The vast, shifting dunes of the Whispering Wastes finally gave way to a stark, imposing landscape of jagged, obsidian-dark mountains. Their peaks, sharp and unforgiving, clawed at a sky perpetually shrouded in roiling, dark grey storm clouds that crackled with unseen energy. The biting wind of the desert was replaced by a cold, resonant howl that echoed through the valleys, carrying the scent of damp stone and something ancient. The untainted resonance, emanating from somewhere deep within these colossal formations, was now an almost overwhelming force, a powerful, unwavering hum that vibrated in Alex's very bones. This was Grak's territory.
"These are... big," Alex murmured, craning his neck to look up at the towering cliffs. His voice was swallowed by the wind. Verwel, usually so eager to explore, stayed close, his silver eyes wide as he surveyed the intimidating terrain. The ground here was solid rock, but treacherous, riddled with deep fissures and unstable scree slopes.
Alex's Passive Core Resonance immediately flared, sensing not just the untainted energy, but also a new, powerful, and deeply disturbing type of Grey corruption. It wasn't the fluid chaos of the Abominations, nor the cold stillness of the Watchers. This felt heavy, rooted, like the very earth itself was being twisted.
He activated Basic Analysis on a nearby outcropping of rock.
[Object: Corrupted Basalt Formation]
[Description: Ancient volcanic rock consumed by profound Grey Remnant energy. Exhibits extreme density and localized gravitational manipulation. Can generate powerful seismic tremors. Highly resistant to physical force.]
[Warning: Unstable. Prone to sudden collapse or eruption of Grey energy.]
"Gravity manipulation? Seismic tremors?" Alex muttered, his brow furrowing. "This place is actively trying to crush us." He could feel the subtle, fluctuating pull on his own body, making each step heavier, each climb more arduous. His Energy and HP felt a constant, subtle drain, a testament to the sheer density of the corruption.
They began their ascent, picking their way through narrow passes and over treacherous rockfalls. Alex used his Core Resonance to actively scan the rock formations, his Energetic Tracing skill helping him to identify the most stable paths, avoiding the highly corrupted basalt that threatened to collapse or erupt. It was slow, painstaking progress, a constant battle against the environment itself.
The air grew colder as they climbed higher, and the storm clouds above seemed to press down, darker and more menacing. Distant rumbles echoed through the mountains, not of thunder, but of deep, grinding earth. Alex knew these were the seismic tremors mentioned by the System.
Suddenly, a massive tremor shook the ground. Alex stumbled, barely catching himself on a jagged rock. Above them, a section of the cliff face groaned, and then, with a deafening roar, a cascade of corrupted basalt broke loose, thundering down the slope directly towards them.
"Rockslide!" Alex yelled, grabbing Verwel and pulling him behind a relatively stable boulder. The ground vibrated violently as tons of corrupted rock crashed down, narrowly missing their makeshift shelter.
When the dust settled, the path ahead was completely blocked by a fresh pile of massive, glowing grey boulders. The untainted resonance from Grak, however, was now almost deafening, indicating they were very close to the source.
"We're almost there, but this is blocking the way," Alex gritted out, looking at the impassable rockfall. He activated Basic Analysis on the largest boulder.
[Object: Collapsed Corrupted Basalt]
[Description: Extremely dense and unstable. Requires immense force or precise energetic manipulation to clear. Attempting to move it physically will trigger further collapse.]
[Hint: Energy Channel can be used to destabilize the internal Grey energy, causing controlled disintegration. Risk of backlash if not precise.]
"Controlled disintegration," Alex mused, a plan forming. He looked at his Energy bar: 10/10. He had replenished it during their cautious trek. He knew Energy Channel was powerful, but also risky. The hint warned about precision.
"Alright, boy," Alex said, taking a deep breath. "This is going to be tricky."
He approached the largest boulder, placing both hands flat against its cold, vibrating surface. He closed his eyes, focusing his Core Resonance to perceive the internal energetic currents within the corrupted basalt. He felt the raw, chaotic Grey energy swirling within, holding the rock together in an unnatural bond. He imagined his own untainted energy, pure and precise, flowing into the boulder, targeting those chaotic bonds, unraveling them.
He began to channel Energy. The boulder hummed, a low, ominous sound. He felt the immense drain, but he pushed for precision, not raw power.
[Energy: 8/10... 6/10...]
The grey energy within the boulder began to shimmer violently, its surface cracking. Alex gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his forehead. He had to be careful not to trigger a chaotic explosion. He imagined the Grey energy simply unraveling, not exploding.
With a final, concentrated push, the boulder didn't explode. Instead, it slowly, silently, began to crumble, its massive form dissolving into fine, grey dust that dissipated harmlessly into the wind. The path was clear.
[Skill Refined: Energy Channel (Active) - Disintegration Protocol Enabled!]
[Disintegration Protocol: Allows precise application of Energy Channel to break down corrupted structures or entities. Effectiveness scales with Intelligence and Wisdom. Reduced Energy cost for non-combat applications.]
[Experience Gained: 200 XP]
Alex staggered back, panting, his Energy at 4/10. He felt a surge of triumph. He had gained a new, powerful application for Energy Channel. This wasn't just about fighting; it was about manipulating the Grey itself.
"We're through, Verwel!" Alex exclaimed, a tired but victorious grin on his face.
They pushed through the newly cleared path, the untainted resonance now overwhelmingly strong. They were very close. The air crackled with power, and the ground vibrated with a deep, rhythmic thrum, like a colossal heartbeat.
As they rounded a final bend in the mountain pass, they found themselves in a vast, open cavern. The walls glowed with a deep, fiery orange, illuminated by a colossal fissure in the earth that pulsed with molten rock and raw, untainted energy. This was the Earth-Forge. And in the center of the cavern, a figure of immense size and power stood, his back to them, seemingly carved from living stone.
He was easily twice Alex's height, his body a mass of rippling muscle and hardened rock. His skin was a mottled grey-brown, like ancient granite, and from his shoulders, jagged spikes of obsidian jutted out. He was engaged in a fierce battle, not with Grey entities, but with the very ground itself. Tendrils of dark, corrupted earth, imbued with the Grey Remnant's energy, lashed out at him from the molten fissure, trying to consume him. He slammed his massive, stone fists into the ground, sending shockwaves that shattered the corrupted tendrils, his roars echoing through the cavern.
[Threat Detected: Corrupted Earth Tendrils (Environmental Hazard)]
[Level: 6 (Continuous)]
[Ally Detected: Grak (Guardian of Earth)]
[Level: 12]
[Danger: N/A (Ally)]
"Grak," Alex breathed, a sense of awe washing over him. The Level 12 Guardian. He was even more imposing than the Keeper's vision. And he was fighting the Grey Remnant directly, a constant, brutal struggle against the corruption of the Earth-Forge.
Grak let out another thunderous roar, slamming his fists down, shattering a particularly large tendril. He was powerful, but Alex could see the strain on his massive frame. He was holding back the corruption, but it was a relentless, unending assault.
Alex looked at Verwel, then back at Grak. He had found him. Now, he had to help him. He had to prove he was worthy of the title, Unbound Survivor.