Ezra and Liora traveled down the rocky paths from Mount Kabunian, their destination clear: Valsenna. The air was crisp, and the distant sound of birdsong occasionally broke the silence. Ezra, walking slightly ahead, glanced back at Liora, who seemed to be lost in her thoughts.
"You know," Ezra began, breaking the quiet, "I've noticed you never fight back during our encounters. Why is that?"
Liora looked startled by the question, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. "Oh... um... well..." She hesitated, fumbling for the right words. "I'm... not exactly great at fighting. I mean, I have some skills, but I've always been better at brewing potions and crafting. Fighting just... it's awkward for me."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "You're an alchemist. Surely you've got some battle mechanics?"
She sighed, clearly embarrassed. "I do, but I've never really practiced them. And honestly, I get too shy to engage properly in combat. I usually just... avoid it altogether."
Intrigued, Ezra decided to inspect her stats. The numbers and details that appeared nearly made him choke.
> Name: Liora Aeran
Level: 379
Class: Alchemist
Passive Skills (8):
1. Potion Mastery – Enhances potency and efficiency of crafted potions.
2. Elemental Infusion – Allows potions to carry elemental properties.
3. Rapid Synthesis – Reduces crafting time significantly.
4. Toxic Expertise – Immunity to most poisons and toxins; ability to craft unique poisons.
5. Herbal Wisdom – Identifies rare herbs and plants instinctively.
6. Resource Efficiency – Requires fewer materials for crafting.
7. Stamina Reserve – Reduces stamina consumption while crafting or in combat.
8. Critical Brew – Chance for crafted items to have enhanced effects.
Active Skills (4):
1. Explosive Flask – Throws a potion that detonates on impact.
2. Healing Surge – Creates a large AOE healing mist.
3. Elemental Throw – Hurls an infused weaponized vial for elemental damage.
4. Binding Resin – Launches a sticky, paralyzing substance at enemies.
Ezra stared at the stats in disbelief. "You're level 379?! How in Aetheria's name do you not know how to fight?"
Liora awkwardly scratched the back of her head. "I... uh, focused all my efforts on alchemy. I've never had the chance to really... you know... practice using those skills."
Ezra shook his head, muttering to himself, "First Thalion, now this. Why didn't I check their stats earlier? It's like the system gave me all the tools to deal with the Void while surrounding me with hidden powerhouses who don't even realize their potential."
Before he could dwell further, Ezra's Identify skill activated, highlighting nearby threats.
> Detected Threats:
7x Aso Wolves (Level 75)
1x Hind Bear (Level 92)
Ezra turned to Liora, smirking. "Well, lucky for you, there's a pack of Aso Wolves and a Hind Bear up ahead. Let's help you get some experience."
Liora's eyes widened. "Wait, me? You're not going to help?"
He crossed his arms. "Nope. I'll watch. You need to practice. Don't worry, I'll step in if it gets bad."
Reluctantly, Liora nodded, drawing a satchel of potions and tools from her side.
---
The Fight
The Aso Wolves emerged first, their glowing eyes locked on Liora as they began to circle her. Each one snarled, baring sharp teeth, their midnight-black fur blending into the shadows of the trees. Liora fumbled for a flask, uncorking it with trembling fingers.
"Okay, okay... I can do this," she muttered to herself.
The first wolf lunged. Liora reacted instinctively, throwing an Explosive Flask. The vial shattered mid-air, erupting into a fiery burst that singed the wolf's fur and knocked it back.
Ezra watched, arms crossed. "Not bad, but you're hesitating too much. They'll exploit that."
The second wolf darted in from the side, snapping at her leg. Liora stumbled, barely managing to toss a Binding Resin onto the ground. The sticky substance caught the wolf mid-charge, pinning it to the earth.
The third and fourth wolves charged in unison, flanking her from opposite sides. Liora spun, her hand glowing as she used Elemental Throw. A vial struck the third wolf in the chest, releasing a burst of frost that encased its limbs in ice. She narrowly dodged the fourth, tossing another flask blindly over her shoulder. It exploded, creating a small barrier of fire that the wolf refused to cross.
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Improvisation? I'll give you points for that."
The remaining three wolves began to coordinate, rushing her in a coordinated assault. Liora panicked, fumbling with multiple flasks at once. She hurled them in every direction, creating a cacophony of explosions, freezing winds, and flashes of light.
"Watch your aim!" Ezra shouted, ducking as one flask flew dangerously close to him.
Finally, the wolves were down, either incapacitated or too injured to continue.
Liora barely had time to catch her breath before the Hind Bear emerged. Towering over her, its massive frame and glowing red eyes made it a terrifying sight. It roared, charging straight at her.
She panicked, pulling out her last Explosive Flask and hurling it at the ground in front of the bear. The explosion was enough to make it falter, but not stop.
Liora clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. She combined her remaining potions, crafting a makeshift Elemental Throw with a fiery and acidic infusion. As the bear lunged, she threw it directly into its open mouth.
The resulting explosion was deafening. The bear staggered, collapsing with a heavy thud.
Panting, Liora turned to Ezra, her face red with embarrassment. "Happy now?"
Ezra gave a slow clap. "Very. You've got potential, Liora. You just need to trust yourself more. That was... chaotic, but effective."
---
As they continued their journey, Ezra glanced at Liora, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Maybe by the time we reach Valsenna, you'll be a proper fighter."
Liora groaned, shaking her head. "I think I'll stick to alchemy..."
But as they walked, she couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride at her clumsy but victorious first fight.
As Ezra and Liora continued down the path, neither noticed a pair of glowing violet eyes lurking in the shadows of the forest. A Void Raised, cloaked in the darkness of the trees, observed their every move. Its gaunt figure shimmered faintly as it tapped into a concealed Void rune, transmitting its findings.
The scene shifted to a vast, dark chamber pulsating with malevolent energy. A swirling portal opened in the center, and the Void Raised stepped through, kneeling before a towering Void Born, its shadowy form radiating malice.
"They are heading to Valsenna," the Void Raised rasped, its voice echoing in the eerie silence. "The Warden is stronger than we anticipated. He travels with the Alchemist."
The Void Born's expression darkened as it raised a clawed hand and flipped a switch on a nearby obsidian panel. A larger portal crackled to life, and the Void Born stepped through into a sprawling void-touched dimension.
Within the colossal hall stood 54 other Void Born, each emanating an aura of overwhelming power, their monstrous forms varied and grotesque. The newly arrived Void Born approached the group, bowing low as it relayed the report. The hall fell silent as the weight of the information settled among them.
Above them, perched on shadowy thrones that seemed to blend into the dimension itself, were the Four Ascended, their presence shrouded in impenetrable darkness. They watched the Void Born impassively, their forms barely discernible save for the faint outlines of their twisted masks.
One of the Ascended leaned forward, its voice like a harsh whisper cutting through the air. "Useless."
The word carried an undeniable finality, and the Void Born quaked under the weight of the Ascended's gaze. The chamber descended into a heavy silence as the Ascended returned to their vigil, the Void Born exchanging uneasy glances, knowing that failure would not be tolerated.