The grotesque terrain of the void stretched endlessly before me, the blue orb in the sky casting its faint light over the horrors below. My void body, though stronger than when I arrived, still trembled under the weight of this world's oppressive darkness. I moved cautiously, each step deliberate, the whispers of the void scratching at the edges of my mind.
Ahead, on a jagged pedestal made of pulsating, flesh-like material, rested the third Rotten Bone. Its sickly glow pulsed faintly, almost beckoning me to take it.
But my breath caught as two enormous Void Hounds emerged from the shadows.
Their sinewy, blackened bodies exuded raw power, their blazing blue eyes locking onto me with predatory precision. The first hound let out a guttural growl that echoed through the void, its claws digging into the ground as it prepared to pounce. The second circled slowly, cutting off my escape.
My fists tightened, and I took a step back, my mind racing. "Two of them," I muttered. "This is bad."
The hounds lunged simultaneously, their claws ripping through the air. I barely dodged the first attack, rolling to the side as their combined force left deep gouges in the ground.
Fighting one Void Hound was a grueling challenge; two were impossible in my current state. The realization hit me like a tidal wave—I couldn't win this fight.
I turned and ran, my legs burning as I sprinted away from the pedestal. The Void Hounds roared behind me, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground as they gave chase.
The whispers in the void grew louder, taunting me. *"Run, little worm… You will not escape…"*
My lungs burned, my void body screaming for relief, but I didn't stop. The hounds were gaining, their snarls growing closer with each passing second. I stumbled over a jagged outcrop, nearly falling before catching myself and pressing onward.
That's when the Void Demon's voice cut through the chaos, calm yet commanding.
"You are weak, Ash Xyren. Pathetically weak. Your void body is only at 0.00009% of its potential. Do you wish to die here, consumed by beasts, forgotten in the darkness?"
"Not helping!" I snapped, leaping over a pit of writhing, blackened tendrils.
"If you wish to live, there is only one path," the Void Demon continued, ignoring my outburst. "To your left, a Shade feeds on its prey. Consume it, and you will gain the power of Void Step—a technique that will allow you to escape even death itself."
I veered left, my legs burning with effort as I spotted the faint glow of a Shade nearby. It crouched over a decayed void creature, its formless body rippling as it fed. The Void Demon hadn't lied—it was close.
The Shade lifted its head, its glowing red eyes locking onto me as I approached. It hissed, releasing its prey and lunging at me.
I met its attack head-on, my fist connecting with its amorphous form. The impact sent ripples through its body, but it retaliated with a slash of its claws, cutting deep into my side. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and fought on.
The battle was quick and brutal. My punches tore through its form, scattering its essence, but not before it landed several blows that left me gasping for air. Finally, with one last strike, I shattered its core.
Its essence flowed into me, an overwhelming rush of energy that made my void body tremble. A sharp pain erupted in my chest, and for a moment, I thought I would collapse.
Then, I felt it.
The energy coursing through me began to coalesce, focusing on my legs. A new awareness filled my mind—a sensation of lightness, as if the weight of the void had lessened.
The Void Demon's voice returned, triumphant. "You have gained Void Step. With it, you can bend the void's space to your will, allowing you to move faster than the eye can see. Use it, or die."
I turned just as the Void Hounds burst into view, their snarls echoing through the void.
One leaped at me, its jaws wide. Instinctively, I activated Void Step.
The world around me blurred, and I reappeared several feet away, the hound's jaws snapping shut on empty air.
The second hound attacked, its claws tearing through the ground. Again, I used Void Step, dodging to the side and leaving behind a faint afterimage.
The power was exhilarating. Each step carried me further and faster than I'd ever moved before, the hounds struggling to keep up. But it wasn't perfect—every use drained my energy, and I could feel exhaustion creeping in.
I darted between jagged outcrops and bone-like structures, using Void Step to stay ahead. The hounds roared in frustration, their movements becoming more erratic as they tried to corner me.
Finally, I spotted a small crevice in the terrain, barely large enough for me to fit. I dove inside, pressing myself against the cold, fleshy walls as the hounds searched for me.
Their snarls echoed outside, but after several tense minutes, they moved on.
I collapsed against the wall, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. My void body was battered, but it felt stronger than before, the power of Void Step coursing through me.
I closed my eyes, flashes of the lab flooding my mind. The pain, the fear, the helplessness.
*"I won't be that weak again,"* I whispered to myself. *"I'll use everything Pyre taught me. I'll survive this."*
The memory of Pyre's voice echoed in my mind, his lessons a steady anchor in this chaotic world. I clenched my fists, determination surging through me.
"Two Rotten Bones down," I muttered, forcing myself to my feet. "Two more to go."
The blue orb in the sky seemed to glow brighter, its light guiding me as I stepped out of the crevice and into the darkness once more.
The whispers of the void grew louder as I pressed onward, but I ignored them. With Void Step in my arsenal and a renewed resolve, I was ready to face whatever horrors this world had in store.
The third Rotten Bone awaited, and nothing would stop me from claiming it.