The towering cliffs of the Ascendant's Passage were as unforgiving as the challenges that awaited. With jagged edges and narrow ledges, the climb was not just a test of strength but also of will. Each step was a battle against the howling winds that sought to tear Chen from the mountainside.
Fenrir followed closely, occasionally leaping from one precarious foothold to another. For once, the wolf's usual laziness was replaced by sharp focus. Its golden eyes reflected an unspoken determination as it glanced back at Chen, who clung tightly to the icy rocks.
The System's voice rang out, cold and calculated:
[Warning: Atmospheric Pressure Increasing. Recommended Action: Fortify Grip and Advance with Caution.]
Chen exhaled sharply. "You think?" he muttered, his fingers aching from the climb.
The ascent was unrelenting, but Chen pressed forward. Each time he felt the urge to stop, the memory of those who had fallen behind him resurfaced. Giving up wasn't an option.
---
THE FIRST OBSTACLE: LAMENTING SHADOWS
As Chen reached a narrow plateau, the path ahead twisted into a dark gorge. The air grew thick, and faint whispers began to echo around him.
Fenrir's ears perked, and the wolf growled lowly. Its fur bristled as the shadows around them began to move unnaturally.
"What now?" Chen muttered, drawing the Growth Sword from his back.
The whispers grew louder, coalescing into words that dug deep into his mind.
"Unworthy... Failure... Weak..."
The voices intensified, their weight pressing down on Chen's chest. He staggered, gripping his sword tightly.
[Observation: Mind-affecting Constructs Detected. Origin Unknown. Advising Mental Fortitude Exercises.]
Chen gritted his teeth. "Mental fortitude? How about I just cut them down?"
The shadows materialized into humanoid figures with hollow, glowing eyes. They moved with unnatural grace, surrounding Chen and Fenrir.
Fenrir leapt at one of the figures, but its claws passed through the shadow harmlessly. The wolf growled in frustration, darting back to Chen's side.
"Great," Chen muttered. "Phantom enemies."
He swung his sword at the nearest shadow, the blade slicing through it. The figure dissolved into mist, but the whispers didn't stop. More shadows rose to take its place.
"System, any ideas?"
[Analysis Incomplete. Hypothesis: Constructs Draw Power from Target's Inner Doubts. Recommended Action: Neutralize the Source.]
Chen scanned the shadows, his eyes narrowing. Amidst the swirling darkness, he noticed a faint glimmer at the center of the gorge.
"There," he said, pointing.
Fenrir barked, as if to say, Finally!
The pair charged toward the light, the shadows closing in around them. Chen slashed his way through, each strike fueled by sheer will. Fenrir darted ahead, its agility unmatched as it dodged the grasping tendrils of darkness.
Reaching the source, Chen plunged his sword into the glowing core. The light exploded outward, dispelling the shadows in an instant.
The silence that followed was deafening.
[Obstacle Cleared. Proceed to Next Stage.]
---
THE SECOND OBSTACLE: THE FROST BEAST
The next stage brought Chen and Fenrir to a vast frozen plateau. The air was colder here, each breath visible as a puff of white mist.
At the center of the plateau stood a massive creature—a Frost Beast with icy spikes protruding from its back. Its blue eyes glowed with primal fury as it let out a bone-chilling roar.
Chen tightened his grip on his sword. "Of course, it couldn't just be an easy walk."
Fenrir growled, its stance low and ready.
The Frost Beast charged, its massive claws slamming into the ground where Chen had stood moments before. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Fenrir, keep it distracted!"
The wolf barked and darted around the beast, snapping at its legs. The Frost Beast roared in frustration, swiping at Fenrir, but the nimble wolf evaded its strikes.
Chen seized the opportunity, rushing forward and slashing at the beast's side. The Growth Sword cut deep, but the Frost Beast's icy armor quickly began to regenerate.
"Are you kidding me?" Chen muttered, dodging another swipe.
[Observation: Regeneration Linked to Core Embedded in Subject's Chest. Neutralization Required for Permanent Defeat.]
Chen's eyes locked onto the glowing core beneath the Frost Beast's icy hide. "Got it."
He feinted to the left, drawing the beast's attention, then lunged forward, driving his sword into the core. The Frost Beast howled, its body convulsing before shattering into shards of ice.
Chen collapsed to one knee, his chest heaving. Fenrir trotted over, its tongue lolling out in a smug grin.
"Yeah, yeah," Chen said, ruffling the wolf's fur. "You did great."
[Obstacle Cleared. Proceed to Final Stage.]
---
THE FINAL OBSTACLE: THE ASCENSION GUARDIAN
At the summit of the Passage stood the Guardian—a towering figure clad in golden armor, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. It wielded a massive spear, the tip radiating power.
"You seek to ascend," the Guardian said, its voice echoing across the mountaintop. "But only those with the resolve to endure may pass."
Chen raised his sword, his gaze unwavering. "Let's get this over with."
The Guardian moved with blinding speed, its spear thrusting toward Chen. He dodged, the force of the attack creating a crater where he had stood.
Fenrir leapt at the Guardian, its jaws clamping onto the figure's arm. The Guardian didn't even flinch, swatting the wolf away. Fenrir landed hard but quickly scrambled to its feet, growling defiantly.
Chen charged, his sword meeting the Guardian's spear in a clash that sent sparks flying. The two exchanged blows, the sheer power of the Guardian's strikes forcing Chen to the edge of the cliff.
"You are strong," the Guardian said. "But strength alone will not suffice."
Chen gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He noticed a faint crack in the Guardian's armor where Fenrir had bitten it.
"Fenrir, aim for the same spot!"
The wolf nodded, charging forward. Chen followed close behind, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Fenrir leapt, its claws raking against the crack, while Chen drove his sword into the weakened armor. The Guardian staggered, its spear falling from its grasp.
"You have proven your resolve," it said, its voice softer now. "But the path ahead is fraught with sacrifice. Are you prepared to face it?"
Chen's eyes burned with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes."
The Guardian nodded, its body dissolving into light. In its place, a glowing portal appeared, the air around it humming with energy.
Chen sheathed his sword, his gaze fixed on the portal. "This isn't over yet."
Fenrir sat beside him, its tail wagging slightly.
[Observation: Ascension Portal Detected. Next Stage: Intermediate Human Realm.]
With a deep breath, Chen stepped through the portal, his mind steeled for whatever awaited.
---