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Reaching back into the bag one last time, my fingers brushed against something cool and sturdy. I tugged it out and brought the torch closer, its light casting a metallic gleam over the object in my hands.

"A mask?" I muttered, rotating it to get a better look.

Plain and nice-looking mask. The craftsmanship was striking–designed to cover the lower half of the face, reinforced with thin but strong metal plates that added a faint sheen across its surface. Every seam was polished smooth, each curve and line suggesting meticulous handiwork. It felt tough yet surprisingly lightweight as if meant to protect without hindering movement.

"What's your story?" I wondered aloud, running my thumb along the edges.

I set the mask on my lap and let Exira flow through it, reaching out to sense any latent energy or enchantments within. Almost immediately, a word whispered from the depths of my mind: "Respira."

It felt as if the word was woven into the very fabric of the mask. Focusing harder, another command surfaced: "Filtra Aerem."

"A breathing enchantment?" I grinned as realization dawned. "So you filter air, huh? That's damn handy."

I couldn't help but think back to toxic battlefields and suffocating camps. Maybe the previous owner had faced similar hellholes and wanted some protection. The enchantment felt strong, with no signs of wear. Whoever crafted this intended it to last.

Placing the mask against my face, I adjusted the straps around the back of my head. The fit was snug but comfortable, the weight barely noticeable.

"Yeah, you'll do just fine," I said, my voice slightly muffled.

Setting the mask aside, I looked over the rest of the gear, taking stock of everything I'd gathered, the backpack, the weapons, the strange metal card with its faint pulse of direction.

Leaning back against the rock wall, I stared up at the dark ceiling of the cave, a smirk creeping across my face.

"This is gonna be interesting," I mused. For the first time in ages, I wasn't just surviving–I was piecing together something bigger.

An urge surged through me to start writing, to document all of this before it slipped away. Reaching into my belongings, I pulled out the diary, flipping to a blank page near the back. Unscrewing the cap of the pen, I began jotting quick notes.

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Current Inventory:

> A Diary

Leather-bound with thick pages. Early entries were filled with foreign scripts and sketches. Loose documents inside with mountain symbols stamped in ink.

> Water Canteen

Durable metal, empty but sturdy enough to take a hit.

> Metal Card

Engraved with a dragon and unknown script. Emits a pulsing signal when I use Exira–like it's guiding me somewhere and I believe its a key item.

> Mask

Reinforced metal covering the lower face. Enchanted with Respira and Filtra Aerem–air filtration. Good for nasty environments.

> Torch

Small cylinder with a white stone. Uses any energy as a medium, I believe it has its own battery and needs just kickstarting to produce a bright light. Note to self: Don't blind yourself again.

> Ink Cylinder

Metal container filled with thick, earthy-smelling ink.

> Meat Jerky

Forty-seven strips–make that forty-four. Gotta ration these.

> Salt and Spice Bundles

Three small pouches–two salt, one spice mix. Adds flavor to the otherwise bland.

> Weapons

Pair of curved knives–sharp but unenchanted.

> Armor

Light armor for torso and legs, complete with a cloak. Slightly loose but offers solid protection.

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Finishing the list, I leaned back against the cold stone wall, letting the pen hang from my fingers as I read over the words. There was something calming about seeing it all laid out, each item a small piece of stability in this unpredictable world. The quiet sound of the waterfall in the background seemed to ease the last bit of tension from my shoulders.

For the first time in a while, I felt content. Everything was still, and for a moment, I allowed myself to savor that quiet, reassuring calm, mind at ease as I rested against the rock, letting myself settle in the midst of these small but hard-won victories.

I shifted my focus to the metal card, which lay in my hand, faintly warm, pulsing as though alive. The subtle throb felt like a heartbeat, urging me forward.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“What are you pointing me toward, huh?” I muttered, lifting the card closer to inspect it. The sensation intensified, tugging my focus toward a distant point, somewhere beyond the waterfall.

Taking a deep breath, I tapped into my Exira, letting it flow from my core and channel into the card, feeling the strange energy pull at me like a compass. All right, I thought, feeling a spark of determination as I pushed myself up and adjusted the armor and cloak.

Let’s see where you’re taking me.

Glancing over at the roaring waterfall, I quickly realized the card was pointing somewhere on the other side, beyond the veil of water. The constant rush reminded me of the sheer force I’d need to get through unscathed. Seeing the mist swirling, an idea came to mind. Taking a deep breath, I focused inward, gathering Exira to wrap around me in a thin layer to shield against the water.

“Ugh,” I groaned softly, feeling the immediate strain on my mind as I tried to mold Exira into a barrier.

Okay, just focus, I told myself, taking a few steadying breaths. In my mind, I pictured a transparent, square-like shield above me, keeping the water at bay as I moved forward. Concentrating on the intent, I felt Exira shift, forming something just barely tangible, invisible but present.

I took a slow, cautious step forward, and the barrier seemed to hold, pressing back the mist and water as I drew nearer to the waterfall.

“Let’s hope this holds,” I whispered, as I approached the waterfall, peering into the surging wall of water, squinting as I stepped closer. Just as I was about to step through, a new sound pierced through the crashing noise of the falls.

Low, guttural, unmistakable–the sound of that detestable breed of monster.

I need to name them soon

I froze, heart quickening as I honed my Exira, letting its energy spread outward, feeling along the edges of the space around me. The presence was clear now: one creature, lurking close, near the waterfall but on the other side.

Probably thought it was safe there, I mused. It must be drinking.

The energy from Exira showed me the outline–a large, hunched figure, lapping up water on the far side of the falls. Judging from its shape and the faint reverberation of its sounds, it seemed to be alone, thankfully. I took another slow breath, feeling my heartbeat steady, adrenaline already starting to edge out my earlier calmness.

“Just one, huh?” I whispered to myself, a small grin tugging at my mouth. “Might be a good time for a little experiment.”

I steadied my Exira, channeling the flow until I felt a calm, measured power at my fingertips.

Let’s see if this works, I thought, shifting to focus my energy further. Knowing I had only one shot at getting the element of surprise, I stood just out of sight, concentrating as Exira reached out in a thin, delicate line toward the beast’s figure in my mind’s eye.

There was a small thrill in the air, a feeling of control I hadn’t felt in a while. I could feel every muscle in my body prepared, calm before the storm as I breathed out slowly.

Letting Exira flow, Alexis stepped through the waterfall. The sensation of energy around him was like a gentle but protective barrier against the rush of water.

The moment he crossed out of the waterfall’s range, he released his hold on Exira, feeling the last traces of moisture settle over him before the shield disappeared.

A snarl echoed from across the rocky floor as the monster took note of him, an immediate, guttural sound of hostility and warning. Before the creature could move, Alexis’s Exira surged, pulsing through him and locking the beast in its place.

The creature’s limbs stiffened as if held by unseen chains, its face contorted with frustration as it strained and snarled, muscles twitching but unable to obey its urge to attack.

“Good,” Alexis muttered under his breath, stepping closer while keeping his focus on Exira. He watched with a steady gaze as the monster’s eyes tracked his every movement, filled with both rage and fear.

Alexis stopped a few feet away, watching the creature intently.

Let’s see how much power this thing can handle, he thought, feeling a spark of anticipation light up his senses.

Taking a steady breath, he decided to test the raw strength of Exira, keeping his focus on controlling just how much force he’d use.

He let Exira flow through him at its most minimal, controlled state–the base level, he’d decided to call it. It was just enough power to keep the creature paralyzed, though it still trembled slightly, clearly struggling against the invisible hold. Alexis observed every shake and snarl, noting how the creature’s muscles strained as it fought to break free.

“It’s… manageable at this level,” he muttered, feeling a mild strain in his mind but one that felt sustainable. I could probably keep this going for a few minutes, he calculated, feeling how the slight resistance tugged at his concentration.

The creature let out a loud, guttural snarl, louder and more frantic, its claws dragging across the stone floor in a desperate attempt to reach him.

Alexis felt a bead of sweat trickle down his brow but kept his calm, letting his Exira flow in that steady, base-level stream. The creature’s claws, razor-sharp and tipped with bone blades, scraped against the stone, grinding with an awful sound that echoed off the cave walls.

A small, confident smirk appeared on Alexis’s face as he watched. “You’re tougher than I thought,” he murmured, feeling the thrill of control flow through him.

If I want to push it, maybe it’ll show me more… yeah struggle you piece of shit.

I took a step back to gain a wider view, my eyes never leaving the monster as he observed its movements. It was still suppressed but noticeably more active now, shaking against the force of Exira, its snarls louder, its claws clawing and scraping as it tried to pull itself closer to him. Its teeth were bared, jagged, and stained, every inch of it radiating malice as it fought against his hold.

I watched the monster with a sense of calm, keeping my Exira tight around it, my mind pulsing with the strain but still steady. The beast snarled again, louder this time, its claws dragging against the cave floor as it began to pull its body forward, inch by inch.

Malice dripped from its eyes, burning with a focus that was locked onto me. I kept my distance, circling just out of reach, confident the Exira would hold. Nothing it does is breaking through.

Then, with a brutal jerk, the monster twisted its body. I felt the Exira waver for a heartbeat–a flicker that passed too quickly to register as a real threat.

Just a fluke, I thought, feeling my confidence surge. I readjusted, focusing my Exira again, watching its slow, labored movements. It was shaking now, struggling under the hold, but there was a dangerous glint in its eye that hadn’t been there before.

Suddenly, with a guttural roar, the beast tore free from the Exira’s grip, lunging toward me, claws extended.

“Damn!” I barely had a second to move as it came barreling forward. Instinctively, I threw myself backward, my heart slamming against my ribs as I saw its claws flash past, too close.

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