The glowing pathway stretched before them, suspended in the air like a bridge of stars. As they stepped onto it, the translucent light beneath their feet shimmered with each step, creating ripples that expanded into the golden expanse around them.
"Anyone else feel like we're walking into a trap?" Draven muttered, glancing over the edge of the path at the endless void below.
Always," Aris replied, her tone sharp but light. "But it's not like we have much of a choice."
Ryu remained silent, his eyes fixed on the spire ahead of them. It pulsed faintly, its ever-changing form mesmerizing yet foreboding. Every step they took seemed to bring them closer and yet further away, as if the surreal design of the structure defied logic.
As they walked, vague silhouettes appeared on the perimeter of the pathway, the silhouette of warriors and mages and creatures frozen in the midst of battle, with flickering flame forms, like dying embers, as their whispers, indecipherable but heavy with emotion.
"What are those?" she whispered.
"Echoes," Ryu replied after a moment. "Memories of those who came before us.
Draven shook. "Let's hope we do not join them."
The walkway ended abruptly, combining with a huge gate inlaid into the ground of the Citadel. A very unfamiliar gate—its body being a churning sea of light and shadow, as constantly shifting and reforming into new patterns. Through the center of it all glowed a circular hole, faintly.
Familiar notification appeared:
Insert Nexus Key to Continue.
Ryu retrieved the glowing shard of what they received after defeating the Guardian. As he inserted it into the indentation, the gate shook and a low hum resounded through the air. Slowly, it parted, showing a grand chamber brimming with a soft golden glow.
They entered warily, keeping their weapons ready. The chamber was enormous, the ceiling soaring so high it disappeared into the haze above. There were pillars of crystalline light lining the room, and at its center, this massive console-like structure, surface covered in glowing runes and symbols.
Before they could draw near, a figure appeared in the center of the room. It was humanoid but was unmistakably otherworldly, its form made completely of golden light. Its face was blank, and the presence was overpowering.
[Welcome, Champions.]
[I am Solus, Keeper of the Nexus Citadel.]
The voice was calm and resonant, echoing within their minds rather than their ears.
"You're the Keeper?" Ryu asked, his grip on his sword tightening. "What is this place?"
[This Citadel is the heart of the Nexus Core, a library of knowledge and power. It is here to maintain the balance of the Eternal Nexus. You have proven your worth, but your journey is far from over.]
Draven groaned. "Of course it isn't."
[The Citadel houses the Nexus Archives, which contains the secrets of this realm. However, access to its full power can only be achieved by besting its guardians and unsealing the Archive Seals. ]
A notification popped up.
[New Quest: Unlock the Nexus Archives.]
Objective: Slay the Citadel Guardians (0/3).
Reward: Access to the Nexus Archives, Experience Points, and Rare Items.
"Depends on how 'manageable' they think we are," Ryu said, his expression grim. "We'll take them one at a time. Solus, where do we start?"
The Keeper raised a glowing hand, and three portals appeared around the room, each leading to a different chamber. Each portal emitted a unique aura—one cold and icy, one fiery and volatile, and one dark and foreboding.
[Choose wisely, for each path will test your strength, resolve, and unity. Once you step through, there is no turning back.]
Ryu glanced at Aris and Draven. "Let's start with the ice path. If we're going to fight fire or darkness later, we might as well conserve our energy now."
"Logical," Aris said, nodding in agreement.
Draven shrugged. "Fine by me. Let's get it over with."
They approached the ice portal, the air around it chilling their skin. Without hesitation, Ryu stepped through, followed closely by the others.
The world shifted around them, and they found themselves in a frozen cavern. Ice crystals jutted from the walls and ceiling, refracting the faint light into dazzling patterns. The ground beneath them was slick and treacherous, forcing them to tread carefully.
A chilling wind howled through the cavern, and sound of cracking ice echoed ominously.
Welcome to Frostbound Lair.
Guardian Detected: Cryon Warden of Glacier
Difficulty Level: Epic.
A heavy figure emerged from shadows ahead of them. Cryon looked like a monster, so big and armoured under jagged ice, staring at the intruders, its glowing blue eyes sparkling. It gave a rattling roar, ground shaking and trembling beneath their feet.
"Epic difficulty?" Draven said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I thought we were starting easy!"
"Stay focused," Ryu said, drawing his sword. "We've got this."
The battle began with Cryon unleashing a wave of freezing energy, forcing them to scatter. Ice spikes erupted from the ground, narrowly missing Aris as she darted between them.
"Draven, aim for its legs!" Ryu shouted. "Aris, look for a weak spot in its armor!"
Draven charged forward, spear glowing with energy as he hit Cryon's legs. The beast let out a roar in anger, swinging its tail in the air and throwing him through the ice.
Aris circled around her, the daggers cutting through the thinner ice at Cryon's joints. She struck accurately but barely scratched its armor.
Ryu countered with a head-on attack, sword versus icy claws. Every hit sent shards of ice flying, but Cryon's strength was too much to handle.
A notification showed:
[Hint: Use the environment to weaken the Guardian.]
Ryu's eyes swept the cavern, locking on large icicles hanging from the ceiling. "The icicles—bring them down on it!"
Aris nodded, casting one of her daggers to a clump of icicles above Cryon. The ice shattered, letting sharp fragments rain down onto the Guardian's back. It roared in pain and slowed its movements.
"Go on!" Ryu yelled out, coordinating their attacks.
The three operated together, utilizing the environment for their advantage. With every icicle that fell, Cryon's icy armor cracked and weakened. Finally, Ryu delivered the finishing blow, driving his sword into the Guardian's exposed core.
Cryon let out a final, anguished roar before collapsing into a pile of shattered ice.
[Guardian Defeated: Cryon, Warden of the Glacier.]
[Experience Points Earned: 5,000.]
[Item Obtained: Frost Shard (Rare).
The cavern began to shimmer, and a glowing portal appeared at its center.
"One down," Ryu said, catching his breath. "Two to go."
Draven grinned, picking up the Frost Shard. "If they all drop loot like this, I'm not complaining."
Aris smirked. "Let's just hope the next one isn't twice as tough."
They stepped into the portal, ready to face whatever challenge awaited them next.