Shroud Arcanum

Chapter 13: - Challenge(1)

Liam, genuinely interested in the cascade of information, tilted his head and asked, "You mentioned Irys is in search of a sword artifact. Does that mean we can uncover artifacts in the Origin?"

Zalya nodded in affirmation, "Indeed. The Origin is a trove of both genetic and symbiotic ascension paths. However, till now, no one has stumbled upon the covenant path."

Aric smirk was unmistakable, disdain evident in his voice, "That path is a joke. It only gives rise to lunatics."

Choosing to sidestep Aric blatant contempt, Zalya continued, "Apart from my sensory capabilities, I employ a whip in combat. It's versatile and allows me to be effective in mid-range skirmishes. And Irys," she gestured towards the tall Gladiator, "is proficient in the use of a variety of heavy weapons. But she truly shines when wielding her favorite Greatsword."

Drawing a deep breath, she locked eyes with Liam, "I hope this is enough to show our intentions. The choice lies before you, join our group or venture forth on your own. What will it be, Liam?"

Liam took a moment, his thoughts racing as he weighed his options. Despite the theatrics earlier, Aric had proven himself in combat, facing danger head-on. Irys and Zalya had left a favorable impression, and their abilities were not to be taken lightly.

Going solo is an option, but the risk is too great. He still has two lives remaining, but they were not an infinite safeguard.

"What's your take on this, Trick?"

In his signature playful tone, Trick responded, "Alone, one might falter and stumble, but together, they stand tall and won't crumble. What is it?"

Liam smirked, "A pair of shoes, right?"

Trick's mental laughter echoed in Liam's mind. "Exactly! But you get the sentiment behind it."

Brushing aside Trick's playful laughter echoing in his mind, Liam turned his focus back to Zalya, "Alright. Let's proceed together."

Zalya nodded in acknowledgment, a hint of appreciation in her eyes. Irys, with a welcoming gesture, clasped Liam's shoulder and declared, "Welcome to the group." Aric, ever the pragmatist, swiftly rose to his feet, "We better get moving. If more contenders arrive, things could get unnecessarily complicated."

As the team began their march towards the looming castle, Liam's curious nature surfaced again, "I noticed you all extracting various items from those pouches. The volume of items you took out seemed disproportionate to the pouch's size. Is it some form of dimensional storage?"

Zalya explained, her voice informative, "Yes, you've got it right. It's dimensional storage. There are temporary settlements established here in Origin, and you can purchase such pouches from the markets. However, i recommend you to get one from Shroud later on, as the ones available here are typically battery-powered or reliant on similar external power sources. This is because no one capable of manipulating energy can enter Origin."

Liam gave a nod of understanding, filing away the information for future reference.

As they moved forward, the group engaged in a hushed conversation, discussing tactics, strategies, and the best way to synergize their abilities in combat.

The true grandeur of the castle became more evident with each step. The closer they approached, the more awe-inspiring and imposing the fortress appeared. The entrance to the castle, in particular, was an architectural marvel.

The massive gates, chiseled from what appeared to be an immense, unblemished gemstone, stood as sentinels to the world beyond. They rose majestically, bearing detailed etchings of mythical beasts and cryptic symbols from realms unknown.

Upon reaching the gate, Liam and Aric took out their crystals. The gems gleamed in their hands, casting a gentle, pulsating glow that seemed to communicate with an unseen force deep within the castle's ancient walls. The intricate patterns on the castle entrance shimmered faintly in response, hinting at an arcane connection between the two.

Suddenly, the deep, unmistakable voice of the Asura reverberated within their consciousness. "So, you have chosen to confront the trial," it intoned with an air of solemnity.

"However, two amongst you are without the crystal key. To get it, they must endure an additional test. Should you choose to face this as a group, those already in possession of the keys must re-engage with the challenge. Understand, they shall not reap any additional rewards on this repeated trial."

Aric, Irys, and Zalya shifted their gaze to Liam, awaiting his decision with bated breath.

Liam scanned the faces of his companions, his mind whirling with calculations. He recalled the previous battle with Aric and how they had won. But now, with Zalya and Irys alongside them, their collective strength would make a difference.

Taking a deep breath and gathering his resolve, he thought, With four of us, the challenges should be manageable.

Feeling a surge of determination, he met the gaze of each member of the group, seeking silent agreement. With a confident nod, he directed his thoughts to the omnipotent Asura, declaring, "We will challenge this as a group."

As the colossal gates swung open, the party ventured forward.

As they stepped through the colossal gates, an abrupt shift in scenery caught them off guard.

Almost instantaneously, they found themselves directly in the heart of a vast, breathtaking crystalline arena. The arena's design resembles the ancient colosseums of Earth. Its sheer walls shimmered in iridescent hues, reflecting myriad colors as if the dawn sky was captured within its very structure. The sound of their footsteps echoed, amplifying the sense of grandeur and anticipation.

Realizing that their trial had begun, the group instinctively took formation. Zalya positioned herself at the center, summoning her whip with practiced ease. Its handle was exquisitely crafted from blackened bone, inlaid with patterns of silver that snaked down to the leather lash, which gleamed as if kissed by starlight.

Irys, Aric, and Liam quickly assumed their positions, creating a formidable defensive circle around Zalya.

Irys, with an air of determination, summons her greatsword. The blade was magnificent – not just because of its impressive length but because its pristine, mirror-like polish reflected the ambient light in sharp glints.

Along its breadth, intricate runes were etched, each delicately detailed and glowing with a gentle azure luminescence. These runes weren't just ornamental; they hinted at ancient enchantments and untold power.

Aric swiftly summoned his trusted weapon: a sleek double-bladed staff with a seamless blend of aesthetics and functionality, with each blade radiating a soft, ethereal luminescence. The tips of the staff were adorned with meticulously crafted silver caps, reflecting even the faintest light. As he gripped its center, the staff felt perfectly balanced.

Liam, not to be outdone, gripped his weapon, Talon Strike. It was a unique design, reminiscent of a bird of prey's deadly talons. Curved, sharp, and with a blackened sheen, the weapon seemed to hunger for combat, echoing Liam's readiness.

The Asura's voice reverberated throughout the arena, resonating with an authoritative weight. "Prepare yourselves for two waves, with a brief respite of five minutes between them," the voice declared. As the final syllable faded, the arena's boundaries stirred to life.

Four massive gates positioned around the arena opened, and from each gateway emerged twelve soldiers, their forms carved entirely out of clear, radiant crystal. Their very essence seemed to refract the ambient light, casting prismatic patterns across the arena floor.

Tick's whimsical voice emerged in Liam's thoughts, adding levity to the tense moment. "Looks like it's showtime, buddy!"

The crystalline soldiers, with their otherworldly sheen, assumed a menacing formation, methodically advancing toward the group. Aric, clutching his staff, called out, "I've only got one Molecular Crack Bomb left. I'll save it for a real emergency."

Liam assessed the situation and felt a surge of apprehension. Without the Bomb, defeating these crystalline soldiers would demand precise and sustained attacks. Yet, even amidst the overwhelming odds, Irys exuded confidence.

With a fluid motion, she unleashed her greatsword's fury on a charging crystalline soldier. In a dazzling arc of force and precision, she cleaved the adversary straight down the middle, turning it into twin pillars of shattered crystal.

The sight emboldened Liam, realizing that this battle won't be that hard. As the crystalline soldiers closed in, the shimmering arena transformed into a whirlwind of action.

Zalya, her voice ringing clear, took the role of the strategist. "Aric, exploit their weak points! Break their exterior! Liam, capitalize on those fractures and deal the final blows! Irys, continue the onslaught!" Her whip lashed out in rapid succession.

Every time the silver-inlaid leather made contact, it honed in on the vulnerable joints of the crystalline soldiers surrounding Liam and Aric.

One by one, the soldiers were knocked off balance, their once firm stances disrupted, making them easy pickings.

Aric, reading the battlefield with his experience, maneuvered his double-bladed staff with both elegance and brutality.

As he spun, the gleaming ends of his weapon met crystalline bodies, creating spiderweb patterns of cracks across their forms. Each strike was calculated, ensuring maximum damage while exposing the vulnerabilities Zalya had directed him to exploit.

Liam, recognizing the vulnerabilities laid bare before him, seized this momentary advantage. He propelled himself forward with a swift burst of speed, every muscle in his body coiled and ready to unleash its stored energy. With each lunging step, he leveraged his momentum, channeling it into the lethal precision of his talon strike. The talon, sharp and swift, penetrated these cracks, effectively disassembling the crystalline soldier's piece by piece.

Irys moved like a force of nature, She jumped, then, with calculated precision, channeled the weight and momentum of her greatsword in a sweeping arc, descending like a meteor onto the crystalline Soldier. Fracturing and bursting them into of sparkling debris.

Before the remnants of her last victim had even settled, Irys manifested a Warhammer from thin air. Its head, intricately designed yet imposing, met the oncoming swing of the enemy, parrying it with such force that it propelled the soldier backward, becoming a living projectile that collided with its comrades, toppling them like dominos.

In a seamless transition, Irys released her ephemeral Warhammer, allowing it to dissolve into the ether from whence it came. Her hands quickly found their familiar grip upon her greatsword once more, harnessing the residual momentum from her prior moves. With a fluid, circular motion, she cleaved through the unbalanced soldiers, cutting them to pieces.

Zalya's guidance was impeccable. She seemed to predict the crystalline soldiers' moves, shouting directions that kept the group in perfect sync. "Aric, feint right, strike left! Liam, above you! Irys, behind!"

The tumultuous battle was both chaotic and mesmerizing. Time seemed to warp, with moments feeling stretched and every heartbeat echoing with purpose. The arena is now full of the glittering remnants of the crystalline soldier.

Zalya's tactical brilliance ensured that each member played to their strengths, turning the tide of battle in their favor. Irys, a maelstrom of devastation, cut swathes through the soldiers with her crushing attacks.

Meanwhile, Aric and Liam worked seamlessly together, efficiently dispatching any remaining threats, ensuring that neither was caught off guard.

Taking a moment to regroup, they gather at the arena's center. Zalya, her gaze surveying the carnage, declared with a note of pride, "Well done, everyone." Aric nodded, his expression one of profound respect, while Irys, her energy still palpable, seemed almost invigorated by the destruction she had wrought.

Liam, amidst the adrenaline and aftermath, sensed a deepening bond with his allies. Their synchronized combat, bolstered by Zalya's adept leadership, had instilled in him a profound trust in the group as they caught their breath and prepared mentally for the next onslaught, a crystalline hourglass materialized in their vicinity, its sands silently marking the precious rest they had before the next wave.

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