When the energy enclosed Ryu, it seemed the hall around him went about to crumple upon itself. Glowing crystal split into splinters of light; it and the roiling energy filling their air absorbed everything around it.
Ryu's sight failed him and his thoughts are drowned with whispers not aggressive, but ancient with immeasurable time. Something unfathomable, of monumental proportion seemed to envelop him: The Nexus alive, as though aware of him.
When his vision cleared, he was no longer in the crystalline hall. Instead, he stood on a vast, open plain bathed in soft, golden light. The sky above was an endless expanse of shifting colors, and far in the distance, colossal spires rose into the heavens.
Aris and Draven appeared beside him, both blinking in confusion as they took in the new surroundings.
"Where… are we?" Aris asked, her voice hushed.
Draven turned slowly, his spear held high. "This doesn't look like the end screen of a game. Is this… still part of the Nexus?"
Before Ryu could answer, a notification popped up in their shared HUD:
[Congratulations on completing the Nexus Core Trial.]
[The Heart of Eternity has been activated.]
[Accessing hidden world: Eternal Nexus.]
The words faded for a moment before dissipating into the air.
"A hidden world?" Ryu muttered, frowning.
A deep, resonant voice suddenly echoed around them, cutting through the silence.
"Champions, you have proven your worth. But the Heart of Eternity is not just a trophy—it is the key to the true Nexus. You now stand in its inner realm, a place where power and danger intertwine. Proceed with caution, for the challenges ahead will test your resolve like never before.
The voice faded, leaving the trio in stunned silence.
"Great," Draven said, forcing a grin. "We win the trial, and instead of a celebration, we get thrown into something even crazier."
Aris crossed her arms, her sharp gaze scanning the horizon. "We should move. If this is the inner realm, it's bound to be crawling with threats."
Ryu nodded, holding his sword tight. "We'll find a way, but we don't split up. No reckless moves."
As they walked, the golden plains around them began to change. The ground beneath their feet rippled like water, and strange, glowing plants sprouted in their path. The air hummed with energy, and faint figures flickered in the distance—shadows of warriors, beasts, and beings that defied description.
They hadn't gone far when a sharp metallic sound echoed, followed by a low growl.
"Something's coming," Ryu said, raising his sword.
From the rippling ground ahead, a tremendous creature emerged. It was something that they had never seen before—its body was an organic and mechanical merge with veins of energy glimmering through its shape. Its eyes burned like hell with otherworldly light as it unleashed a bone-chilling roar.
New Enemy Identified: Nexus Sentinel
Legendary Difficulty
"Of course," Draven muttered, positioning himself. "Couldn't let us enjoy the view for five minutes, huh?"
Aris readied her daggers, her face calm but focused. "Stay sharp. This isn't like the Shadow-we don't know its moves.
The Guardian charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it closed the distance. Ryu met its charge head-on, their weapons clashing in an explosion of sparks and energy.
"Flank it!" Ryu shouted, holding his ground as the Guardian's strength pushed him back.
Aris darted to one side, her daggers flashing with determination as she aimed at those glowing veins in its armor. Draven followed her in, his spear crackling with energy as he made his strike from the side opposite Aris's attack.
Their strikes found its mark, but the Guardian was barely shaken. Rather than flinch, it answered with a burst of energy that sent all three of them sprawling on their backs.
"This thing is harder than it looks!" he called out, struggling upright.
Ryu gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The Nexus Guardian wasn't just powerful—it was intelligent, adapting to their attacks with terrifying precision.
"We need to find its weak point," Ryu said, his eyes scanning the creature's form. "Look for anything different—any vulnerabilities."
As the battle raged on, a faint glow caught Ryu's attention. Embedded in the Guardian's chest was a small, pulsing core, its light flickering erratically.
"The core!" Ryu shouted. "That's its weak spot!"
Aris and Draven didn't hesitate. They launched an attack in unison, drawing attention away from Ryu. Seizing the opportunity, Ryu sprinted forward, his sword glowing bright with the energy of Nexus.
With a powerful leap, he drove his blade into the core. The Guardian let out a deafening roar as its body convulsed, the light in its eyes fading.
When the battle was over, the Guardian collapsed, its massive form disintegrating into fragments of light.
[Guardian Defeated.]
[Access Granted: Path to the Nexus Citadel.]
As the notification appeared, a pathway of light formed ahead of them, leading toward one of the colossal spires in the distance.
"Looks like we're going deeper," Ryu said, sheathing his sword.
Aris smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Draven sighed but grinned. "Just another day in paradise, huh?"
Without another word, they started toward the spire, the light of the Nexus guiding their way.