Oblivion Hunter: Rise Across the Stars.

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The wind howled across Veyra-7's broken plains, carrying ash and Rift dust. Kael Vorrin pulled his cloak tighter, his cracked ribs protesting with each breath. Nyx prowled at his side, silent and alert, its shadowy form blending with the ruin. The system's last message still flickered on his HUD:

[MANDATORY QUEST COMPLETE – SHARD VAULT RAID SUCCESSFUL]

Next System Event: Unscheduled Transmission Detected...

"Unscheduled transmission?" Mara Voss muttered, scanning the ruined horizon. "What the hell's broadcasting out here? Everything Ascendancy went dead cycles ago."

Kael frowned, a weak signal pulsed on his visor, barely readable, distorted by Rift interference:

[ASCENDANCY DISTRESS BEACON - PRIORITY BLACK]

Location: Sub-Ruin Complex 04 – 2.8km North

Status: Automated – Human Lifeform Signature Detected.

"Human lifeform?" Mara said sharply. "No way, that zone's been dead for years."

Nyx hissed mind-link flashing a single word: "Lira."

Kael froze....his sister? Here? Impossible. But the System flared again:

[SIDE QUEST – THE WHISPERING SIGNAL (RARE)]-

Objective: Investigate Sub-Ruin Complex 04 and locate the human lifeform.

Reward Options:

-Unknown Ascendancy Medical Tech (Possible Lira Cure)

-Rift Energy Core (Rare)

-??? (Hidden Data Shard)

Warning: Unstable Rift Breach detected near site. Possible Aberrant-Class Beast activity.

Time Limit: 6 Hours.

---

"We can't ignore this," Kael said, voice tight. "Not if there's even a chance it's connected to Lira."

Mara scowled...."Or a trap, ascendancy black signals usually meant containment zones or Rift experiments gone bad." Kael glanced at Nyx, who gazed silently toward the distant north. Its tail flicked once, a sign of growing unease. He straightened, resolve hardening "Trap or not....we go."

Mara cursed. "Then let's gear up, we've got six hours to find this ghost before something else does."

They gathered supplies, plasma cells, energy torches, flares, and rations. Kael loaded his bone knife and steel shard blade, while Mara checked her heavy rifle. Nyx waited at the door, eyes glowing faintly in the gloom.

[SYSTEM STATUS]

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: 2 (Active)

They set out under the darkening sky. The path to Sub-Ruin Complex 04 was treacherous, littered with collapsed structures and Rift-scarred craters. Occasionally, Rift Flies, tiny glowing pests...buzzed around, but Nyx kept them at bay with low growls.

Halfway there, Mara froze, raising her rifle. "Movement...right side!" Kael ducked behind broken concrete, watching as two humanoid shapes staggered from the rubble. Their bodies glowed faintly, warped and stretched.....Ascendancy Exiles, twisted survivors of failed Rift experiments.

[HOSTILE IDENTIFIED: ASCENDANCY EXILES]

Threat Level: Moderate (Tier I Mutants)

Status: Unstable, Aggressive.

"They must've crawled out after the last Rift surge," Mara hissed. Kael nodded "No choice, we deal with them....quietly."

Nyx shimmered and disappeared into the Rift plane. A moment later, one Exile gasped as Nyx tore its throat out in silence. Kael rushed the second, bone knife flashing into its twisted eye. The mutant gurgled and collapsed.

[2 Targets Eliminated – EXP +40]

They moved on, reaching the shattered entrance of Complex 04. The door flickered open under Kael's touch.

Inside, the ruin smelled of rot and ancient chemicals. Faint lights blinked along the corridor. But something else moved deeper within, the low, wet sound of breathing.

Nyx's fur bristled, then mind-linked Kael "Danger... strong... hungry..."

At the same time the System flared in warning.

[WARNING: Aberrant-Class Rift Beast Signature Detected – Near Proximity]

Type: Rift Maw Lurker (Unstable Variant)

Threat: High (Tier II+)

Status: Feeding – Distraction Possible.

Kael swallowed "No fighting that, not in this shape. We should try to sneak past."

Nyx shadow-glided ahead, scouting paths. They crept past the feeding beast, a massive, eyeless maw chewing on old bones...in the inner chamber.

There... a stasis pod blinked faintly...

Inside was a figure...human. Female, dark hair....Kael's breath caught. "Lira...? No... she's not here, but this..."

The pod screen lit up:

[ASCENDANCY BIO-STASIS: SUBJECT ALPHA-07]

Vital Signs: Stable – Mutagenic Treatment Suspended

DNA Match: 37% Similarity

Subject: Lira Vorrin (Anomaly Detected)

Kael reeled "A clone...? No... something else..."

Mara stared "This isn't coincidence, Kael...Someone was experimenting on your family line. You've got Ascendancy ties... or worse."

The System offered options:

[QUEST UPDATE – THE WHISPERING SIGNAL]

Objective Complete: Locate Human Subject.

Reward Choice:

-Download Subject Data (Unlock Hidden Skill Path)

-Recover Ascendancy Medical Core (Possible Cure Component for Lira)

-Extract Bio-Core Sample (Enhance Beast Companion Growth)

Warning: Choice is permanent.

Kael's hand hovered over the console. Three paths... each costly.

Behind them, the Rift Maw Lurker stirred...scenting their presence.

"Choose, Kael," Mara hissed "Now."

Kael grit his teeth...

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