The group stood in a loose circle around the obelisk, their eyes fixed on the strange, shimmering stone. The carvings etched into its surface seemed to shift and twist in the sunlight, as if alive.
The faint hum of mana emanating from the obelisk was palpable, a low, steady vibration that resonated deep within their chests. It was both mesmerising and unsettling.
Sam knelt closer to the obelisk, his fingers hovering just above the surface of the stone. He didn't dare touch it—not yet. The carvings were intricate, their patterns swirling in ways that defied logic.
Some of the symbols resembled ancient runes, whilst others were completely alien, their shapes and curves unlike anything he had ever seen.
"This is… incredible," Sam murmured with awe. "The craftsmanship, the energy… it's unlike anything we've encountered so far. This isn't just a random stone."
Victor crossed his arms, his expression cautious. "What is this thing? And who put it here?"
Sam shook his head. "I don't know, but it's emitting mana, and it's clearly not natural. There's something… intentional about it. It feels like it's meant to be found."
Lily stepped closer, her sharp eyes scanning the carvings. "Do you think it's dangerous?" she asked with concern.
"Everything in this world is dangerous," Victor replied grimly. "But that doesn't mean we can ignore it. If this obelisk is here, it's for a reason. We should figure out what that reason is."
Ethan leaned against a nearby rock, his arms crossed. "So, what's the plan? Do we just stand here and stare at it?"
Sam stood up thoughtfully. "I think we should try to meditate around it," he said. "If we can sense the mana it's emitting, we might be able to learn something."
Walter raised an eyebrow. "What are we going to learn from the mana?"
Sam hesitated. "Mana is a form of energy, but it's also… more than that. It's connected to everything in this world. If we can attune ourselves to the obelisk's mana, we might be able to catch a glimpse into its purpose."
Victor's spoke. "Ok... let's try it. But we need to be very careful. If anything feels off, we stop immediately."
They formed a loose circle around the obelisk, sitting cross-legged on the ground. The air was thick with tension, but also a sense of anticipation.
Sam took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "Focus on your breathing," he instructed. "Feel the mana around you. Let it guide you."
The others followed his lead, closing their eyes and focusing on their breathing. At first, there was nothing—just the faint hum of the obelisk's mana and the sound of their own breathing.
But as they concentrated, the hum grew louder, more distinct. It was as if the obelisk was calling to them, its energy pulsing in time with their heartbeats.
Lily was the first to feel it. The mana wasn't just a hum anymore—it was a voice, faint and distant, but unmistakable. It wasn't speaking in words, exactly, but in sensations, emotions, and images. She could feel the obelisk's presence, ancient and powerful, reaching out to her.
"Welcome," the voice seemed to say. "You have come far, but your journey has only just begun."
Lily's breath caught in her throat. The voice was soothing, almost comforting, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something vast and unknowable. She opened her eyes, glancing at the others. Their faces were tense, their eyes still closed, but she could tell they were feeling it too.
Ethan's brow was furrowed in concentration, his hands clenched into fists. He could feel the obelisk's energy, but it was different for him—more aggressive, more demanding. It was as if the obelisk was testing him, pushing him to see how much he could handle.
"Strength is not enough," the voice said, echoing in his mind. "You must learn to control it, to channel it. Only then will you rise."
Ethan gritted his teeth, his muscles tensing as he fought to maintain his focus. The obelisk's energy was overwhelming, but he refused to back down. He would prove himself, no matter what it took.
Victor, meanwhile, felt the obelisk's energy as a cold, calculating presence. It was analysing him, probing his mind for weaknesses. He could feel its scrutiny, its judgement, and it made him uneasy. But he didn't flinch. He met the obelisk's gaze head-on, his mind sharp and focused.
"You seek control," the voice said, its tone almost mocking. "But control is an illusion. True power lies in understanding, in adaptation. Can you let go of your need for dominance?"
Victor's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. The obelisk's words struck a nerve, but he couldn't deny the truth in them. He had always sought control, but in this new world, control was fleeting. He would have to adapt, to change—or risk being left behind.
Walter felt the obelisk's energy as a gentle, guiding presence. It was as if the stone was sharing its wisdom with him, offering insights into the nature of the world and the forces that shaped it. He could feel the depth of its understanding, and it filled him with a sense of awe.
"The past is a lesson," the voice said calmly and measuredly. "But the future is a choice. What will you choose?"
Walter's expression softened, his mind racing with possibilities. The obelisk's words resonated with him, stirring something deep within. He had spent his life reflecting on the past, but, he realised, he needed to look forward.
Sam, meanwhile, felt the obelisk's energy as a flood of information, a torrent of knowledge that threatened to overwhelm him.
The carvings on the stone seemed to come alive in his mind, their patterns shifting and rearranging themselves into coherent shapes. He could see the obelisk's purpose, its history, and its connection to the world around it.
"You seek understanding," the voice said, its tone almost approving. "But knowledge is a double-edged sword. Will you use it wisely?"
Sam's mind raced as he tried to process the information. The obelisk was a repository of knowledge, a guide for those who sought to understand the new world. But it was also a test, a challenge for those who dared to approach it. The knowledge it offered was powerful, but it came with a price.
AJ, being a slime, experienced the obelisk's energy in a completely different way. For him, the mana was a tangible force, something he could absorb and manipulate.
As he focused on the obelisk, he could feel its energy flowing into him, filling him with a strange, otherworldly power. The carvings on the stone seemed to resonate with his own form, their patterns mirroring the way his body shifted and flowed.
"You are rather unique," the voice said curiously. "A being of change, of adaptation. You hold the potential for great power, but also great destruction. Will you embrace your nature, or fight against it?"
AJ's form rippled as he absorbed the obelisk's energy, his mind racing with new possibilities. He could feel the potential within him, the ability to grow and evolve in ways he had never imagined.
But he could also feel the danger, the risk of losing himself in the process. It was a delicate balance, one he would have to navigate carefully.
---
As the minutes passed, the group's connection to the obelisk deepened. The voice grew louder, more insistent, its words echoing in their minds. It was as if the obelisk was speaking directly to each of them, offering guidance, challenges, and warnings.
But then, something changed.
The voice grew sharper, more urgent. The images and sensations it conveyed became darker, more chaotic. The group could feel the obelisk's energy shifting, becoming more intense, more overwhelming.
"Beware," the voice's tone was ominous. "The path ahead is fraught with danger. The world is changing, and not all changes are for the better. You must be prepared. You must be strong."
Lily's eyes snapped open, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. "Something's wrong," she said, her voice trembling. "I can feel it. The obelisk… it's warning us."
The others opened their eyes, their expressions tense. They could feel it too—the shift in the obelisk's energy, the sense of impending danger.
Victor stood up, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. "We need to move," he said urgently. "Now."
But before they could react, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The obelisk's energy surged, its hum grew louder, more intense. The carvings on its surface began to glow, their patterns shifting and twisting in ways that defied explanation.
And then, with a deafening crack, the obelisk split open.
A blinding light erupted from within, flooding the clearing with a radiant, otherworldly glow. The group shielded their eyes, their hearts pounding as the light enveloped them. The voice of the obelisk echoed in their minds one last time, its tone filled with both warning and hope.
"Overcome the trials, learn from the mistakes and continue to grow stronger," it said.
And then, as quickly as it had appeared, the light faded. The obelisk stood silent once more, its surface smooth and unbroken. The group, however, were nowhere to be seen.
---
The group slowly opened their eyes and scanned their surroundings. Everything had changed. They had been teleported somewhere entirely new.
In front of them stood a towering structure, its dark, foreboding presence dominating the landscape. The energy radiating from it was unlike anything they had felt so far—a palpable mix of animosity and bloodlust that hung heavy in the air.
"What… what is that?" Lily whispered, her voice barely audible over the oppressive silence.
Sam's eyes widened as he took in the sight. "It's a dungeon," he said with both awe and dread. "A natural dungeon. The obelisk… it brought us here."
Victor's jaw tightened as he studied the tower. "This isn't good," he said grimly. "The energy coming from that place… it's dangerous."
Ethan crossed his arms, his expression a mix of curiosity and unease. "So, what do we do? Go in?"
"No," Victor said firmly. "Not yet. We need to understand what just happened. The obelisk gave each of us knowledge—it showed us our next step. We need to process it before we even think about going near that tower."
Walter nodded in agreement. "Victor's right. We need to take stock of what we've gained before doing anything rash."
Lily glanced back at the tower, her sharp eyes scanning its dark, imposing form. "It's not going anywhere," she said. "We'll take it on when we're ready."
The group attempted to move away from the dungeon, but they couldn't go far, something within them compelled them to stay. After finding a bit of flat land nearby, they set up camp.
As they settled in, Sam began to unpack the knowledge he had gained from the obelisk. "The obelisk… it wasn't just a stone. It was a guide, a test."
Victor nodded, his expression serious. "We'll take the time to understand what we've been given. That dungeon… it's a challenge, but it's also a trap. We'll face it when we're ready, not a moment sooner."
The group fell silent, their minds racing with the implications of what had just happened. The obelisk had set them on a path, but it was up to them to navigate it.
They had been given a gift, but with it came a responsibility—to grow stronger, to face the trials ahead, and to survive in a world that was far more dangerous than they had ever imagined.