The massive gates of Central Haven's marketplace creaked open, revealing a vast and bustling hub of activity. Merchants called out to passing players, hawking rare weapons, potions, and crafting materials, while others haggled over newly discovered treasures from Tier 2 zones. The scene was such a vibrant contrast to the tension that clung to Team Eclipse.
"Alright," Aris said, pulling up her inventory. "We've got forty-eight hours until that event kicks off. We need to prepare. New zones mean tougher enemies, and I'm not going in blind."
Draven nodded, tossing a pouch of coins into the air and catching it with a grin. "Time to shop till we drop. Or at least till I drop all my gold."
Ryu didn't say anything. His eyes drifted to the Abyssal Orb. Its light had faded, but he could feel its presence, more than a physical weight, though it felt like that, too. It pulsed faintly, almost like it had a heartbeat.
"Ryu."
Aris's voice snapped him back. He blinked, realizing she was standing in front of him.
"You okay?" she asked, her tone softer than usual.
"Yeah," he said, slipping the orb into his inventory. "Just… thinking."
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. "We'll figure it out. Whatever it is."
Before he could respond, a notification appeared:
[Private Message Received: Unknown Sender.]
[Subject: Beware the Sky.]
Ryu frowned and opened the message.
From: Unknown
Message: The Sky Citadel is not what it seems. Trust no one, not even the system.
A chill ran down his spine as the message dissolved. No sender. No reply option.
"Ryu?" Aris's voice cut in again.
"Nothing," he said quickly, dismissing the notification. "Let's get moving."
The group split up to gather supplies, agreeing to meet near the guild district in an hour.
Draven made a beeline for the blacksmith's forge, his eyes gleaming at the sight of new heavy armor sets and reinforced shields.
This," he said, holding up a gleaming tower shield, "is going to make me unbreakable."
The blacksmith, a burly NPC with a hammer slung over his shoulder, chuckled. "That'll cost you, warrior. But it's worth every coin."
Meanwhile, Aris browsed the alchemist's stall, inspecting vials of potions that shimmered with strange colors.
"Tier 2 healing potions, defense boosters, stamina regen," the alchemist said, his voice low and smooth. "Perfect for someone heading into the unknown."
"I'll take five of each," Aris said, tossing him a handful of gold.
Ryu wandered the quieter side of the market, his thoughts still on the message. He passed rows of weapon racks, but nothing caught his attention—until he saw a small, unassuming booth tucked into the shadows.
An elderly NPC sat behind the counter, his face obscured by a hood. The items on display were unlike anything else in the market: strange artifacts, unmarked scrolls, and weapons that seemed to hum faintly with energy.
"Looking for something… unique?" the old man rasped.
Ryu hesitated, then pointed to a dagger with a blade that shimmered like liquid darkness. "What's this?"
The Voidfang," the old man said. "It is no weapon of weak men. Its strength is born in the dark, striking unsuspecting enemies from shadows. However, there is a price to be paid."
"What kind of price?" Ryu asked.
Old Man's glinting eyes flicked beneath his hood. "You shall find out when the moment arises.
Ryu raised an eyebrow, but the weapon drew him in. He produced a pile of gold without a word. When he added the dagger to his inventory, he received the following message:
[Voidfang obtained. Effect: Increased critical hit rate when attacking from stealth. Cursed Item:???]
He turned to ask the man, but the stall was gone.
An hour passed, and Team Eclipse reconvened outside the guild district, replenishing their inventories and upgrading equipment.
"So," Draven said, slinging his new shield onto his back. "What's the plan?"
"First, we need to tackle that side quest," Aris said, pulling up her map. "The Abyssal energy signatures are scattered across the Tier 2 zones. If we don't deal with them, they might complicate the Sky Citadel event."
And we still have no clue what is up there waiting for us," Ryu added, looking into the sky. The floating castle towered above them in ominous majesty, runes flickering like distant stars.
Draven sighed. "Fine, let's knock out this side quest. But if I get eaten by yet another glowing snake, both of you are going down."
Aris smirked. "Noted."
The group teleported to the nearest waypoint, emerging in a windswept canyon known as the Shattered Vale. Jagged cliffs rose on either side, their surfaces marked with glowing cracks that pulsed faintly in time with the Abyssal Orb in Ryu's inventory.
"This place gives me the creeps," Draven muttered, drawing his sword.
"Stay sharp," Aris said, scanning the area. "The energy signature is close."
As they ventured further into the canyon, the cracks' luminescence increased. The air thickened, and a low, otherworldly vibration reverberated in their ears.
Then, without warning, the ground convulsed. A chasm split before them, and out of it, an enormous beast came: hulking, with limbs and a mottled coat of sharp obsidian scales. Its eyes blazed with Abyssal energy, and its bellow shook the canyon.
[Boss Battle: Abyssal Ravager]
[Level: 40]
Draven groaned. "Why is it always a giant monster?"
"Focus!" Aris snapped, drawing her bow.
Ryu unsheathed his blade, his grip tightening. "Let's take it down."
The fight was brutal. The Ravager's massive limbs struck with the force of an earthquake, scattering the group and forcing them to adapt on the fly.
"Draven, shield up!" Aris shouted, loosing an arrow that exploded on impact.
"Working on it!" Draven yelled, slamming his shield into the ground to block a crushing blow.
Ryu darted around the creature, his movements swift and precise. He activated Voidfang for the first time, slipping into the shadows and striking at the Ravager's vulnerable joints. The dagger's dark blade left a faint trail of energy with each hit, and the creature roared in pain.
"Good show!" Aris cheered, sending a powered shot that went straight into the core of the Ravager's armor.
With one last strike, Ryu jumped onto the back of the creature and shoved his blade into its heart. The Ravager screamed a deafening roar before its remains turned to dust and faded to nothing.
[Boss Defeated: Abyssal Ravager]
[Experience Obtained: 15,000]
[Loot: Abyssal Core Shard]
[Quest Update: 1/5 Abyssal Energy Signatures Neutralized.]
Sitting heavily on a boulder, Draven rubbed sweat from his brow. "One down, four to go. This is going to be a long day."
Ryu looked at the small shard of the Abyssal Core in his inventory - it glowed faintly, eerily similar in hue to the Abyssal Orb.
This is just the beginning," he said softly, his eyes drifting up at the sky. The flying castle seemed to watch them, its constant reminder of what was in front of them.