Nyxfall 7: The Veilbreakers

When Kai opened his eyes, he was once again back in the first trial room, where twelve torches still burned—though this time, their flames were green. He was lying on the cold floor. As he pushed himself up, he realized he was fully healed. He didn't even need to check the health bar on his screen; the absence of the dull pain he had felt throughout the trials was proof enough.

He hadn't died.

This.. It looked like he was right after all. His trust in the old Nyxfall game mechanics hadn't been in vain. Well, at least not in the virtual world. The real planet of the Stonebinders had been nothing like the game. The game had merely been a simulation—a means to filter out the qualified players and bring them into the real thing.

Deimos was beside him, still unconscious, but the old granny was nowhere to be seen. Kai nudged Deimos's leg lightly with his foot. She groaned, stirring awake, her eyes opening sluggishly as she took in her surroundings.

That was when they both noticed the glowing figure of a woman, dressed in simple clothes, gazing at one of the wall carvings with a distant, reminiscent expression. She was an NPC, her name obscured by three green question marks.

The artwork she studied wasn't a digital image or a hand-drawn painting but rather part of the wall itself—carved by skilled craftsmen and adorned with natural pigments.

Exchanging a glance, Kai and Deimos stepped closer. The carving hadn't been there before; it was something new.

It depicted a hill with many villages, bathed in the brilliant glow of a shining sun. The scene radiated peace. It took Kai a moment to recognize it—the same village where they had spawned. The same hills.

"It was beautiful," the woman suddenly spoke. "It looked just like this the day we were left here. They talked about what they had lost, never stopping to see what they had gained."

"Who are you?" Kai asked.

The woman turned to face them. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn't quite place it. Then, with a small smile, she suddenly shifted—her ghostly form twisting into that of an old woman wielding a machete.

Kai nearly had a heart attack. Deimos also made a weird noise beside him.

She chuckled at their startled expressions before shifting back into her youthful form.

"You have passed, challenger," she said warmly.

"For real?" Kai asked, eyes wide.

He had dreaded the possibility of more trials or an epic battle against some monstrous foe—but it was over. This wasn't the typical dungeon crawl he was used to. Then again, unique challenges often came with unique rewards. And in the early game, every advantage mattered. Securing better resources now would be crucial for building a strong character in the long run.

"The last part was a trial?" Deimos asked, frowning in confusion.

"Yes," the woman replied. "Three trials to test three qualities—Courage, Wisdom, and Morals. Courage to seek answers, wisdom to recognize the right path, and morals to bring light into a world of darkness."

"He died for you. How is that anything but a waste of resources?" Deimos asked, her tone sharp with irritation.

"Dying was not required," the woman answered, meeting Deimos's gaze. "The only requirement was for a challenger to question their decision before striking down a weak, old woman."

She paused, then added, "Just because something makes sense in your logic does not mean it is the only choice. Life is not always about finding the most efficient solution to a problem."

"Survival is all that matters," Deimos shot back.

Kai just stared at the two women. It felt too real. Deimos was speaking to the NPC as if she were a living, breathing person, completely ignoring the fact that she was just a program designed to teach them some moral lesson at the end of the challenge—because that was her role. Without it, her job would be incomplete.

"And what have you achieved after simply surviving for so long?" the woman asked calmly.

To Deimos, the words struck harder than the strongest attack from any monster. Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to argue back—but no words came. Instead, she turned her face away, unable to meet the woman's gaze. 

That was unexpected. Most NPC's would just ignore people questioning them too much or would answer without showing much emotion. Nyxfall had advanced NPC but they were still NPC, easily predictable. Has that changed also?

The woman simply smiled, then shifted her attention to Kai. "You have cleared all three trials and are worthy to receive my inheritance."

Kai's eyes widened. "You're.. Maeka?"

"Of course I am! Do you think of me as a random ghost roaming abandoned buildings?" she said, squinting at him comically.

"Ah! No, of course not!" Kai quickly backtracked. "So, what is this inheritance?"

It had to be something amazing. The trial itself hadn't been too difficult, but it had certainly messed with their minds. As Kai looked at her, eyes gleaming with anticipation, three items suddenly materialized and began floating around her—a book, a bow, and a simple wooden ring.

Turning to Deimos, Maeka extended the ring toward her. "For successfully completing two trials, you receive my ring."

Deimos took it in her hand, and a system window appeared, displaying its information. Kai tried to sneak a look, but Deimos immediately blocked the screen and moved away, eyeing him suspiciously.

Maeka then faced Kai. "For clearing all three trials, Renatus_Kai, you receive my bow. And as the first person to ever complete all challenges, you inherit my most prized knowledge."

A flurry of notifications appeared on Kai's screen:

[Trial of Maeka - The First Blade Completed]

[2 Levels Gained.]

[Achievement Unlocked: Receiving The Fallen Legacy.]

[Received Item: Book of Learning]

[Skill Available: Godstep] (Learn: 3 SP)

[Received Item: Maeka's Bow]

[Item: Maeka's Bow

Rank: Rare

Type: Bow/Weapon

Durability: 30/30

Requirements: Level 10

Effects:

Forest Blessing: The blessing of the forest allows the user to fire an infinite number of normal arrows without depleting their supply, as long as at least one arrow remains in their inventory.

Description:

Maeka, the First Blade, was beloved by the forest, her presence as gentle as a whispering breeze and as fierce as a storm among the trees. The wilds embraced her, granting her an unending quiver so she would never be without the means to protect the land she cherished.]

Kai was still absorbed in reading the details when Maeka suddenly reached out and held his hands.

The moment she did, he cleared his interface, and his full attention snapped to her.

'What is happening now..?'

She looked at him with a resolute expression. "It's time for me to leave. But to you, I entrust my lifelong desire. Use my inheritance and become what I could not. Lead my people—our people—back to glory. Show them peace."

Her form shimmered, then scattered into countless glowing green particles before vanishing completely.

A moment later, both Kai and Deimos were forcibly expelled from the stone chamber—returning to the cave's entrance. Except now, it was nothing more than an ordinary, shallow cave. The oppressive darkness was gone.

Another notification chimed in Kai's ears, and a window popped up:

[Hidden Quest: Echoes of the First Blade

Difficulty: E

Objective: Resolve three conflicts between the villages of Kalimari.

Reward: The Legacy of the First Blade.]