Chapter 4: Ascent into Power
As Kayden and Nadia stood in the quiet aftermath of their bloodline awakenings, the air around them shifted once more. The verdant forest that had been their trial ground dissolved into a swirl of light, and the surroundings changed. A familiar rush of cold, metallic air replaced the earthy scent of trees, and the towering walls of stone reappeared as they were transported back to the tower's main structure.
The shimmering system screen flashed before their eyes once again.
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[Bloodline Trials Completed.]
[Kayden Wilson: Bloodline Awakened - Halberd Lord's Legacy (E-Rank)]
[Nadia Parker: Bloodline Awakened - Arcane Sovereign's Legacy (E-Rank)]
[Rewards Unlocked: 1000 Experience Points, Skill Points: 5, Attribute Boost +10%]
[Proceeding to the Third Floor.]
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Kayden inhaled deeply, feeling the newfound strength surge through his muscles. Every fiber of his being hummed with power, and his halberd, once an extension of his will, now felt like an inseparable part of him. His connection to the weapon was deeper, the weight and balance perfect as if it had been forged for him alone.
Nadia, standing beside him, closed her eyes briefly, feeling the pulse of mana flowing more smoothly than ever before. Her hands glowed with a faint arcane energy, the magic that now coursed through her veins more potent and responsive. The trial had changed her, not just in skill but in her understanding of magic itself.
"Ready for the next challenge?" Kayden asked, his voice steady but with an underlying edge of excitement. They both knew what they were stepping into—a series of trials, each more brutal and unforgiving than the last. Yet, now that their bloodlines were unlocked, they felt a surge of confidence, prepared to tackle whatever came next.
Nadia gave him a wry smile, her hands crackling with controlled arcs of energy. "Born ready. Let's see what this tower throws at us next."
The portal in front of them shimmered, inviting them into the third floor. Without hesitation, they stepped through.
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The third floor was a sharp contrast to the arena-like environment of the second. They found themselves standing at the edge of a vast mountain range, the peaks towering into the sky, shrouded in thick clouds. Below them, a winding path led down into a narrow valley, filled with thick mist that clung to the ground like a living thing.
The system chimed.
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[Third Floor Objective: Reach the Heart of the Mountain Range.]
[Challenges: Monster Encounters, Environmental Hazards, Time Limit - 12 hours]
[Rewards: Experience Points, Rare Item Drop]
[Failure: Forced Exit from the Tower.]
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"Time limit," Kayden muttered, scanning the terrain. "And it looks like we'll be facing more than just monsters."
Nadia squinted, her sharp eyes taking in the distant shapes moving in the mist. "Those aren't just monsters. They're…"
Her voice trailed off as one of the creatures lumbered out of the fog. It was massive, easily three times the size of a human, its body composed of twisted rock and molten lava. Its glowing eyes fixated on them, burning with primal fury.
Kayden's eyes narrowed. "Elementals."
The creature let out a bellowing roar, shaking the ground beneath their feet, and charged. Its massive arms swung wide, molten rock spraying with each movement.
Kayden stepped forward, spinning his halberd into position. "I'll handle this one."
Nadia nodded, stepping back and gathering her mana. "I'll provide cover. Be careful—it's probably not the only one around."
The ground shook with each of the elemental's steps as it bore down on Kayden. He met its charge head-on, his halberd whistling through the air as he aimed for its glowing core.
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[Halberd Mastery Activated.]
[Skill: Precision Strike - Increases damage to elemental weak points.]
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The halberd struck true, slamming into the elemental's core with a burst of power. Cracks spider-webbed across its molten chest, but the creature didn't stop. With a roar, it raised its massive fists and brought them crashing down.
Kayden barely had time to dodge, rolling to the side as the ground where he stood shattered under the force of the blow. He pivoted, bringing his weapon around in a sweeping arc to keep the elemental off balance.
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[Skill: Heavy Strike Activated.]
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The halberd cut deep, breaking through the elemental's rocky exterior and sending shards of molten rock flying. The creature staggered, and Kayden pressed the advantage, slamming his weapon into its side again and again, the power of his bloodline enhancing each strike.
"Kayden!" Nadia's voice cut through the noise of battle. "Behind you!"
Kayden spun, his senses sharpening just in time to see a second elemental charging from behind. Before he could react, a torrent of flame shot past him, slamming into the creature with explosive force.
Nadia stood with her hands outstretched, her eyes glowing as she channeled her magic.
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[Mana Dominion Activated.]
[Skill: Fire Blast - Overcharge Activated.]
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The fireball exploded on impact, engulfing the elemental in flames. Nadia's control over her magic was evident—each spell precise, powerful, and devastating. The second elemental let out a low groan, its molten body cracking under the intense heat.
With both creatures weakened, Kayden moved swiftly, finishing them off with two decisive strikes. The elementals crumbled into piles of molten rock and ash, their fiery cores extinguished.
"Nice timing," Kayden said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Nadia smirked, letting her mana settle. "Just keeping you alive."
The system chimed again as their enemies fell, rewarding their efforts.
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[Experience Gained: 800.]
[Item Drop: Elemental Core x2.]
[Skill Points Gained: 3.]
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Kayden picked up one of the glowing cores. "These might come in handy later."
Nadia nodded, already scanning the area for the next threat. "We can't waste time. There's more coming."
They pressed on, making their way down the narrow path into the mist-filled valley. The air grew colder the further they went, and the mist seemed to thicken, obscuring their vision. Despite the oppressive atmosphere, their determination only grew. The tower was pushing them to their limits, but with each challenge, they grew stronger, more attuned to their abilities.
The mist parted as they reached the valley floor, revealing the heart of the mountain range. A massive stone fortress stood before them, ancient and imposing. Its gates were sealed shut, but glowing runes lined the walls, pulsing with an eerie light.
Kayden's eyes narrowed. "Looks like we've reached the main challenge."
Nadia stepped forward, her hands crackling with magic. "Something tells me this fortress isn't going to let us in without a fight."
As if in response to her words, the ground trembled. The runes on the fortress walls flared to life, and the sound of grinding stone echoed through the valley. From the shadows of the fortress, hulking figures began to emerge—giant stone golems, their bodies covered in the same glowing runes as the fortress.
The system message appeared once more.
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[Final Challenge: Defeat the Rune Guardians and Open the Fortress Gate.]
[Reward: Rare Rune Armor, Advancement to Fourth Floor.]
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Kayden tightened his grip on his halberd. "We're almost there. One last push."
Nadia nodded, her eyes glowing with determination. "Let's finish this."
The golems lumbered forward, their massive forms casting long shadows across the ground. The fortress loomed behind them, its gates waiting to be unlocked. This was the final test of the third floor, and Kayden and Nadia were ready to face it head-on.
With a roar, they charged into battle, their bloodlines, skills, and determination driving them forward. The tower had tested them at every turn, but they were stronger now—strong enough to face whatever came next.
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To be continued...