The massive doors creaked open with a groan that echoed through the vast expanse of white stone. A surge of Etherial energy poured from the widening gap, brushing against Kain like an invisible wave. It was cold, alien, and unnervingly familiar. He gritted his teeth, his hand tightening around the hilt of his blade as the shard in his chest pulsed in resonance.
The space beyond the door was unlike anything he'd seen before. A sprawling chamber stretched infinitely, its walls lined with shifting runes and intricate patterns of glowing Etherial veins. The air shimmered with suspended motes of light, floating like tiny stars.
The shard whispered in Kain's mind, its voice sharp and commanding. [Warning: Spatial Anomaly Detected. Probable Manifestation of Trial Environment.]
Kain exhaled sharply. "Another test. Of course."
He stepped forward, his boots clicking against the smooth floor. The moment he crossed the threshold, the doors slammed shut behind him, sealing him inside. The chamber's light dimmed, and the Etherial veins pulsed, as if alive and watching.
A voice boomed, deep and resonant, filling the chamber. "Welcome, shard-bearer, to the Gate of Ascent. Here, your resolve will be measured, your will tested. Only those deemed worthy may proceed."
Kain scanned the chamber, his senses on high alert. The air thickened, and the floating motes of light began to shift, coalescing into humanoid forms. They were spectral, translucent, and each carried a weapon—blades, spears, axes—all forged from shimmering Etherial energy.
The shard's whisper came again. [Manifestations Detected. Combat Imminent. Suggested Action: Engage.]
Kain drew his blade, its edge glinting in the ethereal glow. "Fine. Let's see if you've got what it takes to stop me."
The spectral warriors moved in unison, their forms flowing like water. The first lunged at Kain with a spear, its movements precise and unnervingly fast. Kain sidestepped, his new arm moving instinctively. He grabbed the spear mid-thrust, the Etherial energy sparking against his grip, and twisted, snapping the weapon in two before driving his sword into the specter's core.
The figure dissolved into motes of light, but two more were already upon him. Kain ducked under a wide swing from a spectral axe and retaliated with a powerful upward slash, the force of the blow cleaving the warrior in half. His Etherial arm lashed out, dark tendrils snaring the other attacker and slamming it into the ground.
The shard pulsed in approval. [Efficiency Noted. Threat Level Escalating.]
The motes of light swirled again, reforming into larger, more imposing figures. These new manifestations towered over Kain, their forms bulkier and their weapons radiating a brighter, more dangerous energy.
Kain's breath steadied, his mind focused. "You think size matters? Let's find out."
The first giant charged, its massive Etherial hammer crashing down with a deafening roar. Kain rolled to the side, the impact shattering the floor where he'd been standing. He countered with a precise strike to its leg, his blade cutting through the glowing veins that held its form together. The giant stumbled, and Kain capitalized, leaping onto its back and driving his sword deep into its core.
The second giant roared, its axe sweeping in a wide arc. Kain barely had time to react, his Etherial arm snapping up to block. The force of the blow sent him skidding across the floor, but his arm held firm, the dark energy absorbing the impact.
Kain surged forward, dark tendrils trailing behind him. He ducked under another swing and thrust his blade upward, piercing the giant's chest. As it dissolved into light, the chamber fell silent.
The voice returned, quieter this time, but no less commanding. "Impressive, shard-bearer. But brute strength alone is insufficient. Let us test your mind."
The chamber shifted, the walls melting away to reveal an endless void. Platforms of light appeared, floating in the darkness, each inscribed with complex runes. Kain found himself standing on the first platform, the shard's whispers guiding his gaze to a glowing symbol etched in the air before him.
[Puzzle Sequence Activated. Objective: Decode the Rune Path to Proceed.]
Kain frowned, studying the symbol. It pulsed faintly, and as he watched, the runes on the surrounding platforms began to shift, rearranging themselves into new patterns. He stepped onto the next platform, the light beneath his feet stabilizing as the runes glowed brighter.
The shard whispered, providing fragmented translations of the runes. Kain's brow furrowed in concentration as he pieced together their meaning, each step forward requiring careful deliberation. The wrong platform would flicker and vanish into the void, a stark reminder of the stakes.
After what felt like an eternity, Kain reached the final platform. The runes glowed brighter, coalescing into a single symbol that hovered before him. He touched it, and the void shattered, returning him to the chamber.
The voice spoke again, its tone edged with a hint of approval. "You have passed the trials of strength and intellect. But one test remains."
The chamber darkened, and Kain felt the air grow heavy with an oppressive energy. A figure stepped forward from the shadows, its form cloaked and indistinct, but the energy radiating from it was unmistakable.
It was him.
Or rather, a version of him—a dark reflection, its Etherial arm pulsing with an ominous light. The figure raised its blade, its voice a distorted echo of Kain's own. "Prove that you are worthy, shard-bearer. Or fall to yourself."
Kain's jaw tightened, his blade ready. "If that's what it takes, so be it."