Astralis Ascendant

The cool night air crept through the forest as Lucian stared in disbelief at the massive snake slithering through the shadows beyond his cabin. The creature's white scaled body, coiled and glistening, seemed to stretch endlessly, its golden eyes burning like twin beacons in the dark.

"Coracck," Lucian breathed, his voice trembling, barely able to speak. His pulse quickened. This kind of serpent was said to rival the strength of a Qi Refining Realm Martial Artist, its very presence a death sentence to any unprepared wanderer.

But why was it here? Why now? They are normally deeper in the forest?

Lucian's gaze flicked to the fragile cabin. His sanctuary wouldn't survive the serpent's wrath. He needed to lure it away. Spotting the shattered rocks from his earlier battle with the wild boar, Lucian crouched low, his heart pounding. He picked up a jagged stone and hurled it toward the Coracck with all his strength.

The serpent sensing the item thrown,The Coracck paused, its massive head swiveling toward him, its tail coiling in agitation. Then, with a terrifying hiss, it lashed its tail. The stone rocketed back, cutting through the air like a cannonball.

Lucian spun his spear in a desperate block, but the force sent him flying. He slammed into a tree, pain exploding across his back. Gritting his teeth, he struggled to his feet, Gasping at every breath.

The Coracck surged forward, its golden eyes locking onto him with a predatory gaze. Lucian turned and ran, his surroundings blurring as branches clawed at his face and arms. The forest was a maze, the underbrush thick and unforgiving, but he had no choice. Behind him, the Coracck's massive body crashed through trees, its pursuit relentless.

A fallen log loomed ahead. Lucian vaulted over it, the spear still clutched tightly in his hands. The serpent followed, its tail obliterating the log in a single sweep. Lucian glanced over his shoulder, his stomach twisting at the sight. The Coracck's Jaw snapped shut inches from his heels, its fangs glimmering in the faint moonlight.

"You're not taking me!" Lucian growled, adrenaline surging through him.

As the chase continued, the forest itself seemed to conspire against him. He stumbled on a root, catching himself just in time, but the brief pause allowed the Coracck to close the gap. With a deafening roar, the serpent struck, its massive head lunging toward him.

Lucian pivoted, his instincts honed from years of survival. Raising his spear, he aimed for the serpent's eyes. The spear's tip connected with a sickening squelch, piercing one of the glowing yellow eyes. The Coracck shrieked, its thrashing body uprooting nearby trees as it recoiled in pain.

"Got You!" Lucian shouted, triumph at the successful strike disbursing his fear.

But the serpent's fury only grew. Despite its wound, it continued its pursuit, its remaining eye blazing with murderous intent. Lucian's lungs burned, his legs screaming for rest, but the roar of water ahead filled him with hope.

The river.

He pushed himself harder, the ground sloping downward as the trees began to thin. Behind him, the Coracck's movements grew erratic, its injured eye spewing pain and blood, but it refused to relent.

Lucian reached the riverbank, the current roaring as it surged toward the waterfall. He didn't hesitate. Taking a deep breath, he dove into the River water leading to the waterfall..just as the serpent's tail slammed into the ground where he had stood moments before.

The coldness of the river stream was a shock to his system, stealing his breath as the current pulled him downstream. He surfaced briefly, coughing and gasping for air, before the current hurled him over the edge. For a moment, he was weightless, the world spinning in a blur of water and moonlight as he stared at the sky above. Suddenly he hit the pool of water below, the impact painful but survivable.

Gasping, Lucian dragged himself onto the land besides the end of the waterfall. His entire body ached, his strength nearly spent. He glanced back up looking at the waterfall, his vision blurred, but he could make out the Coracck's silhouette slithering along the cliffs, searching for a way down.

"Not much time," he muttered, forcing himself to his feet.

The spray of the waterfall drenched him as he leaned against the rock wall for support to drink the water. That's when he noticed the carvings faint, intricate markings etched into the stone behind the cascade of water. His fingers traced the grooves, the ancient text radiating a strange warmth.

The dizziness came suddenly, a wave of nausea and clarity all at once. Images flooded his mind...symbols, forgotten languages, and voices that weren't his own.

"The disaster that #### ### ###### fear," Lucian whispered, his voice not entirely his own. "A legend that started in my home."

The carvings flared to life, their golden light cutting through the current. The waterfall split apart, Teleporting Lucian behind the stone wall covered by the waterfall's current. Lucian shielded his eyes as the light intensified, enveloping him in its glow.

When the light faded, Lucian found himself in a vast cavern. The air was warm and thick with energy, the walls glittering with veins of an unearthly ore. Ahead, a pedestal bathed in faint, otherworldly light beckoned him forward.

"What is this place?" he murmured, his voice echoing.

The chase had brought him here, but he couldn't shake the feeling of the anonymous pressure that surrounded him throughout the cave thinking to himself that maybe the Coracck had been the least of his challenges.