Arcana System: Rise of the Forsaken Prince

Chapter 5 Eyes that penetrate the darkness

The black -robed figure finally spoke. "This is the possibility of your future."

Leon turned his head sharply. "Future?"

"Yes. If you keep walking on this road without understanding what you really are looking for, you will end like this - destroyed, without purpose."

Leon clenched his fist. "I won't end like that."

The figure nodded slowly. "Then prove it."

Suddenly, the battlefield disappeared, and Leon returned to the unlimited sky. Arkana's fragments in front of her sparkled, but this time, she could see something in it - a symbol of an eye -shaped glowing golden. 

[Fragmen Arkana Open: Truth penetrating eyes]

[New ability obtained: Arkana's vision]

Leon felt a change in him. The world around him became clearer, as if he could see the hidden layers in reality. He can feel the energy that rotates in the air, even seeing a vague shadow that was previously invisible. 

Before he could react further, the world around him spinned again. 

In an instant, he returned to the ruins, standing in front of the altar. The ball of light has disappeared, but in him, he knows that something has changed permanently. 

The variant stared at him from a distance, smiling satisfied. "Congratulations again, Leon."

Leon looked at his hand, feeling the new power that flowed in him. 

He is no longer just a beginner. 

The real journey has just begun. 

  

Leon regulates his breathing, still feeling the remaining energy from synchronization with Arkana fragments. His hands trembled slightly, but not because of exhaustion - rather because of changes that had just occurred in his body. 

[Vision of active Arkana]

The world around him looks different. Fine light throb from every rubbing stone, an ancient energy trail flowing in the air like an invisible thread. He could see the previously hidden layers of the magic that were carved faintly in the old pillars, the remaining energy from the battle against the Wraith Guardian, and the most surprising, the faint shadow that stood in the distance, as if watching him. 

Leon narrowed his eyes. "What's that?"

Before he could move further, the sound of variants interrupted his reverie. "You feel it, right?"

Leon turned his head, seeing the variant approaching with an expression full of interest. 

"Arkana's vision is a gift as well as a curse," continued the variant. "You can see what is hidden, but that also means you will attract the attention of creatures who don't want to be seen."

Leon swallowed hard. "You want to say ... those creatures can realize that I see them?"

The variant nodded. "Exactly right."

Suddenly, the air around them changed. The temperature dropped dramatically, and the soft sound whispered in the air, as if it came from another world. 

Leon turned to quickly towards the shadow he had seen. Now, the figure is clearer - a man dressed in a black pair, his face is hidden behind a helmet with cracks in the eye. However, the most scary thing is his eyes - a bright red light from behind the gap of the helmet. 

[Unknown Entity Detected]

[Analysis ... failed. Data is not available.]

Leon held his sword tightly. "Who are you?"

The figure did not answer. He just looked at Leon silently, then slowly raised his hand. Instantly, the wind blows hard, and from the shadow of the ruins, dark creatures have sprung up-foggy with red-shining eyes, their bodies tremble as not entirely real. 

"Night shadow ..." the variant growled. "We have to go, right now."

Leon took a step back. "What are they?"

"Hunter creatures. They are chasing people who see too much."

The night's shadow began to move, their bodies slid on the ground without sound. 

The variant lifts his stick, and in an instant, a radiant symbol appears on the ground. "Hold them for a few seconds. I'll open the gate."

Leon has no choice. He drew his sword, channeling Arkana's energy to his blades. The blue light covered the sword, throbbing like a fast beating heart. 

One of the night shadows jumped at him, his black claw stretched out. 

Leon avoided to the side, then cut it quickly. His sword pierced the body of the creature, but instead of splitting, the shadow of the night actually disappeared into a black fog before re -formed behind him. 

"Ordinary attack will not be enough ..."

He mobilized more energy to his sword, given the battle against Wraith Guardian. He needs to use Arkana's energy more effectively. 

One more wolf jumped, and this time, Leon attacked with Thunder Cleave. Lightning flash grabbed the air, hit the creature and made him scream before his body was completely destroyed. 

[Enemy is defeated: Night shadow (1/??)]

Leon didn't have time to think long. Other creatures have surrounded him, and he knew that their number was far more than what he could face alone. 

Behind him, the sound of the variant was heard. "Gate is open! Enter now!"

Leon turned and saw the magic circle shining in the air. Without hesitation, he jumped into it. 

In an instant, his world changed again. 

He fell into a rocky ground, his chest up and down quickly. The variant stands nearby, the tense expression on his face. 

They are now in a foggy forest, far from the ruins. 

Leon gently rose. "What was that?"

Variant sighed. "That's the price of seeing something that shouldn't be."

Leon gritted his teeth. "So ... if I use Arkana's vision again, they will always appear?"

Variants look at him seriously. "Not always. But the more you use it, the more likely you will attract their attention ... or something worse."

Leon clenched his fist. He knew that this new power was an extraordinary weapon, but also brought an unexpected danger. 

However, one thing is certain - he won't stop. 

No matter how many shadows are aiming for him. 

He will continue to advance. 

**: whisper from darkness

The forest where Leon and teleported variants feel different from the previous place. Thin fog hanging in the air, covering the moonlight that was supposed to illuminate the road. Giant trees towering with large roots that extended like a hand trying to reach something. 

Leon regulates his breath, he can still feel the tension from the fight against the shadow last night. His new vision remained active, and even though he wanted to turn it off, he knew that it would be more dangerous if he could not see the threats around him. 

The variant stands beside him, observing the environment with a serious expression. "We cannot linger here. This forest is not a safe place."

"Is this your hiding place?" Leon asked. 

Variant shook his head. "No. This is just a transit point. But this is better than fighting with the night shadow in the ruins earlier."