Chapter 8: The Awakening

The next morning, Alaric and Clem stood at the village gate, ready to embark on their journey to the Royal Guardian Academy. They were joined by two other recruits: Darian, a tall and muscular boy with a confident demeanor, and Elara, a quiet girl with striking silver hair and piercing blue eyes.

Master Kael stood before them, his dark eyes scanning the group. "You four will be traveling together to the academy," he announced. "Along with myself and four guards for protection. This journey will test your resolve and strength. Stay vigilant."

As they boarded the chariot, Clem struck up a conversation to break the tension. "So, what powers do you guys have?"

Darian grinned, flexing his arms. "I have earth manipulation. I can control and shape the ground beneath us. Comes in handy during battles."

Elara, who had been quietly observing, spoke next. "I can manipulate ice. It's a defensive ability mostly, but it can be quite powerful."

Clem nodded, impressed. "I have healing abilities. I can mend wounds and restore vitality."

All eyes turned to Alaric, who felt a surge of anxiety. He couldn't reveal the full extent of his powers. "I control light," he said simply. "I can create barriers, project beams, and... other things."

Darian whistled. "Light manipulation, huh? That's epic rare!."

Elara's gaze was curious but cautious. "Interesting."

As they traveled, the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The chariot rattled along the forest path, the guards riding alongside on horseback, ever vigilant.

The day passed uneventfully, but as evening approached, a sense of foreboding settled over the group. The shadows grew longer, and the forest around them seemed to close in.

Master Kael, riding at the front, suddenly raised his hand. "Halt," he commanded.

The chariot stopped, and the guards tensed. From the depths of the forest, a low, menacing growl echoed. The ground trembled, and the air grew thick with a sense of impending danger.

"Advance tier monsters," Master Kael muttered, his eyes narrowing. "And something stronger... an epic tier monster."

Alaric's heart pounded in his chest. "We can't fight these... it's almost night. The amber stone won't work."

Master Kael turned to the guards. "Protect the students. Engage the advance tier monsters. I'll handle the epic tier."

The guards nodded and sprang into action. The advance tier monsters emerged from the forest, their forms monstrous and terrifying. Massive wolf-like creatures with glowing red eyes, armored lizards with razor-sharp claws, and giant spiders with venomous fangs.

Master Kael faced the epic tier monster, a colossal beast with the body of a lion and the wings of a dragon. Its eyes glowed with an unearthly light, and its roar shook the ground.

Alaric watched in horror as the battle unfolded. Clem grabbed his arm, trying to shake him out of his fear. "Alaric, focus! We need you!"

But Alaric's fear was overwhelming. He couldn't think, couldn't move. He felt the amber stone in his hand, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold fear gripping his heart.

The guards fought valiantly against the advance tier monsters. One of the wolf-like creatures lunged at a guard, its claws aiming for his throat. The guard blocked with his shield, sparks flying as the claws scraped against the metal. He retaliated with a powerful slash of his sword, but the creature dodged, its eyes burning with fury.

Another guard faced an armored lizard, its scales reflecting the fading light. The lizard hissed, its tongue flicking out, and pounced. The guard rolled to the side, barely avoiding the lethal claws. He swung his mace, landing a blow on the lizard's head, but the beast shrugged it off, its eyes glowing with rage.

Clem stood close to Alaric, her dagger ready. She watched as Darian used his earth manipulation to trap a giant spider in a pit, its legs thrashing as it tried to escape. Elara summoned a barrier of ice to protect another guard from a charging wolf, the ice shattering under the impact but holding long enough for the guard to strike back.

Alaric's mind raced. He had to help, but how? The epic tier monster roared again, its wings spreading wide as it faced Master Kael. The ground trembled under its weight, and it charged, its claws tearing through the trees.

Master Kael's sword glowed with dark energy. He met the beast's charge head-on, his blade slicing through the air. The monster roared in pain but didn't falter. It swung its tail, catching Master Kael in the side and sending him crashing into a tree.

The guards continued to battle the advance tier monsters, their movements desperate but coordinated. One guard managed to land a fatal blow on a wolf-like creature, its body collapsing to the ground. Another guard struck down an armored lizard, its scales cracking under the force of his attack.

But the epic tier monster was relentless. It roared, sending shockwaves through the forest. Alaric felt the amber stone in his hand, its warmth fading as the sun dipped below the horizon.

A sudden, powerful attack from the epic tier monster struck the chariot, sending it flying. Alaric was thrown into the air, and the amber stone slipped from his grasp. He landed hard on the ground, the stone shattering beside him.

A drop of blood from the stone seeped into his eye, and pain lanced through his body. Alaric screamed, clutching his head as an intense light erupted from him. His body levitated, and he was surrounded by a dazzling white light.

The light was so bright that the nocturnal monsters were momentarily blinded. Taking advantage of the situation, the guards and students launched a coordinated attack. They managed to defeat the advance tier monsters, but the epic tier monster remained unscathed.

Alaric's body hovered in the air, the light pouring from him like a beacon. He felt a surge of power unlike anything he had ever experienced. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

Suddenly, everything went dark, and Alaric felt himself falling into unconsciousness. As his consciousness faded, a series of messages flashed before his eyes.

1. "You have become a player."

2. "Calculating progress."

3. "Progress reached level 25."

4. "Additional benefits will be provided."

5. "Skill appraisal granted."

6. "Skill weapon enhance level 1 granted."

7. "Unknown power detected in player."

8. "Do you want to control eclipse power?"

9. "Yes or no?"

As the final message lingered, Alaric felt a strange sensation wash over him. The world around him seemed to fade, and he was left with a choice that would shape his future.

Outside, Clem and the others fought desperately to hold off the epic tier monster. Master Kael, his sword glowing with renewed energy, launched another fierce attack. But the beast was relentless, its roars echoing through the night.

Clem knelt beside Alaric, her face filled with worry. "Alaric, please wake up," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We need you."

But Alaric was lost in his own battle, the choice before him weighing heavily on his mind.