The creature roared, pulling Chevie back to the present. It charged, its claws glowing with unstable energy.
Chevie steadied his breathing, the memory guiding his hands as he adjusted his grip.
"Let's see if this works," he muttered.
The creature closed the distance in an instant, its claws descending in a deadly arc.
Chevie planted his feet, channeling his energy into Echo's Edge.
The runes on the blade flared brightly, their glow intensifying as power surged through the weapon.
With a shout, Chevie swung the katana in a wide arc.
The energy released from the blade formed a brilliant crescent of light, slicing through the air with devastating force.
The attack struck the creature head-on, carving through its chaotic form and splitting it in two.
The forest erupted with a blinding flash as the energy dissipated, the creature's fragmented remains dissolving into the air. The fissure trembled violently, its glow dimming before it collapsed in on itself with a resounding crack.
Chevie stood in the aftermath, Echo's Edge still glowing faintly.
His chest heaved, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He stared at the blade, the weight of what he'd just done sinking in.
The forest was silent, save for the faint crackle of energy lingering in the air.
Chevie lowered his katana, his mind racing. The attack had felt natural, like a muscle he hadn't known he possessed. But it wasn't his—it was his clone's.
He shook his head, trying to clear the disjointed thoughts. The clone's memories were a part of him now, but they still felt foreign, like a second voice in his mind.
"Astral Cleave," he murmured, testing the name on his tongue. The technique had drained him more than he expected, but its power was undeniable.
Before he could dwell further, a rustling in the bushes caught his attention. He turned, Echo's Edge snapping back into a defensive position.
From the shadows, a figure emerged. It was a young woman, her appearance disheveled but her eyes sharp with determination. She carried a staff glowing faintly with energy, its design unfamiliar to Chevie.
"You're a Gatewalker," she said, her voice steady despite her evident exhaustion.
Chevie frowned. "And you are?"
"Akane," she replied simply. "I've been tracking these anomalies for weeks. That was impressive, by the way."
"I thought you were a rabbit."
Chevie murmured as Akane looked at him confused.
Chevie didn't lower his weapon. "You're not from around here."
Akane shook her head. "No. I came from Virelia. The anomalies there have been getting worse, and it looks like Elthera's next on the list."
Chevie studied her for a moment, his instincts on high alert. Akane's presence seemed genuine, but her sudden appearance so soon after the anomaly felt too coincidental.
"You've been tracking anomalies?" he asked.
Akane nodded. "And fighting them when I can. But I've never seen anyone do what you just did. That technique—it's not standard Gatewalker stuff."
Chevie's grip on Echo's Edge tightened. "What's your angle?"
Akane held up her hands, her expression earnest.
"Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here because whatever's happening with these anomalies is spreading fast. And if we don't stop it, none of us will be around to worry about who's stepping on whose toes."
Chevie's gaze didn't waver. It looked likes people from everyone knows about the anomalies and are investigating everywhere.
"Nice staff you got there."
"It's not for show, but yeah, a little dramatic flair never hurt. You're not from around here, are you?"
Akane laughed at how clumsy he tried to change the subject.
"Not really. Just passing through, enjoying a bit of chaos. "
Chevie nonchalantly explained as he collected a small crystal from the place where the creature disappeared.
"Good talk, Miss Akane." Chevie said as he turned to leave.
"Wait, Hold on!"
Akane was a little confused as he saw the guy just walked away.
"Let me guess—you're gonna ask for my help, right? Because, you know, everyone needs me these days."
Chevie smirked as he turned his head back a little.
"I... No, I was just gonna ask for a direction."
Akane said, flustered.
Chevie rolled his eyes at the excuse she came up with.
"Sure. Ask away."
Chevie said as he looked at the embarrassed woman thinking he guessed right.
"I'm on my way to Dawnvale." Akane said as she tried to keep her face straight.
This time, it's Chevie who showed a surprised expression.
Dawnvale, the capital city of Elthera, his home country.
Thinking of this, he pulled his phone and opened the 'map' app.
"It's here."
Chevie showed her his phone after searching for Dawnvale. Naturally, he knows the direction but pretended to be oblivious.
Akane looked at Chevie's face as he showed his phone seriously.
This guy is obviously teasing her for her earlier remarked as everyone can just search for direction on their phone.
"By the way, I'm from Avenridge." Chevie added innocently.
Akane nodded her head but then realized Avenridge is also a city from Elthera.
"You... you're an ******"
"Heh. You guys should change your recruitment slogan and I might join."
"Did someone else recruited you? Did you accept it?"
"What do you think?"
"How about you tell me how should one recruit someone like." Akane snorted.
"World Domination is good."
"Conquering the world... Can you speak properly?!"
Chevie left the place as he continued teasing the girl following him.
Chevie went back to Avenridge, separating with Akane after entering the Elthera territory.
The early morning breeze carried the scent of dew-soaked earth and blooming wildflowers.
Dawnvale, Elthera's capital, lay a few hours away, where Akane had gone to report the recent anomalies.
Chevie remained behind, still processing the events that had unfolded in the forest.
His hand rested on Echo's Edge, its sleek, black blade catching the sunlight. The runes along its length pulsed faintly, as if resonating with his thoughts.
The memory of Astral Cleave lingered in his mind—the moment he had unleashed power far beyond anything he'd wielded before.
That single attack had felt like tearing through the fabric of reality, and with it came an undeniable realization: he was no longer Rank 2.
"I'm Rank 5 now," Chevie muttered, the words heavy on his tongue.
Rank 5 wasn't just a rank. It was a status that redefined what it meant to be a Gatewalker.
The jump from Rank 4 to Rank 5 wasn't just a matter of strength; it was transcendence—a level where one's mastery of Aetherium blurred the line between human and legend.
Chevie's thoughts drifted to the world beyond Elthera, where the machinations of powerful nations and organizations shaped the Blue Planet's fate.