Beyond the veil of illusions, a path opened unto us which disclosed a huge set of stone gates; before us, the enormous ancient structure stood, impressive and foreboding, inscribed with strange symbols that pulsed with light at a very low rate-the gates of the Nexus, our destination since the beginning of this whole journey.
Ember and I stood there, her not saying a word, just staring at the huge doors in front of us. The moment just seemed to hang in the air, in the heavy mix of anticipation and trepidation that curled itself into my chest.
"Ready for the next step?" Ember asked, cutting into the silence, but even the tone of her voice had a quiver.
Not really," I confessed. "But we have gone too far to return."
We approached the gate, and it was as if the symbols on the stone shone all the more intensely for our presence there. A deep rumble suddenly shuddered the earth beneath us as slowly the gates parted to reveal the entrance into the inner Nexus. A pale, cold light spilled out from within and cast long shadows over the forest floor.
The landscape opening before the gates was vast and sprawled wide. We had never seen a landscape quite like it. Twisting paths of dark stone cut across a jagged, open landscape of rock formations and glowing crystalline structures humming with energy. It was as if the air itself came alive, crackling with the electricity of the System.
The weight of the place was crushing. Every step we took felt like we were being watched, judged. I felt it working here, as if an invisible hand did drive our progress. I even sensed power radiating from the ground, the walls, and the sky. And this was it-the heart of the System, the central core, the control center.
"We're close now," I said quietly. "Whatever the Nexus holds, this is where we'll find out."
Ember scans the horizon, taut and expectant. "The System's not going to simply allow us to walk in and take what we desire. There'll be more trials, more challenges.
I nodded. "I'm ready."
[System Notification: Final Trial – The Nexus Core]
Before you now is the core of the System. You will have to earn the right to take it for granted. Be prepared for the last test.
Reward: Knowledge about the origin of the System and your true purpose.
That notice turned my blood cold. It was it; this was it-the final confrontation. All the struggles, all the fights, all the sacrifices were to come down to that one thing.
We had walked deeper into the Nexus when the earth started churning beneath our feet. The smooth stone of the pathway cracked and splintered, opening swirling pools of light and shadow. It was heavy with power, heavy with the System itself.
Before us suddenly the earth shook and heaved, and out of its heaving light came a figure-a huge, monolithic beast, far greater than anything we had seen. The crystalline material that comprised the Nexus comprised it, too; its eyes were ablaze with pale fire.
[System Notification: Nexus Guardian]
The Guardian of the Nexus stands before you. Defeat it to gain the truth.
A deafening roar resounded from the Guardian, and then large crystalline claws rent the air as it charged towards us. I barely had time to react, and then it swung one of its arms down, breaking the earth beneath my feet. I'd just barely leaped out of the way in time, but the shockwave of the strike sent ripples through the air.
"Lei Shen!" Ember's voice cut through the chaos, and I saw her darting toward the Guardian's side, dodging its huge and destructive hits because of her agility. "We can't fight this thing head-on. We need a plan!"
I struggled to my feet, my head spinning. It was a monstrosity unlike anything we'd ever seen. The scale and power of this creature were overwhelming; yet, even then, I could see it moved slowly-a labored behavior. There had to be some weakness in that to lever off.
"Ember, distract it! I'll try and find a weak spot!" I yelled, calling my Luminous Strike ability into action. The golden energy crackled in my paws as I shot it at the head of the Guardian. It hit its crystalline surface, leaving barely a mark.
Ember ran circles around the Guardian at an incredible speed, dodging his heavy swings for only so long. Yet, no person could have predicted that the hit would come this fast.
I centered myself, scanning the body of the Guardian for one sign of weakness. The crystals which made up its form were solid, unyielding, until I saw it: a small glowing core, nestled deep in its chest and pulsating weakly with light.
"There!" I pointed to the core. "We have to hit that!"
Ember nodded, her gaze fixed on the target. In she darted, drawing the Guardian's attention as I charged up another Luminous Strike. The Guardian roared, swinging its massive arm down toward her, but at the last second she leaped out of the way, leaving it open.
I seized the moment, unleashing the full force of my attack on the exposed core. The energy struck the Guardian directly, and for a moment, the creature froze, its body shuddering as cracks spread across its crystalline surface.
With one last, deafening roar, the Guardian collapsed, fragmenting into a waterfall of light.
[System Notification: Nexus Guardian Defeated]
The silence was deafening. I was standing there, running at an unprecedentedly high pace, my heart racing terribly, the fact weighing in upon me. We did it. We defeated the Nexus Guardian.
Em shot up, and her eyes spread wide in disbelief. "That was…intense."
I nodded, catching my breath. "Yeah. But it's not over yet.
Bright, shining column of light right at the middle of the Nexus now stood before us, beckoning us for further movement.
"The heart of the System" ,I whispered.
This was it: the final truth, waiting at the heart of the Nexus. Whatever it was, it would make all the difference.
There was no turning back.