The intense heat the crystals had generated as they entered Brana and Luma's bodies slowly faded, leaving them with a strange sensation, as if something foreign now resided within them. Before they could fully process it, a voice echoed—not from the environment, but directly in their minds. It was neither masculine nor feminine, perfectly balanced, and carried a calmness that seemed to defy the chaos around them.
"Children of three worlds, listen."
"Earth, Paion, and Nielv. Three realities, each shaped by unique forces and essences, faced something that even their singularity could not withstand: corruption. This destructive force, born of imbalance and insatiable desire, threatened to consume all that existed. To prevent the end, we, the three worlds, became one. We are now Enkaryon. And together, we shall be the foundation of a new cycle."
The voice was powerful but not commanding, as if it simply stated undeniable truths. Fear grew in Brana's chest as he listened. He glanced at Luma, who clung to his hand tightly. Her eyes were wide, and her small frame trembled with fear.
"I am Terra," the voice continued. "Alongside Paion and Nielv, I give form to this new world. But Enkaryon is no sanctuary. It is a proving ground. A rebirth. And those who wish to live here must prove their worth."
Luma shrank further against Brana, as if wishing to vanish. Brana knew he had to do something. He knelt beside her and gently held her shoulders.
"Hey, Luma, look at me," he said, his voice low but firm. "I promise, as long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you. We'll get through this. Together."
She nodded slowly, her fear easing slightly but not disappearing entirely.
The voice of Terra continued, spreading through the forest like the wind itself.
"You were chosen because you possess potential. The potential to learn, to survive, and to adapt. However, potential alone is not enough. Enkaryon is as much a world as it is a trial. The fusion brought balance, but it also brought dangers and challenges. Those who cannot survive will be absorbed into the essence of this world to sustain it. Those who prove themselves worthy will earn their place in this new cycle."
Brana felt a pang of anxiety but kept his composure for Luma's sake.
"The crystals within you are a gift. They connect you to the essence of Enkaryon, allowing you to survive and evolve. But remember: they do not guarantee your safety. You must fight for it."
The voice paused for a moment, as if giving them time to absorb its words. Then, in a graver tone, it concluded:
"For 182 days, you will face the unknown. Creatures and plants that defy logic, forces that will test your capabilities. Learn. Adapt. Grow. This is the only way to prove you deserve to be here."
With that, the presence faded, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.
Suddenly, a translucent window appeared in the air before Brana and Luma. Words glowed softly, floating like holograms.
[Enkaryon's Trial]
Main Objective: Survive for 182 days.
Rules:
Protect your life at all costs.Use the crystal to evolve and learn.Face challenges to strengthen your connection to the world.
Initial Benefit: For the first 10 days, Enkaryon's essence will automatically heal any non-fatal injuries.
Final Reward: Permanent entry into the cycle of Enkaryon.
Penalty for Failure: Absorption into the world's essence.
Another window appeared shortly after, but this one felt different. It was personal, as if it spoke directly to Brana's soul:
[Skill: Bard's Blessing]
Description: Music and rhythm awaken enhanced reflexes and combat abilities. Connection to sound allows synchronization of movements and maximization of performance in battle.
Brana blinked, confused. Bard's Blessing? Enhanced reflexes in combat through music? He shook his head, trying to process what he was reading.
Beside him, Luma stared at something only she could see.
"Luma," Brana asked, masking his anxiety. "Do you see anything?"
She nodded, still looking shocked. "Yes... It says Arcane's Blessing."
Brana frowned. "What else does it say?"
Luma hesitated before replying, her eyes fixed on the translucent text. "It says… I can comprehend and learn the essences of this world quickly. Anything I want to understand, I can learn really fast."
Brana analyzed the information. His ability seemed useful in combat, but he didn't know how to fight. Luma's ability sounded incredible, but without tools or prior knowledge, how could they use it to survive?
"What's the point of these skills?" he muttered, clenching his fists. "Enhanced reflexes with music? How does that help me against those creatures? And Luma… accelerated learning? There's nothing for her to learn right now that will save us."
He exhaled heavily, feeling the weight of the moment. But when he looked at Luma, he realized he couldn't afford to falter. She trusted him. Even while trembling with fear, she looked to him for the right decisions.
Kneeling in front of her, Brana took her small hands in his. "Luma, listen. I know this is scary, and… honestly, I'm terrified too. But no matter what happens, I'll protect you. These things—these abilities, these crystals—they might not make sense now, but we'll figure out how to use them. Okay?"
She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her eyes still wet with tears. "Okay, Brana. I trust you."
Brana squeezed her hand, determined. No matter how useless their skills seemed right now, no matter how much the world around them seemed to conspire against them, he would do whatever it took to keep them alive.
"Let's start by finding a safe place to sleep," he said, standing up. "For now, that's all we need to focus on. Got it?"
Luma nodded again, and together, the two began walking through the forest. Though uncertainty loomed over them, Brana clung to one unshakable truth: as long as he was alive, nothing would happen to Luma.
And they would survive.