The group exited the chamber with the second shard in hand. The air outside was cold and crisp, a stark contrast to the stifling, ancient atmosphere of the fortress. Yet, unease lingered. Dante couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"Two shards down," Damien said, stretching his arms lazily. "Only what, a dozen more to go?"
Kai shot him a sharp look. "The vault map wasn't complete. We don't even know how many pieces there are yet. Let's focus on surviving before we get too optimistic."
Dante walked in silence, his thoughts swirling. The shadow he'd glimpsed in the chamber... was it real? Or was his mind playing tricks on him?
They camped in a clearing that night, the light of their portable stove illuminating the area. Kai was scribbling in his journal, analyzing the glyphs and symbols they'd encountered. Damien, ever the opportunist, was roasting meat he'd managed to scavenge from their supplies.
"You're too quiet, Dante," Damien said, tossing a piece of meat his way. "Brooding doesn't suit you."
Dante caught the food but didn't eat it. "I can't stop thinking about that room... and the shadow."
Kai glanced up from his notes. "You saw something?"
"Maybe. It could've been nothing, but it felt... familiar. Like someone was there, watching us."
Damien smirked. "Familiar, huh? Maybe it's your long-lost twin."
Dante ignored him, focusing on Kai. "You think it's possible someone else accessed the chamber before us?"
Kai hesitated. "The energy readings in that room were old—very old. But it's possible someone found a way to manipulate them without disturbing the main system."
"Great," Damien said, leaning back. "So, we've got ancient tech, killer robots, and now ghosts."
The next morning, the group packed up and resumed their journey toward the next rumored shard location. They moved cautiously, the forest around them thick with towering trees and tangled vines.
As they walked, Kai began explaining the fragments of data he'd recovered from the chamber.
"The Nexus Vault is more than just a repository," he said. "It's a network—a system designed to connect different locations across the world. Each shard isn't just a key; it's a node that powers the network."
Dante frowned. "Why would something like that exist?"
Kai shrugged. "Maybe it was a way to share knowledge or resources. Or maybe it's a weapon. We don't know yet."
They reached the edge of the forest by midday, where a wide river blocked their path. A ruined bridge jutted out from either side, its middle section long since collapsed.
"We're not swimming," Damien said, eyeing the swift current.
"There's another way," Kai said, pointing to an ancient terminal embedded in the stone near the riverbank.
The terminal was covered in moss and vines, but its faint glow indicated it was still active. Dante approached it cautiously.
"Another piece of ancient tech," he muttered.
Kai brushed off the moss and began studying the terminal. "This might be a control panel for a transport system. If I can get it working, we could cross without a problem."
Damien groaned. "Or it could wake up more killer robots."
Kai ignored him, his fingers dancing over the terminal's controls. The glyphs lit up in response, and the river began to churn.
A platform rose from the water, sleek and metallic, with a glowing blue surface.
"Impressive," Dante said.
Kai smiled faintly. "Let's hope it holds."
They stepped onto the platform, which began moving smoothly across the river. The water rippled beneath them, reflecting the bright sunlight.
Halfway across, the platform shuddered.
"Uh, is it supposed to do that?" Damien asked, gripping the edge.
"No," Kai said, his voice tense. "Something's interfering with the system."
The platform suddenly tilted, and they scrambled to maintain their balance. From the water, dark shapes began to emerge—humanoid figures made of black mist, their glowing red eyes locked onto the group.
"Wraiths," Dante said, drawing his sword.
"How are they here?" Kai asked, activating a defensive rune. "This area should be protected!"
"No time for questions!" Damien shouted, spinning his daggers. "Let's send them back to the shadows."
The battle on the platform was chaotic. The wraiths moved with unnatural speed, their attacks piercing through physical defenses.
Dante focused his energy, channeling the sword techniques he'd been honing at the academy. Sword Qi enveloped his blade, and with a powerful swing, he cleaved through one of the wraiths.
Kai worked to stabilize the platform, weaving runes to counteract the interference. "I need more time!" he called out.
Damien darted between the wraiths, his daggers flashing as he landed precise strikes. "Time's a luxury we don't have, Kai!"
One of the wraiths lunged at Dante, its claws inches from his face. Before it could strike, a burst of energy knocked it back.
Dante turned to see Kai, his hands glowing with raw power. "I've got your back," Kai said.
With a final surge of effort, the group managed to destroy the remaining wraiths. The platform stabilized and completed its journey across the river.
As they stepped onto solid ground, Dante glanced back at the water. The shadows were gone, but the unease remained.
"What's going on?" he asked. "Why are the wraiths appearing in protected areas?"
Kai shook his head. "I don't know. But it's not a good sign."
Damien clapped Dante on the shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. One problem at a time, right?"
Dante nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The wraiths, the shadow in the chamber, the shards—they were all connected. And he was determined to uncover the truth.