Location: The Blooming Crucible, Leth Avalas
The wind didn't blow in this realm—it shuddered. As if the very concept of movement strained against something deeper, something ancient.
Brent stood at the center of a valley scorched with old magic, the stone beneath his boots still steaming with the echo of wars long forgotten. Every breath he took in this plane tasted of ash, blood, and memory.
Across from him, twelve figures emerged from the black horizon—clad in jagged obsidian plate, with glowing blue veins snaking through the cracks in their armor. Their eyes were vacant, not with blindness, but with something far worse:
Purpose.
System Notice
Enemies Identified: Starborn Guard – Inheritors of the Crown of Bloom
Threat Level: Ascended A-Rank to S-Tier
Combat Trial Initiated
Objective: Survive and Eliminate Starborn Guard to Unlock Bloom Affinity
Brent reached behind him.
His blade shimmered into being, forged from the full weight of everything he'd become—Aetherbrand, a fusion of Light and Flame, edged in Shadow.
The first guard stepped forward and slammed his spear into the ground, shattering the valley's stillness.
And then—they charged.
The First Exchange
Brent exploded forward, no hesitation. His footwork had changed since the last Gate—cleaner, more fluid. His left shoulder dipped low as the first spear swept toward him, and he pivoted underneath, planting a hand into the ground as he spun on his heel, lifting one leg in a wide arc and smashing the guard's helm from beneath with a Flame-Kick enhanced by his Emberstep technique.
The impact launched the guard upward, but two others were already closing in.
Brent's sword lit up with gold and black energy as he activated Twilight Cascade, a three-strike sweeping combo infused with his light core's radiant flare and shadow aftershock.
He twisted, slashed once—light.
Second cut—shadow.
Final arc—both.
The wave of energy split the air. One guard's chestplate cracked in a burst of molten energy. Another was sent flying, limbs limp.
He could feel it.
His Flame Resonance was synchronizing with his combat rhythm—his movements burning cleaner, faster.
But these guards were relentless.
The Second Phase – Coordinated Assault
Two of them launched spears wrapped in anti-healing enchantments. Brent's Paladin Halo flickered, trying to auto-activate his barrier. He dodged one, deflected the second with a brutal Aether Parry, but a third spear caught his thigh, slicing deep.
Pain bloomed.
Warning: Soul Core Disruption (2%)
Healing effectiveness temporarily reduced
Brent growled, pushed through it. He clenched his left fist.
Ashen Resurgence – Passive Activated (Stack 2x)
He gathered his core, flame surging into his limbs. He leapt skyward, spun midair, and drove down with Solar Fang, slamming his blade into the center of the enemy formation with explosive light.
The shockwave vaporized two of them instantly—armor melted, souls scattered.
Then came the commander.
The Starborn Captain – Veynos
Massive. Cloaked in torn royal colors. Twin crescent swords and a helm adorned with thorns of voidlight.
Brent rushed him.
And was promptly slammed into a pillar of stone with a single backhand.
The system screamed warnings.
Internal Damage 19% – Core Flicker Detected
Vital Protection Threshold: 61%
He coughed blood, staggered to his feet.
"You're... not unbeatable," he rasped.
Veynos's helm twisted. "You are still a child."
Brent grinned through bloodied teeth. "I'm a burningchild."
The Final Technique – Hollowflame Break
Brent stood tall.
He drew the last of his shadowflame, condensed the power into a single strike. His aura rippled. The heat distorted the air.
Skill Unlock: Hollowflame Break (Evolved)
Channeling both Shadow and Flame into a time-split strike. Damage is delayed, ignoring armor and defensive buffs.
He vanished. Aetherstep – Echo Speed.
Appeared behind Veynos.
Struck.
The blade didn't cut.
Not at first.
Then—time fractured.
The cut split across Veynos's body five seconds later—his armor didn't even realize it had been breached until it collapsed inwards with a silent implosion of energy.
Brent exhaled. His blade turned black at the tip.
System Alert: Trial Complete
Starborn Guard Eliminated – 12/12
Bloom Affinity Unlocked
New Passive: Starless Instinct – Small chance to react to danger 0.25s before it happens.
Level Up! – 17 → 18
He fell to one knee.
Sweating. Heart pounding.
But alive.
And stronger than ever.
In the distance, across the ruined valley, the next structure shimmered into view—a giant, half-sunken fortress with petals of voidlight rising from its walls.
A gate within the Gate.
And beyond it… something waited.