Fractured Core

Aiden stumbled into the next section of the bridge. The air growing colder, his body trembling from the near-death encounter. Slowly, he sat up, a faint smirk on his face.

Ezekar's voice, distant but approving. "You relied on your mind and instincts, Aiden. A promising start... but far from the end."

The next panels beneath him flicker erratically, like they can barely sustain his weight. Shadows gather ahead, coalescing into a towering beast Serpentine Wraith. It's guttural growls reverberate through the Phantom Dimension, making the bridge tremble.

Ezekar's voice resonates from nowhere and everywhere. "This is your final test, Aiden. Will you evolve or fall? Choose wisely."

Aiden's hands trembled, he gripped the wrench he's been carrying since the trials began. The wraith roars, surging foward at him. Every time a Wraith appeared, his instincts screamed at him to run, but this time, his body acted before his mind could stop it.

He dashed back down the bridge, heart pounding over all sounds, but just as he reached the edge safety, something inside him snapped.

This is my final step. What am I doing? He felt the oppressive energy from, the wraith way having more than all that came before it. He actually decided to become a Exodite, still he pressed forward, then he was about to stop. He knew that If he's to pass the trials, his entire future may change.

There's no such thing as a perfect future. But maybe, just maybe, I can make it a little less screwed up from here.

He clenched his fists. This wasn't just survivalvit was a chance to rewrite everything. To become more than what he is.

From the corner of his eye, he saw the Wraith, causing him to subconsciously dashed away. His foot slipped, and he stumbled, but he caught himself, spinning on his heel. He pressed a trembling hand to his chest, glaring at the wraith.

He stopped in the center of the bridge. "No… not again. I'm done running. If I don't stop it here, it'll just keep coming. I can't…no, I won't live like that anymore."

His eyes narrowed at the Wraith, his wrench looked pitiful in his hands. He saw it had nothing other around to use a weapon.

'We don't need to act immediately…let's take a moment to figure out the smartest move.' He thought, dragging his hand through his damp hair.

From his first encounter he noticed, the wraith exhibited immense physical strength and agility, It moves quickly and strikes with deadly precision.

He couldn't help, think about the sudden speed he had before, does Exodites also have the speed to match, a Serpentine Wraith.

Him already only having wrench. He needed to find a weapon to finish, this as quickly and safely as possible. Even if he had to make one!

"Come on! You want me? Then let's finally this!"

The wraith lunged again, its fangs gleaming in the shifting light of the Phantom Dimension. At that moment Aiden dashed toward the wraith, as it tail strike aimed down at him.

He dodged, using his wrench started attacking its tail that remained stuck, in the ground its cause being so sharp. He had hoped it will do some damage, but once unstuck it was unharmed.

He gaze surveyed the Serpentine Wraith. 'The wraith's tough scales provide it with excellent protection… my wrench can't even make a dent.'

In the mean time, Aiden noticed that his surroundings looked luminous, at that moment the tendrils, from the wraith's body, cut through the dimension space like a knife straight at him.

It's tendril thunderous strike landed right at his feet, as he hopped back, the bridge had a large mark that slowly reformed. As soon as tendril was pulled back.

"How do exodite survive hits…stenghten of there body." Aiden muttered. He began to have a understand of Exodites, what changes he and other have after becoming one.

Before Ezekar explained a little more about exodites, that they were said to be more than human, capable of enduring the unnatural horrors of the Phantom Dimension and wielding powers that defied logic. But it wasn't the strength or abilities that defined them.

It was surely scarry to the outside world if know, it scared him won't it be the same for them. For maybe they already knew because of the two sides of his city.

Ultimately, the Serpentine Wraith attack called, 'Dimensional Lash' it had a reason for the name, for now it's main effects was. The damage caused can displace its target and more.

'I dont know, what to do about that.' He thought bracing himself for the wraith.

That's when a flash of silver arcs through the air. He glanced down, settling on a dagger embeds itself in the ground at Aiden's feet.

That when a ghostly figure materializes behind him…a young woman, having translucent skin glowing and spectral eyes. Her voice is calm but a bit emotionless.

"Fight smart, not stupid. Use it."

Aiden eyes darted between the translucent girl and the dagger. A question gnawed at him of Why is the girl helping him? A hint of doubt grew in him, because of the girls voice.

His head tilted at the girl, he felt apprehensive. Is it that she was really helping him or something else. Also is it possible that people can get help will something happen if he accepts. Those were his thought but not his feels.

Specifically this was a first...

He didn't really know what to say, but he knew how he felt. Still he snatched up the dagger, its hilt pulsing with a strange warmth as if alive.

"It's hard to trust someone. I can't see nor know, but I will for now. Accept your help." He felt that she had more to being of the Phantom Dimension than shown.

The Serpentine Wraith, seeing Aiden's distracted, despite not having full mental capabilities it knew a opportunity.

It surged forward, its fangs straight at him, Aiden sidesteps at the last moment, slashing at the side of the Serpentine Wraith scaled body.

The dagger hummed, cutting through the metal scales as if it were paper. The Wraith screeched, recoiling in pain.

Aiden eyes flickered to the girl, blanking staring as if his words were not of actually thanks."Not bad. Thanks for the assist."

"Don't thank me yet. You've still got work to do."

The ghostly girl nodded in approval before beginning to fade away. Believe or not, she secretly took the initiative to help, when no one else would.

"You've got potential, Aiden. Don't waste it."

Aiden watched her disappear, clutching the dagger tightly in his hand. He stood alone on the bridge, breathing heavily, but a small smirk creeps onto his face.

"No more running. Not ever again." He said inward.

Aiden moved with newfound confidence, he continued attacking the Wraith tail, each strike causing pain. It slowly retreated in pain.

It's form became almost invisible to his eyes, he twist and turned trying to find it. It was like a invisible cloak only appearing when it wants to.

"Where are you?" He shouted.

Aiden gaze darted around, at that moment he spoke the serpentine wraith appeared, he didn't noticed at the time, and was whipped by its tendril, launching him into the translucent bridge wall.

He landed on his knees, he touched the numbness of his side. His readiness disappeared into unease. The air even felt heavier with each exhale.

The tendril didn't kill me, but it feels like my ribs are about to shatter

Glancing to his side, he see the wraith anymore, that's when before he could be given time to ready himself. The wraiths form shifted into the space again.

At that moment, it appeared he wasn't able to move on its own. The Wraith roared, creating a powerful vacuum that pulled Aiden toward its gaping jaw.

He plunged the dagger into the bridge, desperate to anchor himself, but the vibrations coursing through the bridge shook his grip slowly became loose.

Seeing he had only way forward. Why stop its attack when I can use it against it?

He realeased his grip, he zoomed forward at a unnatural speed, toward the Serpentine Wraith vacuum pull. Close up his dagger rose about to come down toward its head.

The Wraith's head, its serpentine body coiled around him. Each wrap sent a jolt of electricity through his body, its scales cutting into his skin.

"Ahh!"

Aiden screamed in pain, the wraith's scales caused multiple cuts in his skins, while writhing in pain, from its prickly edges.

Above him, the Serpentine Wraith jaws came down, about to bite or swallow him whole. I'm stuck, I'm felling dizzy, my body is being destroyed…but I made it this far!

During his thoughts, he heard the voice that helped him before. He had already forgotten about it. Because all he went through.

'It's you're opportunity targest it's neck that one of its weaknesses.'

Aiden was suprised that the voice helped him again still, he was reluctant to die."Every scar, every loss…it all leads me here, and I won't let it be for nothing!" He shouted.

He pulled his hand out the Serpentine Wraith gripped form, using his dagger ignoring the constant burning pain he started stabbing at the wraiths neck before it could bite.

Each strike with the dagger weakens the wraith, its form flickering and destabilizing, pulling them back. Finally, with one final thrust, dragging across its neck. The Serpentine Wraith let out a deafening roar before dissolving into a cloud of ash and light.

Aiden fell down the ground, slamming into it knees more pain. He wasn't even worry about it. He had a half smile.

From the battlefield was a cacophony of screams, steel against steel, and the unrelenting drumbeat of his heart and fear. A storm brewed in his eyes, the silence louder than any sound around him.

'I've been pushed to my limit, but even when I feel like breaking, I find the strength to keep going.' He thought.

Aiden stood up, his feet dragging, his gaze drifting off all over the space.

There has to be something special why I brought here. I have been doing this more determined than anything previously.

Actually, Aiden only thing he was determined about was his bike. Still he knew inside the it was going progress of any help.

Subconsciously walking, Aiden reached the end of the bridge. He collapses to his knees, exhausted but alive. Ezekar's towering figure appeared before him.

"You have shown judgment, resolve, and the ability to master yourself. These are the qualities of one who can endure the Phantom Dimension. But know this: this trial was merely the beginning of being a exodite. Greater truths and greater trials…await."