CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: GLEAMCOIL BREAKTHROUGH

The fight dragged on longer than any of them expected.

Every move they tried was met with equal speed. Every attack, every dodge, turned into a game of inches. Arden’s mind kept working even as his body moved on instinct. He wasn’t panicking, he never did. But the pressure was real.

"We’re chipping away at it," Zephyra said, panting beside him. "Barely."

"Not enough," Arden muttered. "We need to shift the rhythm."

The Zephyrmane blurred again, and Nyra screamed as it clipped her shoulder, sparks flying. Arden turned sharply, slid in front of her, and forced it back with a pulse of energy.

His breath was heavy now. Even with everything they’d thrown, the beast wasn’t slowing.

Then, an idea clicked. Not one he’d usually risk this deep into a fight, but there wasn’t room for hesitation.

He focused inward, selecting three life signatures that had already synced with him through repeated use. His body responded, familiar with the pattern of each.

It was risky, as he didn’t know what the system would do with a fusion mid-combat but he initiated the merge.

The system responded with a low hum in his mind.

Gained Life Signature: Gleamcoil Reversal

Fusion of: Radiant Pulse Vein + Dreadcoil Pulse + Static Edge Bloom

Effect:

Triggers a stunning shock-flare when surrounded or cornered. Combines a sudden burst movement, a blinding flash, and a lightning-charged strike that numbs nerves and interrupts power surges. Especially effective against electrified enemies.

Arden felt the change instantly. The fusion didn’t feel foreign, it slid into his body like it had always belonged there.

When the Zephyrmane dashed again, faster than their eyes could track, Arden moved forward.

He baited it into the narrow gap between pillars, then let the skill flare.

A blast of light exploded from his body. The Zephyrmane jerked mid-dash, stunned by the burst. Arden followed through with a clean strike to its neck, crackling with condensed energy, and the beast finally faltered.

"Now!" he called.

Zephyra roared, claws ripping through its ribs. Nyra, wounded but still standing, froze its hindlegs, pinning it just enough.

One final combined blow landed—flare, wind, and ice bringing the creature down in a crackling heap.

They all stood in silence, chest rising and falling in sync.

Zephyra swayed on her feets, with breath ragged, but she grinned through the sweat. "That... was brutal."

Nyra held her arm, eyes still wide. "We really beat it."

Arden didn’t speak at first. He just looked down at the beast, then let out a long breath. Relief, satisfaction... and something else.

The system chimed softly in his mind.

Life Energy Absorbed

Gained Life Signature: Stormlash Core

Effect: The user stores kinetic energy during high-speed movement or while taking electric damage. Upon reaching a threshold, this energy can be unleashed as a chained lightning-lash burst that arcs toward nearby enemies, briefly disrupting nerve signals and slowing actions.

Arden gave a small nod, already thinking of how to use it. "This one’s useful," he said aloud. "Good for pressure fighters. Can stop a spell dead if timed right."

Zephyra tilted her head. "Already planning for the next fight?"

"Always," he replied, then smirked a little. "And we earned this one."

As the team started to settle, a faint shimmer formed above the fallen beast’s body. Not just particles from the system.

A projection, faint at first, but growing clearer.

An old man’s image emerged, robed in weathered garments that shimmered with faded arcane runes. His eyes were shut, but his presence was heavy, like it had been waiting for centuries.

The chamber fell silent again.

Even Arden blinked. "Well... that’s unexpected."

The projection hovered in the air, robes flickering like they were caught in a slow breeze. For a moment, it simply observed the group, gaze lingering longest on Arden. Then it finally spoke, voice deep and clear, echoing gently across the ruin chamber.

"Congratulations. You’ve cleared the trials of this ruin, something rarely seen in generations."

They exchanged quick glances. Zephyra raised an eyebrow, but stayed quiet.

"I am but a projection," the old mage continued. "A fragment of one who once walked the path of elemental mastery. Left behind to guide those worthy of the inheritance."

Then the projection turned its head fully toward Arden. Its expression shifted, less formal now and more curious.

"But you... you’re different. You don’t flow with Aether. In fact, it’s almost like your body resists it. Yet you draw from something else entirely."

Arden didn’t answer right away. He wasn’t sure there was a need to.

"I see..." the mage murmured, more to himself than to them. "Part of the reward left behind in this ruin was designed to refine Aether users—cleansing core impurities, expanding the size of their veins, enhancing the flow of elemental energy."

He paused, looking back to the group.

"But for you, boy, it would be wasted. It will barely touch your source. However..." his gaze shifted to Nyra, "it could do wonders for her."

Arden didn’t even blink. "Then give it to her."

Zephyra looked at him, a bit surprised. "You sure?"

He nodded once. "I got what I needed. Even more to come. This place already changed a lot in me."

In truth, Arden could feel it. The Life Energy he’d absorbed through the trials was sitting deep in his core, waiting. His body felt like it was constantly pulsing. Stronger, sharper, more stable than before. The system hadn’t pushed him forward yet, but it was close. He didn’t need another gift.

And Nyra? She was still finding her footing. Her core had been unstable for long.

She hesitated at first, eyes flickering between Arden and the projection. "Are... you sure?"

He gave her a calm look. "Take it. It fits you more."

Without another word, the projection lifted a glowing hand. A gentle stream of radiant energy flowed out, winding through the air before wrapping around Nyra’s body. Her breath hitched as it sank in, warmth and light pressing into her skin. Arden could feel it too, not in his body, but through the faint bond he shared with her. It tugged, hard. Like something was pulling life energy directly from him to stabilize her growth.

Zephyra stepped closer, watching with concern. "Is that normal?"

"Probably not," Arden muttered, though his voice stayed steady. "But it’s working."

The strain built, and Nyra dropped to her knees, fists clenched as the energy scoured through her. Her body trembled, then stilled. The glow faded slowly, leaving her kneeling, breathing heavily but upright.

The projection finally spoke again.

"Congratulations, young one. You have achieved S-Rank vein quality. With this, your foundation is strong. Grow well."

Silence followed for a moment. Then Nyra let out a breathless laugh, the kind that came from relief more than joy.

Arden walked forward, extended a hand, and helped her up.

"Feels better?" he asked quietly.

She nodded, voice shaking. "Everything’s clearer. It’s... I didn’t even know it could feel like this."

"Good," Arden said simply.

She leaned against a wall, arms crossed. "I don’t know what’s weirder. The ghost mage or the fact that you just gave away a ruin reward without blinking."

But Arden shrugged. "Didn’t need it."

"Still," Nyra said, meeting his gaze, "thank you."

He didn’t respond right away. Just offered her a small nod and turned back toward the projection, already wondering what the next reward would be.

A/N:

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