The Luminous Forest swallowed the dawn with a soft glow, its trees shimmering in shades of blue, green, and purple. Translucent roots snaked across the ground, pulsing like veins of light, while the soft moss blinked under Rian and Lina's feet, each step sparking a faint glimmer.
Dewdrops hung from branches, reflecting light like shattered mirrors, and the humid air carried a low hum, as if the forest itself were alive. Vines swayed slowly, their tips brushing the air, alert, while the canopy seemed to lean toward the two, whispering secrets. Rian clutched the glove over the purple "C" mark, the weight of Craevon's voice still echoing in his mind.
— These tracks are fading — Rian muttered, crouching, his eyes locked on the glowing marks cutting through the moss. The silvery shimmer seemed to dissolve, like smoke in the wind. — Whoever left these knew they'd be followed.
— Or didn't want to be caught — Lina replied, kicking a glowing stone aside. Her brown eyes scanned the forest, her makeshift knife spinning in her hand. — Look there, ash on the trees. Whoever passed through here used fire. Again.
Rian clenched his jaw, the word "fire" prodding the scar from five years ago.
— Whoever it is, they won't get away — he said, his voice low, almost a growl. — You ready for this, Lina? It's not just tracking anymore. It could get dangerous.
— Dangerous? — Lina laughed, but the sound came out tense. — I faced a killer vine with you yesterday, remember? I'm in, you stubborn mule.
Rian glanced at her, a subtle warmth easing the weight in his chest.
— Then stop counting vines and keep your eyes peeled — he said, forcing a half-smile.
— Hey, counting vines is my therapy! — she shot back, pointing her knife with a mischievous grin. — But seriously, this forest gives me the creeps. It feels like it's watching us.
— Because it is — Craevon's deep voice rumbled in Rian's mind, making him freeze. — The Luminous Forest is alive, kid. And it doesn't like intruders. Watch your step.
Rian snorted, muttering: — Great, now even the forest wants me dead.
— Talking to yourself again? — Lina raised an eyebrow, but before Rian could answer, a sharp clink sliced through the air, like glass colliding.
— Rian, above! — she shouted, pointing to the canopy.
A flock of five glassy creatures dove down, their feathers glinting like razor-sharp blades. Their white eyes sparked, and the sound of their wings rang like broken bells. A feather sliced through the air, tearing Lina's backpack. Supplies spilled out, sparking as they hit the ground.
— Create! — Rian yelled, his left hand burning as blue and orange flames formed, shaping the Fire Sword.
[Fire Sword created!]
Energy: 10/15. +10 points. 45/50 to Level 2.
Glowing runes floated before him, pulsing like living gems.
— Stay back, Lina!
— No way! — she shouted, rolling aside as a feather stabbed the ground where she'd stood. Glittering dust exploded from the feather, forming a haze that clouded their vision.
— Wait, this'll work! — She grabbed a glassy shard from a fallen feather and a nearby flexible vine. With quick movements, she tied the shard to the vine, crafting a light, sharp spear.
— Take that!
Lina spun and threw the spear, pinning a creature's wing to the glowing moss.
— Go, Rian, now!
Rian swung, the blade slicing the air with a fiery roar.
— Heavy Strike!
The edge hit a creature, shattering it into glittering fragments.
+10 points.
Heavy Strike 55/50 to Level 2.
Fire Sword reached Level 2!
New move unlocked: Fire Strike.
Energy: 8/15.
A searing heat surged through his arm, the "C" mark pulsing fiercely.
— Fire Strike? — he whispered, confused.
— Rian, right! — Lina yelled, hurling a stone that ricocheted off another bird's head. The creature hissed, veering, and Rian seized the moment, testing the new move.
— Fire Strike!
A wave of flames erupted from the blade, incinerating the bird in a flash.
+10 points.
Energy: 5/15.
Exhaustion hit hard, his arms trembling.
— Did you see that?! — Rian gasped, coughing as the glittering dust stung his lungs. — This sword… it's stronger now!
— Congrats, hero, but there's still two flying! — Lina shot back, her voice muffled as she dodged another feather with a nimble leap.
She charged, driving her makeshift knife into a bird's wing, sending it crashing. Rian watched her swift, precise movements and tried to mimic them. He dodged a feather with a spin, feeling his body respond better.
Agility: +1. Now 13.
— You're good, Lina — he said, slicing another bird with a normal strike.
Energy: 4/15. +10 points.
— Good? I'm amazing! — she laughed, but a feather grazed her arm, drawing a wince. — Damn, these things cut like knives!
— Last one! — Rian shouted, charging.
The final bird dove, but he spun, using Heavy Strike again. The fiery blade cleaved the creature in half, shards glittering like falling stars.
+10 points. Energy: 2/15.
He dropped to his knees, breathing hard, sweat dripping down his face.
— You okay? — Lina asked, wiping blood from her arm with her torn sleeve. She crouched beside him, knife still in hand. — Because, seriously, you look like you're about to pass out.
— I… just need a minute — Rian muttered, dismissing the sword. The heat faded, but the exhaustion lingered.
— This sword… it drains everything out of me. I don't know how to control it yet.
He frowned, staring into space. Those strange numbers kept flashing in his mind:
Energy: 2/15. +10 points.
Fire Sword Level 2.
Fire Strike.
— Craevon, what are these numbers? Every time I use the sword, I see these… things. Points, levels, energy. And now this 'Fire Strike.' How do I know this? And why do I feel like I'm getting better?
Craevon's deep voice rumbled in his mind, almost amused.
— You're starting to notice, kid. Those numbers reflect your progress. Each time you use the Fire Sword, your skills improve. The more you fight, the stronger you get. Points measure your experience, and levels… let's say they're steps toward something bigger.
Each system evolution unlocks new moves, like that 'Fire Strike' you just used. But be careful: power comes at a cost. If you don't manage your energy, the flame will consume you before you consume your enemies.
Rian blinked, trying to process the words.
— So… the more I use it, the stronger I get? But why didn't you tell me this before?
— Because you didn't ask — Craevon snapped, his tone sharp. — And because you're not ready for everything the system can offer. Keep fighting, kid. The Luminous Forest will teach you more than I could explain now.
Lina nudged his shoulder.
— Hey, talking to yourself again? What's going on in that stubborn head of yours?
Rian sighed, standing with effort.
— Just… trying to understand this sword.
— Just try not to faint, okay?
Rian gave a weak laugh.
— Thanks, Lina. And that spear you made? How do you come up with that stuff so fast?
She shrugged, a mischievous smile on her lips.
— When you grow up with nothing, you learn to make something out of scraps. This forest is like a junk market to me.
They followed the trail, the glow of the tracks nearly gone. The canopy parted into a clearing, revealing a massive, cracked gem, its surface scarred with burn marks.
— This gem holds echoes of forbidden power — Craevon whispered. — Be careful, Rian. Someone was here.
— You feel that? — Rian asked, his voice tense, pointing at the gem. — Those burns… they're like the ones from the village.
Lina approached, cautiously touching the gem.
— Look, there's dried blood here. And bits of metal. Looks like there was a fight.
The sound of footsteps broke the clearing's silence, quick and distant, echoing among the glowing trees. The giant gem, cracked and scorched, seemed to pulse with an uneasy light.
— Rian, hide! — Lina whispered, her brown eyes flashing with urgency. She grabbed his arm, pulling him behind a tree, the glowing branches brushing their clothes.
A cloaked figure stepped into the clearing, a fiery blade in their hand pulsing with a cold glow.
— Craevon's chosen is closer than we thought — the man murmured, his voice low, a cold smile on his lips. He crouched, picking up a charred glassy feather from the ground, and tucked it into his cloak before vanishing into the trees.
Lina exhaled, easing her stance.
— Who was that guy? And why's he so interested in you?
— I don't know — Rian said, his eyes fixed on the burned feather the man left behind. — But he knows about me. And that's not good.
— Now what? — Lina asked, her knife trembling in her hand. — Do we follow him or head back to the village? I know an old guy who might know something about this gem.
Rian tightened his glove, the promise of vengeance burning brighter.
— We follow — he said, his voice cold.