The massive doors groaned open, releasing a gust of stale air that smelled of dust and ancient stone. Alex stood beside Diana at the entrance, their shadows stretching into the darkness beyond."Remember," Diana said quietly, "we stay together."Alex nodded. But the moment they crossed the threshold, reality twisted.The floor dissolved beneath their feet. The walls warped, stretched, and folded in on themselves. Alex felt the unmistakable sensation of spatial displacement not a simple teleportation, but a transition into an entirely different realm.When his vision cleared, he stood in a vast, open plain under a sky that was the color of dried blood. The air was thin, cold, and carried the scent of decay.“This place doesn’t feel correct. Shouldn’t this be a ruin of ancient time but why do i feel the same situation when entering the inheritance trial of Seraphina but this one feels a little jerky in transmission.”Then he suddenly recalled.“A small world. A pocket dimension inside t

They traveled east, through fields of obsidian and past the skeletal remains of ancient buildings. The terrain grew rougher, the ground cracking under their feet with each step, as if the earth itself was trying to swallow them. Jagged rocks jutted out at odd angles, and the air grew colder, carrying a metallic tang that reminded Alex of blood.Alex kept his Domain extended, searching for any sign of Kaela—her life signature, her flame-red hair, the unique warmth of her fire-aspected aura. But the suppressed field made everything fuzzy, like trying to see through fogged glass.The creatures continued to attack. A pack of wolf-like beasts with too many legs emerged from a crevice, their eyes gleaming with the same unnatural light. Alex and Cedric fought back-to-back, their blades flashing in the dim glow.[Picked up 5,400 Attribute points total.]Cedric was slower than Alex, his injuries slowing him, but he was still a skilled warrior. His new sword sang as he cut down two of the creat

Alex's jaw tightened. He pulled out a second vial of a stronger concoction, one he had saved for emergencies."Try this."Again, Kaela drank. Again, no change. The potions passed through her system without effect, as if the venom was somehow resistant to conventional healing.Marcus spoke up, his voice shaky."The Vorn's poison... I've heard rumors. It's not just physical. It binds to the life gene itself. Normal healing won't work. You need something from the source, maybe a plant or a remedy found only in this place."Alex looked at Kaela's leg, then at the distant blue glow of the mountain."The medicine mountain. The Sylvans mentioned it. Plants that can cure any poison." Marcus spoke.Hearing this Alex looked toward Alex.“What do you mean by that?”“We met a few Sylvanas who explained there is Medicine mountain in this small world. If we take her there then the possibility of saving her will be greater.”Hearing this Alex realizes this is the only option. Even a healing potion i

“Good.” The voice softened. “Then you are ready.”The mirror shattered, and Diana stepped into the arena.The sylph circled her, its wings of spun glass catching the light of an unseen sun. It moved like wind, unpredictable, untouchable."Your heart is strong," the sylph said, its voice a melody of wind chimes. "But strength of heart alone will not defeat me."Diana raised her sword."Then I'll use the strength of will."She attacked.The sylph flowed around her blade, its form dissolving into mist before reforming behind her. Diana spun, her wind law augmenting her speed, but the sylph was faster.A wing of glass slashed across her arm. Blood welled."You hesitate," the sylph observed. "You fear failure.""I fear letting down those who trust me.""There is no shame in that. But fear that controls you is a cage."Diana attacked again, this time letting her wind law flow not as a weapon, but as an extension of her senses. She felt the sylph's movements before they happened—the subtle s

The battle lasted three minutes. Viktor's spear found the creature's core while Alex distracted it with folded-space strikes. The vine-bear crumbled into a heap of withered leaves.[Picked up 1,800 Attribute points.]Seraphiel and his Sylvans moved quickly, harvesting the Memory Lilies and other rare plants. They worked with practiced efficiency, their hands never damaging the delicate roots."The plants will regrow in time," Seraphiel said, noticing Alex's watchful gaze. "We take only what we need."Hearing this Alex realizes this alien race might be what people call the nature born race. This kind of race generally values mother nature to survive more than anything.Then Ale moved toward the upper level.The Second Terrace: The Pool of ReflectionThe second terrace held a still pool, its surface like polished silver. Around it grew plants with translucent leaves that seemed to hover in the air like ghosts."Veilpetals," Seraphiel said. "They grant temporary invisibility. Useful for