The roar of engines and the glow of lights in the distance made Richard clutch the knowledge fragment to his chest. The organization was getting closer, and his only option was to run. He activated "Wind Steps," feeling his body grow light, and launched himself into the dunes, leaving the temple behind.
The desert wind whipped against his face as he moved forward, kicking up clouds of sand that obscured his vision. Each step brought him closer to the limits of his endurance, and he could feel his mana rapidly diminishing. Despite this, he couldn't stop. He knew that if he was caught, he would not only lose the fragment, but also his life.
"You can't escape, Wonder!" a voice shouted behind him, echoing with a mixture of mockery and threat.
Richard turned briefly, and what he saw paralyzed him for a moment. A man dressed in the organization's uniform floated in the air, surrounded by an aura of magical energy that distorted the space around him. His hands glowed with a deep blue fire, and his eyes burned with a ferocity that made the air feel heavier.
"Magic?" Richard murmured in disbelief as he tried to process what he was seeing.
The man thrust out a hand in a fluid motion, and a blast of blue fire shot toward Richard with terrifying speed. He barely had time to react, activating "Wind Steps" to move aside and avoid the attack. The blast kicked up a cloud of sand and left a smoking crater where he had been standing.
"This can't be happening..." Richard gasped, feeling fear beginning to take hold of him.
The organization's mage landed in front of him with a cruel smile, his magical aura intensifying with each step he took toward Richard.
"You thought you were the only one with access to magic, didn't you?" "The man said, his tone of superiority making each word feel like a blow. "You have no idea what we've accomplished."
Richard instinctively stepped back, desperately searching for a way out. However, the mage raised both hands, and with a swift gesture, created a wall of blue fire that blocked his path. The flames danced with an almost hypnotic intensity, emitting a scorching heat that made the air ripple.
"You have nowhere else to go," the mage continued, his voice resonating with unwavering confidence. "Hand over the shard to me, and perhaps I'll let you live."
Richard gritted his teeth, feeling despair beginning to take hold. He knew he couldn't stand up to someone with that level of power, but he couldn't give up either. Before he could respond, a burst of light appeared behind the mage, illuminating the desert as if it were daytime. Elyndra emerged from the shadows, her body surrounded by a silver aura that pulsed with almost divine energy. Her eyes blazed with determination, and in her hands, she held a spear of pure energy that emitted a constant hum.
"Run, Richard!" she shouted, unleashing a blast of energy that forced the mage back several paces.
The mage turned on Elyndra, his expression shifting from confidence to surprise and then to fury.
"Who the hell are you?" he snarled, raising a hand to prepare another attack.
"Someone who will not allow you to touch my disciple," Elyndra replied, her voice firm and unwavering, leaving no doubt about her resolve.
Richard hesitated for a moment, his instinct telling him to stay and help, but Elyndra looked directly at him, her eyes conveying a mixture of urgency and confidence.
"Go! Now!"
Richard nodded, though his heart felt heavy. He activated "Wind Steps" once more and dashed toward the dunes, leaving the scene behind. As he ran, the sounds of battle filled the air: explosions, screams, and the roar of fire. Each sound made his chest tighten, but he knew staying alone would only make things worse.
As he walked away, he couldn't help but glance back one last time. In the distance, he saw Elyndra and the mage exchange attacks, their auras colliding in a show of light and energy that illuminated the desert.
"Please hold on..." Richard murmured, clenching his fists as he continued running toward the safety of the shadows.
---
After what seemed like hours, Richard reached a shelter hidden among the rocks. It was a small cavern Elyndra had mentioned before, stocked with basic supplies and protected by magical wards that emitted a faint blue glow. These wards not only kept intruders out but also concealed the shelter's presence from any magical detection.
He sank to the ground, panting, as the exhaustion and stress of the chase finally caught up with him. He pulled the knowledge fragment from his pocket, examining it closely. It glowed faintly, as if responding to his touch, emitting a soft warmth that felt both comforting and strange.
"What exactly are you?" he murmured, holding it in front of him, trying to find any clues on its smooth, translucent surface. Suddenly, the system activated, projecting a message before his eyes in golden letters floating in the air:
[Knowledge Fragment Acquired: 1/10]
[Objective: Collect all 10 fragments to unlock access to complete knowledge.]
Richard frowned, processing the information. Every word seemed to weigh on him, as if the system was underestimating the magnitude of the task.
"Ten fragments? And I only have one? This is going to be more complicated than I thought..." he said softly, feeling a mixture of frustration and determination.
Before he could ponder the message further, a noise at the cavern entrance made him turn quickly, his body tensing with survival instinct. Elyndra staggered into view, her clothes torn and bloodstains covering her body. Her normally imposing aura seemed weakened, and every step she took was a clear effort.
"Elyndra!" Richard shouted, running toward her, his heart pounding.
He caught her before she fell to the ground, sensing how fragile she seemed at that moment. Wasting no time, he carried her to one of the makeshift beds in the shelter, made of thick blankets and worn pillows. Elyndra was breathing heavily, and her eyes could barely stay open, but she still tried to speak.
"I stopped him... but not for long..." she whispered weakly, before losing consciousness, leaving Richard with more questions than answers.
Without time to hesitate, Richard frantically searched through the shelter's supplies. He found bandages, ointments, and a small vial of purified water that Elyndra had previously mentioned as a valuable resource. With trembling hands, he cleaned her wounds, applied the medicine, and carefully bandaged the most affected areas.
"Don't die..." he murmured, working with a mixture of desperation and determination. Every movement was a reminder of how much he depended on her, not only as his mentor, but also as his only ally in this fight.
After what seemed like hours, Elyndra began to breathe more regularly. Her face, though still pale, showed signs of relief. Richard sank into a nearby chair, exhausted but relieved to see that his efforts had paid off.
As he watched Elyndra rest, an idea began to form in his mind. He couldn't continue to rely solely on her to face the dangers that surrounded them.
"This can't go on like this... I have to get stronger," he said softly, renewed determination shining in his eyes. He knew the road would be difficult, but he had no other choice if he wanted to protect Elyndra and fulfill the goal the system had set for him.
---
Over the next few days, Richard explored the shelter with a mixture of curiosity and need. The cavern walls were covered with ancient inscriptions that seemed to tell stories of past battles and magical rituals. Some of the inscriptions glowed faintly when he touched them, as if responding to his presence.
In a dusty corner, he found a makeshift bookshelf filled with ancient books and rolled scrolls. Each seemed more fragile than the last, but they contained invaluable information about temples, magic, and the mysterious "other side" Elyndra had mentioned on occasion. One of the texts, written in a language he could barely understand thanks to Elyndra's teachings, mentioned the location of a temple in a distant region, hidden among mountains covered in perpetual fog.
"This might be important... but I can't leave while Elyndra is in this state," he murmured, carefully setting the book aside.
Determining to make the most of his time, Richard began to study the texts in more depth. One of the books discussed the basic principles of mana and how to channel it efficiently. Although the explanations were complex, Richard struggled to understand them, taking notes in a notebook he'd found among the supplies.
"First, I need to understand magic better..." he said to himself, as he tried to replicate one of the exercises described in the book.
He sat on the floor, closed his eyes, and tried to feel the flow of energy in his body. At first, all he perceived was the beating of his heart and the sound of his breathing, but over time, he began to notice something else: a subtle, almost imperceptible current coursing through him. It was like a calm river, waiting to be guided.
Patiently, he tried to manipulate that energy, concentrating it in the palm of his hand. After several failed attempts, he managed to create a small orb of light that floated faintly over his skin. Although it was a modest achievement, Richard felt a surge of pride and hope. "This is just the beginning..." he whispered, observing the orb before it vanished.
At the same time, he didn't neglect the safety of the shelter. Using Echo Sight, an ability that allowed him to detect movements and presences within a limited radius, he constantly monitored the vicinity of the cavern. Whenever he saw something suspicious, such as the movement of a shadow or the sound of distant footsteps, he prepared for the worst. However, until now, the shelter had remained safe, protected by the magical barriers Elyndra had set up.
On one of his tours of the cavern, he found a hidden compartment behind a loose rock. Inside, there was a blue crystal the size of his fist that emitted a pulsing glow. As he touched it, a voice resonated in his mind, like a distant echo:
"Shardbearer... time is limited. Prepare yourself."
Richard stepped back, surprised, but the crystal remained silent after that. Although he didn't fully understand the message, he knew it was a warning. "I have to get stronger... and faster," he said, clenching his fists with determination.
Each day that passed, Richard divided his time between caring for Elyndra, studying the texts, and practicing his mana control. Although progress was slow, he felt he was moving, step by step, toward a future where he could stand up to the organization and protect what mattered most to him.
---
One night, while practicing with a small orb of light he had managed to create, Richard watched in fascination as the luminous sphere floated between his fingers. The pale glow illuminated the cavern with dancing shadows that were projected against the ancient walls, creating figures that seemed to tell stories of times long forgotten. He had spent hours trying to stabilize the energy, feeling the mana flow from his center to his hands in a process that required absolute concentration.
The sensation was indescribable; a mixture of warmth, tingling, and something deeper, as if he were connecting with a part of the universe that had always been there, waiting to be discovered. With each attempt, the orb grew a little brighter, a little more stable. His fingers trembled slightly with effort as he tried to maintain the constant flow of energy.
"Control your breathing," he reminded himself, repeating the words Elyndra had told him so many times. "Mana responds to your emotions as much as it does to your will."
Just as he was beginning to feel he had mastered the technique, the orb flickered and grew slightly, taking on a more bluish hue. Richard smiled with satisfaction, but his moment of triumph was cut short when the system suddenly activated, projecting a message before his eyes in golden letters that glittered in the gloom:
[New quest available.]
[Objective: Develop a magical ability of your own.]
[Reward: Increased mana capacity.]
Richard read the message carefully, feeling a mixture of excitement and pressure that caused the orb of light to fluctuate dangerously before stabilizing again. The idea of creating something of his own, something unique, stirred in him an almost childlike curiosity, but also an overwhelming responsibility.
"A skill of your own..." he murmured, letting the words settle in his mind as he contemplated the possibilities. "This is going to be interesting, but also extremely difficult."
He stood up and began walking through the cavern, the orb of light following him like a faithful companion. His footsteps echoed lightly as he reflected on what he had learned from the ancient texts. Creating a unique ability required not only technique, but also a deep understanding of himself, his strengths and weaknesses.
"Perhaps something to do with light..." he thought aloud, watching the orb pulse gently, as if responding to his voice. "Or perhaps something else entirely."
Richard's concentration was interrupted by a dull rumble that echoed from the cavern entrance, a sound that made his entire body instinctively tense. The orb of light instantly went out as his concentration was broken, plunging the cavern into partial darkness. Without wasting a second, he activated Echo Vision, feeling the energy flow into his eyes, allowing him to perceive movements and presences beyond normal vision.
His heart pounded as he scanned the entrance, prepared to face any threat. However, what he saw wasn't an enemy, but a familiar figure leaning heavily against the rock face. It was Elyndra, visibly weakened, her silver hair falling wildly over her pale face, and a grave expression Richard had never seen before.
"We need to talk..." she said, her voice faint but urgent, echoing in the cavern like an omen.
Richard hurried toward her, feeling a mixture of relief and concern in every hurried step. When he reached her, he noticed that although her physical wounds were healing, there was something else in her eyes, something akin to fear, an emotion he had never associated with his strong mentor.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked urgently as he helped her sit down on one of the flat rocks that served as makeshift seats. "You should be resting; your wounds haven't fully healed yet."
Elyndra took a deep breath, as if trying to gather her strength for what she was about to say. Her hands, normally steady and sure, trembled slightly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The dim light from the oil lamps cast dramatic shadows across her face, accentuating the sharp angles and worry in her features.
"I've been... connecting with the mana currents while I recovered," she began, her voice a little louder but still laden with an unusual gravity. "I've seen things, Richard. Fragments of the future, echoes of decisions yet to be made. The next temple... it won't be like the ones before."
She paused, as if the words were physically painful to speak. Her eyes, an almost unearthly blue, shone with an intensity that Richard found unsettling.
"And we won't be alone," he continued finally, each word weighing like lead between them. "The organization has mobilized its best agents. They've found something, a lead they shouldn't have. They're moving faster than I anticipated."
Richard felt a chill run through his body, a cold sensation settling at the base of his spine. The memory of the mage in the desert, with his blue fire and overwhelming power, returned vividly to his mind.
"What exactly do you mean?" he asked, though a part of him already feared the answer. "Is it about the man you faced in the desert?"
Elyndra shook her head, her eyes fixed on a distant point, as if she could see through the rock walls.
"It's not just him," she replied in a tone that mixed resignation and determination. "It's all of them. The elite of the organization. The Seekers."
The name fell between them like a stone in a pond, creating ripples of tension that Richard could almost feel. He'd heard that name before, in fearful whispers among the ancient texts he'd been studying.
"The Seekers..." he repeated, trying to process the magnitude of the threat. "I thought they were just legends, stories to scare apprentices."
Elyndra gave a bitter laugh that quickly turned into a painful cough. Richard hurriedly handed her a canteen of water, which she accepted with a grateful nod.
"Many legends have their origins in forgotten truths," she said after drinking. "The Seekers are very real, and extremely dangerous. Mages specifically trained to find and extract ancient knowledge, no matter the cost. Each of them possesses skills that would make that desert mage look like a mere apprentice."
Richard ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of this new information add to the pressure he already felt.
"So how do we confront them? If they're as powerful as you say..."
Elyndra looked at him directly, her eyes shining with an intensity he hadn't seen before, a mixture of steely determination and something else, something that seemed almost... pride.
"That's why I've been training you," she replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's why the system gave you this mission. We need every advantage possible. A unique ability, something they can't anticipate, could mean the difference between success and failure."
Richard nodded slowly, processing her words. The system's mission no longer seemed like a simple exercise in personal growth, but an urgent necessity for their survival.
"How long do we have?" he asked, feeling his determination begin to overcome his fear.
Elyndra closed her eyes for a moment before answering, as if consulting some information invisible to him. When she opened them again, there was a terrifying certainty in them.
"They're already on their way," she said in a deep voice. "Three days, maybe four if we're lucky." We must be prepared to leave for the temple before they find us. And we must be ready for whatever awaits us there.
The silence that followed his words was thick with tension. Richard felt his mind racing, processing everything he had learned, everything he still needed to learn.
"Then there's no time to waste," he said finally, drawing himself up with renewed determination. "I have three days to create an ability that not even the Seekers can counter."
Elyndra regarded him with an expression that mixed concern and something close to pride, before nodding slowly.
"And I have three days to make sure you're ready for what's coming," she replied, her voice regaining some of its usual strength. "Because what awaits us in that temple could change the course of this war forever."
The atmosphere in the cavern had changed, charged with a new urgency and purpose. Outside, the desert wind howled among the rocks, as if even the elements sensed the gathering storm.