The cave walls were alive with a low, vibrating hum, each pulse of energy resonating through the jagged rocks. Chen Lin Chen crouched near the artifact, tail flicking as purple energy coiled behind his teeth. The Human Function timer ticked steadily in the background.
> [Human Function Active – 41:42:18 Remaining]
Keller moved cautiously beside him, rifle ready. Kong and Muk'Tahl flanked the group, alert to every rustle in the misted jungle. The artifact pulsed faster than before, its glow bending and twisting as if it had a will of its own. Lin's system chimed softly:
> [Ant Queen Influence – Active, Scouts Approaching]
[Hidden Function – Artifact Resonance Interface Stabilized]
"Stay sharp," Lin murmured. "Something's coming."
From the misted undergrowth, a figure emerged—a human, clad in black tactical armor, eyes glinting with malice. But this was no ordinary soldier. Energy pulses flickered from a gauntlet, and a faint aura surrounded him. The system whispered:
> [Minor Antagonist Detected – Titan-Controlled Human]
The man raised his arm, and a small Titan drone materialized, hovering by his side like a dark satellite. His voice cut through the mist: "You shouldn't be here, creature. Leave, or die."
Lin's jaw clenched. Purple energy shimmered along his throat, and his eyes glinted. "You picked the wrong canyon," he muttered, tail lashing.
The humans braced, Kong growling low, Muk'Tahl rumbling. Lin stepped forward, testing the antagonist with a low purple pulse from his mouth. The beam cut the mist, narrowly missing the drone. Sparks erupted, illuminating the man's tense expression.
"Holy moly," Keller muttered. "That's… insane."
The human fired his gauntlet, launching a net of energy strands that whipped toward Lin. He sidestepped, claws slashing through the strands, the net snapping harmlessly against the canyon walls. Kong roared, charging at the drone as Muk'Tahl swung his tusks in a wide arc, knocking both attacker and drone off balance.
> [Quest Update: Protect Humans – Minor Antagonist Engagement Active]
Lin fired a precise purple beam at the drone, vaporizing it instantly. The human cursed, leaping backward as the artifact pulsed violently. A fissure opened beneath him, releasing a wave of acidic steam.
> [Artifact Test – Precision Required]
Lin inhaled, focusing, letting the purple energy coil tighter. A concentrated pulse shot from his mouth, slicing through the mist and striking the fissure's edge. The shockwave sent the minor antagonist tumbling, and he skidded across the sand with a growl of frustration.
The humans advanced cautiously, firing with precision while Kong and Muk'Tahl flanked their enemies. The minor antagonist recovered quickly, hurling another energy drone toward them. Lin's claws glimmered faintly as he sent a second pulse, vaporizing the drone and sending a warning: stay close.
---
Hollow Earth – Su Xiao's Adversary Emerges
Miles away in Hollow Earth, Su Xiao navigated the crystalline caverns, her boots echoing on black stone. A sudden shift in the cavern sent loose shards skittering across the floor. Energy flickered in her hands, partially revealing her System powers, and she readied herself.
> [System Active – Calibration 71%]
[Abilities: Enhanced Reflexes, Minor Energy Manipulation, Recon Pulse]
From the shadows, a hulking figure appeared—a humanoid predator with spiked limbs, armored plating, and glowing red eyes. It moved with intelligence, targeting Su Xiao directly.
"Alright… let's dance," she muttered, energy coiling around her fists.
The predator lunged, and she rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its serrated claws. Crystals fractured beneath her feet, creating both hazards and opportunities. She fired a concentrated recon pulse, momentarily stunning the creature. The system suggested defensive maneuvers, and she formed a partial energy barrier, deflecting a crushing blow.
> [Minor Antagonist Detected – Hollow Earth Predator]
Su Xiao's reflexes sharpened, her partially revealed System powers guiding her movements. She leapt across the fractured terrain, firing pulses of violet energy. Each strike was precise, testing the limits of her abilities while navigating the unstable cavern.
A second predator emerged, larger, moving with terrifying coordination. Su Xiao's pulse quickened. She needed to adapt, combining acrobatics, energy manipulation, and environmental awareness. Every step, every strike, every dodge heightened the suspense.
> [Threat Level: Critical]
---
Skull Island – Lin vs. Minor Antagonist
Lin's claws dug into the canyon floor as he faced the human-controlled Titan. The artifact pulsed violently, seemingly reacting to the combat. Fissures opened, releasing more acidic steam. The Ant Queen's scouts whispered through the tunnels below, sensing the energy spikes.
Lin exhaled, letting the purple energy coil tightly. A concentrated pulse lanced forward, striking the minor antagonist's drone device and disabling it. Sparks flew, the mist thickening. Lin's system chimed:
> [Minor Antagonist Status: Neutralized Temporarily]
[Quest Update: Canyon Secured – 70% Complete]
The human growled, retreating, but the artifact pulsed again, opening another fissure in the canyon floor. The humans jumped back, Kong roared, and Muk'Tahl braced. Lin's eyes glowed purple. The trial was not over—the artifact tested him further, and he had to stay sharp.
> [Artifact Trial – Stage Two: Environmental Hazard Integration]
Purple energy danced along Lin's chest. He fired a series of precise beams, stabilizing sections of the canyon while keeping enemies at bay. The humans laid explosives and coordinated attacks with Kong and Muk'Tahl, demonstrating strategy and courage.
---
Hollow Earth – Su Xiao Escalates
Su Xiao faced both predators, environmental hazards, and collapsing terrain. Crystals fractured and fell, creating a labyrinth of danger. Her system whispered tactical guidance:
> [Suggestion: Use Recon Pulse + Environmental Advantage]
She fired a recon pulse, revealing weak spots in the larger predator. Timing her moves carefully, she used the jagged terrain to her advantage, striking the enemy with concentrated violet energy. The smaller predator lunged, but she deflected it into a crystal wall, stunning it temporarily.
> [Minor Adversary Neutralized Temporarily]
The cavern trembled, and new fissures opened. Su Xiao's powers surged slightly beyond their previous limits, hinting at her full potential yet to be revealed. Each pulse of energy, each leap and strike, increased tension and suspense.
---
Skull Island – Convergence Echoes
As Lin stabilized the canyon and artifact, faint pulses of energy echoed through the island. Subtle, almost imperceptible, a resonance vibrated that his system barely detected—a whisper of another System Holder far away. Lin's claws flexed, sensing a rhythm he didn't recognize, a connection not yet formed.
> [Subtle System Convergence Detected – Low Intensity]
Lin tilted his head, eyes scanning the misted jungle. Nothing visible, but the sensation lingered—a quiet reminder that he was not alone in the vast web of System Holders.
Keller noticed his pause. "What is it?"
Lin's eyes glimmered faintly. "Nothing… yet. Just a feeling."
---
Hollow Earth – Su Xiao Echoes
Miles away, Su Xiao paused, sensing a faint resonance through her partially revealed System interface. It was subtle, distant, almost like a whisper of energy threading through the planet. She frowned, unsure what it meant. The predators paused as well, reacting to the faint pulse.
> [Subtle System Convergence Detected – Low Intensity]
Her pulse quickened. Something, somewhere, was aligned with her energy—another System Holder perhaps, far away. But for now, survival came first. She adjusted stance, prepared for the next strike, fully aware that the environment and her enemies would test her limits again.
---
The canyon on Skull Island hummed, artifact pulsing, minor antagonist neutralized but lurking. Lin's humans, Kong, and Muk'Tahl were battle-ready, yet tension coiled like a spring.
The Hollow Earth echoed with danger, Su Xiao facing predators, unstable terrain, and the unknown, her powers teasingly growing.
Two System Holders, separate but faintly resonant, unaware of each other, moved inexorably toward paths that would converge.
Suspense tightened like a drawn bow. Every shadow, every pulse, every movement hinted at challenges yet to come.