The Orb of Eternity hovered above Kaelion's hand, glowing with a brilliance that seemed to pierce through the dark forest. Its presence was no longer just a tool in his arsenal—it felt like an extension of his very soul.
Lyria watched him warily, her daggers still drawn from their earlier skirmish. "You were gone for a while," she said, breaking the silence. "What happened in there?"
Kaelion lowered his gaze to the Orb, the memory of the Eternal Sage still vivid in his mind. "I saw… something. A vision, or maybe it was more than that. The Sage who created this thing, he gave me a trial to prove my worth."
"And?"
Kaelion's grip tightened. "I passed, but it wasn't easy. The Orb's power is immense, but it comes with risks. I could feel it trying to overwhelm me, like it's testing my limits."
Lyria tilted her head, a faint smirk on her lips. "So, you're saying it's dangerous. You do realize that's basically your thing, right? Running headfirst into danger and somehow coming out alive?"
Kaelion chuckled. "You're not wrong."
The system's voice chimed in, breaking their conversation:
> "Integration progress: 25%. New abilities unlocked: Temporal Rift and Chrono Reversal. Warning: Using high-tier abilities without sufficient mastery may result in backlash."
Lyria raised an eyebrow. "Backlash? That doesn't sound fun."
"It means I need to be careful," Kaelion said. "The more I use the Orb, the more it merges with my core. But if I push too hard…" He didn't finish the sentence, the weight of the unspoken consequences hanging in the air.
---
A Mysterious Messenger
Their conversation was interrupted by a rustling in the bushes nearby. Lyria immediately took a defensive stance, her daggers glinting in the firelight. Kaelion raised his blade, the Starfire flames flickering to life along its edge.
"Who's there?" Kaelion called out, his voice firm.
A figure stepped into the clearing, cloaked in a flowing black robe that seemed to absorb the light around it. The hood concealed their face, but the faint glow of runes etched into their gloves hinted at their power.
"I come in peace," the figure said, their voice smooth and calm.
Kaelion didn't lower his weapon. "That's what the last guy said before he tried to kill me."
The figure raised their hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to warn you."
"Warn me about what?"
The figure stepped closer, stopping just at the edge of the firelight. "About the Orb of Eternity. You've barely scratched the surface of its power, but there are those who will stop at nothing to take it from you."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know so much about it?"
The figure hesitated, then slowly pulled back their hood. Beneath it was a man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, his features sharp and regal. He looked both youthful and ancient, as though time itself had shaped him.
"My name is Elyon," he said. "I was the last wielder of the Orb."
---
A Past Wielder's Warning
Kaelion's grip on his blade tightened. "The last wielder? You expect me to believe that?"
Elyon met his gaze calmly. "I have no reason to lie. The Orb chose you, just as it once chose me. But I paid the price for my arrogance. I pushed its power too far, and it consumed me."
"Consumed you?" Lyria echoed, her eyes narrowing.
Elyon nodded. "The Orb is a tool, but it is also a living artifact. It grows stronger as you do, but if you cannot control it, it will take control of you. That is why I'm here—to ensure you don't make the same mistakes I did."
Kaelion lowered his blade slightly, though he remained on guard. "And why should I trust you?"
"Because if you don't, you won't survive what's coming," Elyon said bluntly. "The enemies you've faced so far are nothing compared to the true threats drawn to the Orb. The moment you activated it, you painted a target on your back. The Hunters will come for you, and they won't stop until they have the Orb—or you're dead."
---
The Hunters
Lyria frowned. "Who are these Hunters?"
"They are a secretive sect," Elyon explained. "Cultivators who have dedicated their lives to obtaining and controlling artifacts of immense power. They believe the Orb of Eternity is the key to ascending beyond the Divine Realm, and they'll do anything to claim it."
Kaelion smirked. "Let them come. I'm not afraid of a fight."
Elyon's expression darkened. "You should be. The Hunters are not ordinary enemies. Their leaders are among the strongest cultivators in the known realms, and they wield powers that rival even the gods. If you face them unprepared, you won't stand a chance."
Kaelion's confidence didn't waver. "Then I'll get stronger. I have the Orb, and I have my system. Whatever they throw at me, I'll overcome it."
Elyon sighed, a mix of frustration and admiration in his eyes. "Your determination is admirable, but it won't be enough. The Orb's power alone won't save you. You need allies, knowledge, and above all, control."
---
A Gift and a Choice
Elyon reached into his robe and pulled out a small, glowing crystal. He held it out to Kaelion.
"What's that?" Kaelion asked, eyeing the crystal suspiciously.
"A shard of my memories," Elyon said. "It contains knowledge about the Orb—its history, its abilities, and the dangers it poses. If you want to survive, you'll need to understand the artifact you've bonded with."
Kaelion hesitated for a moment, then took the crystal. As soon as it touched his hand, a rush of information flooded his mind—visions of battles, ancient rituals, and the intricate workings of the Orb. It was overwhelming, but also enlightening.
"This…" Kaelion whispered, his voice filled with awe.
"It's only a fraction of what you'll need to know," Elyon said. "The rest, you'll have to learn on your own."
Lyria crossed her arms. "And what happens to you? Are you just going to disappear now?"
Elyon gave a faint smile. "My time is over. I am merely a shadow of my former self, a fragment left behind to guide the next wielder. Once my purpose is fulfilled, I will fade away."
Kaelion nodded, a newfound respect in his eyes. "Thank you. I won't let your knowledge go to waste."
Elyon placed a hand on Kaelion's shoulder, his expression solemn. "Remember this: the Orb is both a gift and a curse. Use it wisely, or it will destroy you."
With that, Elyon's form began to dissolve into light, his final words lingering in the air:
"Good luck, Kaelion. You'll need it."
---
A New Resolve
As the light faded, Kaelion and Lyria were left alone in the clearing. The fire crackled softly, its warmth a stark contrast to the chilling truths Elyon had revealed.
Lyria broke the silence. "Well, that was… intense. What's the plan now?"
Kaelion stood, the Orb glowing brighter in his hand. "We prepare. If the Hunters are coming, then I need to master the Orb's power—and fast."
"And me?" Lyria asked, a mischievous grin on her face.
Kaelion smirked. "You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not."
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Kaelion felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead would be dangerous, but he was ready to face it head-on.
This was only the beginning.