Sam was greeted by the chill breeze of the night as he emerged from the Gate of Elementalism. The streets outside were eerily quiet, devoid of any signs of life. There were no tower attendants or fellow challengers in sight, and even the city itself seemed to be in a deep slumber, its lights dimmed against the night.Feeling the weight of exhaustion settling upon him, Sam's thoughts drifted to Lyra, wondering where she might be in this quiet hour. He hoped that Grandpa Thym and Grandma Shizy would be able to keep her safe in this city during his absence. Then the question of time weighed on his mind. The concept of time had blurred within the confines of the trials. How long had it been since he entered the tower?Sam limped through the silent streets, and he noticed unusual figures lurking in the shadows. Some appeared disheveled and suspicious, resembling drug addicts, while others had contorted forms that seemed far from human.He couldn't discern whether these figures were real or
“How could this be?” the muscular transforming man said, his deep voice carrying a strong and dangerous aura. He laughed, his hand on his hip, posing in front of Sam with an imposing figure that seemed to dwarf everything around him. “What else does that man have up his sleeve?”Sam was both confused and bewildered. This man seemed to be addressing him directly, but Sam had no knowledge of who he was. Judging from the reactions of the onlookers, this man was an important figure, and no one dared to approach him. Summoning his courage, Sam asked, “Do I know you?”“No,” the man replied, his voice low and commanding. “But I know you. Well, part of you, at least.”“Is this about Connor?” Sam asked, readying himself for a confrontation.“Connor? That vermin? I've heard about your scuffle, but I don’t care about him,” the man replied dismissively.“Are you sure you have the right person?” Sam pressed.“Do you think I'm dumb? I know what I see. And I can see your soul,” the man said, grinnin
The tavern nestled on the hillside exuded a rustic charm, surrounded by verdant forests and bathed in the warm glow of magical lanterns. Eldrakh, with his towering figure and imposing aura, was a familiar sight to the owner, who greeted him warmly as they entered. The owner shared that Eldrakh had been a loyal customer for generations, signifying the Archmage's enduring presence in the city.They settled at Eldrakh's favorite table outside, where the evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and distant melodies of crickets. The owner promptly served them drinks, knowing Eldrakh's preferences well.As Sam and Eldrakh engaged in conversation, Lyra sat quietly, observing the interactions with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Eldrakh's formidable presence was both captivating and intimidating."Quite a lively place here, isn't it?" Eldrakh said, taking a sip of his drink."It's peaceful, especially at this hour," Sam replied, eyeing Eldrakh with intrigue. "I must admit, I di
The phantom figure continued to dart in and out of the shadows, Sam's heart raced with adrenaline. Each attack was swift and precise, testing his reflexes and instincts to their limits. He couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was deliberate, unlike the indifferent figures that roamed Aetherion's streets. With every dodge and countermove, Sam sensed a malevolent intelligence guiding his assailant.In the dimly lit streets of Aetherion, Lyra's worry deepened into a palpable fear. Peering through the window, she strained to catch any sign of Sam's return. The silence weighed heavily upon her, broken only by the distant echoes of the night. Her fingers clutched the windowsill, her mind consumed by thoughts of what might be happening to Sam out in the darkness."Sam..." Lyra's voice trembled, barely audible in the stillness. She yearned for his safe return, her anxiety manifesting in the tightening of her grip on the wooden frame. Her gaze remained fixed on the shadowed streets,
Despite Kaelyn's striking appearance, Sam remained cautious, his voice laced with suspicion. "Who are you, exactly?" he asked, his gaze unwavering."I'm Kaelyn. The necklace you wear bears the mark of my sister," she replied, her tone revealing a hint of frustration. She also showed her own necklace which bears resemblance to the one Sam wears but has different marks."Well, indeed, Kaela gave it to the elder before the elder passed it on to me," Sam explained.Kaelyn's frown deepened. "Her name is Kela!" she protested.Sam's expression softened. "Oh, my apologies. It's been a while," he admitted. "But I do recall Kela mentioning that her sister was missing.""I'm not missing. I simply left the tribe," Kaelyn stated firmly."Why?" Sam pressed, his curiosity piqued."It's none of your business," Kaelyn retorted sharply."It is my business if you tried to kill me just moments ago," Sam countered, his gaze locking onto hers.Kaelyn hesitated, her demeanor shifting. "That's... complicated
The air between Sam and Kaelyn was charged with tension as they stood in the shadowy alleyway, their conversation echoing against the backdrop of Aetherion's dark streets."Listen, Kaelyn," Sam began earnestly, his voice tinged with conviction. "I understand that you needed this power, and I won't pry into your reasons. I’m not sure if you wanted revenge, but I assure you working for me would be beneficial for you. I won't force you, and I can't read minds like Ba’ar, so the choice is yours."Kaelyn's gaze was contemplative, her expression a mixture of uncertainty and cautious consideration. "What if the mark of Ba'ar returns along with that power?" she asked, her voice laden with apprehension.Sam shook his head. "I'm not sure either. The only way to find out is to try it. If the mark returns, I can absorb the spell back. And if the mark doesn't come back, I'll leave the shadow power to you, and you can decide later about being my spy."Sam's words were carefully chosen, his demeano
Sam drifted into the realm of dreams, and he found himself immersed in a surreal landscape unlike any he had experienced before. It began innocuously, with a gathering of children calling him 'Sister Key'. The orphanage setting felt strangely vivid and haunting, yet Sam soon realized that he was not witnessing Friedo's memories but glimpses of Kaelyn's past.Navigating through this dream as Kaelyn, Sam's perspective shifted as if he were truly inhabiting her memories. Before long, the scene changed abruptly, and the towering presence of a familiar structure loomed ahead. It was the very tower in the middle of Aetherion.A figure in blurred silhouette nudged Kaelyn toward the tower's gates, ushering her into the illusion pathway. As they crossed the threshold, the world around them dissolved into a disorienting space of shifting realities. Kaelyn's memories became muddled and distorted. Sam could not see him, but he knew that was Ba’ar. The inside of the tower pathway has been manipula
Sam decided to take the elementalism trial first before dealing with Ba’ar. He thought he might got another breakthrough from it. Sam stood inside the first floor of the elementalism trial, his mind a whirlwind of determination and anticipation. The daemon guide, with its jovial demeanor, greeted him in a manner that belied the gravity of the task at hand."Finally, you come back. Took you long enough to rest," the daemon guide quipped, its voice echoing through the first floor scenery.Sam's expression was resolute, his eyes fixed on the looming challenge ahead. "There are a few things happening. Let's get to the trial," he replied, cutting through the guide's playful banter with unwavering purpose.The daemon guide chuckled, amused by Sam's urgency. "So hasty. What's the matter?" it inquired."I need to finish this fast," Sam insisted.Despite Sam's urgency, the guide seemed unfazed, its demeanor a stark contrast to the weight of the trials that awaited within. The guide's laughter