Lucas adjusted the Seeker's Amulet (+10 MP) around his neck, its faint glow pulsing in sync with his heartbeat as he stood in the cooling volcanic rift at 1:20 PM PST, October 07, 2025. The air still carried a hint of sulfur, but the victory over the Rift Guardian had cleared the path forward. His System interface reflected his latest ascent:
Name: Lucas Reed
Level: 8
Class: Warrior
HP: 235/235
MP: 75/75
Skills: Sprint (Lvl 1), Power Strike (Lvl 3), Shield Bash (Lvl 2)
Skill Points: 1
Quests: Faction Quest - The Origin Trials
The Faction Quest Unlocked: The Origin Trials. Unite the Fragments to Ascend hung in his vision, a cryptic challenge from the Seekers of Origin. Riley paced nearby, her daggers glinting as she studied the shattered remnants of the Source Fragment. "Three fragments down, but the System's hinting at more. Trials sound like a gauntlet—levels, bosses, the works."
Kael, the Mystic, traced a glowing rune in the air, his Lvl 6 Mystic tag shimmering. "The Seekers believe the fragments are keys to the System's core. Unite them, and we might ascend—gain powers beyond the current limits. But the trials will test our resolve."
A new panel appeared:
Faction Quest: The Origin Trials - Stage 1. Objective: Locate and unite the remaining Source Fragments (2/5). First Trial: The Echo Chamber. Reward: 3000 XP, Unique Skill Unlock, 500 Credits. Optional: Defeat the Echo Warden (0/1) for +800 XP. Time Limit: 36 hours. Accept? Y/N
Lucas hit Y, and a map updated with a marker for the Echo Chamber, a cavern deep within the Sky Isles. "Sky Isles need flight," he said. "Any ideas?"
Tara, the Archer, smirked. "I snagged a Glider Schematic from the Surge loot. Needs materials—10 Crystal Shards, 5 Glitch Essence. We can craft it here."
The party gathered resources from the rift, Lucas using Shield Bash (Lvl 2) to fend off lingering Magma Crawlers, Lvl 6. With Riley's scavenging and Kael's Mystic Extraction (Lvl 5), they assembled the glider. Lucas strapped in, the device humming as it lifted him into the air, the others following with their own.
The Sky Isles were a surreal expanse of floating platforms, their edges flickering with glitches. Glitch Harpies, Lvl 7 (90/90 HP) swooped down, their screeches disorienting. Lucas activated Sprint (Lvl 1) to dodge, landing a Power Strike (Lvl 3): 85 DMG to down one. Tara's Explosive Arrow (Lvl 4) cleared the rest, earning +70 XP each.
In the Echo Chamber, the walls pulsed with sound, amplifying every move. The Source Fragment (500/500 HP) sat atop a pedestal, guarded by the Echo Warden, Lvl 10 (1200/1200 HP)—a spectral figure wielding a sonic blade. The System warned: Combat Initiated. Effect: Echo Amplification - All damage and healing doubled.
Greg taunted, but the Warden's first strike, amplified, dealt -80 HP, dropping him to 35/115. Lucas charged, Power Strike (Lvl 3): 170 DMG, cracking its form. Riley's Backstab: 90 DMG followed, but the Warden countered with a Sonic Wave, -70 HP to all, leaving Lucas at 165/235. Sara's Healing Aura (Lvl 3) doubled to 30 HP, stabilizing them.
Kael's Ice Bind (Lvl 5) held the Warden for 5 seconds, and Lucas used Shield Bash (Lvl 2): 50 DMG, stunning it. The party unleashed a barrage—Power Strike: 175 DMG, Mystic Pulse (Lvl 5): 300 DMG—dropping it to 505/1200. The Warden shattered the ice, its blade grazing Tara for -90 HP, but she survived at 5/120.
"Focus the Fragment!" Lucas shouted. Riley and Kael targeted it—Backstab: 100 DMG, Mystic Pulse: 320 DMG—reducing it to 80/500. The Warden roared, its HP at 400/1200, and unleashed a final Echo Burst, -100 HP to all. Lucas, at 65/235, staggered but held, using his skill point mid-fight to upgrade Shield Bash (Lvl 3) for 60 DMG and 4-second stuns.
With a final Power Strike (Lvl 3): 180 DMG, he shattered the Warden, and Kael's Mystic Pulse: 340 DMG destroyed the Fragment. A wave of energy surged through them.
Quest Completed: The Origin Trials - Stage 1. Echo Warden Defeated. Reward: 3800 XP, Unique Skill Unlock (Resonance Strike), 500 Credits.
Level Up! You are now Level 9. +15 HP, +5 MP, +1 Skill Point.
New Skill Unlocked: Resonance Strike (Lvl 1) - Deals 150% damage with a sonic shockwave, 10 MP cost.
Lucas equipped the skill, his MP at 80/80. The chamber trembled, revealing a portal to the next trial. Riley grinned. "One down, more to go. Let's ascend, Warrior."
Lucas nodded, the amulet's glow intensifying. The Origin Trials were just beginning.