Adam stood before the glowing portal, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. The events of the past days had pushed him beyond his limits, and now, facing the unknown, he could feel a pull—an instinct that told him this portal would lead him to even greater challenges and, perhaps, to understanding his destiny.
With a nod of respect to Eve and Felix, Adam took a step forward. The portal's energy enveloped him, pulling him in as the chamber faded from sight. Darkness gave way to a blinding light, and in an instant, Adam found himself in a vast, open field under a sky streaked with hues of red and violet.
The field was empty, silent except for a distant, rhythmic sound—a heartbeat, pulsing through the air, deep and resonant. Adam closed his eyes, grounding himself in this unfamiliar terrain, when Felix appeared beside him, stepping through the portal with ease.
"Where… are we?" Adam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"This is the Realm of Chains, a secluded dimension connected to the powers of the Chain God," Felix replied, his gaze scanning the endless horizon. "Few ever set foot here. You're here because Eve has recognized your potential… and because there is something you must face."
As if on cue, the air shifted, and the distant heartbeat grew louder. Shadows materialized, swirling into forms, and from the darkness emerged spectral figures draped in chains. They stood tall, their faces hidden by shadowy veils, their movements ethereal yet formidable.
"These are the Specters of the Chain God's Past," Felix explained. "Guardians and warriors who once served the Chain God loyally. They are remnants of his power, now bound to test those who seek his legacy."
One of the specters stepped forward, raising a chained hand towards Adam. The chains gleamed with an eerie light, coiling around its arm as it pointed directly at him. Adam felt a pulse of energy as the ground beneath him quivered, and he instinctively dropped into a defensive stance.
"Your task here, Adam, is to prove your worth," Felix murmured. "This trial will not be won by strength alone but by your understanding of balance, strategy, and the depths of your soul."
Adam tightened his fists, his gaze locked on the specter. He could feel the weight of the Noctelion Draconic Martial Arts coursing through him, every form and movement imprinted in his body and mind. He had come so far, gained new skills, and pushed himself to his limits—but he knew this was no ordinary fight.
The specter lunged, chains whipping forward like serpents seeking their prey. Adam sidestepped, narrowly dodging as he unleashed the 4th Form: Shadow Step of the Void, a technique that allowed him to slip between spaces, reappearing behind the specter. He followed with the 6th Form: Formless Blade of the Shadowy Dragon, his hand slicing through the air like a blade, a focused strike aimed directly at the specter's core.
But the specter turned, catching his blow with an ease that took Adam aback. Its chains wrapped around his arm, binding him in place as a chill spread through his body.
"Your power alone will not be enough," Felix's voice echoed, reminding him of the lessons he had learned. "The path of the Noctelion Martial Arts isn't about brute force. Embrace the shadows, become one with them, and let them guide your hand."
With a deep breath, Adam closed his eyes, allowing the energy around him to flow through his body. He felt the specter's grip loosen as he embraced the essence of the shadow itself, letting go of the tension in his muscles. He shifted into the 8th Form: Noctelion Hell over Heaven Wrath of the Shadowless God, channeling the power of shadow and light, balancing the fury of the dragon with a calm control.
The specter staggered as Adam's aura flared, his presence amplified by a newfound harmony within. With a swift, controlled motion, he broke free from the chains and struck, his fist connecting with the specter's core in a burst of shadow and light. The specter dissipated, its form unraveling into a mist of shadows as the field grew quiet once more.
Breathing heavily, Adam looked at Felix, who nodded with approval.
"You've passed the first of many trials in the Realm of Chains," Felix said. "But this is only the beginning. Each trial will demand more from you, not only in skill but in spirit."
As Adam steadied himself, a sense of determination filled him. He was ready to face whatever lay ahead, and though the path was uncertain, he knew that with every step, he was one step closer to unlocking the true depths of his power—and to facing the destiny that awaited him.
In this world, three primary energy systems govern the abilities and strengths of its inhabitants: Mana, Qi, and Aura. Each system has its unique stages and levels, progressing through various levels of mastery.
Mana System
Mana is a mystical energy drawn from the surroundings and within, fueling spells and abilities. Users advance through five main stages, each divided into ten levels that signify their proficiency within the stage.
1. Mana Circle: Levels 1 to 10
2. Mana Ring: Levels 1 to 10
3. Mana Star: Levels 1 to 10
4. Mana Heart: Levels 1 to 10
5. Mana Crown: Levels 1 to 10
Adam is currently at 6 Mana Circle and on the verge of reaching the 7th level. His recent growth has given him the power to use a skill acquired from the Trial of Strength, a powerful ability he's yet to fully explore in battle.
Qi System
Qi is the life force that flows through all living beings. Practitioners of Qi focus on physical and spiritual cultivation, with each rank bringing a deeper connection to their inner power. Qi users move through five key ranks:
1. Martial Apprentice
2. Martial Warrior
3. Martial King
4. Martial Lord
5. Martial Emperor
Each rank represents significant increases in physical strength, speed, and resilience, allowing users to perform incredible feats.
Aura System
Aura is an energy derived from one's willpower and spirit, allowing the user to enhance their physical form or manipulate the world around them. The stages within the Aura system include:
1. Aura Knight
2. Aura Caster
3. Aura King
4. Aura Maestro
5. Aura Master
Aura techniques are often versatile, combining elements of defense, offense, and utility, with higher stages allowing for mastery over more complex Aura manipulations.
Having advanced to the 6th Mana Circle after defeating his first Specter, Adam is now prepared to face his next challenge within the Realm of Chains. The 6th Mana Circle also unlocks his newfound skill from the Trial of Strength, which he will use to his advantage in this upcoming battle.
Amon stirred awake, still aching from his encounter with the Guardian of the Wind and the near-death escape. His mind was a storm of frustration and bitterness, memories of Elu and Adam seeming distant and unreachable. With each heartbeat, his resentment grew—resentment toward himself, toward his siblings, and most of all, toward the circumstances that had left him vulnerable and weak.
Determined, Amon pushed himself to his feet and made his way to his father, Jaguar, the only person he believed could grant him the strength he so desperately craved. Entering the grand hall, he saw Jaguar seated, his gaze cold and unyielding. Amon approached him with newfound resolve, feeling as though every step was a declaration of the path he was choosing.
"Father," Amon's voice was steady, yet laced with desperation. "I need to be stronger. I don't want to depend on anyone… not Elu, not Adam… not anyone but myself. I'll do whatever it takes."
Jaguar looked at his son for a long, silent moment, a faint gleam of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. Amon's plea echoed his own journey—one of solitude, power, and a willingness to forsake any connection that might hold him back. He could see the same ruthless ambition in Amon's eyes, a determination untainted by the sentimentality of family bonds.
"Strength comes at a cost, Amon," Jaguar finally replied, his voice like ice. "If you wish to walk this path, you must cut yourself off from weakness… from anyone who might anchor you to a lesser self."
Amon nodded, already feeling the weight of the choice settling over him. He was prepared to leave behind everything familiar, to sever the bonds that once mattered. In that moment, he vowed to put distance between himself and his siblings, to pursue power for his own sake and no one else's. With a final, firm nod to his father, he committed himself to the path of solitude, knowing that in his heart, there would be no turning back.