"Are you serious?!" Rika's voice cracked with disbelief as she stared at the object before her.
Kayden's grin widened, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Dead serious. It's a Creation Orb. Got it from a friend in the capital." He crossed his arms, watching her face transform from shock to wonder. "It wasn't an easy task though."
Rika's amber eyes remained fixed on the dark energy orb hovering just above the wooden table. The artifact pulsed with an otherworldly light, casting dancing shadows across the tent walls. For some reason, she always seemed to be interested in things of magic and sorcery.
"You don't say," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She swallowed hard before continuing, "Amazing. Those rat bastards sure know how to put their resources to use."
Kayden studied her expression carefully. Even now, after everything they'd been through together, Rika's hatred for the Divine Order ran deeper than his own. He could see it in the way her small hands curled into fists whenever their name was mentioned.
"It's a rare find, I must say." Talon's gravelly voice cut through the moment as he emerged from the shadows in the corner of the tent. His weathered face bore its usual skeptical expression. "But now that we have it, how exactly do we plan to use it?"
Kayden turned to face him, his expression growing serious. "Rika is the key."
The girl's head snapped up, confusion replacing the awe in her eyes. "Huh? Me?" Her voice trembled slightly, though whether from excitement or fear, Kayden couldn't tell.
Talon's scarred eyebrows drew together in a frown. "Yeah, what do you mean? What do you expect the brat to do with it?" He gestured dismissively toward Rika, who shot him a withering glare.
Kayden took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "We could activate the orb with her illusion magic. The orb only responds when an image of what you want to create is projected by a subconscious mind – a very specific kind of mental projection."
Talon's frown deepened. "And how does her illusion magic help with the orb?"
"Think about it," Kayden explained, his voice taking on the patient tone of a teacher. "Illusions are essentially images created by the human mind, then projected into reality. They're mental constructs given form. The orb requires the same principle, but on a much grander scale."
"Rika is one of our most talented Illusionist. She might be able to pull it off"
Understanding dawned on Talon's face. "I see. So you want her to project an image of a building – something that would fit all of us and more to come – into that orb?"
"Exactly."
Talon studied Rika with calculating eyes. "And you think she can do it?"
Kayden's gaze shifted to Rika, who was staring back at him with wide, uncertain eyes. The weight of their expectations seemed to settle on her small shoulders like a heavy cloak.
"Do you think you can do it?" Kayden asked, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone.
Rika's breathing quickened. "I don't know... I mean..." She ran her hands through her dark hair, a nervous habit he'd noticed over the months they'd traveled together. "It's not like creating simple hallucinations or distorting an environment to confuse enemies. This... this is on a whole other level."
Her voice grew more frantic as she continued, "I'd have to sketch every single detail of how the base would look – from the foundation to the pillars, from the roofing to the interior layout. Do you have any idea how much time that would take? I'd have to maintain a subconscious state for at least a week, maybe more, and I'd have to hold every detail perfectly in my mind without losing focus, and if I make even one mistake—"
"Calm down, Rika." Kayden's gentle voice cut through her spiraling panic. He moved closer, placing his calloused hands on her head with surprising tenderness. "It's okay. Breathe."
She looked up at him, her eyes still wide with uncertainty.
"I know you can do it," he continued, his voice warm and reassuring. "You just have to take your time. There's no rush. I believe in you, and we're all counting on you – but that doesn't mean you have to carry this burden alone. There will be others working with you together"
Rika felt her cheeks grow warm. At fifteen, having survived more hardship than most adults, genuine praise and encouragement were rare gifts. The warmth in Kayden's voice, the confidence in his eyes – it made something flutter in her chest.
"I know it's a lot to ask.... But you are the only person who's fit for the task" Kayden said in warm and soft tone.
There eyes interlocked for a moment. Rika could see the sincerity and care in his words.
"O..okay," she said quietly, her voice steadier now. "I won't let you down."
Kayden's smile was genuine and warm. "I knew i could count on you." He kept his hand on her head for a moment longer before stepping back.
"How touching," Talon's dry voice cut through the moment like a blade. "Hate to interrupt the moment, but I think you should get to work. That is, if you don't want me to make some of the new recruits share your tent."
Rika's expression shifted instantly, her eyes turning cold as steel as she fixed Talon with a deadly glare that could have frozen fire.
Talon remained completely unfazed. "No need to glare at me. I'm just stating what will happen if you don't figure out how to do whatever he's asking."
Kayden cleared his throat, sensing the tension. "Well then, I guess we'll leave you to it." He moved toward the tent flap, then paused and glanced back over his shoulder. "I know you can do it, Rika. I have complete faith in you."
Her face lit up like dawn breaking over the mountains, and Kayden felt a familiar warmth in his chest at seeing her smile.
Talon followed him out of the tent, leaving Rika alone with her thoughts and the pulsing orb before her.
Once they were outside, walking across the camp under the star-filled sky, Kayden spoke
"Prepare a team of architects and conjurers for her. She'll need all the help she can get" his tone.. neutral.
Talon shook his head. "You put a little too much faith in the kid."
"It's a gamble," Kayden admitted, his breath visible in the cool night air.
"Gambling isn't exactly your area of expertise," Talon commented wryly.
Kayden let out a quiet chuckle. "It's not just a gamble, though. She can do it. She has potential – the kind that will someday surpass both of us."
Talon stopped walking and turned to face him. "I see" He paused, then added, "Anyways, I'm going to check up on Elena and the recruits. Can't have her killing them with training before our first real battle."
"Good idea. I need to practice my Lux Flow anyway. It's exhausting, but necessary."
"Well then, I'll get going." Talon turned to leave, then paused once more. "And Kayden?"
"Yeah?"
"Good to have you back."
Before Kayden could respond, Talon vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint disturbance in the air where he'd stood. Teleportation was one of Talon's most feared abilities – one that made him a nightmare for enemies and allies alike.
Kayden continued walking toward his own tent, which was at the center of the settlement. His mind already shifting to the training ahead. When he reached it, he stepped inside to find the familiar, sparse interior – just a wide bed in the center and nothing else. He'd never been one for unnecessary possessions.
"Guess I'll get right to it," he murmured to himself, removing his black cloak and waist belt. He placed them carefully on the bed before settling on the ground in a cross-legged position.
The tent fell silent except for the distant sounds of camp life outside. Kayden closed his eyes and began to focus on the Lux flowing within him.
Lux existed in every living thing, from the mightiest gods to the most treacherous devils. It was an invisible energy force that permeated everything – the very source of life itself. Some called it Life Energy, others Soul Energy, but its essence remained the same.
He could feel the bright light that glowed at the center of his being, like a calm river that stretched out to every corner of his body. His Soul Core pulsed with a bright, ethereal glow, and he could sense his Lux flowing through every limb, every cell, illuminating his entire being.
But there was something else hidden within that light – something dark, something primal, something dangerous. And Darian was acutely aware of its presence.
It was a power that surged within him, ancient and terrible, locked away for now but always present. Always waiting.
"Be one with the universe," he recited quietly, the words flowing like a familiar prayer. "The power flows within you. The power flows outside of you. The power is everywhere."
Maria had taught him those words long ago, and though he no longer needed them, they had become as natural as breathing.
In this world, Lux was a common concept. There are various kinds. Those used to defend, to attack, even to create spells and abilities. The amount of Lux Energy one could gather, determined their strength and ranking in society.
Kayden had learnt to gather Lux Energy into his Soul Core over the years. But too much gathering could sometimes lead to an overflow of Lux, thereby damaging his Soul Core.
Which is why practicing one's Lux Flow helps. It helps to circulate the energy to all parts of the body, not just the Soul Core alone, but to every veins, every cell, every organ and limb. Distributing the energy equally.
Kayden sat there for a while as he continued to meditate...Suddenly, everything went dark.
His consciousness was pulled through space and time, traveling at impossible speeds before arriving in a familiar void. Kayden's heart sank as he recognized where he was.
'This hellhole again?' His eyes scanning through the darkness... somehow he could see clearly.
"We meet again, mortal." The voice was ancient and primal, echoing from the darkness with the weight of eons.
"Yeah, no kidding," Kayden replied, trying to keep his voice steady. He still couldn't get over the intimidating aura of the beast.
"The last time we spoke was about five years ago, and now you want to chat. I was in the middle of training, you know."
A crushing pressure suddenly squeezed his insides, and he coughed up blood. "Be careful with your tone, mortal. I am not to be trifled with."
The gigantic dragon head emerged from the darkness, its eyes like burning stars. Kayden quickly reminded himself that he was in the presence of a god – or something close to one. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.
"So why have you called me here?" he asked, fighting to keep the disdain from his voice.
The beast remained silent, its massive form radiating an aura of barely contained power.
"It is time," it finally spoke.
Darian felt confusion wash over him. "Time for what?"
"You are strong enough now. Strong enough to claim the Godsbane."
'What the hell is that?' Kayden thought with a confused look.
"If you wish to succeed in your quest against the gods, you will need to obtain them. Go to the Netherworld. They wait there."
"Wait, this is all very confusing. First you summon me here, now you want me to retrieve some weapon without telling me why? And what or where is this Netherworld? Is this a joke?"
The beast remained silent for a long moment before speaking again. "Mortal, it is up to you whether you believe what I say or not. But be prepared to face the consequences later."
"I'm not sure why you care about my quest. Why are you even telling me this? You don't strike me as the caring type"
Another pause. "Mortal, you have a destiny to fulfill. I neither care for you nor your quest. I simply want to know whether your predecessor was right about you."
"Get the blades, or you will never succeed."
"Predecessor? Wait, how am I supposed to—"
In that instant, Kayden snapped back to reality.
His breath came in ragged gasps, sweat dripping from his face. His hands shook as he tried to steady himself.
"What the hell?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
His gaze fell to the back of his palm, where a familiar mark had appeared. But this time, it had changed – the symbol was more ancient, more complex, and noticeably larger than before.
The mark glowed briefly with an otherworldly light before fading back into his skin.
"The Godsbane, huh?" he murmured, the dragon's words echoing in his mind.