The air crackled with tension as Kael and Varin reappeared at the outskirts of Natharak's city. Arthur had sent them away from the core, an unspoken urgency in his demeanor. The glow of the Rebirth Core still hummed within Kael, but something more troubling lingered on his mind—the altar's activation. Whatever he had triggered in the ruins of Ardorr was no accident, and now it seemed the consequences of that choice were fast approaching.
The city stood as it always had, with tall spires of dark stone that pierced the sky, the streets below bustling with life. Yet, there was an undercurrent of unease, an energy that seemed to ripple through the air, sending shivers down Kael's spine. Darkspawn would come. He knew it. The beacon he had accidentally activated would draw them in like moths to a flame.
"We need to warn the others," Kael said, his voice low but urgent as he turned to Varin.
Varin, still regaining his composure after the teleport, nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. The Rebirth Core within Kael was dimming—Kael could see the subtle signs: the way his mentor's usually sharp movements had slowed, the slight wince of pain when he shifted his weight. Time was running out for Varin, and they both knew it.
"Prepare yourself, Kael," Varin replied quietly. "Something far worse than Darkspawns is coming, but we can't face it without the proper resources. I'll go and gather supplies. Stay here."
Kael watched as Varin walked away, disappearing into the crowded streets of Natharak. Alone, Kael allowed himself a moment to reflect on everything that had changed.
Level 30. His Rebirth Core at Level 3. His new skills hummed beneath the surface, raw power waiting to be unleashed. The weight of it all was both exhilarating and terrifying. He flexed his hands, feeling the energy coursing through him—like an electric charge ready to spark at any moment.
The sudden appearance of Limo and Ethan pulled him out of his thoughts. Limo, the small furry guide of his system, hovered in the air, its eyes glowing mischievously. Ethan, his Rebirth Core guide, appeared more composed, a serene presence that contrasted sharply with Limo's chaotic energy.
"You've unlocked some pretty insane skills now, huh?" Limo said with a smirk, floating around Kael excitedly.
"I guess you could say that," Kael responded, though his tone was more cautious than excited.
Ethan stepped forward, his face serious, radiating a calming aura. "You're not just stronger, Kael. You've unlocked something far beyond what most Awakeners can even comprehend."
Kael nodded, letting the weight of those words settle over him. He wasn't just leveling up anymore—he was evolving into something greater, something that scared even him.
Limo's voice broke the silence. "The Shadow Avatar—do you understand what that means? You can literally clone yourself into any class you choose. One clone for now, but the potential here is... limitless."
Kael blinked, the enormity of what he had just been told slowly sinking in. A clone, capable of learning everything he could, sharing his skills, gaining experience points from battles fought. It was like a cheat code in this world—a way to be in two places at once, fighting on two fronts, mastering two classes simultaneously.
"Wait," Kael said, raising a hand as he considered the implications. "How do I create this Shadow Avatar?"
Limo continued, bouncing around Kael's head. "It's simple! Just focus on your Rebirth Core and channel your essence into a shadowy form. Let it take shape. Just be careful. You have to have full control over it."
Kael nodded, his heart racing with excitement and apprehension. This was a significant moment, one that could change everything. He concentrated, feeling the energy coalesce within him. Shadows danced around his feet, creeping upward until they began to take shape.
As he focused, a system alert rang in his mind:
[SYSTEM ALERT] Shadow Avatar Creation Successful!
You have created a Shadow Avatar!
The Avatar shares your abilities, experiences, and can fight alongside you!
The shadow solidified into a perfect replica of Kael, its eyes glowing with the same fierce determination that burned within him. He felt a rush of power as the connection to the Avatar solidified, an extension of himself, ready to fight and learn.
"Look at that!" Limo cheered, zipping around in excitement. "You did it! You really did it!"
Kael felt a mix of pride and apprehension. With the Shadow Avatar, they could finally face the dangers ahead with doubled strength, but he knew that with each move he made, the stakes were getting higher.
Before he could revel in his success, Ethan spoke up again, his tone turning serious. "I've fully deciphered the Abyssal Sigil you found. It's now converted into a skill—an upgrade that lets you track Abyssal cult members across all Eternal Cities."
Kael's eyes widened. "You mean..."
Ethan nodded. "With your Darkspawn Locator and this Abyssal Sigil combined, you'll be able to track Abyssal cult members and Darkspawns—those at level 30 and below—within a distance of 500 miles."
Kael's mind raced with possibilities. "Wait. What if I could combine the Abyssal Sigil and the Darkspawn Locator into one skill? Would that work, Limo?"
Limo's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Totally! The Skills Unification allows you to combine skills as long as their attributes align. This could be huge!"
Kael wasted no time. Focusing on the two skills, he felt the energies swirl together, intertwining in a dance of power. A surge of exhilaration coursed through him as he crafted the new skill. As he concentrated, another system alert rang in his mind, startling him:
[SYSTEM ALERT] Skills Unification Successful!
Combining Abyssal Sigil and Darkspawn Locator...
Creating New Skill: Abyssal Locator...
Skill created successfully!
A wave of energy washed over him, and Kael felt a rush of accomplishment. The new skill manifested, displaying its details before him. Abyssal Locator: Track nearby cult members and Darkspawns (Level 30 and below) within a distance of 500 miles. The map displayed would locate Darkspawns with a red dot and cult members with the red sigil symbol.
"Look at that!" Limo cheered again, bouncing around Kael in a frenzy of excitement. "You did it! You really did it!"
Kael felt a mix of pride and apprehension. With the Abyssal Locator, they could finally hunt down the cult members threatening Erendath, but he knew that with each move he made, the stakes were getting higher.
A virtual map appeared in front of Kael, his system projecting a detailed image of the Abyss. Red dots marked every city, every location where cult members hid. The realization hit him hard. He wasn't just a warrior in this fight—he had become a beacon of hope, a tool for The Veil to strike down the cult that threatened all of Erendath.
"This... this changes everything," Kael whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Exactly," Ethan said, his voice grim. "We can finally locate the cult. But it won't be easy. The moment you leave this city, Darkspawns will come for you."
And then, as if summoned by his words, the air around them shifted. A sudden chill spread through Natharak. The sky darkened, the sun blotted out by thick clouds, and the ground trembled as distant roars echoed through the streets.