Chapter 9: Speech of Survival
Raen stood in the middle of a dark, eerie place filled with bones and corpses. The air was heavy, and the silence was broken only by the sound of his breathing. He had just finished talking to the demi-god, and his mind was racing.
The demi-god's words echoed in his head, cryptic and heavy with meaning. Raen knew they were important, but he couldn't quite piece together how to use them. He needed to think—fast. Time was running out, and the relic wasn't going to wait for him.
He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the situation. What do I do? he thought. I can't just charge in blindly. I need a plan.
Raen took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He started running through his options, analyzing each one carefully.
Option 1: Fight Head-On
He could try to fight his way through. He had Shard Pulse, his unstable but powerful ability. It was good for close to mid-range combat, and he'd already seen how effective it could be. But Raen knew he wasn't the only one with abilities.
He thought back to the people he'd encountered so far:
- Eryn, the calm but fierce fighter who moved like a shadow. His strikes were precise, and he seemed to always be one step ahead.
- The scientist girl, who used mechanical drones and traps. She was unpredictable, and her gadgets could turn the tide of a battle in an instant.
- The others, each with their own unique fighting styles and abilities. Some relied on brute strength, while others used speed or trickery.
Raen shook his head. Fighting head-on was too risky. He was outnumbered, and his Shard Pulse was still unstable. If he missed or if his ability backfired, he'd be in serious trouble.
Option 2: Sneak Past Everyone
Stealth was another option. If he could avoid the others entirely, he might be able to reach the relic without a fight. But Raen wasn't sure if that was possible.
The trial grounds were vast, and he didn't know the layout well enough to navigate silently.
Plus, the others were likely already ahead of him. They'd be on high alert, watching for anyone trying to sneak past.
Raen sighed. Stealth might work, but it wasn't a guarantee. He needed something more reliable.
Option 3: Use the System
That left the system. It had helped him before, and maybe it could help him now. Raen remembered how the system had guided him through the trial so far, offering hints and unlocking abilities when he needed them most.
If he could find a skill or ability that would give him an edge, he might be able to turn the tide in his favor. But what kind of skill would help him in this situation?
Raen thought about it. He needed something that could help him track the relic quickly and efficiently. If he could find a way to locate it without wasting time, he might be able to get there before the others.
He nodded to himself. That was the plan. He'd use the system to unlock a tracking skill, then follow it straight to the relic. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best option he had.
Raen focused, and the familiar blue holographic screen of the [Sol System Menu] appeared in front of him. He scanned the information, his eyes darting over the details:
[Sol System Menu]
- Name: Raen Solmere
- Age: 14
- Gender: Male
- Sol Status: 70%
- Conduit Progression: Locked
- Transmutation Potential: Unstable
- Physical Integrity: Moderate (Injuries detected)
- Mental Stability: Fluctuating
- Environmental Adaptation: Low
- Unlocked Abilities:
- Shard Pulse (Unlocked)
- Type: Unstable Projection
- Rarity: Unknown
- Description: Concentrates Sol energy into sharp fragments that fire in a spread pattern. Effective for close to mid-range attacks with high burst potential. Accuracy and spread density improve with user control and Sol mastery.
- System Notice: Warning: Ability classification unstable. Shard Pulse exhibits volatile properties with potential for future evolution. Continued use may unlock further forms or transformations.
Raen frowned. Shard Pulse was useful, but it wasn't going to help him find the relic. He needed something else—something that could give him an advantage in tracking it down.
His eyes landed on a small line at the bottom of the screen:
No additional abilities detected. Skill search available.
"Skill search?" Raen muttered to himself. He hadn't noticed that option before. His heart skipped a beat. Maybe this was his chance.
He focused on the option, and the menu shifted, revealing a new screen filled with a list of skills. Some were grayed out, marked as Locked or Insufficient Sol Status. Others were available but required Sol energy he didn't have.
Raen's mind raced as he scanned the list. What do I need right now? he thought. I'm not strong enough to fight everyone head-on, and I can't afford to waste time searching blindly. I need something that can help me track the relic quickly.
His eyes landed on a skill called Sol Tracker. It was a common skill, nothing fancy, but the description caught his attention:
Sol Tracker (Common)
- Type: Utility
- Rarity: Common
- Description: Allows the user to detect concentrations of Sol energy in the environment. Effective for tracking Sol-based objects or entities. Range and accuracy depend on user's Sol mastery and environmental conditions.
- Cost: 10% Sol Status
Raen hesitated. Using 10% of his Sol energy was a risk. If he unlocked this skill, he'd be down to 60% Sol Status, leaving him weaker in a fight. But what choice did he have? Time was running out, and he couldn't afford to wander aimlessly.
"I have to take the chance," he muttered, his voice firm. He selected the skill and confirmed the unlock.
A warm sensation spread through his body as the skill activated. Raen blinked, and the world around him changed. Faint, glowing lines appeared in the ground, weaving through the earth like veins.
They pulsed with a soft light, all leading in the same direction—toward the relic.
Raen's heart raced. This was it. He had a clear path to follow.
He started moving, following the glowing lines. His mind was sharp, and his senses were on high alert. He knew the others would be close, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
The skill wasn't perfect—the lines were faint, and he had to focus hard to keep track of them. But it was enough. Raen felt a surge of determination. He was getting closer.
As he moved, he thought about what lay ahead. The relic was the key to surviving this trial, and he couldn't let anyone else take it. He had to be smart, fast, and ready for anything.
The glowing lines led him deeper into the trial grounds, toward a massive cavern. Raen could feel the tension building. He knew the final battle was near.
The glowing lines of Sol energy led Raen deeper into the trial grounds, winding through dark tunnels and narrow passages.
The air grew colder, and the faint hum of Sol energy grew louder with every step. Raen's heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert. He knew he was getting closer.
Finally, the path opened up into a massive cavern. Raen stopped at the entrance, his breath catching in his throat.
The cavern was enormous, its walls lined with glowing Sol-lit crystals that cast an eerie, pulsating light across the space.
At the center of the cavern stood a stone pedestal, and on it rested the relic—a small, shimmering object that seemed to radiate power.
But Raen wasn't the only one who had found it.
The cavern was a battlefield. At least five combatants were already there, fighting fiercely for control of the relic.
Raen stayed in the shadows, watching carefully as he analyzed the scene.
The first person he noticed was the grey-eyed boy. Raen's stomach churned at the sight of him. This was the same boy who had killed Lira, his ally, without hesitation.
Raen's hands clenched into fists as memories of Lira's death flashed in his mind. The boy had been calm, almost emotionless, as he ended her life. Raen had never forgotten that cold, calculating gaze.
The grey-eyed boy wasn't fighting yet. He stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching the chaos unfold with an unsettling calm.
Raen's instincts screamed at him to stay hidden. He couldn't afford to draw the boy's attention—not yet.
Next, Raen noticed Eryn. He was tall and lean, his movements fluid and precise. He fought with a detached efficiency, as if the battle were nothing more than a chore. Raen's jaw tightened as he watched him.
Eryn had always acted like Raen was beneath him, barely worth a second glance. That arrogance burned in Raen's chest. He thinks I'm not a threat, Raen thought bitterly. But he's wrong.
Then there was the scientist girl, her mechanical drones buzzing around her like a swarm of insects. She was setting traps and launching gadgets at her opponents, her face a mask of concentration. Raen had seen her in action before, and he knew how dangerous her inventions could be.
The other fighters were strangers to Raen, but they were clearly skilled.
One was a hulking figure who relied on brute strength, smashing through obstacles with ease.
Another was fast and agile, darting around the battlefield like a blur.
A third seemed to be using some kind of ranged ability, firing projectiles from a distance.
Raen's mind raced as he watched the chaos unfold. He needed to find a way to get to the relic without getting caught in the crossfire. But how?
He mentally mapped the battlefield, looking for openings.
The pedestal was in the center, surrounded by fighters. If he tried to rush in, he'd be an easy target. He needed to wait for the right moment.
As he watched, the battle grew more intense. The fighters were evenly matched, and no one seemed to be gaining the upper hand.
Raen knew this was his chance. If he could time it right, he might be able to slip in and grab the relic while the others were distracted.
But just as he was about to make his move, something unexpected happened.
The grey-eyed boy stepped forward, his movements smooth and unhurried. He walked straight toward the pedestal, completely unbothered by the fighting around him.
Raen's breath hitched. What is he doing? he thought. Is he just going to take it?
The boy reached the pedestal and, without hesitation, grabbed the relic. The moment he touched it, the entire cavern seemed to freeze.
The fighters stopped mid-battle, their eyes turning toward the boy.
Even Raen felt a strange pull, as if the relic's power was radiating outward, demanding attention.
The boy stood calmly, holding the relic in one hand. His grey eyes scanned the room, taking in the fighters who were now staring at him in shock.
Then he spoke.
His voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight. "You're all so desperate," he began, his words cutting through the silence. "Desperate to prove yourselves, to survive, to win. But do you even know why?"
No one answered. The fighters were too stunned to speak.
The boy continued, his tone almost pitying. "You fight for pride, for ego, for the illusion of control. You think this relic will save you, that it will make you stronger, faster, better. But it won't. Not unless you understand what it truly means to survive."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Survival isn't about strength alone. It's not about who can hit the hardest or move the fastest. It's about understanding the world around you. It's about knowing when to fight, when to run, and when to wait. Most of all, it's about knowing yourself."
Raen felt a chill run down his spine. The boy's words were unsettling, but they also struck a chord. He couldn't help but wonder if there was truth in what the boy was saying.
The grey-eyed boy's gaze lingered on each fighter, as if he could see straight through them. When his eyes met Raen's, Raen felt a jolt of recognition. It was as if the boy could see right through him, past all his fears and doubts.
"You," the boy said, his voice soft but piercing. "You fight because you think you have to. Because you think you're special. But what makes you different from the rest? What makes you think you deserve to survive?"
Raen's hands tightened into fists. The boy's words cut deep, but they also fueled his anger. He couldn't let the boy walk away with the relic—not after everything he'd done.
The boy turned away, his gaze shifting to Eryn. "And you," he said, his tone almost mocking. "You fight because you think you're better than everyone else. But arrogance is a weakness, not a strength. It blinds you to the truth."
Eryn's expression didn't change, but Raen noticed a flicker of irritation in his eyes.
Finally, the boy looked at the scientist girl. "You rely on your tools, your gadgets, your inventions. But what happens when they fail? When you're left with nothing but your own two hands?"
The girl's lips tightened, but she didn't respond.
The grey-eyed boy's gaze swept across the room once more. "You're all so focused on the relic, on what it can do for you. But none of you understand its true purpose. It's not a tool. It's a test. A test of who you are, of what you're willing to do to survive."
He paused, letting his words sink in. The cavern was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Then the boy turned away, his speech finished. The tension in the cavern was palpable, and Raen knew things were about to get even more chaotic.
The grey-eyed boy's words hung heavy in the air, the silence of the cavern almost suffocating.
Raen's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing. He couldn't let the boy walk away with the relic—not after everything he'd done. Not after Lira.
Raen's eyes darted to the relic in the boy's hand. It shimmered faintly, its power radiating outward like a beacon.
The other fighters were still frozen, their expressions a mix of shock, anger, and uncertainty. Raen knew this was his chance.
He stepped out of the shadows, his movements quick and deliberate.
His fingers twitched as he summoned Shard Pulse, the unstable Sol energy crackling at his fingertips. He didn't have time to think, to second-guess himself. He had to act.
With a sharp exhale, Raen fired.
The shards of Sol energy shot toward the grey-eyed boy, their trajectory wild but focused. Raen's aim wasn't perfect, but he didn't need it to be. He just needed to create an opening.
The boy moved effortlessly, sidestepping the attack with a grace that made Raen's stomach twist. The shards shattered against the cavern wall, scattering fragments of light across the room.
The grey-eyed boy turned to Raen, his expression unreadable. "You're brave," he said, his voice calm. "Or foolish. I haven't decided yet."
Raen didn't respond. His heart was pounding, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts. He'd gambled and lost, but he couldn't afford to back down now.
The other fighters seemed to snap out of their stupor, their attention shifting to Raen. Eryn's eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition in his gaze.
The scientist girl adjusted her drones, their mechanical hum growing louder. The hulking brute cracked his knuckles, his expression darkening.
Raen felt the weight of their stares, the pressure building in his chest. He was outnumbered, outmatched, but he couldn't stop now.
Before anyone could make a move, a mechanical voice echoed through the cavern, cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Attention, all participants."
The voice was cold and emotionless, the sound of it sending a shiver down Raen's spine.
"The relic remains claimable for 10 minutes. All exits are sealed until retrieval or time expiration. Failure to claim the relic within the allotted time will result in disqualification."
The words hung in the air, their meaning sinking in. The fighters exchanged glances, their expressions hardening. The stakes had just been raised.
Raen's mind raced. Ten minutes. That was all he had. He needed to get the relic, but he couldn't do it alone.
Not with the grey-eyed boy, Eryn, and the others standing in his way.
The grey-eyed boy smirked, his grip tightening on the relic. "Looks like the game just got more interesting," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
The other fighters didn't waste time. The hulking brute charged forward, his massive fists swinging.
The scientist girl unleashed her drones, their mechanical wings buzzing as they closed in on the boy. Eryn moved with precision, his movements fluid and calculated.
Raen hesitated for a moment, his instincts screaming at him to stay back. But he couldn't. He had to try.
The cavern erupted into chaos.
The grey-eyed boy moved like a shadow, dodging attacks with ease. He seemed almost untouchable, his movements too fast, too precise.
The hulking brute roared in frustration, his fists slamming into the ground as the boy slipped past him. The scientist girl's drones buzzed around him, but he swatted them away like flies.
Eryn was the only one who seemed to keep up, his strikes forcing the boy to stay on the defensive. But even he couldn't land a hit.
Raen watched from the sidelines, his mind racing. He couldn't match their speed or strength, but he had something they didn't—desperation.
He darted forward, weaving through the chaos. His eyes were locked on the relic, his focus razor-sharp. He didn't care about the others, about the danger. All that mattered was getting to the relic.
The grey-eyed boy noticed him almost immediately. "Still trying?" he called, his voice mocking. "I admire your persistence."
Raen didn't respond. He couldn't afford to. He fired another Shard Pulse, the shards scattering wildly. The boy dodged, but Raen didn't stop. He kept moving, kept pushing forward.
The other fighters were closing in, their attacks growing more frantic. The hulking brute slammed his fists into the ground, sending shockwaves through the cavern.
The scientist girl's drones buzzed around Raen, their sharp edges grazing his skin. Eryn's strikes came dangerously close, his movements too fast to track.
Raen ignored the pain, the fear, the exhaustion. He couldn't stop. Not now.
As the chaos reached its peak, Raen's thoughts began to blur.
I have to survive. I can't fail. I'm special… I have to be.
The words repeated in his mind, a mantra driving him forward. His body moved on its own, his instincts taking over. He didn't think, didn't plan. He just acted.
The relic was so close now. He could almost touch it.
But the grey-eyed boy was faster. He stepped in front of Raen, his grey eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're not ready," he said, his voice soft but firm. "Not yet."
Raen didn't care. He lunged forward, his hand outstretched.
The boy sidestepped, his movements effortless. Raen stumbled, his body hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through his side, but he didn't stop. He couldn't.
He pushed himself up, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His vision blurred, his thoughts a jumbled mess.
I have to survive. I can't fail. I'm special… I have to be.
The words echoed in his mind, driving him forward. He didn't care about the others, about the danger. All that mattered was the relic.
The cavern seemed to fade away, the noise and chaos becoming distant. All Raen could see was the relic, its shimmering light calling to him.
He didn't know if he could reach it. He didn't know if he could win.
But he had to try.