The haunting echo of Lyssara’s last scream reverberated in Annika’s ears, a chilling sound that seemed to cling to her very soul. It wasn’t a cry of pain, nor one of defeat—it was something far worse, a sound of unyielding devotion, twisted and cold, that refused to fade even in death.
Annika’s Hud flared to life in her peripheral vision, drawing her focus to a cascade of notifications:
[Congratulations! You have defeated Lyssara, Wraith Blade of the Forsaken Titan.]
[Level 150 reached!]
[Skill Obtained: Ethereal Strike (R): Channel lightning through your spear, allowing it to phase through defenses and strike with deadly accuracy. The attack leaves disorienting afterimages to confuse additional foes.]
[Skill Released: Titan’s Precision: Enhances Durnak’s accuracy and critical strike chance.]
[Alert! The last chain of the Forsaken Titan has been broken.]
Her heart sank at the last notification, the weight of its meaning settling on her shoulders. Annika gripped Stormpiercer, using it as a crutch to push herself to her feet. She stared at the broken remains of the dungeon, the pillars and walls now riddled with fractures. The chamber trembled violently, fissures spreading across the ground beneath her as the entire structure seemed to groan in its death throes.
“I did it,” she muttered under her breath, her voice shaky, though she didn’t feel triumph. The victory tasted hollow, bittersweet, as if Lyssara’s shadow still loomed over her. There had been no joy in this kill, only survival, and the knowledge that one more barrier between them and Durnak had been removed.
The dungeon began to collapse in earnest now. Stones fell from the cracked ceiling, crashing around her as the air filled with the roar of destruction. Annika’s gaze darted toward the shimmering gate that materialized in the distance. Its golden light cut through the chaos, a beacon that called her back to reality.
Steadying herself, she gripped her spear tighter and began to move. Each step felt heavier than the last, her legs protesting every motion, but she pushed forward. Dust and debris rained down as the dungeon seemed to implode around her, the rumble of its demise chasing her heels.
Annika reached the gate just as the floor beneath her feet gave way. With a final burst of determination, she threw herself through the portal, the world around her blurring into light.
She landed hard on solid ground, the stark coldness of reality hitting her as she collapsed onto her hands and knees. For a moment, she simply stayed there, letting the air fill her lungs as the silence of the world outside the dungeon enveloped her. The warmth of the sunlight on her skin felt foreign after the oppressive darkness she’d just escaped.
Slowly, Annika looked up, her eyes narrowing against the brightness. She was back. Alive. But in her chest, a storm still brewed—a storm of anger, sorrow, and a fierce resolve that had only grown stronger in the fires of her trial.
**************************
Moyo felt it when Annika won the fight. He watched her destroy the Wraith Blade just as the rush of power tore through the entire stronghold, and the last chains of Durnak shattered as the Forsaken Titan moved. Ida was out and flashing forward as he crashed into the large crystal maul, the crash of both weapons releasing a wave of raw aura, mana, and intent that tore through the entire room.
The table between them was crushed into dust with their clash, the pillars themselves shaking, and the raw power exerted had the very ground groaning with cracks, both titans staring each other down with pure strength. Durnak, the Forsaken, a being wreathed in red and white aether, pressed down against Moyo, who unleashed Balogun’s Domain, the skill swallowing both of them even as Durnak laughed.
All it took was a flex of his crystalline body, and the skill shattered, driving the Titan Blade back with a flurry of such heavy attacks that Moyo could barely keep up. The domineering power of the Forsaken bloomed like a flower in summer; it spread, warping everything, even as Moyo’s HUD lit up.
[Durnak, the Forsaken Titan, has been set free! Your test has begun. Defeat the Forsaken Titan to save yourself and the planet from destruction!
Rewards:
- +100 to all attributes, +50 to all skills.
- Fragment of Authority
- +10,000 Aurums.]
Moyo fought under the complete might of Durnak, who began to twist the environment to his control. Moyo bent Balogun’s Domain around his body, keeping the worst of the power away from himself, Durnak roaring in his face as his senses quivered, driving him down to one knee.
[Durnak has employed skill: Tectonic Roar: A terrifying, guttural roar unleashes a concussive shockwave, disorienting opponents and disrupting spells or abilities.]
His battle instincts saved him from a lethal attack as he swayed to the side, more in disorientation than actual skill. All the same, it saved him as Oshun’s Aegis purified him, bringing him back to full lucidity as he got to his feet. Durnak cracked his neck, his eyes glowing a violet color.
“My will is complete, my authority is that of the very crystals of the Archailect itself,” he said as Moyo felt a power grab him in its vice-like grip, raising him into the air even as a crystal spear formed before his very eyes in Durnak’s other hand, sharpening with a glinting light.
Moyo swung Ida once, employing Titan’s Edge, the rare skill slamming into the maul of Durnak, who slammed it aside. It did no damage, but it bought valuable time for Moyo, diverting Durnak’s attention away from him for just a second. But it was enough. He pitted his strength attribute against the force holding him, employing Balogun’s Domain as well to shatter it.
Blade Storm slammed to life around him even as he closed the distance between himself and the Forsaken, watching as his intent carved gouges into the skin of Durnak, who met him with both maul and spear, laughing even as violet shards of crystal and blood sprayed around.
“You have to do better than that, Titan Blade. We’re both titans, after all!” he said before bringing the full force of his maul down on Moyo again, who burned bright with Titan’s Edge, the clash tearing them apart again.
[Durnak has employed skill: Stoneforge Regeneration: By absorbing surrounding stone and earth, Durnak can repair his injuries mid-battle, albeit at the cost of some of his energy.]
Right before Moyo’s eyes, the damage he had done to the Forsaken healed, Durnak grinning as aether swirled out of him in great force.
“Your skills are mere paltry echoes of what a real titan can accomplish. Unfortunately, your journey will have to end here, Titan Blade,” Durnak said with a grin.
“And if you escape? What world do you think is waiting for you out there?” Moyo asked, hiding a wince from his bruised skin that healed slowly.
“The Vanguards wouldn’t even let you leave this world. They would end you here. My friends would rather die than see you rule this world,” he continued as Durnak grinned.
“That is what you fail to understand, little titan. Power commands respect,” Durnak said.
“Your friends would either bow to me or be crushed,” he said as he pointed the maul at Moyo, hurling the spear that shot through the air like a bullet.
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Moyo dodged it with speed, coming face to face with Durnak, who had crossed the distance between them. Blows rained on each other with such force that the stronghold shook from their impact. Moyo twisted aside from the blow of the maul, bringing Ida down on Durnak’s shoulder. The Forsaken caught the blade with his bare hand, diverting it even as it cut a healthy chunk of the crystal protecting his hand.
A blow to Moyo’s head had him reeling from the contact, barely fending off Durnak, who suddenly twisted to the ground, kicking Moyo’s feet out from under him before grabbing him and slamming him down to the ground of the stronghold with such force that they shattered it, dropping through to another layer as Moyo screamed in pain, spitting blood. Durnak raised him up by the neck as Moyo bent the entirety of his strength into prying the Forsaken’s hands off his neck, just not in time to be tossed like a ragdoll across the distance, slamming into a wall.
Slumping to the ground, he rested only on Ida, the blade propping him up.
“I pity you, I really do,” Durnak started as he sauntered toward Moyo slowly, relishing the fight.
“If it brings you any comfort, no other candidate has gotten as far as you have. Most fell to infighting between their companions before I arrived to judge them. Others were overlords, full of power but stupid enough to flash it in the faces of their companions, treating them as slaves.”
“Just as you did to your companions?” Moyo asked, even as Durnak laughed.
“Yes, except I was smart enough to wield them like a dangerous weapon,” the Forsaken replied.
Moyo got to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth, gripping Ida with both hands, and staring down an amused Durnak.
“Your skills can barely match up to mine, and I have seen them all, while you have barely seen what I could do. Of what use is your doomed attempt again?” he asked.
Moyo stilled his breath.
“The system would never send a test an ascender could never overcome,” he said slowly.
Durnak blinked and then laughed, shaking so hard.
“You think the system cares for anyone or anything?” he asked incredulously.
“It only cares to pit us against each other, in its attempt to stay those it calls the tainted—its first sin,” he continued.
“I was one of its strongest, and when it saw it couldn’t control me anymore, it discarded me like a piece of used rag!” he roared, pointing the maul at Moyo.
“So die as befits a titan,” he said.
When Durnak moved, Moyo exhaled and activated Aether Sight, watching the flow of aether as it danced around Durnak, who had crossed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Ida moved of its own volition, parrying the maul seamlessly before Moyo cracked a punch across Durnak’s face, hurling the Forsaken backward. Shock registered across the face of the Forsaken.
“Impossible, a mere advocate against an expert?” he thought.
“The system never gives a test an ascender couldn’t overcome,” Moyo said as he inhaled again.
Durnak’s face twisted in pure rage as he roared again, except this time, Moyo activated Balogun’s Domain, shouting back even if it did nothing, standing his ground. The skill of the Forsaken did little damage as he moved again, the both of them dancing in the dark, illuminated by the clashes of their weapons and their glowing eyes as the stronghold shook.
Moyo was in his space, his movements uncoordinated but seamlessly blending together in a cacophony of shrieks from their weapons. His stats, his skills, his innate talent with the blade—albeit unpolished—came together to even the odds between himself and the Forsaken. He could actively see the skills of Durnak reduce the damage he did to him.
[Titan’s Resolve: Increases Durnak’s durability and resistance to all damage types.]
[Aether Infusion: Durnak’s attacks are enhanced by the residual aether in his body, allowing him to bypass traditional defenses and deal significant damage.]
He felt the blows in his flesh and bones, every hit a heavy rumble as he fused aura and intent into every blow he returned, Titan’s Edge in continuous spamming as well as Blade Storm that surrounded them in sparks of power. It was a battle of attrition, as befitting both titans. Soon enough, Oshun’s Aegis struggled to keep up as he broke bones and tore muscles, so absorbed in the fight with Durnak that he failed to realize what was happening.
Aether seeped into his very form, raw and unbidden, swirling before being absorbed by his core.
[Blood Absorption has absorbed a vital aspect of the Forsaken Titan, +100 to Endurance.]
[Aether Sight Level 20!]
[Balogun’s Domain Level 30!]
[Titan’s Edge Level 120!]
[Endure Agony Level 50!]
[Oshun’s Aegis Level 150!]
[Titan’s Walk Level 50!]
He barely noticed the updates, only that he somehow remained unbroken, undefeated even as Durnak threw his full might against him. Then he understood.
[Titan Blade has gained another epiphany, Titan’s Edge Level 200!]
[Titan’s Edge has reached the limit for rare rank!]
Moyo swung his blade as the entire demolished room they were in rang with the echo of a bell, Durnak’s already cracked and bloodied body slashing open again even as his eyes widened. Moyo moved again.
[Titan’s Edge is absorbing epiphany and evolving!]
Moyo’s pressure continued even as he ached and his sight wobbled, too lost in the dance of attacks he had initiated. He could see through the moves of the Forsaken now, could anticipate every other skill he attempted to use, and countered it. Ida sang through the air with every strike he made, every feint he gave. Bit by bit, one swing at a time, he began to break down the Forsaken, shattering his defenses as Durnak could only hold on, relying on his endurance.
The pitch of the attacks was beginning to reach a crescendo. Moyo could feel it in his veins as aether began to swirl around him, raising his strength, his speed. Everything was heightened, Durnak always being one step behind him. It was a blissful feeling of pure delight, one he couldn’t quantify in the least but seemed to be enjoying.
“How?” Durnak questioned in rage and jealousy.
“The system,” Moyo simply replied as he dodged a swing of the maul that crashed into the wall next to them, demolishing it into powdered dust.
He dodged the crystals that manifested around him, all according to the tune of the song he listened to before Ida swung once again, relieving Durnak of one hand before Ida pierced through his chest, pinning him to the wall as the Forsaken’s eyes widened.
Durnak’s dimming eyes fell to the blade pinning him to the wall, the crystalline light that once radiated from his body fading into a dull shimmer. A weak, rasping chuckle escaped his throat as he looked back at Moyo.
“Well, the little titan has it in him,” he said scornfully, his voice laced with bitterness.
[Titan’s Edge has evolved into Endless Edge (L): A sword method that enforces the Titan's supremacy, grinding foes into submission through overwhelming force and unyielding precision.]
“You failed to understand, even after all these years of serving as the crucible of the system,” Moyo said, his voice steady despite the tremors wracking his body. He leaned heavily on Ida, its weight grounding him as he faced the vanquished Forsaken Titan.
“You couldn’t see through the fact that you were not what you used to be, not even with the copies of your skills returned to you. I chose this path to protect those I care about, to help them grow. You chose it to conquer, to wield power for its own sake. And yet, you forgot the most important truth—power means nothing without the people around you to sustain it.”
Durnak’s laughter, weaker this time, rattled in his chest.
“A mere child... lecturing me,” he said, his tone a strange mixture of mockery and admiration. “How far I have fallen.”
His head drooped slightly, the strength leaving his form. Yet, his voice found one last measure of resolve.
“It is my death, after all. But... may I ask you one request?”
Moyo hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“Do not trust them,” Durnak said, his voice turning grave. “They will hear of this—those who locked me away. They will come to you, to sway you. Stand your ground, Titan Blade.”
With those final words, the light in Durnak’s eyes flickered and went out. His massive form slackened, his crystalline body shattering into glittering shards that dissolved into the air.
A resounding gong echoed through the air, reverberating with the weight of finality, as Moyo’s Hud lit up with a flood of notifications:
[Congratulations, you have defeated Durnak, the Forsaken Titan!]
[As levels are locked due to your world’s rank, they have been exchanged for Aurums! (20,000 Aurums!)]
[+100 to all attributes! (All attributes at 1000 are exempt due to the world’s rank!)]
[+50 to all skills (Legendary skills are exempted.)]
[Fragment of Authority obtained!]
[+10,000 Aurums!]
[You have created a Legendary skill! The first to accomplish such on your homeworld!]
[You have received 100 Aurums!]
[You have obtained Rare skill: Titan’s Grip (R): All who are in your line of sight are now susceptible to your grip, able to hold them in place or crush them should your strength supersede theirs.]
[You have received:
10,000 Lesser Aether Shards
5,000 Refined Aether Shards
1,000 Greater Aether Shards.]
The stream of achievements blurred in Moyo’s vision as the full toll of the battle settled into his body. Every bone screamed in protest, every muscle ached with the weight of exhaustion. Stumbling, he struggled to rise, gripping Ida as he forced himself to his feet.
The stronghold began to quake violently, cracks splintering the walls and floor. With the last of his strength, Moyo pushed himself forward, first climbing out of the crater they had fallen into, and then sprinting toward the exit as debris rained around him.
The dungeon gate loomed ahead, glowing faintly. He lunged through it, the energy washing over him as he emerged into the yellow zone. Outside, the battlefield spread before him—a warzone littered with the crumbling remains of corrupted aberrants, brought low by the forces of Bastion.
As he stumbled into view, leaning heavily on Ida, the cheers erupted. Bastion’s soldiers, weary yet victorious, raised their weapons in celebration. The corrupted creatures disintegrated into dust around them, signaling the end of the fight.
Through the haze of pain and fatigue, Moyo felt the weight on his chest ease, his breath coming more freely. Then a familiar crackle of lightning heralded Annika’s arrival at his side. She caught him just as he wavered, her arms steadying him. Her eyes, brimming with tears, held his gaze with relief and unspoken pride.
“You did it,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Moyo gave her a faint, weary smile. “We did.”