13. First Enlightenment

I stood in front of the crystal obelisk, looking up at it as notifications rang in my head. So far there had been around 30 that I ignored as the pressure I felt was increasing with the musical *Ding* that rang every few seconds. 'It feels like gravity..' I thought to myself as I stared into the pillar in front of me.

[Your comprehension of the Law of Gravity has increased!]

As the notification appeared and then vanished from view I was suddenly forced to my knees by an immense pressure. I cried out in pain as my knees hit the ground hard. I saw Valeria attempt to take a step forward out of the corner of my eye before she was stopped by the pressure in the surrounding area. I looked back at the Pillar and gasped in a breath. Words had appeared near the bottom of the pillar, climbing up and wrapping around as the colors shifted from dark purple/black to pure black. I stared at the words with awe and began to read them. Unbeknownst to me, I had closed my eyes and began circulating Supreme Qi through my body as I studied the words that were now permanently etched into my knowledge sea.

[Your comprehension of the Law of Gravity has increased!]

[You have gained a new skill!]

[Gravity Aura; Passive; Rank: A, Mastery: 0.00%; Through your understanding of gravity you are able to affect gravity around you. Active: While active you chose which beings are affected. You may increase or decrease gravity on beings around you in a 15 foot radius. Lasts for 30 seconds. Cost: 1,500 Qi; While not active you control how gravity affects only you.]

I opened my eyes to see the pillar no longer in front of me. The pressure I was feeling disappeared as I opened my eyes and stood from my kneeling position.

"Wh-Where did the obelisk go, Sam?" Valeria called out tentatively as I rose from the ground and looked over at her. I pointed at my head where my knowledge sea was contained.

"The Pillar of the Universe is in my knowledge sea now. I can study it at any time now. It contains the Law of Gravity, one of the Supreme Laws that old man taught to me. Watch this." I lightened gravity on myself and jumped into the air, 5 feet, 10 feet, 30 feet, 60 feet. I leapt about 60 feet into the air before adjusting gravity again to float down and land lightly in front of Valeria again. She looked at me with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. I grinned at her before finishing my explanation.

"It's not flight, but it's damn close!" I laughed loudly before a chill went down my spine. I turned around as I felt the sinister gaze on me. Standing about 60 feet away, at the other end of the clearing, stepping out of the shadows, was a massive tiger.

This tiger stood about 10 feet tall, it had void black fur that seemed to draw in all light around it, the stripes on it's body were a dark fog grey. The tiger also had a long black mane that sparked with dark energy. Its eyes were a dark violet with void-like slit pupils. The beast's muscles bulged under its fur as it reared back its head and opened its tooth-filled maw and let out a mighty roar filled with pure power.

[Supreme Beast detected! Warning! This creature is connected to the Supreme Law of Gravity on a fundamental level! Therefor it is extremely adept at the use of gravity! This creature is immune to Gravity!]

[Supreme Beast: Void Gravity Liger (Epic)]

[Level: ???]

[HP: ??? (100%)]

The Liger looked down at me from its position as it finished its roar. I felt the pressure of its presence pushing down on me as it took a single step towards me. The ground underneath its paw seemed to simply vanish as the gravity around the creature destroyed the ground it walked on. I ground my teeth together and endured the pressure pushing me towards the ground. I tried to use my own gravity aura to fight back against the power pressing me down. Surprisingly I was able to alleviate the power of the Liger's aura enough to be able to move.

As soon as it noticed that I was able to resist its aura, it stopped to growl at me. The muscles in its legs flexed as it slid one paw forward to lower its stance, preparing to pounce at me. I lowered my stance as well and placed my hand on Blood Drinker. As I held my position, watching the Liger closely, Valeria Gasped loudly in fear and began to back up like crazy. "W-w-w-w-w-what is that!?" She yell/screamed at me as she tried to get as far away as possible. As I watched the Liger watching me, I received another notification.

[The Void Gravity Liger has issued a challenge! If you can defeat it in combat the Liger will acknowledge your strength and allow you to pass into the Gravity Hole Valley!]

'This thing is a Guardian too??!' I thought to myself as I prepared for the Liger's pounce. I flicked the tip of my sword up to motion my acceptance of the challenge and poured Qi into the blade. It began giving off an oppressive red glow.

[You have created a new skill!]

[Gravity Blade; Active; Rank: D; Mastery: 0.00%; Cost: 50 Qi; You infuse your blade with gravitational energy. This strike deals 150% of your strength as true damage.]

I grinned as the Liger pounced toward me, raising my blade to strike its massive clawed paw. The ring of steel meeting steel could be heard as the Liger's claws met my sword blade. I tried my best to hold my ground, increasing the gravity of my body to make myself harder to move. Despite my preparations the Liger's strength was enough to push me back 20 feet. I grunted at the force used against me, though I wasn't hurt for some reason. 'Is this just a test of my strength?' I thought to myself as I gathered my Qi and focused it into my sword again. I poured in as much as I could, focusing solely on the Liger in front of me.

"Then I'll show you my current strength!" I yelled as I propelled myself forward, using my new power to decrease my gravity for more speed. I swung my blade over head, I poured all of my Qi into the strike, using my gravity powers to increase the strength of my strike as much as possible.

BANG!

The sword struck the Liger directly between its eyes, stopping on the barrier it put up. I pushed with all my strength and saw small cracks appear in the barrier for a moment before I was pushed back.

[The Void Gravity Liger recognizes your strength! You may now enter the Gravity Well Valley!]

As the notification left my vision the Liger lowered its head a fraction before stepping to the side and allowing Valeria and I to pass into the valley.