Ray had been wanderingthrough the Green Zone for what seemed like hours. The strange creatures that prowled these lands were tough, but none had posed a significant threat to him—until now. He spotted a small cave nestled beneath an overhang of thick trees, a likely place to take shelter for the night. After scanning his surroundings to ensure there were no immediate threats, Ray entered cautiously, securing his gear before taking a moment to rest.
Once inside, the oppressive silence weighed on him. He settled down against the cool stone wall, taking a few moments to clear his mind before stepping into the Ethereal Quarry once again. The ethereal landscape of the dimension materialized around him. He had learned to expect the weightless feeling and surreal scenery that accompanied this place. Yet, it still amazed him how strange and vast the dimension felt, even after all this time.
Ray focused, and soon, he was standing in the Ethereal Quarry, his feet solidly planted on an invisible surface. He exhaled slowly, scanning his surroundings for any signs of movement. And then he saw it: a flicker in the distance.
His senses heightened, and he began moving cautiously toward it. After a long chase through the swirling mists of the quarry, he finally saw what had been lurking in the shadows.
The creature that emerged from the mist was unlike anything Ray had encountered before. It was a Glimmerfang, a sleek, feline-like creature with shimmering scales that reflected the ever-changing colors of the quarry. Its eyes glowed with an unsettling green light, and its long, sinuous tail flicked through the air like a serpent. The creature's fangs were sharp and curved, and its claws extended into deadly, jagged points. It was fast, stealthy, and exuded an aura of power that made Ray's heart race.
Ray instinctively took a step back, his body tensing. This wasn't just any monster—it was rare, and it radiated an ominous energy. He could feel the danger in the air.
The Glimmerfang snarled, a low, guttural sound that resonated through the air. Its mouth opened, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth, and before Ray could react, it lunged at him with terrifying speed.
Ray barely dodged in time, the beast's claws slicing through the space where he had been just moments ago. He quickly gathered himself, his heart pounding, and drew his lightning-infused weapon. As the creature darted toward him again, he lashed out with a crackling bolt of electricity, but it was too quick. The Glimmerfang dodged, its movements fluid and calculated.
"Come on!" Ray gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling up. His usual strategy—using his lightning abilities—wasn't going to cut it here. The beast was too agile, too unpredictable.
With no time to waste, Ray tapped into a deeper, primal instinct. He had to think on his feet. As the creature leapt at him again, Ray sidestepped and grabbed a nearby rock, hurling it straight at the Glimmerfang's face. It was a distraction, but it worked. The creature stumbled, and Ray took that split second to launch himself forward with a brutal strike.
His fist connected with the creature's flank, sending a shockwave of energy through its body. The Glimmerfang hissed in pain, spinning around to face Ray. It growled low, the green glow in its eyes now blazing like two bright lanterns.
But Ray was already moving again, rushing in with a flurry of lightning-enhanced punches. The creature, sensing its impending defeat, recoiled and sent out a wave of telekinetic force with a roar, slamming Ray into the ground.
Ray gasped as the shockwave of energy knocked the wind out of him. The creature's telekinesis was powerful—Ray had to get up fast. But as he tried to stand, the Glimmerfang pressed its advantage, using its telekinesis to lift Ray off the ground and hold him suspended in mid-air. His body ached as he struggled to break free, his limbs heavy and unresponsive under the beast's grip.
Desperation surged through him. He could feel his life slipping away as the creature tightened its hold, but a thought flashed through his mind—he couldn't give up now. He wasn't about to die in the Ethereal Quarry.
Summoning every ounce of energy, Ray focused on the lightning coursing through him, gathering the last of his strength. With a deafening crack, he broke free, sending a surge of electricity that ripped through the creature's telekinetic barrier. The Glimmerfang screeched, reeling from the blow, and Ray took advantage of the opportunity, slamming his weapon into the beast's skull with all his might.
The Glimmerfang collapsed, its body crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap. Ray panted heavily, barely able to keep himself upright as he staggered over to the creature's body. His heart was still racing, but a sense of accomplishment washed over him. He'd done it. He'd killed the rare creature.
As Ray knelt beside it, he noticed something gleaming near its still-warm body. His eyes widened. It was an orb—much like the yellow orbs he'd found before, but this one had a distinct, blue hue to it, glowing with a strange energy. Beside it lay a cluster of yellow orbs, evidence of the creature's defeat.
He quickly collected them, feeling a surge of power as the Yellow Orbs enhanced his physical abilities. The energy coursed through him, repairing the damage he'd sustained in the fight. But then, as he reached for the blue orb, the world around him seemed to shift violently.
Before he knew what was happening, a massive, unknown creature appeared, its form far larger and more terrifying than anything he'd encountered before. It attacked with a blinding speed, and Ray was caught off-guard. No amount of lightning or strength could protect him as he was torn apart in an instant.
Pain coursed through his body, more intense than anything he had ever felt. He felt himself slipping away, and everything went dark.
---
At the same time Ray woke with a gasp, the intense pain lingering in his body like a nightmare. His body was bruised, battered, but whole again. Slowly, the memories of the fight resurfaced. He reached into his pocket and found the orbs he had collected, the Yellow Orbs and the special orb of Telekinesis still intact.
Without hesitation, Ray consumed the Yellow Orbs, feeling his physical abilities enhance immediately, his muscles becoming stronger and more resilient. Then, he turned his focus to the Telekinesis Orb, wondering what kind of power it would give him.
The moment the orb dissolved in his hands, a jolt of energy shot through him, and Ray could feel something inside him shift. His mind opened, and suddenly, he could feel the air around him—the weight of objects, the vibrations in the atmosphere. It was telekinesis, and it was C-ranked, but it could grow with time. He felt a new power awaken within him, and for the first time, he felt that he might truly be able to survive the quarry and face whatever lay ahead.