The Gloom-Fang burst from the darkness with a snarl, its powerful legs eating up the ground between them. Elara didn't hesitate. She was a whirlwind of motion, her scuffed leather armor barely making a sound as she moved. The knife in her hand became a blur, glinting in the firelight as she darted to the side, slicing at the beast's exposed flank. The Gloom-Fang shrieked in rage, its massive tail sweeping through the air and knocking over the cooking pot by the fire.
Leo watched, frozen in place. His mind screamed at him to run, but his feet were cemented to the ground. This was a monster from a video game, not something real. The beast turned its attention to Elara, its red eyes glowing with murderous intent. It lunged, and Elara sidestepped just in time, but the Gloom-Fang's claws tore a jagged gash in her arm. A spray of blood hit the ground, and she hissed in pain, stumbling back.
DANGER! DANGER!
The system notifications screamed at Leo. His mind raced. He had no skills, no weapons, no strength. But he had high Intelligence and Wisdom. He had to figure something out. As the Gloom-Fang prepared to pounce on the injured Elara, Leo's eyes were drawn to the creature's shadow—a thick, inky mass that seemed to pulse and shimmer slightly. A new notification appeared, as if the system was responding to his thoughts.
SKILL ACQUIRED: AETHER SENSE.
Aether Sense: (Passive skill)- Allows the user to perceive the flow and density of Aether in their surroundings.
A sudden, intense headache split his skull. The world around him shifted, and he could see it now: the invisible, shimmering currents of energy. He saw the aether flowing from the luminous fungi, rising from the earth, and pooling around the fire. He also saw it draining from the Gloom-Fang's shadow, its aetheric footprint a dark, negative space in the vibrant world. He knew, with a certainty that defied all logic, that the shadow was the source of its power.
"The shadow!" Leo yelled, his voice cracking. "Its shadow is its weakness!"
Elara, grimacing but not giving up, spun her knife in her hand. "The shadow?" she asked, confusion in her voice. But she trusted the frantic look on his face. As the Gloom-Fang lunged again, she aimed her blade not at its body, but at the dark, inky mass that trailed behind it. With a surge of Aether she couldn't explain, the knife glowed a faint blue. It struck the shadow, not a physical object, but the impact sent a shudder through the Gloom-Fang's entire body. The beast screamed, a high-pitched, agonizing sound, and the glowing red eyes flickered and died. The hulking form dissolved into a black mist that was quickly absorbed by the surrounding Aether.
A new notification flashed before Leo's eyes.
QUEST COMPLETE: SURVIVE THE NIGHT.
REWARD: 10EXP, 1AetherShard.
A bright flash of light engulfed him, and when it faded, his stat screen was updated.
STATUS
Name: Leo
Title: The Aetherbound
Race: Human
Level: 2 (Level Up!)
Class: None
Aether Affinity: 1%
Health: 15/15 (+5)
Mana: 8/8 (+3)
Strength: 4 (+1)
Dexterity: 5 (+1)
Stamina: 4 (+1)
Intelligence: 13 (+1)
Wisdom: 12 (+1)
He felt stronger, faster, and clearer. The headache was gone, replaced by a light, buzzing energy. He looked at Elara, who was wiping the blood from her arm with a strip of cloth.
"The shadow," she said, shaking her head in amazement. "Never heard of that. You really are an Aetherbound." She sat down heavily, motioning for him to join her. "We should talk about what you're going to do next. You can't survive out here without a Class. It's a bit like a job, but it defines how you interact with Aether. There are three main types: Fighters focus on Aether-infused combat, channeling it to empower their weapons and bodies. Spellcasters use it to weave intricate spells, creating fire, ice, or illusions. And Crafters manipulate Aether to create powerful artifacts and tools. I'm a Rogue, a type of Fighter that uses Aether for speed and precision."
She looked at him, her eyes searching. "Your stats suggest you'd be a terrible fighter, but an amazing Spellcaster. Your Intelligence and Wisdom are through the roof. But it's your choice. Your System will give you a list of options. Choose carefully, because a Class is for life.
As she spoke, a new screen appeared before him, filled with a list of glowing, ethereal words.
CHOOSE YOUR CLASS:
−Archmage(Spellcaster)
−Illusionist(Spellcaster)
−Loremaster(Crafter)
−AetherKnight(Fighter)
−Shadowmancer(Fighter/Crafter)
The list seemed to be endless, scrolling down into the unknown. He was no longer just a boy from Earth. He was an Aetherbound, and his first decision would define his destiny.