The forest was thick with mist as Eren moved cautiously between the ancient trees. The moonlight barely touched the ground, and every rustle of leaves sent a shiver down his spine. His thoughts raced, replaying the message from the flames. Riel was out there somewhere—lost, changed, and in danger. Eren's heart beat faster with every step. He couldn't afford to waste time.
Ahead, the trees suddenly gave way to an old stone bridge, worn with cracks and moss. Beneath it, a river murmured softly, carrying memories of the past. Eren paused and looked down. His reflection stared back at him—eyes glowing faintly blue, scars hidden beneath his sleeves.
A soft sound caught his attention—a whisper carried by the wind.
"Eren…"
He turned sharply, hand on his dagger, but no one was there.
"Riel?" he called out, his voice low and steady.
Only the wind answered, mixing with the distant howls of creatures lurking in the shadows.
Eren took a deep breath and pressed on. The bridge led to a clearing, where an old ruin stood—half swallowed by vines and earth. The place looked forgotten, but the air hummed with energy.
As he stepped inside, his system pinged.
[New Objective: Investigate the Ruins for Clues on Riel's Whereabouts.]
The walls were carved with strange symbols, glowing faintly in the darkness. Eren traced a hand over one, feeling a warm pulse beneath his fingertips. Suddenly, a vision flashed before his eyes—images of two boys running through fields, laughing under a bright sun.
He blinked and found himself standing alone, the memory slipping away like smoke.
Then a cold chill swept the room. From the shadows, a figure emerged—tall, cloaked, and moving with silent steps. Its face was hidden beneath a hood, but a pair of glowing red eyes locked onto Eren.
"Who dares enter the sacred grounds?" a voice hissed, sharp and cold.
Eren drew his dagger, the blue glow flaring brighter. "I'm here for my brother. Have you seen him?"
The figure chuckled darkly. "Many seek what is lost. Few survive to find it."
Suddenly, the figure lunged. Eren dodged, rolling across the stone floor as sharp claws swiped past his head. The battle began in earnest.
Eren's heart pounded, but his mind stayed sharp. He remembered the skills unlocked from the system—the Phantom Step, the Reflex Boost. Each move was faster than the last, a dance between light and shadow.
The cloaked figure snarled, striking with a blade forged from shadows. Eren parried and countered, his dagger slicing through the darkness, sending shards of black mist dissipating into the air.
As the fight dragged on, the figure's cloak tore, revealing a familiar face—scarred, fierce, but unmistakably human.
"Lyra?" Eren gasped.
She looked torn, her eyes filled with pain. "Eren… I'm sorry. I can't let you follow."
"Why?" he demanded. "Where is Riel?"
Lyra's gaze dropped. "Riel… he's not just lost. He's changed—caught between worlds. And if you go after him now, you'll both be consumed."
Eren clenched his jaw. "I don't care. He's my brother. I won't leave him behind."
For a moment, the two stared at each other—warriors bound by fate and burdened by secrets.
Then Lyra stepped back, lowering her blade. "Then you must be ready for what comes next. The path to Riel is filled with darkness. But… I will help you. For his sake."
Eren nodded, feeling a spark of hope ignite inside him.
Together, they turned toward the deeper shadows of the ruins, where the past and future waited—entwined by secrets, sacrifice, and the bond of blood.
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