The First Light of Dawn
The Forest of Nyx behind them, Eren and Lyssandra walked across a vast plateau where grasses swayed under a pale moonlight. The heavy silence was broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the whisper of the wind.
Eren, lost in thought, clutched a pendant in his fingers, a simple trinket weighted with memories. He murmured,"They abandoned me… but not without reason. That mask… that figure… they've been there all along."
Lyssandra looked at him curiously. "You truly believe they were manipulated? Perhaps…""There's no 'perhaps,'" he replied coldly. "The System is pushing me in this direction. I want answers, and I'll get them."
They reached a cliff offering a breathtaking view of a valley lit by distant torches: a fortified outpost, likely a base for the Divine Champions.
A New Challenge
A System panel appeared, hanging in the air like a silent prophecy:
New Main Quest: Infiltrate the Fortress of Iris.Objectives:
1. Identify the allegiances of the Champion of Light.
2. Uncover information about the masked figure.
3. Eliminate opposition, if necessary.
Reward: +50 stat points and access to the Fragment of Truth.
Eren clenched his fists. "They want me to play their game? Fine. I'll do it my way."
Lyssandra placed a hand on his shoulder. "We should be cautious. If this Champion is as powerful as the rumors suggest, it won't be easy."
A sly smile tugged at Eren's lips. "Danger is part of the game, Lyssandra. But this time, I set the rules."
The Infiltration
As night deepened, they descended into the valley, slipping through the shadows of trees and rocks. The fortress was imposing, surrounded by gleaming white walls that reflected even starlight.
Lyssandra whispered, "Purification magic. These walls are imbued to repel dark energy. If you get too close, they'll sense your presence."
Eren closed his eyes, focusing his energy. He summoned one of the abilities gained in the cathedral: Silent Obliteration. A black mist enveloped him, cloaking his aura."Then I'll become a shadow."
They advanced silently, avoiding patrols and magical traps. Inside the walls, Eren found an ancient library. The shelves overflowed with manuscripts and dusty scrolls, but he searched for one specific symbol: the mask.
A Critical Discovery
After several minutes of searching, Eren found a scroll marked with the mask's symbol. The inscriptions spoke of an ancient cult called The Veiled Watchers, secretly working to maintain an unknown balance between light and darkness.
Lyssandra read aloud,"'When the Mask Bearer arises, they are the final bulwark between total destruction and a new order.'"
Eren frowned. "A new order… That's why they left me to die. They thought I could bring total destruction."
But before they could uncover more, a loud noise echoed behind them.
The Champion of Light
A massive man entered the library, clad in golden armor that gleamed brilliantly. His face was hidden behind a helmet, but his radiant aura was overwhelming.
"You shouldn't have come here," he said, his voice resonating like a death knell.
The System displayed:
Zone Boss Identified: Aleister, Champion of Light.Level: 80.
Lyssandra stepped back, ready to support Eren, but he raised a hand. "No. Let me handle this."
The battle erupted. Aleister struck with shards of light, each capable of leveling a building. But Eren, agile and calculating, dodged with precision, countering with his Stellar Blades.
Each exchanged blow lit the library, collapsing shelves around them. Finally, Eren, using a combination of his magical and physical prowess, shattered Aleister's armor, forcing him to retreat.
"Who is the Mask Bearer?" Eren demanded, his blade pointed at the wounded Champion.
Aleister weakly smiled. "You think you're ready for the truth? Fine… seek the Temple of Shadows. There, you'll understand everything."
A New Path
Aleister collapsed, unconscious. Eren and Lyssandra left the fortress, carrying the fragments of knowledge they had gathered.
As they moved away, Eren gazed at the horizon."The Temple of Shadows… that's where it all truly begins."
Lyssandra nodded, but concern clouded her eyes. "Are you sure you want to uncover this truth? Sometimes, the answers are more terrifying than the questions."
Eren smirked darkly. "I'm not afraid of the truth. No matter the cost."
To Be Continued...