Chapter 13: Shadows in the Wastes

The Sanctuary of Resonance faded into the horizon as the group trekked eastward, leaving the crimson skies of the Wastes behind. The air carried a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional gust of wind and the distant growl of monsters lurking beyond sight.

Allen held the Resonance Key in his palm, its blue glow pulsing softly in sync with his heartbeat. Despite the victory, a nagging unease tugged at him. The System was silent, the usual stream of notifications conspicuously absent.

Emma glanced at him. "You've been quiet since we left the Sanctuary. What's on your mind?"

Allen closed his hand around the Key. "The Guardian felt soo… alive. Like it was trying to stop me for a reason."

Kael, walking ahead, didn't look back. "The void doesn't like being disturbed. Each Key you claim weakens its hold, but it also draws its attention. Expect resistance to grow with every step."

"Great," Emma muttered, kicking a loose rock. "More monsters and cryptic warnings."

The group entered a narrow canyon, its towering walls casting long shadows across the path. Allen's grip on Stormfang tightened as a faint chill ran down his spine.

"Something's off," he said, scanning the cliffs.

Kael drew his blade, his eyes narrowing. "You're right. This is a perfect place for an ambush."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the shadows shifted. Dozens of humanoid figures emerged from the rock faces, their forms composed of writhing black mist. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the group.

[System Alert: Enemy Encounter – Void Shades (Level 13–15).]

Emma cursed, already preparing a defensive spell. "I hate being right!"

The Void Shades attacked as one, their movements unnervingly fast. Allen activated Arc Surge, his body crackling with lightning as he darted forward, cutting through the first Shade with a swift strike of Stormfang.

Kael held the line, his rune-covered blade glowing as it sliced through the misty forms. "Don't let them surround you!"

Emma threw a burst of healing energy at Allen, who was locked in a duel with three Shades. One of them lunged, its claws raking across his chest, but the healing energy sealed the wound instantly.

Allen retaliated with Chain Lightning, the arcs of electricity leaping between the Shades and reducing them to ash.

[Enemies Defeated: 1,200 EXP Gained.]

As the last Shade fell, the System finally chimed.

[Warning: Void interference detected. System functionality may be limited.]

Emma frowned. "Void interference? What does that mean?"

Kael's expression darkened. "It means the System isn't infallible. The void is trying to disrupt it. If it succeeds, we'll be flying blind."

The group pressed on, the canyon opening into a barren plain. The Resonance Key in Allen's pocket began to hum, its glow intensifying.

"Something's happening," he said, pulling it out.

The Key floated from his hand, projecting a beam of light onto the ground. The light coalesced into an ethereal map, marked with glowing runes.

"Is that the next location?" Emma asked, studying the map.

Allen nodded, his eyes narrowing at a point marked far to the north. "It has to be. The System wants me to head there."

Kael crossed his arms. "The Forgotten Path leads deeper into void territory. The further you go, the harder it'll be to come back, do you want to proceed?."

"I don't have a choice, I follow the system order if I want to live" Allen said, no expression in his voice.

The map dissolved, and the Key returned to Allen's hand.

As they set up camp for the night, a strange fog rolled in, muffling the sounds of the night. Allen sat by the fire, staring into the flames when he felt it a presence, cold and unrelenting, pressing against his mind.

"Are you Allen?," a voice whispered, low and menacing.

He spun around, but the others were asleep, oblivious to the sound. A figure stepped from the fog a tall, hooded man whose face was obscured by darkness.

"Who are you?" Allen demanded, reaching for Stormfang.

The figure chuckled, the sound echoing unnaturally. "I am the Herald of the Void, a shadow of what you will face. You tread a path that was sealed for a reason."

Allen tightened his grip on the blade. "I don't care about your warnings. And also, it doesn't look sealed I almost thought it is a tourist center."

The Herald tilted its head. "Brave words. But bravery will not save you when the void consumes all."

Before Allen could react, the figure dissolved into mist, leaving behind only the chilling echo of its laughter.

***

Morning came, the fog dissipating with the first rays of sunlight. Allen recounted the encounter to Emma and Kael as they broke camp.

Kael frowned. "A Herald appearing outside of a trial is unusual. The void is watching you more closely than I thought."

Emma shivered. "It's creepy. Like it knows what you're planning and it's trying to scare you off."

Allen shook his head. "It won't work... It is all useless."

Kael nodded approvingly. "Good, you got some nerves. Then let's move. The next step on the Forgotten Path won't wait for us."