The moment they stepped through that portal, a feeling of weightlessness overcame the trio. Blinding light enfolded the three so that they had to shelter their eyes as their bodies were pulled forward. Eventually, the light faded enough for them to stand there on a floating platform suspended into an endless void.
The air seemed to hum, to reverberate with a power that vibrated across the skin. The platform itself was composed of a glowing crystalline material that pulsed to some unheard heartbeat. Shards of the world around them—the fragments of an ancient ruin, shattered weapons, shards of text pulsing with ethereal life—seemed to whisper secrets.
This place…" Aris said, her voice trailing off as she turned in a slow circle. "It's like nothing I've ever seen."
Draven whistled, his usual bravado tempered by awe. "Zenith really went all out on this one. I feel like we're standing in the middle of creation itself.
Ryu remained silent, his eyes fixed on a massive structure in the distance. It resembled a tower, but its form was ever-shifting, its spires twisting and reforming as if it were alive. The energy emanating from it was overwhelming, pulling at his very core.
[Welcome to the Nexus Core.]
[Final Challenge: The Heart of Eternity.]
The message hovered before them, its golden letters glowing ominously.
Ryu's hand on his sword tightened as he spoke. "This is it. The source of everything—the final trial."
As if he had spoken the words aloud, the platform beneath them started to move, floating closer to the towering structure. Bridges of light formed to connect them to the base of the Core.
"Let's move," Ryu said, stepping forward without hesitation.
Aris and Draven followed, their weapons at hand. The closer they got to the Core, the heavier the air became, as if the atmosphere itself were fighting to push them back.
As they approached the base, a large gate loomed before them. It was decorated with carvings of battles and triumphs and sacrifices—telling the stories of the people who had come before. At the center of the gate was a great, circular indentation, and it was glowing faintly.
Ryu instinctively opened his inventory and retrieved the Shard of Strength they had earned. As he placed it in the indentation, the gate rumbled and slowly began to open.
Behind the gate opened into a great hall of swirling energy. Orbs of light hovered, hovering above a crystalline floor, casting shifting shadows across it. At its center stood a figure shrouded in darkness, each presence commanding and terror-inspiring.
You have come far," the figure continued, its voice carrying a mix of malice and admiration. "But to claim the Nexus, you must prove you are worthy of wielding its power.
The figure stepped forward, its form solidifying into something humanoid yet otherworldly. Its armor was forged from the same crystalline material as the platform, and a massive blade rested in its hand. Its eyes glowed with an intense golden light, filled with both knowledge and menace.
[Boss Encounter: Zenith's Shadow]
[Difficulty: Mythic]
"Zenith's… shadow?" Draven said, his usual confidence wavering. "You've got to be kidding me."
Aris narrowed her eyes, daggers at the ready. "No point complaining. Let's take it down."
Ryu took a deep breath, stepping into position. "Stay focused. This is our last hurdle."
The battle began in an instant. Zenith's Shadow moved with blinding speed, its blade cleaving through the air and leaving trails of golden light. Ryu barely managed to block the first strike, the impact sending a shockwave through the hall.
"Spread out!" he yelled, rolling out of the way of a follow-up attack.
Aris darted into the shadows, using her agility to strike at the Shadow's flanks. Her daggers found their mark but the Shadow's crystalline armor absorbed the blows without trouble.
"It's too hard!" she shouted, leaping away as the Shadow swung for her.
He rushed across, from the other side, crackling the energy around the spear. He targeted the armoured joints hoping to break a weak point. It connected, and electricity pulsed through the Shadow's body.
The Shadow stumbled and gained its balance, retaliating by performing a wide arc that threw Draven back.
It's adapting," Ryu said, gritting his teeth. "We need to find a way to break that armor."
As if responding to his words, a notification appeared in their shared HUD:
[Hint: Use the power of the Nexus to weaken Zenith's Shadow.]
Ryu's eyes flew to the glowing orbs hovering above the hall. "Those orbs-they're the key. Aris, Draven, cover me!
Ryu sprinted toward one of the orbs before it had time to react. The Shadow moved to intercept him, but Aris and Draven jumped in to launch a co-ordinated assault to draw its attention.
Ryu ran towards the orb and plunged his sword into it. The orb exploded, and a surge of energy poured into his blade. The sword glowed brighter, and Ryu could feel power coursing through him.
"Ryu, behind you!" Aris shouted.
The Shadow closed in, its blade raised for a devastating strike. Ryu turned just in time to parry, the energy from the shattered orb amplifying his strength. The clash sent sparks flying, and the Shadow was forced back.
"Keep breaking the orbs!" Ryu said.
Draven and Aris darted, one towards an orb, one towards the other. Each orb broke in turn and the energy that they released amplified the three, weakening the Shadow.
With the final orb broken, the armor of the Shadow began cracking and its golden light dissipated.
"Now's our chance!" Ryu yelled as he charged forward.
Aris and Draven followed, their weapons glowing with the combined energy of the Nexus. Together, they unleashed a synchronized assault, their strikes shattering the Shadow's defenses.
With a final, earth-shaking blow, Ryu drove his sword into the Shadow's core. The figure let out a deafening roar before dissolving into golden light.
[Boss Defeated: Zenith's Shadow.]
[Congratulations, Champions of the Nexus.]
As the light faded, the hall was silent. In the center of the room, a pedestal rose from the floor, and on top of it lay a glowing crystal-the Heart of the Nexus.
Ryu approached it, his hand hovering over the crystal. "This is it… the end of the trial."
Aris and Draven stood beside him, their expressions a mix of relief and anticipation.
"Go on," Draven said, grinning. "Claim it.
With a deep breath, Ryu reached out and touched the crystal. The moment his fingers made contact, a surge of energy enveloped him, and the world around them began to shift once more.
The trial was over, but the true journey was just beginning.