Chapter 27: Ancestral Trails part 2

Xavier stepped into the next corridor, his spear still glowing faintly from the aftermath of the wyvern battle. The air grew heavier with each step, as though the very dungeon was trying to crush him under its weight. In the middle of the cavern stood a towering ten-foot Goliath, its skin like polished stone and muscles rippling with raw power. Its eyes glowed faintly red, radiating the unmistakable aura of a 2nd-rank Earth warrior.

"Another trial," Xavier muttered, gripping his spear tightly. His wounds from the previous battle throbbed, but there was no time to rest. This Goliath radiated an oppressive presence that made it hard to even breathe.

The creature hefted a massive, jagged stone axe, letting out a guttural growl that echoed in the chamber. Without warning, it charged.

The Goliath moved with surprising speed for its size, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Xavier barely had time to dodge the downward swing of the axe, which shattered the stone floor where he had stood. The shockwave from the impact sent him tumbling backward.

Xavier retaliated with a thrust of his spear, aiming for the Goliath's knee. The weapon connected, but the creature's stone-like skin deflected the blow, leaving only a shallow scratch. The Goliath retaliated immediately, swinging its massive fist and catching Xavier in the side, sending him crashing into the wall.

Pain shot through Xavier's body as he staggered to his feet, blood dripping from the fresh wound on his ribs. The Goliath pressed its advantage, unleashing a flurry of devastating attacks. Xavier ducked and weaved, using his Soul Dash to avoid the brunt of the blows, but he couldn't keep up forever.

Xavier's breathing grew labored as the battle wore on. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, and his energy reserves were nearly depleted. The Goliath, meanwhile, showed no signs of tiring.

"This thing's like a walking fortress," Xavier muttered, gritting his teeth. "I can't keep fighting like this. I need to end it—now."

He activated the Infernal Blade of Enlightenment: Second Form, channeling fire energy into his spear. The weapon glowed with a fierce light as Xavier lunged forward, aiming for the Goliath's chest.

The Goliath raised its axe to block the attack, and the two forces collided with a deafening crash. Sparks and flames erupted from the impact, but the Goliath's strength was overwhelming. It pushed Xavier back, slamming him into the ground.

Xavier staggered back, his body screaming in protest as he narrowly avoided another crushing blow from the Goliath's jagged stone axe. Cuts littered his arms and torso, each movement a painful reminder of the creature's overwhelming strength. The towering figure loomed over him, its crimson eyes glowing with a predatory glint.

He tightened his grip on the Infernal Soul Blade, the weapon's fiery aura flickering like a heartbeat. Xavier knew he was running out of time—his body was at its limit, and the Goliath showed no signs of weakening. He needed to act decisively, leveraging every ounce of skill and power he had.

The Goliath roared and charged again, swinging its axe in a devastating arc. Xavier activated his Phantom Blade technique, channeling spiritual energy into a split-second illusion. To the Goliath, it looked as if Xavier remained frozen in place, vulnerable. In reality, he had sidestepped with blinding speed, leaving a shimmering afterimage in his wake.

The Goliath's axe struck the illusion, splitting the ground beneath it with a thunderous crash, but Xavier was already on the move. Reappearing to the creature's side, he unleashed a series of quick slashes with the Infernal Soul Blade's First Form, each strike laced with flickering infernal flames. The heat scorched the Goliath's stone-like skin, leaving glowing embers in its wake.

The Goliath howled in fury, spinning to backhand Xavier with its massive arm. The blow sent him skidding across the chamber floor, blood trailing behind him.

Struggling to his feet, Xavier clenched his weapon and began channeling the flames of the Infernal Soul Blade. Unlike before, he didn't just rely on the blade itself—this time, he pushed himself further, drawing on the infernal flames stored within his bloodline.

The weapon blazed brighter, the flames leaping off the blade and swirling around him. The heat grew intense, the temperature of the chamber rising sharply as cracks began to form in the walls.

The Goliath hesitated, its crimson eyes narrowing.

"This is it," Xavier muttered, raising the blazing weapon. With a deep breath, he released the flames, forming a swirling vortex around himself.

As the Goliath charged, Xavier activated the Phantom Blade again, creating multiple fiery afterimages that darted around the chamber. The Goliath swung wildly, unable to discern the real Xavier from the illusions.

Xavier waited for his moment, then struck. He appeared directly beneath the Goliath, slashing upward with the Infernal Soul Blade, flames surging along the arc of the strike. The searing heat forced the Goliath to stagger back, but Xavier wasn't done.

Summoning every ounce of remaining energy, he directed the infernal flames into the Goliath's weapon, heating it to a molten state. The creature roared in confusion as its axe began to deform, unable to withstand the intense heat.

With the Goliath's primary weapon neutralized, Xavier launched his final assault. Using his speed and precision, he dodged the Goliath's desperate swipes and leaped high into the air.

"Infernal Soul Blade: First Form!" he roared, channeling the flames into a concentrated, spiraling attack.

The Goliath raised its massive arms to block, but it was too late. Xavier drove the blazing spear through its chest, the infernal flames detonating on impact. A wave of heat and energy surged outward, engulfing the creature and reducing it to molten rubble.

Xavier collapsed to one knee, the glowing blade dimming in his hand. His breathing was ragged, his body trembling from exhaustion. But he had done it. The Goliath was defeated.

As the creature's remains crumbled to dust, a pedestal emerged from the center of the chamber, holding a glowing orb of energy.

The voice echoed once more, filled with both admiration and curiosity.

"You wield the flames of the infernal with skill I have not seen in ages. But your trials are far from over. Beyond this door lies the true test of your worth. Prepare yourself, dragon-blooded warrior."

The orb dissolved into light, rejuvenating Xavier's battered body and restoring his strength. He stood, gripping the Infernal Soul Blade tightly, and stepped forward. The final trial awaited. 

As Xavier stepped into the next corridor, the air grew heavy with an oppressive energy. In the dim glow of the room, a figure emerged from the shadows. Xavier froze as he saw himself—or rather, a perfect, enhanced version of himself—standing across the chamber.

This version was flawless: its movements fluid, its stance unshakable, and its eyes burning with determination. It wielded an Infernal Soul Blade identical to his own, but the flames on the blade burned hotter, fiercer.

"To move forward, you must surpass yourself," the voice from earlier echoed, resonating through the chamber.

Xavier charged forward, his own Infernal Soul Blade igniting in a burst of flames. Their blades clashed, sending out a wave of heat that scorched the ground. The fight was brutal from the start. Every swing Xavier made was met with a precise counter, every feint predicted, and every defense broken by his replica's relentless onslaught.

The fake Xavier exploited every weakness in his technique. His attacks were faster, his positioning impeccable, and his strikes carried a precision that left Xavier scrambling to keep up.

Cuts began to appear on Xavier's arms and legs as his stamina waned. Each clash of blades drained him further.

"Why… why can't I beat this thing?" he muttered, gritting his teeth as he narrowly dodged a decapitating strike.

In his moment of despair, Elior's voice filled his mind, calm and resolute.

"Xavier, the reason you're losing is simple. This version of you lacks your flaws—it is you perfected. But it is also bound by its predictability. What it does not have is your capacity for growth, for improvisation. You must infuse your very essence—your soul energy—into every part of yourself. Only then will you tip the scales in your favor."

Elior's words resonated deeply. Xavier clenched his fist around the hilt of his blade, his resolve reigniting.

Xavier closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing inward. He summoned his soul energy, letting it flow through him—not just into his speed, but into his strikes, his reflexes, and even his instincts. When he opened his eyes, the battle felt different.

As the doppelgänger lunged with a perfectly aimed strike, Xavier sidestepped with newfound fluidity, countering with a strike infused with fiery soul energy. The clone stumbled back, its armor scorched by the intensity of the blow.

For the first time, the doppelgänger faltered.

Xavier began to exploit the weaknesses he had discovered in his own fighting style. He baited the clone into overextending, countering with calculated precision. He used his speed to create openings, his soul energy amplifying each strike until his Infernal Soul Blade burned brighter than ever before.

As the battle raged on, Xavier's movements became unpredictable, flowing like a river yet striking with the force of a storm. The clone couldn't keep up.

In a final clash, Xavier infused his blade with a surge of soul energy, delivering a fiery slash that cut through the doppelgänger's defenses. The fake Xavier's blade fell from its hand, and Xavier seized the moment.

With a roar, Xavier spun, channeling all his remaining energy into one decisive strike. The blade sliced cleanly through the doppelgänger's neck, its head falling to the ground as the body dissolved into embers.

Xavier fell to one knee, his chest heaving as sweat and blood dripped from his body. His blade flickered, the flames dimming as exhaustion overtook him.

"That… was tougher than I thought," Xavier muttered, clutching his side.

The voice echoed again, softer this time.

"You have surpassed yourself, challenger. The next trial awaits."

The corridor ahead lit up, revealing a path forward. Xavier slowly pushed himself to his feet, his determination renewed despite his battered state.