Chapter 16: A Glimpse of the Titans
The tension in the air was unmistakable as Reiji, Aeris, and Lyra emerged from the forest into a wide, open field. Towering cliffs framed the landscape, and the shimmering light of the setting sun cast long shadows across the land. For the first time since entering Eternal Realms, Reiji felt like he was standing at the edge of something monumental.
"What is this place?" Reiji asked, his voice tinged with awe.
Aeris floated lazily beside him, her golden eyes scanning the horizon. "The Titan's Plains. A battleground from an ancient war long before this era. Many powerful beings perished here, leaving behind echoes of their strength."
Lyra, ever the contrast to Aeris, smirked as she twirled a lock of her fiery hair. "It's also a place where fools come to test their courage—and usually lose it. Don't get too comfortable, Reiji. This isn't exactly friendly territory."
Reiji's dire wolf growled softly, its keen senses picking up something that the others hadn't yet noticed.
Aeris's tail flicked, and she glanced at the wolf. "It seems your companion is more attuned than you are. Something's coming."
Reiji tightened his grip on his sword, his nerves on edge. "What kind of something?"
Before Aeris could answer, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A deep, guttural roar echoed across the plains, sending a chill down Reiji's spine. Moments later, a massive figure emerged from the shadows of the cliffs.
[Rock Titan – Level 50]
The titan was an imposing sight, its body composed entirely of jagged stone. It stood at least twenty feet tall, its eyes glowing with an eerie blue light. Each step it took shook the ground, and the very air seemed to hum with its presence.
Reiji's eyes widened. "Level 50? That's... way out of my league."
Lyra floated closer to him, her wings flickering with fiery light. "No kidding. You'd be crushed in seconds if you tried to take that thing on directly. But then again..." She trailed off, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Aeris sighed, already guessing where this was going. "Don't even suggest it, Lyra. He's not ready to handle something like this, even with his Fateweaver powers."
Reiji looked between the two of them, his mind racing. "Wait, are you saying I should—or shouldn't—do something about this?"
Lyra grinned. "Oh, I'm saying you should. Titans like this don't just appear randomly. It's here for a reason. If you can figure out why, you might have a chance to turn the situation to your advantage."
Aeris rolled her eyes. "And if he makes the wrong move, he'll be reduced to a smear on the ground. Wonderful advice, as always, phoenix."
Reiji ignored their banter, focusing instead on the titan. It wasn't moving toward him—yet. Instead, it seemed to be patrolling the area, its massive footsteps leaving deep craters in the earth.
"I'm not fighting that thing," Reiji said firmly. "But maybe there's a way to use it."
Aeris raised an eyebrow. "Use it? And how, exactly, do you plan to do that?"
Reiji opened his interface, pulling up his Faith Points. He had been cautious about spending them ever since the encounter with the swarm beetles, but this situation felt different.
Would you like to invest Faith Points into this entity?
The option was there, but the cost was staggering. Empowering the titan even slightly would require far more Faith Points than he'd used on his dire wolf.
Reiji hesitated. "If I empower it, there's no guarantee it won't just go on a rampage."
Lyra tilted her head, her fiery eyes gleaming. "True, but think of the chaos it could cause. Titans like this are forces of nature. If you direct it toward a faction or settlement, the ripple effects would be massive."
Aeris crossed her arms. "And the risks are just as massive. Do you really want to gamble with something this dangerous?"
Reiji gritted his teeth, weighing his options. The titan was a potential disaster waiting to happen, but if he could control its actions—however briefly—it could reshape the balance of power in the region.
"I don't like this," he muttered, selecting the option to invest a small amount of Faith Points.
Faith Points invested: 50.
The titan paused mid-step, its glowing eyes flickering as if sensing the change. It turned its massive head toward Reiji, letting out a low, rumbling growl.
Reiji held his breath, his heart pounding. "Is it... responding to me?"
Aeris's expression was unreadable. "You've drawn its attention. Now what?"
Reiji hesitated, then spoke, his voice steady despite his nerves. "Head south. There's a settlement there—The Crimson Blades. Destroy their outpost."
The titan let out another growl, its glowing eyes narrowing. For a moment, Reiji thought it might ignore him entirely. But then it turned, its massive body moving with surprising speed as it began to march southward.
Lyra clapped her hands, laughing. "Well, look at that. The Fateweaver commands a titan. I almost feel sorry for the Crimson Blades—almost."
Aeris, however, looked less impressed. "You've just unleashed a force of destruction on the region. Do you have any idea what kind of consequences this will have?"
Reiji exhaled slowly, watching the titan disappear into the distance. "No. But I guess I'll find out soon enough."
As they continued their journey, the weight of his actions lingered in the back of his mind. The power of the Fateweaver was undeniable, but so were the risks. One wrong move, and he could tip the balance of the world into chaos.
For now, all he could do was move forward—and hope he was prepared for what came next.