Chapter 12: The Shard’s Hunger
The crystalline formations towered around Kain like jagged teeth, reflecting faint pulses of Etherial light. The air here was different—denser, heavier, saturated with the raw energy of the Wastes. Each step felt like he was walking through water, the shard in his chest humming with an almost greedy anticipation.
A low growl echoed from somewhere ahead, reverberating off the crystalline walls. Kain stopped, his hand instinctively tightening around his blade. The sound wasn't unfamiliar—he'd heard it before during his battles with the Etherial beasts. But this time, it felt… different. It wasn't just a warning; it was a challenge.
The shard throbbed in response, urging him forward.
"Not now," Kain muttered under his breath. The shard's hunger was growing harder to suppress. Every fight, every kill, seemed to feed it, and yet it was never satisfied. The thought gnawed at the edges of his mind—what would happen if he gave in completely?
The growl came again, louder this time, and a figure emerged from the misty haze ahead. It was an Etherial beast, but unlike any Kain had faced before. Its body was massive and sleek, shimmering with the same crystalline energy that surrounded them. Its eyes burned with a cold, malevolent light, and its claws gleamed like razors.
[Warning: Elite Etherial Beast Detected. Classification—Crystalline Stalker. Threat Level: High.]
"Well, aren't you a pretty one," Kain said, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his muscles.
The Crystalline Stalker crouched low, its muscles rippling as it prepared to pounce. Kain's blade was already in his hand, the familiar weight grounding him.
The beast moved first, lunging with a speed that belied its size. Kain sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp claws that sliced through the air where he had been standing. He countered with a swift slash of his own, his blade striking the creature's flank.
The impact sent a shockwave up his arm, and he stumbled back. The Stalker's crystalline hide had absorbed most of the blow, the Etherial energy within it flashing like a barrier.
"Figures," Kain muttered. "Nothing's ever easy."
The shard pulsed violently, its whispers growing louder, more insistent.
[Suggestion: Use Etherial Absorption to weaken the target. Activate? Y/N]
Kain hesitated. The last time he had used the shard's absorption ability, it had left him reeling from the intensity of the energy. But this wasn't the time for caution.
"Do it," he growled.
The shard flared to life, its dark tendrils snaking out from his chest and wrapping around his arm. The black veins spread further up his shoulder, a painful reminder of the price he was paying.
As the Stalker lunged again, Kain met it head-on. His blade clashed against its crystalline claws, sparks flying as Etherial energy crackled between them. This time, the shard's power surged through him, enhancing his movements and strength.
With a roar, Kain drove his blade into the beast's side, the shard's tendrils latching onto the creature. The Stalker thrashed violently, its glowing eyes wide with fury and pain. Energy flowed from the beast into the shard, the dark veins on Kain's arm glowing brighter with each pulse.
The creature let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing, its massive form crumbling into a pile of shimmering crystal fragments. The air was still, save for the faint hum of the shard as it absorbed the last remnants of the beast's energy.
Kain staggered back, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The shard's whispers were louder now, almost jubilant, but they were accompanied by a sharp pain in his chest. The corruption was spreading faster than he had anticipated.
[Energy Absorbed: Etherial Resonance Increased. Corruption Level: 22%.]
"Damn it," Kain muttered, clutching his chest. "You're enjoying this too much."
The shard didn't respond, but its silence was almost smug.
Kain leaned against one of the crystalline formations, his body trembling as the adrenaline began to wear off. The fight had taken more out of him than he cared to admit. The Stalker's energy had made him stronger, but it came at a cost.
As he caught his breath, he noticed something glinting among the remains of the beast. It was a small, crystalline shard, pulsing faintly with a light that matched the larger formations around him.
[Item Acquired: Crystalline Core. Use: Unknown.]
Kain picked up the core, turning it over in his hand. The shard in his chest reacted immediately, a faint pulse of recognition passing between them.
"Guess you're hungry for this too," Kain said, slipping the core into his pack. "You'll have to wait."
The air around him began to shift again, the oppressive weight of the Wastes pressing down harder than before. The fight had drawn attention—Kain could feel it. He needed to keep moving.
The path ahead grew narrower, the crystalline walls closing in as if trying to trap him. Shadows flickered at the edges of his vision, and the sense of being watched returned with a vengeance.
Kain tightened his grip on his blade, his resolve hardening. The shard might have its own agenda, but he wasn't about to let it dictate his path. The Codex Tower was still far off, but he would reach it. No matter what stood in his way.
As he stepped deeper into the crystalline maze, the whispers of the shard grew louder, merging with the faint, haunting echoes of the Wastes. The journey was far from over, and Kain knew the worst was yet to come.