As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long golden shadows over the Eldermere Highlands, a soft hum filled the air as the large flying boat descended near the ruins of the old temple. The wind whispered through the ancient stone pillars as the group leapt from the vessel one by one, their cloaks billowing in the fading light.
Mr. Alaric, with a practised motion, raised his hand and made a complex gesture. The enormous flying boat shimmered, then shrank swiftly, vanishing into the Storage Ring he wore on his finger. The faint pulse of arcane energy dissipated as the group turned toward the temple.
One after another, they stepped through the cracked marble archway into the dim interior. Last to enter were Mr. Alden and Ronan. As they crossed the threshold, an ancient enchantment awakened.
A sudden, soul-crushing pressure burst from the statue of the Goddess of Light. Mr. Alden staggered, his knees buckling under the divine weight. With a reverent breath, he knelt, head bowed, as if in devout worship.
The pressure lifted from him almost instantly.
Beside him, Ronan remained standing. His body trembled slightly, veins visible under his skin as the unseen force pressed harder with each passing second. Sweat beaded on his brow, but he refused to kneel. After nearly a minute of silent resistance, the oppressive force gradually receded, lifting from Ronan's shoulders like a fading storm. He exhaled shakily, a flicker of triumph in his eyes.
"Why not kneel?" Mr. Alaric asked quietly, observing him with a furrowed brow. "It would be easier."
Ronan glanced toward Samantha, a mischievous glint in his eye. He smirked. "Resisting the pressure strengthens my soul. Why pass up an opportunity like this?"
A moment of silence passed before Alaric chuckled. "Stubborn as ever."
Just then, footsteps echoed through the temple. A young man and a girl stepped through the doorway, cloaks fluttering behind them.
"Greetings, everyone. Good evening," the young man said warmly.
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "Elysia? Tobias? What are they doing here?" he murmured under his breath.
Tobias approached Alaric and handed over a small stack of documents. "Updates from near the Rift. The movement's been... unsettling."
After a brief conversation with Alaric, Tobias and Elysia turned their attention to Ronan.
"It's been a while," Elysia said with a gentle smile. "How have you been?"
Ronan returned the smile, his expression softening. "I've been well. And you two? Where's Damian?"
"We're doing fine," Elysia replied.
Tobias nodded. "Damian's near the Rift, observing the anomaly. It's stable for now. And I must say, you've done an excellent job masking your flame core—not a single fluctuation. It's as if you've reverted to the infancy stage."
Ronan rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. "You're flattering me too much."
Samantha stepped up beside him, curiosity in her eyes. "Do you know each other?"
"Yes," Ronan replied, nodding. "We met on the road a few months ago while I was making my way here."
Tobias looked at her curiously. "And you are?"
"Oh! This is my sister, Samantha," Ronan said quickly.
Samantha smiled and offered a polite greeting. Ronan went on to introduce Kael, Darius, and Sylphie as his teammates.
The night passed quietly, and when the first rays of dawn filtered through the temple's stone-carved windows, Alaric gathered everyone.
"Time to move," he announced.
With practised coordination, the group fell into formation. Tobias and Elysia led the way, followed by Ronan and Mr. Alden. The others followed closely behind.
After about thirty minutes of silent trekking, the twisted landscape of the Rift came into view. A chill wind blew across the scarred earth. The moment they arrived, Ronan's and Alden's eyes shimmered—their Keen Eye activating instinctively.
Mr. Alaric stepped forward and handed out glowing blue jade tokens to everyone.
"Keep these close," he said firmly.
A quiet hush fell over the group as they prepared to descend into the unknown.
As they stepped through the swirling chaos of the Rift, the world seemed to shatter and scatter them like fragments of glass across a broken mirror. Groups were separated, flung to different corners of the strange realm.
Samantha, Kael, and Sylphie landed in one area cloaked in mists; Darius, Eryk, and Leon found themselves on a jagged mountainside; Selena, Aria, Orin, and Oliver were cast into an overgrown forest with violet-hued flora; Mr. Alden, Mr. Alaric, Mr. Felix, Dorian, Lyra, and Sophia stumbled into a crumbling ruin; and Ronan and Roderick were each cast alone into unfamiliar landscapes.
They tried to activate the blue jade tokens—each a beacon of hope and connection—but no signal passed through. Aether here was disrupted, distorted. Their only choice: move forward.
Roderick stood on a frost-covered grassy path, the air cold and biting. Mist curled around his boots like living things. Behind him shimmered a pale, nearly invisible barrier. Curious, he stepped closer, instinctively raising a hand to touch it.
"Don't touch it," a soft but firm voice said.
A half-translucent woman materialised beside him, grabbing his arm just in time. It was Lianxi.
"You'll be turned to dust," she warned.
Roderick blinked in surprise. "Lianxi? What are you talking about?"
Without a word, she plucked a stick from a nearby tree and tossed it at the barrier. The moment it touched the surface, it disintegrated into ash.
Roderick took a slow step back. "Is this... the same barrier mentioned in the ancient records?"
Lianxi nodded, her expression troubled. "Yes. But how is it here? This barrier should have perished with time, long before even my death."
Roderick narrowed his eyes, thoughtful. "Then this palace... It's older than we believed, or someone really revived those lost skills. By the way, how old are you, exactly?"
Lianxi puffed out her cheeks, annoyed. She punched him in the head. "Never ask a lady her age."
Roderick chuckled, rubbing his head. "I just wanted to determine the age of this place, you old ghost."
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, there's something up ahead... It's resonating with the sword you gained during the Light Goddess trial. Let's go."
After several minutes of walking, they came upon a large tree with twisted roots and frost-kissed branches. Beneath it sat Ronan, legs crossed, eyes closed in deep meditation.
Lianxi's eyes gleamed mischievously. She slowly emerged from Roderick, a wicked smile on her face. "Hehehe... let's see what secrets his mind holds."
Roderick frowned. "Hey—Grandpa said not to mess with Ronan's head. Especially not with illusions."
"I'm not hurting him," she said with a devilish grin. "I'm giving him a dream. A nice one. Something he wants."
She slipped beside Ronan, whispering a spell. The world around Ronan shifted.
Dream World
Ronan woke to the scent of lavender and warmth on his skin. He blinked. Soft sunlight streamed through silk curtains. He was in a bed, naked, save for a blanket draped over him.
He groaned and rubbed his temple. "Didn't we leave the Eldermere Highlands?" he thought. "What is this...?"
A soft arm curled around his waist. He tensed.
He looked over—and froze. A stunning woman nestled beside him, her hair cascading like midnight, her eyes dreamy. She spoke with a gentle voice, barely a whisper. "Don't you remember what happened last night...?"
Inside Ronan, a purple flame of awareness and defiance roared to life.
"Ah... illusion."
He grinned to himself. "Alright, let's play."
Back to Lianxi in the Dream
Lianxi watched from within the illusion, shaping the scene. But suddenly, her surroundings warped. The purple flame engulfed the space, and Ronan's presence turned sharp and aware.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in bed with Ronan.
He was grinning wickedly, brushing a finger along her jawline.
"So," he whispered, leaning in, "Tell me what we did last night."
Lianxi's eyes bulged. "Wha—WHAAT?! NO! END THIS DREAM!"
Ronan burst out laughing. "Hey, you entered my head. What, didn't expect the tables to turn?"
Ronan's eyes snapped open in reality. He sat still, smirking. Lianxi lay nearby, groaning dramatically on the grass.
Roderick sighed. "Sorry... I couldn't stop her. She just won't listen to me."
Ronan chuckled. "It's alright. Though I really doubt she'll try that trick on anyone else."
Roderick blinked. "Why?"
Ronan leaned over and flicked Lianxi's translucent forehead. "Wake up, oh great dream weaver."
She sat up, flustered. "Y-you! Pervert!"
Ronan dodged a swing. "Hey! You're the one who invaded my mind. You expected flowers and sunshine?"
"You twisted it!" Lianxi growled.
"Oh, please, I just let the illusion run wild—and you tripped into your own trap."
She launched another playful punch. He ducked.
"In my opinion," Ronan said, laughing, "you're the bigger pervert."
Roderick watched them with wide eyes. "These two are insane. Is this the reason grandpa said not to mess with Ronan?"
Ronan gave him a wink. "Takes one to tango in the mind."
Ronan and Lianxi were locked in a friendly sparring match, exchanging swift blows and playful banter. Just as Ronan caught Lianxi's punch, a sharp voice sliced through the moment like a blade.
"Boss."
Both fighters froze. Lianxi turned toward the voice and blinked in surprise. Two identical Ronans stood there, one with both eyes closed, the other scanning the surroundings.
The open-eyed clone spoke first. "We have to move forward. The barrier is blocking all other paths."
The other added, his voice calmer and more analytical, "This barrier is unlike anything I've encountered. I've never read about a structure like this."
Ronan nodded slightly, acknowledging the report. The closed-eyed clone stepped forward, his face tense. "Boss, do not try to force your Keen Eye skill. It's already active. If you push it any further... those cries will become unbearable. You won't be able to deactivate it. Only by closing your eyes can you somewhat mute them."
Ronan gave a small, respectful nod. "Good work."
He formed a quick hand sign, and with a puff of thick smoke, one of the clones vanished. The other remained, standing tall despite his closed eye.
"Let me analyse the barrier while I still have strength," the clone offered. "Once I return inside you, I can't be summoned again until I recover. I should use this time wisely."
Ronan tossed him a soul-smoothing crystal and a few Aether Crystals. "Don't get killed," he said flatly. Then, with a smirk, he added, "If you do, there'll be hell to pay."
The clone caught the items and grinned. "If I get killed, where will you even find me?"
"You? Come back here!" Ronan shouted.
The clone laughed, waving a hand as he dashed off. "Don't worry, Boss! I won't die so easily."
Back on the path, Lianxi suddenly landed a light punch on Ronan's cheek.
"Aaaagh!" Ronan groaned, rubbing his face. "Why?!"
"Now I'm satisfied," Lianxi replied with a smirk.
Ronan huffed. "First, you invade my mind, call me a pervert, get trapped in your own illusion, and then punch me? Fine. Just don't cause more trouble."
They began walking together again. Lianxi hovered close, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"How did you break free from the dream? How did you trap me in my own skill?"
Ronan rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. "You're so nosy."
He raised his hand, summoning a flickering purple flame in his palm. "This is why."
Lianxi's eyes widened. "That's... Tailed Fox Flame."
"Yeah," Ronan replied.
"So you're immune to illusions?" Lianxi asked.
Ronan poked her forehead with a finger. "Roderick... how did you get tangled up with this idiot old hag?"
Lianxi and Roderick both gave Ronan a synchronised death glare. Roderick coughed, flustered.
"No, no! Not old hag!" Lianxi growled.
Ronan grinned wider. "Oh, idiot then."
He let the flame die out and turned serious again. "I'm not immune to anything. You just didn't use enough power in your dream. My flame was strong enough to overwrite it."
He gave a nonchalant shrug. "You miscalculated."
As the group continued onward, the air around them suddenly shifted. Darkness swallowed the world. One by one, they vanished into isolated spaces.
Ronan found himself alone in a void of endless black. He called out, but no answer came. No Lianxi. No Roderick. He sighed and began to move forward.
Meanwhile, Roderick stood amidst a battlefield littered with the corpses of fallen soldiers. The stench of death clung to the air. He looked around, calling Ronan's and Lianxi's names, but there was only silence. Even Lianxi, who usually resided within his inner world, gave no reply.
Then, without warning, the sword Roderick had received from the Light Goddess materialised before him. It hovered in the air, glowing gold. In an instant, the entire world around him shattered like fragile glass.
The illusion broke, not just for Roderick, but for all three.
Ronan and Roderick stood side by side once more, back at the place just before the illusion had ensnared them. The golden sword hovered briefly.
Ronan, with a glare in his eyes, said, "Beautiful sword."
"Thanks," Roderick said, reaching for it—only for the blade to dart away.
The two locked eyes, then, without a word, sprinted after it.