Having consumed the Sigiled Skink's core, Kairos felt a surge of power coursing through him, almost overwhelming in its intensity. The energy was wild and untamed, like a storm barely contained within his veins. As he struggled to control it, Eclipse's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and cold like a blade.
"Kairos," Eclipse began, his tone dripping with a mix of sarcasm. "I suppose congratulations are in order. You've managed to meet one of the three conditions necessary to exit tutorial mode. Who knew you had it in you?"
Kairos blinked, momentarily taken aback by the revelation. He hadn't even considered that he might be in a tutorial mode, so preoccupied was he with the immediate dangers and challenges. "Tutorial mode?" he muttered, more to himself than to Eclipse. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, come now," Eclipse continued, his voice laced with mockery. "Did you think this was the real thing? That you were out here playing with the big boys? No, Kairos, you've been training with the safety wheels on. But don't worry, you're making progress… at a snail's pace."
Kairos's brow furrowed, a mix of confusion and irritation bubbling within him. "What are the other two conditions?" he demanded, his voice edged with a growing determination.
A glowing screen materialized before him, displaying the conditions in bold, mocking letters:
Consume a Monster Core - Condition Met.
Defeat a Creature of Higher Rank Without Assistance - Condition Not Met.
Uncover a Hidden Legacy of the Celestial Peaks - Condition Not Met.
Kairos stared at the list, his mind racing as he processed the information. The first condition had been surprisingly straightforward, but the other two… "Defeat a creature of higher rank without assistance?" he muttered under his breath. "That's going to be difficult. And uncovering a hidden legacy of the Celestial Peaks? How am I supposed to even start on that?"
"Ah, yes," Eclipse interjected, his tone oozing with positivity. "The great warrior Kairos, stumped by a little challenge. How tragic. Perhaps you'd like me to hold your hand through it all? Or maybe draw you a little map?"
Kairos clenched his fists, frustration and anger swirling within him. Eclipse's words were like needles, pricking at his pride. "I don't need your help," he shot back, his voice firm. "I can handle it."
"Oh, I'm sure you can," Eclipse replied with a dry chuckle. "Just like you handled that Minotaur so decisively, right? Oh wait, that's right—you didn't. You hesitated. So forgive me if I'm not entirely convinced by your bravado."
Kairos ground his teeth, a mix of determination and frustration swelling within him. "I can do this. I have to. But I need to be smart about it."
"Smart, huh?" Eclipse's voice chimed. "Well, let's see if you can surprise me, Kairos. But just so you know, if you fail… well, I won't say I told you so. But I'll definitely be thinking it."
Kairos exhaled sharply, trying to focus on the task ahead. He knew Eclipse was trying to goad him, to push his buttons, but he couldn't let it get to him.
He had to stay focused. The conditions were tough, but they weren't impossible. He just needed to approach them with a clear mind and a strong resolve.
"All right," Kairos said, his voice steady. "Let's get this done."
"Now that's the spirit," Eclipse replied with a hint of amusement. "Or maybe it's just desperation. Hard to tell with you sometimes."
Meanwhile, the Icarus family had just reached the Minotaur camp. The chipped swords and bruised egos of the Minotaurs were evident as they stood, weapons in hand, watching the newcomers with a mix of wariness and aggression.
Zephyr, still reeling from his defeat at the hands of Kairos, surveyed the scene with a growing sense of urgency. His family gathered around him, their eyes on the Minotaurs but their thoughts clearly on the mission ahead.
One of the Icarus elders, a stern man with a hawk-like gaze, approached Zephyr. "The beast seem scared, like if they seen a monster" he said, his voice laced with contempt. "Kairos and his team are ahead of us. They've already passed through here."
Zephyr's eyes narrowed, his lips pulling into a frown.
"We need to catch up," he muttered, his voice filled with a cold resolve. "I can't allow them to get ahead, not after everything that's happened."
The elder's gaze hardened. "Zephyr, you know what's expected of you. If you return without having fulfilled your mission, without eliminating Kairos's family, you'll bring shame to the Icarus name. Your father made that clear."
Zephyr's heart twisted at the mention of his father. The shame of his defeat still burned in his chest, more painful than any physical wound. "I know what I have to do," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper, but laced with venom. "Kairos spared me, and that's something I can't forgive."
Just then, his sister Aella approached, her eyes red and swollen from tears. "Zephyr, please, let's not do this. We can find another way. I begged for your life because I couldn't bear to lose you. We don't have to follow Father's orders. We can—"
Zephyr's cold gaze cut her off, his words as sharp as a blade. "You begged for my life? You threw away your pride and our family's honor for me?" His voice dripped with disdain. "You're less than nothing now, Aella. You're no longer fit to be part of this team. I disown you."
Aella's eyes widened, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Zephyr, no… I was just trying to protect you…"
"Go," Zephyr commanded, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Leave us. You're a disgrace."
Aella sobbed, but no one stepped forward to comfort her. The Icarus family members turned their backs on her, leaving her to face her fate alone.
With a broken heart, Aella turned and ran, disappearing into the mist that surrounded the camp. Her cries echoed in the distance before fading into the silence of the night.
Zephyr watched her go, his expression unreadable. But deep inside, a storm was brewing—a storm fueled by anger, shame, and a burning need for redemption.
The Icarus family resumed their pursuit of Kairos's team, Zephyr's thoughts were consumed by one thing: the need to restore his honor. And for that, Kairos had to die.