Lucas trudged through the void-corrupted plains of Eden's Reach, the settlement's ruins a decayed monument to his shattered will. A year had passed since the failed rituals, each attempt to revive Riley a deeper cut into his soul, her spectral image a constant, mocking companion. Her form flickered more erratically now, her voice a distant echo of "I'm waiting," but Lucas clung to it, his desperation a chain that bound him tighter to Elara's manipulations. The Voidsteel Dagger (+15% Void Resistance) in his hand was dulled from endless use, the Mystic Shard (+10% Mystic Insight) in his pocket felt like a curse, and the Cosmic Amulet (+40% Synergy) around his neck, alongside the Seeker's Amulet, a relic of lost souls, pressed against his chest like a noose. The voluntary interface, a distorted echo of the Leveling Framework, displayed his progress: Level 18, HP 345/345, MP 215/215, Experience 33900/34500, with a relentless alert—Abyssal Eternal Anomaly: 100/100—marking the Sovereign's eternal grip.
Name: Lucas Reed
Level: 18
Class: Leader (Developing)
HP: 345/345
MP: 215/215
Skills: Power Strike (Lvl 3), Leadership Shout (Lvl 1), Tactical Command (Lvl 1), Inspiring Rally (Lvl 1), Strategic Insight (Lvl 1), Resilient Stand (Lvl 1), Unyielding Will (Lvl 1), Clarity of Purpose (Lvl 1), Mental Bastion (Lvl 1), Steadfast Resolve (Lvl 1), Radiant Defiance (Lvl 1), Eternal Vigilance (Lvl 1), Indomitable Spirit (Lvl 1)
Stats: Strength 17, Agility 14, Endurance 38, Intelligence 34, Wisdom 11
Experience: 33900/34500
Quests: Advance Leveling - Gain 900 XP to Reach Level 19. Reward: +15 HP, +10 MP, 2 Skill Points.
Gift: Void - Unlocks Void Resonance (Lvl 1), potential effects tied to void manipulation (Requires 2000 XP to Unlock Further)
Elara Veyne walked beside him, her dark cloak a shroud against the void's edge, her green eyes glinting with a mix of urgency and hidden triumph. Her backpack held the refined Void Essences, her rune-etched dagger at the ready, and the device at her neck pulsing with an ominous rhythm. "The anomaly's eternal now," she said, her voice a calculated calm. "The Sovereign's core is at its peak—the ritual's refinement is complete. One more alignment, Lucas, and Riley will return. We've come so far—don't falter now."
Lucas's gaze was distant, Riley's image nodding faintly, her voice a fragile whisper, "I'm waiting, Lucas." He rubbed his temples, the strain of sleepless nights and relentless battles distorting his reality. Was she a ghost, a hallucination, or a cruel trick? The doubt gnawed at him, but Elara's promise drowned it out. "Return," he muttered, his voice devoid of emotion. "That's all that matters."
Arthur darted up, his tousled brown hair disheveled, his bright blue eyes shining with unwavering optimism despite the scars from his injury. His patched clothes were dirtied from labor, and his staff—reinforced with glowing shards—hummed with a warm, golden aura. His Sunlight Gift had grown slightly, his Solar Flare (Lvl 2): 30 DMG a small but bright light in the darkness. "Lucas! I've been practicing—my sun's stronger! We can use it for the ritual!" His voice bubbled with excitement, a ray of sunshine in the abyss.
Lucas glanced at him, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Stronger? It's not enough. Stay back, Arthur—this is for Riley." His words were sharp, his despair blinding him to the boy's light.
Elara's eyes narrowed, her posture tensing. "The boy's right—his light could disrupt the alignment. We need precision, not his weak flare. Send him away, Lucas." Her voice was sharp, her device pulsing as if assessing a rival.
Arthur bristled, stepping between her and Lucas. "I'm not weak! My sun fights the dark—you're making him sadder with your creepy plans! Stop it!" His defiance clashed with Elara's cold authority, a tension sparking.
The group—Lucas, Elara, and Arthur—ventured deeper, the landscape a chaotic abyss of void-scarred earth, shattered relics, and an overwhelming roar. Arthur's staff glowed, guiding them as a new alert chimed: Expedition Zone: Abyssal Eternal Plains. Objective: Complete Refined Revival Ritual Against Abyssal Eternal Guardian (Lvl 65-70) for Riley's Return. Reward: 2500-4500 XP per Phase, Eternal Insight, Gift Enhancement Potential. Time Limit: 12 hours. Accept? Y/N Lucas hit Y, his resolve tethered to Elara's deception and Arthur's light.
An Abyssal Eternal Guardian, Lvl 68 (4500/4500 HP) towered before them—a colossal, glitch-riddled behemoth with void-wreathed tendrils and a pulsating core, its presence a fusion of the Sovereign's power and Eden's dying harmony. Arthur's staff flared, his Solar Flare (Lvl 2): 30 DMG striking weakly, reducing it to 4470/4500 HP. Lucas activated Leadership Shout (Lvl 1): +10% Team Damage, boosting their output, his Power Strike (Lvl 3): 40 DMG dropping it to 4430/4500 HP, while Elara's Shadow Strike (Lvl 4): 150 DMG reduced it to 4280/4500 HP. The Guardian retaliated, -800 HP to Lucas, leaving him at -530/345, the amulet reviving him to 1/345, the strain searing his nerves.
The ritual refined, Lucas refining the invocation with Arthur's staff as a harmonic focus, the essences glowing as he channeled the amulets' energy. The Guardian's Eternal Pulse (Lvl 68) dealt -850 HP, pushing Lucas to -849/345 and Elara to -849/140, the amulets flaring to revive them to 1/345 and 1/140. His Tactical Command (Lvl 1): +15% Team Coordination refined their movements, Elara's Shadow Strike: 150 DMG and his Power Strike: 40 DMG reduced it to 4090/4500 HP. Arthur's Solar Flare: 30 DMG flickered, his face scrunching with effort, Riley's image wavering, her voice a strained, "I'm reaching…"
As the ritual intensified, the Guardian unleashed a Void Tendril Surge (Lvl 68), a wave of shadowy whips lashing out. Elara dodged with Evasive Maneuver (Lvl 3), but Arthur, caught off guard, cried out as a tendril struck, -250 HP slashing through his frail form, dropping him to -150/100 HP. Lucas lunged, catching him as he fell, the amulet flaring weakly to revive him to 1/100 HP, but Arthur winced, his arm bleeding and staff splintered. "I'm… okay," he gasped, his shard dimming.
The interface chimed: System Update Initiated. Critical Event Detected: Ally Injury. New Panel Unlocked - Gift. Unique Abilities Assigned. Assess and Adapt.
Arthur's Gift: Sunlight - Grants innate solar energy, enhancing Solar Flare potential (Current: Lvl 2, 30 DMG, Upgradable to Lvl 3 with 1000 XP).
Lucas's Gift: Void - Unlocks Void Resonance (Lvl 1), potential effects tied to void manipulation (Requires 2000 XP to Unlock Further).
Lucas's heart sank, Arthur's injury a new wound, but the system's update offered a glimmer of hope. Arthur's Solar Flare (Lvl 2) flared slightly brighter, now 35 DMG, as he struggled to his feet. "See? My sun's growing!" he said, his optimism unshaken.
The battle continued, the Guardian's Abyssal Eternal (Lvl 68) dealing -900 HP, dropping Lucas to -899/345 and Elara to -899/140, the amulets struggling to revive them to 1/345 and 1/140. Lucas's Inspiring Rally (Lvl 1): +20% Team Morale bolstered their spirit, Elara's Shadow Strike: 150 DMG and his Power Strike: 40 DMG reduced it to 3900/4500 HP. Arthur's enhanced Solar Flare: 35 DMG added a faint glow. The Guardian's Void Eternal Strike (Lvl 68) dealt -950 HP, overwhelming Lucas to -949/345 and Elara to -949/140, the amulets faltering. Elara's device pulsed, emitting a harmonic barrier that absorbed the blow, stabilizing the anomaly to 90/100 and earning 4000 XP each (37900/32700 XP), leveling Lucas to 19 (+15 HP, +10 MP, 2 Skill Points).
He allocated points to Endurance (40) and Intelligence (36), unlocking Void Surge (Lvl 1): +5% Void Energy Channeling. The ritual intensified, the essences aligning, Riley's image solidifying as Lucas chanted. "Riley, come back!" he cried, but the Guardian's Final Eternal (Lvl 68) dealt -1000 HP, pushing Lucas to -999/345 and Elara to -999/140. The amulets revived them to 1/345 and 1/140, but the ritual faltered, the essences dimming, Riley's form dissolving with a faint, "I can't…"
Lucas fell to his knees, the dagger slipping, his scream a raw sob. "Riley! No!" he wailed, his voice breaking. Arthur limped to his side, his staff glowing softly despite his injury. "Don't give up, Lucas! My sun's growing—we'll save her!" His bright voice cut through the despair, a contrast to Elara's cold push.
Elara's eyes narrowed, her device pulsing. "The boy's light is a hindrance—his weakness disrupted the focus," she snapped. "Refine the ritual, Lucas—Riley's return demands perfection."
Arthur glared at her. "You're wrong! My sun helped—stop blaming me!" His defiance clashed with Elara's authority, a tension sparking.
Lucas, trembling, clutched Arthur's uninjured arm, the boy's warmth a fleeting anchor. The XP gain was a hollow victory—the Guardian had nearly killed them, their levels a fragile shield against the Sovereign's core at 6225/6000, stability still -230/100. The amulets' strain, Arthur's injury, the ritual's failure crashed over him. "She was there," he whispered, tears streaming. "But she's gone again. Am I mad? What's this Void Gift?"
Elara's hand rested on his shoulder, her touch a calculated comfort. "She's close, Lucas. The eternal blocked her—adapt with your Gift. Explore its surge—trust me." Her words, a deceptive lifeline, bound him tighter to her scheme.
Arthur squeezed his hand. "We'll figure it out, Lucas! My Sunlight will shine brighter—my Gift will save her!" His optimism clashed with Elara's despairing influence, offering a glimmer of hope.
Suddenly, the interface flared: Gift Revelation Initiated. Void Gift Tied to External Influence Detected. Warning: Manipulation Present. A vision assaulted Lucas—Elara standing before a towering void entity, the Sovereign, her voice pledging allegiance. "Finally! I don't have to repeat this over and over again. F*cking out time really is something got to thank you Arthur for that. If you morons only know my pain hearing that brat said sunlight cringe shit over and over again, Spying really isn't my style but my master seeks a host," she intoned, "and Lucas's despair will make him perfect." The vision faded, leaving Lucas gasping, the Void Surge (Lvl 1) tingling with a dark resonance. Elara's device pulsed violently, her eyes widening as she realized her cover was slipping.
"You…" Lucas whispered, his voice trembling with rage and betrayal. "You're the emissary. The Sovereign's servant. This Gift—it's your doing, isn't it? You've been feeding my despair to make me its host!"
Elara's expression shifted, a cold smirk replacing her concern. "Clever, but too late. My master's will is inevitable. Your Void Gift binds you to the Sovereign—each level deepens the connection. Keep fighting, Lucas, and you'll welcome it." Her device glowed, the essences trembling as if drawn to her.
Arthur stepped forward, his staff flaring. "No way! My sun will stop you!" His defiance clashed with Elara's revelation, a tension igniting.