Chapter 15: The Nexus Beckons

By the time Ember and I reached a small group of trees somewhat sheltered from the wind, the sun had begun to set. The fight with that Furyhorn Beast had taken more out of me than I'd realized, and I grudgingly admitted the truth: I really did need to rest. Every step shook my legs, and my chest was heaving with exertion. Ember looked worn down, too, a quiet exhaustion tingeing her usual grace.

"We'll rest here," Ember said, her keen eyes circling the grove. It was well hidden; a small brook ran across it, while thick trees covered three sides, forming what almost seemed like a natural barrier. It was an ideal spot to catch our breath, but I couldn't rid myself of this feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.

Now, the Nexus was closer than at any time before. The dark spire loomed afar, a grim reminder of the unknown power we were taking our Sunday stroll toward. Yet, there was something in this grove that did not feel … quite right. Heavier than it should be, the atmosphere was thick here; the forest, too silent-un-naturally so.

Ember," I said softly, barely loud enough to be heard, "can you feel that?"

She paused, tilting her head slightly. "I do. Something's off." Her tail twitched, her gaze sharpening as she dropped into a crouch. "We're being watched."

In a flash, all of my muscles tensed-the senses heightened from her warning-and the shadows around me felt… alive, almost shifting of their own accord. I initiated Shadow Domination, hoping to get a sense of whatever it was that lurked within the darkness. There was nothing. There was just the quiet stillness of the forest.

"It's the system," Ember growled low. "Its presence grows thicker the closer we get to the Nexus. It's watching us, testing us."

Is he testing us? A run of cold crept down my back. The system's influence that had been alive in the Forgotten Ruins, its voice tempting me with promises of power. It was a whole different story this time around-system was not tempting, but merely watching and waiting.

"I don't like it," I growled low, digging my claws into soft earth. "The system has apparently watched us for quite a while. Why hasn't it attacked yet? Why wait?

Ember got to her feet then, setting her face. "Because it's playing with us. It wants us to go to the Nexus. All this is its plan.".

Before I could speak, a system notice popped up right before my eyes.

[System Notification: Nexus Challenge]

You have entered a system-observed zone

Objective: Prove your worth

Survive the trials of the Nexus

Reward: Increased system influence, access to Nexus.

The words stung the air, the weight of them sinking into my chest. Survive the trials. What did that mean? I felt my heartbeat quicken as I turned my gaze to Ember. This was the first time the system had definitely said what it intended from us-to be baited, really-to come to the Nexus, at its beck and call.

"We're not going to be able to avoid this, are we?" I asked frustrated.

"No," Ember said, her voice grim. "But we'll be ready."

Just then, as she spoke, the grove around us seemed to writhe. The air congealed, colder, and the shades darkened, wrenched unnaturally. There was a low guttural growl from the trees, and the hair on my back began to rise. Something came.

[Trial One: The Beast of Shadows]

A powerful foe lurks in the darkness

Defeat the Beast of Shadows to proceed

Failure will result in permanent death

Permanent death.

My esophagus moved a lump down, and my mouth turned dry from the tension. None of the battles we'd ever been in had remotely resembled this-a trial designed by the system itself, with so much more at stake than anything I'd ever seen.

A form materialized out of darkness and slid out into the light with an eerily smooth elegance. At least twice as big as the Furyhorn Beast in body size, silent-a hunter. The eyes aglow in deep crimson, fur seeming to shimmer as if made of pure night: the Beast of Shadows.

Ember's voice was tense as she crouched beside me, her claws at the ready. "This thing… it's unlike anything we've fought before. Be careful."

I didn't need to be warned. Every cell of my body shrieked to flee, to escape from this obscenity, and yet I was unable. It's a thing one can't run from. If we didn't fight, we wouldn't survive.

The Beast of Shadows grumbled a low growl; his red eyes locked on me. I used Shadow Domination, but the moment I tried taking control of the surrounding shadows, I resisted. It was like the beast itself was formed from the very darkness I summoned. This was going to be tough because my usual abilities just wouldn't cut it.

I changed my tune, using Purity Blossom Lamp instead. Soft, warm light bloomed around the grove; the shadows had to give ground-just a little. In return, the beast hissed at the light, backing away without retreat.

First to move was Ember, who suddenly burst into a sprint. Her claws flashed in the soft light, raking across the beast's side, but her attack came away having little more than scratched its thick, shadowy hide. Its response was a swipe of its huge paw, sending her backward with brutal force.

"Ember!" I shouted, but she was already up, only this time it was much slower.

"We have to break its defenses somehow," she shouted at the top of her lungs. "We can't use normal attacks."

I nodded profoundly in thought. This beast was made of shadows; thus, its weakness would be light. However, my Purity Blossom Lamp simply was not strong enough to repel it. I would need more.

Then it clicked in my head.

The System. It wanted us to prove our worth to survive the trials. That means … it wouldn't be entirely denying us the means. Perhaps I can actually turn its power against it.

I opened the system interface and began to scan for new abilities or enhancements that I hadn't yet unlocked. There, buried deep in my skill tree, was an ability that I hadn't previously noticed.

[Skill Unlocked: Luminous Strike]

Channel light energy into a powerful strike, dispelling shadows and dealing significant damage to shadow-based enemies

Cost: 50 energy points

Needing no further cue, I engaged Luminous Strike, feeling that surge in energy course through me. Light began to build up in my paws, firming into a tight beam that strengthened with every second. Hissing with that feeling of danger, the Beast of Shadows launched at me in a blur of speed.

Yet I was ready.

I sprang into the air and struck out for the head, higher and higher, as the light enveloping me surged again to become near blinding. I let out a great, hard cry and brought my paw down, and the light burst from my body in a bright explosion.

The Beast of Shadows roared, its form flickering with light that ripped through him, his body convulsing with the shadows that made up his form writhing and twisting as the light disjointed his very essence. With one last, earsplitting shriek, it collapsed, its body dissolving into no more than wisps of smoke and darkness.

A hush fell upon the grove.

[Trial One Complete: The Beast of Shadows Defeated]

Proceed to the next trial

I hit the ground, my chest heaving high as the light faded from my body. Ember limped up to me, her fur ruffled and bloodied from the fight, but her eyes shone proudly.

"You did it," she whispered. "You slew the monster."

I nodded, but it wasn't any less of a hollow victory. This had only been the first trial and there were many others still, much deadlier ones, waiting to unfold.

But for now, at least, we were alive. One step closer to Nexus-our next best hope for laying all of this to rest. I got up, inhaling deeply, and readied myself for what was to come next: the

Nexus was expecting me and the answers that I so desperately searched for. My main goal was to stay alive.

I would, too. No matter the cost.