Ian's fingers tightened around the glowing Divine Codex Fragment, the hum of its energy resonating through his entire body. Standing in the center of the Vault of Echoes, he felt as though he were holding more than just a fragment of power—it was a piece of a story, a remnant of something ancient and vast.
"This is only the beginning," Lyra said, her voice steady but laced with an edge of concern. She stood a few paces behind him, her eyes fixed on the pedestal where the fragment had rested moments ago. "You think you're overwhelmed now? Wait until you find out what the gods really left behind."
Ian turned to face her, the glow of the fragment reflecting in his eyes. "I saw something. A vision. The gods… they weren't gone. They were waiting. For what, I don't know, but they're still out there."
Lyra's expression darkened, her gaze shifting to the faintly glowing runes on the chamber walls. "If they're waiting, it's not for you to succeed. The gods don't give power freely, Ian. Whatever you've stepped into, it's bigger than you—and more dangerous."
The system screen flickered in front of Ian, drawing his attention.
New Quest: Locate the Remaining Codex Fragments.
Objective: Find the Second Fragment.
Hint: Begin in the Skyfall Spires.
Reward: Ability Upgrade, ???
Ian exhaled slowly, the weight of the task pressing against him. "Skyfall Spires. That doesn't sound like a casual stroll."
Lyra let out a short, humorless laugh. "It's not. The Spires are one of the most treacherous regions in this world. Steep cliffs, constant storms, and creatures that make the Hollowfang Alpha look like a puppy. You're not ready for that yet."
Ian slid the fragment into his inventory, the pulsing energy fading as it disappeared. "Then what's the plan? We can't just stay here. The longer we wait, the worse things will get, right?"
Lyra nodded, though her gaze remained cautious. "First, we need to get out of this forest alive. The Vault's activation didn't just alert us—it woke up everything nearby. And trust me, they'll be coming for you."
Ian's stomach churned, his hand instinctively going to the Moonfang Dagger at his waist. "Great. More things trying to kill me. Just what I needed."
Lyra smirked, her blade already in her hand. "Welcome to the game, rookie."
---
The Vault's doors groaned as they stepped into the open air, the clearing bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The forest beyond was darker than before, the familiar whispers now twisted into something more sinister.
Ian paused, his senses heightened by Echo of the Gods. The air felt heavier, charged with a strange energy that set his nerves on edge.
"Do you feel that?" he asked, his voice low.
Lyra nodded, her eyes scanning the tree line. "We're not alone. Move quickly, and stay close."
The system screen flickered again, displaying a new warning.
Warning: Pursuers Detected. Prepare for Combat.
Ian's pulse quickened. "What kind of pursuers?"
Lyra's voice was sharp. "The kind that don't stop until you're dead. Now move."
---
They moved swiftly through the forest, Ian's instincts guiding him as Predator's Instinct painted faint trails of light through the shadows. The whispers grew louder, more chaotic, as though the forest itself were alive and angry.
A low growl broke the silence, followed by the sound of snapping branches. Ian turned, his dagger drawn, just as a massive creature emerged from the shadows. It was unlike anything he'd seen before—its body twisted and malformed, its glowing eyes filled with hatred.
The system screen flashed.
Threat Detected: Revenant Stalker.
Level: 9.
Objective: Eliminate the Pursuers to Escape the Whispering Woods.
Ian's grip tightened on the dagger. "Revenant Stalker? That sounds fun."
Lyra stepped beside him, her blade gleaming in the faint light. "Focus. These things are relentless, but they're not invincible. Target the legs to slow it down."
The Stalker lunged, its claws slicing through the air with blinding speed. Ian activated Quickstep, narrowly dodging the attack as the ground where he'd stood exploded in a shower of dirt and roots.
"Keep moving!" Lyra shouted, slashing at the creature's flank.
Ian circled around, his Predator's Instinct revealing weak points along the Stalker's joints. He drove the Moonfang Dagger into one of its legs, the blade sinking deep and drawing a distorted roar from the creature.
The Stalker swiped at him, forcing Ian to raise his Energy Barrier. The shield absorbed the blow but shattered under the force, sending him stumbling backward.
"This thing's tougher than it looks!" Ian yelled, dodging another attack.
Lyra gritted her teeth, her movements precise as she struck the Stalker's other leg. "Then hit it harder!"
---
The battle raged on, each strike chipping away at the Stalker's strength. Ian activated Shadow Veil, cloaking himself in darkness and slipping behind the creature. He targeted its exposed spine, his dagger slicing through the glowing weak point.
The Stalker let out a final, guttural scream before collapsing, its massive form dissolving into ash.
Ian collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving as the adrenaline coursing through him began to fade.
The system screen appeared again.
Objective Progress: 1/3 Pursuers Eliminated.
Lyra helped him to his feet, her expression grim. "That was just the first. There are two more out there, and they won't be as easy."
Ian groaned, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was easy?"
Lyra smirked, already scanning the shadows for movement. "You'll understand soon enough. Now let's move before the next one finds us."
---
As they pressed deeper into the forest, Ian couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. The Divine Codex Fragment pulsed faintly in his inventory, a constant reminder of the power he now carried—and the enemies it had awakened.
"We're heading for Skyfall Spires after this, right?" Ian asked, breaking the tense silence.
Lyra nodded. "If we make it out of here alive, yes. But don't think for a second the Spires will be any safer. The closer we get to the fragments, the more this world will try to tear you apart."
Ian tightened his grip on the dagger, determination hardening in his eyes. "Then let it try. I'm not stopping now."
Lyra glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Good. Because stopping isn't an option anymore."
The forest around them stirred, the whispers rising to a deafening crescendo as a new threat emerged from the shadows. Ian took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battle ahead.
This was only the beginning.