Chapter 8: Chapter Seven: Secrets Beneath Ash and Steel (seeking continuous support and votes)
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The faint scent of ozone and Rift residue lingered in the shelter as Kael crouched beside Nyx, gently running a hand over the beast's shadowy fur. It was strange, half-solid, half-smoke under his fingers...alive, yet still slightly apart from this world.
Nyx purred softly in response, its tail flicking. A fresh notification window shimmered into view.
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[SYSTEM STATUS SCREEN]
Host: Kael Vorrin
Race: Human (Scavenger-Class)
Level: 3
EXP: 240 / 300
HP: 74 / 100
Stamina: 48 / 60
Status: Injured (Fractured Ribs – Stable)
Strength: 5 (+1)
Agility: 6 (+1)
Stamina: 5
Intelligence: 6
Perception: 5
Luck: 2
Skills: None
Mutation Potential: 0%
Beast Companion Slot: Active (Larval Rift Wraith: Nyx)
Quests Available: 2 (Active)
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Kael grunted and stood slowly, ribs aching. Mara Voss was inspecting the broken door, muttering curses under her breath.
"Won't hold another hit like that," she said finally. "We got maybe a day before another pack smells the Rift burn and comes sniffing."
"One problem at a time," Kael replied. "That faction you mentioned, the ones looking for Shard-bonded? Who are they?"
Mara gave him a sharp glance. "You sure you want to know? Once you hear, there's no going back."
Kael wiped sweat from his brow. "I crossed that line the second that shard melted into me, talk."
She sighed and leaned against the ruined console. "They're called the Ashen Order. Ex-Ascendancy, rogue scientists, some mercenaries, even old hunters. They think Shard-bonded like you... are the next step in evolution, or a weapon. Depends which lunatic you're talking to."
A cold shiver ran down Kael's spine. "And they want to recruit me?"
"They want to claim you, like they did the others." Nyx growled softly, sensing Kael's unease. Before Kael could speak, the System pinged.
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Objective: Investigate hidden Ascendancy Shard Vault — 1.3km NW.
Status: Unknown (Possible Contaminated Site)
Risk Level: Moderate to High (Rift Disturbance Present)
Optional Rewards:
Rare-Tier Equipment (Prototype)
Ascendancy System File Fragment
Unknown Artifact (???)
Warning: Detected Rift Signature suggests dormant Tier III Rift Beast nearby.
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Mara's eyes widened as she saw the flickering hologram. "No way, a vault this close? That explains the Rift activity. They're supposed to be sealed."
"Looks like this one's not," Kael muttered.
Nyx padded to the door, sniffing the air. Its mind-touch whispered: "Old...deep...dangerous..."
Kael grabbed his gear, bone knife, cracked flare, metal shard blade and sighed. "Guess resting isn't an option, coming?"
Mara smirked grimly "Like I'd let you keep this prize to yourself."
The wind outside was harsh and bitter when they stepped into the wasteland. The distant Rift thunder still flickered in the cracked sky, casting flickering shadows over Veyra-7's skeletal ruins.
Nyx slinked ahead, shadow-gliding, its form flickering in and out of the Rift plane. Kael kept his senses sharp, the Vault wasn't far.
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1.3 Kilometers Northwest: The Shard Vault Entrance...
The Vault was hidden beneath a collapsed reactor station, old Ascendancy markings barely visible under grime and ash. A half-buried door hummed faintly with power.
Nyx growled, ears flat. The System flared a warning.
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[ENVIRONMENT WARNING]
Rift Contamination Detected: High.
Potential Hostile Presence: Tier III Beast Dormant (???)
Recommended Action: Proceed with extreme caution.
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Mara drew her rifle, eyes scanning the ruin. "Feel that? Something's awake in there. Not fully active yet... but close."
Kael crouched by the door, wiping ash away to reveal a faint hand-scanner.
Nyx padded over, placing one shadowy paw against the panel. With a low whine, the door slid open, releasing a blast of freezing, stale air. Inside stretched a narrow corridor, walls flickering with failing lights and Rift corrosion.
Kael's System flared again.
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[LOCATION ENTERED: ASCENDANCY SHARD VAULT – SECTOR 12A]
Security Protocol: Offline
Core Fragment Presence: Confirmed
Threat Level: Elevated
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Nyx froze, tail bristling.
From deep below, a faint rumble echoed.
Something was moving in the darkness.
Kael swallowed hard "We grab the fragment and run, fast."
They moved carefully down the corridor. Broken machinery littered the path—old energy cores drained and cracked. A faint blue glow spilled from the chamber at the far end.
The Vault Core Room.
As they neared, Kael's heart sank.
A Rift Beast cocoon clung to the far wall, pulsing gently. The System flared red.
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[THREAT IDENTIFIED: Rift Brood Matron – Tier III]
Status: Dormant (Emerging in 15 minutes)
Combat Readiness: 0%
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"Shit," Mara whispered. "That's no random pest... that's an Ascendancy-level Bio-Weaver. If she hatches, the entire zone's done."
Kael's eyes locked on the Core Fragment, a glowing shard sitting in the remains of an old Ascendancy terminal. Data flickered across its surface.
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[ASCENDANCY SYSTEM FILE FRAGMENT DETECTED]
Type: Combat Protocol Core (Oblivion Subsystem)
Download Option: Available
Risk: Activating subsystem may alert dormant Rift Beast.
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Kael hesitated. One wrong move would wake that monster. Nyx pressed against his leg, sending calm confidence through their link. "Fast...silent...take...leave..."
Mara gritted her teeth. "Do it, Vorrin, I'll cover you. If that thing stirs... I shoot until I run dry."
Kael reached out—touching the fragment.
A surge of cold Rift energy raced up his arm.
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[SYSTEM UPGRADE ACQUIRED]
New Skill Installed: RIFT STRIKE (Level 1)
Allows host to channel Rift energy into melee weapon strikes... Ignores Tier I defense...High energy cost.
Warning: Subsystem Activation Detected by Local Rift Entity. Dormant Beast Activity Increasing...
Estimated Emergence Time: 4 Minutes.
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Kael grabbed the fragment, stuffing it into his pouch.
Behind him... the cocoon shuddered.
Cracks split its surface.
Mara cursed. "Move.....NOW!"
They ran...Nyx darting ahead, Shadow Gliding, scouting for danger. Kael limped hard, pain flaring in his ribs.
A new alert flashed.
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[MANDATORY QUEST: ESCAPE THE VAULT – ACTIVATED]
Objective: Evacuate Ascendancy Shard Vault before Rift Brood Matron emerges.
Time Limit: 3 Minutes 45 Seconds.
Failure Consequence: Certain death.
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Kael's heart pounded as they fled, dodging collapsed beams and ruptured conduits. The shelter's distant shape flickered in his HUD compass.
But behind them... a roar split the air. Bone and void-flesh tore free as the Tier III Rift Beast awoke, eight-legged, serpent-bodied, its fanged maw shrieking in rage.
"Faster!" Mara gasped, dragging Kael toward the exit.
Nyx turned, baring its fangs, tail bristling with Rift energy. Its mind flared across Kael's thoughts. "Protect...you...fight if must..."
"No, damn it! Move!" Kael coughed. "We're not losing you on your first day."
The Vault door loomed, wopen, light spilling out.
The Brood Matron screamed behind them, slamming the corridor, its body tearing through the walls.
Kael stumbled out just as Nyx blinked past him, Shadow Gliding in a flicker of dark light.
Mara dived through and Kael slapped the emergency control.
With a grinding crash, the Vault door sealed.
The beast slammed into the other side, shaking the earth, but the door held.
For now.
Kael collapsed, breathing hard, grinning despite the pain.
"Never... doing that again," he gasped.
Nyx padded to him, pressing its cold head into his side, purring low and steady.
The System chimed...its cold mechanical voice triumphant.
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[QUEST COMPLETE – SHARD VAULT RAID SUCCESSFUL]
Rewards: 300 EXP
Rare Beast Core x2
Ascendancy System File Fragment (Oblivion Subsystem)
New Skill: Rift Strike (Level 1)
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[SYSTEM STATUS SCREEN]
Host: Kael Vorrin
Race: Human (Scavenger-Class)
Level: 4
EXP: 240 / 400
HP: 68 / 100
Stamina: 42 / 60
Status: Injured (Fractured Ribs – Stable)
Strength: 6 (+1)
Agility: 7 (+1)
Stamina: 5
Intelligence: 6
Perception: 5
Luck: 2
Skills: Rift Strike (Lv. 1)
Mutation Potential: 0%
Beast Companion Slot: Active (Larval Rift Wraith: Nyx)
Quests Available: 1 (Active)
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Kael chuckled bitterly. "At least we lived."
Mara shook her head, smiling despite herself. "No, we won."
But far above, beyond the Rift-lit sky, the great tear in space flickered wider. Something vast stirred in the void beyond.
Nyx hissed softly... sensing the storm to come.
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