The deeper they went into the Loom, the thicker the threads became—golden strands laced with silver, black, and bursts of crimson that pulsed like veins of energy. Malik's yo-yo hummed in his hand, Kesi slipping silently beside him, blending into the shadows.
Naomi led the group carefully, tracing the patterns that shifted across the Loom's walls. "These threads… they're not random. Each one tells a story—of battles, victories, failures, and power beyond comprehension."
Aubrey tilted her head. "Like… a history lesson? For gods?"
Isaiah's gauntlets glowed faintly as he reached out, brushing a silver thread. "The Loom isn't just a trial. It's a library… of threads, energy, and… perhaps memories of those who came before us."
Malik smirked. "Great. So we're basically walking through a cosmic scrapbook. Awesome."
From the deeper shadows of the Loom, movement stirred. Threads coalesced, forming shapes of animals and beasts long thought to exist only in legend. A serpent with scales woven from starlight slithered along the walls, and a giant hawk with wings of crimson thread perched above, observing.
Kesi hissed, crouching low. Malik's Codex pulsed.
[Legendary Creatures Detected – Observation Mode Enabled]
Arazhul Serpent – Celestial Thread SerpentAbilities: Thread manipulation, gravity distortion
Crimson Talon – Sky Hawk of LoomAbilities: Wind slicing threads, aerial reconnaissance
Aiyokún's voice echoed softly. "These are the Loom's ancient guardians. Some have bonded with mortals, some with gods, some roam freely. Observe them, learn from them. Their threads carry knowledge of battles older than kingdoms."
Naomi's eyes narrowed. "So if we can bond with these… we can gain their power?"
"Possibly," Aiyokún intoned. "But the thread of a legend is not given—it is earned. Only those who understand their own threads can weave another's."
Malik's grin widened. "Challenge accepted. And I love earning stuff."
As they moved through the Loom, threads suddenly vibrated violently. The air grew heavy, and the golden glow dimmed. From the shadows emerged a massive figure, humanoid but with multiple arms, each holding weapons made entirely of golden thread. Its eyes glowed white, threads wrapping and twisting around it like serpents.
Aiyokún's voice rang out, urgent. "This is a Guardian of History. Its name is Shakimu. It tests not only strength but knowledge. Only by understanding the threads of your past and the Loom's past can you survive its trial."
Naomi's blade hummed as she prepared. "We've trained. Let's see if that's enough."
Malik spun his yo-yo, threads connecting to Kesi, Aubrey, and Isaiah. "Everyone ready? Time to make history… literally."
The Guardian lunged, each strike a weaving of golden threads. Malik's Phantom Spin II created shadow duplicates that absorbed the first onslaught. Naomi's Weave Slash II cut through the threads mid-air, opening a path. Aubrey's Shadow Bind slowed the Guardian's attacks, while Isaiah's Iron Thread Barrier protected them from rapid multi-limb strikes.
With teamwork and precise coordination, they began to map the Guardian's patterns, learning not only how it moved but why. Threads pulsed with information, revealing faint echoes of battles fought eons ago. Malik realized that every Guardian is a record of past knowledge and power, and by surviving, they were absorbing it.
After several tense minutes, the Guardian paused, arms lowering. Its threads shimmered with approval. A faint glow radiated from the Loom, illuminating a new corridor filled with golden threads spiraling upward.
[Guardian Bond Opportunity – Observation Complete]Kesi and Threadwork Codex experience bonus – Legendary threads registeredNew Skill Unlocked: Thread Resonance – temporarily synchronize attacks with bonded spirits and legendary creatures
Malik grinned, spinning his yo-yo. "Okay… now this is getting fun."
Naomi smirked faintly, exhaling. "Just remember… fun won't keep the Spindle Court off our backs."
From the far edge of the Loom, the faint silver-thread sigil of a Spindle Court operative glimmered, watching, calculating.
Malik's eyes narrowed. "They never give up, huh?"
Naomi tightened her grip. "No. And neither will we."