The air around Kain shimmered faintly, the energy from his newly regenerated arm radiating a low hum. The Etherial veins pulsing beneath the surface of his skin felt alien, yet they responded seamlessly to his thoughts. He clenched his fist, testing the arm's strength. The power was undeniable, but it came with a price—a weight that pressed on his mind, a constant reminder of the shard's growing influence.
Kain pushed forward, leaving the clearing behind. The crystalline maze had given way to a more open expanse of jagged terrain. Massive shards of broken Etherial stone jutted out of the ground at odd angles, their fractured edges glowing faintly. A perpetual mist clung to the ground, swirling around his boots as he moved.
The Codex Tower loomed far in the distance, a faint silhouette against the darkened sky. Its pull was stronger now, tugging at the shard embedded in Kain's chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that every step brought him closer to something far greater—and far more dangerous—than he'd anticipated.
His thoughts were interrupted by a distant roar. The sound echoed across the Wastes, low and guttural, vibrating in his chest. Kain froze, scanning his surroundings. The mist made it difficult to see far, but he could sense movement—a faint disturbance in the air.
The shard pulsed in warning. [Hostile Presence Detected. Threat Level: High.]
"Figures," Kain muttered, drawing his blade. The weight of the weapon felt different now, lighter in his grasp. His new arm responded with precision, his movements faster, sharper.
The ground beneath him trembled. A massive shape emerged from the mist, its form partially obscured by the swirling fog. The creature was unlike anything Kain had encountered before. Its body was a grotesque fusion of organic and Etherial elements, a hulking mass of muscle and glowing crystal. Four eyes glared at him, each radiating a faint blue light.
Kain's grip tightened on his sword. "Alright, big guy. Let's see what you've got."
The creature charged, its movements deceptively fast for its size. Kain sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a massive claw that gouged the earth where he'd been standing. He retaliated with a quick slash, his blade striking the creature's crystalline hide. Sparks flew, but the attack barely left a scratch.
The shard's whispers surged. [Suggestion: Activate Etherial Surge to amplify combat capabilities. Y/N?]
"Do it," Kain growled.
Dark energy coursed through his body, centered around the shard. His new arm glowed brighter, veins of energy spreading up to his shoulder. Kain's movements became a blur as he launched into a series of strikes, each one faster and more precise than the last.
The creature roared in pain as Kain's blade found a weak spot, severing one of its legs. It staggered but didn't fall, its crystalline eyes locking onto him with renewed fury. Etherial energy gathered in its maw, and Kain barely had time to react as it unleashed a beam of pure light.
He dove to the side, the beam carving a deep trench into the ground. Rolling to his feet, Kain extended his new arm, tendrils of dark energy lashing out. They wrapped around the creature, binding its limbs. Kain pulled hard, the tendrils tightening like chains.
The beast struggled, its movements frantic, but Kain didn't relent. With a final surge of power, he drove his blade into its core, shattering the crystalline heart within. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into a faint mist of Etherial energy.
Kain staggered back, his breath coming in heavy gasps. His arm throbbed with residual energy, the veins pulsing faintly as they absorbed the remnants of the creature's power.
[Energy Absorbed. Corruption Level: 33%. Combat Efficiency Enhanced.]
"Noted," Kain muttered, sheathing his sword. He glanced at the dissolving remains of the creature, a faint sense of unease settling over him. The shard's power was growing, but so was its grip on him.
The mist around him began to clear, revealing a faintly glowing path etched into the ground. It led directly toward the Codex Tower, its edges marked by faint runes. Kain followed it, his steps measured, his mind racing.
The fight had drained him, but there was no turning back now. The Codex Tower was calling, its whispers merging with those of the shard. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on.
As the mist closed in behind him, Kain couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The Wastes were alive, and they were hungry.