...
Hundreds of years ago, the once peaceful world was plunged into chaos.
Countless rifts appeared all over the world, letting loose terrifying creatures.
The inhabitants struggled to fight against the hordes of creatures. All over the world, countries kept on getting destroyed.
Humans were at their last stand against extinction. The creatures were relentless. Extremely powerful. Their mundane weapons could barely arm them.
When all hope was lost. When the remaining humans were nearly drowned in despair…
A miracle finally happened.
A cube–like crystal emerged from the ground, protecting the remaining humans against the onslaught of the hideous creatures.
Within the dome, the first generation of Protectors was created.
The structure wasn't just a dome to protect them. It offered them the path to Ascension. Those who were able to pass its trial would be granted powers beyond their mundane comprehension.
And so, the humans slowly trained their new powers. Steadily growing their strength. Patiently waiting for payback.
The day they emerged, the battle was a devastating one. The world trembled from the impact and never remained the same.
Though unable to wipe all the creatures from their world, they were able to reclaim a large portion of land.
There, they discovered four more cube–like crystals. And soon, they became the stronghold of humanity.
...
Jason led the group through the harrowing wilderness. Outside the stronghold, the land was filled with dangers.
Rifts left untouched with a horde of monsters littering the expanse.
They needed to be careful else get drowned by the waves of monsters.
It was quite surprising that the settlement was able to last that long in the wilderness.
Currently, Cassandra and Gabriel stood behind a constructed barrier that protected them while Jason and his group fought against a bunch of void creatures.
"Hmphh. Look at them... struggling against a bunch of spineless monsters." The familiar voice echoed softly in his mind with a scoff.
The voice was back. After two days of silence. It had sprung up the previous night.
Once again, Gabriel was assaulted by his or was it her?... snarky remarks.
Cassandra on the other hand was staring intently at the ongoing battle. Jason and the others were holding their ground pretty well. Even confronting a large amount, their expression remained calm.
She was silent and focused intently on the battle.
The shitty voice continued its rambling.
"What are you doing hiding? Go join them. The more beasts you slay, the stronger you become."
"It's easy for you to say," Gabriel thought.
"These are just the rejected pawns of the void. The lowest of the lowest… all terrified and offered a chance to escape that dreadful place through the rifts."
"Gods. How did I get bonded to a coward?"
"Oh yeah. I don't mind being a coward. Better than acting foolish." Shaking his head, he let out a sigh.
"As much as I want to test your so-called assumption, I can't afford to risk that. You're aware I'm... blind. I'm only able to move around due to my strange spatial senses."
"Yeah. Go on. Feed yourself with excuses…"
"Even a Crippled version of me would wipe those weaklings from existence with a yawn."
Gabriel raised a brow and then let out a chuckle. "Says the one trapped in a sword. Why don't you 'yawn'yourself out?"
"Pesky thing. I'll have you know I was once a fearsome entity! One who caused the whole universe to tremble!"
Shaking his head, he turned to Cassandra for a moment then back to the ongoing battle in silence without saying a word.
"The silent treatment huh? I guess I'll just keep the useful information for myself."
"Yeah, I'm not listening to your ramblings. I don't know why I'm still keeping you around."
"Each day I keep on accepting the idea of tossing you back into one of those damn rifts."
"You don't want to do that... I'm the only one capable of granting you power to accomplish your... desire."
"You think those shiny crystals will accept you and grant you powers? It seems you don't know much about what's going on in your world."
"You have a high affinity to the void. That keen sense you call a spatial sense is a rare gift we creatures of the void possess."
"Hold on! What do you mean… how the hell do I have a high affinity for the void?"
"I'm supposed to be asking you that. My time is almost exhausted. Just listen to me and keep shut."
"You've managed to unlock your first attribute… It's a rare one. The Void Sense." The voice was getting fainter as she continued. "If you could learn how to use it, you won't be needing those eyes of yours until you awake…"
The voice finally faded away, leaving Gabriel deep in thought.
"Void sense." Gabriel muttered with a raised brow. "How do I learn how to use it?"
"Hey! Gabriel!" Cassandra called, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Huh?" Turning to his side suddenly, he moved his head back just in time to avoid a collision.
"I've been calling you for a while now?" Cassandra yelled.
"Uhm. I'm sorry." Flashing out a small smile, he asked. "What's the matter?"
"Well, Dale said we could come out now. I guess you didn't hear him either."
Staring forward, he could sense the battle was already over.
"Damn. Was I so absorbed with that…"
Letting out a sigh, he allowed Cassandra to grab his hand and lead him over.
Aria was wiping her blood-stained hands with a cloth while Jason calmly walked through the slain monsters.
Stretching his hands, white glowing crystals burst from their dead bodies floating above him.
"Are those soul shards?" Cassandra asked with an excited expression.
"Yes. Dale was the one who answered. I guess you know their use."
"Yes. Awakened can absorb them to increase their powers."
"Yeah. Something like that. Also, it can only be used by those who have begun the path of Ascension."
Cassandra stared at him with a confused expression.
"What he's trying to say is that we... mundane humans... can't use it." Gabriel said with a pause before adding. "Trying to absorb it would lead to corruption of our soul turning us into monsters just like those hideous creatures."
"That's... right. It seems you're knowledgeable about the path of Ascension."
"Yeah. I heard it from one of the Awakened back in the settlement," Gabriel said, rubbing the back of his elbow.
"Hmmm. Anyway, what he said was right. So if you by any chance come in contact with one of those, toss them as far away or hand them over to any of us Awakened."
After collecting the soul shards, the group continued their journey.
The sun had begun to set when they finally got to their destination.
Ravenstone Stronghold.