The cave was quiet, the only sound the distant rustling of wind outside. Ray had been sitting on a rock, testing his new telekinetic abilities. He focused intently, making small objects float and shift in the air around him. He could sense the energy in the environment, the vibrations of the air, the weight of the rocks—everything was within his grasp. It felt strange but natural at the same time, as if he had always had this power, only now it was awakened.
His concentration broke when he heard a rustle near the cave's entrance. His instincts flared, and he swiftly stood, ready to defend himself. A figure staggered into the cave, her steps faltering. It was Kara—her face pale, her eyes barely open, and her movements sluggish. She was on the brink of collapse.
Ray immediately recognized her. Kara, the woman who had been caught in a dangerous struggle with Axel and Jorik earlier, was now standing before him, exhausted and vulnerable. She swayed on her feet, and before Ray could move to help, her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed, falling unconscious with a soft thud.
Ray rushed over, kneeling beside her. He placed a hand on her forehead, feeling the heat of her exhaustion. She was bruised, battered, and barely conscious, and it was clear she needed help. Without hesitation, Ray gently lifted her into his arms, moving her over to a flat rock inside the cave. He made sure she was lying down comfortably, trying to ease the tension in her body. He didn't know her well, but something about her made him want to help.
As he adjusted her position, Kara stirred slightly, mumbling weakly, "The treasure... it's not yours, Axel..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but Ray heard it clearly.
He frowned but didn't dwell on her words. What mattered was her safety. Ray reached for his bag and pulled out a small energy pack. He had no medical supplies, but this was all he had. He activated the pack, sending a surge of energy into her system to help stabilize her. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, slowly, Kara's breathing became more steady. Her body relaxed, and her brow, once furrowed with exhaustion, eased.
Ray stood and turned to the entrance of the cave, sensing a shift in the air. His instincts flared again, warning him of impending danger. He wasn't alone anymore.
From the shadows of the cave's entrance, Axel and Jorik appeared. The two of them entered with slow, deliberate steps, their eyes narrowed as they focused on Ray. Axel's expression was hard, his jaw set in a determined line. Jorik stood behind him, his arms folded across his chest.
"Ray," Axel said coldly, his voice sharp. "Step aside. Kara is coming with us."
Ray raised an eyebrow, his body tensing. He had expected a confrontation, but not so soon. "Why should I?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with suspicion.
Axel's lips curled into a smirk. "She belongs to us. You don't have the right to interfere."
Ray's eyes flicked to Kara, still lying on the stone slab, unconscious. The two men's intentions were clear—they weren't just after her, but they didn't want anyone else to know about the treasure. Ray could feel the weight of the situation. If he handed her over, there was no telling what would happen to her.
"I'm not handing her over," Ray replied firmly. "She needs rest, not more fighting."
Axel's eyes darkened, and Jorik stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "You're making a mistake, Ray. This isn't your fight," Jorik warned, his voice low and threatening.
But Ray wasn't intimidated. In fact, he felt something stir inside him—a new sense of power. The telekinesis he had just unlocked had given him a greater understanding of his abilities. He could feel the electricity in the air around him, and something clicked in his mind. This could be his advantage.
Axel took a step forward, but before he could move any closer, Ray's lightning-infused weapon flew out of his hands and into the air. The weapon was surrounded by a crackling aura of blue lightning, floating in front of him like a sentinel. Axel stopped, eyes widening in surprise.
Ray concentrated, focusing his telekinetic abilities on the weapon. The blade hummed with energy as it charged with electricity. He could feel the weapon's weight, but he didn't have to touch it. The telekinesis allowed him to control it from a distance, and the more he focused, the more precise he became. With a thought, the weapon spun in the air, circling around him like an extension of his own body.
Axel lunged, but Ray was quicker. He used his telekinesis to coat the weapon with an extra layer of lightning, sending a shockwave through the air. The weapon whipped through the air, striking Axel's outstretched arm before he could react. Axel cried out in pain, stumbling back as a surge of electricity coursed through him.
Jorik moved to intercept, but Ray wasn't done. He manipulated the weapon with pinpoint precision, sending a volley of lightning-infused strikes at Jorik. The blows hit Jorik's chest, and though he blocked some with his own telekinesis, the electricity surged through him, forcing him to stagger backward.
Ray wasn't finished. His eyes narrowed with focus as he used his telekinetic power to slam the weapon into Axel and Jorik simultaneously, sending both men flying across the cave. They collided with the stone walls, their bodies crashing against the hard surface.
Ray panted, exhausted from the fight. He watched the two of them carefully, making sure they weren't getting back up. Finally, after a tense moment, Axel and Jorik remained unmoving, their bodies twitching from the electrical burns.
Ray approached cautiously, his mind already working through his next move. The badges on Axel and Jorik's chests glowed faintly, marking them as participants in the trial. Ray knew that in order to continue advancing in the trial, he needed to gather as many points as possible. He reached down, pulling both of their badges from their chests. Each one would add to his points, allowing him to edge closer to the top ranks.
Ray then turned to Kara, still unconscious but breathing steadily. He was just about to check on her again when he noticed the faint glimmer of something hidden beneath her cloak—something that looked like a small, metallic box. Kara's treasure.
Ray carefully pulled the box from her cloak, the weight of it feeling significant in his hands. The box was not overly ornate, but there was something about it that felt important—perhaps it was the key to whatever had caused such a fierce struggle earlier.
But for now, there was no time to waste. Ray turned toward the cave entrance, still wary of any more threats that might appear. He knew this wasn't the end. It was just the beginning.