The narrow passage led the trio into a vast cavern where the ceiling glittered like a starry night sky. Crystals embedded in the walls emitted a faint, soothing hum, their light reflecting off the shallow pools of water scattered across the floor. The shard in Ryan's hand pulsed faintly, its glow weaker than before but still guiding them forward.
"This place is... different," Mia said, her voice low as she surveyed the serene expanse. "Almost peaceful."
Lily frowned, her pendant glowing faintly. "Too peaceful."
Ryan nodded, gripping his halberd. "Stay alert. This feels like the calm before the storm."
As they ventured deeper, the shard's glow brightened momentarily before fading again. A notification appeared:
[New Zone Discovered: The Crystalline Expanse]
[New Objective: Awaken the Shard's Power]
"Awaken its power?" Ryan muttered, examining the artifact. "Guess it's been running on fumes."
At the center of the cavern stood a raised platform surrounded by six massive crystals, each glowing faintly. Runes carved into the floor radiated outward from the platform, their intricate patterns pulsing faintly in sync with the shard.
"Looks like we need to interact with those crystals," Lily said, stepping closer to one. "But carefully."
Ryan approached the nearest crystal, its glow intensifying as he raised the shard toward it. The two lights connected, a beam of energy linking them briefly before the crystal's light went out entirely. The platform pulsed, and a notification appeared:
[Crystal 1 of 6 Activated]
"Simple enough," Ryan said, moving to the next crystal.
As the second crystal activated, the ground trembled, and shadowy figures began to emerge from the pools of water.
[Enemies Spawned: Crystalline Phantoms – HP: 400/400 each]
"Of course," Mia said, readying her bow. "It couldn't just be easy."
The phantoms charged, their semi-transparent forms flickering as they moved. Ryan swung his halberd in a wide arc, activating [Radiant Sweep]. The burst of light energy cut through the nearest phantoms, dispersing their forms.
[Damage Dealt: 200 HP to all enemies](Phantoms Defeated: 3)
Mia fired a volley of radiant arrows, each one striking true. "Keep going! I'll cover you," she called.
Ryan nodded, moving to the third crystal. He raised the shard again, and another beam of energy connected the two. The platform's glow intensified, but more phantoms emerged, their numbers increasing with each crystal.
[Crystal 2 of 6 Activated]
Lily cast [Sanctuary], creating a protective zone around the platform. "Stay close!" she said, her hands glowing as she maintained the spell.
Ryan activated [Courage Strike (Advanced)], his halberd glowing brightly as it cleaved through another group of phantoms.
[Damage Dealt: 300 HP to each enemy]
(Phantoms Defeated: 4)
As the fourth crystal activated, a low growl echoed through the cavern. A massive, shadowy figure emerged from one of the larger pools, its body covered in jagged crystalline shards that refracted the faint light.
[Mini-Boss Encounter: Shard Revenant – HP: 2,000/2,000]
"This just keeps getting better," Ryan muttered, readying his weapon.
The Revenant roared, sending shockwaves through the cavern. Ryan activated [Radiant Barrier (Enhanced)], absorbing the brunt of the attack as he charged forward. His halberd connected with the creature's crystalline armor, sending shards flying.
[Damage Dealt: 300 HP]
(Shard Revenant HP: 1,700/2,000)
Mia loosed a precision shot at the Revenant's core, her arrow striking a weak point and causing the creature to stagger.
[Damage Dealt: 350 HP]
(Shard Revenant HP: 1,350/2,000)
Lily cast [Celestial Flare], her magic bursting outward and weakening the Revenant's defenses. "Now's your chance!" she called.
Ryan activated [Lightforged Strike (Enhanced)], leaping into the air and bringing his halberd down on the Revenant's core. The radiant energy erupted on impact, further destabilizing the creature.
[Damage Dealt: 450 HP]
(Shard Revenant HP: 900/2,000)
The Revenant roared again, summoning smaller phantoms to its aid. Ryan gritted his teeth, activating [Blinding Radiance] to stun the group and give Mia a clear shot.
[Damage Dealt: 200 HP to all enemies]
(Phantoms Defeated: 5)
Mia fired a radiant arrow at the Revenant's exposed core, the projectile striking true and shattering the crystalline shards around it. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing into a heap of glimmering fragments.
[Mini-Boss Defeated: Shard Revenant]
[Rewards: +4 Skill Points, Crystalline Core Unlocked]
With the Revenant defeated, the remaining crystals were easier to activate. As Ryan connected the shard to the final crystal, the platform erupted in a brilliant flash of light. The shard in his hand flared to life, its glow restored and stronger than ever. A notification appeared:
[Shard Awakened: Radiant Resonance Unlocked]
[Radiant Resonance Effect]
Enhances the potency of all radiant-based abilities by 20%.
Periodically emits a burst of radiant energy that damages nearby enemies and heals allies.
Ryan inspected the shard, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like we're back in business."
Lily approached, her pendant glowing faintly. "The shard feels... alive. Like it's connected to this place."
Mia slung her bow over her shoulder. "Let's hope that means it'll help us in the next fight."
A new passage opened at the far end of the cavern, its entrance framed by glowing crystals. Without hesitation, the trio stepped forward, their path illuminated by the shard's renewed light.