《SOUL》 Chapter 1 : Steps Upon the Scorching Sands The desert¡­ a place that shows no mercy. Beneath a blazing sun, the golden sands stretched endlessly, shifting like a vast ocean boiling under the heat. In the midst of this unforgiving expanse stood a lone young man, seemingly unaffected by the scorching inferno surrounding him. His long black hair swayed in the dry wind, and his golden eyes gazed upon the horizon with an unreadable expression. His lean body bore countless scars¡ªsilent proof of the many battles he had endured. His name wasVierd. Strapped to his back was an old sword, its hilt wrapped in tattered red cloth, darkened as if soaked in blood. His steps were heavy, yet unwavering, as if he were an extension of the desert itself¡ªan entity forged by its harshness. He knew he could not remain here for long. In this land, survival meant constant movement. "Vierd¡­" A rough voice called from a nearby tattered tent, weary but laced with an air of wisdom. Vierd turned his head toward the source of the voice before making his way to the tent at a steady pace. Inside, an elderly man sat cross-legged upon a worn-out mat, his frail frame cloaked in layers of thin fabric. His sunken eyes, filled with both knowledge and exhaustion, rested upon Vierd with quiet scrutiny. Vierd sat down without a word, placing his sword beside him. The old man exhaled deeply before speaking in a low, deliberate tone. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. "You¡¯re nearing your limit, boy." "I know." The old man studied him for a moment before asking,"How many times have you used your power?" Vierd lifted his hand and stared at it. Once strong and firm, his fingers had grown thinner, paler¡ªalmost lifeless. He already knew the answer, but saying it aloud gave it more weight. "Ten times." The old man closed his eyes briefly before opening them with a slow, measured breath. "Each time you use that power, a piece of your soul vanishes¡­ And you will never get it back." Vierd showed no reaction. "I live in a merciless world. If I don¡¯t use my power, I will be killed. If I do, I will die slowly. Either way, the result is the same." The old man did not refute his words, but his voice remained steady. "There is a difference, Vierd. One dies a victim¡­ the other dies a monster." The wind outside howled, carrying grains of sand into the tent, as if the desert itself was listening to their conversation. Vierd let out a faint chuckle, devoid of amusement. "I don¡¯t care whether I die a victim or a monster¡­ as long as I live another day."
"A New Gate Has Opened" Vierd rose to his feet, grabbing his sword and turning toward the entrance of the tent. The old man narrowed his eyes."Where are you going?" Vierd paused briefly before responding in a cold voice. "A new Gate has appeared at the edge of the desert. I¡¯m going to see if it¡¯s worth the risk." The old man did not reply this time. He simply watched as Vierd walked away, leaving footprints in the burning sand while a small dust storm began forming in the distance. In this world, where unknown Gates appeared without warning and dungeons filled with monstrous creatures awaited those foolish enough to enter¡­ Vierd was merely a man walking along the edge of destruction, every step bringing him closer to death. But he was not afraid. Because, in the end¡­ Death was just another price to pay. Chapter 2 : The Black Desert Gate The desert at night was no less merciless than during the day. The sun might leave the sky, but in its place came a lethal cold, biting at the flesh as if trying to strip the soul from the bones. The wind howled, whispering with voices from unseen realms, while the stars above shimmered¡ªsilent witnesses to everything that unfolded in this forsaken land. Vierd, fully aware of this, did not stop. He walked alone, his steps steady on the cold sand, undeterred by the darkness. This was not his first journey across the desert, but tonight was different. He was approaching the Gate. A few hours ago, rumors had spread: a new Gate had appeared on the desert¡¯s edge, its destination unknown. Every time a Gate opened, there was danger, opportunity, and bloodshed. There were no rules governing these phenomena¡ªonly chaos in its purest form. The First Encounter As he drew closer, something unusual caught his attention. Not far ahead, a fire flickered, casting long shadows. Around it sat three men in silence. They were not desert nomads¡ªthis was obvious from their leather armor and the swords strapped to their waists. A moment passed before they noticed him. One of them, a man with a faint beard and a scar over his left eyebrow, narrowed his eyes before speaking in a low voice. "Stop." Vierd didn¡¯t stop. The man stood, gripping the hilt of his sword. Only then did Vierd decide to speak. "If you want to fight, I won¡¯t stop you." His voice was neither threatening nor friendly¡ªjust plain, carrying a harsh truth within. The man hesitated for a moment before letting out a short chuckle, relaxing his grip. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "It¡¯s unwise to kill someone who might be useful inside the Gate." Vierd said nothing, glancing briefly at the fire before continuing his path. He had no interest in alliances or friendships, but that didn¡¯t stop the man from speaking again. "If you¡¯re heading for the Gate, we might as well go together. No one knows what¡¯s inside." This time, Vierd paused slightly. Fighting monsters inside the Gates wasn¡¯t the same as fighting humans. Some creatures couldn¡¯t be killed easily, some places were unknown, and the rules were never the same. Having extra fighters could be useful¡ªbut at the same time, it meant more competition for the spoils. After a moment of thought, he replied in a calm voice. "Stay out of my way, and I¡¯ll stay out of yours." The man smirked but said nothing more. The Black Gate After hours of walking, the group finally reached their destination. There, in the heart of the desert, a massive black Gate stood between the rocks¡ªlike an open wound in the fabric of the world. It had no doors, only a swirling vortex of darkness at its center, resembling a sky without stars. Others were already waiting. Some were well-armed, while others wore ragged clothing, but their eyes all shared the same look¡ªgreed and fear. "Has anyone gone in and come back?" one of the men near the Gate asked. Another replied in a low voice. "No one." At moments like these, it became clear who was a coward and who was reckless. Some people began backing away slowly, while others stepped forward without hesitation. Vierd was not the type to retreat. Taking a deep breath, he stepped toward the Gate. The moment his hand touched its edge, something pulled him inside. Another World There was no sensation of falling, no pain¡ªjust a sudden transition. When he regained awareness, he found himself standing in an unfamiliar place. The sky was red, as if drenched in blood. The ground beneath his feet was not sand but black stone, dry and cracked as if it had been burned for thousands of years. From the distance, he heard sounds¡ªnot human voices, but something else. Something that lived here. Vierd exhaled slowly. "So¡­ this is the place." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he prepared himself. Because everything ahead of him now¡­ was an unknown world, filled with nothing but death. Chapter 3 : The Land of Black Blood Verd opened his eyes. There was no pain, no dizziness¡ªjust a strange, unnatural coldness surrounding him. He was no longer in the desert. Above him stretched a blood-red sky, heavy black clouds swirling as if ready to collapse at any moment. The air was thick, saturated with the scent of rust and rotting flesh. The ground beneath his feet was neither sand nor ordinary stone¡ªit was something else¡­ something wrong. It felt like a mass of shattered bones fused together. Verd took a quick look around. He stood in a narrow valley, enclosed by jagged black stone walls. In the distance, the ruins of an ancient city loomed¡ªcrumbling pillars, decayed structures, remnants of a civilization swallowed by time. "This world..." It resembled nothing he had ever seen before. Yet, there was no time for awe. A distant scream, sharp and muffled, pierced the silence. Verd immediately turned toward the source, his golden eyes narrowing in caution. He wasn''t alone here. And he wasn¡¯t the first to enter. He moved quickly, his steps soundless as he approached the voices, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready for whatever lurked in the shadows. The First Corpses At the entrance to the city, three bodies lay motionless on the ground. There was no blood, but their bodies were torn apart, their lifeless eyes frozen in terror¡ªas if they had witnessed something beyond comprehension before death claimed them. Verd knelt beside one of them, inspecting their condition. Their armor remained mostly intact, no signs of any weapons piercing their flesh. But something was off... their skin was pale gray, as if every drop of blood had been drained from their bodies. "What killed you?" he muttered under his breath. Before he could find an answer, he felt it. A shift in the air. A presence behind him. A swift movement. The sharp sound of something slicing through the wind. An immediate sense of danger. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Verd didn''t think¡ªhe simply reacted. He leaped to the side, just in time. Something massive crashed into the ground where he had stood, shattering the stone beneath it with terrifying force. When Verd turned to look, he saw it. The Black Hunter It was tall¡ªfar taller than any human¡ªits frame thin yet unnaturally elongated, covered in glossy black flesh, a grotesque blend of organic armor and rotting muscle. It had no face, only a void-like cavity where its head should be, shifting and distorting as if trying to form something. "So... this is their killer." Verd tightened his grip on his sword, the cold steel humming softly in his hand. This wasn¡¯t the first monster he had faced. But he knew¡ªthis world was different. One mistake here meant death. The creature moved first. In an instant, it vanished. Verd barely caught the movement, but his instincts saved him. He raised his sword just in time, meeting a set of razor-sharp claws mid-swing. The impact was brutal. The force of it sent Verd skidding backward, his feet grinding against the bone-like ground. But he did not fall. "Strong..." But strength alone wasn¡¯t enough to decide a fight. Before the beast could strike again, Verd lunged forward, using the momentum to slash at an unexpected angle. The sword sliced through the air, aimed directly at the creature¡¯s neck. But the black thing wasn¡¯t slow. Its body twisted unnaturally, as if it had no bones, bending out of the sword¡¯s path with disturbing ease. Then, without warning, its claw lashed out. This time, Verd couldn¡¯t dodge completely. The black talon grazed his shoulder, carving a deep wound into his flesh. Pain erupted, sharp and immediate. Yet Verd did not retreat. Instead¡­ he smiled. "Time to begin." The familiar sensation began to rise within him. Not heat¡ªbut something far more dangerous. A power that burned without flames, not in his body, but in his very soul. He knew the price. He knew that every time he used it, a part of him disappeared forever. But he had no other choice. In a single moment, the air around him shifted. A faint dark mist began to rise from his skin, not smoke, but shadows leaking from his very being. His golden eyes blazed, shining like embers ignited from within. The creature froze for a brief moment¡ªas if sensing something that hadn¡¯t been there before. Verd didn¡¯t wait. He moved. Faster than before. Before the beast could react, he was already in front of it, his sword swinging in a devastating arc. This time, there was no time to dodge. The blade cut cleanly through the creature¡¯s torso¡ªnot just piercing its flesh, but ripping through the dark energy that bound it together. There was a sound, something deeper than mere flesh tearing¡ªlike a soul being shredded apart. The monster did not scream. It did not resist. In a single moment, it froze, then collapsed, its body crumbling into black ash, fading into nothing. Verd stood still, his dark hair swaying in the eerie winds of this cursed world, while the lingering shadows of his power slowly faded. He took a deep breath, then looked at his hand. His skin remained intact¡­ but he knew. "I¡¯m weaker than before." A piece of his soul was gone. "How much do I have left?" A question without an answer. But he had no time to dwell on it. Raising his gaze, he looked toward the ruined city ahead¡ªwhere more hunters awaited. Where more secrets lay buried. And as always¡­ He had no intention of stopping. End of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 : The Forgotten City The air here was heavy¡ªunnaturally so. It carried something unseen, something oppressive, as if the whispers of a thousand dead souls drifted through the streets. The city before him was not just ruins. It was a corpse, a dead thing that still pulsed with silent decay. Its shattered buildings loomed in the darkness like the bones of a forgotten beast, and its streets were littered with things Verd could not immediately identify¡ªpetrified corpses or just shadows twisted by the wind? Verd took a step forward. Silence. His footsteps were the only sound, but they did not bring comfort. The silence of this place was not natural. It was the kind that preceded a storm, the kind that made one feel watched, even when no eyes were visible. The First Trace Verd continued forward cautiously, making his way toward the heart of the city. He was searching for something¡ªa sign, a clue, anything that would reveal the true nature of this place. He was not the first to enter, but he intended to be the last to leave. Minutes passed before he noticed something strange. By the remains of a half-collapsed building, footprints marked the dust-covered ground. He knelt, inspecting them carefully. They were not the tracks of beasts but human footprints. Some were deep, as if their owners had been running. Others were broken, uneven¡­ as if someone had been dragged. But the most unsettling part? Some of the footprints ended abruptly¡ªas if the people who left them had simply¡­ vanished into thin air. "This isn¡¯t good," Verd muttered, his golden eyes narrowing. Then, as he lifted his head, he froze. At the end of the street¡ªwhere nothing had been a moment ago¡ªsomeone was standing there. The First Shadow It did not move. It was a human-shaped figure, its form distorted, as if it had been shaped from dense, swirling black mist. It had no features¡ªyet Verd felt it staring at him. He remained still, his hand moving subtly to rest on his sword¡¯s hilt. A long silence. Then, without warning¡ªit moved. Not running¡ªgliding. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Its feet did not touch the ground as it rushed toward him, faster than an arrow in flight. Verd did not hesitate. The moment the shadow was close enough, he drew his sword in a single fluid motion, slicing cleanly through the space between them. The blade tore through the black form, but it did not slow it. Instead, the shadow dispersed for a moment¡ªthen reappeared behind him. Verd barely had time to react. He twisted just in time to avoid razor-sharp claws of darkness slashing toward his throat. The freezing air brushed against his neck¡ªtoo close. "Not a normal beast," he thought. In an instant, he jumped back, putting distance between them. He exhaled slowly, studying the entity that now stood motionless once more, as if it, too, was observing him. Facing the Dead "You¡¯re not just a monster, are you?" Verd said quietly. There was no response. But after a moment¡­ the shadow began to change. The darkness surrounding its body shifted, rippling, before slowly shrinking inward, shaping itself into something more¡­ human. Verd was not prepared for what he saw. A man. Or, at least, what remained of one. His skin was ashen, lifeless¡ªlike a corpse. His eyes were hollow, empty sockets that once held life. His face, though warped and distorted, still retained enough features to be recognizable. Faint traces of tattered armor clung to his broken form, and a gaping wound lay open in his chest. "Help me..." The words were barely a whisper¡ªa plea that did not belong to this world. Verd did not move. This thing¡­ it was dead. And yet, it spoke. Before he could respond, the man''s body began to tremble violently. The darkness surged back, swallowing him whole once more. His hollow eyes darkened further, no longer empty but consumed. This was not a cry for help. This was a trap. In an instant, the shadow lunged again¡ªtwice as fast as before. But this time¡ªVerd was ready. The Burning Soul He exhaled slowly¡ªthen let go. The air around him shifted. For a brief second, the very fabric of the world seemed to waver. His veins pulsed, his golden eyes burning brighter, and the shadows within him¡ªthe ones he had been suppressing¡ªbegan to rise. This power devoured his soul. But right now, he didn¡¯t care. Verd moved. Faster than sight. One moment, he stood before the shadow. The next, he was above it, sword poised to strike. No hesitation. One precise slash. The blade pierced the creature¡¯s chest¡ªbut it did not cut flesh. It severed something deeper. The moment the sword struck, a scream tore through the air¡ªnot one of pain, but something far worse. It was a sound that sank into the bones, a sound that shook the soul, as if it carried the echoes of a thousand forgotten voices. Then¡ªjust as it had appeared¡ªthe shadow was gone. The air returned to stillness, silence settling over the ruins once more. Verd stood there, his chest rising and falling slowly. No body remained. No blood stained the ground. Only the lingering presence of something that no longer existed. But he felt it. Another piece of his soul had burned away. He inhaled deeply, then slowly sheathed his sword. This was only the beginning. Lifting his gaze, he looked toward the crumbling pillars, toward the shadows shifting within the alleys. He was not alone in this place. This city was filled with the dead¡­ And they needed to understand¡ªhe would not be their prey. With steady steps, he walked forward¡ªtoward the heart of the city.
End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 : The Curse of the First Gate Vierd stood amidst the ruins of the Forgotten City, his breaths slow, his sword still warm from the previous battle. The shadowy creature he had fought was gone, but the air remained charged with an unnatural presence. This place wasn¡¯t just the remnants of an ancient civilization. It was something dying¡ªbut not yet dead. He lifted his gaze toward the horizon, where broken stone towers loomed, some leaning precariously as if ready to collapse. But among them, one thing stood out. A faint blue glow pulsed within massive black pillars, like a dying heart still struggling to beat. Vierd didn¡¯t need anyone to tell him. That was the Gate¡¯s Core. If there was anything capable of sealing this place, that was it. The Path to the Core He moved cautiously, his footsteps light against the fractured stones. The air carried an eerie sensation, as though unseen eyes still watched him¡ªeven after the shadowy entity had vanished. Silence in unknown worlds was never a sign of peace. Minutes passed before he began to hear them. Whispers. They were not words, not truly¡ªjust a mixture of murmurs and distant sobs, as if the souls trapped here were trying to speak to him. Warning him¡­ or tempting him. Vierd stopped for a moment, his golden eyes glowing faintly as he tried to trace the source of the sound. He knew better than to trust anything here. But he didn¡¯t expect to see what he saw when he turned toward a narrow alleyway. A corpse. But it was not entirely dead. A man, or what remained of one, sat slumped against a crumbling wall. His chest had been torn open, yet his eyes remained wide and vacant, staring into nothingness. His body was dry, drained¡ªas if his soul had been completely absorbed. Then, suddenly¡ª His mouth moved. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Run..." The voice was barely a whisper, weak, almost swallowed by the wind. Vierd did not move. This was far from the strangest thing he had encountered. But before he could step closer, the corpse¡¯s eyes changed. Once hollow¡­ now filled with pure darkness. In the next instant, the dead man leapt forward, black claws erupting from his hands as he lunged at Vierd with inhuman speed. The Cursed One Vierd was not surprised. He moved effortlessly, his body bending backward to evade the lethal strike. At the same time, he lifted his sword and swung¡ªwithout hesitation. One clean strike. The blade sliced through the man¡¯s neck. But the body did not fall. Instead, a dead hand gripped the blade¡ªeven after the head had already separated from its shoulders. "Tch..." Vierd muttered, pulling his sword back, but he felt resistance¡ªsomething unnatural holding it in place. The corpse twitched, its severed head still moving, its body shifting as if something inside it was controlling it like a puppet. He had to end this quickly. Vierd inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, allowing his power to awaken. For a moment, the air itself trembled. Dark shadows began rising from his body, and his golden eyes burned brighter. His sword pulsed, as if resonating with his energy. "Burn." With one final strike, Vierd¡¯s blade tore through the corpse¡ªnot just its body, but the soul clinging to it. A sharp, piercing scream filled the air¡ªnot from the corpse itself, but from whatever had possessed it. And then, in a flash of black dust, it was gone. The Guardian¡¯s Curse Vierd remained still, watching the ash scatter into the wind, before lowering his gaze to his own hand. He could feel it. Another piece of his soul had burned away. But now was not the time to dwell on it. He lifted his gaze, looking toward the glowing Gate Core in the distance. If there were cursed creatures here, then something far stronger was controlling them. As he moved closer, he realized the blue light wasn¡¯t just an ordinary energy. Something was inside the pillars. Something massive. It stood there, its body cast in shadows beneath the pulsating glow. It was tall, its form sculpted from black stone, its face featureless. But it was not a statue. Because the moment Vierd took one more step forward¡­ It opened its eyes. They blazed with blue flames, pulsing like the very heartbeat of this place. "You... are not of this world." The voice was not human, not even an audible voice. It echoed inside Vierd¡¯s mind, vibrating through his very being. "And you... should not exist." Vierd did not respond. This was no ordinary monster. This was the Gate¡¯s Guardian. And if he wanted to destroy the Core¡­ He would have to go through it first. Tightening his grip on his sword, his body braced for the battle ahead. He knew¡ªthis would not be just another fight. If he failed here¡­ He would never leave this place alive.
End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 : The Guardian of the Black Gate Vierd stood before the massive stone entity, watching as its glowing blue eyes bore into him¡ªnot just seeing him, but recognizing him as something that should not exist. This was no ordinary monster. This was a part of this world itself¡ªits final protector. The air around them grew heavier, as though the very space between them was filling with an unseen force. He knew¡ªthis fight would not be like the others. But he didn¡¯t have time to think. IN A SINGLE MOMENT, THE STONE GUARDIAN VANISHED. No¡ªit didn¡¯t vanish. It moved, with speed that defied logic, as if the distance between them had simply collapsed. A massive fist came crashing toward his chest, with enough force to shatter a mountain. BUT VIERD WAS FASTER. The instant he sensed the attack, he threw himself to the side, dodging by mere inches. The spot where he had been standing exploded into shattered stone, dust and debris flying in all directions. Vierd spun sharply¡ªand struck back. "I WON¡¯T LET YOU CONTROL THE PACE OF THIS FIGHT." He lunged forward, his black-glowing blade slicing toward the guardian¡¯s neck. But the guardian was no fool. It raised its massive arm, blocking the strike. A sharp, metallic screech echoed through the ruins as sparks flew from the impact. But there was no cut. Vierd¡¯s sword hadn¡¯t pierced its body at all. "Its body is too solid... No, it''s more than that." This wasn¡¯t just stone. The guardian was a part of the Gate¡¯s core itself, formed from the energy of this collapsing world. Vierd leapt back, quickly reassessing his opponent. But the guardian didn¡¯t give him time. It slammed its palm against the ground. And at that moment¡ªthe earth split apart. From the cracks, black, glowing chains erupted¡ªwrithing, twisting, moving like living things¡ª ¡ªand they shot straight toward Vierd. "SOUL CHAINS?!" He moved fast, jumping over one, twisting midair to avoid another. But there were too many. They didn¡¯t just move randomly¡ªthey anticipated his every escape. One of them snapped around his ankle. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "TCH¡ª" Before he could slash it away, the guardian pulled. An irresistible force yanked him forward, his body hurtling through the air¡ª ¡ªand then crashing straight through a stone wall. Dust and rubble rained down around him. Pain flared in his ribs, but he ignored it. Pain was nothing new. He forced himself to his feet¡ªbut the chains were faster. This time, they weren¡¯t aiming for his body. THEY WERE REACHING FOR HIS SOUL. The moment they touched him¡ª A cold unlike anything he had ever felt sank into his bones. A sensation of tearing, unraveling¡ª as though something was being pulled out from deep inside him. "THESE CHAINS... THEY''RE NOT JUST RESTRAINTS¡ª" "THEY''RE TRYING TO ERASE ME." A dark grin spread across his lips. He had known this Gate consumed souls. But he hadn¡¯t expected it to have a way to rip them out by force. The guardian raised its arm, and the chains tightened¡ªpulling harder, draining him. Vierd felt it¡ªhis soul, fracturing. As if the Gate itself was rejecting his very existence. But then¡ªfor a brief moment¡ª His mind drifted somewhere else.
A MEMORY FROM THE PAST ¨C A FRAGMENT OF TRUTH A woman¡¯s voice. "YOU CAN¡¯T STAY HERE, VIERD¡­" Her hand was on his face¡ªwarm, but trembling. Her golden eyes were just like his. But no matter how hard he tried¡ªhe couldn¡¯t remember her face. "THE HUMAN WORLD WON¡¯T ACCEPT YOU¡­ AND NEITHER WILL THE WORLD OF SPIRITS." She was shaking. Was she crying? No¡­ it was something else. Fear? And then¡ªa shadow appeared behind her. A second voice¡ªcold, absolute. "IF HE STAYS, HE WILL DIE."
BACK TO THE BATTLE Vierd snapped back to reality¡ªjust as a surge of pain shot through him. The chains tightened further¡ªtearing into him, trying to consume him. And at that moment¡ª ANGER BURNED THROUGH HIS VEINS. He had no time for memories. He didn¡¯t need to see a past he couldn¡¯t even remember. "TO HELL WITH YOU." In an instant¡ªhe let his power explode. Black flames of shadow erupted from his body, darkness surging outward in waves. The chains that had been pulling at his soul¡ª ¡ªstopped. Then, one by one¡ª THEY SHATTERED. Vierd dropped to the ground, but he didn¡¯t stop moving. Using the momentum, he lunged straight toward the guardian, his sword now burning with something unnatural. The guardian raised its arm to defend¡ª THIS TIME¡ªTHE BLADE PIERCED THROUGH. Its once-indestructible body cracked as the sword sank deep into its stone flesh. Because this wasn¡¯t just a sword anymore. Vierd¡¯s true power had awakened. The blade carved through the guardian¡¯s arm¡ªthen drove straight toward its core¡ª Where the blue light pulsed like a heart. "THIS IS YOUR END." One clean, final strike¡ªstraight through the core. And in that moment¡ª THE CITY STOPPED.
THE END OF THE GUARDIAN¡­ AND SOMETHING ELSE The ancient walls cracked. The towers swayed. The very fabric of the Gate trembled. But amid the destruction¡ª Something fell from the guardian¡¯s chest. A small, glowing object. Not just any object¡ªa stone. Vierd picked it up¡ªand instantly, he felt it. "THIS¡­" It pulsed with a cold energy, but it wasn¡¯t an ordinary power source. There was something inside it. Something¡­ connected to him in a way he didn¡¯t understand. But before he could dwell on it¡ª The ground beneath him shook. THE GATE WAS COLLAPSING. No time. He turned, running through the crumbling city¡ª And that¡¯s when he felt it. A presence. Not a monster. Not a shadow. He glanced back¡ªjust for a second. And he saw it. A figure moving through the ruins. Eyes glowing red. NOT A BEAST. A HUMAN. But there was no time to find out who¡ªor what¡ªthey were. Because behind them¡ª THE GATE FELL APART.
END OF CHAPTER 6. Chapter 7 : Escape from the Collapsing Gate & an Unexpected Encounter SOUL (Chapter 7: Escape from the Collapsing Gate & an Unexpected Encounter) Time was running out. Vierd felt the ground shaking violently beneath his feet. The cracked walls of the Forgotten City began to crumble, and the towering ruins collapsed like falling dominoes. Everything around him was disintegrating¡ªas if this world itself was dying. He tightened his grip on the stone he had taken from the guardian¡¯s core. It pulsed with an unusual warmth against his palm, but now was not the time to examine it. The only thing that mattered was escaping before he was buried alive. But he wasn¡¯t alone. A moment before, he had seen a human silhouette moving between the ruins¡ªnot a monster, not a shadow, but a person. Someone else had survived. But in a moment like this, there was no time for hesitation. "If you stay here, you¡¯ll die." Those were the only words he spoke before rushing forward, dodging falling debris and collapsing pillars. He didn¡¯t look back to see if the person followed. Anyone who wanted to live¡­ would make the choice themselves.
The Path to Escape The city was falling apart at an alarming rate, making it impossible to find an exit. The Gate he had entered through had disappeared, as if the tear in space had sealed itself. There had to be another way out. Then, Vierd felt it¡ªa strange pressure in the air, a gravitational pull drawing everything toward a single point. When he looked up, he saw a black vortex forming in the sky, swallowing the last remnants of this world. "Is this the Gate''s way of erasing itself after destruction?" If there was an escape route¡ªthat had to be it. But getting there alive¡­ would be the real challenge.
The Final Obstacle As he raced toward the center of the city, a new threat emerged. A stone archway stood in his path. But it was alive. Eyes¡ªblack, glowing, and shifting¡ªcovered its surface, watching everything. Suddenly, the arch opened. And from within¡ªcreatures unlike anything Vierd had ever seen emerged. "Tch¡­" They were tall, thin, entirely black, their limbs ending in razor-sharp claws. These weren¡¯t beasts from the real world¡ªthey were nightmares given form. And they stood between him and his only exit.
A Desperate Battle One of the creatures lunged at him, its movements unnaturally fast, like a shadow tearing through the wind. But Vierd wasn''t about to stop now. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. He raised his sword, and as the claws slashed toward him, he swung with full force. The blade cut through the air¡ª ¡ªbut hit nothing. "What?!" The creature¡¯s body moved like liquid, bending and shifting to avoid the strike. Then, before Vierd could react, its arm transformed into a black spear¡ª ¡ªand pierced his side. Pain surged through his body. He looked down, seeing dark blood seeping from the wound. But he didn¡¯t scream. Pain was a part of survival. And he didn¡¯t have time to waste. He tightened his grip on his sword¡ª And unleashed his power.
The Soul Burns Again In an instant¡ªshadows erupted from his body. The air trembled, dark energy crackled around him. This time, there was no hesitation. He moved. Faster. When the creature tried to evade again, Vierd shifted his angle mid-strike¡ª "You won¡¯t escape this time." His blade sliced through the creature. But it had no real body. It was a void. But Vierd had learned. "If you have no body¡­ I''ll tear apart your soul." His sword glowed with black energy, and with one final swing¡ª A shockwave of dark power erupted. The creature let out a piercing screech¡ª Then disintegrated into nothing.
The Only Option But there was no time to rest. Three more creatures emerged. This battle couldn¡¯t be won through brute force. Then, his gaze shifted¡ªtoward the archway. It was still open¡ªand the eyes covering it had not yet closed. "If these creatures are coming from the portal¡­ destroying it should stop them." Without hesitation, Vierd rushed toward the arch, ignoring the monsters chasing him. Before they could stop him¡ª He jumped, raised his sword high¡ª And struck.
Breaking the Gate¡­ and Breaking Free His blade sank into the stone. It didn¡¯t sound like metal on rock¡ª It sounded like reality itself being torn apart. In a single instant, the black eyes dimmed, the swirling energy faded¡ª And then, without warning¡ª The arch collapsed. The creatures froze, as if their existence had been severed. Then, like shadows under sunlight, they vanished. Vierd exhaled heavily, his body aching from exhaustion. But he had no time to stop. Lifting his head, he looked toward the black vortex in the sky. This was his only way out. If he didn¡¯t jump now¡­ He would never escape.
The Leap into the Unknown He ran. Full speed. The ground crumbled beneath him, the world falling apart. The vortex was high, almost too far¡ª But he had no choice. At the very last second¡ªwhen he was about to fall into the collapsing ruins¡ª A hand grabbed his wrist. "Got you!" It was the silver-haired man. The same person he had seen earlier. Together¡ªthey leapt into the vortex. And then¡ª Everything went dark.
Back to the Sands¡­ and a Fateful Meeting The air had changed. A moment ago, Vierd had been in a dying world, surrounded by horrors that should not exist. Now¡ª He was lying on hot sand. Opening his eyes slowly, the harsh sunlight burned against his vision. His body ached, and his limbs felt heavy, but the feeling of warmth was¡­ familiar. He had made it back. The desert. But he wasn¡¯t alone. A few feet away, the silver-haired man sat silently, his blood-red eyes studying Vierd. His long, pale hair drifted in the wind, and his torn clothing hinted at a past not of this world. "So¡­ I didn¡¯t escape alone." Vierd didn¡¯t move, but he kept his hand close to his sword. His wounds were still fresh, and trust wasn¡¯t something he gave freely. "Who are you?" The silver-haired man didn¡¯t respond immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly¡ªas if examining Vierd. Then, in a calm, but cold voice, he finally spoke. "The real question is¡­ what am I?" Vierd narrowed his eyes. "Great. One of those cryptic types." Slowly, he stood up, ignoring the pain in his body. Their gazes met¡ªgold against red. For a long moment, neither spoke. But this wasn¡¯t hostility. It was a test. A silent exchange between two survivors of certain death. And as Vierd watched the stranger, one thought lingered in his mind. "This man¡­ might be my first real clue in this journey."
End of Chapter 7. Chapter 7.5 : The Refugee from Another World and The Philosopher’s Stone The silver-haired man wasn¡¯t entirely human¡ªthat much was obvious. Unlike the deformed creatures within the Gate, his body was intact. He didn¡¯t carry the grotesque marks of corruption. Instead, he looked like someone forcibly torn from their world. Vierd studied him carefully. "Was I really the only one who entered that Gate¡­ or was it also an escape route for someone else?" His golden eyes narrowed as he observed the exhaustion in the man¡¯s features. He looked worn out, as if he had been running for far too long. "Did you leave that place willingly? Or were you running away?" Vierd asked, his voice low. He didn¡¯t expect a direct answer. But the stranger surprised him. "I was trying to escape. That world¡­ was never mine." Vierd¡¯s expression darkened slightly. "That world? You mean the ruined city?" The silver-haired man slowly shook his head. Then, his crimson eyes drifted toward the endless desert horizon. His face remained emotionless, but in his gaze¡ªthere was something else. A buried sorrow. Or perhaps¡­ memories lost to time. "No, I wasn¡¯t talking about those ruins. I was escaping¡­ from my own world."
A Dying World¡­ An Unfinished Fate Vierd said nothing. He simply listened. The silver-haired man¡¯s voice was quiet, yet heavy. "My world was collapsing. There was nothing left¡ªonly ash and silence. I was one of the few who managed to escape before everything was consumed. And when I passed through the Gate¡­ I found myself there." His tone didn¡¯t waver. Not a trace of anger or grief. Just acceptance. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "Our Gate was not just a passage¡­ it was the end of a world." Vierd felt a strange weight behind those words. "Does that mean there are other worlds¡­ dying?" "Other realms¡­ breaking apart, searching for an exit?" He didn¡¯t show his thoughts outwardly. Instead, he asked something else. "Do you think you¡¯re safe here?" A short, hollow chuckle escaped the silver-haired man¡¯s lips. "Safe?" he repeated. "I don¡¯t think there¡¯s such a thing as safety anymore." Vierd couldn¡¯t disagree. But right now, his mind wasn¡¯t entirely focused on the man before him. Something else had captured his attention. The stone he carried.
The Philosopher¡¯s Stone¡­ & An Unknown Legacy Lifting his hand, Vierd gazed at the small crystal he had taken from the Gate¡¯s core. It was small¡ªbarely the size of a clenched fist¡ªyet it pulsed with a strange energy. A deep, cold power. The silver-haired man¡¯s eyes sharpened the moment he saw it. "That stone¡­ I¡¯ve seen one like it before." Vierd raised an eyebrow. "What?" The man stepped closer¡ªbut did not try to touch it. He simply observed, his crimson eyes tracing the stone¡¯s every detail. "In my world¡­ there was something just like this. We were told it held the secret of life and death, that it could save our world from destruction. But in the end¡­" His voice lowered. "It was all a lie." A faint irritation flickered in Vierd¡¯s mind¡ªbut he didn¡¯t show it. "A lie? Why?" The silver-haired man hesitated for a moment. Then, he lowered his gaze slightly, as if he hated remembering. "Because we realized too late¡­ that this stone does not save worlds. It consumes them." A slow, heavy silence followed. Vierd¡¯s grip on the stone tightened. "The longer it remains in a world¡­ the faster that world begins to collapse." Vierd¡¯s golden eyes narrowed as he looked at the stone in his hand. He wasn¡¯t sure if he should feel powerful¡­ or afraid. "If that¡¯s true¡­ then this stone isn¡¯t just a tool that grants me power. It might be the very reason why the Gate I was in started to fall apart." He took a slow breath¡ªthen clenched the stone tightly. If this was a key to the Gates¡­ That meant there were more of them. And if these stones were connected to the destruction of worlds¡­ Then the existence of the Gates was not a coincidence. It was something far bigger.
A Name¡­ & An Uncertain Future Vierd finally lifted his gaze. "What¡¯s your name?" The silver-haired man remained silent for a moment. Then, in a quiet but steady voice, he said¡ª "Rain." Vierd didn¡¯t reply right away. Then, after a moment, he turned away. Without looking back, he began walking toward the endless sands. "This man¡­ might be the first real clue in my journey." Then, without pausing, he said¡ª "If you have nowhere else to go, stay with me¡­ until I decide what to do with you." Rain didn¡¯t answer immediately. But after a few moments¡­ He started walking behind him.
A Fated Meeting¡­ & An Unforgiving World Thus began an unlikely alliance. In a world without mercy¡ª Where survival demanded sacrifice. And where truths were only revealed¡­ when it was already too late.
End of Chapter 7.5. Chapter 8 : Shadows of the Desert & Whispers of the Dead The endless sands stretched before them, reflecting the sun¡¯s heat like a sea of golden light. The dry wind carried dust through the air, making the distant horizon blurred and uncertain. Vierd and Rain walked in silence, their steps sinking into the shifting dunes. Neither spoke, but both knew¡ªwhat had happened earlier was anything but normal. Despite the exhaustion settling into his body, Vierd¡¯s mind was elsewhere. On the stone in his hand. He gripped it tightly as he walked, feeling its pulse. Not like a living heartbeat, but an ancient resonance, as if the stone was reacting to something in this world. He wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed. "That thing¡­" Rain said in a quiet voice, his red eyes fixed on the stone. "It doesn¡¯t seem stable." Vierd didn¡¯t look at him. His voice was calm but sharp. "It¡¯s none of your concern." "I¡¯m not concerned," Rain replied flatly. "But I¡¯ve seen what something like that can do to an entire world." Vierd didn¡¯t answer. But in Rain¡¯s words¡­ there was a frightening truth.
The First Sign of Danger After two hours of walking, something changed. Not the weather¡ªsomething else. Something unnatural. Rain was the first to stop. "Do you feel that?" he murmured. Vierd slowed his steps, then closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the air around him. The atmosphere¡­ was different. It wasn¡¯t just desert wind. It was charged, as if an unseen force was breathing beneath the sands. Then, they heard it. "You¡­ have returned at last¡­" A whisper. But it wasn¡¯t coming from one direction. It was everywhere. Vierd¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. Rain turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes narrowing. "This place¡­ isn¡¯t normal." Before either of them could speak again¡ª The sand moved.
The First Appearance of the Sand Wraiths In an instant¡ª It was as if the desert itself had split open. From beneath the dunes, pale gray forms began to rise. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Creatures without solid bodies¡ªlike distorted shadows trying to take shape. They were tall, their features fragmented, their bodies appearing as echoes of something long dead. And there were dozens of them. Rain took a step back, though his expression remained unreadable. "Do you know what these are?" Vierd narrowed his eyes. These weren¡¯t the same creatures from the Gate. "They¡¯re not like the entities we fought before¡­" he muttered. One of the wraiths drifted forward. And then, it spoke. "You have taken¡­ what must never be taken¡­" Vierd didn¡¯t need an explanation. He already knew. "The stone." These creatures weren¡¯t here by chance. They had come for it. But before he could think further¡ª The shadows moved.
Battle in the Sands One of the wraiths lunged at Vierd, its claws extending like transparent blades. But he was ready. His sword flashed, slicing clean through the creature. The blade passed through its form as if cutting air¡ª Yet, the wraith recoiled, its shape trembling. "Not completely intangible¡­" Vierd muttered. "But not entirely solid, either." Rain didn¡¯t wait. He raised his hand¡ªbut instead of fire or lightning, a pale gray energy formed at his fingertips. And then, in a quiet, commanding voice, he spoke. "Disappear." A wave of ashen energy surged forward¡ª Striking one of the wraiths. In an instant¡ªit was erased. Vierd glanced at him. "What did you just use?" Rain didn¡¯t look at him. His tone remained calm. "Remnants of my world." There was no time for more questions. The wraiths attacked all at once. Vierd moved swiftly, his blade slicing through the enemies that came too close. Though his strikes weren¡¯t enough to fully destroy them, they disrupted their forms, weakening their ability to reform. But there were too many. For every wraith he struck down, another emerged. Rain continued unleashing his ashen energy, dissolving enemies in flashes of gray, but¡ª Vierd noticed something. "His power¡­ isn¡¯t limitless." They had to end this quickly.
A Plan to End the Fight One thing was certain¡ªthese creatures weren¡¯t attacking them without reason. Earlier, they had said something important: "You have taken what must never be taken." Vierd looked down at the stone in his hand. "If they¡¯re connected to this stone¡­ then maybe¡­" There was no other choice. He gripped it tightly¡ªand instead of suppressing its energy, he let the shadows within him connect to it. And in that moment¡ª He saw something he was never meant to see.
A Vision from the Past He was no longer in the desert. Before him was a different city¡ª Not like the dead ruins he had escaped from. This city was still standing¡ª But it was surrounded by a strange, blue light. And at its center¡ª A stone. Not the one he carried¡ªbut something far larger. Then, he saw him. A man stood before the stone. A tall figure, draped in black robes, his face obscured by shadows. But one thing was clear¡ª His eyes were golden. Vierd¡¯s breath caught. "Who¡­ is that?" Before he could process what he was seeing¡ª The vision shattered. And he was back in the desert.
The Truth About the Wraiths Vierd understood now. These creatures weren¡¯t guarding the stone. They were trying to reclaim it. Because they feared what would happen if someone else used it. He exhaled. "It¡¯s over." His eyes flashed¡ªand in a single motion, he channeled his power through the stone. A pulse of dark energy erupted outward. The wraiths froze. Then¡ª They vanished.
A Step Toward the Unknown Vierd dropped to one knee, his body drained. But he didn¡¯t feel defeated. Because now¡ª He had learned something new. This stone¡­ is not just a source of power. It¡¯s a key to something far greater. Rain watched him in silence. Then, in a quiet voice, he said¡ª "You saw something, didn¡¯t you?" Vierd didn¡¯t answer right away. Then, finally¡ªhe stood. And in a low, steady voice, he replied. "Yeah¡­ and I think this is only the beginning." Under the unforgiving sun, amidst endless sands, the two continued walking. Their journey¡ª Was far from over.
End of Chapter 8. Chapter 9 : The Land of Dust… and the Next Step The desert stretched endlessly before them, the golden sands shifting under the relentless winds like a vast, rolling ocean. Above, the merciless sun cast its harsh light over the wasteland. Vierd and Rain walked in silence, neither speaking, yet both knowing¡ªwhat had happened moments ago was far from ordinary.
A Mind Full of Questions Even now, Vierd could still feel the aftershocks of what he had witnessed when he used the stone. It wasn¡¯t just a vision¡­ it was a window into something else. Something he was never meant to see. A man¡ªwith golden eyes. "Who was that? And why did it feel like¡­ I knew him?" Vierd looked down at the stone in his hand. Now, more than ever, it felt like a mystery waiting to be unraveled. This was not just an artifact that granted him power. It was connected to his past. To a past he had yet to remember. But there was no time to stop and search for answers. They had to keep moving.
"We need a destination." Rain¡¯s voice broke the silence. Vierd turned to him before replying, his tone flat. "Do you have anywhere to go?" Rain¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile. "I no longer have a world, let alone a place to return to." That was true. This man was a refugee from a dead world¡ªa survivor among countless lost souls. Vierd exhaled. "Then we¡¯ll head to the nearest settlement." Throughout the desert, various settlements existed¡ªsome were trade hubs, others served as rest stops for adventurers who braved these harsh lands. But the real problem was¡­ "Where exactly are we?" His exit from the Gate had been unstable, and he had no idea how far he had traveled.
Shadows on the Horizon Hours of walking passed. Then¡ªon the horizon¡ªstructures began to appear. Not a city, but the ruins of an ancient fortress. Rain narrowed his eyes. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. "Looks abandoned." Vierd wasn¡¯t convinced. Even places that seemed lifeless often carried traces of the past. "We should check it out. We might find something useful." Rain didn¡¯t argue, and together, they moved toward the ruins.
Remnants of a Forgotten Past As they arrived, it became clear¡ªthis fortress was far larger than it had appeared from a distance. Despite erosion and decay, the stone walls still stood tall, as if defying time itself. The gates were shattered, the pillars broken, but the place was not just ruins. There was something else here.
Signs of Battle Upon entering, Vierd immediately noticed the bodies. Not just bare skeletons¡ªbut well-preserved corpses, frozen in time. Rain knelt beside one, examining it closely. "They didn¡¯t die naturally." Vierd saw it too. There was no blood, yet the bodies were pale, gray¡ª As if drained of all life. "Just like the ones I saw in the Gate¡­" This was not an ordinary battle. Something here had devoured their very essence. Rain¡¯s voice was quiet. "Do you think whatever did this is still here?" Vierd didn¡¯t answer immediately. But he didn¡¯t dismiss the possibility. "Stay alert." Together, they moved deeper into the ruins.
The Old Throne Room Minutes passed. Then¡ªthey stepped into a grand hall. It resembled a throne room, yet the throne itself was shattered, the roof partially collapsed, allowing sunlight to pierce through. But that wasn¡¯t what caught their attention. It was the symbol carved into the back wall. A complex circle, filled with ancient markings. And at its center¡ª A stone identical to the one Vierd carried. "This¡­" Vierd barely spoke the words before¡ª The stone in his hand trembled. It was reacting¡ªas if this place was somehow connected to it. But before either of them could move¡ª The ground beneath them cracked.
Something Ancient Awakens A deep rumbling echoed from the depths below. The sound of grinding stone¡ª As if something long forgotten was finally waking up. Then¡ªa massive, black hand burst from the ground. Its claws stretched outward¡ªsearching for prey. Vierd¡¯s expression darkened. "Shit¡ª" Both he and Rain leapt backward as the creature rose.
A Monster From an Ancient Age The creature towered over them, its body resembling a skeletal husk wrapped in living darkness. It had no face¡ª Only a gaping void, burning with blue fire. Then, it opened its mouth¡ª And the sound that came out wasn¡¯t a roar. It wasn¡¯t human. It wasn¡¯t even animal. It was a chorus of thousands of voices screaming at once. Rain took a cautious step back. His voice was low. "What the hell is that¡­?" Vierd tightened his grip on his sword. His voice was cold. "Doesn¡¯t matter. We kill it." The creature didn¡¯t wait. It charged.
The First Battle in the Fortress "Split up!" Vierd shouted. He dashed left, Rain moved right¡ª Just as the creature¡¯s claws struck the ground. Stone shattered, the entire fortress shaking under its strength. Vierd exploited the opening. He lunged, aiming for the creature¡¯s neck. The blade cut through the darkness¡ª ¡ªbut met no resistance. "It¡­ has no real body?!" But that didn¡¯t mean it couldn¡¯t be killed. Vierd¡¯s golden eyes narrowed. "If it has no body¡­ then I¡¯ll target its soul directly." He focused his energy¡ª Letting the shadows inside him rise. Then¡ªhe struck again. This time¡ª There was no spark of metal. Only a scream of agony. The creature staggered back, its form shaking, as if something inside it had broken. But it wasn¡¯t enough. It was far from over. The real fight had just begun.
End of Chapter 9. Chapter 10 : The Cry of the First Cursed One The fortress trembled. The dark chamber echoed with agonized screams, but they weren¡¯t human. They were the voices of shattered souls, wailing as if desperate to break free. Vierd stood his ground, his golden eyes glowing in the darkness, his sword still charged with the energy he had used before. Across from him, Rain remained motionless, his body tense but unreadable. They weren¡¯t attacking. They were studying their enemy. The creature¡ªa mass of writhing shadows shaped like a colossal humanoid¡ªwasn¡¯t stable. Its body twisted unnaturally, as if it couldn¡¯t fully exist in this world. The blue flames in its hollow eyes pulsed erratically, like a dying heart struggling to beat. But what drew Vierd¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t its size or its strength. It was the feeling it radiated. He had sensed this before. Inside the Gate. "This thing¡­ isn¡¯t just a monster." It was a cursed soul. Like the shadows he had fought in the desert. But this one was stronger. More aware. Then¡ª The creature spoke. "BURN¡­" Its voice didn¡¯t belong to one being. It was a chorus of voices, whispering, overlapping¡ªa fragmented, twisted sound. And in the next instant¡ª It attacked.
The First Clash With impossible speed, the creature lunged at Vierd, its black claws extending like razor-sharp voids. But Vierd was ready. He twisted at the last second, his body bending at an unnatural angle to dodge the strike. Then¡ªwithout hesitation¡ªhe countered. His sword sliced forward in a deadly arc. But when his blade landed¡ª It hit nothing. His attack passed through the creature as if cutting through smoke. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. And then¡ª The monster vanished. Only to reappear behind him. "Shit¡ª!" Vierd spun, but not fast enough. The claw tore through his side. A searing pain shot through him¡ªbut not just physical pain. Something inside him was being torn apart. "It¡¯s draining me¡­ not just my body¡ªbut my soul?!" Vierd staggered back, one hand pressing against the wound. Blood wasn¡¯t spilling much¡ªbecause this wasn¡¯t a normal injury. The attack had taken something deeper. This wasn¡¯t just a beast. It was something that fed on souls to survive. From across the room, Rain finally moved. "Get away from it." He raised his hand, and a pulse of ashen energy shot forward. The blast hit the creature directly¡ª And for the first time¡ªit screamed. "Aaaaaaaah!!" The entire fortress shook as the sound ripped through the air. Rain exhaled slowly. "So¡­ that works." Without missing a beat, he fired another blast. But this time¡ª The creature didn¡¯t just take the hit. It absorbed it.
A Monster That Evolves Vierd¡¯s eyes widened. "It¡¯s adapting." The second blast barely fazed it. Instead, its form solidified slightly. "It absorbed my energy¡­ and now it knows how to counter it." Rain clicked his tongue. "Great. That complicates things." Vierd gritted his teeth. This wasn¡¯t just another shadow creature. This was something that learned. Killing it wouldn¡¯t be as simple as overpowering it. They had to find its true weakness.
The Blue Core¡­ The Key to Victory Vierd¡¯s gaze locked onto the creature, analyzing its movements. Then¡ª He noticed something. Each time it was struck, it barely reacted. Except for its eyes. The blue flames flickered violently every time it took damage. "If that¡¯s the only thing that reacts to pain¡­" "Then that must be its core." His grip on his sword tightened. He turned to Rain. "I need you to distract it for just a few seconds." Rain didn¡¯t hesitate. "I¡¯ll give you more than a few."
The Final Attack In a flash, Rain leapt forward. He didn¡¯t try to kill it. Instead¡ªhe attacked strategically. Small bursts of energy, carefully aimed. Each blast forced the monster to shift its focus. And just as Vierd predicted¡ª It chased after Rain. That was his opening. "Now." Shadows erupted from Vierd¡¯s body, coiling around his sword like black flames. He launched himself forward¡ª And as the creature turned to face him¡ª He struck.
The Killing Blow "DIE." His blade pierced straight through the blue flames. This time¡ª There was no escape. The creature let out one final, deafening scream. But it wasn¡¯t like before. It wasn¡¯t rage. It was the sound of an ending. Its form collapsed, the dark mass dispersing, like something had been forcefully exorcised. And within seconds¡ª Nothing remained.
The Aftermath¡­ And an Unanswered Question Vierd lowered his sword, exhaling. That thing¡­ was stronger than I expected. One second slower¡ªand I would¡¯ve been the one dead. But Rain wasn¡¯t looking at where the creature had vanished. He was staring at the wall behind it. Vierd followed his gaze¡ª And froze. On the stone wall, previously hidden behind the monster¡ª There was an inscription. Not just a symbol. A name. And when he read it¡ª A cold sensation ran through his body. His own name. Etched into the stone. Rain¡¯s voice was quiet. "Your name is written here." Vierd didn¡¯t move. But in his mind¡ª A voice whispered again. "You have finally returned¡­"
End of Chapter 10. Chapter 11 : A Name Carved in Stone "Your name¡­ is carved here." Rain''s voice was quiet, but the weight of his words was undeniable. Vierd didn¡¯t answer. His golden eyes were locked on the ancient inscription carved into the cracked stone wall before him. "V I E R D" The letters were etched in an old language, yet clear enough to read. There was no mistake. It was his name. But that was impossible. "What¡­ does this mean?" Slowly, he stepped forward, brushing his fingers over the cold surface of the wall. The carving wasn¡¯t recent. It looked as if it had been here for centuries. But that couldn''t be. "I¡¯ve never been here before¡­ right?" And yet¡ª Something deep inside him wasn¡¯t sure.
"Did you remember something?" Rain¡¯s voice pulled him back to the present. Vierd turned to face him, finding those crimson eyes studying him. Not with curiosity¡ª But with understanding. As if Rain had experienced something like this before. Vierd exhaled. "No." But for the first time, his voice lacked certainty. Because no matter how much he denied it¡ª Something inside him wanted to remember. It just couldn¡¯t. Not yet.
A Gate Behind the Ruins He shook off the thoughts. This wasn¡¯t the time for unanswered mysteries. They had to keep moving. "The only entrance we used¡­ vanished when the creature collapsed." Rain nodded. "Then that means there must be another way out." Vierd scanned the chamber, his sharp gaze sweeping over every inch of the ruined stonework. Then, he saw it. Behind the shattered throne, half-hidden beneath fallen debris¡ª A stone doorway. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Unlike the sealed Gates they had encountered before¡­ This one was slightly open. "This could be our way out." He approached cautiously, placing a hand on the cold stone and pushing steadily. A deep grinding sound echoed through the chamber as the heavy door shifted, dust spilling into the air. Then¡ª Darkness.
A Hidden Passage¡­ Leading Downward What lay beyond wasn¡¯t an exit. It was a descent. A spiral staircase, disappearing into the depths below the fortress. Vierd didn¡¯t move immediately. Instead, he glanced at Rain¡ªwho was watching the staircase with the same unreadable expression. "Thoughts?" Vierd asked. Rain exhaled. "There¡¯s no other way." He was right. But Vierd wasn¡¯t a fool. "A place like this¡­ it¡¯s hiding something." And there was only one way to find out what. "Let¡¯s go."
Into the Unknown Step by step, they descended. The air around them grew colder. Not natural cold. But something deeper. Something old. The further they went, the heavier the silence became¡ª As if they were walking into a place untouched by time itself. Then¡ª They reached the bottom. And what they saw wasn¡¯t what they expected.
A Hall of Secrets¡­ And Another Stone? The underground chamber was vast¡ªfar larger than any room in the fortress above. But what drew their attention wasn¡¯t the architecture. It was the massive stone at its center. It wasn¡¯t just a rock. It was a crystal¡ª A massive, glowing blue crystal, pulsing with an uncanny energy. And it felt familiar. It was just like the stone Vierd carried. Except¡ª This one was cracked. Its energy was leaking. Like something that was dying. Vierd¡¯s grip on his own stone tightened. His own crystal¡­ was reacting. Then¡ª Rain spoke. "This¡­ looks like the stone that destroyed my world." Vierd turned sharply. "What did you just say?" Rain didn¡¯t change his expression. He simply gestured toward the damaged crystal. "The stone in my world looked just like this¡­ It was a source of unimaginable power." "But over time¡­ it began to crack." His voice remained calm¡ªbut there was something beneath it. Something darker. "And when it finally shattered¡­ my world collapsed with it." Vierd said nothing. But the weight of those words settled heavily in his mind.
The Connection Between the Stones This wasn¡¯t a coincidence. The Gate stone he had found¡­ And this damaged crystal¡­ They were connected. They were part of something much bigger. And whether that was a curse or a key to unlimited power¡­ He had to know.
Stepping Closer¡­ And One Final Surprise Vierd moved toward the stone, his every step slow and cautious. With each inch forward, he felt an invisible pressure pushing against him. Like something was trying to stop him. Then¡ª Just as he reached out¡ª The stone reacted. A sudden pulse of energy erupted from it, blasting both him and Rain backward. But it wasn¡¯t just a wave of power. It was¡ª "A message."
Another Vision¡­ And a Final Warning This time, the vision wasn¡¯t distorted. It was clear. He saw a figure standing before this same stone¡ª Before it cracked. A tall man, draped in black robes, his face hidden in shadow. But this time¡ª His voice was unmistakable. "It must be destroyed¡­ before it destroys this world." Then¡ª Before Vierd could see more¡ª The vision shattered. He was back in the underground hall. The cracked crystal standing before him.
A New Mystery, A New Choice Vierd inhaled slowly, turning toward Rain. "We found something¡­" "But it isn¡¯t an answer." It was another question. And now¡ª They had a choice. 1 - Destroy this stone¡ª as the man in the vision intended? 2 - Or try to understand it first¡ª before taking a step that could be a fatal mistake? One of these choices could be the key. The other¡ª Could lead to disaster. But Vierd never feared difficult decisions. Because the path he walked¡­ Wasn¡¯t one that allowed for hesitation. His golden eyes hardened. "Time to find out the truth."
End of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 : The Fractured Stone & the Echoes of the Past The underground chamber was silent. Not the kind of silence that came from emptiness¡ªbut the kind that carried weight. A silence that felt alive. Vierd stood still, his golden eyes fixed on the massive crystal at the center of the room. The cracks running through its surface pulsed with faint, dying light, as if the stone itself was struggling to remain whole. And yet¡ªdespite its fractured state, it radiated an overwhelming pressure. A pressure that told him one thing: "This thing¡­ is still alive."
A Warning from the Past Rain remained a few steps behind, his crimson gaze sharp as he watched the unstable energy within the crystal swirl like a storm trapped in ice. Neither of them spoke for a moment. The weight of what they had just witnessed in the vision lingered in the air between them. Then, Rain broke the silence. "That man in your vision¡­" he said, his voice even, but laced with something deeper. "He wanted this stone destroyed." Vierd nodded slowly, his fingers curling into a fist. "Yeah. And if he''s right¡­ then this thing is dangerous." Rain exhaled. "Dangerous?" he repeated, stepping closer, his eyes never leaving the crystal. "The stone that destroyed my world looked exactly like this¡­ and it was already cracked, just like this one." Vierd glanced at him, his jaw tightening. "Then we have a problem." Because that meant one of two things: 1- These stones were connected to the destruction of worlds. 2- Or worse¡ªsomething was using them as a catalyst to collapse entire realms. Either way¡­ this wasn¡¯t a coincidence. And that made the decision ahead of them even more dangerous. Rain let out a quiet chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "It¡¯s amusing, isn¡¯t it?" he mused. "How something so small can hold the weight of entire realities? How power, in its purest form, is always just one step away from catastrophe?" Vierd narrowed his eyes. "You sound like someone who''s seen this before." Rain tilted his head slightly. "I have. And so have you." Vierd frowned. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Rain smirked faintly, but didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he gestured toward the stone. "Go ahead, then. See for yourself."
The First Test Vierd stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and the massive crystal. The closer he got, the more his own stone reacted¡ªthe one he had taken from the Gate¡¯s core. It pulsed, almost like a heartbeat. Like it recognized this place. Like it belonged here. Vierd clenched his teeth. "Something isn¡¯t right." A moment later¡ªhe reached out. The second his fingers touched the cold surface of the fractured stone¡ª The world shifted.
A Memory That Wasn¡¯t His The chamber disappeared. Or rather¡ªit changed. In an instant, Vierd found himself somewhere else. A place bathed in blue light, its sky swirling like liquid sapphire. He wasn¡¯t in the fortress anymore. He was standing in the middle of a massive city. And in front of him¡ª Was the same crystal. But it was whole. Untouched. Not a single crack marred its surface. And then¡ªhe saw them. Figures in dark robes, their faces hidden beneath hoods, standing in a circle around the stone. They were chanting, their voices low and unfamiliar, speaking in a language he didn¡¯t recognize. But somehow¡ª He understood.
"Balance must be maintained." One of the figures stepped forward, placing a hand against the stone¡¯s surface. The crystal responded, flaring with energy, its glow intensifying. The figure¡¯s voice deepened. "A world must not grow too strong¡­ nor too weak." Vierd¡¯s pulse quickened. He wanted to move, to speak¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t. Something was holding him in place, forcing him to watch. "And so we divide its power¡ª "So that no single world may rise above the rest." Then, without warning¡ª The crystal cracked. A single, deep fracture ran down its center, light spilling from within. The chanting stopped. For the first time, the figures looked up. And when they did¡ªthey all turned to him. "It is not yet time, Vierd." The words sent a shock through his mind. "They know me?!" Before he could react¡ªthe vision shattered.
Back to Reality Vierd stumbled backward, his breath uneven. The chamber had returned. The cracked crystal was still there. But his mind was racing. Rain was watching him. "You saw something again, didn¡¯t you?" Vierd exhaled, his grip tightening around his sword. "Yeah." He glanced at the stone. "And this time¡­ it wasn¡¯t just a vision." It was a memory. A memory that wasn¡¯t his. Or at least¡­ That¡¯s what he wanted to believe. Rain smirked faintly. "And so¡­ the past begins to chase you, just as it has chased me." Vierd shot him a look. "What the hell does that mean?" Rain¡¯s gaze was distant, almost reflective. "Memories are funny things, aren¡¯t they? They can belong to us¡­ and yet, they can be given to us. Forced upon us. Tell me, Vierd¡ªwhat do you believe this memory was?" Vierd hesitated. "I don¡¯t know." Rain let out a quiet chuckle. "Good. That means you¡¯re still thinking for yourself." Vierd¡¯s eyes darkened. "We need answers." Rain nodded. "Indeed. But answers are never without cost."
A Decision Must Be Made Vierd stared at the fractured stone for a long moment. Then, finally¡ª He spoke. "We have two choices." 1- Destroy the stone¡ªbefore whatever power inside it becomes a danger. 2- Try to harness it¡ªand uncover the truth behind its purpose. One wrong move¡ªand they might not survive what comes next. Rain studied him carefully. Then, in a calm voice, he asked¡ª "Which path are you choosing?" Vierd¡¯s golden eyes burned. "Neither." Rain¡¯s brow furrowed. "Explain." Vierd smirked, but there was no amusement in it. "We¡¯re not breaking it. And we¡¯re not using it. We¡¯re going to find out who created it." The room fell silent. Rain nodded slowly. "That¡¯s a dangerous path." Vierd chuckled darkly. "Good. That means we¡¯re on the right one." And with that¡ª The true journey was about to begin.
End of Chapter 12. Chapter 12.5 : The Ashen Prince & the Fall of Valtaria The underground chamber remained still, but the weight of Vierd¡¯s decision lingered in the air. Rain had heard his words. "We¡¯re going to find out who created it." A dangerous choice. A path that could lead to either revelation or ruin. But Rain didn¡¯t argue. Instead¡ªhe closed his eyes. For a moment, his mind drifted away from this dying fortress¡­ and back to a place that no longer existed. A world that had been swallowed by the very thing they now sought to understand. A Kingdom That Once Was Valtaria. That was the name of his world. A kingdom of eternal dusk, where the sun never fully rose, but neither did the night consume the sky. The air was always cool, carrying the scent of faint embers from the city¡¯s massive forges, where weapons and artifacts of arcane steel were crafted for warriors and scholars alike. Its cities were built upon floating spires, bridges of black stone stretching between them. And at its heart, standing above everything else, was the Sanctum of the Ashen Throne. It was there that Rain Valtarius was born. Not as a soldier. Not as a scholar. But as a prince. The Weight of Blood & Duty His name had been chosen for him. Rain, the Silver Flame of Valtaria. A name meant to embody wisdom and strength, as was tradition among the royal bloodline. He had been raised not merely as a ruler, but as something more. A protector. A guide. A living symbol of balance in a world where power was both a gift and a curse. And his power¡­ If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. It was unlike anything else in Valtaria. The Ashen Veil. A force that existed between destruction and rebirth. It was a power that allowed him to burn away the weaknesses of the body and mind, refining those he touched into something greater. To his people, he was a beacon. A prince destined to bring Valtaria into a new age of prosperity. But fate¡­ had other plans. The Woman He Left Behind Rain exhaled, his hand clenching slightly. He had not been alone in that kingdom. Seraphis. She had been more than just a noble. More than just a warrior-scholar. She had been his equal. While others saw him as a ruler in waiting, she had seen the man beneath the crown. And despite his duty, despite the burdens placed upon his shoulders¡­ With her, he had felt free. "You always try to carry everything alone." Those had been her words, whispered to him under the silver-lit skies of Valtaria. "But even you have limits, Rain." He had laughed then, telling her that a prince could not afford weakness. She had smiled softly. "Then I will be your weakness. And you will be mine." For the first time in his life¡­ He had believed in a future that was his to shape. But the future never belonged to him. Not truly. Because that night¡­ Everything changed. The Shattering of a World The stone had appeared first. A crystal not unlike the one Vierd had found. It was discovered deep within the ruins of the Forgotten Archives, buried beneath centuries of lost history. At first, it had seemed like a gift. An ancient artifact that pulsed with raw, untapped energy. The scholars believed it to be a remnant of the First Flame, the primordial force said to have birthed their world. But Rain had felt it. Something wrong. Something hungry. And when the cracks had begun to appear¡ª It was already too late. Valtaria did not fall to war. It did not crumble from within. It was consumed. The very skies split open, and the crystal breathed in the world itself. The land fractured. The floating spires collapsed into the abyss. And Seraphis¡ª She had stood beside him until the end. "Run!" she had yelled, her hand outstretched, her voice desperate. But he hadn¡¯t moved. "Not without you." She had smiled then. A sorrowful, knowing smile. "Then we both die here." He had refused that fate. So he had done the one thing he swore never to do. He had used his gift. The Ashen Veil. And instead of burning away weakness¡­ He had burned away the bond between them. The last thing he saw was her eyes widening in shock. Then¡ª The world swallowed her whole. And Rain¡­ Was cast into the void. Arrival in Vierd¡¯s World Rain had awakened in the desert. Alone. Broken. A kingdom lost. A woman gone. And the same kind of stone that had destroyed his world¡­ Had appeared before him once more. Back to the Present The chamber was quiet. Vierd was staring at him, golden eyes unreadable. "You never told me how your world fell." Rain smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "You never asked." Vierd studied him for a long moment. Then, in a voice that was calmer than expected, he asked¡ª "And if you had the chance¡­ to go back? To change it?" Rain exhaled. "We don¡¯t get to change the past, Vierd." He turned, gazing at the fractured stone. "But we can make sure it doesn¡¯t happen again." Vierd¡¯s expression darkened. "Then let¡¯s find out who¡¯s responsible." Rain chuckled softly. "You sound so certain." "Because I don¡¯t have the luxury of doubting." Vierd replied. Rain shook his head, but his smile was different this time. Not mocking. Not cold. But understanding. "Neither do I." And for the first time in a long time¡­ Rain felt like he wasn¡¯t alone. End of Chapter 12.5 Chapter 13 : Whispers of the Forsaken The underground chamber remained eerily silent. The weight of memories, of a kingdom lost and a past rewritten by fate, hung heavily in the air. Vierd stood near the fractured crystal, his golden eyes sharp, calculating. Rain remained a few steps behind, his crimson gaze distant. His past had resurfaced, and though he had spoken of it, some wounds never fully closed. But there was no time for reflection. They had a path to walk¡ªand answers to find. "We need to move." Vierd''s voice broke the silence. "Lingering here won¡¯t change what happened." Rain smirked faintly. "So impatient." Vierd shot him a glance. "You''re the one who said we don¡¯t have the luxury of doubting." Rain chuckled. "Fair point." They both turned their attention to the fractured crystal in the center of the chamber. The moment had come to decide their next move. And neither of them expected what happened next.
A Stone That Speaks As Vierd took a step closer¡ª The crystal pulsed. Once. Then again. A slow, rhythmic heartbeat. Rain narrowed his eyes. "That¡¯s¡­ not normal." Vierd didn¡¯t respond. His own stone¡ªthe one he had taken from the Gate¡¯s core¡ªwas reacting as well. The two resonated, their energies intertwining. Then¡ª A voice. "You¡­ seek the truth." Both men tensed. The sound wasn¡¯t coming from the room. It was coming from the crystal itself.
The Forsaken''s Message "Who speaks?" Vierd demanded, his stance shifting into a guarded position. The crystal pulsed again. "A fragment of what once was. A voice of those forsaken by time." Rain¡¯s expression darkened. "The dead?" A long silence. Then, the voice laughed. A hollow, echoing sound. "No¡­ not dead. Not alive. We are what remains when a world is undone." The words sent a chill through the chamber. Vierd exchanged a glance with Rain. This was something different. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Something ancient. And before either of them could respond¡ª The crystal flared, and everything around them vanished.
A Glimpse Into the Unknown They found themselves somewhere else. No longer in the underground chamber. No longer in a world they knew. Instead, they stood on a broken landscape¡ªfragments of floating ruins suspended in an endless void. The sky above was a swirling abyss, neither light nor dark. And before them¡­ Silhouettes. Dozens of them. Faded figures, their forms shifting like smoke, barely holding together. And in the center of them all¡ª A single entity. A figure cloaked in tattered black, its face obscured by a hood, but golden light burned where eyes should be. "Welcome, wanderers."
The Forsaken One Vierd felt it immediately. This presence¡ªit wasn¡¯t hostile. But it wasn¡¯t friendly either. Rain narrowed his eyes. "You are¡­ one of them, aren¡¯t you?" The hooded figure remained still. "That depends. Tell me¡­ what do you believe we are?" Vierd stepped forward. "The remnants of a destroyed world." The golden eyes within the hood glowed faintly. "A reasonable assumption." Rain crossed his arms. "So what do you want? Why did you bring us here?" A long pause. Then¡ª "To warn you." Both Vierd and Rain stiffened. "The path you walk leads to the same fate as ours." Vierd clenched his fists. "And what fate is that?" The entity raised a hand. Suddenly¡ªthe void around them shifted. A vision unfolded before them. A world falling apart. Just like Valtaria. Just like the city in Vierd¡¯s visions. A cycle of destruction. The hooded figure¡¯s voice was quiet. "The stones¡­ they are not what you believe them to be."
The Truth of the Stones Rain¡¯s eyes darkened. "Then what are they?" The entity turned toward him. "Keys." Vierd frowned. "Keys to what?" The answer came with a whisper that felt heavier than any sound before it. "To the end." Silence fell. The weight of those words hung between them. Then, the entity continued. "Every stone marks a world. Every fracture is a wound upon existence itself. And every time one breaks¡­" It gestured toward the crumbling ruins surrounding them. "A world vanishes." Vierd¡¯s mind raced. If that was true¡ªthen destroying the stones wasn¡¯t the solution. Because each shattered crystal meant another world lost. "Then who created them?" Rain¡¯s voice was low. The hooded figure hesitated. Then, for the first time¡ªit looked away. "That¡­ is an answer I cannot give." Vierd¡¯s patience snapped. "Why not?" The golden eyes dimmed. "Because even we¡­ do not know."
A Shattered Past Rain let out a slow breath. "So you¡¯re telling us that these stones are part of something bigger, something older than even you¡­ and that you don¡¯t know who created them?" The figure gave a slight nod. "Only that their purpose¡­ is to maintain balance. Until they fail." Vierd¡¯s mind was a storm of thoughts. If that was true¡ªthen someone had placed these stones across different worlds. Someone had decided which worlds lived and which ones died. And if that was the case¡ª "Then we aren¡¯t dealing with just fate." His voice was quiet. "We¡¯re dealing with something¡ªor someone¡ªwho¡¯s playing god." The hooded figure turned back to him. And then, for the first time¡­ it spoke his name. "Vierd¡­ you must decide what you will be." "A savior." "A destroyer." "Or something else entirely." Then¡ª The vision collapsed.
Return to the Chamber Vierd and Rain found themselves back in the underground chamber. The crystal before them had dimmed, as if its energy had been spent. The air was heavy. Neither spoke for a long moment. Then, Rain let out a quiet chuckle. "You always get us into the worst kind of trouble." Vierd exhaled. "We needed answers." Rain smirked. "And now we have even more questions." Vierd shook his head, turning toward the tunnel leading out of the ruins. "Then let¡¯s find someone who can give us real answers." Rain followed, his usual smirk returning. "I wonder¡­ are we chasing the truth? Or is it leading us exactly where it wants us to go?" Vierd didn¡¯t reply. But one thing was clear. They weren¡¯t walking blind anymore. They were stepping into something far greater. Something that had been waiting for them all along.
End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 : Across the Wasteland & The City of Scholars The desert stretched endlessly, a golden sea shifting beneath the merciless sun. The wind howled, carrying grains of sand that scraped against skin and armor alike. Each step sank into the dunes, making their journey slow and grueling. Vierd and Rain moved in silence, their figures casting long shadows in the shifting sands. For three days, they had wandered through this wasteland. Three days of relentless heat by day and bitter cold by night. The silence between them was not born of exhaustion, but something heavier¡ªan unspoken weight carried by both. The shattered crystal, the whispers of the Forsaken, the revelations about the stones¡­ there was too much to process, and too little certainty to grasp. Ishkar, the City of Scholars, lay ahead of them. A beacon of knowledge in a world consumed by chaos. It was said that the great philosopher Elios resided there, a man whose wisdom stretched beyond mere mortal understanding. If there were answers to be found, they would be in that city. As they crested a dune, the mirage of Ishkar became real. The city rose like a vision from a forgotten age¡ªpristine towers of marble and sandstone stretching toward the heavens. Bridges arched over canals of flowing water, feeding lush greenery that should not have existed in the heart of the desert. Unlike the war-torn ruins they had seen before, Ishkar thrived. The city pulsed with life, untouched by destruction. Rain''s crimson eyes narrowed as he took in the sight. A ghost of a smirk tugged at his lips, but it did not reach his eyes. "I HAVEN¡¯T SEEN A CITY LIKE THIS IN A LONG TIME." Vierd glanced at him, his golden gaze unreadable. "YOUR KINGDOM?" Rain exhaled slowly. "MY PRISON." Yet as he gazed upon the vibrant streets, the laughter of merchants, the hum of scholars debating under shaded archways, his voice betrayed him. Valtaria had been mighty, powerful beyond reckoning, but it had never been this. There had been order, discipline, and fear¡­ but never warmth. Never life. "THIS IS WHAT VALTARIA COULD HAVE BEEN." The words left his lips before he could stop them. For the first time in years, he felt something unexpected¡ªenvy. The past had been a kingdom of steel and stone. But standing before Ishkar, he realized that power alone was not enough. As they entered the city, they became swallowed by the hum of civilization. Streets paved with ivory stone stretched in perfect symmetry. Ornate buildings housed scholars and merchants alike, their voices weaving into a constant murmur of knowledge and commerce. The scent of ink and parchment mixed with the aroma of exotic spices. Vierd remained silent, scanning the streets with careful eyes, but Rain could feel his own thoughts drifting. "A WORLD THAT NEVER KNEW WAR," he muttered. "I WONDER IF THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS." This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Vierd responded without looking at him. "EVERYONE KNOWS PEACE UNTIL IT''S TAKEN FROM THEM." They walked deeper into the heart of the city, where the great Tower of Thought loomed. Unlike the grand palaces of kings, this structure did not seek to intimidate. It stood in quiet defiance of ignorance, built not as a fortress, but as a monument to wisdom. The doors opened without a word. No guards, no barriers¡ªknowledge was not locked away here. It was offered. Inside, towering shelves of ancient tomes reached toward the high ceiling, their spines inscribed with forgotten languages. The scent of aged parchment filled the vast halls, mingling with the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. At the far end of the chamber, beneath an open skylight, a man sat before a simple wooden table. His presence was not commanding, yet it was unshakable. A man dressed in flowing robes of deep blue, his silver-streaked hair tied loosely at his back. He did not look up when they entered. Instead, he turned a page of the ancient tome before him, his fingers moving with practiced ease. And then, without lifting his gaze, he spoke. "YOU HAVE COME SEEKING ANSWERS." His voice was steady, carrying the weight of countless years. Vierd stepped forward, watching him carefully. "WE FOUND SOMETHING." The philosopher finally closed his book. His deep-set eyes met Vierd¡¯s with an unsettling clarity, like a man who had already seen the end of the conversation before it began. "THEN YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN YOUR FIRST STEP TOWARD UNDERSTANDING." Rain crossed his arms. "AND WHAT¡¯S THE SECOND STEP?" Elios smiled faintly. "ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS." Vierd¡¯s patience was thin. "WE DON¡¯T HAVE TIME FOR RIDDLES." The philosopher regarded him with something that was not amusement, nor pity¡ªjust knowing. "THEN YOU DO NOT SEEK KNOWLEDGE. YOU SEEK CONVENIENCE." A flicker of irritation crossed Vierd¡¯s features. Elios gestured toward the shelves surrounding them. "KNOWLEDGE IS NOT A WEAPON TO BE HANDED OVER LIKE A BLADE. IT IS A PATH THAT MUST BE WALKED." Rain exhaled sharply. "THIS IS WHY I HATE PHILOSOPHERS." Elios chuckled. "AND YET YOU CAME TO ONE." Vierd took another step forward. "THE STONES¡ªWHAT ARE THEY?" The philosopher studied him for a long moment. Then, he spoke, his voice carrying something deeper than mere words. "MEMORIES." The single word sent a ripple of unease through the air. Vierd frowned. "MEMORIES OF WHAT?" Elios stood, his robes flowing as he moved toward a nearby shelf, his fingers tracing the spines of ancient tomes. "NOT OF A SINGLE WORLD, NOR OF A SINGLE TIME. THEY ARE THE RESIDUE OF EXISTENCE ITSELF." Rain¡¯s expression darkened. "THEN THEY¡¯RE NOT CREATED?" Elios gave a slow nod. "NO. THEY ARE LEFT BEHIND." Silence settled between them. Vierd¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. "BY WHO?" The philosopher¡¯s eyes dimmed slightly. And for the first time, his voice carried something heavier. "BY THAT WHICH WAS FORGOTTEN." Rain scoffed. "AND THAT MEANS WHAT, EXACTLY?" Elios turned back to them, his expression unreadable. "IT MEANS THAT EVERY STONE YOU FIND IS A GRAVE MARKER FOR A WORLD THAT NO LONGER EXISTS." The weight of those words settled deep. Vierd¡¯s breath was slow. Controlled. "EVERY TIME A STONE BREAKS¡­" Elios nodded solemnly. "A WORLD DIES." A realization dawned on them both. Destroying the stones wasn¡¯t a solution. It was a consequence. And someone¡ªsomething¡ªhad left them behind. Rain¡¯s voice was quiet now. "IF THAT¡¯S TRUE, THEN WHO DECIDES WHICH WORLDS SURVIVE?" The philosopher¡¯s expression turned unreadable. Then, softly, he answered. "THAT, MY FRIENDS¡­ IS THE QUESTION YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN ASKING FROM THE START." And with that, Elios turned back to his book. Vierd and Rain exchanged a glance. There was no more to be said. They had come seeking answers. And instead, they had found a terrible truth. End of Chapter 14 Chapter 14.5 : The Man Who Speaks in Riddles The streets of Ishkar shimmered under the lantern glow, the golden hues of firelight reflecting off polished stone. Despite the late hour, the city was still alive. Scholars and merchants wandered between the great courtyards, voices raised in friendly debate, the murmur of knowledge passed between them like a living current. Vierd and Rain walked in silence through the heart of the city, their minds burdened with the weight of Elios'' words. They had come seeking answers. Instead, they had found something far heavier¡ªa truth that carried the weight of countless dead worlds. Vierd clenched his jaw as he replayed the philosopher¡¯s final words in his mind. "Every stone you find is a grave marker for a world that no longer exists." "If that¡¯s true, then who decides which worlds survive?" There had been no answer. Only another question. Rain walked slightly ahead, his silver hair illuminated by the glow of Ishkar''s floating lanterns. He had barely spoken since they left the tower, and for once, Vierd didn¡¯t press. There was something in his companion¡¯s silence¡ªsomething deeper than thought. For Rain, the words of Elios had struck somewhere far more personal. As they reached a bridge arching over one of the many canals, Rain finally exhaled and leaned against the stone railing. His crimson eyes scanned the water below, watching the gentle ripples of its surface. Vierd stopped beside him, resting an arm on the cool stone. For a moment, neither spoke. Then, softly, Rain broke the silence. "DID YOU NOTICE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CITY?" Vierd glanced at him. "OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT IT EXISTS WHEN IT SHOULDN''T?" Rain smirked slightly, but there was no humor in it. "EXACTLY. THIS CITY... IT DOESN¡¯T FEEL LIKE IT BELONGS TO THE SAME WORLD AS THE REST."****" Vierd didn¡¯t answer immediately, but he understood what Rain meant. Ishkar was untouched. While the rest of the world bore scars¡ªwar, famine, the decay of time¡ªthis city thrived. It did not feel as if it had survived hardship. It felt as if hardship had never touched it at all. Rain''s voice dropped lower. "THIS REMINDS ME OF MY HOME. BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN." The way he said it¡ª"taken"¡ªVierd noticed the deliberate choice of words. Not destroyed, not lost. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Taken. Vierd waited, knowing that Rain would continue when he was ready. And after a pause, he did. "VALTARIA WAS A KINGDOM OF KNOWLEDGE, JUST LIKE THIS." Rain¡¯s fingers traced the stone railing absently. "EXCEPT, WE WERE NOT CONTENT TO PRESERVE IT. WE HOARDED IT. WE CONTROLLED IT. WE DECIDED WHO DESERVED TO KNOW THE SECRETS OF THE WORLD¡­ AND WHO DIDN¡¯T." Vierd listened in silence. "WE HAD SORCERERS WHO COULD PIERCE THE SKY, BUILDINGS THAT COULD HEAL THEMSELVES, MACHINES THAT COULD SEE THROUGH TIME ITSELF. WE BELIEVED OURSELVES IMMORTAL." Rain¡¯s smirk returned, but this time, it was filled with quiet bitterness. "AND YET, IT TOOK JUST ONE STONE TO TURN US INTO ASH." Vierd¡¯s grip on the stone railing tightened. "THE SAME KIND OF STONE WE FOUND?" Rain nodded. "IT DIDN¡¯T START AS A CURSE. AT FIRST, IT WAS A MIRACLE. THE COUNCIL BELIEVED IT TO BE A RELIC FROM ANCIENT TIMES, A CORE OF RAW KNOWLEDGE THAT WOULD UNLOCK A NEW ERA OF POWER." "AND THEN?" Vierd prompted. Rain¡¯s voice turned cold. "AND THEN, IT BEGAN TO CRACK." The air between them felt heavy, charged with something unspoken. "THE NIGHT IT BROKE, THE SKY SPLIT OPEN. THE CITY BURNED FROM WITHIN. NO ONE COULD ESCAPE, BECAUSE NO ONE UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS HAPPENING. ONE MOMENT, WE WERE A NATION OF SCHOLARS AND RULERS." His crimson eyes flickered. "THE NEXT, WE WERE NOTHING MORE THAN A MEMORY." A long silence passed. The sound of water lapping against the stone below filled the void. Vierd finally spoke. "AND YOU? HOW DID YOU SURVIVE?" Rain let out a slow breath, his fingers curling into a fist against the railing. "I DIDN¡¯T. NOT COMPLETELY." He turned to face Vierd, his eyes unreadable. "YOU SAW IT, DIDN¡¯T YOU? WHEN WE WERE IN THE RUINS. YOU SAW THE WAY THE DARKNESS RESPONDED TO ME." Vierd remained still. He had noticed. The way the cursed creatures had hesitated around Rain, as if recognizing him. As if he were¡­ one of them. Rain gave a small, dry laugh. "WHEN THE STONE BROKE, IT DIDN¡¯T JUST DESTROY THE WORLD. IT TOOK PIECES OF US WITH IT." Vierd studied him, waiting. Rain held up his hand, fingers stretching toward the night sky. "SOME PEOPLE DIED. SOME PEOPLE VANISHED ENTIRELY. AND SOME, LIKE ME¡­" He let his hand fall. "WE EXIST BETWEEN WHAT WAS AND WHAT REMAINS." Vierd exhaled through his nose. "SO, YOU''RE A DEAD MAN WALKING." Rain tilted his head slightly. "A HALF-DEAD MAN WALKING." There was no mockery in Vierd¡¯s voice when he spoke next. "YOU¡¯RE STILL HERE. SO WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?" Rain turned away, looking back at the city below. His fingers traced the stone railing again, absent-minded. "I DON¡¯T KNOW." His voice was softer now, the edge of sarcasm stripped away. "MAYBE I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY. WHY SOME WORLDS SURVIVE. WHY MINE DIDN¡¯T. WHY THESE STONES EXIST IN THE FIRST PLACE." His eyes darkened. "MAYBE I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO DECIDED WE WEREN¡¯T WORTH SAVING." Another silence fell between them, but it was not uncomfortable. It was the silence of understanding. Vierd finally pushed away from the railing, his golden gaze sharp. "THEN WE KEEP MOVING." Rain exhaled, a small smirk returning to his lips. "OF COURSE. ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD, AREN¡¯T WE?" Vierd didn¡¯t respond. He simply turned, walking toward the city streets once more. Rain hesitated for a brief moment, then followed. As they walked back into the heart of Ishkar, something had changed. Not in the city. Not in the air. But in them. They were no longer simply two wanderers seeking knowledge. They were two men who had lost everything, standing in a world that still refused to answer why. And neither of them would stop until they found the truth. End of Chapter 14.5 Chapter 15 : The Unwritten Truths The city of Ishkar thrived under the golden hues of twilight. The white marble streets glowed under the lanterns suspended in midair, their warm light flickering like trapped stars. The air was thick with the scent of parchment, candle wax, and the distant aroma of roasted spices from the market. A city of knowledge, untouched by war, standing in defiance of time itself. Yet, despite the tranquility of its streets, Vierd and Rain walked with the weight of unspoken burdens pressing against their backs. They had left Elios behind, the philosopher¡¯s words still lingering in their minds like the echoes of a fading dream. "Not every world fades naturally. Sometimes¡­ they are erased." "Every stone you find is a grave marker for a world that no longer exists." "If that¡¯s true¡­ then who decides which worlds survive?" Those words carried a weight that neither of them had anticipated. The revelation that these stones were not just relics, but remnants of entire realities, left a lingering unease in the air. They had come seeking answers, but what they had found instead was a much larger question. Vierd¡¯s fingers brushed against the cold surface of the stone in his hand, its warmth pulsating faintly beneath his skin. It was as if it knew¡ªas if it carried the whispers of the past within its crystalline core. And that thought unsettled him more than anything else. They walked in silence for a time, their boots echoing lightly against the stone pavement. Rain¡¯s crimson eyes flickered with an unreadable expression as he cast a glance toward the towering spires of the Tower of Thought in the distance. Then, at last, he spoke. "DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT WHAT CAME BEFORE?" Vierd¡¯s golden gaze shifted toward him, his brow furrowing slightly. "BEFORE WHAT?" Rain exhaled, tilting his head slightly toward the sky. "BEFORE THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT. BEFORE THESE CITIES, THESE KINGDOMS, THESE LAWS THAT HOLD EVERYTHING IN PLACE."****" Vierd didn¡¯t answer immediately. He had never been the type to dwell on the past¡ªsurvival didn¡¯t allow such luxuries. But now, after everything they had learned, after everything they had seen¡­ Perhaps the past was more important than he had given it credit for. "WHAT ARE YOU REALLY ASKING, RAIN?" Rain smirked slightly, though there was no humor in his expression. "I¡¯M ASKING IF YOU THINK THIS WORLD WAS EVER MEANT TO EXIST." The words sent a strange chill through the air. Vierd remained silent. Rain continued. "VALTARIA WAS A KINGDOM THAT BELIEVED IN LOGIC, ORDER, POWER. BUT EVEN AT THE HEIGHT OF OUR GLORY, THERE WERE WHISPERS¡ªTALES OF THINGS THAT CAME BEFORE US, OF CIVILIZATIONS THAT DID NOT SIMPLY FALL, BUT WERE REMOVED." This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. His voice lowered. "I NEVER BELIEVED THEM BEFORE. BUT NOW?" Vierd¡¯s fingers tightened around the stone. "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" Rain turned his gaze toward him, and for the first time since they had met, there was something deeper behind his eyes¡ªsomething akin to fear. "I¡¯M SAYING THAT MAYBE WE WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE HERE." The silence that followed was suffocating. Vierd¡¯s grip on the stone loosened slightly, and he exhaled through his nose. "DOES IT MATTER?" Rain blinked. "WHAT?" Vierd¡¯s voice was calm, but firm. "DOES IT MATTER IF WE WERE MEANT TO EXIST OR NOT? WE ARE HERE. WE ARE ALIVE. AND WE ARE THE ONES WHO WILL DECIDE WHAT THAT MEANS." For a moment, Rain simply stared at him. Then, after a beat, he let out a quiet chuckle. "YOU REALLY DON¡¯T BELIEVE IN DESTINY, DO YOU?" Vierd smirked slightly. "DESTINY IS A STORY WRITTEN BY THOSE STRONG ENOUGH TO SURVIVE." Rain hummed. "THEN LET¡¯S MAKE SURE WE KEEP WRITING IT." The conversation ended, but the thoughts remained. The weight of what they had learned could not be ignored. And soon, it would no longer be just a burden to carry. It would become something they would have to face. The Call of the Unknown Night had fully fallen by the time they reached the lower districts of Ishkar, where the air was thick with the scent of burning incense and aged parchment. The people here were different from the scholars of the upper city¡ªexplorers, wanderers, those who sought knowledge not through books, but through experience. They found themselves at an open-air tavern, the warm glow of firepits casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. Vierd and Rain sat at a small wooden table near the back, their presence blending into the low hum of conversation around them. It was there that they first heard the rumor. A new portal. One that had opened just beyond the Emerald Expanse, a land of vast meadows and sprawling forests that stretched beyond the borders of known civilization. A portal that led to a world untouched by men. Vierd and Rain exchanged a glance. They had been waiting for the next step. And now, it had found them. "WE LEAVE AT DAWN." No further discussion was needed. This was the beginning of the next hunt for the unknown. But what neither of them realized¡­ Was that this time, the unknown was hunting them, too. The First Step into the Forgotten World The portal loomed before them, nestled deep within the heart of the Emerald Expanse. Unlike the swirling black abyss of the first portal they had entered, this one glowed¡ªa soft, eerie green light pulsating within its core, as if it were alive. The very air around it felt different, charged with an energy neither of them could recognize. Rain clicked his tongue. "THIS ONE LOOKS DIFFERENT." Vierd studied it for a moment before responding. "THE LAST ONE LED TO A DYING WORLD. MAYBE THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE WORLD ON THE OTHER SIDE ISN¡¯T DEAD." Rain smirked. "ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT." Without hesitation, Vierd stepped forward. And in the next instant¡ª Everything shattered. Scattered into the Wild The moment they crossed, Vierd felt it. Something was wrong. There was no gradual transition, no time to adjust¡ªonly an overwhelming sensation of being ripped apart and thrown into the void. When his vision returned, he was no longer standing beside Rain. He was alone. The sky above him was a deep, endless green, the light filtering through massive, towering trees that stretched high into the heavens. The scent of damp earth and blooming flowers filled the air, a stark contrast to the lifeless desert he had once called home. Then he heard it. A low growl. His body moved on instinct, rolling to the side just as something massive crashed into the spot where he had been standing. A creature unlike anything he had ever seen. Its body was covered in thick, moss-covered fur, its limbs massive and lined with razor-sharp claws. But what sent a chill down his spine was its eyes¡ªpale, lifeless, yet filled with a predatory intelligence. And then¡ª The beast lunged. Faster than anything its size should have been capable of. And for the first time in a long time¡­ Vierd knew he was going to die. His body refused to move fast enough. His instincts screamed, but his limbs were too slow¡ª Then. Time stopped. The world around him froze. The beast mid-air, the trees swaying but unmoving. The light itself flickering, as if reality itself had fractured. And then, he heard it. A voice. A voice that did not belong to the living. "AWAKEN, CHILD OF THE FORGOTTEN LINEAGE." And in that moment, Vierd realized¡ª He was not alone. Chapter 16 : The God of Forgotten Echoes Vierd could feel it in his bones, in the air, in the unnatural stillness around him. The giant beast that had lunged for his throat was suspended in midair, frozen in the instant before its fangs would have torn him apart. The massive trees around him stood unmoving, their leaves frozen in a nonexistent breeze. Even the faint glow of sunlight filtering through the canopy seemed to flicker, as if struggling to remain within this fractured reality. Yet, he could move. His breath came ragged, shallow. His fingers twitched against the hilt of his sword, but his body remained still. Something else was here. Then, the voice came. A voice that did not belong to this world. "AWAKEN, CHILD OF THE FORGOTTEN LINEAGE." It was neither male nor female, neither soft nor loud. It simply was¡ªa presence that spoke not to his ears, but directly to his soul. Vierd¡¯s muscles tensed. His golden eyes narrowed as he slowly straightened himself, gaze scanning the frozen landscape. Nothing moved. No one was there. And yet, he felt the weight of something watching him. "WHO ARE YOU?" His voice was steady, but edged with caution. The voice did not answer immediately. Instead, the space around him seemed to shift. The trees, the ground, the sky¡ªall of it bent and twisted, warping into something else. And then, suddenly¡ª He was no longer in the forest. The Realm Between Worlds Vierd found himself standing in a space that should not exist. The ground beneath him was black stone, cracked with golden veins of pulsating energy. Above, there was no sky¡ªonly an endless void stretching into infinity, scattered with floating fragments of shattered landscapes. Mountains, ruins, oceans¡ªremnants of worlds long gone. And before him stood a figure. It was tall, draped in robes of shifting darkness, its form flickering between something human and something not. Its face was obscured beneath a hood, but two golden eyes burned through the shadow, the same unnatural glow as his own. Vierd¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. "YOU." The figure inclined its head slightly, as if pleased. "YOU CARRY THE BLOOD OF A DYING LEGACY, AND YET YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE." Vierd¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, though his expression remained unreadable. "WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?" Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The voice hummed, as if considering his words. "NOTHING. IT IS YOU WHO HAVE COME TO ME." Vierd¡¯s jaw tightened. "I DIDN¡¯T CHOOSE TO BE HERE." The figure took a slow step forward, the air around it distorting with each movement. "DIDN¡¯T YOU?" "ENOUGH RIDDLES." Vierd¡¯s voice sharpened. "WHAT ARE YOU?" For a moment, there was silence. Then, the figure spoke¡ªits voice carrying something deeper than time itself. "I AM A MEMORY OF WHAT WAS." "I AM A SHADOW OF WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN." "I AM THE LAST WHISPER OF A NAME THAT NO LONGER EXISTS." The words echoed around him, reverberating inside him. A cold sensation crawled up Vierd¡¯s spine. "YOU''RE SAYING YOU¡¯RE A GOD?" The figure did not move. "PERHAPS ONCE. BUT WHAT IS A GOD WITHOUT A WORLD TO RULE?" Vierd exhaled through his nose, forcing his mind to remain clear. This entity¡ªwhatever it was¡ªwas tied to him, that much was certain. But it was not simply here to talk. There was something it wanted him to understand. The Truth Behind the Stones The golden cracks in the stone beneath him pulsed, and suddenly¡ªVierd saw. Visions flashed through his mind. A world crumbling into the void. A civilization older than memory itself, collapsing under an unseen force. A throne, once grand, left to decay in a ruined palace. And then¡ªa child, standing alone in the ashes. His own face stared back at him. Vierd staggered back, his breath caught in his throat. "WHAT¡ª" The figure raised a hand, and the visions ceased. "YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO SURVIVE, CHILD OF THE LOST KINGDOM." The weight of those words settled deep within his bones. Vierd clenched his fists. "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!" The golden eyes in the darkness burned brighter. "YOU ARE A REMNANT OF A FALLEN WORLD¡ªA WORLD ERASED FROM HISTORY, JUST LIKE THE STONES YOU CARRY." Vierd¡¯s pulse thundered in his ears. "ERASED? BY WHO?" A pause. Then¡ª "BY THE SAME FORCE THAT WILL ERASE THIS ONE." His breath caught. "WHAT?" The figure lifted its hand again, and the golden veins in the ground flared, illuminating the void around them. "THESE STONES ARE NOT SIMPLY POWER. THEY ARE PIECES OF THE WORLDS THAT WERE DESTROYED. EACH ONE HOLDS THE ESSENCE OF COUNTLESS LIVES LOST TO OBLIVION." Vierd¡¯s fingers instinctively curled against his palm. "AND EVERY TIME YOU ABSORB ONE¡­ YOU ARE NOT SIMPLY GAINING STRENGTH." The golden eyes locked onto him. "YOU ARE TAKING BACK WHAT WAS STOLEN FROM YOU." His mind reeled. "YOU''RE SAYING¡ª" "EVERY STONE YOU CONSUME RESTORES WHAT YOU HAVE LOST. YOUR LIFE, YOUR POWER¡ªTHE YEARS STOLEN FROM YOU WHEN YOUR WORLD WAS ERASED." The revelation crashed into him like a tidal wave. The reason he was able to survive¡­ The reason his body still endured despite the toll of his powers¡­ Every time he absorbed a stone, he wasn¡¯t just getting stronger. He was reclaiming himself. Vierd¡¯s breathing slowed. His entire existence¡ªeverything he had believed¡ªhad just shifted. A slow, eerie chuckle came from the figure. "NOW YOU UNDERSTAND." Vierd¡¯s jaw clenched. He exhaled through his nose. His heartbeat steadied. His grip on his sword loosened. Then, he spoke. "AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO MORE STONES LEFT TO TAKE?" The figure paused. Then, for the first time¡­ It smiled. "THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE." The Awakening The void collapsed around him. Light erupted, golden energy surging through his veins like liquid fire. The stone in his hand burned white-hot, and suddenly¡ª Time resumed. The beast lunged forward. But this time¡ªVierd was faster. His body moved before he could think. His sword slashed through the air, and with one perfect strike, he severed the beast¡¯s head from its body. The creature collapsed, its massive form crashing into the earth, sending shockwaves through the forest. Vierd exhaled, his breath coming in slow, steady beats. The energy coursing through him had changed. He felt it. The years he had lost. They were returning. And this was only the beginning. End of Chapter 16. Chapter 17 : The Forest That Sees All The world was still. Vierd stood over the massive corpse of the beast he had slain, his breath slow and steady. Blood pooled beneath its severed head, dark and thick like ink, seeping into the earth. The air was heavy with the scent of iron and damp moss, the whispers of the wind carrying an eerie stillness through the towering trees. But it was not silence. Something was watching him. He could feel it. The weight of unseen eyes pressing against his back, lurking just beyond the edge of his senses. The forest was alive, not merely in the way all living things were¡ªbut in a way that felt wrong. As if the land itself was aware of him, breathing, waiting. Vierd exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain calm. He had just come back from a place beyond time, where he had spoken to something that should not exist. His body still tingled from the aftershocks of that encounter, his veins pulsing with power that was both foreign and familiar. And yet, none of that mattered now. He was alone. Rain was missing. And he had no idea where this cursed world had thrown them. Reunion in the Unknown Vierd moved swiftly, weaving through the ancient trees, his golden eyes scanning the dense foliage. The air was humid, thick with the scent of wildflowers and damp bark. Strange bioluminescent spores floated lazily in the air, pulsing with faint green light, casting shadows that seemed to shift on their own. He had no map. No direction. But he knew one thing. If he had been thrown into this world, so had Rain. And Vierd wasn¡¯t about to let this place consume him. Then, a sound. Distant, but sharp. Metal against metal. A fight. Vierd¡¯s instincts took over. He ran. His body was faster now. He could feel it¡ªthe raw efficiency in his movements, the way the world around him blurred as his legs carried him forward. The new energy coursing through his blood was real, and it was his. The trees parted suddenly, revealing a clearing bathed in the eerie glow of floating spores. And in the center of it¡ª Rain. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! He was surrounded. Three towering beasts circled him, each one different, each one twisted in a way that defied nature. One had six legs, its body covered in jagged black plates of bone. Another stood on two legs, its arms unnaturally long, its fingers tapering into wicked claws. The third had no eyes, only a gaping mouth filled with endless rows of shifting teeth. Rain stood in the middle, his silver hair stained with blood, his blade coated in a dark, sticky substance. His stance was perfectly controlled, his breathing calm despite the overwhelming odds. But Vierd saw it. The tension in his shoulders. The slight delay in his movements. He was tired. He had been fighting for a while. Not good. Vierd moved. Before any of the creatures could react, he was already on them. His sword sang through the air, a blur of silver and black. The six-legged beast didn¡¯t even have time to turn before his blade sliced clean through its neck. The world froze for half a second. Then, with a sickening crack, the beast¡¯s head hit the forest floor. The other two creatures recoiled, their bodies shifting unnaturally as if registering his presence for the first time. Rain let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders. "TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH." Vierd didn¡¯t glance at him, his gaze locked onto the remaining enemies. "YOU¡¯RE WELCOME." Rain let out a quiet chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "NO TIME FOR TALKING." One of the beasts lunged. The Unnatural Beasts Vierd met the charging creature head-on. It slashed at him with one of its elongated arms, the claws moving so fast they were barely visible. But Vierd had seen faster. He ducked low, feeling the wind of the strike graze his hair. Then, with a single explosive movement, he drove his sword upward, aiming for its torso. The blade connected. But instead of cutting through flesh, it hit something hard. A ripple of unnatural force shot through the beast¡¯s body, knocking Vierd backward. He skidded across the dirt, his boots digging into the earth to regain balance. He glanced at his sword. The blade was covered in a thin layer of frost. His eyes narrowed. This thing¡­ It absorbed the impact. Before he could process it further, Rain was already moving. "SWITCH!" Vierd didn¡¯t hesitate. He pushed forward as Rain leapt past him, his own blade igniting with a dull gray aura. The moment he struck the beast¡ªit screamed. The energy around Rain¡¯s blade disrupted something in its body. The monster convulsed, its limbs twitching unnaturally. Rain¡¯s magic worked. His didn¡¯t. Vierd¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. The beasts here¡­ were different. After the Battle The last of the creatures collapsed, its twisted form melting into the ground like ink dissolving in water. Rain exhaled, running a hand through his sweat-damp hair. "WELL, THAT WAS FUN." Vierd sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. "YOU''RE INJURED." Rain shrugged. "I¡¯LL LIVE." A pause. Then¡ª "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" Vierd¡¯s golden eyes flickered as he looked down at the blood-soaked earth. The creatures had left nothing behind. No bodies. No bones. As if they had never existed at all. His voice was low. "THIS WORLD IS WRONG." Rain glanced at him. "YOU SAW IT TOO?" Vierd nodded. "IT¡¯S NOT JUST THE BEASTS. THE LAND, THE AIR¡­ IT''S WATCHING US." Rain exhaled. "AND YOU THINK THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STONES?" Vierd¡¯s fingers curled into a fist. The vision. The voice. The entity that had spoken to him. "YOU WERE NEVER MEANT TO SURVIVE." "EVERY STONE YOU CONSUME RESTORES WHAT WAS STOLEN FROM YOU." His entire existence had just changed. But he couldn¡¯t tell Rain. Not yet. He forced his expression back into calmness. "WE NEED TO FIND SHELTER FIRST. THEN WE TALK." Rain studied him for a long moment before nodding. "FINE. BUT SOONER OR LATER, YOU¡¯RE GOING TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU." Vierd didn¡¯t respond. He simply turned toward the darkened forest, his mind still spinning with unanswered questions. And deep within the shadows, something moved. They were not alone. Not anymore.