Chapter 18: Echoes of Power
The cold wind howled through the rocky plains as Reiji, Aeris, and Lyra stood amidst the aftermath of their battle with the Ironfang Bear. The beast's massive form lay lifeless behind them, and the air was heavy with the tension of the encounter.
"That was reckless," Aeris said, floating closer to Reiji. Her arms were crossed, and her golden eyes narrowed in disapproval. "You had no backup plan if things went south."
"I didn't need one," Reiji replied, his voice steady but tired. "The wolf and I worked together. It was enough."
Lyra smirked, leaning lazily against a boulder. Her fiery hair flickered like embers in the wind. "Enough for now, maybe. But she's right, you know. One wrong move, and you'd be bear chow."
Reiji glanced at his dire wolf, which was licking its wounds but otherwise seemed fine. "We'll get stronger. Together."
Aeris sighed, her irritation softening into resignation. "Fine. But you need to start thinking bigger, Reiji. Your power isn't just about surviving battles. It's about shaping the world. And right now, you're barely scratching the surface."
Reiji frowned, her words sinking in. "I know. But every time I use Faith Points, I feel like I'm gambling with something I don't fully understand."
"Because you are," Aeris said bluntly. "Faith Points are the currency of influence in this world. They're not just some resource you can throw around recklessly. Every time you use them, you're altering the fabric of the game itself. And the game pushes back."
Lyra chuckled, her crimson wings fluttering. "Oh, don't be so grim, Aeris. Let the kid have some fun. If he breaks the world, so what? At least it'll be entertaining."
Aeris shot her a glare. "This isn't a joke, Lyra. Reiji's choices have consequences—real ones. And if he's not careful, he'll end up painting a target on his back."
Reiji exhaled slowly, the weight of their words settling on his shoulders. "I'll be careful. But I need to test my limits. If I don't push myself, how will I ever know what I'm capable of?"
Aeris hesitated, then nodded. "Fair enough. Just... don't lose sight of the bigger picture."
The conversation was interrupted by a faint rumbling in the distance. Reiji's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the source of the noise.
"What now?" he muttered.
Aeris floated higher, scanning the horizon. Her expression darkened. "Something's coming. Something big."
Lyra grinned, her fiery aura flaring. "Finally, some excitement. I was starting to get bored."
Moments later, a group of players emerged from the rocky terrain. There were five of them, all clad in high-level gear, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. Their leader, a tall man with a heavy battle axe slung over his shoulder, stepped forward.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Looks like we've got ourselves a solo player in over his head."
Reiji didn't respond immediately, his eyes flicking between the players and the Ironfang Bear's corpse. They must have been tracking it.
"Relax," the man said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We're not here to pick a fight. Just curious about who managed to take down that bear. Impressive work, by the way."
Reiji remained cautious. He didn't trust their friendly demeanor, especially not with the glint of greed in their eyes.
"You've got some skills," the man continued. "But you're not from any guild I know. What's your name?"
Reiji hesitated, then decided to play it safe. "Just a solo player passing through."
The man chuckled. "Mysterious, huh? I can respect that. Name's Garret. This is my team. We're part of the Silver Vanguard guild. Ever heard of us?"
Reiji shook his head.
"Figures," Garret said, smirking. "We're not as flashy as some of the bigger guilds, but we get the job done. Anyway, I won't waste your time. How about a trade? That bear's pelt would fetch a nice price, and we'd be happy to take it off your hands. For a fair share of the profits, of course."
Reiji's grip tightened on his sword. He didn't like where this was going.
"No thanks," he said, his voice firm.
Garret's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. "I wasn't asking."
The air grew tense as the other players shifted into combat stances.
Aeris floated closer to Reiji, her voice low. "They're bluffing. They won't risk an all-out fight unless they're sure they can win."
Lyra, on the other hand, looked positively delighted. "Oh, please let them try. I'd love to see the look on their faces when they realize who they're messing with."
Reiji took a step forward, his eyes locked on Garret's. "If you want the pelt, come and take it."
For a moment, it seemed like Garret might actually attack. But then he laughed, raising his hands again. "Relax, kid. No need to get hostile. We'll let you keep your prize—for now."
With that, he turned and signaled for his team to follow. They retreated, but not without a few backward glances filled with disdain and curiosity.
As soon as they were out of sight, Reiji let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"You handled that well," Aeris said. "But don't expect every encounter to end so peacefully."
Reiji nodded. "I know. But I'm not going to back down just because someone tries to intimidate me."
Lyra grinned. "That's the spirit. Keep that fire burning, Reiji. You're going to need it."
As they continued their journey, Reiji couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The world of Eternal Realms was vast and unforgiving, and he was just starting to understand what it meant to be a Fateweaver.