Chapter 46: Trials of the Forgotten One
The dust settled as the last of the Forgotten Ones crumbled into the earth, their twisted forms dissipating into shadows. The group stood in silence, catching their breath, the system's voice echoing in their minds.
[Quest Complete: System Access Unlocked.]
[System Synchronization Complete.]
One by one, status windows blinked into existence before each member of the group, their details finally revealed.
---
Azaymos's Status Window
Level: 45
Race: Human
Class: Wielder of the Void
Skills:
Void Slash (Active): Slice through reality, erasing objects and life. Power: 500. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Windstep (Active): Boosts speed by 50% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Void Cage (Active): Trap enemies in an inescapable prison. Power: 300. Cooldown: 8 hours.
Gale's Blessing (Passive): Wind assists in combat and defense. Agility +15.
Stats:
Strength: 85
Agility: 90
Intelligence: 78
Vitality: 88
---
Nox's Status Window
Level: 43
Race: Vampire
Class: Queen of Shadows
Skills:
Shadow Manipulation (Active): Control shadows to attack or defend. Power: 400. Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Dark Wings (Active): Allows flight for 15 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour.
Nightmare Walk (Passive): Move faster and unnoticed in darkness. Stealth +20.
Bloodlust (Passive): Gain strength when surrounded by fear or blood.
Stats:
Strength: 76
Agility: 100
Intelligence: 84
Vitality: 85
---
Rex's Status Window
Level: 44
Race: Werewolf
Class: Stormbreaker
Skills:
Thunderstrike (Active): Summon a bolt of lightning. Power: 450. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
Lightning Form (Active): Increase speed and agility by 80%. Duration: 10 minutes. Cooldown: 6 hours.
Wolf's Fury (Passive): Physical power increases in battle. Strength +10.
Stats:
Strength: 95
Agility: 80
Intelligence: 68
Vitality: 92
---
Darius's Status Window
Level: 40
Race: Human
Class: Phantom Thief
Skills:
Object Manipulation (Active): Teleport objects or weapons to and from your hands. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
Face Shift (Active): Change facial features temporarily. Duration: 15 minutes. Cooldown: 2 hours.
Silent Step (Passive): Move without sound. Stealth +20.
Stats:
Strength: 65
Agility: 92
Intelligence: 78
Vitality: 72
---
Ahmose's Status Window
Level: 43
Race: Mummy
Class: Empress of Sands
Skills:
Sandstorm (Active): Summon a powerful sandstorm to blind and damage enemies. Power: 400. Cooldown: 1 hour.
Necrotic Touch (Active): Drain life force with a single touch. Power: 350. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Curse of Death (Passive): Dark energy surrounds her, reducing enemies' will to fight. Fear +15.
Stats:
Strength: 60
Agility: 70
Intelligence: 85
Vitality: 95
---
Mara's Status Window
Level: 42
Race: ???
Class: ???
Skills:
Chains of Ankhura (Active): Summon chains that bind even the strongest foes. Power: 500. Cooldown: 3 hours.
Sealer's Judgment (Active): Temporarily seal an enemy's power. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 12 hours.
Curse of Binding (Passive): Prevents the escape of any enemy she targets. Binding effect increases by 30%.
???
Stats:
Strength: ???
Agility: ???
Intelligence: ???
Vitality: ???
---
"Well, that's... concerning," Rex muttered, glancing at Mara. "You might want to get that checked out."
Mara didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the incomplete screen. There was something unsettling about the system's inability to reveal her true nature.
Azaymos studied her status carefully. "It doesn't matter for now. We know what you can do."
---
New Quest: Separate Paths - Training for Mastery]
[Objective: Each member must train in areas where their powers are strongest. Completion of this quest will unlock new abilities and upgrades.]
Azaymos turned to the others, his eyes scanning the group. "Looks like the system's not done with us yet."
Darius glanced at his status window, whistling softly. "Phantom Thief, huh? Gotta say, I like the sound of that."
"Yeah, but look at the quest," Nox said, pointing to the new notification. "We're being split up."
[Quest Description: Each party member will be transported to an area suited to their powers and must overcome challenges to unlock their potential. This training is mandatory for progression.**]
"Great," Rex muttered. "What kind of twisted system world breaks up the party right after we win?"
Ahmose's voice echoed in their minds, her tone as darkly humorous as ever. "Guess it doesn't want us getting too comfortable. We'll survive assuming the system doesn't throw a bigger mess our way."
---
Before they had time to react, the ground beneath them began to shift. The world blurred, and one by one, the group was separated, sent to different locations that resonated with their strengths.
---
Nox: The Depths of Darkness
Nox landed softly in a dark, underground cavern. The air was thick with shadows, alive and shifting. She could sense them watching her, waiting.
[Objective: Harness the power of the shadows. Defeat the Shadow Wraiths to master your darkness.]
A smile curled on her lips. "Time to remind the darkness who's in charge."
---
Rex: The Storm's Peak
Rex appeared on a mountain peak, the storm already raging around him. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the air vibrated with raw power.
[Objective: Survive the storm. Absorb the lightning's energy to unlock new abilities.]
Rex grinned, flexing his fists. "This is where I belong."
---
Ahmose and Darius: The Desert of the Damned
Ahmose and Darius appeared in the middle of a vast desert. The sand swirled with necrotic energy, and shadowy figures moved in the distance—spirits, trapped in the cursed sands.
[Objective: Defeat the cursed spirits of the desert. Use your abilities to reclaim the treasures buried beneath the sands.]
Darius glanced around, his knives already at the ready. "Looks like we're in for a long day."
Ahmose chuckled darkly. "It's going to get worse. Try not to lose yourself in the sand those spirits can drag you down forever."
---
Azaymos and Mara: The Void's Edge
Azaymos and Mara found themselves at the edge of a chasm. The void swirled beneath them, the energy so dense it felt like the air itself was alive.
[Objective: Master the power of the void. Unlock the full potential of the dagger and Chains of Ankhura.]
Azaymos stared into the abyss, his grip tightening on the dagger. "This is what we've been waiting for."
Mara's chains rattled softly, her eyes unreadable. "It's time to see how deep this power goes."
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End of Chapter 46