Chapter 14: The Hidden Depths
Aeron's level 11 power surged within him as he and his companions made their way toward the ruins. Every step seemed to amplify the sense of foreboding that hung in the air. They were approaching a place older than any of them could fathom, and each member of their party could feel it.
The ruins loomed ahead, half-buried in the shifting sands of the Ashen Wastes. Pillars of cracked stone stretched toward the sky, their surfaces covered in ancient carvings. Aeron couldn't help but reach out, running his fingers over the weathered symbols.
—[System Notification]—
Quest Progress: The Hidden Power
Objective: Reach the Sunken Ruins
Progress: 70%
"We're close," Sylva said, her voice low. Her dark eyes scanned the area. "I can feel something down there."
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Hobbles muttered, tugging at his cloak. "The air's… heavy."
Aeron nodded, his hand still resting on the ruins. The system buzzed, its voice suddenly more insistent.
—[System Notification]—
Warning: High-Level Threat Detected
Level 20 Guardian Beast: Sunken Leviathan
Warning: Only Party Members Above Level 15 Should Proceed
Aeron felt the chill of realization sweep over him. The Sunken Leviathan—the very beast they had been warned about.
He glanced at his companions. Sylva had a steely look in her eyes, while Hobbles was nervously eyeing the dark maw of the ruins. "Well, it's not like we have much of a choice, right?" Hobbles said with a nervous chuckle. "The system says we can't proceed unless we take it down, so... let's do this!"
Sylva's lips curled into a smile. "For once, Hobbles, I agree with you."
Aeron nodded, tightening his grip on his sword. "Let's go."
---
The Leviathan Awaits
The three of them descended into the depths of the ruins, the air growing colder with every step. The walls were lined with ancient murals depicting gods, beasts, and battles long lost to time. It was clear these ruins were not merely abandoned—they had been guarded.
—[System Notification]—
Quest Update: The Hidden Power
Objective: Defeat the Sunken Leviathan to gain entry to the inner sanctum.
As they ventured deeper, the ground began to tremble beneath their feet. Something massive was stirring. Then, with a deafening roar, the Leviathan emerged from the darkness.
A massive, serpentine creature, its scales glimmering like obsidian. Its eyes glowed with an eerie, malevolent light. Its mouth opened, revealing rows of teeth sharp enough to slice through stone.
—[System Notification]—
Level 20 Sunken Leviathan
HP: 25,000/25,000
Weakness: Heart (Hidden, Weak Spot)
Note: Stronger with each attack absorbed.
Aeron's heart pounded in his chest. This was no ordinary monster.
"Move!" Aeron shouted, his voice firm. He leaped forward, activating Wind Blade as he rushed toward the Leviathan's scaled body. The blade of wind cut through the air, but it barely left a mark.
The Leviathan hissed, swiping its massive tail in retaliation. Aeron dashed back, using Phantom Dash to blink out of the way just in time, leaving behind a decoy to confuse the creature.
Sylva dashed in, her daggers flashing in the dim light, her movements so fluid it was as if she had become part of the shadows themselves. Hobbles wasn't far behind, firing explosive bolts at the Leviathan's scales.
—[System Notification]—
Active Skill: Wind Blade (Cooldown Complete)
The next Wind Blade came at full force, cutting a deep gash along the Leviathan's side. Blood spurted from the wound, but it wasn't enough. The creature only seemed to grow angrier.
"We need to find its weak spot!" Aeron yelled.
As the creature reared back, Aeron's eyes caught a glimpse of the faint glow in its chest. It was barely visible, but the system's prompt appeared in his mind as if urging him to act.
—[System Notification]—
Objective: Strike the Leviathan's Heart
Critical Damage Available
Aeron knew what he had to do.
He took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of strength. With one last charge, he propelled himself toward the Leviathan's chest. As he closed the distance, the beast slammed its tail down toward him, but Aeron was faster. Phantom Dash activated once more, propelling him forward in a burst of speed, leaving behind a decoy to confuse the creature.
In the blink of an eye, Aeron sank his blade into the Leviathan's heart. Critical damage flooded his senses as the creature screamed in agony, its monstrous form thrashing violently.
—[System Notification]—
Critical Hit! Sunken Leviathan's Heart Destroyed
XP Gained: 20,000
Skill Points Gained: 5
Material Dropped: Leviathan Scale x10, Leviathan Fangs x5, Leviathan Heart (Rare Item)
The Leviathan let out a final, mournful roar before collapsing, its massive body crumbling into the dark waters of the ruins.
Aeron stood, panting heavily, his body covered in sweat and the creature's dark blood.
"We did it," Hobbles breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Not yet," Aeron said, his eyes still scanning the area. "This is just the beginning."
...
The ruins fell silent after the Leviathan's demise, the echoes of the battle slowly fading into the dark. Aeron, Sylva, and Hobbles stood amidst the wreckage, their breaths coming fast, their bodies battered from the fight. Yet, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air, an energy that made Aeron feel like he had just taken the first step toward something much greater.
Hobbles was the first to speak, his voice shaky but filled with awe. "Did you see that? We actually brought it down! I thought we were done for when that tail came swinging!"
Sylva wiped the blood off her daggers, her expression unreadable. "We're not done yet. The real challenge is still ahead." Her eyes shifted toward the dark entrance that had now opened deeper into the ruins. The path forward was now clear, and whatever lay ahead was sure to be more than they had bargained for.
Aeron nodded. The quest wasn't finished, and the system was already alerting them to that fact.
—[System Notification]—
Objective Updated: Enter the Inner Sanctum.
Location: The Forgotten Temple of the Sunken Gods.
Warning: The Forgotten Temple holds ancient secrets and hidden powers. Only the brave and powerful may proceed.
XP Boost Available for Discovery of Secrets.
Aeron felt the familiar hum of the system in his mind, the pulsing sensation of progress as if the game world was watching his every move, waiting for him to uncover something deeper. The adventure was never just about leveling up or battling monsters. There were secrets buried here, buried in every stone, every artifact. The hidden powers. They were waiting for someone to awaken them.
"Ready?" Aeron asked, his voice steady, yet with an edge of determination.
"Always," Sylva answered without hesitation. She was the epitome of calm in the face of danger, her confidence never wavering.
Hobbles gave a nervous laugh. "I think I might be ready after a quick nap, but sure, let's do it."
The path ahead led them deeper into the ruins, into a vast chamber lit by the eerie glow of ancient runes inscribed along the walls. Massive stone doors stood in front of them, carved with intricate symbols that seemed to shimmer and shift as they approached. The air was thick with magic—the kind that made the hairs on the back of Aeron's neck stand on end.
He stepped forward, placing his hand on the door, the cool stone beneath his fingers sending a jolt of energy through him. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the runes pulsed with a brilliant light, and the door creaked open with an audible groan, revealing the depths of the temple beyond.
Inside, the atmosphere changed entirely. The sunken gods were no myth. Their presence was tangible in the air, thick with the weight of their ancient power.
—[System Notification]—
Quest Update: Unlock the Secrets of the Sunken Gods.
Objective: Uncover the truth behind the Sunken Gods' power.
The room before them was filled with statues—giant figures carved in the likeness of gods long forgotten. Golden relics and gems littered the floor, their luster dimmed by age. But the most significant object stood in the center of the room—an enormous stone pedestal, upon which rested a strange, glowing orb.
The orb was unlike anything Aeron had ever seen. It shimmered with an otherworldly light, pulsating as if alive. A strange force radiated from it, a combination of magic and energy that seemed to transcend the laws of the game world itself.
Hobbles, unable to contain his curiosity, took a step forward. "What do you think this is? Some kind of treasure?"
"Careful," Sylva warned, her voice low. "This place isn't meant for us. The gods left this behind for a reason."
Aeron, however, wasn't deterred. He could feel it—the power within that orb. Something in him was drawn to it, an instinctual pull that made his heart race.
With a deep breath, Aeron stepped forward, his hand reaching for the orb. The moment his fingers brushed against its surface, a blinding flash filled the room.
—[System Notification]—
Achievement Unlocked: The God's Touch.
XP Gained: 50,000
Rare Item Gained: God's Essence
Power Unlocked: Divine Affinity (Passive Skill)
As the light faded, Aeron found himself standing alone before the pedestal, the orb now cracked and split in half. In his hand, he now held a small shard of the once-glowing relic.
"Did you see that?" Hobbles exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder. "You just—"
Sylva stepped forward, her eyes wide. "He's been chosen."
Aeron's mind buzzed with the influx of new knowledge. Divine Affinity—the skill was as powerful as it sounded. He could feel it coursing through him now, amplifying his existing powers, intertwining them with a deeper, ancient magic that he didn't fully understand yet.
[System Notification]
Divine Affinity (Passive Skill) Activated:
Effect: Increases magic damage by 25%, boosts all elemental resistance by 15%, and grants vision of hidden powers in the environment.
Skill Level: 1/10
His body felt stronger, more attuned to the forces of the world around him. The orb had done something, but it was unclear what.
"Congratulations," Sylva said with a smirk, "It looks like you've just unlocked the first step toward godhood. Just remember, not all gods are friendly."
"I'm not trying to become a god," Aeron said, his mind racing. "But there's something more here. I can feel it. The system keeps hinting at it—hidden powers. There's a reason this place was sealed away."
The room seemed to grow colder as Aeron spoke. The ancient power that had once been sealed within these walls now flowed freely into the world, and with it came the undeniable sense that they weren't alone.
—[System Notification]—
Warning: High-Level Threat Detected
Level 25 Guardian: The Fallen God's Avatar
Warning: Proceed with Caution.
Aeron's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure what the Fallen God's Avatar was, but the presence it carried felt like a storm on the horizon—a force they weren't prepared for.
"Looks like our adventure just got a whole lot more interesting," Aeron said with a grin, his fingers tightening around his weapon.
Sylva nodded. "I think we just woke something up."
Hobbles swallowed hard. "Something big."