Adam crouched low, his eyes fixed on the treeline. He could feel it now—a dark presence, rippling with the primal energy of Essence. The Shadowfang Direwolf. In the game, it had been an early mid-tier encounter, a beast known for its speed and precision. But here, in reality, facing down this predator wasn't just a matter of hit points and cooldowns.
"Stay sharp," Eirene's voice whispered, her tone a mix of amusement and caution. "Direwolves like to play with their food."
Adam smirked. "I've played this game enough times to know that, Eirene."
Eirene floated beside him, her wings fluttering in the faintest ripple of Essence. "Oh, I'm sure you do. But in case you forgot, you're a touch more fragile here."
Adam tensed, his senses straining as the undergrowth rustled. He knew the Direwolf's attack patterns—how it would stalk its prey, test their defenses, and then strike from an angle just as they dropped their guard. He'd studied it all before. But as he gripped the hilt of the short sword he'd borrowed from his father's storeroom, he felt the weight of the fight settling in. This wasn't a battle he could reset or reload.
The Direwolf emerged from the shadows, its form coiling low to the ground, muscles taut and eyes gleaming. The beast was as sleek as it was deadly, its dark fur rippling with shadow energy that made it seem to flicker in and out of the dim forest light. It moved silently, its gaze locked on him with a cold, calculating hunger.
"Alright," he murmured, his grip tightening. "Let's do this."
The Direwolf moved first, lunging forward in a blur of dark energy. Adam dodged, rolling to the side as the wolf's claws sliced the air inches from his face. His heart hammered, but his mind was clear, each movement measured. He had to wait for the right moment, to let it tire itself with a few early attacks.
"Not bad for a beginner," Eirene's voice chimed in, half-cheerful, half-mocking. "But you're going to need a bit more than quick reflexes to keep up with it."
Adam glanced at her, catching the glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Then how about a hint? You're supposed to be my guide, right?"
She smiled, tapping a finger to her chin. "Focus on its rhythm. Every creature with an Aspect has a pulse, a frequency to their Essence. If you can resonate with that, you might just be able to borrow a sliver of its power."
Adam's mind raced. He'd felt it before—resonating with the Essence of the Core back in the Cave of Echoes. Could he tap into that same power with the Direwolf? He steadied his breathing, letting the sounds around him fade into the background until all he could hear was the steady beat of his heart.
The wolf circled him, each step landing in perfect rhythm, almost as if it was drawing him into its own tempo. Adam closed his eyes for a split second, reaching out mentally, trying to align with the creature's Essence.
And then he felt it—an echoing beat that pulsed just beneath the wolf's snarling exterior. A heartbeat that was wild and fluid, like the shadows themselves. His own pulse began to sync with it, his breath matching its rhythm.
When he opened his eyes again, he felt different—lighter, faster, as if his body was moving just a fraction ahead of his mind. He sidestepped as the Direwolf lunged again, this time matching its movements instinctively, his reactions sharper and more fluid. He wasn't just fighting it; he was part of its dance.
"Ah, there it is!" Eirene cheered. "See? That's resonance. You're feeling the rhythm, the essence of the Shadow Aspect. It's not mastery, but… it's a start."
Adam couldn't help but grin as he dodged another strike, the wolf's claws missing by mere inches. His movements were smoother, faster, as though he was gliding through the shadows alongside the beast. The world seemed to slow, his senses heightened to every flicker of muscle, every shift in the air.
The wolf, realizing its prey was evading it with unexpected ease, backed up, growling low in its throat. Its eyes narrowed, calculating, as though it were reassessing the threat Adam posed.
"Come on," he muttered, his gaze locked on the beast. "What are you waiting for?"
The Direwolf's growl deepened, and it sprang forward again, moving in a blinding series of feints and strikes. But this time, Adam was ready. He matched its speed, his body flowing in sync with its movements, dodging and weaving through each attack with a grace that wasn't his own. He felt like a shadow himself, slipping in and out of the Direwolf's reach.
Then, in a flash, he saw his opening. With a quick twist, he lunged, his sword catching the beast's side. It howled, a sound that echoed through the trees as dark blood spattered the ground. The wolf staggered, glaring at him with eyes burning with both rage and a hint of respect.
"Nice one," Eirene said approvingly. "But don't get cocky. It's still got fight left in it."
The Direwolf's form shimmered, its shadowy Aspect intensifying. It circled him again, moving faster now, its rage amplifying its power. But Adam felt the strain of Backlash creeping in, his pulse fluttering out of sync, the borrowed agility starting to drain him.
"Stay with it!" Eirene urged. "Don't lose the rhythm! You can still finish this!"
He forced himself to focus, gritting his teeth as he pushed through the weariness. He couldn't let up now—not when he was so close. Locking onto the Direwolf's pulse once more, he steadied his breathing, aligning himself with the creature's Essence once again.
The Direwolf lunged, a blur of dark energy hurtling toward him. This time, he met its charge head-on, sidestepping at the last moment and bringing his blade down with a sharp, decisive strike. The sword bit deep, cutting through fur and flesh as the wolf's momentum carried it past him.
It fell, collapsing onto the ground with a final, agonized growl, its body flickering with the last remnants of shadow energy before it stilled. Adam stood over it, breathing heavily, his muscles aching from the strain. He'd done it. His first real victory, not just in a game but here, in Valtora.
But the thrill was short-lived. A sudden jolt of pain shot through him, a sharp reminder of the Backlash Eirene had warned him about. His vision blurred, his knees buckling as he felt the resonance fade, leaving him drained and vulnerable.
"Easy there," Eirene said, her tone softening as she hovered beside him. "Backlash. A bit rough, isn't it?"
Adam grunted, clutching his side as he steadied himself. "Yeah… no kidding."
"You did well, though," she continued, a hint of genuine admiration in her voice. "Not many could pull off a resonance like that on their first try. Especially with a Direwolf."
He managed a tired grin, glancing at the lifeless form of the beast. "Guess I still have a few gamer instincts left in me."
Eirene chuckled, a musical sound that eased the tension in the air. "Perhaps. But instincts alone won't carry you. You'll need strength, resilience, and a healthy respect for the limits of your power."
Adam straightened, his gaze falling on the wolf's chest, where a faint glow was emanating—a dark crystal embedded deep within. Its Essence Core. In the game, Essence Cores were precious, used to enhance powers or forge powerful items. But here, he could feel its energy, a raw, potent force that pulsed with a life of its own.
Eirene noticed his gaze and nodded. "Yes, that's its Essence Core. Consuming part of it could strengthen your Essence flow. You might even reach Stage 9—the Sparked stage."
He raised an eyebrow, studying the crystal with newfound interest. "Sparked, huh? Sounds like a step up."
"It is," she replied, her voice thoughtful. "But there are risks. Essence Cores are potent, unpredictable. Absorb too much, too quickly, and your body might not handle the surge."
Adam hesitated, torn between the allure of newfound strength and the lingering caution that came with Eirene's warning. He wanted to push forward, to climb as high as he could as fast as possible, but he also knew the dangers of rushing. This wasn't a game. He didn't have extra lives here.
He glanced at Eirene, the question hanging in the air. "So… worth it?"
Eirene floated closer, her expression serious, the teasing glint in her eyes replaced by something sterner. "Only you can decide that, Adam. But remember—every step you take now shapes the path ahead. Choose wisely."
He nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle on his shoulders. This was just the beginning, his first real test. But if he wanted to stand a chance in this world, he'd have to take risks. He had the knowledge, the skills, and now, a taste of the power he'd been craving.
Without another word, he reached for the Essence Core, feeling its energy pulsing beneath his fingers.