The crystalline expanse stretched infinitely, the faint glow of the ground the only source of light in this alien void. Each step Chen took echoed faintly, accompanied by the soft padding of Fenrir's paws.
The voice that had whispered to him—whether it was a memory or something more—lingered in his mind. He shook it off, forcing his thoughts to focus. The System was gone. No safety nets, no guidance, no comforting voice to point him toward the next step.
He was on his own now.
Fenrir trotted ahead, stopping occasionally to sniff the ground. The wolf turned back to Chen, tilting its head as if asking, What now?
"I wish I knew," Chen muttered. He tightened his grip on the Growth Sword, the faint hum of the blade's energy reassuring him.
A ripple of energy passed through the air, raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Fenrir froze, its golden eyes narrowing as it let out a low growl.
Chen raised his sword, his senses on high alert. The void around them seemed to pulse, the crystalline ground beneath their feet vibrating faintly.
Then, the stillness shattered.
A shadowy figure emerged from the void, its form indistinct but exuding a palpable aura of malice. It had no discernible features—just a shifting mass of black and purple energy, like a living wound in reality.
[Entity Detected: Void Wraith]
The notification startled Chen, but before he could process it, the Void Wraith lunged at him. Its movements were erratic, as if it were phasing in and out of existence.
Chen barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the creature's claws sliced through the air where he had just been. The ground cracked beneath its touch, the crystalline surface splintering.
Fenrir sprang into action, circling the Wraith and snapping at its shifting form. The wolf's strikes were precise, aiming for the creature's center mass, but each bite seemed to pass through the Wraith like smoke.
"It's not solid!" Chen shouted, slashing at the Wraith with his sword. The blade connected, but the impact was strange—like cutting through water.
The Wraith recoiled, a hiss escaping its formless body.
[Warning: Void Entities are resistant to physical damage. Utilize Soul Energy.]
The notification only deepened Chen's frustration. "I don't have any Soul Energy!" he growled, dodging another swipe from the Wraith.
The creature's movements grew more aggressive, each attack coming faster and harder. Chen and Fenrir were forced to retreat, step by step, until their backs were nearly against a jagged crystalline outcropping.
Chen's mind raced. He couldn't rely on brute force, and his limited skills offered no clear solution.
The Wraith lunged again, its claws aimed directly at his chest. Instinctively, Chen raised his sword to block, but instead of deflecting the attack, the blade seemed to resonate.
A surge of energy coursed through him, a primal force awakening deep within.
[Soul Eater Activated.]
Chen's vision blurred for a moment as a wave of cold fire swept through his veins. His hands tightened on the sword, and as the Wraith's claws collided with the blade, a pulse of energy erupted from the weapon.
The Wraith screeched, its form flickering as a tendril of shadow was drawn into the blade. The sword drank deeply, its once-dull glow now flickering with a dark crimson hue.
Fenrir barked in surprise, its golden eyes widening as it watched the Wraith falter.
Chen didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, the Growth Sword cleaving through the Wraith's core. This time, the impact was real. The creature let out a final, ear-piercing wail before disintegrating into black mist.
As the last remnants of the Wraith faded, Chen felt a surge of strength flood his body.
---
[Soul Energy Absorbed: 15%]
---
He staggered back, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The Growth Sword felt heavier in his hands, its crimson glow dimming but not disappearing.
Fenrir approached him cautiously, sniffing at the blade before looking up at him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
"I'm fine," Chen said, though his voice was shaky. He glanced at the notification still hovering in his vision.
The Soul Eater ability was… intoxicating. He could feel the raw power coursing through him, a dark and hungry force that begged to be unleashed again.
"Don't lose yourself, Chen." The whisper from earlier returned, more urgent this time.
He shook his head, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "I won't," he muttered to no one in particular. "But I'm not going to hesitate anymore either."
Fenrir let out a soft bark, as if agreeing.
As they moved forward, Chen couldn't help but feel the subtle shift in the air around him. The void was no longer silent. Faint whispers echoed in the distance, a haunting melody that beckoned him deeper into the crystalline realm.
The first step into darkness had been taken, and there was no turning back.