《Lord Of The Perished》 Chapter 1: The Beginning The day was bright, with rays of sunshine cutting through the windows and spilling into the quiet rooms of a peaceful neighborhood. Outside, the soft hum of distant voices and engines hinted at the morning hustle, but the street where Kael lived was calm, almost undisturbed. In one small room, the sunlight found its way through a gap in the curtains, landing squarely on Kael¡¯s face. With a sleepy groan, he reached out blindly, pulling his pillow over his head to shield himself from the unwelcome light. Half-asleep, he sighed, letting himself drift back into the gentle embrace of sleep. The world outside was already in full motion, people heading off to work, school, or errands, but Kael remained in bed, undisturbed. That is, until his phone started buzzing insistently beside him, shattering the peace he¡¯d clung to. **Ring****Ring****Ring** His hand fumbled over to the nightstand, half-conscious, blindly patting around until his fingers found the phone. He cracked one eye open with a grumble. ''It¡¯s morning already'' he thought wearily. With a sigh, he forced himself upright, the sunlight catching on his messy white hair, accentuating the dark circles under his deep blue eyes. He looked younger than his nineteen years, a youthful face that often made people question if he was truly an adult. Yet his tired expression, the weight of exhaustion that clung to his features, told a different story one of long nights and restless hours. Yawning, he stretched, cracking his neck and rubbing his face, then answered the call in a groggy voice. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Kael!¡± The voice on the other end was sharp and all too familiar. He grimaced instantly, recognizing the caller without needing to check. ''If I¡¯d seen the caller ID, I¡¯d have ignored this call for sure'' he thought, sighing internally. ¡°Did you just wake up? And are you thinking something bad about me right now?!¡± The voice cut through the line with a tone of mock offense. Holding the phone a bit farther from his ear, he shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re being loud, old hag. Calm down.¡± A faint huff echoed over the line, followed by a dramatic response. ¡°Are you crazy? I dare you to say that to my face! Where¡¯s your respect for your elders, you brat!¡± ''Yeah, that¡¯s not going to happen. I know better than to actually say that to her face,'' he thought, rolling his eyes as he leaned back against the headboard. ¡°What do you want?¡± he asked, trying to stifle another yawn. ¡°I¡¯ll let that slide this once. Listen¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, launching into an endless stream of words he didn¡¯t entirely care to follow. He rested his head against his hand, elbow on his knee, eyes half-closed as he tried to piece together her point. ¡°Blah, blah,¡± he muttered under his breath, mimicking her tone. She paused, seeming to catch on. ¡°So¡­ did you sleep well last night?¡± ¡°I was still sleeping well until you called me,¡± he grumbled, letting his irritation slip through. ¡°But somehow, I feel like that¡¯s not what you called to ask.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ yeah, right.¡± Her voice took on a peculiar softness. ¡°You know, you¡¯re like a little brother to me, right?¡± His eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in his gaze. ''Why¡¯s she suddenly getting all sentimental? And why do I have a bad feeling about this?'' ¡°...Yes,¡± he replied cautiously, trying to predict her next move. ¡°And I treat you well,¡± she continued, a note of expectation in her voice. ¡°No,¡± he replied flatly, smirking as he waited for her reaction. A loud, exaggerated gasp sounded through the phone. ¡°I don¡¯t?!!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± She let out a frustrated sigh before clearing her throat. ¡°Well, I want to ask you for a favor.¡± His eyes narrowed further. *Why do I have a worse feeling about that word, ¡®favor¡¯?* ¡°You see¡­ your big sister is a bit short on cash.¡± His shoulders dropped, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°And how does that concern me?¡± ¡°I want you to lend me some money!¡± There was a beat of silence. He stared at his phone, eyebrows raised, letting the quiet hang just long enough to make her sweat. ¡°Kael?!¡± ¡°No¡­¡± he finally said, dragging the word out with a hint of exasperation. She didn¡¯t let up. ¡°...Why?!¡± He huffed, crossing his arms. ¡°You¡¯re working; you have your own money. Yet you call me and ask me to lend you money?¡± Her voice sharpened defensively. ¡°I pay the bills, and you¡¯re practically living in the house for free. That¡¯s the reason I¡¯m short on cash!¡± His gaze drifted to the ceiling, eyebrows arching as he let out an annoyed breath. ¡°Why are you the oldest then? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be taking care of me and paying the bills? And if you¡¯re short on cash, wait for your next paycheck!¡± ¡°Did you hit your head somewhere and forget you¡¯re already an adult?!¡± Her voice was practically seething. ¡°Well, you wouldn¡¯t understand because you don¡¯t pay the bills. Remember? I told you we¡¯ll start splitting expenses when you turn twenty this week!¡± A cold sweat ran down Kael¡¯s forehead as her words sank in. ''The bills are too high. I can¡¯t pay that. I¡¯m turning twenty, which means¡­ the age of my suffering is about to begin.'' His face scrunched in horror as he imagined a life of endless bills and responsibilities. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Stop glaring at the phone,¡± she snapped, seemingly sensing his expression. ¡°Just send the money and stop spoiling my mood before you do it!¡± He groaned, rubbing his face. ¡°Stop calling me when you need money. Call your boss instead!¡± ¡°You¡ª!¡± He cut her off with a resigned sigh. ¡°You should be lending me money, not the other way around, you old hag money lover!¡± She laughed in exasperation. ¡°Who doesn¡¯t love money, brat?¡± He clenched his jaw, grumbling under his breath as he shot a glare toward the wall. ¡°Oh, and I almost forgot,¡± she added, her voice suddenly casual. ¡°I left the house a while ago. No need to tell you where I¡¯m going, but you¡¯ll need to do the cleaning this week. That includes the dishes. Make sure to finish it all before you start gaming, or else I won¡¯t do it for you. Got it, brat?¡± ¡°...Huh?¡± he managed, blinking in confusion as the line abruptly cut off. The words *Call Ends* flashed on his screen, leaving him staring blankly at his phone. Kael groaned, "Wait¡­ugh, that crazy old hag didn¡¯t even give me the chance to object," he muttered, rubbing his temples as he forced himself up from bed. He was greeted by the sight of his own chaotic, cluttered room. Clothes were strewn all over the floor, mingling with empty bottles from last night''s late-night gaming session. Dust lingered on every surface, and his PC screen cast a faint glow in the dim room, the loading game music softly playing a melody that had become the closest thing he felt to peace. Here, he could escape, if only for a while. Kael lazily kicked a bottle out of his path as he shuffled toward his chair, muttering under his breath. Cleaning had always been at the bottom of his priorities. Games, after all, were his real life the only place he felt any sense of control or accomplishment. It was obvious to anyone who knew him; he had lived for 19 years with nothing to show for it. He hardly cared. Not about his life, not about his future. Everything just felt...empty. When Kael was eight, he lost his parents in a fire that broke out at their workplace. He was taken in by his grandmother, who had never been the same after her child¡¯s death. Every time she looked at him, tears gathered in her eyes, and her gaze would drift off to painful memories. That haunted look made Kael feel guilty; he would try to avoid her, slipping into his room whenever he could. But five years later, his grandma passed too. Depression, they said, and the stress of overthinking things that didn¡¯t need words to be understood. She¡¯d been sick for a while but never told anyone, bottling up her pain until it consumed her. After her death, Kael moved in with his cousin, Marie, who was nine years older. Marie, always strict and practical, had a sharp tongue and wasn¡¯t afraid to use it. She¡¯d scold him for everything, even the tiniest mistake. Kael could still remember the time he accidentally bumped into a vase, which then toppled over and smashed her phone. Furious, she chased him through the house, her voice echoing like thunder until she finally caught him and smacked him. His shoulder still tensed at the memory. Later, after her anger had subsided, she apologized but still made him do chores around the house for six months as punishment. She was terrifying sometimes, but he knew she meant well. She was like an older sister to him, though her way of showing care was...complicated. At school, things were even worse. Every day was a battlefield. His classmates would hurl names like "bastard" or "mistake" at him, knowing he had no parents to stand up for him. It stung, each insult tearing open wounds he tried so hard to ignore. The weight of it all finally became too much, and one day, Kael snapped. His fists moved on their own, lashing out at the bullies until they were left bruised and bloody. But victory was short-lived. He was dragged to the principal''s office, and Marie, along with the parents of the bullies, were summoned. The outcome left a bitter taste. Kael was forced to apologize to the bullies and their parents. Marie was livid, her face red with rage as she argued with the principal. But things escalated when one of the mothers made a snide remark that set Marie off; she lunged forward, fist raised. Kael quickly stepped in, gripping her arm to hold her back, whispering, "Please, don¡¯t¡­ it¡¯ll only make things worse."If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. After that incident, Marie removed him from school. She scolded him harshly for keeping everything bottled up and not telling her he¡¯d been bullied. But he hadn¡¯t wanted her to worry; it was his burden to bear. In the end, he apologized repeatedly until she finally forgave him, though she urged him to try another school. Kael refused, a cold fear gripping his heart. He was afraid of the judgment, of having the label ¡°Parentless¡± slapped on him again. So he stayed home, finding solace in games, comics, and anime. They were his escape, his way of pushing reality¡¯s harshness aside. But reality wouldn¡¯t leave him alone. Marie, frustrated by his lack of motivation, urged him to get a job. He refused again, too lazy and too stubborn to face the world outside. It was around this time that he met Jay, a player he teamed up with online. They were a perfect match in the game, Kael the brain and Jay the muscle. Jay¡¯s skills were impressive, and together they became an unstoppable duo. In time, they grew close, talking about everything from game strategies to life itself. Jay introduced Kael to streaming, mentioning how he could earn money if he was consistent. Kael¡¯s eyes lit up at the thought of making cash by playing games; it was a dream. One day, while scrolling through social media, he saw an ad for a new game with stunning graphics. It was rapidly rising in popularity. Without hesitation, Kael decided to buy it. He begged Marie relentlessly, day after day, until she finally relented, handing him the money with a tired sigh and a sharp scolding. He didn¡¯t care; his mind was already lost in anticipation. Days turned into nights as Kael sat before his PC, practicing relentlessly. He drank coffee to keep his eyes open, washed his face when fatigue crept in, and pushed through. He wanted to be the best. Streaming started slow barely any views, but he persisted. Jay, ever the mentor, shared tips on growing his audience, and gradually, Kael¡¯s viewership increased. The little money he earned felt like a triumph. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was a start. Over time, Kael¡¯s reputation grew, along with the challenges and rivalries. In just two years, he was recognized as one of the top players, and the best player of ''The 10 Scrolls'' Game. but he knew his journey was far from over. His dream to become the most popular and wealthiest gamer still lingered, a beacon of hope he clung to. But just when he thought life was finally looking up, everything took a dark turn. --- ¡°Finally!¡± Kael exclaimed, letting out a long, heavy sigh. He leaned against the kitchen counter, closing his eyes briefly. After his call with Marie, he had gone through his list of house chores with robotic precision, completing everything she had requested, including sending her the money she asked for. By the end, he was completely drained. It felt like every ounce of his energy had been squeezed out. He splashed cool water on his face, feeling its refreshing bite, then made his favorite meal to refuel himself. With renewed strength, Kael sank into his gaming chair, feeling its familiar comfort as he powered up his PC. He flexed his fingers, logging into ''The 10 Scroll game'' and adjusting his setup. This was his sanctuary. The moment his stream went live, he let out a relaxed breath and let his mind dive into the game¡¯s world. --- [2 Hours Later...] As the game streamed to his followers, Kael noticed something odd creeping in. His usual steady chat had turned turbulent, filled with hateful comments that were more aggressive than anything he usually saw. He squinted at the screen, feeling a strange prickle of irritation, but he shook it off. ¡°It''s just the price of success,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°Everyone faces criticism... Right?¡± --- [5 Hours Later...] The chat had turned toxic. The hateful messages poured in faster than he could even process, far surpassing anything he¡¯d ever seen before. It became unbearable, forcing him to stop the live stream. Kael just sat there in his chair, fingers hovering over the keyboard, staring at the dark screen in front of him. ¡°What is going on?¡± he mumbled, rubbing his forehead as if it would somehow help him make sense of everything. Feeling overwhelmed, he got up slowly, dragging himself to his bed and collapsing onto it. The quiet of his room pressed down on him as he lay there, trying to sort through his thoughts. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± he thought, tension knotting in his stomach. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he reached for his phone and called Jay. Jay was his friend, his confidant surely, he could help him make sense of all this. The call rang a few times before Jay picked up. ¡°Oh... hey,¡± Jay said after a pause, his voice strangely hesitant. Kael frowned, sensing an odd undertone. Jay had sounded distant lately, but Kael had been too busy to dwell on it. ¡°Hey, how¡¯s it going?¡± Kael asked, trying to sound casual. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Jay replied shortly. ¡°So... what do you need?¡± Kael took a breath, choosing his words carefully. ¡°Something feels off,¡± he said, shifting on the bed as he spoke. ¡°It started around five hours ago, when I began streaming. At first, it was just a few hate comments here and there, so I ignored them... but then it just escalated.¡± Jay was silent, and Kael could almost picture him frowning on the other end. ¡°And?¡± Jay prompted finally, his tone detached. ¡°After a while, the hate comments exploded,¡± Kael continued. ¡°I had to stop the stream because if I kept going, I¡¯d probably have ended up banned.¡± There was another stretch of silence before Jay responded. ¡°This is serious,¡± he said, a hint of caution in his voice, ¡°but... don¡¯t take this the wrong way...¡± ¡°But what?¡± Kael snapped, frustration bubbling beneath his voice. ¡°Did you... do anything to deserve that level of hate?¡± Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he felt a flicker of anger rise within him. ¡°What exactly are you trying to say?¡± Jay took a deep breath, his tone becoming more pointed. ¡°Look, I¡¯m just asking. Did you ever do anything like cheat in the game or¡ª¡± ¡°What the hell, Jay?¡± Kael interrupted, his voice rising. He could feel his fists clenching as he spoke. ¡°You know me. You know how much time I spend practicing, grinding to get better. I¡¯d never fake anything!¡± ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Jay said, sounding slightly defensive. ¡°But I¡¯ve been seeing some stuff going around... rumors on social media that you cheated, bought followers, bribed the ''10 Scroll Game'' awards committee. They¡¯re even saying you threatened your rivals to delete their accounts.¡± The words hung heavily in the air, and Kael felt as though someone had punched him in the stomach. ¡°Who would spread lies like that?¡± he thought, feeling a sickening swirl of anger and confusion. ¡°Jay¡­¡± he said slowly, his voice cold. ¡°And you believe that?¡± Jay hesitated. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know, Kael. Not everyone knows what a person is capable of.¡± Kael¡¯s heart pounded, each word from Jay¡¯s mouth twisting the knife further. ¡°Do you or you don¡¯t believe it?¡± There was a brief silence before Jay responded, his voice wary. ¡°Sometimes... humans can be unpredictable.¡± Kael¡¯s breath hitched as he struggled to contain his emotions. Jay¡¯s voice softened, a hint of pity slipping in. ¡°Look, Kael¡­ I¡¯m only saying this because I care. Maybe it would be best if you just¡­ stepped down from streaming for a while. This isn¡¯t going to end well if you keep pushing forward.¡± Kael¡¯s laughter bubbled out, cold and humorless, like shattered glass. ¡°So that¡¯s it? You want me to quit?¡± ¡°Kael...¡± ¡°You¡¯re one of them, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re one of the people who want to destroy me,¡± he said, voice thick with resentment. ¡°Why, Jay? Even after I became popular, I still treated you like a friend. I never changed.¡± The line was silent for a long time, before Jay spoke again, his tone calm but distant. ¡°Think about what I said. You don¡¯t belong in this world.¡± *Call Ended* Kael stared at the phone in disbelief, his mind numb. Anger surged through him, mixing with the sharp sting of betrayal. He felt sick. How could Jay, someone he¡¯d trusted so much, turn on him? Unable to stay still, he grabbed his jacket and left the house, his thoughts swirling with a mix of rage and confusion. The street was buzzing with life, people walking, cars passing by, but Kael barely noticed any of it. His mind was too full, his heart too heavy. As he wandered aimlessly, a shadowy figure caught his attention, standing against a nearby building. The figure was cloaked in black, blending with the shadows, face hidden beneath a hood. Kael felt a chill run down his spine but brushed it off as paranoia. He continued walking, hoping the fresh air might clear his mind. But after a few steps, he felt an uneasy presence behind him. Turning his head slightly, he saw the same hooded figure following him. Panic jolted through him, his heart beating faster. He thought about running, about finding somewhere to hide, or maybe even calling the police. But just as he was about to make a move, the figure vanished, dissolving into the shadows as if he had never been there at all. Kael blinked, feeling a surge of unease. ¡°What¡­ was that?¡± he whispered, looking around the now-empty street. It felt surreal, like a scene from a comic. Had he imagined it? Or was there really someone out to get him? The question lingered, his mind spinning with suspicion and fear as he walked back, the memory of the hooded figure haunting his thoughts. Suddenly, a cold hand grabbed his shirt from behind, with a surprising strength, yanked him backward. His back slammed against the rough, unforgiving brick wall of a building, the impact jolting him to the ground. He collapsed, coughing out blood as pain erupted across his body. ''So much strength!'' he thought, his mind racing with shock. A dark figure loomed over him, walking toward him with a slow, almost methodical stride. The sunlight shone on the figure casting eerie shadows that clung to the man¡¯s hooded figure. In one swift motion, the man drew a dagger from beneath his cloak, its blade, reflected kael indicating how sharp it is. ¡°Do not worry,¡± he said, his voice chillingly calm and devoid of any emotion. ¡°This will be over soon.¡± Kael felt a shiver run down his spine, his instincts screaming danger. His eyes widened, fixed on the figure that was closing in on him, every muscle in his body tensing up in fear. He tried to move, but his legs felt as heavy as lead. ''Think, Kael, think!'' he urged himself, his mind scrambling for a way out. His eyes darted around the dim alley, scanning for anything he could use as a weapon. Then, he spotted it, a short iron rod lying near the base of a building, just a few feet away. It wasn¡¯t close, but it was his only chance. Kael glanced at the man, who hadn¡¯t yet noticed his plan. His gaze flicked back to the rod, calculating his chances. With a sudden burst of energy, Kael forced himself up and lunged for the iron rod, his movements frantic. He heard the hooded man mutter something behind him, but he didn¡¯t care. His focus was solely on reaching the rod. Just as his fingers grazed its cold surface, a shadow appeared beside him in a blink, faster than he could register. ''Am I facing a superhuman or what?'' he thought, his heart pounding wildly. Desperation surged through him. Kael twisted his body, launching himself off the wall and executing a spinning kick toward the man¡¯s face. The hooded man had the chance to dodge, but his expression revealed that he hadn¡¯t expected Kael to fight back. ¡®Does he think a true martial arts comic reader will back down so easily?¡¯ Kael thought, feeling a brief surge of satisfaction. His foot connected with the man¡¯s face, the force making the hooded man stagger. He dropped to one knee, his head bowed, and his dagger slipped from his grip. Seizing the opportunity, Kael dashed forward and kicked the dagger further away. Without wasting a second, he snatched the iron rod from the ground, feeling its weight in his hands. He raised it, aiming a decisive blow to the hooded figure¡¯s head. But before he could bring the rod down, the hooded man moved with uncanny speed, dodging the attack in one fluid motion. Kael¡¯s mind barely had time to process the movement before he felt a sharp, burning pain across his stomach. He looked down to see the man¡¯s dagger slashing through him with deadly precision. Before he could react, the blade struck his back twice more. The world spun as Kael crumpled to the ground, his breaths shallow and labored. Blood pooled beneath him, his life slipping away with every beat of his heart. The hooded man stepped over Kael¡¯s body, pulling out a phone. He pressed a button and spoke into it, his voice a quiet murmur. ¡°The job is done.¡± Though his hearing was fading, Kael¡¯s ears picked up something familiar in the voice on the other end. It sounded distant, distorted but somehow, he recognized it. ¡®Jay? Was that... Jay?¡¯ he thought, his mind drifting, yet somehow clinging to this strange connection. The hooded man paused, his gaze shifting to Kael¡¯s crumpled form. ¡°Are you some kind of martial artist, or just an idiot?¡± he muttered, a hint of curiosity breaking through his indifferent tone. ¡°You¡¯re actually the first person I¡¯ve ever targeted who¡¯s lasted this long. This was... interesting. Thanks for the entertainment.¡± The man turned his back to Kael, his voice softer. ¡°I¡¯ll remember you¡­ Be proud... You were strong.¡± With that, he walked away. Kael lay there, his vision blurring, a bitter smile forming on his lips. ¡®So, this is how it ends,¡¯ he thought. ¡®At least¡­ I managed to land a hit.¡¯ He knew it was foolish, yet a small part of him felt satisfied. He had fought until the end, and in that, he found a strange, fleeting pride. But the satisfaction faded, replaced by a deep sorrow. A wave of regret washed over him. He was dying......alone. what bordered him the most is... he will die without returning the good his cousin did for him, for taking good care of him, always accepting him not caring what he did whether good or bad, he won''t be able to see her smile again, he won''t be able to hear her jokes again. Tears welled up in his eyes, rolling down his cheeks as he struggled to breathe. ''Marie... I''m sorry,¡¯ he thought, feeling the crushing weight of leaving her behind. ''I wish I could have lived a better life¡­ found a job, been a little less foolish,'' he mused, feeling the darkness creeping in. ''I can¡¯t die¡­ not yet. Not without repaying Marie for all she did for me.¡¯ He choked out a mouthful of blood, his chest heaving as he tried to cling to consciousness. ''I don''t want to die... I can''t leave Marie alone, it will hurt her, NO I CAN''T, I CAN''T!!.'' ''...I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t stay by your side. Please¡­ forgive me.'' His vision faded, the world slipping away. The last thing he saw was the faint outline of a streetlight above him, blurred and distant. ¡°Thank You... Marie. Goodbye!¡± he whispered, his voice barely a breath. ¡®I¡­ I wish I had a second chance¡¯. His heart stop, his body became paralyzed, cold and his view went blank. Chapter 2: Skeleton A dense, white fog blanketed the area, clinging to the ground like a restless phantom. It swirled and shifted under the strong gusts of wind that carried grains of sand across the desolate land. Amidst this eerie silence. A figure lay motionless... a skeleton sprawled on the blood-red sand, its head tilted toward the ground. The faint warmth of the sand seeped into the brittle bones, contrasting sharply with the icy touch of the fog that enveloped everything. Kael stirred. A strange sensation prickled at the edges of his consciousness. It wasn¡¯t pain, but an odd combination of warmth and coolness, as if fire and ice danced across his being. He groaned, a soundless effort that came from deep within him, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, thoughts began to form. ''Is this... how the dead feel?'' The fog felt heavy yet strangely comforting, as though it sought to lull him into a state of calm. ''Everything feels so... peaceful,'' he mused, surprised by the weightlessness of his existence. ''No worries, no burdens. This is... relaxing.'' But the tranquility didn¡¯t last. A question whispered from the depths of his mind, breaking the silence. ''After death, where do we go?'' Kael lingered in this thought. ''Who knows... I don¡¯t know either.'' Before he could sink deeper into contemplation, a sharp jolt coursed through him. The sensation was alien hot and cold at once, like fire and ice pressed against his very soul. His entire being seemed to thrum with energy, an unsettling rhythm that refused to be ignored. He winced, his nonexistent heart pounding in confusion. ''This isn¡¯t normal¡­ My body¡­ it feels soo¡­ alive?'' Instinctively, his eyelids fluttered open or at least, that is what he thought. The fog was all he could see, thick and impenetrable. It clung to his surroundings like a stubborn veil, distorting everything beyond it. ¡°Fog?¡± he muttered, his voice hoarse and unsteady. The sound startled him, it felt too real. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. His gaze darted around in search of familiarity, though his vision swam with the effort. The persistent throbbing in his skull made him wince. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± Slowly, Kael forced himself upright, grains of sand cascading from his form as he moved. His limbs felt stiff, unfamiliar, and oddly mechanical. He dusted himself off instinctively but froze mid-motion. His eyes widened, and his breathing if it could even be called that hitched. His hand. The hand he raised to his face was not flesh and blood. It was bone pure, white, and impossibly clean. ¡°My¡­ my hand!¡± The words came out as a strangled gasp. Kael staggered back, his skeletal feet scraping against the crimson sand. Panic surged through him like a tidal wave. His hollow chest throbbed with phantom beats, confusion seeping through every bone, Kael brought trembling hands to his face. The cold, hard sound of bone meeting bone echoed in the silence. His hollow fingers traced the contours of a skull, and a chill unlike any other coursed through him. ¡°impossible... No!¡± Kael fell to the ground, clutching his skull in disbelief. His screams shattered the oppressive quiet, a haunting sound that reverberated through the endless fog. ''This has to be a dream. It has to be.'' Desperation clawed at him as he clenched his bony fist and punched himself hard. The sharp crack of bone-on-bone reverberated again. He looked down at his hand, praying for some sign that this nightmare had ended. But the skeletal hand remained. Reality hit him like a hammer. He wasn¡¯t dreaming. He was alive. He was¡­ a skeleton. ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Kael whispered, his voice trembling with despair. His hands curled into fists as he slammed one into the ground. A small crater formed beneath his knuckles, revealing more of the peculiar red sand. ''Red?'' The realization made him pause. The sand wasn¡¯t ordinary it shimmered faintly, its color an unsettling shade of crimson. It felt hot to the touch, sharp enough to burn, though Kael¡¯s fleshless form was immune to its effects. ''Why is the sand so hot¡­ but the air so cold?'' Kael¡¯s mind raced with questions. ''What am I? Where am I? How did I end up like this?'' His thoughts swirled in chaos, each one more daunting than the last. Frustration welled up within him, and he collapsed onto his back, staring into the endless fog above. Through the suffocating haze, his mind drifted to a memory. ''Marie¡­'' The thought of his cousin or perhaps sister, given their bond brought a fleeting sense of warmth. ''I hope she¡¯s doing well.'' The memory was a brief solace, but it couldn¡¯t hold back the tide of questions clawing at him. Kael tried to piece together his fragmented thoughts, forcing himself to focus. He needed answers. But before he could delve deeper, a sound cut through the silence a sharp, hissing noise. Kael froze. His hollow eyes darted to the side, scanning the fog. ''What¡­ was that?'' The hiss came again, louder this time, closer. Kael turned slowly, every instinct screaming at him to be cautious. The fog seemed to writhe as if something moved within it. ''I¡¯m not alone¡­'' Chapter 3: Pyramid Kael¡¯s breath hitched, his chest tightening as a sharp, sinister hiss cut through the eerie stillness around him. The sound reverberated the surroundings, a dreadful melody that sent shivers coursing down his spine. His hollow eyes darted to the blood-red sand beneath his feet, which trembled with a low rumble. He turned to the fog, unease gnawing at him. A realization struck him, sudden and overwhelming... Fear clawed at the edges of his mind. ''No... It¡¯s impossible...'' He staggered back, his legs trembling. "This can¡¯t be real¡­ It¡¯s impossible¡­ but it feels so real¡­" Kael said under his breath. "I can¡¯t really be in the game... This must be my imagination... or maybe... not." His gaze swept his surroundings, desperate for some semblance of familiarity. Yet, the red blood sand, the hissing sounds and the fog confirmed his growing suspicion. He wasn¡¯t in a dream or some hallucination. It hit him with the weight of certainty: ''This is ''The 10 Scrolls Game.'' The game¡¯s name hung in his mind like an ominous omen. Infamous for its monstrous creatures, intricate world building and great story, the game had captivated and terrorized him in equal measure. And now, he seemed to be a part of it. Kael hollow chest raced with phantom beats, as his mind pieced together his current location. If this was real, he was standing in the northern part of the Land of Dusk, atop the Blood Pyramid. He clenched his fists tightly, his bones creaking under the strain, as the implications of his realization set in. The air around him felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very atmosphere was alive and aware of his presence. Dark clouds swirled above, their edges tinged with a faint, malevolent red glow that illuminated the pyramid¡¯s jagged surface. He walked two steps forward with each he took into the fog crunched against the blood-stained sand, the sound unnervingly loud in the oppressive silence. Kael¡¯s knees threatened to buckle as his memories dredged up a chilling detail about this location. ''The boss.'' He clenched his jaw, The Blood Pyramid was infamous for one thing: the unbeatable boss guarding its summit. A massive, crimson-scaled serpent with glowing, malevolent eyes. Kael¡¯s hand instinctively moved to his side, grasping at an invisible weapon he didn¡¯t possess. His body stiffened . ''curses, I don''t have a weapon.'' Surprisingly the fog reduced due to the serpent movement and he could see a bit, his gaze darted downwards from the top edge of the pyramid, half-expecting the serpent¡¯s coiled form to slither into view at any moment. His breathing grew ragged as he whispered, almost inaudibly, "The Northern Serpent..." He tried to steady himself, his fingers brushing against the rough surface of a nearby stone. The tactile sensation grounded him, but only briefly. His mind raced with questions. ''Why am I here? How did this happen? And most importantly... how do I survive?'' Kael forced himself to move, his feet dragging slightly against the gritty sand as he began to survey around the top of the pyramid. The faint metallic tang of blood lingered in the air, mingling with the faint, acrid scent of decay. ''I need to think... I need to plan...'' But the hiss came again, louder this time, closer. Kael froze, his muscles locking as if the very air had turned to ice. Slowly, he turned toward the source of the sound, his pulse hammering in his ears. Below the pyramid in the depths of the Blood Pyramid¡¯s labyrinthine paths, the Crimson Serpent was waiting.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ******* Centuries ago, the northern region of the Land of Dusk was a barren, lifeless expanse. Harsh winds carried red sand, staining everything in its path, giving the region its ominous moniker: the Crimson Wastes. The people of the Northern Kingdom, desperate for survival in this harsh environment, constructed a massive structure later named the Blood Pyramid. The pyramid was built not as a tomb but as a fortress and repository. Its architects imbued it with powerful enchantments to resist both natural disasters and invaders. The Blood Pyramid became the heart of the Northern Kingdom¡¯s might, serving as a vault to store their most prized possessions: enchanted weapons, resilient armors, ancient relics, and mystical items that held immeasurable power. Legends told tales that the pyramid¡¯s foundations were laid upon the remnants of an ancient leyline, a source of raw magical energy that fueled the land¡¯s defenses. It was said that the leyline¡¯s power not only preserved the treasures but also imbued them with stronger magical properties over time. The peace brought by the Blood Pyramid was short-lived. Beneath the surface of the Crimson Wastes, deep within the leyline, slumbered a being of immense power: the Northern Serpent. The Northern Serpent was no ordinary creature. According to ancient texts, it was a primordial guardian created by the gods to protect the leyline from misuse. Its body, a colossal length of shimmering crimson scales, was said to gleam like molten metal under the faintest light. Its eyes, golden and unyielding, glowed with an intelligence that made mortals shiver, it possess two heads. For centuries, the serpent lay dormant, undisturbed by the kingdom¡¯s activities. However, as the Blood Pyramid grew in prominence, so too did the kingdom''s greed. The leyline¡¯s power was siphoned for the kingdom¡¯s gain, awakening the ancient guardian. The day the Northern Serpent emerged is still remembered in tales as the "Crimson Reckoning." Without warning, the ground quaked, and the sand of the Crimson Wastes shifted violently. From beneath the Blood Pyramid, the serpent burst forth, its massive form coiling around the structure in a terrifying display of dominance. The kingdom¡¯s forces were powerless against it. Arrows shattered against its scales, swords failed to pierce its hide, and even the most powerful spells fizzled into nothingness under its gaze. The serpent''s mere presence corrupted the air, rendering magical attacks useless. The serpent¡¯s wrath was not random it was a message. The treasures stored within the Blood Pyramid, enriched by the leyline, were now cursed. The serpent claimed the pyramid as its own, coiling within its halls and killing all intruders. Its power seeped into the walls, transforming the Blood Pyramid into a perilous labyrinth. In the centuries that followed, the Northern Kingdom attempted to reclaim the Blood Pyramid countless times. Each attempt ended in failure, with soldiers, mages, and mercenaries meeting their demise in the serpent¡¯s maw or succumbing to the deadly traps within the pyramid. The Blood Pyramid was abandoned, left as a cursed monument to the kingdom¡¯s greed. Over time, it became known as the ''Crimson Grave'', a symbol of the serpent¡¯s unyielding power and the ultimate test of courage and strength for any human. The Northern Serpent now stands as the unbeatable guardian of the Blood Pyramid. It is said to be immortal, feeding on the leyline¡¯s endless energy. Its presence ensures that the treasures within the pyramid remain untouched, though whispers persist that the serpent guards something even greater perhaps a secret tied to the leyline itself or the ancient gods that created it. Legends of the Blood Pyramid and the Northern Serpent have spread far beyond the Land of Dusk. Humans seeking glory often journey to the Crimson Wastes, hoping to challenge the serpent and claim its hoard. None have returned alive, their bones said to litter the blood-red sands surrounding the pyramid. Scholars debate the true nature of the Northern Serpent. Some believe it is a divine creation, while others argue it is a magical construct born of the leyline''s power. Whatever the truth, one fact remains: the Blood Pyramid and its guardian have become eternal fixtures in the annals of history, a cautionary tale of greed and the price of disturbing forces beyond human comprehension. In recent years, rumors have surfaced of a lone figure who entered the pyramid and survived to tell the tale. According to their account, the Northern Serpent is not just a mindless guardian it is a sentient being capable of speech, bound to its duty by an unbreakable curse. Some people who escaped the blood pyramid, claims that the serpent offered them a deal: retrieve a long-lost artifact hidden deep within the pyramid, and it would consider releasing its grip on the structure. Whether this story is true remains to be seen. For now, the Blood Pyramid stands as it always has shrouded in mystery, its crimson walls echoing with the whispers of the past, and its guardian, the Northern Serpent, forever vigilant. Chapter 4: System Kael sat cross-legged on the flat surface of the pyramid¡¯s summit, his gaze locked on the two-headed serpent below. The creature slithered with a slow, menacing rhythm, its forked tongues flicking in and out as if tasting the air. From his vantage point, he could see every ripple of its muscular body as it moved in and out of the shadows. His empty eye sockets narrowed slightly. The serpent had entered the pyramid. A long sigh of relief escaped him. ''If I were human, I¡¯d be drenched in sweat right now,'' Kael thought, his bony shoulders sagging. The dry, warm air of the desert carried no sound but the faint rustle of the sand shifting in the breeze. ¡°How fortunate... but also unlucky,¡± Kael muttered. His skeletal fingers tapped lightly on the stone surface as he mulled over his situation. The realization of his precarious position struck him again. The flat, spacious top of the pyramid had saved him from becoming the serpent¡¯s next meal. The thought made him glance around, assessing the structure. The rough stone under him was cool against his bones, a stark contrast to the blazing desert sun overhead. ¡°I need a weapon,¡± Kael said to himself, his voice tinged with frustration. He leaned forward, propping his bony chin on one hand. His other hand idly traced small patterns in the dust coating the stone. Weapons. That was the first thing any game player searched for. He had no delusions about his vulnerability. He was defenseless, weaponless, and without any clear knowledge of how to survive in this dangerous place. Worse still, magic a potential trump card is utterly useless against the two-headed serpent. The creature''s ability to cancel spells rendered magic powerless. Kael groaned, letting his spine curve as he sank back against the stone. His sockets stared at the swirling void above, thoughts racing. ¡°Let me check my information,¡± he muttered. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s something useful.¡± The faint hope in his voice was quickly replaced by frustration as a realization hit him. ¡°Wait,¡± he whispered, sitting upright. ¡°How do I even access it? Is it even called ¡®information¡¯? No¡­ what¡¯s it called?¡± Kael scratched his skull in exasperation. His bony fingers made faint scraping sounds against his head as he tried to recall the correct term. Lowering his head slightly, he thought hard. ¡°What is it called...?¡± His bony fingers paused mid-motion. ¡°Ah, yes! It¡¯s called a ''System.'' Why was that so hard to remember?¡± He let out a hollow chuckle. ¡°After playing countless games and comics, I almost forgot something so basic.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. His skeletal jaw clicked faintly as he grinned. A System! The word sparked a sense of familiarity and relief. In countless games and comics, a System was the foundation of the character¡¯s abilities a comprehensive framework governing stats, skills, quests, and level-ups. ¡°Now that I know the name¡­ how do I activate it?¡± Kael said aloud, his voice echoing faintly across the empty expanse. He sprawled back on the stone surface again, his skeletal body making faint clicking sounds against the ground. For a while, he lay there, staring at the hazy void. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s like those systems in comics. Maybe you just call it out, right?¡± He sat up abruptly, brushing a fine layer of red sand from his ribs. With deliberate movements, he rose to his feet and planted himself firmly. Straightening his back, he mimicked clearing his throat. ¡°System!¡± he declared firmly. His voice, though lacking a tongue or vocal cords, carried a commanding tone. Nothing. Kael frowned. ¡°System!¡± he tried again, this time louder. Still nothing. Frustration bubbled to the surface. His bony foot stomped against the stone, sending a small puff of dust into the air. He tried again and again, each attempt louder than the last, until his voice echoed faintly into the vast desert. But no matter how many times he called out, the System refused to appear. Defeated, Kael slumped to the ground once more. His empty eye sockets seemed to burn with frustration as he stared at the sands below. His fingers dug small grooves into the dust. ¡°Why isn¡¯t it working?¡± he muttered bitterly. He sat there for a while, his mind circling endlessly. Finally, a new idea sparked. ¡°Maybe it doesn¡¯t require saying it out loud,¡± he mused. ¡°Some systems in comics activate by thought...¡± Kael straightened his spine. He adjusted his stance, brushing imaginary dirt from his nonexistent pants. Closing his sockets, he focused his thoughts, his skeletal fingers stilling at his sides. ''System.'' Seconds passed. The wind brushed softly against the pyramid, the only sound in the oppressive silence. When he opened his sockets, his gaze darted around expectantly. Nothing. Not even a glimmer. ¡°Huh.¡± Kael scratched his skull. ¡°I thought I did it right¡­¡± Time dragged on as he mulled over different ideas, each one more far-fetched than the last. Frustration built once again. ¡°I hate this place,¡± he growled. ¡°First Jay, now the System. Why does everything hate me?¡± He kicked the ground in irritation, sending more sand scattering. Exhaustion finally overtook his anger, and he let himself collapse on the ground once more. His skeletal hand stretched out lazily, as if reaching for something invisible. His thoughts drifted aimlessly. ¡°how can I do this... How can I activate this. ..¡± he whispered. His fingers curled slightly as if grasping an imaginary weapon. Unconsciously, his mind returned to the System. ¡°...System,¡± he murmured softly, almost wistfully. The air around him vibrated. Kael froze, his sockets widening. A flash of light erupted around him, painting the pyramid in blinding brilliance. Instinctively, he raised an arm to shield his face, the light burning into his vision even as he tried to turn away. Seconds passed before the glow faded. Slowly, Kael lowered his arm, his sockets wide with disbelief. Hovering before him was a translucent blue screen, glowing faintly against the dark surroundings. His jaw slackened. ¡°It worked,¡± he whispered in awe. His voice was low, reverent. ¡°The System...¡± Chapter 5: Scythe Kael stared at the system interface in stunned silence, his glowing eye sockets fixed on the ethereal text floating before him. Each word seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly light, as if it carried immense significance. He leaned closer, his skeletal fingers twitching in anticipation as he read aloud, his voice echoing in the dim void surrounding him: (Name: Kael Crow) (True Name: Phantom) ¡°Wait... A true name?¡± Kael whispered, his jaw dropping slightly, the hinges creaking faintly. ¡°I have a true name!¡± His voice grew louder, the echo bouncing back to him, filling the emptiness. In the game ''10 Scrolls'', true names were not mere labels; they signified greatness. Only promising individuals with powerful and rare abilities were granted ''true name''. ¡°Does that mean...¡± Kael began, his bony hand pressing against his sternum as if feeling for something that wasn¡¯t there. ¡°...that I¡¯m strong? And I possess a rare, overwhelming power?¡± He glanced down at his skeletal form, his empty ribcage gleaming faintly under the eerie light of the interface. The sight brought a grim realization that made him tilt his skull slightly in exasperation. ¡°But... I¡¯m just a skeleton,¡± he muttered, his hollow sockets narrowing as though glaring at the system text. ¡°Is this some kind of joke?¡± The system¡¯s unfeeling response came swiftly: (Race: Skeleton) Kael groaned, the sound rasping like dry wind through brittle leaves. ¡°So I really am a skeleton... huh,¡± he said, rubbing the back of his skull in disbelief. Shaking his head, he continued reading. The next line made him pause. (Inventory: None) (Equip: None) A cold silence hung in the air as he digested the implications. His hands curled into fists, clenching tightly until faint cracks echoed from his fingers. ¡°No weapons... no amour... How am I supposed to survive the Northern Serpent?¡± he muttered bitterly. But before despair could take root, his sockets flared with a faint glow as his gaze landed on the next section. (Abilities/Skills: Scythe Summoning, Scythe Mastery) Scythe Summoning: user can summon scythe of different shapes and color. Scythe Mystery: the user possess great experience using a scythe. A faint chuckle escaped him, a sound both unsettling and oddly triumphant. ¡°Abilities, huh?¡± he murmured, tilting his head to one side. ¡°I can summon a scythe? And I also have masters level experience, wonderful!!¡± Kael couldn¡¯t help but laugh, the sound rattling unnervingly in the silence. ¡°So my powers are useful,¡± he declared, his bony hands spreading wide as though embracing the realization. ¡°They¡¯ll definitely help me here.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. For a moment, Kael stood there, staring at the system text, his mind racing with possibilities. The void around him felt less suffocating now, the once-frigid air seeming to warm with his renewed confidence. ¡°Scythe, huh?¡± he whispered to himself, the name rolling off his tongue like a distant memory. His jaw set with determination, and his skeletal frame seemed to straighten, radiating a sense of purpose. The faint glow from the system interface dimmed as Kael dismissed it with a thought. His sockets scanned the desolate environment around him. A cold wind howled through the barren landscape, rattling his bones. The desert winds blowing. Sand whipped around him, hissing against the weathered stones His skeletal fingers curled into fists as he stared at the empty space in front of him. Kael growled under his breath, the sound a rattling echo of frustration. "I will try and summon it, but I have a feeling this is going to be hard," he muttered. He raised his hand, bony fingers splayed, and called out into the darkness. ¡°Scythe, I summon you!¡± Nothing. The air was still, the surrounding quiet. Kael¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°Useless,¡± he muttered. ¡°Maybe I didn''t call it well.¡± "Scythe!" Each call was more desperate than the last, but the result was always the same... silence. Kael stomped his skeletal foot against the stone, sending a small cascade of sand skittering down the pyramid. ¡°Why won¡¯t it work?¡± he hissed. ¡°I have the power.¡± For a moment, he stood still, letting the cold wind wash over him. He thought back to the stories he had read, accounts of warriors and mages summoning their weapons with nothing more than a word or a thought. ''What am I missing?'' He decided to try a different approach. Instead of shouting names, Kael closed his eye sockets, focusing inward. He imagined the feeling of a scythe in his hands the weight, the texture, the power radiating from its core. ¡°Come,¡± he whispered this time, his voice barely audible against the wind. ¡°You are mine. I call you to me.¡± Again, nothing happened. Kael sighed and sat down on the cold stone, staring at the horizon. He was losing hope. The stories had made it sound so easy, but reality had proven far more stubborn. Was it because he was a skeleton? An undead being with no soul to tie to a weapon? As the night deepened, Kael¡¯s frustration turned to anger. He stood abruptly, pacing the summit. ¡°What if I don¡¯t need the name?¡± he muttered, more to himself than anything else. ¡°What if I need to picture¡± He paused, staring into the empty air before him. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his hand again. This time, he imagined a scythe not its name, not its history, but the weapon itself. He pictured its curved blade gleaming in the moonlight, the shaft wrapped in dark leather, the aura of power it would exude. Kael focused on every detail, the sharpness of the blade, the weight of the handle. He visualized it so vividly that he could almost feel its cold presence in his hands. The air around him grew heavy. Kael¡¯s eye sockets flared as he felt a sudden pull in his chest, a tugging sensation that spread through his entire body. The wind died down, the world around him falling eerily silent. Then, with a low hum, a dark mist began to gather before him. It swirled and twisted, taking shape. Kael¡¯s bony hands trembled with anticipation. The mist solidified, forming into the weapon he had imagined. A scythe. Its blade was jagged, glinting like obsidian under the moonlight. The handle was wrapped in dark material that seemed to pulse with energy. The weapon radiated an aura of menace, as though it had been waiting for someone to claim it. Kael reached out slowly, his skeletal fingers brushing against the handle. The moment he grasped it, a surge of power rushed through him. It was overwhelming, cold and intoxicating. A laugh bubbled out of him, hollow and echoing. ¡°Finally,¡± he whispered. He swung the scythe experimentally. The blade cut through the air with a satisfying *whistle,* leaving a faint trail of dark energy in its wake. Kael could feel the weapon¡¯s power coursing through him, amplifying his own. He gazed at the scythe, the faint blue glow of his eyes reflecting off the blade. ¡°So that¡¯s the trick,¡± he said to himself. ¡°It¡¯s not about the name. It¡¯s about the will to create.¡± As he stood there, the scythe resting in his grip. Chapter 6: Descending Kael, stands at the precipice of the pyramid, his hollow sockets surveying the sharp, uneven edges below. The crimson-hued structure, formed from a peculiar mixture of hardened blood-sand, looms treacherously beneath him. A dense fog blankets the air, shrouding the steep slopes in an eerie, impenetrable gray. ''I hate hights'' Kael¡¯s thoughts echo in the silence, tinged with both resignation and focus. ''why is there no other way'' He grips his scythe tightly, the weapon''s blade glinting faintly in the dim light that manages to penetrate the fog. Its long, polished handle becomes his lifeline as he plants it firmly against the pyramid''s jagged surface. The edges of his bony fingers curl around the staff with a mechanical precision, ensuring no slip as he tests his weight. ''Foolish, isn¡¯t it? Using a weapon meant for reaping to climb a pyramid?'' The irony doesn¡¯t escape him, though he has no audience to share it with. With deliberate care, Kael steps forward, his skeletal foot pressing into a narrow ledge. The sensation or lack thereof of the unstable footing sends a jolt of awareness through his mind. Small grains of blood-sand crumble beneath him, cascading into the void below. He pauses, glancing down, though the swirling fog offers no clarity. A faint rustling noise drifts upward, its source hidden and distant, amplifying the unsettling silence. ''That sound again.'' His thoughts sharpen, his instincts flaring with caution. ''Something waits below. Or hunts.'' The rustling could be the wind stirring through the fog, but Kael knows better. The patterns are too deliberate, too... alive. Kael¡¯s movements are slow and methodical. He raises his scythe, pressing it into the next jagged outcropping. His bony frame creaks softly as he shifts his weight, the sound of his joints barely audible over the oppressive quiet. The fog clings to him like a second skin, its damp chill seeping into the marrow of his being. ''If I still had flesh, would I feel this cold?'' His descent is perilous, each step requiring precision and patience. The surface of the pyramid is an unpredictable tapestry of hardened ridges and crumbling patches. At times, his scythe slips against the glassy texture of a particularly smooth edge, forcing him to tense and recalculate his next move. He tightens his grip each time, his mind calculating the probability of survival with mechanical detachment. ''Unstable, unreliable, uncertain.'' The words repeat like a mantra. ''Just like everything else in this forsaken place.'' Kael pauses mid-descent, his empty gaze scanning the foggy expanse around him. He shifts his head slightly, the motion sharp and deliberate, as though listening for something beyond the soft rustling below. His free hand instinctively tightens against the edge of a protrusion, steadying himself. A gust of wind stirs the fog momentarily, revealing flashes of the pyramid''s desolate surface before concealing it again. ''Why do I even bother looking?'' He exhales a silent sigh, the motion purely reflexive. ''There¡¯s nothing to see but more of the same mist, sand, and death. Still, it¡¯s better than waiting at the top for nothing to happen.''The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The rustling grows faintly louder, carrying an odd cadence that Kael can''t quite place. He tilts his head, the smooth motion an eerie contrast to the chaotic scene. The sound isn''t constant it ebbs and flows, like whispers brushing against his awareness. ''Mocking me, perhaps? Or luring me? Whatever it is, I¡¯ll find out soon enough.'' The pyramid''s surface continues to shift unpredictably beneath him, the fog''s tendrils wrapping around every jagged edge. Kael moves again, his movements calculated and unyielding. His scythe scrapes against the hardened sand, sending faint vibrations up the weapon''s length and into his bony hands. The descent stretches on, the oppressive fog and faint rustling merging into a haunting symphony of uncertainty. ''I will reach the bottom, even if the ground crumbles beneath me. If this world wishes to devour me, it will choke on my bones before I submit, I must get back.'' Kael descended from the pyramid, his skeletal fingers trailing along the ancient, weathered stone. The faint scent of damp earth mingled with the metallic tang of decay, and the air grew heavier with each step. Somewhere below, the faint rustling noise grew louder, echoing ominously in the enclosed space. His empty eye sockets scanned the narrowing pathway ahead as unease settled in his hollow chest. Suddenly, a deafening hiss pierced the silence, sharp and venomous. The sound reverberated off the ancient walls, sending small clouds of dust spiraling from cracks in the stone. Kael froze in his tracks, his bony frame stiffening. ¡°Curses,¡± he muttered, his jawbone clicking as he spoke. The dense fog shrouding the pyramid¡¯s base began to churn violently, like a storm brewing just out of sight. From the swirling mist, a massive figure began to take form. Two glowing golden eyes, cold and predatory, broke through the haze. Kael instinctively tightened his grip on his scythe, its dark blade glinting faintly in the dim light. The fog parted further, revealing the coiled form of a two-headed serpent. Its scales glimmered like polished obsidian, reflecting flashes of pale light. Each head swayed in eerie synchrony, their forked tongues flicking out to taste the air. The creature''s massive body unfurled, and as it shifted, the sheer weight of its movements caused a low rumble. Dust and loose stones tumbled from the pyramid¡¯s walls, clattering loudly. Kael took an involuntary step back, the sound of his skeletal foot scraping against the stone betraying his caution. The serpent''s twin heads snapped toward him in unison, locking its glowing eyes on his unmoving frame. The creature let out another ear-splitting hiss, this time louder, more menacing, as it began its advance. With terrifying speed, the serpent surged upward, its immense body crushing the ancient stone steps beneath it. Kael felt the vibrations of its approach through his bones. He glanced back at the way he had come, calculating the distance to the next level of the pyramid. His fingers flexed over the shaft of his scythe, the cold metal a small comfort against the overwhelming presence of the beast. He pivoted to the side as a chunk of stone shattered near him, dislodged by the serpent¡¯s relentless ascent. Kael''s skull turned slightly, as if listening to the rhythm of the creature''s movements. He could feel the air grow hotter as the twin heads loomed closer, their scales scraping audibly against the pyramid¡¯s surface. If he fought, it would have to be precise. One wrong move against a creature of this size could end his existence. But evasion seemed equally perilous; the serpent¡¯s speed was uncanny, and its bulk dominated the narrow confines of the pyramid. Kael adjusted his stance, shifting his bony shoulders and setting his feet firmly against the stone. A soft, unnatural green glow pulsed from the edges of his scythe as he prepared to act. Dust swirled around him in the dim light, caught in the wake of the serpent¡¯s movements. The choice loomed before him, to stand and fight, or to slip away and hope the creature''s wrath could be avoided. Chapter 7: Death Is Certain The serpent struck with blinding speed, its twin jaws snapping shut on empty air where Kael, had stood just moments before. Dust and debris exploded from the impact, shrouding the air with a gritty veil. Kael rolled to the side, his bony frame twisting with an agility that defied nature. His skeletal joints creaked faintly as his scythe materialized in his hand with a surge of dark energy. The weapon¡¯s chilling aura seemed to pulse in rhythm with his burning crimson eye sockets, casting an eerie glow on the jagged battlefield. The serpent reared back, its massive body coiling with a grace that belied its size. Its twin heads swayed in unison, forked tongues flicking the air as if savoring Kael¡¯s fear. Scales gleamed like polished obsidian, reflecting the faint light of the cursed moon overhead. The serpent¡¯s every motion radiated predatory intent, its sheer size a looming reminder of Kael¡¯s vulnerability. Kael steadied his stance, the weight of his scythe grounding him as he braced for the next assault. His mind raced, piecing together fragments of strategy. His earlier strikes had been useless, bouncing off the serpent''s impenetrable scales like raindrops on stone. He muttered a low curse under his breath, the hollow echo of his voice betraying his frustration. The serpent struck again, faster than Kael had anticipated. Twin jaws lashed out, a blur of motion that blurred the line between speed and savagery. Kael¡¯s scythe hummed with dark energy as he swung it in a wide arc, aiming to intercept. The weapon met the serpent¡¯s scales with a sharp clang, sparks cascading through the air. The force of the clash reverberated through Kael¡¯s skeletal frame, his grip tightening as he absorbed the shock. ¡°Not even a scratch,¡± Kael hissed through clenched teeth or would have, had he any left. The serpent recoiled, its heads snapping back like coiled springs before striking again, each head moving with terrifying precision. Kael pivoted on his heel, narrowly evading a strike that would have cleaved him in half. His scythe arced through the air once more, this time aimed at the serpent¡¯s underbelly a potential weak point. The blade skimmed the shimmering scales, but the serpent twisted away in a liquid motion, denying him even the smallest victory. Its mocking hiss echoed in the air, and Kael felt his frustration mounting. He was being driven back, step by step, as the serpent pressed its advantage. The sandy terrain beneath his feet shifted with each movement, threatening to trip him with every misstep. Kael¡¯s sockets flickered as his gaze darted around, desperate for a way to turn the tide. And then he saw it a small, hollowed-out alcove nestled into the side of the pyramid. It was barely large enough to provide cover, but it might give him the precious moments. The serpent roared, its twin heads snapping mere inches from Kael¡¯s ribs. The deafening sound rattled his bones, but he pushed through the panic, dissolving his scythe into a swirling mist with a thought. His skeletal legs pumped furiously as he bolted toward the alcove, his movements frantic but deliberate. The ground shifted beneath him, sand tearing at his balance. He stumbled, nearly pitching forward, but managed to recover. Behind him, the serpent surged forward, its massive form an unstoppable tide of muscle and fury. The ground trembled beneath its weight, each impact a drumbeat of doom that seemed to synchronize with Kael¡¯s own frantic pace. He could feel the air shift as one of the serpent¡¯s heads snapped toward him, its maw wide enough to engulf him whole. Kael threw himself into a roll, narrowly avoiding the jaws that clamped down with enough force to splinter stone. The impact send sand scattering, several grazing his skeletal frame. The serpent¡¯s other head lashed out, forcing Kael to duck low, the attack passing inches above his skull.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Almost there,¡± Kael rasped, his voice barely audible above the cacophony of the serpent¡¯s pursuit. The alcove loomed closer, its dark recesses promising a fleeting sanctuary. With one final burst of speed, Kael¡¯s sockets burned brighter, his mind racing. At the last moment, just as the two-headed serpent lunged at him, Kael channeled every ounce of strength into his bony legs. With a burst of speed, he dashed into one of the hollowed-out alcoves carved into the pyramid¡¯s side. His movements were precise, driven by sheer survival instinct. He scrambled inside, twisting his body to face the serpent just as its twin heads collided with the stone wall, the impact shaking the entire pyramid. Dust cascaded from the cracks above, and a deep, resonant rumble echoed through the ancient structure. Kael, crouched low in the alcove, pressed his back against the jagged surface, feeling the cold stone graze his exposed vertebrae. The beast glared at him, both heads snapping back and forth as if calculating whether to strike again, and how to. For a long, tense moment, the serpent¡¯s glowing eyes remained fixed on him, its forked tongues flickering in the air. Then, with a guttural hiss, it turned away, slithering back into the shadows of the pyramid¡¯s exterior. Kael exhaled, though no breath left his skeletal frame. He tilted his head slightly, the faint creak of his neck joints breaking the oppressive silence. His hollow eye sockets scanned the alcove cautiously. The dim light revealed ancient carvings etched into the walls, their meanings long lost to time. Scattered across the floor were the broken remains of past warriors: rusted swords, shattered shields, and brittle bones bleached by the ages. ¡°May your crazy souls rest in peace,¡± he murmured, his voice hollow but laced with a tinge of reverence. He continued "Why the hell would you come here to met your Doom". As his gaze lingered on the remains, something caught his attention. Beneath the thin layer of blood-red sand that coated the alcove floor, he uncovered a weathered map etched into the ground. Using his skeletal fingers, he carefully traced the grooves, brushing away the dust to reveal the intricate details. The map depicted parts of the pyramid¡¯s labyrinthine interior, including the location of a hidden path leading to its base. "Just what I needed," he muttered, his jaw clicking slightly as he spoke. Steeling himself, Kael emerged cautiously from the alcove and made his way to a jagged opening on the pyramid¡¯s surface. The entrance yawned before him like the maw of some ancient beast, and as he stepped through, a gust of dry, stagnant air rushed to greet him. The stench of decay and mildew was overpowering. "Disgusting," Kael grumbled, his nasal cavity twitching as if it could still detect smells. "How can the serpent survive this smell?" Inside, the walls shimmered faintly with glyphs that seemed to pulsate with a rhythmic glow, their red light casting ominous shadows across the narrow corridor. The suffocating darkness ahead was broken only by these eerie symbols, which seemed alive in their quiet pulsations. Kael extended his bony fingers, letting them trail along the walls as he advanced. The cold surface felt almost electric under his touch, the glyphs reacting faintly to his presence. Each step he took echoed loudly, the sound bouncing off the tight walls and amplifying the suffocating stillness. The deeper he ventured, the more intricate the pyramid¡¯s design revealed itself to be. Corridors branched out unpredictably, twisting and turning in ways that defied logic. The faint red glow illuminated subtle details he might have otherwise missed: footprints in the dust leading nowhere, streaks of dried blood smeared on the walls, and broken weapons littered across the floor. Kael paused, crouching to inspect a shattered blade embedded in the ground. The weapon was tarnished and brittle, yet it still radiated the desperation of its last wielder. A chilling realization washed over him, his skull tilting slightly in thought. "Others have been here before" he muttered, his voice low and grim. His empty sockets narrowed as he straightened, his bony hand gripping the hilt of his own scythe tightly. "And they never escaped" He continued, "Death is certain the moment they lay foot here" The oppressive silence pressed in around him as if the pyramid itself was alive, watching his every move. Kael adjusted his grip on his scythe and took a cautious step forward, the faint glow of the glyphs lighting the path ahead. "Damnit," he hissed under his breath, his free hand brushing against the wall to steady himself. Every fiber of his being what was left of it urged him to stay sharp. Chapter 8: Traps Kael¡¯s hollow eyes swept across the narrow corridor ahead, the dim light casting eerie shadows on the crumbling stone walls. The passage gradually widened as he ventured deeper, revealing a vast hallway supported by colossal stone pillars etched with intricate carvings. These ancient engravings seemed to tell forgotten stories, their details half-erased by time and the relentless grip of decay. A faint draft whistled through the space, carrying a bone-chilling sense of foreboding. The air was heavy, as though the very atmosphere itself conspired to keep intruders at bay. His skeletal frame moved with caution, his bones creaking faintly with every step. Beneath his bony feet, faint grooves interrupted the dusty floor, their subtle patterns catching his attention. Kael came to an abrupt stop, crouching down slowly. The dim glow of the corridor illuminated his skeletal fingers as they traced one of the grooves. The rough texture of the stone met his touch, sending a faint chill through his hand. His hollow gaze narrowed as fragments of memory from his gaming days surfaced. "A trap," he murmured in a raspy voice, the sound echoing softly along the empty expanse. His words hung in the air, swallowed by the oppressive silence of the hallway. Rising with a deliberate slowness, Kael¡¯s grip tightened around his scythe. The weapon gleamed faintly under the dim light, the crimson hue of its blade pulsating ominously, casting brief flickers of red across the walls. He tilted his head, as if listening to the silence itself, and then, with calculated precision, tossed the weapon forward. The corridor came alive with a sudden, violent energy. Metallic whirs pierced the air as spinning blades erupted from the walls, their deadly arcs cutting through the gloom with terrifying speed. The sharp, rhythmic sound of the blades echoed endlessly, bouncing off the high walls and pillars. Kael stood motionless, his eye sockets reflecting the glint of the spinning death before him. He observed the pattern, the blades retracting for a fleeting pause before resuming their deadly dance. His mind raced as he recalled the mechanics of the game. ''Five seconds... just five seconds between each cycle,'' he calculated. "Damn, I am so amazing!" he said, his rare cheer almost startling in the oppressive surroundings. The cheering quickly faded as he muttered under his breath, "Says someone who¡¯s died over 700 times in this game." He exhaled a soundless release of tension as his form stilled. Then, in a flash, he launched forward. His bones seemed to move with unnatural grace, each step precise and deliberate. The first blade screeched past his skull, the sharp wind of its passage grazing his left eye socket. Without hesitating, Kael twisted his body sharply, narrowly dodging another blade that sliced low toward his legs. The motion sent a cloud of dust spiraling around him, the faint scent of ancient stone and rust filling his senses. His scythe whirled in his hands as he used it to parry smaller traps, the clanging sound echoing like a battle cry in the narrow space. Halfway through the gauntlet, a blade grazed his ribcage. The moment was so close it pulled a gasp from him a sound more out of reflex than fear. He froze momentarily, his skeletal form stiffening, before realizing the blade had merely passed harmlessly through the gap between his ribs. "Sometimes, being all bones isn¡¯t so bad," he said, Yet, the close call served as a grim reminder of the stakes. One wrong move, and he¡¯d be reduced to a heap of lifeless remains. The corridor grew narrower as he advanced, the traps growing more erratic. Blades of varying sizes and speeds emerged in chaotic intervals, the deadly precision of their movements demanding absolute focus. Kael adjusted his rhythm, his skeletal frame twisting and contorting as needed. He leaped high to avoid one blade and dropped low to duck under another, his movements blurring into a dance of survival. The faint crimson glow of his scythe left arcs of light in the air as he spun it in fluid motions, deflecting smaller traps with sharp, ringing clangs. Sweatless but metaphorically breathless, Kael finally reached the end of the gauntlet. The whir of spinning blades behind him faded into silence, the oppressive tension lifting slightly. He stood upright, his skeletal chest rising and falling in a mimicry of relief. The stillness of the new hallway stretched before him.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Kael''s fingers brushed over the crimson blade of his scythe, his grip tightening. "Well," he muttered to himself, his hollow voice echoing once more, "let¡¯s see what¡¯s next." With that, he stepped forward, his skeletal frame casting a long shadow against the dimly lit stone walls. Beyond the traps, the narrow hallway stretched into a massive, circular chamber. The faint light from the corridor barely reached the edges of the room, swallowed by an overwhelming darkness that seemed alive. Kael stepped cautiously into the space, his bony fingers tightening around the shaft of his scythe. His hollow sockets scanned the chamber as the atmosphere shifted abruptly. The air here was dense, pressing against his skeletal form like a physical weight. A low hum filled the room, deep and resonant, growing louder with every measured step he took. Kael paused, cocking his head to pinpoint the source of the sound. Glyphs etched into the stone walls flickered faintly, their pale light pulsating in rhythm with the vibrating hum, casting eerie shadows across the room. ¡°What is this place?¡± Kael muttered under his breath, his voice barely louder than a whisper. He ran his bony fingers lightly along the shaft of his scythe, the metal cold beneath his touch. His steps echoed faintly, but the sound quickly dissolved into the all-encompassing hum, as if the chamber itself absorbed his presence. The walls seemed to ripple like disturbed water, distorting the edges of his vision. As Kael ventured deeper, the environment betrayed him. The ground underfoot vanished suddenly, replaced by what seemed to be a reflection of the ceiling. He faltered, his skeletal frame shifting slightly as he fought for balance. His scythe tapped lightly against the illusionary surface, the sound somehow muted. "An illusion," Kael hissed, the realization sharpening his focus. He straightened, his fingers gripping the weapon. The chamber''s twisting dimensions played tricks on him one moment, it stretched infinitely, with pathways snaking outward in every direction; the next, it contracted claustrophobically, leaving him seemingly trapped within walls that loomed closer. His sockets narrowed as the glyphs grew brighter, their flickering light mocking him with their deceptive beauty. He turned sharply, "If it¡¯s really an illusion," he murmured, his tone calm but steely, "then it must be tied to the glyphs." Kael raised his scythe, the weapon glinting ominously in the flickering light. He swung it with calculated precision at the nearest glyph. The blade struck true, the impact releasing a high-pitched sound akin to shattering glass. The illusion flickered violently, part of the endless pathways dissolving to reveal glimpses of the true chamber. A grim grin stretched across Kael¡¯s jawline, his skeletal features stark in the pale glow. He moved quickly, his frame darting with eerie grace. Each step sent faint vibrations through the unstable ground as he targeted the glowing symbols. His strikes were swift and deliberate, the scythe slicing through the air with a sharp whistle before colliding with the glyphs. The room retaliated, its illusions intensifying as the glyphs shattered one by one. The walls rippled furiously, and the hum grew into a deafening roar that seemed to claw at his very being. Kael gritted his teeth, as the chamber bucked violently. His cloak whipped around him in the unnatural wind conjured by the room¡¯s resistance. Only one glyph remained, high above him on the chamber¡¯s true ceiling. Kael stopped, planting his scythe against the ground as he calculated the distance. The hum rattled through his hollow form, threatening to disrupt his focus, but he remained steadfast. Reaching his full height, Kael extended the scythe, its blade crackling with dark energy. He shifted his stance, his skeletal fingers adjusting their grip with meticulous care. With a sharp intake of breath, he hurled the weapon upward. The scythe spun through the air, the dark energy trailing like tendrils of smoke as it struck the final glyph with explosive force. The chamber trembled violently, its illusions shattering like a fragile pane of glass. The walls solidified, their rippling movements ceasing as the endless maze collapsed into a singular, straightforward pathway. The oppressive hum died away, replaced by a heavy, almost sacred silence. At the far end of the chamber, an ornate exit appeared, its frame glowing faintly with an inviting light. Kael approached cautiously, retrieving his scythe with a swift, practiced motion. The weapon hummed faintly in his grasp, as if reacting to the lingering energy in the room. His bony frame cast a long, jagged shadow that stretched across the now-stable floor. The glyphs were gone, but their faint impressions lingered in the air, a reminder of the chamber¡¯s malevolence. Without hesitation, Kael stepped toward the exit, his sockets fixed on the faint glow ahead. The chamber seemed to watch him, its dark corners holding secrets that he dared not investigate further. The scythe rested firmly in his grasp, its weight both a comfort and a warning as he disappeared through the ornate doorway, leaving the ominous chamber behind. Chapter 9: Traps 2 The next section of the labyrinth loomed ahead, a foreboding incline bathed in a dim crimson glow. The jagged walls seemed to close in, their surfaces adorned with ancient etchings that tells tales of forgotten torment. Kael hollow eye sockets scanning for danger, stepped forward cautiously. Each step echoed faintly in the cavernous space, a sharp contrast to the oppressive silence around him. As he descended, the ground beneath him shifted, a faint crunch underfoot drawing his attention. Too late. The floor crumbled away, revealing a yawning pit of shifting blood sand. Kael''s bony form plunged downward, his limbs flailing instinctively. ¡°Damnit!¡± he rasped, his voice a brittle echo swallowed by the labyrinth. The blood sand surged around him like a living thing, pulling him deeper with every second. His skeletal hands clawed at the air before he reached for his scythe, the familiar weight materializing in his grasp. With a forceful swing, he drove the blade into the wall, the sharp metallic screech mingling with the faint hum of the vibrating sand. The scythe lodged firmly into the rock, momentarily halting his descent. Kael¡¯s ribcage heaved in imitation of breath as he struggled to stabilize himself, his skeletal frame trembling under the relentless pull. The grains of sand writhed below, swirling in hypnotic patterns as if savoring their prey. Sweatless but tense, Kael¡¯s mind raced, his empty sockets flicking to and fro as he sought a way out. ¡®The blood sand reacts to vibrations,¡¯ he recalled from the game. The memory sparked a flicker of hope. Adjusting his grip on the scythe, Kael swung it against the wall with calculated force. The sharp clang reverberated through the chamber, sending faint tremors across the sand below. The movement was subtle at first, but soon the sand shifted, its flow redirecting away from him. Kael struck again, his skeletal arm jerking with each swing, his other hand clutching the wall for balance. The ground shuddered in response, the sand parting to reveal a narrow pathway. It wouldn¡¯t last long. Kael adjusted his stance, his bones clicking softly as he shifted his weight. ¡°Just a little more,¡± he muttered under his nonexistent breath, his jaw clenching as though bracing for impact. With a final strike, he released his grip on the scythe and leapt forward. The world blurred for a heart-stopping moment as he soared through the air, his body twisting mid-flight. He landed with a jarring thud, his bones rattling against the cold stone floor. The scythe clattered behind him, dislodged by the tremors. Kael¡¯s skull rolled slightly to one side before he righted himself, pressing skeletal palms against the ground. A faint red mist hung in the air, its metallic tang filling the cavern. Kael remained motionless for a moment, his sockets staring blankly at the stone beneath him. Slowly, he lifted himself to his feet, his joints creaking with protest. The distant shifting of sand echoed ominously, a reminder of his narrow escape. ¡°Well,¡± he muttered, his voice dry and humorless, ¡°that could¡¯ve gone better.¡± The labyrinth offered no reply, not that it can, its oppressive silence returning to smother him. He retrieved his scythe, the blade gleaming faintly in the dim light, and scanned his surroundings. The incline ahead beckoned once more, its mysteries hidden. Kael tightened his grip on his weapon and moved forward, the faint echo of his footfalls swallowed by the endless void of the labyrinth.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. The final section of the labyrinth is a vast chamber, its oppressive silence broken only by faint, disembodied voices. The room is dimly lit, the eerie glow of pulsating glyphs on the walls casting shifting shadows across the floor. At the far end, a towering archway looms, its intricate carvings resembling twisting vines and monstrous faces, as though it guards the secrets beyond. The voices grow louder as he steps into the room, his boots echoing against the smooth, cold stone. At first, the voices are indistinct murmurs, but they soon twist into mocking laughter and tortured screams that seem to seep into his very bones. He winces, his hands instinctively tightening around the scythe in his grasp. "Shut up!" he snaps, his voice echoing futilely against the cacophony. His shoulders tense, and his sharp gaze darts around the room, searching for the source of the haunting sounds. At the center of the chamber, his breath catches. A skeletal figure steps forward from the darkness, Its face blurred, but what makes his heart race isn¡¯t its appearance it¡¯s the scythe in its hand. The weapon is an exact mirror of his own, its dark blade shimmering with malevolent energy. The figure tilts its head, its hollow gaze locked onto him, mimicking his stance but not his movements. "What the hell is that thing?" he mutters, gripping his weapon tighter. Beads of sweat form on his brow as the voices intensify, coiling around him like a vice. The glyphs on the walls pulse erratically, their light brightening and dimming in quick succession. Before he can react, the figure lunges forward, its scythe slicing through the air with a sinister hiss. He barely blocks the strike in time, the collision of their weapons sending sparks of dark energy cascading around them. The force of the blow pushes him back, his heels scraping against the ground as he steadies himself. The skeletal reflection moves unnervingly fast, its attacks precise and relentless. Each swing of its scythe forces him to retreat, his arms aching under the strain of deflecting its strikes. "It¡¯s like it knows what I¡¯m going to do before I do it," he mutters through gritted teeth, his chest heaving. His reflection¡¯s movements are eerily fluid, its attacks almost playful as if mocking his attempts to fight back. Realizing brute force won¡¯t work, he grits his teeth and changes tactics. Faking a stumble, he feints an attack toward the figure¡¯s torso. As it moves to counter, he pivots sharply, his scythe slicing through the air to strike one of the glowing glyphs on the wall. The glyph shatters in a burst of light, and the voices falter for a brief moment. The skeletal figure recoils, its movements becoming less precise, more erratic. A flicker of determination ignites in his eyes as he darts toward another glyph, his scythe arcing downward to smash it. Each shattered glyph seems to drain strength from his adversary, its attacks slowing as though weighed down by an invisible force. The chamber quakes as the last glyph crumbles beneath his blade. The skeletal reflection lets out a silent scream, its form dissolving into a cloud of ash and dust that scatters into the air. The voices fade, leaving an almost deafening silence in their wake. Panting, he stands in the center of the now-quiet chamber, his hands trembling as he lowers his scythe. He glances at the archway, which groans open with a low rumble, revealing a narrow path leading downward to the base of the pyramid. A chime rings in his mind, and glowing text appears before him: (You Defeated A Guardian of The Chamber, The Mirror Whisperer) (You Received An Item) His shoulders sag as he lets out a shaky sigh. "I want to go home," he mutters, his voice tinged with exhaustion and despair. "I hate this place." His gaze lingers on the archway for a moment longer before he begins to walk forward, his steps heavy as though each one carries the weight of his ordeal. Behind him, the shattered remains of the glyphs flicker one last time before fading into darkness. Chapter 10: Defeat Kael stepped cautiously into the large chamber, his skeletal frame illuminated by faint torchlight that flickered along the stone walls. The cold air carried a faint hiss, a warning of what was coming. His hollow eye sockets scanned the room for potential traps, his bony fingers twitching in anticipation. Just as he began to plan his next move, the silence was shattered. With a thunderous crash, the northern serpent reappeared, smashing through a section of the chamber wall. Its polished black scales reflected faintly under the dim light, and its twin heads darted in unison, locking onto him with predatory precision. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as the creature slithered forward, its enormous bulk leaving deep grooves in the ground. Kael¡¯s jaw tightened. The labyrinth had been unforgiving, but this beast was relentless, having tracked him across countless corridors. He shifted his stance, his bony feet scraping against the cold floor, and darted toward a nearby trap. The serpent hissed, its heads weaving like twin vipers ready to strike. Kael turned his skull slightly, just enough to make sure it was still following him. His hollow sockets narrowed. The serpent lunged. Kael twisted sharply to the side, his skeletal frame barely avoiding the massive jaws snapping shut behind him. He bolted forward again, glancing back over his shoulder. His ribs expanded slightly, simulating a sigh of frustration when he saw the serpent had avoided the trap. ¡°This bastard is smart,¡± he muttered under his breath, the sound echoing faintly in the vast chamber. Kael sprinted to the opposite side of the room, his bony joints clinking faintly with each step. His fingers trailed along the cold stone wall until they hit a pressure plate. With a calculated motion, he slammed his shoulder into the wall, the impact reverberating through his entire frame. The serpent hissed, momentarily confused, before continuing its pursuit. That¡¯s when Kael saw it a lever, partially hidden by debris. His sockets widened in a flash of determination as he dove for it, his skeletal hand wrapping around the cold iron handle. With a sharp pull, the mechanism groaned to life, and a series of enchanted arrows shot forth from the walls with incredible speed, the faint glow of magic trailing behind them. The serpent noticed immediately. It coiled itself tightly, its massive body forming a protective barrier around its vulnerable heads. The arrows struck the creature¡¯s scales with dull thuds, ricocheting off with no visible damage. Sparks of enchanted energy scattered across the chamber floor. ¡°Curses,¡± Kael growled, his fingers curling into fists. The serpent¡¯s coiled body relaxed as the storm of arrows finally ceased. Its two heads rose in unison, staring down at Kael with eyes burning with fury. ¡°You done, then die,¡± one head growled, its voice deep and guttural. The chamber rumbled as the serpent launched itself at him with terrifying speed. The ground beneath Kael vibrated, cracks forming under the sheer weight of the creature''s charge. Yet Kael stood still, his frame eerily calm. He hadn¡¯t expected the serpent to speak, but he wouldn¡¯t let that distract him. His jaw shifted slightly as he whispered, ¡°Just what I needed.¡± The serpent¡¯s eyes widened suddenly, its predatory focus replaced with realization. It tried to shift its massive body mid-charge, but it was too late. Thick, enchanted spikes erupted from the ground with a deafening roar, their crystalline edges glinting with lethal precision. The spikes pierced the serpent¡¯s coiled body, pinning it in place and tearing through its dense scales. The beast let out an ear-splitting shriek, both heads writhing in agony. Blood, dark and viscous, seeped from its wounds, pooling around the spikes. Kael stepped back, his hollow sockets narrowing as he watched the beast recoil. The trap had worked perfectly, as he had intended. This was no ordinary snare; it was one of the legendary traps of the Northern Kingdom, designed specifically to kill the serpent. Kael flexed his skeletal fingers, recalling the subtle steps that led to this victory. He had slammed his body into the wall earlier not just to confuse the beast, but to activate the trap¡¯s hidden mechanism. The serpent, blinded by its rage, had failed to notice. Even so, Kael knew the serpent¡¯s intelligence was not to be underestimated. Its wisdom allowed it to bypass such traps in the past. Yet, its fury and singular focus on killing Kael had dulled its senses, giving him the edge he needed. Kael turned to leave, the faint rattling of his bones echoing in the now-silent chamber. Kael skidded to a stop, his bony feet scraping against the stone floor of the pyramid. He turned slowly, his hollow sockets locking onto the massive two-headed serpent. Its glimmering scales shimmered faintly in the dim light, each head swaying hypnotically as it loomed over him. Despite the terrifying sight, the serpent¡¯s eyes held no malice. Instead, they seemed calm, relaxed... almost happy.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Kael straightened his stance, gripping his scythe tightly. His voice was steady as he asked, "What do you want?" One of the serpent''s heads tilted, the other fixating him with a sharp gaze. Its deep, guttural voice echoed through the chamber. "Who are you?" Kael paused, his skeletal jaw tightening as he considered the question. After a moment, he answered, "Kael. My name is Kael Crow." The serpent chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that reverberated through the air. Both heads swayed slightly as it spoke. "Who knew I would be defeated by a mere skeleton." Its laughter grew louder, filling the pyramid, then abruptly stopped. One of its heads lowered, its eyes meeting Kael''s directly. "But I am glad it was one who is wise. Perhaps even wiser than me." Kael shifted his weight, his empty eye sockets narrowing slightly. "I doubt I¡¯m smarter than you." The serpent grinned, baring rows of sharp teeth. "Oh, but it is true. I was blinded by anger and resentment, and you used that to your advantage. You must be a very strong and wise. Ordinary beings cannot possess the kind of knowledge you wield." Kael shook his head, his bones rattling slightly with the motion. "No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m just a normal guy who happened to get lucky." The serpent¡¯s eyes gleamed with an ancient wisdom. "That is what they all say, but I have proof that yours isn¡¯t mere luck, ''Sir Phantom''." Kael flinched at the mention of his true name, stepping back instinctively. "How... How do you know that name?" One of the serpent¡¯s heads tilted, almost mockingly. "Let¡¯s just say I happen to know many things. Wisdom is a gift of mine, as it can also recognize potential. And you, Kael Crow, have great potential." Kael¡¯s skeletal hands clenched into fists at his sides. His voice was cautious as he asked, "So... what the legends said was wrong? That retrieving the artifact would break your hold on the pyramid?" The serpent let out a low hum. Dust stirred with the motion, carried by a faint, stale breeze. "You are wise indeed. Yes, the legends are wrong. There is no artifact. The pyramid is empty. The only way to defeat me is through knowledge, not weapons or relics." A chime sounded in Kael¡¯s mind, followed by a string of notifications: (You Have Defeated The Final Boss Of The Blood Pyramid) (You Have Defeated A Great Beast: The Northern Serpent) (You Have Received An Item) (You Have Leveled Up To Level 2) (Your Abilities Have Upgraded) (You Have Received 10 Upgrade Points) (The Pyramid Is Destroying...) The ground beneath Kael began to tremble violently, chunks of stone falling from the ceiling. He glanced around quickly, then turned back to the serpent. "It seems like this is the end. You¡¯re free now." The serpent regarded him with both heads, its voice softening. "Thank you, brave monster... Before I die, come closer." Kael hesitated, narrowing his sockets suspiciously. The serpent caught his hesitation and chuckled. "No, it¡¯s not to harm you. If you don¡¯t trust me, stand where you are." Kael took a tentative step forward, then another. The serpent¡¯s left head lowered, its eyes shining a brilliant gold. A sudden wave of cold washed over Kael¡¯s skeletal form before fading. (You Have Become The Master Of The Northern Serpent) Kael blinked at the notification, his sockets wide with surprise. "Master?" he murmured, staring at the serpent. The creature nodded solemnly. "Yes. That is your reward. For decades, I have awaited someone worthy to defeat me and become my master. You have proven that even the weakest, with knowledge, can become the strongest. Who would have thought I¡¯d be defeated by a skeleton?" Kael glanced at the rumbling walls, dust raining down in thick clouds. "I need to leave. The pyramid is collapsing." He turned to leave, but the serpent¡¯s voice stopped him. " There is something else..." "What!" "You won''t be able to summon me or use me to fight in full power" Kael tilted his head a bit "Why?" The serpent chuckled "firstly because my body is totally damaged I won''t be able to restore it. that leads to the second, you are too weak, if you where strong you would be able to restore my body but you are just a level 3 skeleton, the gap between our levels are big, I am even surprised you could become my master" "Why were you surprised?" "Because your life was at risk yet you survived, who are you really?" Kael moved back "You wanted to still kill me" "Yes and No, I only did it to see if you were worthy of being my master, and also to still kill you, because I was afraid to be serving a weakling" the serpent said with a mocking tone, his golden eyes glowing in amusement. "How were you planning on killing me" Kael asked gripping his scythe tightly. "How... You could have just died normally, I don''t need to kill you, do you know just becoming my master could have killed even the strongest" the serpent replied. Kael hollow socket staring deeply at the serpent. ''how strong really is this serpent, and what truly is it?''. "My powers are sealed to it lowest, I can''t even say I have powers I am powerful because of my wisdom and strategic mind, but that does not mean I am totally useless, I can still use some basics, I can still be of little help to you, but if you want to use my full powers, become stronger Sir... I don''t want to leave myself in the hands of a weakling." Kael turned his head slightly. "I will. and don''t try pranks like that in the future, again" The serpent laughed loudly, causing the whole pyramid to shake "sure I won''t, i have already confirmed what I want". With that, the serpent¡¯s massive form dissolved into glowing particles, scattering like embers in the wind. Kael stepped out into the scorching desert, the sunlight blinding after the pyramid¡¯s darkness. He looked back at the ruins, a long sigh escaping him. "So, this is all real," he muttered. He raised his right hand, noticing a faint serpent tattoo coiling around his wrist. It shimmered briefly before fading away. "How am I supposed to survive here?" Kael stared out at the endless dunes, frustration etched in his voice. "Life is so cruel," he said, shaking his head as he began walking into the desert. (The Pyramid Has Collapsed) (The Northern Serpent Is Dead) Chapter 11: Desert The sun blazed down on the barren desert, a relentless force turning the endless sea of sand into a vast, shimmering furnace. The horizon rippled in the oppressive heat, playing tricks on the eye. Kael trudged forward, his skeletal frame creaking with each labored step. The dry wind howled around him, a sharp and unforgiving companion, whipping grains of sand against his brittle bones. It carried with it the scent of nothingness a void that stretched endlessly in every direction. His hollow eye sockets scanned the unchanging horizon, their emptiness betraying no emotion but persistence. Each footfall left a faint imprint in the burning sand, his cracked bones dragging forward with a rhythm that grew increasingly unsteady. He had been walking for what felt like an eternity, with no clear destination in mind. The desert offered no landmarks, only the shifting dunes and the suffocating weight of silence. A jagged rock formation emerged in the distance, its dark silhouette cutting against the blinding white of the desert. Kael¡¯s gaze lingered on it, the first sign of relief in the unrelenting landscape. He angled his weary form toward the rocks, his steps growing more deliberate, though his joints protested with each movement. The faint cracking sound of bone rubbing against bone punctuated the oppressive stillness. As he approached, the rock formation revealed itself to be larger than it seemed, its rough edges etched by time and weather. Shadows pooled at its base, offering a rare sanctuary from the blazing sun. Kael stumbled into the shade, his movements uncoordinated, as if even his ancient magic struggled against the desert¡¯s crushing heat. He leaned against the cool, coarse surface of the rock, his ribcage expanding with a rattling sound as he took in the illusion of a deep breath. ¡°I need to rest. I am exhausted,¡± he muttered, his voice a low rasp that seemed to vanish into the desert¡¯s vast emptiness. His jaw clicked as he spoke, the sound faint but unsettling in the stillness. The shade provided some relief, though the heat radiating from the sand still pressed against him like a heavy weight. He slid down to the ground, the bony tips of his fingers brushing against the sand as he steadied himself. A sigh escaped him a sound that could have been mistaken for the mournful whisper of the wind.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Kael¡¯s eye sockets turned skyward, gazing at the cloudless expanse above. The sky seemed endless, its pale blue almost mocking in its serenity. He let his head fall back against the rock, the motion sending a faint echo through his hollow skull. His thoughts wandered briefly, imagining what lay beyond the desert, though the vision eluded him. The wind picked up again, swirling the sand into tiny spirals that danced briefly before collapsing. The grains hissed against the rocks, a reminder that the desert would not be ignored. Kael flexed his bony fingers absently, the faint creak of movement blending with the ambient hum of the wasteland. Even in the shade, the desert¡¯s heat and desolation seeped into his very essence. For now, he would rest. Kael staggered forward and collapsed against a weathered rock, its jagged surface scraping against his brittle ribcage. His bones creaked in protest as he settled into place, the faint sound echoing through the barren wasteland. A low sigh escaped him, though it was more a habit of memory than necessity. The desert stretched endlessly around him, a lifeless expanse of cracked earth and scattered stones. The horizon shimmered with heatwaves, the sun¡¯s oppressive glare washing everything in a dull, golden haze. There was no wind, no sound just a heavy, suffocating stillness. Kael lowered his head, the hollow sockets of his skull casting shadows over his worn frame. ''What would I do now?'', he thought. He shifted slightly, the scrape of bone against rock breaking the silence. Kael¡¯s gaze swept over the desolation around him, but there was nothing to hold his attention. Just emptiness. ¡°There is nothing here,¡± he murmured to himself, the word dry and hollow like the desert air. He let the silence hang for several seconds before reaching up and running a skeletal hand over the smooth curve of his skull. The action was slow, deliberate, as though trying to coax clarity from his fractured thoughts. ''I should probably check my system'', he mused, tapping a bony finger against his temple. ''If I remember correctly, I was given an item when I defeated the serpent and the mirror''. With that, Kael closed his eyes or at least the empty sockets where his eyes once were and focused. A faint hum resonated in his mind, followed by a flicker of light as the system''s interface materialized before him. (Name: Kael Crow) (True Name: Phantom) (Race: Skeleton) (Inventory: Darkness Embrace, Lv1 Health Potion (x5), Lv1 Mana Potion (x5)) Kael tilted his head, his jaw shifting slightly in what might have been the semblance of a grin. He raised a hand, the brittle bones clicking together, and tapped the air in front of him. ¡°I got three items!!,¡± Chapter 12: Darkness The scorching sun blazed mercilessly overhead, casting sharp shadows across the endless expanse of the desert. The air shimmered with heat, and the dry wind howled softly, carrying with it the faint scent of sand and desolation. Kael stood amidst the dunes, his skeletal frame stark against the golden landscape. The only sounds were the faint whistling wind and the occasional rustle of shifting sands. (Inventory: Darkness Embrace, Lv1 Health Potion (x5), Lv1 Mana Potion (x5)) "I got three items!" Kael announced, his voice cutting through the stillness of the desert. The sound echoed briefly before being swallowed by the vast emptiness. He clenched his skeletal fists, the dry clink of bone against bone blending seamlessly with the rustling sands beneath his feet. His hollow sockets glowed faintly as he focused on the first item in his inventory. (Darkness Embrace: ''born from darkness, belongs to darkness, embrace the darkness'') (Type: Cloak) (Level: 5) (Abilities: Darkness Blend, Energy Nullification, Darkness Transportation) Kael tilted his skull slightly, his hollow gaze narrowing in curiosity. "The cloak is powerful," he muttered, the dry wind tugging at his bones. descriptions unfurled in front of him like on the system, accompanied by the faint. (Darkness Blend: This makes the user invisible and untouchable in darkness.) Kael tapped a bony finger against his chin, grains of sand clinging to the crevices of his skeletal hand. "That quite suits my true name perfectly," he murmured, his voice low as he surveyed the vast, sunlit desert. The thought of darkness seemed almost ironic in this blindingly bright landscape. (Energy Nullification: This cancels out energy or magic fired at the user.) (Darkness Transportation: This allows the user to teleport through darkness with speed and precision.) "Good for escaping," he said under his breath, glancing at the shifting shadows of the dunes as the sun began its slow descent. The system¡¯s prompt interrupted his thoughts. (Do you want to equip ''Darkness Embrace''?) Kael hesitated, the dry wind swirling around him, carrying faint sounds of sand across the dunes. Then, he thought, Yes. The moment he confirmed, shadows erupted from nowhere, despite the relentless sunlight. The tendrils coiled upward from the ground, swirling like living smoke around his skeletal frame. The air grew colder, the oppressive heat of the desert retreating momentarily as the darkness wrapped itself around him. A chilling sensation seeped into his bones, sharp and biting, as though an endless night had claimed him. Kael''s sockets flared with an eerie glow as the shadows condensed. In an instant, the swirling darkness stilled and solidified into a jet-black cloak. It draped over his frame like a flowing shadow, the hood pulling itself over his head, casting his skeletal face into impenetrable darkness. Even if someone had been present to witness, they would see nothing but an endless void where his face should have been.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. He flexed his fingers, the cloak moving as if it were alive, responding to his every thought and motion. The sunlight seemed to bend around him, unwilling to touch the cloak''s inky fabric. Kael took a tentative step forward, and the sand beneath his feet darkened, as if recoiling from the unnatural presence. Kael sat back on the ground, the desert stretched endlessly around him, its ochre sands rippling like an ocean frozen in time. (Sin Stones: 500) "500!" he exclaimed, his voice raspy and hollow, yet carrying a hint of triumph. "Defeating that serpent sure gave me a lot!" His empty eye sockets flickered briefly with an otherworldly blue glow as he tilted his head, a skeletal grin forming beneath his hood. (Abilities/Skills: Scythe Summoning, Scythe Mastery, Thought Acceleration) A new line appeared in his system, catching his attention. ''I got a new ability too,'' he mused silently, tapping his temple with a bony finger. (Thought Acceleration: It allows the user to greatly increase the speed of their thought process.) Kael lowered his hand and flexed his fingers, testing their movement. "Thought Acceleration," he muttered, the words sounding foreign yet thrilling. His grin widened. (Titles: Northern Serpent Master) The title gleamed proudly on the screen. He couldn''t help but remember the battle the massive serpent lunging at him, its fangs the size of spears. ''absolutely terrifying'' he scanned to his status screen. (Status) (Level: 2) (Sins: 10/300) (HP: 50/50) (EP: 30/30) (MP: 30/30) (Strength: 10) (Endurance: 15) (Speed: 15) (Resistance: 5) (Upgrade Points: 10) Kael tapped his chin thoughtfully, his skeletal fingers producing a faint clinking sound. ''I have 10 upgrade points. I have to upgrade wisely, my life depends on this.'' he thought, his gaze narrowing as he studied the options. ''I will upgrade my speed and endurance'' (Speed: 15 > 20) (Endurance: 15 > 20) ''it will help me to attack and dodge faster, while for endurance it will increase my rate of how much I can take, strength won''t help me here'' The system prompted: (Upgrade?) ''Yes,'' Kael confirmed without hesitation. (Successfully Upgraded) (You grow stronger) A subtle pulse coursed through his body as the upgrades took effect. His joints felt lighter, his movements smoother. He stretched, feeling the increased power and resilience in his limbs. Returning to the status screen, Kael noted the changes with satisfaction. (Status) (Level: 2) (Sins: 10/300) (HP: 50/50) (EP: 30/30) (MP: 30/30) (Strength: 10) (Endurance: 20) (Speed: 20) (Resistance: 5) (Upgrade Points: 0) "I got a lot of upgrade points from defeating the Northern Serpent," Kael remarked aloud, his voice carrying a strange, hollow echo in the empty desert. He stretched his bony arms again, rolling his shoulders experimentally. "It sure was powerful." Satisfied, he dismissed the glowing screen with a flick of his wrist. The world around him seemed to return to life wind brushing against his cloak, the sand shifting beneath his feet. But then, a loud sound tore through the stillness, reverberating like the crash of boulders tumbling down a cliff. It was deep and rhythmic, a mix of heavy impacts and distant, ominous growls. Kael froze, his hollow sockets scanning the horizon. His hand twitched instinctively as he raised it up preparing to summon his scythe. The air seemed to grow heavier, the oppressive heat now mixed with a sense of impending doom. his skeletal frame tensing. The sound grew louder a thunderous cacophony, like a walking disaster tearing its way through the sands. ''Something is approaching,'' .... Chapter 13: Camel Spider Kael stirred, the oppressive heat of the desert sun pressing down on him as he rested his back against the jagged surface of a large rock. The air shimmered with waves of heat, distorting the horizon into a mirage of blurred shapes. He wasn¡¯t resting, not really his body remained tense, ears straining for any unnatural sounds beyond the whispers of shifting sand. Suddenly, his instincts flared. A faint, rhythmic vibration coursed through the ground beneath him. His sharp eyes darted to the distance, narrowing. Something was coming. With practiced speed, Kael summoned his scythe. The dark, curved blade materialized in his hands, its surface gleaming faintly as if drinking in the sunlight. Without hesitation, he ducked behind the very rock he had been leaning on moments before, pressing his back flat against its cool shadow. Shadows rippled and wrapped around him like a second skin, merging him with the shade cast by the towering rock. That ability belongs to the cloak called Darkness Blend. As he prepared to wait. The sun blazed down fiercely, stretching shadows across the golden expanse of sand. A shape loomed into view. At first, it was just a distortion in the mirage, but as the seconds passed, the creature¡¯s outline sharpened. Kael''s sharp senses caught a glimpse of its shadow a grotesque silhouette, spider-like, but far larger than any natural predator. He cursed inwardly. Steeling himself, Kael leaned ever so slightly, his body taut like a drawn bowstring, and peeked from behind the rock. He froze, his eyes narrowing as he observed the monstrous figure.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. It was a camel spider, an enormous, nightmarish creature that could only be described as a horrific blend of alien and arachnid. Its hairy, brown body gleamed under the sun''s harsh rays, its movement predatory yet disturbingly silent. Kael''s gaze tracked its segmented body its compact head and thorax merged into a grotesque prosoma, while its abdomen, though smaller, pulsed faintly as if alive on its own. A pair of long, whip-like appendages jutted from the rear of its abdomen, twitching intermittently as though tasting the air. Eight spindly legs extended from its body, each jointed and covered in bristling hairs that glinted like needles. Kael''s stomach churned at the sight of its massive chelicerae powerful, jagged mandibles that opened and closed with unnerving precision, capable of crushing bone as easily as brittle twigs. Near its jaws, smaller, modified mouthparts twitched incessantly, brushing against the sand. Kael guessed they were sensitive organs, aiding the beast in hunting or communication. His eyes flitted to its face or what passed for one. Clustered around its bulbous head were multiple simple eyes, gleaming like tiny black beads. At the center of its grotesque visage, a single, larger eye fixed itself on Kael¡¯s direction, the iris gleaming with an unnatural intelligence. Kael froze. ''It had stopped''. The camel spider stood motionless in the baking sun, its legs arched and tensed, as though poised to strike. Its many eyes scanned the rocky outcropping, pausing unnervingly on the shadow where Kael hid. Time seemed to slow. Kael¡¯s grip on his scythe tightened. The creature didn¡¯t move. Its central eye lingered. Kael tensed up. His fingers itched to act, but he forced himself to remain still. Even the faintest motion could betray him. The desert remained eerily quiet, the soft hiss of shifting sand the only sound as the tension mounted. ¡°Damn,¡± Chapter 14: Weak Point The monster paused for what felt like an eternity, its grotesque form frozen under the harsh, blazing sun. Its multiple eyes scanned the surroundings, lingering on every shadow, as though sensing something unseen. Kael held his breath, his body motionless. His fingers flexed around the handle of his scythe, his instincts screaming at him to stay still and not do anything crazy. Finally, with a slow and deliberate movement, the camel spider tilted its head, the massive central eye narrowing slightly, and then it turned away. Its spindly legs began to move once more, carrying its bulky form across the shimmering dunes. The rhythmic crunch of its limbs on the sand echoed faintly in the oppressive silence. Kael''s mind racing. Where is it going? Should I attack now? No... attacking this spider without a plan at my current level would be the greatest mistake of my life." His thoughts churned, but his body acted decisively. Activating Darkness Transportation, Kael vanished from his hiding spot in a swirl of shadows. He reappeared silently behind a dry, withered tree several meters away. The tree''s brittle branches stretched skyward like skeletal fingers, casting long, thin shadows across the sand. Kael pressed his back against its cracked trunk, keeping his silhouette hidden as his eyes sockets followed the spider''s lumbering movements. The vast desert stretched endlessly around him, a barren sea of golden waves rippling in the heat. The air was thick with the scent of dry earth and scorching sun, and the faint whisper of wind carried grains of sand that stung against Kael¡¯s skeletal body. The horizon blurred into a hazy mirage, making it difficult to discern where the land ended and the sky began.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Kael¡¯s sharp gaze remained fixed on the camel spider. Its legs moved in a precise, methodical rhythm, leaving faint indentations in the sand. Every so often, its whip-like appendages twitched, as though sensing the air for danger. Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed as he studied the creature''s movements, searching for any potential weak spots a gap in its armor-like exoskeleton, an exposed joint, anything that could be exploited. His concentration was broken when the camel spider came to an abrupt halt. Its entire body stiffened, the bristling hairs on its legs standing on end. Kael¡¯s breath caught in his throat. Slowly, the monster¡¯s head turned forward, its large central eye focusing intently on something in the distance. Kael¡¯s instincts flared. He followed its gaze, shifting his position slightly to peer past the jagged terrain. His own eyes locked on the far horizon, where the heat haze seemed to ripple unnaturally. A low growl escaped Kael, almost involuntarily. He gritted his teeth and hissed. ¡°Curses.¡± The dry wind carried the faintest of vibrations through the ground, subtle but unmistakable. Kael pressed himself further into the shadows of the dry tree, his hand tightening around his scythe. His other hand rested on the rough bark, steadying himself as he leaned forward for a better view. The camel spider remained frozen, its many eyes unblinking as it waited for the approaching presence. The tension in the air grew heavy, the stillness of the desert broken only by the faint rustling of wind and the distant, rhythmic tremors. Kael¡¯s body tensed. Something was approaching. Chapter 15: Smaller Camel Spiders Kael remained crouched behind the withered tree, his scythe resting lightly in his grip. The dry bark scratched against his back, and the faint creak of its brittle branches swaying in the hot desert breeze blended with the ominous stillness. His hollow eye sockets followed the direction of the giant camel spider¡¯s unblinking gaze. At first, he saw nothing. The horizon shimmered, the heat distorting the landscape like ripples on water. But soon, movement caught his attention a cluster of smaller shapes skittering over the dunes, their shadows stretching long and jagged under the blazing sun. A group of smaller camel spiders was approaching. Kael leaned forward slightly, his body tense, the edge of his cloak brushing against the sand. His grip on the scythe tightened instinctively. As the group drew closer, the details became clearer. There were ten of them, their compact bodies glistening like polished obsidian in the harsh light. Their eight spindly legs moved with eerie coordination, each step deliberate, precise. Their segmented mandibles clicked rhythmically, a sound faint yet sharp enough to set Kael¡¯s nerves on edge. The way their chelicerae flexed made it clear they were ready for a confrontation. ¡°Damnit,¡± Kael muttered, his voice barely audible. His jaw tightened as he shifted his weight slightly, one knee pressing into the sand for balance. ¡°This is going to be a pain.¡± The smaller spiders advanced, their formation deliberate, almost territorial. They stopped abruptly, forming a loose semicircle in the giant camel spider''s path. The massive creature, undeterred, stood still, its whip-like appendages at the rear of its abdomen twitching slightly. Kael couldn¡¯t tell if it was preparing to fight or merely observing, calculating. Kael¡¯s hollow gaze flitted between the two groups. ''If I had a heart, it would be racing right now''. He felt an unusual mix of emotions intrigue, trepidation, and frustration. ''This wasn¡¯t part of my plan.''If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. He settled deeper into the shadows of the dry tree, letting its cracked, skeletal branches shield him from view. The sun bore down relentlessly, but the tension in the air was colder than ice. He let his scythe dip slightly, resting the tip in the sand, as his mind raced through possible scenarios. ''Why are they blocking its path?'' he wondered, his eyes narrowing further. The smaller spiders didn¡¯t attack immediately, which struck him as odd. ''Are they defending their territory? Or is there a more complex reason for their hostility?'', kael wondered. The standoff stretched on, the desert seemingly holding its breath. Kael could feel the subtle vibration of their legs skittering over the ground, carried faintly through the sand to where he hid. His skeletal fingers tapped lightly against the handle of his scythe, a subconscious movement as he considered his options. From his vantage point, he could see the way the giant camel spider¡¯s central eye shifted, scanning the smaller spiders with something almost resembling caution. Its massive chelicerae clicked once, a sharp, deliberate sound, as though issuing a warning. The smaller spiders hesitated, their legs shifting slightly as they bristled with tension. Kael could almost feel the hostility radiating between them, thick and electric, like the air before a lightning strike. His gaze flicked back to the giant spider. ''is it avoiding conflict or merely waiting for the right moment to strike?'', kael thought. The urge to move, to act, pulled at him, but he forced himself to remain still. Any sound or sudden motion could draw their attention, and he wasn¡¯t prepared for a fight with this many enemies at once. ¡°Curses,¡± he muttered softly, his voice barely louder than the breeze. ''Do I stay and watch? Or leave before this situation spirals out of control?'' His instincts screamed at him to retreat, but a darker curiosity held him rooted in place. Whatever was about to happen between the spiders might provide insight into the giant camel spider¡¯s behavior and its weaknesses. Kael shifted slightly, leaning out just enough to catch a better view. The desert around them seemed unnaturally quiet, as though even the wind had stilled to watch the confrontation. ''Whatever happens next,'' Kael thought grimly, his fingers tightening around his weapon, ''it¡¯s going to complicate things.'' ''Anyways things are going to get really ugly soon,'' Chapter 16: Battle Between Beasts Kael clenched his scythe tightly, the weight of its curved blade grounding him as his thoughts churned. ''I have to focus. This isn¡¯t about sympathy or curiosity. I need to kill the giant spider, level up, and collect sin stones''. He shook his head, banishing the flicker of doubt that gnawed at the edges of his resolve. The desert seemed unnaturally quiet, the sun baking the dunes until they shimmered like molten gold. Even the brittle branches of the dry tree Kael leaned against were motionless, as though the very air held its breath. Suddenly, the fragile stillness shattered. The smaller camel spiders sprang forward in a coordinated assault, their movements a blur of precise, predatory grace. Kael¡¯s hollow sockets widened slightly, and his bony fingers gripped the scythe handle tighter as he crouched lower against the tree. Adrenaline surged through him, a phantom pulse pounding in his veins. The giant spider reared back in surprise, its whip-like appendages snapping at the air as it assumed a defensive stance. Its shadow stretched long across the sand, dark and imposing, as the smaller spiders closed in from all sides. The clash was immediate and ferocious. Kael watched intently as the first wave of smaller spiders darted in, their slender legs kicking up small clouds of sand with each rapid movement. Their mandibles clicked in unison, a chilling, rhythmic sound that echoed across the dunes like a war drum. The giant spider retaliated with a vicious swipe of its front legs, sending two of the smaller attackers tumbling backward. One recovered instantly, its spindly legs skittering across the sand, while the other lay still, its body twitching faintly before going limp. Kael shifted slightly, his scythe¡¯s blade glinting faintly as it caught a stray beam of sunlight. His gaze flicked between the combatants, his mind racing. The giant spider, despite its size and power, was clearly at a disadvantage. The smaller spiders were relentless, their speed and numbers giving them the edge. A strange sensation settled over Kael as he watched. For a fleeting moment, he felt an odd sense of kinship with the giant spider. It stood alone, an outcast like himself, fighting against overwhelming odds with no one to rely on but its own strength. The thought stirred something within him a flicker of understanding that he quickly pushed aside. ''Sentiment has no place here, it is still a monster not human.''If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. The battle intensified. The giant spider lashed out again, this time with its massive chelicerae. It caught one of the smaller spiders mid-leap, crushing it with a sickening crunch. Black ichor sprayed across the sand, the dark liquid sizzling faintly under the intense heat of the sun. Kael¡¯s skeletal jaw clenched as he suppressed the urge to move closer, to get a better view. His instincts screamed at him to stay hidden, to wait for the right moment to act. ''If this fight is recorded, I bet it will get millions of views, I wish I had a popcorn'' From his position in the shadows, Kael could feel the raw energy of the fight each clash of mandibles, each impact against the sand sent faint tremors through the ground beneath him. The smaller spiders darted in and out with alarming speed, their bodies a blur of motion as they struck and retreated. Kael¡¯s grip on his scythe tightened further. ''If I reveal myself now to finish the injured ones, I¡¯ll have to deal with all of them,'' he thought grimly, his gaze darting between the writhing forms. ''Even if I survive, the cost will be too high, i might not even survive.'' The giant spider let out a low, guttural sound a noise that resonated through the air like a distant rumble of thunder. It swung its massive legs in wide arcs, forcing the smaller spiders to scatter briefly before regrouping. The ground beneath them was marred with jagged marks where their claws had raked through the sand. Kael¡¯s skeletal fingers tapped against the handle of his scythe, a small, almost nervous movement as he weighed his options. He felt the heat of the desert pressing down on him, the dry air filling his nonexistent lungs with a phantom ache. The ferocity of the smaller spiders was unsettling. Their coordination was almost unnatural, their movements perfectly timed as though they shared a single mind. Watching them, Kael couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of unease. If he stepped into this fray, he knew he would become their next target. ''Damn, I hate the suspense'' For now, he remained a silent observer, hidden within the shadows of the dry tree. His cloak billowed faintly in the breeze as he shifted his stance, his sharp gaze locked on the unfolding chaos. ''Patience,'' he reminded himself, his grip on his weapon unwavering. ''There will be an opening. I just have to wait for it.'' The desert sun bore down mercilessly, the air thick with the scent of blood and hot sand. Kael stayed still, watching, waiting, his mind racing as the battle raged on. "Come on, do something!" Chapter 17: Battle Between Beasts 2 The desert stretched endlessly under a scorching sun, its heat waves shimmering in the air. Golden dunes rose and fell like frozen waves of an ocean made of sand. A faint wind carried the sharp tang of desolation and the soft hiss of shifting grains. Amid this barren wasteland, A fierce battle was taking place. Kael stood motionless atop a jagged outcrop of rock, his skeletal frame gleaming white in the harsh light. His hollow eye sockets gazed down at the scene below. A giant spider, its carapace glinting like dark armor, fought desperately against a swarm of smaller spiders. Its massive limbs slammed into the sand, sending up clouds of grit, while the smaller creatures darted in and out, their movements eerily coordinated. Kael''s bony fingers tightened his grip on his scythe as he watched the chaos. The giant spider was bleeding, thick black ichor dripping from gashes in its exoskeleton. The fluid clung to the sand, turning it into a sickly paste. The smaller spiders, undeterred, swarmed with relentless precision, their needle-like legs skittering over the battlefield. Each bite they landed caused the larger spider to thrash in pain, its cries echoing across the dunes like a haunting melody of despair. Kael shifted slightly, the dry wind whispering through the gaps in his ribcage. His jawbone tightened as if to express emotions his empty visage could not convey. He saw in the giant spider''s unyielding defiance a reflection of his own will to endure, despite the odds stacked against him. In his past life kael suffered pains of loved ones dying, but showed it, he always use a smile to hide his pain. The fight raged on. The giant spider¡¯s limbs grew sluggish, its once-powerful strikes now slow and clumsy. A sharp screech escaped its mandibles as it stumbled, its legs trembling under the weight of its own exhaustion. The swarm pressed harder, sensing weakness. The air around them seemed to thrum with the sound of their clicking mandibles, an eerie chorus of impending doom.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Kael stepped forward instinctively, his skeletal feet crunching against the gravelly surface of the outcrop. His gaze remained locked on the giant spider as it faltered. A pang of something perhaps empathy pierced the emptiness in his chest. He didn¡¯t have a heart, but the memory of what it once felt like to care for something stirred within him. Below, the spider let out a guttural screech, its legs giving out one by one. Sand sprayed upward as it collapsed, its body shuddering. Kael¡¯s fingers twitched as if urging him to kill the small camel spiders and also put an end to the giant camel spider suffering, by also killing it too. ''Cause in the end, it will also die'' But he remained frozen, unsure whether it was time to intervene. The desert was a place of merciless order, where only the strongest survived. Yet, there was a raw beauty in that order, even if it came at such a cost. Then, just as death seemed imminent, something shifted. A guttural growl emanated from the fallen spider, low and resonant, reverberating through the air. Kael¡¯s hollow eyes widened as the spider pushed itself upright. Its trembling limbs steadied, and its gaze fierce and unwavering locked onto its attackers. A sudden burst of energy coursed through its body, as if fueled by sheer determination or an unseen force of nature. The smaller spiders hesitated, their movements faltering in the face of this unexpected resurgence. The giant spider lashed out with renewed vigor, its legs slicing through the air with a ferocity that belied its earlier weakness. One of the smaller spiders was caught mid-dart, crushed instantly under the force of a powerful strike. Kael stepped closer to the edge of the outcrop, his skeletal frame casting a long shadow over the scene below. His jaw shifted slightly, a faint clinking sound escaping as if he were muttering a silent prayer for the embattled creature. Around him, the desert held its breath, the wind falling still. Every grain of sand seemed to watch the unfolding spectacle. The fight was almost over... Then something changed. Chapter 18: Battle Between Beasts End The desert stretched endlessly, its dunes shimmering under the relentless glare of the sun. The air was thick with tension, broken only by the guttural hiss of the giant spider. Battered and bloodied, the creature stood firm, drawing on reserves of strength Kael had never seen before. Its many eyes glinted with a fiery resolve, and the sound it made reverberated through the barren wasteland like a war cry. Kael, crouched behind a jagged outcrop of stone. His fingers clenched tightly around the edge of his hiding place as he peered out, his none existing heart pounding in rhythm with the battle unfolding before him. The spider was magnificent a force of nature. To Kael, it was like witnessing a duel that people would pay with their lives to see. "This is so peak," he whispered to himself, the words barely audible over the chaos. Suddenly, the spider surged forward, its massive legs slamming into the sand with thunderous force. It moved with renewed ferocity, a blur of speed and power, each strike a testament to its unyielding will. Kael¡¯s body tensed as he watched it retaliate against the swarm of smaller spiders that circled it. The sand beneath them churned, clouds of dust rising into the sweltering air. "Yeah, that''s it," Kael muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and exhilaration. "Kill them all!" The sun glinted off the spider¡¯s exoskeleton, its surface slick with blood, both its own and its enemies''. Each swipe of its spiked limbs sent smaller spiders tumbling, their bodies crunching audibly against the ground. Kael leaned forward instinctively. The creature''s movement was mesmerizing.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The tide of battle shifted. Kael¡¯s admiration for the giant spider deepened as it clawed its way to dominance, turning the swarm into a scattering of lifeless bodies. Sand sprayed into the air. The desert wind carried the acrid scent of blood, mingling with the dry, metallic tang of the spider''s labored hissing. And then, silence. As the dust settled, the battlefield came into focus. The golden sands, once pristine, were now stained crimson and littered with mangled carcasses. The giant spider stood amidst the carnage, its legs trembling under its own weight. Blood dripped steadily from its wounds, pooling around its claws. Each movement it made was labored, its body swaying slightly as if the wind itself might topple it. Kael''s grip on his scythe tightened, as he stared at the creature, its many eyes glinting faintly in the fading sunlight. Pain and resilience radiated from its every motion. He felt something stir within him a mixture of admiration and sorrow for this beast that had fought so fiercely against overwhelming odds. He shifted his weight, the sound of his skeletal legs crunching softly against the sand breaking the eerie stillness. Should he strike it down now, while it was weakened? Or should he leave it to its fate in the unforgiving desert? Kael¡¯s mind raced. Without the swarm to shield it, the spider was now a solitary figure in a brutal, unrelenting landscape. Vulnerable. The pull he felt toward the creature surprised him a kinship born of shared survival. He knew what it was like to fight, to endure. Yet the thought of sparing it churned uneasily in his chest. His scythe caught the light as he adjusted his grip, the metal gleaming menacingly. "In the end, one of us will have to die," he murmured, "And that will not be me." Kael stepped forward. The hot wind brushed against his face, carrying with it the smell of blood and sand. His fingers flexed around the scythe¡¯s handle. Chapter 19: Finish It Kael stepped forward, his skeletal frame eerily silent, the hem of his cloak brushing against the ground. The injured camel spider lay sprawled ahead, its massive body heaving with labored breaths. Kael moved with deliberate care, his bony fingers lightly gripping his scythe. The spider¡¯s battered form twitched, one of its legs curling slightly as if it could sense something amiss. Suddenly, its many glittering eyes swiveled in his direction, scanning the barren wasteland for any sign of movement. But Kael was no longer there. In an instant, he had vanished, his form dissolving into the shadows of a gnarled, sun-bleached tree behind the spider. The dry branches creaked faintly in the hot wind, but the spider¡¯s frantic gaze found nothing. Cloaked in the tree¡¯s shadow, Kael blended seamlessly with the darkness, his hollow eye sockets fixed on his prey. ¡°This damn spider¡­¡± Kael¡¯s thoughts simmered with frustration as he studied the creature. Its legs twitched as it attempted to rest, ichor slowly seeping from its injuries. Despite its pain, the spider remained vigilant, its gaze sweeping the desolate expanse around it. ¡°Walking straight up to it would be suicidal.¡± Kael¡¯s sockets shifted, scanning the sun-scorched terrain. The golden light of the desert seemed to stretch endlessly, broken only by sparse, skeletal trees and jagged stones scattered like forgotten relics. His gaze fell on a stone, roughly the size of his palm, half-buried in the sand. Bending low, his movements fluid and precise, he picked it up. The rough surface scraped against his bony fingers as he inspected it. A faint, sinister grin seemed to play across his unseen expression as he muttered, ¡°I think this will work.¡± With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the stone into the air to his right. It spun, catching the sunlight as it arced upward, casting a fleeting shadow onto the ground. The spider¡¯s head jerked toward the motion, its many eyes fixating on the airborne object. Kael wasted no time. The moment the stone created a shadow, he vanished again, reappearing on the left side where he had thrown a second stone moments before.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Each movement was deliberate. He needed those shadows the sun¡¯s harsh rays and the shadows they birthed were his lifeline. His skeletal fingers tightened around his scythe as he crouched low, his bones creaking faintly. The spider¡¯s attention remained locked on the first stone, its body tensing as if anticipating an attack from that direction. Kael lunged. With terrifying speed, his scythe glinting menacingly as he brought it down on one of the spider¡¯s legs. A sickening crunch split the air as the limb severed cleanly, spraying dark ichor onto the parched earth. The spider let out a piercing screech, its legs flailing wildly as it spun to face him. But Kael was already gone, teleporting behind it in a swirl of shadow. His next strike came swift and merciless, slicing through another leg. "Booyah!", Kael said. The spider shrieked again, its cries reverberating across the desolate wasteland. Kael leapt, his cloak billowing around him as he landed atop the spider¡¯s carapace. His scythe came down with brutal precision, slashing across the creature¡¯s glittering eyes. Black fluid sprayed from the wounds, and the spider reared back, its remaining legs thrashing in blind agony. Kael barely avoided a retaliatory strike, teleporting to the shadow cast by the spider¡¯s writhing body. He landed gracefully, his cloak settling around him like liquid darkness. His sockets locked onto the spider¡¯s remaining legs. ¡°6 left,¡± he muttered, his voice a low rasp. He darted forward, aiming for another leg, but the spider anticipated his move. With startling speed, it whipped its remaining limb and struck Kael square in the chest. The impact sent him flying, his body tumbling across the sand before coming to a jarring halt. His ribs ached as though splintering under the blow, though no physical cracks marred his skeletal frame. His health bar flashed before him. [HP: 35/50] ¡°Damn it,¡± he hissed, staggering to his feet. Dust clung to his cloak as he gripped his scythe tighter, his bony hands trembling slightly. The spider screeched again, this time with renewed fury. Kael¡¯s sockets widened as he saw its remaining limbs lash toward him, another blow imminent. It moved with terrifying speed, the air around its strike humming with lethal intent. ¡°Too fast!¡± Chapter 20: Fight! Kael spun his scythe in a blur, the blade catching the blow with a deafening clang. The force of the impact sent tremors rippling through his skeletal frame, a reverberation that rattled each bone as if threatening to scatter him into the desert sand. He gritted his teeth or the ghostly memory of them and dug his heels into the shifting grains beneath him. The camel spider lunged again, its spindly legs a blur of motion, one coming down in an arc toward him. Kael jerked back, the hem of his cloak snapping in the air like a whip. He landed in a crouch, his bony fingers tightening around the scythe''s handle, its blade gleaming under the relentless sun. The spider¡¯s leg slammed into the ground with the force of a battering ram, sending up a spray of sand and leaving a shallow crater in its wake. Dust swirled in the hot desert air, the grit clinging to Kael¡¯s cloak as he straightened, his hollow eye sockets fixed on his adversary. ¡°It¡¯s not giving me any space,¡± Kael muttered, his voice a dry rasp carried on the wind. He shifted his grip on the scythe, the handle creaking under the strain. The spider responded with a shriek that echoed across the barren dunes. Its body seemed to shimmer for a heartbeat before vanishing entirely. Kael froze, his head tilting slightly as his skull swiveled side to side, scanning the horizon. The sun¡¯s heat rippled in the air, distorting the dunes into a wavering mirage. The emptiness pressed in, each second stretching into an eternity. "Where is it?" he hissed. His gaze darting to the dunes, the sky, and the faint shadow his own form cast on the shifting sand.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Then, a gust of wind, hot and sudden, brushed against him from above. Kael¡¯s head snapped up, the movement so quick it sent the hood of his cloak slipping back, revealing the polished ivory of his skull. His empty sockets widened as he saw the spider descending, legs outstretched, its many eyes gleaming with predatory intent. The world seemed to slow. Kael tensed, the scythe rising in a desperate arc. But it was too late. The shadow of the massive spider enveloped him. That is when something appeared [Do you want to activate skill: Thought Acceleration?] [Yes] [No] Kael didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Yes,¡± he rasped, the word sharp and immediate. [Thought Acceleration Activated.] The shift was instantaneous. The world around him crawled, each grain of sand suspended mid-tumble in the wind. The sun''s heat seemed to ooze rather than radiate, and the sound of his own bones shifting as he adjusted his stance stretched out, each creak like the tolling of a distant bell. No. It wasn¡¯t the world slowing. It was his thoughts, racing beyond time''s grasp. ¡°I¡¯m such an idiot,¡± Kael muttered, his hollow voice echoing in his skull. ¡°How could I forget something so special?¡± His eye sockets flared faintly, focusing with unnatural precision as he scanned the shimmering desert. The light was harsh, unrelenting, but it only made the scattered shadows clearer to him. There a perfect spot behind a brittle, twisted tree, its gnarled silhouette standing defiant against the sun''s merciless glare. Kael¡¯s hand twitched, and in a blink less than that he was gone. The shadows swallowed him, pulling him into their cool, dark embrace. The desert trembled as the camel spider crashed down, its monstrous body sending a shockwave through the sand. Dust erupted, curling and swirling in the oppressive air, and when it cleared, a massive crater marred the landscape. The spider¡¯s legs twitched as it steadied itself, its many eyes scanning for its prey. From the shadow¡¯s edge, Kael¡¯s cloaked figure emerged, his bony fingers flexing around the scythe¡¯s handle. His eye sockets burned with an inner fire, locked on the creature struggling to recover. ¡°You think I¡¯ll let you?¡± he hissed, his voice as sharp as the blade in his grip. His arm moved in a blur, the scythe leaving his hand with a force that sent his cloak whipping behind him. The weapon spun through the air, a silver streak against the sun-bleached sky, its deadly edge singing with the promise of destruction. The spider¡¯s legs twitched in a violent ripple, and with uncanny reflexes, it twisted its massive body just enough to evade the blade. The scythe whistled past, embedding itself in the sand with a muted thunk. The spider turned, its remaining eyes blazing with fury, their gleaming surfaces reflecting Kael¡¯s still form. Its legs flexed, the promise of retribution clear in its every movement. Chapter 21: Fight 2 "Just what I needed," Kael rasped, his hollow voice scraping against the desert air. The shadow of his scythe stretched long and jagged behind the monstrous spider, and Kael melted into it. In an instant, he reappeared, his skeletal frame cloaked in shadows, standing behind the beast. The spider''s carapace gleamed faintly under the harsh sunlight, black and segmented, with bristling hairs that twitched like antennae sensing danger. Kael¡¯s bony fingers curled tightly around the scythe¡¯s dark handle, his movements deliberate yet unnervingly fluid. Before the spider could pivot, Kael swung. The blade hissed through the air, carving a deep arc into the creature¡¯s back. Black ichor erupted from the wound, spewing like a fountain. The spider let out a shrill, unnatural screech, its many legs spasming wildly. Kael''s sockets burned with cold focus. He didn''t hesitate. His scythe arced again, this time hacking into one of the spider''s spindly legs. The joint cracked under the force, severing cleanly. As the spider staggered, its body listing heavily, Kael¡¯s blade bit into a second leg, splintering the exoskeleton but failing to sever it completely. The monster retaliated with surprising speed, slamming a massive, serrated leg down at him. Kael crouched low, cloak billowing as he hurled his scythe upward. The spinning blade sliced toward the creature''s cluster of eyes. The spider screeched again, its leg swerving mid-strike to block the scythe. The two collided with a metallic clang, the force sending Kael sliding back across the shifting sands. But Kael had already vanished into the web of shadows cast by the spider¡¯s thrashing limbs. He reappeared above it, another scythe materializing in his skeletal grip, the blade pulsing faintly with dark energy. With a ghostly leap, Kael plunged the scythe down. The blade sank deep into the spider¡¯s back, carving a jagged gash that sent another geyser of black blood cascading down its carapace.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Kael landed hard on the spider¡¯s heaving back. The impact jarred his brittle frame, a wave of weakness rippling through him. His movements grew strained, each step across the beast¡¯s slick, gore-covered surface slower than the last. He clenched his jawless skull. "No stopping now," he muttered under his breath. His skeletal feet clattered against the spider¡¯s exoskeleton as he raced toward its head. When he reached the soft, membranous area near its ruined eyes, he jumped high into the air, skeletal hands gripping his scythe tight. "Eat this!" he roared, bringing the blade down with all his remaining strength. The scythe smashed into the creature¡¯s eyes, shattering the fragile orbs in a spray of ichor and fluids. The spider reared back, its legs flailing wildly, completely blinded. Kael used the recoil to propel himself off its back, landing heavily on the desert sand below. His chest heaved with exertion, his cloak fluttering around him like a storm-torn banner. The desert sun burned down, casting long, wavering shadows across the battle-scarred dunes. "Damn," Kael hissed, his sockets narrowing. "This guy¡¯s tougher than I thought." The spider shrieked, the sound reverberating across the barren expanse. Kael took a steadying breath, his bony fingers tightening around his newly-summoned scythe. "There¡¯s no time to rest," he muttered, his feet digging into the sand as he launched himself forward. His skeletal form blurred as he sprinted, his footsteps eerily light for something so solid. The spider writhed in agony, ichor dripping in thick rivulets from its wounds. Despite its blindness, its massive head suddenly snapped toward Kael, its mandibles clicking furiously. Kael skidded to a halt, shock flickering in his empty sockets. "How...?" he murmured. His bony fingers flexed nervously against the scythe¡¯s handle. Then realization struck. "It can¡¯t see me," he muttered, voice low and sharp. "It can sense me." The spider let out another piercing screech, its body tensing as it prepared to strike. Kael¡¯s cloak billowed in the wind, and the battle was far from over. Chapter 22: Fight 3 The heat of the day bore down mercilessly, shimmering waves rippling off the barren sands. The spider hissed, its many eyes gleaming with predatory intent. It shifted its massive, segmented legs, the joints creaking faintly as grains of sand trickled from its movements. The air seemed to hold its breath as it tensed, coiling its body for an attack. Without warning, the spider launched itself skyward, its grotesque form silhouetted against the sun. Its legs splayed wide as it twisted mid-air, the sharp points of its appendages catching the light. It angled its descent, flipping in a deadly arc as it plummeted back toward the ground. The sound of rushing wind accompanied its fall, an ominous prelude to destruction. Kael¡¯s empty eye sockets gleamed faintly from beneath his hood as he watched the beast''s trajectory. His bones clattered as he shifted his weight, the tattered edges of his cloak fluttering in the disturbed air. At the last possible moment, he sidestepped with a speed that belied his skeletal form. The spider struck the earth with a resounding crash, a shockwave rippling through the ground. A cloud of dust and shattered rocks erupted around it, one jagged fragment rocketing outward and slamming into Kael¡¯s ribcage with a sickening crack. "Urgh!" A hollow, echoing groan escaped him as he staggered back, clutching his chest where the impact had splintered a rib. [HP: 30/50] ''It changed it fighting style'' Kael dropped to one knee, his bony fingers tightening around the fractured bone as he glared at the spider through the swirling dust. The creature scrambled to its feet, its legs moving in a rapid, skittering pattern as it steadied itself. The landscape around them was a wasteland of dry, cracked earth and sparse, brittle vegetation. Yet the intensity of their battle filled the emptiness, every movement charged with a violent energy that seemed to reverberate in the air. The spider lunged again, its powerful legs digging into the ground as it propelled itself forward. This time, it spun mid-leap, a whirl of chitin and fury aimed directly at Kael. He pushed off the ground with a sharp motion, rolling to the side as the spider¡¯s legs slammed into the spot he had just occupied.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. The earth trembled beneath the beast¡¯s impact, and Kael used the moment to his advantage. ¡°Now¡¯s my chance,¡± he muttered, his voice dry and rasping. He pushed himself to his feet, gripping his scythe with both hands. The weapon gleamed faintly in the sunlight, its curved blade sharp enough to split the air itself. Kael sprinted forward, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow. The spider, winded from its failed attack, struggled to regain its balance, its legs clawing at the sand. Kael ducked low, sliding beneath its hulking body with the precision of a predator closing in on its prey. He gripped the scythe tightly, the metal cool and solid against his bony hands. With a sharp upward swing, he drove the blade into the spider¡¯s abdomen, aiming for its heart. The weapon pierced through the chitinous armor, sinking deep into the soft flesh beneath. The spider let out a piercing screech, its legs thrashing wildly. Blood thick and dark poured from the wound, staining the sands in a growing pool. Kael leaned into the strike, pushing the blade deeper as the creature''s movements grew sluggish. Finally, its legs collapsed beneath it, and it let out a final, shuddering rasp before falling still. Kael straightened slowly, pulling the scythe free with a wet, sucking sound. He stood amidst the carnage, the spider¡¯s lifeblood dripping from his weapon and splattering onto the sands. A long silence followed, broken only by the faint whistle of the wind. [You Have Slain A Level 5 Beast] [You Have Leveled Up To Level 3] [You Grow Stronger!] [You Have Gained 5 Points] Kael dismissed the scythe with a flick of his wrist, the weapon dissolving into wisps of black smoke. He trudged toward a dry, skeletal tree nearby, his steps heavy with exhaustion. He slumped against its trunk, the rough bark scraping against his bones. Blood from the spider still dripped from his cloak, forming small crimson stains in the sand. ¡°This was such a long day,¡± he murmured, his tone as hollow as his frame. He leaned his head back, staring up at the blazing sun that dominated the sky. The relentless heat seemed almost mocking in its intensity. Kael let out a low chuckle, the sound dry and brittle. ¡°If I die here, will I die completely? Or will I return to my old world?¡± He traced the thought idly, his bony fingers tapping against his leg. The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, until a voice cut through it with startling clarity. "Yo!" Kael froze, his skull snapping upward as he scanned his surroundings. His sockets flickered with a faint glow of alarm. "Who¡¯s there?" "Above you," the voice replied, tinged with amusement. Kael¡¯s head tilted back, his gaze locking onto a figure perched casually on a branch above him, silhouetted against the merciless sun. Chapter 23: Raven "Who are you?!" Kael sprang to his feet in a blur of motion, his cloak swirling like a stormcloud around him as he leaped back, his bony fingers tightening on the hilt of his blade. "Calm down, I mean no harm!" Kael''s head tilted, the empty sockets of his skull narrowing as if squinting. His hollow voice grated out, sharp and wary. "What are you, and how can you talk...?" The figure perched on a brittle, sun-bleached tree was a raven, its feathers glossy against the arid, lifeless backdrop of the desert. "You are a raven," Kael murmured, his tone edged with disbelief. "Yeah... it seems so," the bird replied, its head cocking to one side with an unsettlingly human mannerism. "Huh." Kael¡¯s jaw hung slack for a moment, before snapping shut with an audible click of bone. His hollow stare lingered, tracing the bird''s movements with suspicion. His fingers flexed, restless. "Who really are you?" The raven shifted, its talons scratching against the dry bark. It paused, its beady eyes glinting as if rifling through a foggy memory. Then, in a measured tone, it said, "I can''t really remember. I don''t know why..." Another pause. The bird fluffed its feathers, the motion strangely jittery, almost anxious. "I feel like I had a name. Or a past. Something important, but... I just can''t recall it." Kael¡¯s posture stiffened. "Huh. Why?" "I can''t remember why or how. All I know is that I woke up in this wasteland, and I''ve been surviving here ever since."The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Kael narrowed his gaze, his bony jaw clenching. "Is this some kind of trick or joke? Because it won¡¯t work on me." The raven straightened, its feathers bristling indignantly. "Huh?! You think I''m lying?" "Your story is more absurd than believable," Kael said, his tone cutting. "I told you, I don¡¯t know why! But it¡¯s the truth!" The bird¡¯s voice rose, its wings flaring as if to punctuate its frustration. Kael¡¯s cloak fluttered faintly as he gestured toward the dead spider nearby. "If that''s the truth, why talk to me? Why follow me?" The raven froze for a moment, its gaze darting to the carcass before answering. "I wasn¡¯t following you. I just happened to be here, enjoying the view. Watching that big spider tear through the smaller ones so I could swoop down and eat them afterward." Kael¡¯s sockets narrowed in faint amusement. "So that¡¯s why you¡¯re up there." "Exactly." Kael leaned forward slightly, his cloaked body casting a sharp shadow on the cracked ground. "So you scavenge instead of hunting. Why not go after the big one yourself? Grow stronger, get more bigger meat." The raven cawed sharply, the sound almost derisive. "Do I look like a fool like you? What do you take me for... an idiot?" "You damn bird!" "And you¡¯re welcome, by the way," the raven shot back. It hopped closer along the branch, its movements sharp and jerky. "Thanks for killing it. I was starving. But why did it take you so long to finish it? Are you really that weak?" Kael pointed to the hulking corpse of the spider, its legs curled grotesquely under its massive body. "Do you know how tough that thing was? That--" he jabbed his bony finger at the carcass, "--might be the strongest monster in this desert." The raven froze, then stared at Kael as if he''d just said the sky was green. A few seconds passed in silence before the bird burst into harsh, rattling laughter. Its whole body shook with mirth, wings fluttering. Kael watched, dumbfounded. His empty sockets seemed to darken, a faint hint of irritation rippling through his rigid stance. Finally, the raven¡¯s laughter died down, and it fixed Kael with a piercing look. "You truly are stupid." Kael tilted his head, his neck creaking faintly. "What do you mean?" The raven¡¯s feathers puffed up again, amusement still lingering in its tone. "Strongest... That spider you killed? It¡¯s the lowest and weakest monster in this desert, trust me I have seen more terrifying ones than this." "Lowest?!", Kael shouted in disbelief. Chapter 24: Strongest "Damn this bird. It didn¡¯t fall for it." Kael¡¯s bony fingers tightened around the shaft of his scythe, the movement subtle beneath the folds of his cloak. His hollow eye sockets glinted faintly, catching the flicker of sunlight bouncing off the raven¡¯s feathers. He had lied to the bird, claiming the camel spider was the strongest monster in the desert, expecting it to puff up with admiration. But no, the raven was sharper than he had anticipated or so it thought. "It is not the weakest," Kael insisted, his voice dry and hollow, echoing faintly in the arid desert air. "It is¡­ You liar!" The raven hopped to a higher perch on the gnarled branch of a dying acacia tree, tilting its head to glare at him. "Don¡¯t call me a liar! You don¡¯t even know me, and it is not the weakest!" Kael¡¯s skeletal hand gestured sharply, the hem of his cloak brushing the dusty ground. ''This is childish. Fighting with a bird. What is wrong with me?'' Kael thought, his skull tilting slightly as if shaking his head in disbelief. ''And here I thought ravens were supposed to be intelligent.'' "Trust me," Kael said, squaring his bony shoulders as though to project an air of authority. "I know this place very well! Although¡­ not so well. But I know a few things!" "Another lie," the raven cawed, its black eyes glittering like onyx. "I am not lying, you damn bird!" Kael jabbed his scythe into the sand for emphasis, the weapon¡¯s curved blade gleaming like an ominous crescent moon. "I am a very strong, honest, and intelligent man!"Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. The raven hopped down a branch, its talons scraping faintly against the bark. "Says someone who lied about killing the strongest monster in the desert." "It might not be the strongest," Kael shot back, his voice rising, "but that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not among the strongest!" ''Now that is a solid point,'' Kael thought smugly, straightening up. ''I¡¯ve already won this ridiculous argument.'' The raven cocked its head to the side, its wings giving a faint flutter as though it were pondering his words. For a moment, Kael felt a strange thrill of victory in his chest or where his chest would have been if he had flesh. But the bird¡¯s next words crushed his triumph. "Another lie." Kael¡¯s jaw slackened, his skeletal mouth hanging open in disbelief. "But I just gave a valid point!" "Not valid enough," the raven retorted, preening one of its wings nonchalantly. "Why?" "Because," the raven said, its tone maddeningly smug, "if it¡¯s really among the strongest, you¡¯d need powerful skills and a strong weapon to defeat it. But you only used tricks and that long thing to kill it. You are weak, and the spider is weak." Kael¡¯s fingers clenched around his scythe, the grinding of bone on wood almost inaudible over the raven¡¯s sharp voice. "Hey!" he snapped, his skeletal form looming as he took a step closer. "That ¡®long thing¡¯ has a name. It¡¯s called a scythe, you damn bird!" The raven ignored him, turning its head as if something infinitely more interesting had appeared on the horizon. Kael froze, his mind whirling. He could practically feel the urge to swing his scythe surging through him, but no. Killing the bird would be¡­ beneath him. Then an idea struck him an idea so satisfying that if he¡¯d had lips, he would¡¯ve grinned. He straightened, the motion making his cloak ripple faintly in the hot desert breeze. "Just so you know," he said, his voice dropping into an almost conspiratorial tone, "I have a true name." The raven¡¯s sharp eyes widened, its beak parting slightly. The flurry of its wings stilled as it perched, frozen for a beat. ¡®That serves you right,¡¯ Kael thought smugly, resting a bony hand on the curve of his scythe. "Uh¡­ What¡¯s a true name?" Chapter 25: True Name Kael¡¯s hollow eye sockets locked onto the raven, his skeletal jaw tightening in a grimace of disbelief. His bony fingers twitched slightly, the edges of his cloak swaying as if stirred by an unseen breeze. ¡°Are you serious?¡± he rasped, his voice like dry leaves scraping stone. The kael lowered his head, the glint of disappointment in his hollow eyes. ¡®Ahh, my perfectly valid argument is all for waste now,¡¯ ¡°Is it some kind of trick or a spell?¡± the raven said, his tone sharper now. The word struck Kael like a phantom bullet. He staggered half a step, his hand brushing over his ribcage as if the shock had unsettled his very bones. ¡°And here I was, thinking you had some intelligence,¡± Kael spat, pointing a skeletal finger at the raven. ¡°You¡¯re worse than someone who stumbled here with no knowledge at all.¡± The raven¡¯s beak opened, but Kael cut it off with a sudden wave of his hand. ¡°In every kingdom,¡± Kael began, his tone heavy with irritation, ¡°there are a select few who possess true names. These individuals are said to wield immense power or unique, unheard-of abilities.¡± The raven blinked, clearly unimpressed. ¡°True names allow mastery,¡± Kael continued, his bony hands gesturing as he paced, the hem of his cloak dragging in the sand. ¡°Not just of one or two abilities but many. They can even possess powers beyond imagination. But it¡¯s not instant. They learn and grow just like cultivation" ''The only reason I seem ahead of them,¡± he thought, ''is because of the system. I got three abilities without learning them, Lucky me.'' The raven tilted upward in thought, as if calculating something. Then his gaze snapped back to Kael. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Kael replied, ¡°Normal people in this world are born with one, that¡¯s all. They can only evolve that ability like a child born with fire. He can learn different forms for that fire and expand it into fireballs, blasts, and so on, but it takes relentless effort.¡± The raven nodded, it movements slow and deliberate.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Kael continued, ¡°But those with true names, Are born with two or more abilities. People with true name can also grow faster. They''re literally overpowered" Kael added, "both people without true name and those with true name, all can cultivate abilities outside their origin. Like a fire user might learn water, air, or earth, but people without true name can not learn another ability fast they are usually slow, while people with true name can cultivate faster.¡± ¡°all you just explained, does not define what you can do, I doubt people with true name will be struggling with fighting a spider?", the raven quipped with a harsh caw, its head tilting in mockery. Kael froze, his bony hand tightening into a fist. He stared at the raven in silence, his jaw clenching. ¡°You can¡¯t even console me, can you? What a waste.¡± Turning sharply on his heel, Kael¡¯s cloak flared out behind him as he began to stride away. ¡°Where are you going?¡± the raven called. ¡°Out of here,¡± Kael said, his voice clipped. ¡°I need to become stronger, leave this desert, and learn more about this world.¡± Kael hadn¡¯t walked far when the distinct flap-flap of wings grew louder behind him. He turned to see the raven struggling to stay aloft, a chunk of raw meat dangling from its beak. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Kael asked, his tone as dry as the air around them. The raven landed with an awkward thud, dropping the meat onto a flat stone. ¡°What does it look like?¡± it shot back. Kael rubbed the bridge of his nasal cavity with one hand. ¡°I hope you¡¯re not following me.¡± The raven tilted its head. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because you shouldn¡¯t,¡± Kael snapped. ¡°That¡¯s not an answer.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t be any help,¡± Kael said, glaring. ¡°The only thing you¡¯re good at is talking. I don¡¯t even know why you¡¯re a raven and not a parrot.¡± ¡°Hey! I survived here alone, don''t underestimate me¡± the raven retorted, puffing its chest. Kael folded his arms. ¡°Then stay alone, and don''t follow me.¡± "Why" "..." Kael didn''t not answer, No. he didn''t have any reason, it not bad to have a companion but the raven is annoying. ''this raven will only just talk too much it won''t be useful... Well it is no use, it has no intention on going back'' The raven grabbed its meat again, staring at Kael with stubborn defiance. After a moment, Kael sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°Fine,¡± he said. ¡°If you¡¯re going to follow me, there are rules.¡± The raven perked up but didn¡¯t seem particularly interested. ¡°First,¡± Kael said, raising a skeletal finger, ¡°talk less. Talk when the time is right and keep quiet when it is not right, I don¡¯t like beings that can¡¯t keep their mouths shut. And also learn to respect me I am the boss here!¡± The raven tilted its head again, feigning ignorance. ¡°Second, if you¡¯re coming with me, you need to be useful.¡± The raven dropped its meat onto the rock. ¡°Useful how?¡± ¡°You tell me.¡± The raven scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I don¡¯t like being stressed.¡± ¡°Great Then, I can''t guarantee not stressing you,¡± he muttered. ¡°Rule three: you¡¯re not my friend. You¡¯re just an ally. And as an ally, you will tell me everything you find, see, or know, understand?.¡± ¡°Fine, whatever,¡± the raven replied, preening its feathers. ¡°Also,¡± Kael added, leaning in slightly, ¡°you have to tell me what currently you know about yourself.¡± Chapter 26: Identity The sun dipped lower on the horizon, bleeding streaks of amber and crimson across the sky. The desert stretched endlessly, dunes rolling like frozen waves under the fiery glow. Heat shimmered off the sand, distorting the barren expanse as if it were alive. Kael sat cross-legged on a flat rock, his skeletal form cloaked in a ragged shroud that rippled faintly in the warm breeze. His scythe rested across his lap, its dark, curved blade absorbing the fading light like a void. Opposite him, the raven tore into its meal, the wet squelch of flesh and bone breaking the oppressive silence. Its sleek feathers caught the sun''s dying rays, each quill shining with an iridescent sheen that seemed almost otherworldly. Kael''s eyeless sockets remained fixed on the bird, his bony fingers tapping an erratic rhythm on the shaft of his weapon. Though his skeletal face betrayed no expression, his posture radiated irritation tempered with grudging interest. "So," Kael finally rasped, his voice dry and coarse, as if dragged through centuries of dust, "are you going to tell me what little details you know about yourself, or are you just some random bird who never bothered to figure itself out?" The raven paused mid-peck, its beak still clutching a sinewy strip of meat. Tilting its head, it regarded Kael with an inscrutable gaze, the depths of its black eyes shimmering like pools of ink. When it finally spoke, its tone was sharp yet tinged with a mournful undertone. "I don¡¯t know much about myself. I just¡­ am." Kael leaned back slightly, his spine creaking like brittle timber. One skeletal hand resumed its restless drumming on the scythe''s handle. "So you''re random," he said flatly. The raven resumed eating, tearing at the flesh with precise, deliberate movements. "What do you want me to say?" it asked, its voice muffled by its meal. "I woke up one day, aware and alone. I don¡¯t know why I can¡¯t remember myself or how I lost my memories. All I know is I have¡­ this ability." Kael shifted, the fabric of his cloak whispering against the rock. His empty sockets narrowed slightly, as if scrutinizing something unseen. "Ability? What kind of ability?" The raven¡¯s feathers bristled, a ripple of unease passing through its body. Its sharp gaze darted around, scanning the empty desert for unseen dangers. Only the faint sigh of the wind answered. "I don¡¯t fully understand it," it admitted, hopping down from the rock onto the sun-warmed sand. Its talons left shallow impressions as it began pacing, wings occasionally twitching. "It¡¯s like... I can deal damage without hitting my enemy. I don¡¯t know how else to describe it."This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Kael tilted his skull, curiosity sparking like embers in the void of his gaze. ''How can a bird have an ability? It''s not human or monster, just a raven.'' ¡°That¡¯s vague,¡± Kael said, his voice cutting through the growing dusk. ¡°Can you give me an example?¡± The raven exhaled a sound eerily close to a human sigh, its head dipping briefly. "I¡¯ve been wandering this desert for as long as I can remember. It¡¯s dangerous monsters, traps, the heat. Every time I¡¯ve faced something I couldn¡¯t fight or escape, the ability... activates." Kael¡¯s grip tightened slightly on the scythe. "Activates how?" The raven paused, its talons tracing the same path in the sand over and over. "It¡¯s not something I control," it said slowly, its voice laden with frustration. "The moment I look at my enemy, something happens. One instant I¡¯m cornered, the next, they¡¯re defeated. Or gone." Kael¡¯s hand tapped his jawbone rhythmically, the sound faint but deliberate. "Sounds powerful. Can you show me?" The raven stopped pacing abruptly, turning its unblinking stare onto Kael. "No." ¡°Why not?¡± The raven hesitated, its wings fanning out briefly before folding tightly against its sides. "Because it¡¯s dangerous. I don¡¯t understand it, remember? If I use it on you, who knows what could happen? You could die or worse." Kael leaned forward slightly, the shadows of his cloak pooling around him like spilled ink. "Worse? Worse than death, you mean?" The raven fluttered its wings in a nervous gesture, its head dipping as if weighed down by the question. "I don¡¯t know what I mean. All I know is it affects my enemies in ways I don¡¯t fully grasp. Mentally, physically¡­ something else. It¡¯s saved me, yes, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s meant to be used lightly." Kael studied the raven in silence, his skeletal frame as still as the desert around them. The last rays of sunlight bled away, leaving the world bathed in the muted hues of twilight. A distant, cry of mosters echoed through the air, the sound swallowed almost instantly by the endless sands. The raven shifted uneasily under his silent scrutiny, its talons scraping faintly against the sand. The breeze stirred once more, but Kael remained motionless, a grim sentinel lost in thought. ''What kind of power could be so dangerous that even its wielder fears it?'' Kael¡¯s thoughts churned like a storm trapped in a bottle. His gaze lingered on the raven. ''What is this creature? And why has fate bound us together?'' Chapter 27: A Feast ¡°No, why would I say fate bonds us together? Fate can¡¯t really bond me and this idiot bird together, right?¡± Kael stood, the motion deliberate and slow, his cloak stirring in the dry wind. Fine grains of sand clung to the dark fabric, whispering as they fell away with his movement. His hollow gaze shifted to the raven, perched on a sun-scorched rock. The bird lay sprawled awkwardly, its wings half-spread as if it were trying to absorb the last dregs of shade the stone could offer. ¡°We¡¯ll be going that way,¡± Kael said, his skeletal arm extending toward the left. His hand, more bone than anything else, caught the harsh sunlight, casting angular shadows across the sand. ¡°No,¡± the raven replied, snapping its head up. It shifted on the rock, claws scratching faintly against the surface. ¡°Why?¡± Kael asked, the faint clatter of bone echoing as he folded his arms beneath his cloak. ¡°It¡¯s not safe,¡± the raven croaked, its feathers ruffling uneasily. Kael tilted his head, the movement smooth and almost serpentine, as if the gesture alone demanded explanation. ¡°Have you been there before?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the raven said, shaking its head as if to dislodge the memory. Its voice was sharper now, edged with unease. ¡°But not for long. I had to escape or I would¡¯ve died.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Kael shifted his stance, the worn soles of his boots scraping against the cracked, sunbaked ground. His jawbone tightened with a faint creak. ¡°Why did you escape? What danger is there?¡± ¡°Monsters,¡± the raven replied, its voice barely above a whisper. Its beady eyes darted toward the distant horizon, where heat shimmered in distorted waves. Kael paused, the skeletal joints in his fingers clicking as he flexed them absently. ¡°Monsters?¡± he repeated, his voice hollow, yet thoughtful. ¡°You said ¡®monsters,¡¯ meaning more than one.¡± ¡°Like how many?¡± His voice rose slightly, the dry wind tugging at his words as they carried into the open expanse. ¡°They are many!¡± the raven squawked, hopping closer to the edge of the rock. Its wings flared slightly, as though bracing against an unseen threat. ¡°So many!¡± Kael stepped forward, his boots sinking slightly into the fine sand. His cloak flared with the motion, exposing the gleaming framework of his ribs beneath the fabric. ¡°Why so many? Aren¡¯t they supposed to be roaming around, hunting for food?¡± ¡°They already are,¡± the raven hissed, shaking itself and hopping back a step. ¡°And how?¡± Kael¡¯s voice cut through the air, sharp and demanding. ¡°They¡¯re having a feast,¡± the raven murmured, its feathers flattening against its body. Its gaze remained fixed on the horizon, where jagged rock formations broke the monotony of sand dunes like teeth waiting to bite. A faint, unnatural sound drifted on the wind low growls and wet tearing noises, just enough to set the atmosphere on edge. Kael stood still, his frame unmoving except for the faint ripple of his cloak in the desert wind. The sun burned overhead, unrelenting, casting long, fractured shadows of both the skeletal figure and the restless raven. Behind them, the vast dunes rolled endlessly; ahead, the horizon seemed to churn with a foreboding life of its own. "A feast?!" Chapter 28: Meal ¡°A feast?¡± Kael repeated, his jawbone moving slightly as if chewing over the words. ¡°Yes, a feast,¡± the raven squawked, hopping uneasily on the hot rock beneath its claws. ¡°It seems like they¡¯re eating something¡­ big.¡± Kael¡¯s head tilted, the movement slow and deliberate, the dark hood of his cloak casting deep shadows over his hollow eye sockets. ¡°How was it?¡± he asked, his voice dry as the desert wind. ¡°All I saw was a large pack of monsters,¡± the raven said, shaking its feathers out nervously. ¡°Different kinds, all rushing to a dead creature and tearing into it.¡± ¡°What kind of monster would that be? Any idea?¡± Kael asked, his bony fingers brushing the edge of his cloak absently, scattering the fine layer of sand that clung to it. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± the raven admitted, its beady eyes darting toward the shimmering horizon. ¡°Maybe some large kind of monster.¡± Kael remained motionless for a moment, the wind tugging at his cloak as he stared off toward the distance. ¡°A monster eating a monster¡­¡± he mused. ¡°What kind of monster are they eating? And why?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± the raven said again, shaking its head sharply. ¡°And I didn¡¯t bother sticking around to find out.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Kael turned his head toward the bird, the movement almost too fluid. ¡°You didn¡¯t even try to find out?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with disapproval. ¡°Why would I?¡± the raven snapped, its wings flaring briefly before it tucked them back against its body. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to be their snack after they finished the monster!¡± ¡°They wouldn¡¯t eat you,¡± Kael said, stepping forward with slow, deliberate steps that left faint skeletal prints in the sand. ¡°You¡¯re too small. Even an idiot wouldn¡¯t waste time on a meal that tiny.¡± The raven¡¯s head jerked back, its feathers puffing indignantly. ¡°Did you just call me a ¡®small meal¡¯? I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m a large meal!¡± ¡°At least you admit you¡¯re a meal,¡± Kael said, his jaw clicking faintly in what could almost be amusement. ¡°Ehh¡­¡± the raven stammered, hopping to a new rock as though the motion might help it save face. Kael didn¡¯t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the dunes rolled endlessly into jagged, rocky outcrops. The wind carried a faint metallic tang, dry and sharp. ¡°So, what are we going to do now?¡± he asked finally. ¡°We can¡¯t go left with monsters swarming there. We¡¯ll need a plan before we proceed.¡± The raven shifted uneasily, its talons scraping against the rock. ¡°It¡¯s not just that,¡± it muttered. Kael¡¯s head turned sharply, his hollow gaze fixing on the bird. ¡°What else?¡± ¡°The night is coming,¡± the raven said, glancing up at the sky, where the once-blistering sun had begun to dip lower, the shadows of the dunes stretching long and ominous across the desert floor. ¡°Damn it,¡± Kael muttered, his bony fingers curling into fists beneath his cloak. ¡°We need to find shelter,¡± the raven said, its voice tinged with urgency. ¡°And fast.¡± Chapter 29: Shelter The desert was descending into darkness, the last rays of the sun bleeding orange and purple across the horizon. The air, once blistering, had begun to cool, carrying a biting chill as the heat fled the sands. Shadows stretched long and twisted, swallowing the dunes in an eerie stillness. Kael''s hollow eyes scanned the expanse, their faint, unnatural glow flickering beneath the shadow of his hood. His gaze roamed over the undulating dunes and jagged rock formations, searching for any hint of shelter amid the desolation. ¡°I don¡¯t see any place,¡± the raven said, its voice sharp and restless. It fluttered down from a nearby rock and landed in the sand, talons sinking slightly into the cooling grains. ¡°Just keep looking,¡± Kael replied, his voice low and unyielding as he took a step forward, the hem of his cloak whispering against the ground. ¡°Fine,¡± the raven grumbled, hopping a few steps away. It stretched its wings briefly before folding them tightly against its body, ruffling its feathers in frustration. Kael turned slightly, the motion measured and deliberate. ¡°I¡¯m going to look ahead. I suggest you do the same.¡± ¡°Oh, okay,¡± the raven muttered, its tone wary. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, it added, ¡°Wait¡­ I hope you¡¯re not trying to leave me behind.¡± Kael paused, tilting his head with a deliberate slowness that made the raven shift uneasily. His empty sockets locked onto the bird, his stillness unsettling.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°Oh, thanks for giving me the idea. I hadn¡¯t thought of that,¡± Kael said, his tone dry and humorless. ¡°Ehh, don¡¯t even think about it!¡± the raven squawked, hopping in place as if to shake off the tension. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Kael said, turning his gaze back to the horizon. ¡°We¡¯ll meet here again. Tell me what you find.¡± The raven sighed, a long, drawn-out sound of resignation. ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°And try not to get eaten,¡± Kael added, taking another step forward. ¡°You too,¡± the raven shot back, its tone clipped. Kael stopped, his skeletal frame straightening slightly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to eat in me.¡± ¡°What do you mean? You¡¯d be an even bigger meal for a monster,¡± the raven said, cocking its head in confusion. ¡°Trust me, there¡¯s nothing for them to eat,¡± Kael replied evenly, his bony fingers brushing a stray strand of fabric from his cloak. ¡°Why not?¡± the raven pressed, hopping closer. ¡°Because I have no flesh.¡± The raven froze, tilting its head sharply. ¡°No flesh?¡± It seemed genuinely taken aback. ¡°But how?¡± ¡°Because,¡± Kael said, turning to face the bird fully, the movement causing his cloak to shift, revealing glimpses of his skeletal frame beneath. ¡°I am a skeleton.¡± ¡°A skeleton?¡± the raven repeated, its voice pitching higher. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°The reason you didn¡¯t know,¡± Kael interrupted, gesturing at his cloak, ¡°is because of this. And also don''t you think I look almost like a grim reaper?¡± ¡°What¡¯s a grim reaper?¡± the raven asked, blinking rapidly. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Kael¡¯s tone carried a faint trace of exasperation. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Just forget it,¡± Kael said with a dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°All you need to know is that there¡¯s nothing for the monsters to eat in me.¡± The raven let out a sudden cackle, its laughter breaking the quiet. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean they can¡¯t chew bones!¡± ¡°Just shut up and get going,¡± Kael snapped, his voice cutting through the night like a blade. Without waiting for a response, he turned his back on the bird. His cloak billowed slightly as he strode into the encroaching darkness, his skeletal frame melding with the shadows until he disappeared entirely. Chapter 30: Search As the sun dipped below the horizon, the vast, sandy expanse was bathed in fading hues of amber and crimson. A solitary figure stood at its edge, motionless save for the faint ripple of a cloak swaying in the cooling desert wind. Kael¡¯s cloak fabric draping him like the shroud of a grim reaper. His hollow eye sockets glinted faintly as they scanned the barren dunes, now steeped in the encroaching darkness. ¡°Where can I check?¡± he muttered, his voice low and rasping, carried briefly before being swallowed by the desert¡¯s emptiness. The shifting sands beneath his legs whistled with each step as he moved forward, leaving faint footprint that the wind hurriedly began to erase. His gaze swept the endless dunes, jagged rock outcroppings, and occasional dry shrubs that barely clung to life.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°No safe place in sight,¡± Kael said, his bony fingers twitching as they clutched the edges of his cloak. ¡°Everywhere is open.¡± The desert, once bathed in relentless sunlight, was now a realm of growing shadow. Darkness crept steadily across the land, curling around the dunes like a hunter stalking its prey. The air had begun to chill, its icy tendrils brushing against Kael¡¯s exposed bones. ¡°I need to be quicker,¡± he said to himself, his pace quickening. Each step sent small avalanches of sand trickling down the sides of the dunes, the sound soft but oddly loud in the silence of the night. The wind picked up, carrying with it faint, unearthly noises. Kael froze mid-step, his hooded head snapping to the side as he listened. Shadows danced and shifted across the dunes, their shapes distorted by the uncertain light of the twilight sky. ¡°Something is close,¡± he murmured, his hand drifting instinctively toward the scythe strapped to his back. The air felt heavier now, the silence pressing in like a physical weight. The growls came again low, guttural, and distant, but unmistakably real. Kael stiffened, and he turned his hollow gaze toward the horizon. The darkness ahead seemed alive, moving and writhing as though hiding something just beyond his vision. Whatever it was, it was watching him. Chapter 31: Rotten Wolf The desert was unnervingly silent as Kael walked, the sun now fully set and leaving the landscape cloaked in darkness. The chill of the night seeped into the sand, and the faint hiss of the wind carried an ominous stillness. Kael¡¯s steps were light, the soft crunch of sand under his feet barely audible beneath his cloak. Suddenly, a low, guttural growl echoed from behind a nearby rock, slicing through the quiet. Kael froze, his head turning sharply toward the sound, the glow in his hollow eye sockets intensifying. From the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes locked onto him, radiating a malevolent hunger. A creature slunk forward into the faint moonlight its form resembling a wolf, but its body was a grotesque display of rotting flesh and exposed bone. Shreds of decayed skin hung limply from its frame, and its jagged teeth gleamed unnaturally. ¡°Disgusting,¡± Kael muttered, his skeletal fingers flexing beneath the folds of his cloak. With a guttural snarl, the creature lunged at him, its claws tearing through the sand as it leaped. Kael moved swiftly, the air hissing as he sidestepped the attack. The creature skidded to a halt, its claws raking furiously at the ground in frustration, throwing up a spray of sand.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Trust me,¡± Kael said, his voice steady, yet cold. ¡°I¡¯m not a meal you¡¯d enjoy.¡± Kael¡¯s bony hand swept to his side, and with a brief flash of eerie light, his scythe materialized, the blade gleaming like a crescent moon against the dark. The wolf-like creature snarled, its sunken eyes narrowing, the hunger within them growing fiercer. It lunged again, this time swiping wildly with its claws. Kael dodged each strike, his movements precise but pushed to their limit. The ragged wolf¡¯s speed was relentless, and the air whistled with every swipe of its claws. Kael¡¯s cloak bore the scars of the assault long, jagged marks where the fabric had been torn. He leapt back, his empty sockets narrowing in frustration. ¡®Curses,¡¯ he thought, his grip tightening on the scythe. ¡®It¡¯s fast.¡¯ The wolf snarled once more, its decaying body coiling like a spring. With a powerful leap, it launched itself into the air, jaws gaping wide to sink into Kael. But Kael vanished in a flicker of shadow, reappearing behind the beast. Before the creature could even land, Kael¡¯s scythe arced through the air, its blade slicing cleanly through the decayed flesh. The wolf let out a gurgling snarl before collapsing into the sand. Kael didn¡¯t pause to finish it off his hollow gaze darted toward the horizon. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this,¡± he muttered, already racing forward, the sand scattering under his feet. ¡°I need to find shelter before more of them show up.¡± But it was already too late. A mournful, bone-chilling howl echoed behind him, rising and falling like a twisted symphony of madness. Then another joined it, and another, until the night seemed alive with the cries of the dead. Kael¡¯s steps faltered for the briefest moment. ¡°Oh, damn it,¡± he growled. ¡°More of them.¡± Chapter 32: More Of Them He tightened his grip on the scythe, his cloak billowing behind him as he broke into a full sprint, the howls growing louder with every step. Kael sprinted across the shifting sands, his cloak whipping behind him like a shadow struggling to keep up. The pack of rotten wolves was relentless, their decayed forms moving with unnatural speed. Their howls filled the cold desert air, a macabre chorus of hunger and fury. Teeth snapped just inches from his skeletal limbs as he dodged, the beasts¡¯ glowing eyes piercing the night like sinister lanterns. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale light over the desolate landscape. The dunes glimmered faintly, their curves etched in silver, but the illumination was more a curse than a blessing it revealed the growing number of wolves trailing him, their rotting bodies surging across the sands like a tide of death. Kael¡¯s empty sockets scanned ahead, and his gaze locked onto a massive rock formation towering above the desert floor. Without hesitation, he veered toward it, sand scattering beneath his feet as he pushed his skeletal frame to its limit. Reaching the base, Kael leapt onto the rock, his bony fingers scraping against its rough surface as he began to climb.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The jagged edges dug into his hands, but he climbed with grim determination, his cloak catching on outcroppings as he pulled himself higher. Below, the wolves gathered, circling like vultures. Their growls reverberated off the stone, a menacing symphony that echoed in the still night. Reaching the top, Kael hoisted himself up with the last vestiges of his strength, his form briefly silhouetted against the moonlight. He knelt, his scythe resting beside him, as he caught his nonexistent breath. Peering over the edge, he saw the wolves snapping at the air, their decayed jaws gnashing in frustration. ¡°Damn, you guys sure are fast¡± Kael muttered, his voice a low rasp. From his vantage point, the endless stretch of desert unfurled before him like a vast, unforgiving sea. The dunes rolled on into the horizon, their peaks and valleys casting long, distorted shadows. Above, the sky was a tapestry of stars, their cold light mocking his predicament. Kael scanned the terrain, but no safe haven revealed itself. The desert offered no mercy, only emptiness and danger. The wolves¡¯ howls rose again, a chilling reminder of the peril below, as their glowing eyes remained fixed on him. Perched atop the rock, Kael couldn¡¯t shake the unease creeping up his spine or what remained of it. He knew the safety of elevation was an illusion. Up here, he was just as vulnerable, if not more so. Flying predators could easily spot him, their shadowy forms hidden among the stars until it was too late. ¡°I wonder,¡± Kael muttered, narrowing his sockets as he stared into the distance, ¡°if that damn raven is actually searching for anything¡­ or if it¡¯s just laughing at me right now.¡± Chapter 33: The Chase The Raven Pov The vast desert stretched endlessly, its golden sands shimmering under the relentless glare of the dropping sun. The air was thick with heat and the faint hum of wind, but the stillness was broken by the frantic beating of wings. A raven, its feathers glinting like black satin, darted through the sky with desperate speed. Behind it, a grotesque shadow pursued, an unholy creature with decaying wings and hollow, glowing eyes. The rotten bird moved with an unsettling precision, dodging obstacles with an eerie grace that matched the raven¡¯s every maneuver. The raven dipped low, weaving between jagged rocks that jutted out of the sand like broken teeth. It banked sharply, leading its pursuer through a narrow canyon where the walls rose steep and foreboding. The canyon was treacherous, filled with sharp turns and narrow gaps, but the raven knew every crevice and crept through the passages with ease. It hoped the rotten bird, with its tattered wings and unnatural movements, would falter or crash. But the creature was relentless. Every twist, every dive, every feint the raven attempted was mirrored by the rotten bird. It didn¡¯t tire, didn¡¯t slow, and seemed to anticipate the raven¡¯s every move. Desperation clawed at the raven¡¯s chest. It had flown for hours, its strength waning, but the abomination on its tail seemed fueled by an unyielding hunger. The sun dipped lower, casting long, distorted shadows over the desert. The raven, in a final bid for escape, darted toward a cluster of boulders scattered near the base of a windswept dune. It dove behind the largest rock, tucking its wings close to its body as it landed silently in the sand.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. The rotten bird landed a short distance away, its talons digging into the sand with a sickening crunch. It stood still for a moment, scanning the desolate landscape. Its decayed head twisted unnaturally, the hollow sockets where its eyes should have been glowing faintly in the dimming light. The raven held its breath, every instinct screaming at it to stay hidden. It crouched low, its black feathers blending seamlessly with the shadow of the rock. Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as the rotten bird prowled the area. It sniffed the air, its shriveled beak clicking softly as it moved closer to the rock where the raven hid. The raven¡¯s heart pounded in its chest, the sound thunderous in its own ears. It braced itself, ready to take flight again if the creature drew too close. But then, the rotten bird stopped. Its head snapped upward, and it let out a bone-chilling scream that echoed across the empty desert. The sound was sharp, piercing, and filled with a rage so profound that it sent a shiver through the raven¡¯s body. Confusion rippled through the raven it had expected the creature to keep searching, to keep hunting. Why was it screaming? Slowly, cautiously, the raven shifted its position, peeking out from behind the rock. Its sharp eyes scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the creature¡¯s distress. And then it saw them. In the sky above, dark shapes began to emerge. One by one, more rotten birds appeared, their decayed forms blotting out the fading sunlight. There were more than ten of them, their twisted bodies silhouetted against the deepening orange of the evening sky. They circled overhead like vultures, their soulless eyes fixed on the ground below. The raven¡¯s heart sank. It had thought there was only one, thought it might have a chance to outwit or outrun its pursuer. But now, as the sky filled with the hideous flock, the gravity of its situation became clear. It wasn¡¯t just being hunted by a single rotten bird it was being chased by a legion of them. And they had found it. Chapter 34: Desperate Dance The first rotten bird screamed again, a shrill call that seemed to summon the others. One by one, they descended, their wings slicing through the air with a sound like tearing fabric. The raven¡¯s mind raced, every instinct urging it to flee, but where could it go? The desert was vast and empty, and now the sky was no longer a sanctuary but a trap. "Stupid me... I was played, I am trapped", the raven said realizing it was lured to their trap. The raven took a deep breath, its sharp mind calculating its next move. It knew this was no ordinary hunt. These creatures were something else... dark, something malevolent. If it was to survive, it would have to outthink them, outmaneuver them, and find a way to escape their unrelenting grasp. As the first of the rotten birds landed, its claws sinking into the sand with an unnatural crunch. The air was thick with tension as the raven launched itself from the rock, its sleek black wings slicing through the dry, searing wind. The rotten bird that had landed lunged immediately, talons outstretched like rusted daggers. The raven twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the attack, the putrid stench of its pursuer brushing against its senses as it passed. Before the raven could fully recover, another rotten bird descended from above. Its sharp, skeletal legs shot forward, aiming to pin the raven to the sandy floor. Thinking quickly, the raven beat its wings fiercely, kicking up a cloud of fine desert sand. The golden haze momentarily blinded the second creature, its grotesque form hesitating mid-strike. "Suit you well", the raven said with a mocking tone. But there was no time to rest. Another screech split the air, sharp and grating, as a third rotten bird dove from the sky, its decayed wings tearing through the desert heat. The raven darted sideways, its movements growing less precise with each attempt. This time, the creature¡¯s talons grazed its side, leaving a thin streak of crimson against its glossy feathers. "Ack!!", Pain flared, but the raven couldn¡¯t stop.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it The sky above was teeming with its pursuers more than a dozen of them now, circling like vultures. Each dive, each attack, was more calculated than the last. They were relentless, their movements chaotic yet strangely coordinated, and the raven was quickly losing its rhythm. "Come on you guys has to have some kind of pattern!", The raven said desperately. It tried to study them, to find patterns in their attacks. Were they moving in tandem? Did one signal the others? Each time the raven thought it had deciphered their strategy, the rotten birds shifted, their formations altering with maddening unpredictability. Their glowing eyes seemed to mock the raven, as though they knew it was struggling to keep up. "You fools!" The raven said. And thought, "they are just too smart". The raven dove low, skimming the desert floor in a desperate bid to create distance. The sand beneath its claws was hot and shifting, offering no solace. Another screech erupted behind it, and it glanced back just in time to see a fourth rotten bird hurtling toward it. The raven banked sharply, feeling the searing pain of talons scraping its wing. "Ahh!" It landed awkwardly, stumbling as exhaustion began to take hold. Its sleek feathers, once pristine, were now ruffled and marred with blood. Its chest heaved with each breath, and its sharp eyes darted between the circling predators. They were faster, stronger, and impossibly adaptive. Every move the raven made seemed countered before it could even think of the next. "Just what are these rotten disgusting birds" The raven flared its wings, trying to make itself appear larger, but the rotten birds were undeterred. They dived again, this time in pairs, their gnarled claws tearing through the air with terrifying precision. The raven dodged one, only to be clipped by another. A sharp pain shot through its leg, and it stumbled again, barely managing to stay upright. ''I can''t take it anymore'', it thought. The world was narrowing now the horizon blurred by heatwaves and the chaos of flapping wings. The raven¡¯s mind raced, searching for a solution, a way to escape the nightmare that had descended upon it. But with every dodge, every desperate leap, its strength waned. ''All my plans are utterly useless'', it thought. For a moment, the raven hesitated, its wings trembling as it crouched low in the sand. The realization was dawning, cold and cruel: it was losing this fight. It couldn¡¯t outfly them, couldn¡¯t outthink them. Its sharp mind, and days of survival, was no match for their sheer ferocity and adaptability. And yet, deep within its pounding chest, the raven felt a flicker of defiance. It wasn¡¯t ready to give up not yet. If it was going to fall, it would do so fighting, claws outstretched, wings unfurled and dying with them, not alone. As the rotten birds closed in, their hollow screeches filling the desert air. Then Something Unexpected Happened... Chapter 35: Nah Id Win The raven was staggering now, its sleek black feathers tattered and stained with blood. Each frantic beat of its wings grew weaker, its movements sluggish and predictable. The rotten birds surrounded it like a pack of jackals, their decaying forms twisting unnaturally as they prepared for the final strike. The raven, its body riddled with pain and exhaustion, could no longer dodge their relentless attacks. Every claw, every beak, tore through the air with precision, leaving the raven wounded and trembling in the shifting sands of the desert. It should have been afraid. It should have felt despair creeping into its heart. But instead, the raven began to laugh. "Hahahah!!" The sound was sharp and haunting, cutting through the din of screeching predators. It was a laugh that spoke of defiance, of knowing something its enemies did not. The rotten birds hesitated for a brief moment, their glowing eyes flickering with confusion as the raven¡¯s laughter echoed across the dunes. It was a sound that didn¡¯t belong in the face of certain death. Through ragged breaths, the raven muttered, its voice hoarse but laced with a chilling edge, ¡°Just what I needed...Now die!.¡± As the last word left its beak, the raven''s eyes changed. The once-dark orbs turned a fiery red, and at the center of each, a strange circle pupil burned like molten steel. Around the pupil, four smaller circles materialized, spinning in eerie synchronization. The desert seemed to hold its breath as the transformation took hold, the atmosphere growing heavy with an unexplainable force. The moment the raven¡¯s gaze locked onto the rotten birds, time itself seemed to halt. The wind ceased to stir the sands, the faint hum of the desert vanished, and even the burning sun seemed frozen in place. The rotten birds, mid-lunge and screech, were suspended in unnatural stillness. The air grew cold, thick with an ominous energy. And then, the screaming began. The rotten birds dropped from the sky like stones, their decaying bodies convulsing violently as they hit the ground. Their cries were deafening, unearthly, and filled with a terror that even they could not comprehend. The sand beneath them quaked with their anguish, the vibrations rippling outward like waves. The sound pierced the silence of the desert, a cacophony that seemed to come from deep within their very being.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. The raven stood in the eye of the storm, unmoving, its glowing red eyes fixed on its enemies. The rotten birds writhed and twisted, their movements grotesque and unnatural, as if some unseen force was burrowing into their minds. Their skeletal wings flailed, their claws raked at nothing, and their hollow eyes burned with a madness they could not escape. The desert trembled beneath their agony, the ground cracking and shifting as if it too sought to flee from the horror unfolding. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the screams stopped. Silence fell over the land, heavy and suffocating. One by one, the rotten birds collapsed, their bodies stilling in death. Whatever force had seized them had utterly consumed them, leaving their twisted forms lifeless in the sand. The raven stood amidst the carnage, its breathing shallow but steady. The glow in its eyes faded, the circles disappearing as quickly as they had appeared. For a moment, the only sound was the faint rustle of sand settling back into place. It glanced around, taking in the field of fallen enemies. The once-overwhelming force that had hunted it was no more. The raven tilted its head, a faint smirk playing on its beak as it muttered, ¡°Fools¡± Above, more ravens began to gather, their dark forms dotting the sky like shadows come to life. They perched on the jagged rocks and skeletal remains of the desert, their eyes gleaming with quiet understanding. They had come not out of pity, but out of recognition for this was no ordinary raven. This was a force of nature, a harbinger of something far greater than they could comprehend. "Such a pity, not all of them died", it said in a sad tone. ------- The raven deliberately held back its powers because it noticed that not all the rotten birds were attacking at once. While some pursued it relentlessly, others lingered at a distance, watching and analyzing the situation. These observing rotten birds were cautious, ensuring there was no hidden danger before committing to an attack. If the raven had revealed its abilities too soon, these watchers would have recognized the threat and likely stayed away, making it impossible to eliminate them all at once. Understanding this, the raven devised a strategy. It intentionally feigned weakness, allowing the attacking rotten birds to believe it was vulnerable while enduring their relentless strikes. This display of apparent helplessness was designed to convince the distant observers that it posed no threat. Once the watchers concluded the raven was powerless and began to join the fray, the raven''s plan fell into place. With almost all the rotten birds gathered in one spot, the raven unleashed its full power, destroying them in a single decisive move. ---------- As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the desert in hues of red and gold, the raven spread its wings. It was battered, bruised, and bloodied, but it stood tall, a dark silhouette against the dying light. The desert, once filled with the cries of the hunt, was now silent, save for the faint sound of the wind. And in that silence, Only One Survived... Chapter 36: Hunger The raven stood motionless, its black eyes scanning the empty horizon. The once-teeming desert battlefield was now eerily silent, the remains of the rotten birds scattered lifelessly across the golden sands. The air was heavy with the memory of their agonized screams, but the raven paid no mind. Instead, it tilted its head, waiting, its sharp gaze fixed on the sky. It was a challenge, silent but clear. Would any of the remaining rotten birds dare to descend and face it? None descended. They had witnessed the massacre. They had seen their kin writhe in torment, fall, and crumble into lifeless husks under the raven¡¯s gaze. Whatever foul intelligence drove them seemed to have made its decision There would be no more attacks. Not today. Satisfied, the raven glanced around. The desert stretched endlessly, the sky painted with deep hues of orange and purple. The raven stretched its wings, wincing at the sting of its wounds. Its feathers were still streaked with blood, and its body ached from the relentless pursuit and battle. With a weary sigh, it muttered to itself, ¡°Ah, I almost forgot¡­ Wasn¡¯t I supposed to be looking for somewhere safe to stay?¡±The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. It flapped its wings, lifting itself into the air. The wind carried it higher as it began its search for shelter. The raven¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the landscape below, looking for anything that might serve as a hiding place for the night. The first spot it found was a shallow depression in the sand, shielded by a jagged boulder. But it dismissed it quickly. It was too exposed. Any passing predator could sniff it out with ease. The next location was a crumbled ruin, the remnants of what might have once been a tower. Its walls were weathered and full of gaps, offering little protection from monsters that might prowl under cover of darkness. The raven sighed again, pushing onward. Minutes turned to an hour as it flew tirelessly, its wings growing heavier with each passing moment. Finally, it spotted something a lone, dry tree rising crookedly from the sand like a skeletal hand reaching for the heavens. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it would do. The raven descended, landing lightly on one of its brittle branches. Perched on the tree, the raven steadied its breath, its chest rising and falling in slow, deliberate rhythms. The stillness of the evening was almost calming. For a moment, it allowed itself to relax. But then, a low rumble broke the quiet. Its stomach growled. The raven blinked and glanced down at itself before muttering, ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± It let the words hang in the air for a moment, as though expecting the universe to provide an answer. But the desert, vast and indifferent, remained silent. With a shake of its head, the raven stretched its wings again. The search for shelter can be put on hold for now, but the hunt for food should be settled first. ''''Empty stomach is my greatest enemy!" Chapter 37: The Stand The desert was covered in darkness, its shifting sands now bathed in the pale light of a crescent moon. The wind howled softly, carrying with it the faint stench of decay that seemed to cling to this forsaken land. A lone figure stood atop a jagged rock, his presence both commanding and unsettling. He wore a tattered cloak that billowed lightly in the night breeze, its deep black fabric concealing the skeletal frame beneath. His bony hand caught the moonlight, his eye sockets burned with a faint, otherworldly glow. This was no ordinary being. In his bony hands, he held a weapon that gleamed with menace... a scythe. Its blade long and curved, catching the faint light with an eerie shimmer. The skeleton stood poised, his grip steady, his stance straight. Below him, the desert roared with life or rather, with death. A pack of rotten wolves prowled beneath the rock, their decaying bodies barely held together by sinew and malice. Their glowing eyes cut through the darkness, their menacing growls vibrating in the air. They moved as one, an intelligent, relentless pack that seemed to communicate without words. Their decayed forms betrayed their origin, not beasts of nature, But abominations. Kael stood motionless, watching them. They had pursued him all the way here, and there where getting more by every minute that passed, he studied little of their tactics. They were tireless and unforgiving.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The wolves circled the rock, their sharp claws scraping against the stone as they prepared to leap. With a sudden burst of motion, one of the wolves lunged. Kael moved just as quickly, his scythe arcing through the air with a sharp whistle. The blade met the creature mid-leap, cleaving through its decayed body with a sickening splatter. The wolf crumpled to the ground, lifeless. But there were more. The pack surged forward, emboldened by their fallen kin. Kael met them head-on, his scythe a blur of silver as it carved through the mass of snarling bodies. The sounds of battle filled the night, the clash of bone against claw, the wet thud of bodies hitting the ground, the growls of the wolves mixing with kael measured breaths. For every wolf that fell, two more seemed to take its place. Their decayed forms twitched and jerked unnaturally, as though driven by a force beyond death. The tide was unrelenting so was kael he wasn''t prepared to die the second time. Kael movements slowed, the once-fluid arcs of his scythe growing heavier. His bony shoulders rose and fell with effort, and a faint crack echoed as he pivoted too sharply. The wolves pressed harder, sensing his fatigue. "Tireless bastards," Kael muttered under his breath, his glowing eyes narrowing. Another wolf lunged, its teeth bared, but the skeleton barely managed to sidestep, bringing the scythe down with less precision than before. The creature fell, but its packmates surged forward, undeterred. Kael dismissed his scythe. He sat down with deliberate slowness, his empty sockets fixed on the pack below. The wolves continued their assault, clawing and leaping at the base of the rock, their glowing eyes locked onto him. For a moment, the contrast was stark, the stillness of kael, calm and contemplative, against the frenzied aggression of the wolves. Their snarls and snaps filled the air, but he remained unmoving, watching them with a quiet intensity. His thoughts turned inward, reflecting on the battle. "Endless. They¡¯re endless," he thought, his bony fingers drumming lightly against the rock. "Their strength isn¡¯t in their power or their speed it¡¯s in their numbers, their relentlessness." "I can''t keep fighting, not like this. They''ll wear me down, no matter how what I do. I need to have a plan... to escape or kill them." He looked back at the wolves, their decayed bodies pressing against one another as they clamored for him. They were driven by madness and hunger to kill and devour him. "Trust me, I am not tasty, there is nothing for you to eat in me", kael spat out. Kael remained seated, his figure silhouetted against the moonlit sky. For now, he sat quietly atop the rock, surrounded by the undying pack. The desert night stretched on. He muttered coldly. "Just you wait, I will kill you all!"