James's boots scraped against the stone floor as he entered the chamber. The glowing glyphs that had guided him through the twisting corridors of the ruins now faded, plunging the room into a thick, oppressive darkness. He paused, gripping his scythe tightly, it's cold metal biting into his palms. A chill swept over him, and a faint, dissonant whisper echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down his spine.
[Trial of Shadows Initiated] [Objective: Survive until the light reveals the path forward. Duration: Unknown.]
The words burned into his vision, stark and unyielding, before fading into the darkness. James's heart thudded in his chest. He glanced around, his eyes straining to see even the faintest outline of the walls, but the shadows swallowed everything. The chamber felt vast, immeasurable. The whispers intensified, overlapping into a cacophony of unintelligible voices that seemed to press against his mind.
"Alright," James muttered to himself, his voice trembling slightly. "Just another trial. Stay calm."
The temperature plummeted further, frost creeping along the edges of his boots. A low, guttural growl reverberated through the darkness, primal and menacing. James spun toward the sound, his scythe's blade humming faintly as he activated [Shadow Tentacles]. From the dark blade, writhing tendrils of black energy lashed out in a wide arc, seeking the source of the growl. They struck nothing but empty air.
A sharp laugh echoed from the void, mocking and cruel. James's pulse quickened as the growling multiplied, coming from every direction. It was a predator's game, and he was the prey. His mind raced, the whispers clawing at his thoughts, threatening to overwhelm him.
Another growl, closer this time. James turned just in time to see a pair of glowing red eyes dart toward him. He swung his scythe, its edge catching the creature—a formless shadow—and slicing through it. The entity shrieked, its voice high-pitched and grating, before dissolving into mist.
[+10 XP]
James barely had time to register the notification before more shapes emerged from the darkness. Dozens of glowing eyes surrounded him, their owners shifting and writhing like liquid shadows. His grip on his scythe tightened, and he activated [Requiem of Souls]. A haunting melody reverberated through the chamber, spectral notes weaving around him. The shadows hesitated, their forms flickering, but they did not retreat.
[-0.5 Mana][-0.5 Mana][-0.5 Mana][-0.5 Mana]...
[Mana:76/150]
The closest shadow lunged at him. James sidestepped, its claws raking the air inches from his face. He countered with a downward strike, the scythe cleaving through its body. Another shriek echoed, but this time, two more shadows darted forward to replace it. James swung again, narrowly fending them off, but the strain was beginning to show. His arms burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
"Come on!" he growled, his voice hoarse. "Is that all you've got?"
The shadows responded with a unified howl, their forms growing larger and more distinct. James cursed under his breath, activating [Grasp of the Fallen]. A spectral wolf materialized beside him, its translucent form glowing faintly in the darkness. It snarled and lunged at the nearest shadow, sinking its fangs into the creature. The two forms dissolved into a flurry of black mist, but the momentary reprieve allowed James to regain his footing.
[+10 XP]
[-10 Mana]
[Mana: 60/150]
The whispers shifted, their tone darker, angrier. The remaining shadows surged forward in unison, a tide of blackness intent on consuming him. He raised his scythe high, channeling [Death's Embrace]. A wave of necrotic energy erupted from the blade, washing over the advancing shadows. They writhed and screamed, their forms disintegrating under the assault. The room quaked, the oppressive darkness retreating like a tide.
[Trial of Shadows Completed]
[+50 XP]
[You have leveled up]
[Level 2 → Level 3]
[Your understanding of Death increases: 0.2% → 0.3%]
[You have gained 10 SP]
[You have gained 10 SMP]
.
[Allocate SP]
Strength: 2
Vitality: 12
Dexterity: 3
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 3
Perception: 1
Stamina: 3
The familiar interface appeared before him, and James quickly allocated his skill points. He boosted his Intelligence and wisdom, his mind already calculating what he'd need for the trials ahead
[Remaining SP: 10]
Strength: 3
Vitality: 12
Dexterity: 3
Intelligence: 10 + 5
Wisdom: 3 + 5
Perception: 1
Stamina: 3
[Remaining SP: 0]
A soft, golden light appeared at the far end of the chamber, illuminating a doorway etched with intricate runes. The remaining shadows melted into the walls, their whispers fading into silence. James lowered his scythe, his arms trembling. He was exhausted, his health and mana dangerously low, but he allowed himself a small, triumphant smile.
The doorway beckoned, and James forced his aching body to move. This was only the beginning. As he stepped through the threshold, the soft hum of magic returned, pulling him deeper into the depths of the ruins. The Trial of Shadows had tested his resolve, but he knew the challenges ahead would demand even more.
The next room was unlike anything he'd seen so far. The floor was a reflective black surface, like polished obsidian, and the walls were lined with mirrors that distorted his reflection. His scythe appeared jagged and monstrous, and his eyes glowed faintly in the warped glass. It was unsettling, but he pushed the thought aside as a new notification appeared.
[Trial of Reflection Initiated]
[Objective: Confront your shadow.]
James barely had time to process the message before one of the mirrors rippled, and a figure stepped out. It was him, but not quite. The shadow-James held a scythe identical to his own, its edges dripping with dark energy. Its eyes burned with a cold, blue fire, and its expression was one of pure malice.
[Analyzing...]
Name: Shadow Riftborn
Level: 3
Abilities: Mimics player's abilities at current level.
"Great," James muttered. "Because fighting myself isn't weird at all."
The shadow attacked without warning, its scythe cutting through the air with deadly precision. James barely dodged, the blade slicing a lock of hair as it passed. He countered with a strike of his own, but the shadow parried effortlessly, its movements mirroring his own.
The fight was brutal and unrelenting. Every move James made, the shadow matched. He activated [Shadow Tentacles], but the shadow did the same, the dark tendrils clashing in mid-air. He tried [Grasp of the Fallen], summoning the spectral wolf, but the shadow conjured its own, the two spirits tearing into each other in a violent clash.
James's mana dwindled rapidly, and his arms felt like lead. The shadow showed no signs of fatigue, its attacks coming faster and harder with each passing moment. Desperation clawed at him as he struggled to find an opening.
Then it hit him. The shadow wasn't just copying his abilities—it was bound to his actions. If he wanted to win, he'd have to outthink it.
James feinted left, drawing the shadow's attention, then dropped his scythe and lunged forward, grabbing the shadow by its arm. The move surprised it, and James used the moment to channel [Death's Embrace] directly into its core. The necrotic energy pulsed through both of them, but James held on, gritting his teeth against the pain.
[-20 Health]
[Health: 90/140]
The shadow writhed and screamed, its form flickering as the energy consumed it. With a final, shuddering gasp, it dissolved into smoke, leaving James alone in the chamber. The mirrors shattered, the sound like a thousand bells ringing in unison.
[Trial of Reflection Completed]
[+100 XP]
James fell to his knees, his body trembling. His health bar was dangerously low, and his mana was nearly depleted. He reached for the dried meat in his pouch, chewing slowly as he tried to recover.
[+10 Health]
[+5 Mana]
The room shifted again, the reflective surface fading to reveal a set of stairs leading upward. James forced himself to his feet, his legs shaking beneath him. The trials were testing more than his strength; they were testing his resolve. But he wasn't about to give up.
He climbed the stairs, each step taking him closer to the unknown. At the top, another notification appeared.
[Final Trial Unlocked: The Heart of Eldarath]
James's grip tightened on his scythe. Whatever waited for him in the next room, he was ready for, after, you know, taking a nap.