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The Essence Flow
Chapter 33: Kade's Vision

Chapter 33: Kade's Vision

Kade moved westward, the terrain shifting from dense forests to arid plains as he followed faint traces of corrupted essence. The air felt heavier with each step, and an unnatural silence blanketed the area, as if even nature held its breath. He wasn't chasing a fight, nor did he expect one—his strength was his mind, and he trusted it to unravel whatever lay ahead.

The west was known for its ruins—remnants of a civilization long forgotten. Stories told of labyrinthine structures filled with traps and secrets, but Kade had always dismissed them as exaggerations. Now, as he approached the ruins, he began to understand why the legends persisted.

A massive obsidian structure rose before him, its jagged edges gleaming faintly under the dim sunlight. The air around it felt warped, like a faint hum resonating in his bones. As he stepped closer, he noticed strange symbols etched into the walls—patterns that seemed to shift and move if he stared too long.

“This place… it’s alive,” Kade muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel it now—the pulse of corrupted essence, steady and strong, emanating from the ruin.

Before entering, he closed his eyes, recalling something the master had told him during one of their training sessions: "The mind is your strongest weapon. Stay calm, observe, and trust your instincts. Most battles are won before they begin."

Kade exhaled and stepped into the darkness of the ruin.

The interior was disorienting. Walls twisted at impossible angles, and corridors seemed to stretch and shrink as he moved. Faint whispers echoed around him, indistinct and unsettling. He traced his fingers along the walls, feeling grooves and indentations—markings that might serve as clues.

He stopped at a junction where three paths diverged. The symbols on the walls glowed faintly, their patterns shifting and twisting in a way that felt almost deliberate, as if guiding him. Or taunting him.

“This isn’t random,” he said, kneeling to study the markings more closely. His analytical mind began piecing together the puzzle—certain symbols repeated at irregular intervals, and others seemed intentionally incomplete. It wasn’t just a ruin; it was a mechanism.

And it was waiting for him to make a mistake.

Kade stood, brushing the dust from his hands. He chose the middle path, his steps cautious but deliberate. As he moved deeper, the air grew colder, and the whispers became louder. He couldn’t tell if they were in his ears or in his head.

The path led to a chamber bathed in a faint crimson glow. At its center was a pedestal holding an obsidian orb, pulsing faintly with corrupted essence. Surrounding it were intricate mechanisms of stone and metal, shifting and locking into place like a giant puzzle.

“This must be the nexus,” Kade murmured, stepping closer. The orb’s glow intensified, and the whispers coalesced into a single, chilling voice:

“Prove your worth, or be consumed.”

The walls around him shifted, and from the shadows, illusions began to form—distorted figures resembling people from Kade’s past, their voices and movements taunting him. He clenched his fists, steadying his breath.

“This isn’t real,” he said, his voice firm. “Just another game.”

But as the illusions closed in, Kade realized this was more than a test of intelligence. The ruin wanted to break him—and if he failed, the consequences would be all too real.

Kade stood his ground as the illusions surrounded him, their voices mocking and disorienting. They spoke in fragments, twisted versions of his own doubts and fears. A shadowy figure resembling Towan sneered at him.

"You think you're clever enough to protect us? You're always hiding, Kade. Afraid of the fight, afraid of failure."

Another illusion, distorted to resemble Elliot, glared at him.

"You can't rely on logic to solve everything. When it counts, you're just a liability."

The words cut deeper than Kade wanted to admit, but he forced himself to focus. The ruin was feeding off his insecurities, trying to unbalance him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, repeating the master's advice in his mind: "Stay calm. Observe. Trust yourself."

When he opened his eyes, the illusions flickered. He wasn’t going to let them control him.

“Enough,” Kade said, his voice steady. He began analyzing the room. The illusions were distractions, but the true test lay in the shifting mechanisms around the pedestal. The gears and symbols weren’t just random decorations—they were part of a puzzle, one that seemed to respond to his movements.

The orb pulsed brighter as Kade approached. He extended his hand cautiously, stopping just before touching it. A surge of corrupted essence flared from the orb, forcing him to step back.

“Not that simple, huh?” he muttered.

He scanned the room again, noting the patterns on the walls. Each symbol corresponded to a sequence in the shifting gears. He knelt and began tracing the grooves with his fingers, realizing they formed a map—a guide to unlocking the pedestal without triggering whatever trap lay hidden.

The illusions grew louder, their taunts more aggressive. Kade gritted his teeth and tuned them out. He started turning the mechanisms, aligning the symbols with precision. Each correct move caused the orb to pulse in rhythm with the shifting gears.

But as he worked, a low rumble echoed through the chamber. The ground beneath him trembled, and the shadows along the walls began to coalesce into a single figure. It wasn’t an illusion—it was something real.

From the darkness emerged a creature of pure corrupted essence, its form unstable yet imposing. Its limbs stretched unnaturally, and its eyes burned with malevolent light.

“So this is the beast,” Kade said, stepping back. He was prepared to defend himself if necessary.

The creature didn’t attack immediately. Instead, it watched him, as if assessing his worth. Then it spoke, its voice a deep, guttural growl:

"Your mind is strong, but can it endure the truth? Can it face what lies beyond the veil?"

Kade felt a chill run down his spine. The creature wasn’t here to fight—it was here to break him.

The beast lunged without warning, its movements erratic but powerful. Kade dodged, narrowly avoiding a swipe of its clawed hand. He rolled to the side and reached for his daggers, knowing they wouldn’t do much against a creature made of essence.

He had to think fast. The mechanisms on the pedestal were incomplete, but they were still his best chance of stopping this creature. He darted toward the gears, adjusting them with quick, precise movements.

The beast roared, slamming the ground and sending shockwaves through the chamber. Kade was thrown off balance, but he forced himself to his feet. He noticed something—each time the creature attacked, its movements caused the symbols on the walls to glow faintly.

It’s connected to the puzzle, Kade realized. Its attacks are part of the sequence.

He began to time his adjustments with the beast’s movements, using its attacks to align the final symbols. The creature grew more aggressive, sensing his progress. It charged again, and this time, Kade couldn’t dodge completely. Its claw grazed his side, leaving a burning pain and a faint trace of corrupted essence.

He gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain, turning the last gear into place. The room shuddered, and the orb’s glow intensified, flooding the chamber with light.

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The beast froze, its form wavering as the mechanisms locked into position. Kade staggered back, clutching his side, and watched as the corrupted essence began to drain from the creature, pulled into the orb.

But the challenge wasn’t over. The orb pulsed violently, and the whispers returned, louder than ever.

"You’ve proven yourself, but the price must be paid."

Kade’s vision blurred as the corrupted essence surged toward him, threatening to overwhelm his mind. He dropped to his knees, fighting to stay conscious.

As the corrupted essence seeped into Kade’s mind, the world around him dissolved into darkness. He tried to fight it, to push back against the invading energy, but it was too strong. His vision blurred, and suddenly, he wasn’t in the ruins anymore.

He was standing in an open field, a battlefield scorched with fire and chaos. The sky was dark, swirling with storms of corrupted essence. Before him, a group of warriors stood side by side, their presence commanding.

Kade immediately recognized two of them: the master of Towan and Elliot, his stoic demeanor unshaken even in the face of overwhelming odds; and Eryndar, his strikes precise and devastating, each one shaking the ground.

But they weren’t alone. Three other fighters stood among them, their power evident in the way they moved and fought. One wielded twin blades that danced like lightning. Another used a massive spear, each strike sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The last seemed to be controlling the very earth beneath them, their movements fluid yet unyielding.

Together, they faced a single foe: the Herald Void.

The Herald towered over them, an embodiment of chaos. His form was shrouded in darkness, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. His attacks were relentless, each one more devastating than the last, yet the warriors held their ground.

Kade felt awe and unease as he watched the battle unfold. This was history, a moment of unimaginable power and desperation.

But then, the vision shifted. The battlefield blurred, and a voice echoed around Kade, deep and resonant, filled with both sorrow and malice.

"Do you see, Kade? Do you see what they’ve hidden from you?"

The scene refocused, but it was different now. The warriors no longer looked like heroes. Their faces were twisted with anger and desperation, their attacks fueled by something darker.

The Herald Void wasn’t attacking—it was defending itself.

Kade’s heart sank as he watched the supposed heroes relentlessly assault the Herald, ignoring its pleas.

"They called me a monster," the Herald’s voice whispered. "But they were the ones who sought to destroy what they didn’t understand. They feared my power, my ability to show the truth."

The vision zoomed in on Eryndar. His usually composed face was contorted with rage as he landed blow after blow on the Herald. Beside him, the master of Towan and Elliot unleashed devastating kicks, his movements calculated but merciless.

"Your masters, your idols—they were not saviors. They were executioners. They tore apart anyone who opposed their view of the world."

Kade stumbled back, his breath quickening.

"Why do you think they train you? Why do you think they push you to fight corruption? They want you to be their weapon, just like they were for those who came before them."

The voice softened, almost gentle now.

"But you don’t have to follow their path, Kade. You can choose to see the truth. You can stand with us and rebuild this world into something better."

Kade clutched his head, trying to block out the voice, but the images burned into his mind. He wanted to reject it, to deny what he was seeing, but the vision felt so real.

The Herald Void, now surrounded by swirling corrupted essence, reached out a hand toward him.

"Join us, Kade. I can show you a new way. Together, we can end this cycle of violence and fear."

The battlefield faded, and Kade was back in the ruins, kneeling before the now-dim orb. His heart raced as he struggled to make sense of what he had just seen.

"Was any of that real? Or just another trick?" he whispered to himself.

But one thing was certain: the cult’s influence was far greater than he’d imagined, and their ability to manipulate the truth could threaten everything he believed in.

Kade stood still, his sharp eyes scanning the unfolding vision. The scene before him was a cacophony of chaos—Eryndar, his master, and other fighters clashing with the Herald Void. The distorted essence emanating from the vision was suffocating, yet Kade focused on his breathing, anchoring himself in the present.

The cult’s voice echoed around him: “They fought for nothing. Look at them—blind, reckless, and doomed. They clung to ideals that only delayed the inevitable. You could choose differently, Kade. You could be the balance the world needs, not its sacrifice.”

For a brief moment, Kade felt the pull of the words. The imagery of his master’s past battle was raw and visceral. He could see the desperation in their faces, the overwhelming power of the Herald. It was haunting, but then he noticed something peculiar—subtle inconsistencies in the way the fighters moved, as though the vision wasn’t entirely real.

“You’re trying too hard,” Kade muttered, his voice calm but firm.

The cult’s whispers grew louder. “They hid the truth from you! They’ve manipulated you just like they did with Towan and Elliot. Do you think they truly trust you, Kade? Or are you just another piece to be sacrificed?”

Kade closed his eyes and focused. He thought of his master’s teachings, his training, and his trust in himself. “Never let others dictate who you are. Never lose sight of your balance,” Eryndar had once told him. Kade replayed those words in his mind and steadied his thoughts.

Opening his eyes, Kade scanned the vision again, this time dissecting it piece by piece. The cult was trying to sway him with fear and doubt, but Kade wasn’t one to be easily swayed. He noticed how the figures moved like echoes, not quite like his master’s true form. The Herald’s attacks, though devastating, lacked the depth and unpredictability of a real battle.

“Is that the best you’ve got?” Kade asked, his tone edged with quiet defiance. “You’ve twisted their fight into a shadow of the truth. You think I’ll believe your warped version of events? Try again.”

The vision flickered as though his words had shaken its stability. The cult’s whispers became agitated, but Kade didn’t stop. “You’re not showing me the past. You’re showing me what you want me to believe. I know who I am. I know who my master is. And I know where I stand.”

The figures began to dissolve, the dark essence swirling chaotically around him. Kade stood unwavering as the illusion collapsed, leaving him in a dimly lit chamber. His calm confidence hadn’t wavered, but his mind was now sharper than ever.

“They’re desperate,” he thought, his lips forming a slight smirk. “If this is the best they can do, they’re not ready for me.”

With measured steps, Kade approached the pedestal, his gaze fixed on the pulsating orb that radiated corrupted essence. The dark energy twisted and writhed, almost as if it sensed his intent. Without hesitation, Kade reached out, his hand steady as he grasped the orb. Its surface felt cold and unnervingly alive, but his resolve didn’t waver.

“This ends now,” he said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of his determination. With a swift motion, Kade crushed the orb, shattering it into fragments of light and shadow.

The moment the orb broke, a massive shockwave erupted, sending debris flying and rattling the chamber. The corrupted essence, now released from its prison, swirled violently, converging toward Kade like a raging storm. It was as if the essence had recognized him as the one responsible and sought to overwhelm him entirely.

Kade stood his ground, his calm demeanor unshaken. He knew this was coming—he had seen it the moment he stepped into this place. “If they think this will break me, they don’t know who I am,” he thought.

Closing his eyes, Kade drew a deep breath, centering himself. He recalled Eryndar’s teachings, the countless hours of grueling practice to master the unbreakable defense. It was a technique that demanded precision and control, requiring him to modify the natural flow of his essence. This was one of the flows developed by Eryndar. Unlike offensive techniques, this was about endurance, about channeling his energy to form an impenetrable barrier around his core. The same amount of essence was found at every point of his body, flowing in a way it made impossible for anything to penetrate. A truly masterpiece of technique who very few were capable of mastering

“It’s not about withstanding the attack,” his master had said. “It’s about making sure the attack can’t even reach you.”

As the corrupted essence surged toward him, Kade’s own energy responded. He manipulated the flow of his essence, forcing it into a perfect cycle around his body. The air around him shimmered faintly, a testament to the barrier he had created.

The dark energy collided with his defense, hammering against it with relentless force. Each impact felt like a tidal wave crashing against an unyielding cliff, but Kade didn’t falter. His control was precise, his focus unwavering.

The corrupted essence roared, seeking any weakness, but Kade’s barrier held firm. His confidence in his skills and his trust in his master’s teachings had brought him to this point.

As the last remnants of the corrupted energy dissipated, the chamber grew eerily silent. Kade opened his eyes, his breathing steady but his expression resolute.

“Not today,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying a quiet strength.

The pedestal now lay in ruins, the orb destroyed, and the corrupted energy purged from the chamber. Kade straightened, his calm demeanor returning as he turned toward the exit.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “They’ll need far more than this to shake me.”

With a steady resolve, Kade walked out of the chamber, stepping into the daylight that bathed the land in warmth. The burden of the corrupted essence had been absorbed by him, preventing it from tainting the surrounding forest or any wildlife nearby. His unwavering focus had ensured the corruption would not spread, giving him a sense of calm as he took in the fresh air.

However, unbeknownst to Kade, a subtle shift had occurred within him. As he altered the flow of his essence to form the unbreakable defense, a tiny opening had been created in his core—barely perceptible, yet enough to allow a small trace of the corrupted essence to slip through. This flaw stemmed from the lack of practice in modifying his essence flow; a technique he hadn’t used in some time. The long gap since he last adjusted the flow of his energy made the opening far more vulnerable than he realized.

It was a mere trickle, an almost imperceptible presence within his mind. It posed no immediate threat, but the dark whispers of the essence began to quietly resonate within him, undetected. The minuscule amount of corruption would not harm him—for now—but it had begun to plant a seed in the farthest corners of his consciousness for something else to awake it