Chapter 14: Proving Worth
The air inside the temple grew heavier, the weight of its power pressing down on Caleb and Kayla. Before them stood the Gatekeeper of the Core, a towering monstrosity clad in obsidian armor, its four arms wielding weapons of fire, ice, lightning, and shadow. Its glowing red eyes fixated on Caleb, radiating menace.
"This is madness!" Kayla hissed, grabbing Caleb's arm. "You can't take that thing alone. It's obviously a trap!"
Caleb pulled his arm away, his face resolute. "It's not a trap. It's a trial. The gate won't close unless I face it. I have to do this."
Kayla stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Then let me help you! We've fought together this far. Why stop now?"
Caleb shook his head, his expression softening. "This isn't your fight, Kayla. It's mine. Please, trust me."
Kayla's frustration was evident, but she could see the determination in his eyes. She sighed and stepped aside. "Fine. But if it looks like you're going to die, I'm stepping in."
Caleb smiled faintly. "Thanks. Just stay back and keep an eye on the Phoenix."
Caleb stepped forward, his twin daggers gleaming in the dim light of the temple. The Gatekeeper let out a deafening roar, its weapons crackling with energy.
[System Alert: Duel Initiated.]
[Prove your worth to claim the First Core.]
The beast didn't wait for an invitation. It charged forward, its massive blade of fire slicing down with immense speed. Caleb activated Shadow Step, disappearing from its path just in time.
He reappeared behind the Gatekeeper, slashing at its exposed back with his daggers. Sparks flew as his blades struck its armor, but the monster didn't flinch.
[System Alert: Armor Integrity High. Weak Points Detected: Joints, Neck, Core.]
"Figures," Caleb muttered, dodging a sweeping strike from the Gatekeeper's lightning axe.
The Gatekeeper turned, its shadow mace crashing down. Caleb rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the impact as the ground cracked beneath him.
"Alright, let's see how you handle this," Caleb said, activating Eclipse Howl through his Dark Wolf.
A deafening roar echoed through the temple, disorienting the Gatekeeper. Caleb used the opening to dash forward, targeting its joints. His daggers moved in a blur, striking the creature's knees and elbows.
The beast stumbled, but it quickly recovered, its ice spear thrusting toward Caleb. He activated Linked Energy, borrowing his Dark Wolf's agility and reflexes. With enhanced speed, he twisted mid-air, landing a clean strike on the monster's arm joint.
The spear clattered to the ground, and Caleb smirked. "One down."
The Gatekeeper roared in fury, swinging its shadow mace and fire sword simultaneously. Caleb crossed his daggers, blocking the fire sword, but the shadow mace struck his side, sending him flying across the temple.
He hit the ground hard, coughing as pain shot through his ribs.
[System Alert: HP at 70%. Recommend evasion.]
"I'm fine," Caleb muttered, pushing himself up. His Dark Wolf growled from the shadows, its energy surging through their link.
"Let's finish this," Caleb whispered.
The Gatekeeper charged again, its fire sword igniting the air around it. Caleb activated Phantom Blades, creating spectral copies of his daggers that hovered around him.
The Gatekeeper swung its fire sword, but Caleb countered with his spectral blades, sending them crashing into the beast's weapon. Sparks erupted, and the fire sword shattered into pieces.
The Gatekeeper stumbled back, momentarily stunned. Caleb seized the opportunity, activating Shadow Strike to teleport directly onto the beast's shoulder.
With a fierce cry, Caleb drove his daggers into the monster's neck, targeting one of its weak points. Dark energy surged from his blades, cracking the armor and eliciting a guttural roar from the Gatekeeper.
It reached up with its remaining arms, trying to grab Caleb, but he leaped off just in time.
The Gatekeeper's shadow mace slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the temple. Caleb staggered but quickly regained his footing.
"Still standing, huh?" he muttered.
The Gatekeeper's chest began to glow, and Caleb's system blared a warning.
[Warning: Energy Surge Detected. Preparing Area of Effect Attack.]
Caleb ran and carried Kayla keeping her in a safe place.
The beast's core erupted with dark energy, sending waves of destruction outward. Caleb activated Shadow Barrier, a defensive skill that created a shield of darkness around him. The waves crashed against the barrier, but he held firm.
As the energy subsided, Caleb's system chimed:
[System Alert: Core Exposed. Strike Now.]
Caleb didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, using Linked Energy to channel his Dark Wolf's strength and speed. The Gatekeeper swung its lightning axe, but Caleb ducked under it, sliding across the ground toward the glowing core.
He thrust his daggers forward, their edges infused with dark energy. The blades pierced the core, and a blinding light filled the temple.
The Gatekeeper let out one final roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into particles of light.
[System Alert: Trial Complete. First Core Obtained.]
Caleb fell to his knees, breathing heavily as the system continued.
[Dark Wolf Core Assimilation in Progress. Core Energy Increased.]
Kayla ran over, her Phoenix following close behind. "Are you okay?"
Caleb looked up at her and nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yeah. It's done."
Kayla knelt beside him, her expression a mix of relief and admiration. "I can't believe you actually did it."
The system chimed again:
[Core Energy Unlocked: Shadow Dominion.]
"What's that?" Kayla asked, you are zoning out at a moment of time like this.
"Nothing important," Caleb said quickly, standing up. He didn't want to explain the truth about the Dark Wolf just yet.
Kayla gave him a skeptical look but didn't press further. "Well, whatever it is, it saved us and also thanks for saving my life there would you like to have a meal with me that is all I can offer so please accept if it is ok by you So, what now?"
Caleb looked back at the fading light of the temple. "Now, we get out of here and finish this competition and about the meal yes I would like to have a meal with you."
Kayla smiled. "Together?"
Caleb nodded. "Together."