Alex stumbled through the city's back alleys, their breath ragged and their mind a storm of whispers. The shadow beast's essence pulsed within them, a strange warmth that both empowered and unnerved them. Every step felt lighter, as if the shadows themselves carried them forward, but the faint voices in their head—fragments of the beast's instincts—clawed at their thoughts. Hunger. Hunt. Survive. They shook their head, trying to focus. They had survived the portal, but at what cost?
The neon-lit streets of the city buzzed with activity, even in the early hours before dawn. Portal explorers, clad in sleek armor and carrying high-tech gear, strode confidently toward guild headquarters. Alex's worn jacket and scuffed boots stood out painfully among them. The rejection letter from the Iron Vanguard Guild still burned in their memory, but the power coursing through them now was proof they could be more. They would be more.
Their destination was a rundown building on the city's edge, its faded sign reading "Crescent Guild." Unlike the towering fortresses of elite guilds like Iron Vanguard, Crescent was a small, struggling outfit, known for taking risks on unproven recruits. Alex had heard rumors about its leader, a former top-tier explorer who had fallen from grace. If anyone would give them a chance, it was Crescent.
The door creaked as Alex pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room cluttered with outdated equipment and maps pinned to the walls. A woman in her late thirties looked up from a desk littered with data tablets. Her dark hair was tied back, and a scar ran across her cheek, giving her a weathered but commanding presence. This was Mara, Crescent Guild's leader.
"Who're you?" Mara asked, her voice sharp but not unkind. Her eyes scanned Alex, lingering on their slight frame and the nervous energy in their stance.
"Alex," they replied, straightening. "I want to join your guild."
Mara raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. "You're not exactly guild material, kid. Why should I waste my time?"
Alex's jaw tightened. They had expected this. "Because I survived a portal. Alone. And I've got something to offer." They hesitated, then let their body fade slightly, blending into the shadows cast by the room's flickering lights. Mara's eyes widened, just for a moment, before her expression hardened.
"Interesting trick," she said. "But parlor tricks don't survive high-level portals. What's your deal?"
Alex took a deep breath, recounting the portal incident—the shadow beast, the explosion, the strange energy that had changed them. They left out the system voice, unsure how to explain it. The whispers in their mind grew louder as they spoke, urging them to flee, to hide. They pushed them down, focusing on Mara's piercing gaze.
When they finished, Mara leaned forward, her fingers drumming on the desk. "You're saying you absorbed some kind of power from that beast? That's not something I've heard of before. Dangerous, if it's true."
"It's true," Alex said, their voice steady despite the doubts creeping in. "I can prove it. Give me a chance."
Mara studied them for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. We're desperate enough to take a gamble. But you're not a member yet. You're a trial recruit. One mistake, and you're out. Understood?"
Alex nodded, relief flooding them. "Understood."
"Good," Mara said, standing. "We've got a job tomorrow—a low-level portal cleanup. Something's been stirring up trouble in there, and the client's paying us to handle it. You're coming along. Don't make me regret this."
The next morning, Alex stood outside the Crescent Guild's headquarters, clutching a borrowed dagger and a basic comm device. The guild's team was small—just Mara and two others. Kael, a lanky engineer with a knack for tech, adjusted his goggles and muttered about faulty portal scanners. Lila, a quiet healer with a calm demeanor, offered Alex a small smile but said little. The group's worn gear and tense expressions spoke volumes about Crescent's struggles.
The portal was a short distance from the city, its faint green glow pulsing in the early light. Mara briefed them as they approached. "This is a cleanup job. Some low-level creatures have been slipping through, causing trouble for nearby settlements. We go in, clear them out, and get out. No heroics."
Alex nodded, their heart racing. The shadow beast's essence stirred within them, sharpening their senses. They could feel the shadows around them, almost beckoning. But the whispers were back, stronger now, urging them to run. They clenched their fists, forcing the voices to quiet.
The portal's energy enveloped them as they stepped through, emerging in a realm of jagged cliffs and swirling mist. The air was cold, and strange, bird-like creatures screeched in the distance. Alex's eyes darted around, their new stealth ability making every shadow feel like an ally.
"Stay sharp," Mara said, her voice low. She led the way, her blade drawn, while Kael scanned the area with his device. Lila stayed close, her hands glowing faintly with healing energy.
They hadn't gone far when a low growl echoed through the mist. Three creatures emerged—wolf-like, with scales glinting like polished stone. Their eyes glowed an unnatural blue, and their movements were eerily synchronized.
"Rock wolves," Mara muttered. "Tough hides. Aim for the joints."
The wolves charged, and Alex's instincts kicked in. They focused, letting their body fade into the shadows. The world blurred as they moved, slipping behind one of the wolves. Their dagger struck its hind leg, drawing a sn Mendes of pain. The beast turned, but Alex was already gone, blending back into the mist.
"Nice move!" Kael called, dodging a wolf's claws as he fired a stun dart from his wrist device. Mara sliced through another wolf's flank, her movements precise and brutal. Lila's hands glowed brighter, healing a shallow cut on Kael's arm.
But the whispers in Alex's mind grew louder, more insistent. Hunt. Kill. Images flashed—dark forests, bloodied prey. Alex stumbled, clutching their head. The third wolf seized the moment, lunging at them. Panic surged, but Alex forced themselves to focus, rolling into a shadow and reappearing behind the beast. Their dagger struck true, piercing its neck.
As the wolf collapsed, a familiar glow emanated from it, flowing into Alex. Pain seared through them, sharper than before, and they dropped to their knees, gasping. The whispers intensified, now a chorus of voices, none of them their own. Strength. Power. Take it all.
"Alex!" Mara's voice cut through the haze. She grabbed their shoulder, pulling them to their feet. "What's wrong with you?"
"I... I absorbed it," Alex panted, their vision clearing. They felt stronger, faster, but the voices were overwhelming. "It's... it's too much."
Mara's eyes narrowed. "You didn't mention this part. What's happening to you?"
Before Alex could answer, the cold, mechanical voice returned. "Essence absorbed. New ability unlocked: Stone Resilience. Warning: Mental strain detected. Stabilize essence integration to proceed."
Alex froze. Stone Resilience? They could feel it—a faint hardness in their skin, like armor beneath the surface. But the voices were relentless, threatening to drown out their thoughts.
"Kid, snap out of it," Mara said, her tone urgent. "We're not done here."
Alex took a shaky breath, pushing the whispers down. "I'm fine," they lied, gripping their dagger. "Let's finish this."
The team cleared the remaining creatures, but Alex's mind was elsewhere. The system voice, the essences, the voices—they were connected, and Alex needed answers. As they stepped back through the portal, the city's lights greeting them, Alex felt a fire ignite within. They had survived another realm, but this power was a double-edged sword. They would master it, no matter the cost.
Mara clapped a hand on their shoulder as they returned to the guild. "Not bad, kid. You've got potential. But you're hiding something. Don't think I won't find out."
Alex met her gaze, their resolve hardening. "I'll prove I belong here," they said. "No matter what it takes."
As the guild dispersed, Alex lingered, staring at the city's glowing portals. The system's voice echoed faintly in their mind, a promise and a warning. This was only the beginning.