As Ember and I explored the unknowns of the wilderness, followed the mountains emerging in the distance, the last strands of the forest grew distant and cold. The formerly cramped trees now spread making space for rocky terrains and protruding cliffs that appeared deceptively calm but threatened to bring doom under the lighter rays of the moon. I turned back in haste and clung tightly to my throat as the last arch of darkness slipped out of sight. I had my people, the first bite at power, but it lay behind. Up there were the Forgotten Ruins, the Forgotten Ruins that were said to be the strongest in the domain of the unexplored mountain range.
What lay before me in the future on the unexplored lands I was unaware of, but it could have been any better. The system had seen me in and I needed to comply to come out more powerful. More than that, I had to learn how to control it.
Ember sighted next to me tracking the rough path in front. She looked calm and walked tall and sturdy, but I wasn't that gullible. She could look after herself alright, but she gave off strange vibes, her motives shredded enigma. What was in it for her?
"Do you have any idea how much time is left since we haven't seen the ruins yet?" I lightly said in a bid to deter the silence.
"Don't worry, we'll be there before dawn," Ember said while glancing through the terrain ahead. "However, it is important for us to be on guard. The creatures here are not like the ones which you are familiar with. The system has enhanced its grip on their kind, hence they are more intelligent, quicker and more lethal than any of them."
I couldn't help but feel a chill coursing through my veins with every word she said. I'd already survived Nightshade Bear and other similar predators – how worse could it get? But Ember was never one to make a fuss and I knew only a transition of such greater magnitude meant that things were surely moving in a new direction.
As I exhaled, the steep slope we were scaling changed my perspective – making me breathe deeply as I activated Shadow Domination, feeling the darkness embrace my body. It was more than a veil of invisibility – the shadows augmented my perception, so every noise, every movement of air that skirted my ears was killers. And most importantly, I could perceive life surrounding us – creatures that were tactfully positioned to pounce when the moment was right.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Domination]
Enhances senses in low-light environments
Provides a 50% boost to stealth and speed while in the shadows
We finally got to the top of the slope, and surprisingly, my heart stopped for a second.
Indeed, a decadent decayed expanse glimmered before us against the background of a silvery moon, which peeped through the clouds. Broken pillars and stone arches in the sky, a civilization long gone. It's safe to say those ruins were really old, older than anything ever seen in this world, and the shadows of more and more interlacing structures loom overhead – the pale blue light of far away suns sparkling a viridescent luster.
"The Forgotten Ruins," Ember spoke softly, her voice almost disappearing in the wind. "You did not expect this is where your journey really begins."
Queries plunged one after another in my head as I gazed intently at the ruins. No offence or double speaks, the system was shining an influence here—I could almost hear it reverberate inside the very ground I rested my paws on. But what was the purpose of this particular place? And why was such a system attempting to direct me this way?
Just as I was about to vocalize my impending thoughts, a deep thunderous growl resonated from out of the grayness enveloping the ruins harmonized with a sequence of coarse barks. I dropped my ears and all my muscle groups contracted almost simultaneously, launching my gaze around the area for any motion.
"Others are here," Ember's voice was a whisper though her body seemed to tremble. "Brace yourselves."
I put Shadow Domination on fully and allowing the darkness to engulf me, I drew the shadows in tightly. Ember did the same moving in the same direction as the shadows like a wraith.
The growls intensified, and then I noticed them. There, out from the shadows, were mutated deformed things with gruesome faces. Their limbs, held sweater flesh, were adorned with shadows and had a creepy red luminescent glow to their eyes. They slid over the ground in a slithering manner, too lengthy for their frames; their canines protruded menacingly. They could not be game after all. No, they had been tainted — tainted by sickening evil that belonged to the system.
[Enemies Identified: System Corrupted Beasts]
Level: 6
Status: Hostile
Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Corruption Aura (lowers opponent's defense in close proximity)
Weakness: Light-based attacks, vulnerable to high-speed strikes
At least, there was a minimum of four, circling us, and growling ominously. I felt the Corruption Aura, almost as if it were a blanket around me; it was heavy and exhausting. I moved painfully slow. These creatures were unlike anything I've faced. They were not just hunters. They were system organisms, and their existence was afflicted with the system's twisting.
It was Ember who went first, and this time she was quick, truly quick, so quick that I couldn't even react. She went in straight for the minute one in the pack, her mike claws crossing the beast's throat before it even knew what was happening. The beast went down with a strangled yelp after it, but the rest did not pull back. They surged toward us instead, and I didn't think they would go so quick.
I was able to dodge a clawed hand as it swiped at me with surprising speed. Moving was difficult due to the Corruption Auras but the shadows had me covered. I sped past the beast, swiping my knife over its neck and the blackness covered my figure as I dashed. As the beast pivoted, I prepared for it to look at me and while it was still turning, I swung my knife at its flank with all my might.
[Critical Hit!]
The System Corrupted Beast is staggered!
The creature howled in pain but never fell. In an instant, it had whipped around, glowing red eyes locking onto me. Before it might lunge again, Ember struck from behind, her fangs sinking deep into its neck. Letting out a final growl, the beast fell, its body dissolving into a black, oily mist.
"Two down," Ember said, wincing at the ache inside her body.
The other two closed in faster now, their movements relaying a growing aggression in their charge toward us. I barely had time to react as one fell upon me, raking its claws across my side. My body exploded in pain and I fell, spinning, as the Corruption Aura closed in.
Not now, however, when I couldn't afford the fall.
Growling, I shut off the pain and flipped on the Purity Blossom Lamp; instantly, the space was bathed in its light. They recoiled, immediately faltering, their movements sapping their strength. This was my chance.
I launched myself forward, using the shadows to quicken my pace faster than they could react. My claws found their mark, tearing across the creature's exposed flank. A deafening roar later, it was falling, crashing into the same oily mist as the others.
Ember dove with talons in the moonlight and killed the last beast. It fell without a sound, and silence again crept into the clearings.
[System Corrupted Beasts Defeated]
Experience gained: 400 XP
Corruption Aura Resistance increased
Shadow Domination leveled up
I collapsed onto the ground, panting, notifications flashing before my mind, that had been a merciless fight, and Corruption Aura hadn't spared my poor body either, but we had won.
Ember stepped forward, fur in bloody mats, but the eyes bright, glass-clear. "You did good," she said, her voice with just a thread of weariness. "This is only the beginning. The things within the ruins are worse.
I nodded, catching my breath. "What were those things?"
They were common critters once, Ember said, her face darkening. "The deeper we go, the more corrupted beings we will encounter. The presence of the system is strongest here, and it does not only boost-it warps.".
A cold shiver ran down my spine as the thoughts entered my mind. If these beasts were just the beginning, then what kind of horrors awaited us inside the Forgotten Ruins?
"We need to get going," Ember said, already on her way towards the ruins. "The real answers are in there and we're running out of time."
I got up, still aching, yet my determination now stronger than ever. Come what may, I was going to get to the bottom of whatever the system brought me here for.
With Ember by my side, I stepped into the shadows of the Forgotten Ruins, ready for whatever lay in wait.