The shimmering light of the sunset painted the crystalline sands in hues of amber and gold as Kei and Mia sat by the shoreline. Despite the calm waves, the air was heavy with tension. Their recent battle with the Warden Constructs had left them drained, and the lingering hum of Essence in the air was a reminder that their respite would be short-lived.
Kei leaned back, letting the gentle sound of the waves fill the silence. He absentmindedly spun the Wave Flowing Dagger by its string, his thoughts distant. “You ever get the feeling the System is messing with us?”
Mia gave him a sidelong glance, her Balance Talisman glowing faintly as she polished her scythe. “What makes you think it isn’t?”
Kei smirked, flicking the dagger into the air and catching it. “Fair point.”
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A RIPPLE IN THE PEACE
Their moment of quiet was interrupted by a sudden ripple in the air. A faint hum resonated through the island, growing louder with each passing second. Mia straightened, her grip tightening on her scythe.
“Do you feel that?” she asked.
Kei nodded, slipping his Resonant Mask over his face. “Yeah. And I don’t like it.”
The hum intensified, and the air shimmered as a portal of crackling Essence materialized a few meters away. From the vortex emerged a figure clad in heavy armor, its form radiating an aura of authority. Behind it, several more figures stepped through, their movements precise and deliberate.
Kei groaned. “More visitors? What is this, tourist season?”
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THE DRACONIC ENVOY
The newcomers bore the unmistakable insignia of dragons—a motif etched into their armor and weapons. At their helm was a towering man with piercing eyes and an aura that screamed command. He scanned the island, his gaze lingering on Kei and Mia.
“Who are you?” the man demanded, his voice resonating like a clap of thunder.
Kei exchanged a glance with Mia, his expression unimpressed. “You first, big guy. It’s polite.”
The man’s eyes narrowed, but he straightened his posture. “I am Zhao Lin, patriarch of the Zhao Clan. We’ve come to investigate the corrupted Zone.”
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Mia sighed, leaning on her scythe. “You’re late. The Zone’s already cleared.”
Zhao Lin’s expression darkened, his gaze flicking between the two of them. “Impossible. A corrupted Zone of this magnitude could not have been handled by... children.”
Kei raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “Children? Harsh. You’re starting to hurt my feelings.”
One of the Zhao Clan members stepped forward, his eyes blazing with indignation. “How dare you speak to the patriarch in such a tone! Show some respect!”
Kei yawned, twirling his dagger lazily. “Respect is earned, not demanded.”
The clan member’s face twisted with rage, and he reached for his weapon. “I’ll teach you—”
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WELCOME TO THE BOUNCY HOUSE
Before the man could finish his sentence, Kei activated Resonant Shield, deploying a series of vibrating barriers around him. The attacker lunged, only to be launched skyward as the shield’s unique properties sent him bouncing into the air.
Kei spread his arms dramatically. “Welcome to the Bouncy House, where arrogance gets you airborne!”
The Zhao Clan members watched in stunned silence as their comrade ricocheted between the shields, his cries of indignation turning to pleas for mercy. Mia pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering, “You’re never going to let that joke die, are you?”
Kei grinned. “Not a chance.”
Zhao Lin’s aura flared, silencing his clan member’s protests as he fixed Kei with a glare. “Enough of this nonsense! If you’ve truly cleared the Zone, prove it. Show us the rewards.”
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A DISPLAY OF POWER
Mia stepped forward, her Balance Talisman glowing brightly as she raised her scythe. With a graceful motion, she struck the ground, releasing a pulse of stabilizing energy that rippled through the island. The Essence lingering in the air reacted, coalescing into a shimmering display that depicted the battle with the Corruption Titan.
The Zhao Clan members stared in stunned silence as the images played out, showing Kei and Mia’s desperate struggle and eventual victory.
When the display faded, Zhao Lin’s expression shifted, his arrogance giving way to a begrudging respect. “You truly did this?” he asked, his tone softer.
Mia nodded. “We did. Now, if you’re done questioning us, we’d like to rest.”
Zhao Lin hesitated before bowing his head slightly. “Very well. But know this—you’ve drawn attention. Others will come, and they won’t be as understanding.”
Kei tilted his head. “Understanding? You call bouncing your people around ‘understanding’?”
Zhao Lin ignored him, turning to his clan. “We’re leaving.”
As the Zhao Clan disappeared through the portal, Kei let out a long sigh, collapsing back onto the sand. “Finally. Peace and quiet.”
Mia sat beside him, her gaze distant. “Not for long. He’s right, you know. We’ve drawn attention. The world’s changing, and we’re at the center of it.”
Kei shrugged, staring up at the sky. “Yeah, well, let it come. We’ve handled everything so far, haven’t we?”
Mia didn’t respond, her expression unreadable as she watched the waves crash against the shore.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the trials were far from over.