.”
—
Back to Nash and Eliath
Nash and Eliath stood at the edge of a dense ravine, the ground below littered with skeletal remains and faintly glowing with Veil energy that cast shifting, eerie shadows. Their target: a notorious pack of Rift Wolves that had made this place their lair. Known for their cunning and coordinated attacks, these creatures were no ordinary foes. This fight would test Nash’s growing skills.
Eliath leaned casually against a gnarled tree, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain below. His tone was calm but firm. “This isn’t about just surviving, Vargan. You’ve learned the basics of the Veil, but now it’s time to master control. Use the shadows—they’re your ally, not just your cover. And remember, your sword is an extension of yourself. Don’t waste your movements.”
Nash nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. Taking a steadying breath, he activated Shadowmeld, melting into the dark underbrush. The shadows embraced him, reducing his presence to a ghostly whisper. Below, the Rift Wolves prowled, their glowing eyes scanning the area, ears twitching at the faintest sound. Nash moved like a phantom, his footsteps silent, his form nearly invisible in the dim light.
The alpha wolf—a massive creature with glowing blue eyes and jagged scars along its flank—sniffed the air, sensing a disturbance. Nash shifted slightly, positioning himself in the beast’s blind spot. The shadows surged around him, amplifying his stealth. With a deliberate motion, he lunged forward, his sword slicing deep into the alpha’s side. The blow, amplified by the ambush bonus of Shadowmeld, sent the wolf staggering with a guttural howl.
Instantly, the pack turned on him, their snarls reverberating through the ravine. Nash reacted swiftly, activating Shadow Surge. A surge of shadow energy propelled him forward, his movements becoming a blur as he darted between the wolves. His strikes were precise, each one inflicting Ethereal Wounds that left dark, lingering marks on the beasts. The wolves slowed, their vitality sapped with every cut.
“Good!” Eliath’s voice rang out from above, sharp and approving. “But now it’s time to control the chaos. Focus. Use the Rift’s energy. Bind them.”
Nash hesitated, uncertain of what Eliath meant. The wolves closed in, their glowing eyes narrowing as they coordinated their assault. Instinct kicked in, and Nash raised his free hand, feeling the shadows around him shift and tremble. Reaching deep into his connection with the Veil, he focused his intent.
A shadowy tendril materialized from the ground, snaking toward the closest wolf. The tether latched onto the beast, its form pulsating with dark energy. The wolf’s movements slowed, its snarls turning into pained growls as the tether drained its energy. Nash’s mind raced, but the sensation was exhilarating—he could feel the Veil responding to his will.
“You’ve done it!” Eliath called, his tone tinged with satisfaction. “That’s your Wraith Tether. Use it. Control the battlefield.”
With the tether firmly in place, Nash moved swiftly, circling the remaining wolves. He swung his sword with precision, striking at vulnerable angles. The wolves, distracted and weakened by the tether, struggled to keep up with his speed. One by one, they fell under his relentless assault.
As the last wolf collapsed, Nash stood amidst the defeated pack, his chest heaving. The shadowy tether faded into the ether, leaving behind a faint pulse of Veil energy in the air. He glanced at his hand, the memory of the tether still fresh in his mind.
Eliath approached, his gaze steady and approving. “You’ve taken a step forward, Vargan. The tether isn’t just a tool—it’s an extension of your will. Master it, and the shadows will become your greatest ally.” He paused, a smirk tugging at his lips. “But don’t get cocky. The next challenge will push you even harder.”
Nash wiped the sweat from his brow, his grip on his sword tightening. The sensation of the Veil responding to his intent, bending to his will, was exhilarating—but also daunting. He nodded at Eliath, determination flaring in his eyes. “I’ll be ready.”
As the two turned to leave the ravine, Nash felt a subtle shift within himself—a deeper connection to the Veil, forged through the heat of battle. His progression wasn’t marked by a notification but by his own comprehension. Wraith Tether was now his, a skill earned through experience and instinct.
And as they walked away from the bloodied ground, Nash knew he was only scratching the surface of his potential.
Level Up!
Level 15 acquired.
Nash exhaled, feeling the subtle shift deep within…