The forest stretched endlessly behind him, a trail of defeated enemies and shattered expectations marking Floki’s path. The shadowy figure who had blocked his way was no more, but the encounter had left a lingering weight in his mind.

The relic pulsed faintly in his pouch, its energy syncing with his steps like a second heartbeat. The system had been unusually quiet since the battle, leaving Floki to piece together his own thoughts.

“Quiet means I’m doing something right,” Floki muttered to himself, his grin sharp. His War Glaive hummed faintly at his side, a constant reminder of his growing power.

The bridge loomed ahead, its faintly glowing runes casting a soft light against the surrounding void. Floki stopped for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the landscape.

The system finally chimed, its tone neutral but firm.

[Objective Reminder: Path of Death Entry Granted. Proceed Across the Bridge.]

Floki sheathed the War Glaive, his eyes fixed on the far end of the bridge. The way forward was now clear, the oppressive energy that had blocked his path fading into nothing.

As he stepped past the defeated figure, he paused, glancing back. “You were good,” Floki said, his tone almost respectful. “But next time, don’t underestimate a Trickster.”

The figure gave a faint chuckle before collapsing into shadow, his form dissolving into the darkness.

The Bridge to Pai Mei

The bridge stretched endlessly before Floki, its surface glowing faintly with eerie runes. Each step echoed like a drumbeat, the sound swallowed by the vast emptiness surrounding him.

The system pulsed again, overlaying a map of the region ahead.

[Objective: Locate Pai Mei. Estimated Time to Arrival: 48 Hours.]

“Forty-eight hours?” Floki muttered, his tone dry. “Let’s hope it’s not all walking.”

As he crossed the midpoint of the bridge, a cold wind swept past him. The air grew heavier, each breath feeling like a weight pressing on his chest.

The relic in his pouch pulsed in response, its energy syncing with the runes beneath his feet. Shadows danced along the edges of the bridge, forming faint, indistinct shapes.

Floki stopped, his eyes narrowing as the shapes grew clearer. They were figures—warriors clad in shadowy armor, their eyes glowing faintly with malice.

The system chimed.

[Threat Detected: Shadow Guardians. Engaging Combat May Be Necessary.]

Floki sighed, twirling his War Glaive lazily. “Of course. Can’t have a peaceful walk, can I?”

The first guardian lunged, its blade slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. Floki dodged effortlessly, his glaive countering with a powerful strike.

The clash sent sparks flying, the runes beneath them glowing brighter with each impact. The other guardians joined the fray, their movements synchronized and precise.

Floki activated Shadow Clone, his copies darting into the fray to distract the attackers. The clones weaved through the guardians, their movements chaotic and unpredictable.

“You’re not very chatty, are you?” Floki taunted, his glaive slicing through a guardian’s chest. The figure dissolved into mist, only to reform moments later.

The system chimed again.

[Analysis: Guardians Reconstruct After Defeat. Energy Source Located Beneath Bridge.]

Floki’s grin widened as he glanced over the edge of the bridge. “Oh, so that’s your trick.”

He activated Shadow Veil, vanishing into the darkness and reappearing beneath the bridge. The glowing core of the guardians pulsed faintly, its energy feeding their reconstruction.

“Time to shut you down,” Floki muttered, raising his glaive. The blade crackled with energy as he drove it into the core, the siphoning ability draining its power.

The core shattered with a blinding flash, and the guardians above collapsed into dust. Floki reappeared on the bridge, brushing off his coat. “Too easy.”

Pai Mei’s Domain

As Floki reached the end of the bridge, the landscape shifted. The rocky terrain gave way to a sprawling temple surrounded by jagged peaks and swirling mists.

The system pulsed faintly. 

[Location Confirmed: Pai Mei’s Domain.]

The temple’s towering gates loomed ahead, their surface carved with intricate designs of skeletal figures and swirling shadows. Floki approached cautiously, his War Glaive ready in his grip.

The gates opened slowly, a low creak echoing through the air. A figure emerged, their presence cold and imposing.

Pai Mei’s piercing gaze met Floki’s, his expression unreadable. “You’ve come far,” he said, his voice like gravel. “But not far enough.”

Floki tilted his head, his grin returning. “If I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t be here.”

Pai Mei stepped forward, his movements slow but deliberate. “Strength brought you here. Discipline will keep you alive.”

The relic pulsed again, its energy reacting to Pai Mei’s aura. The system chimed softly, its message cryptic.

[Potential Synergy Detected. Path of Death Integration Possible.]

Floki’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the glaive. “Let’s see if you’re as impressive as the stories say.”

Pai Mei’s faint smirk was the only warning Floki got before the Master moved. The air cracked as Pai Mei struck, his speed blinding.

Floki barely raised his glaive in time to block, the force of the impact sending him skidding backward. Pai Mei’s strikes were relentless, each one calculated to exploit a weakness.

“You’re sloppy,” Pai Mei said coldly, his strikes forcing Floki to retreat further. “You rely too much on tricks.”

Floki activated Eclipse Shroud, the shadows around him swallowing the light. Pai Mei paused, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness.

A Shadow Clone appeared behind Pai Mei, its glaive slicing toward him. Pai Mei caught the blade effortlessly, twisting it out of the clone’s hands.

The clone dissolved into mist as Floki reappeared, his glaive crackling with energy. “Not bad,” Floki admitted, his tone amused. “But I’ve got more tricks than that.”

The First Lesson

The battle raged on, Pai Mei’s movements precise and unyielding. Floki’s strikes grew sharper, his War Glaive humming with power as he adapted to the Master’s rhythm.

Pai Mei’s smirk widened slightly as he deflected another strike. “You learn quickly. Good. You’ll need it.”

The system chimed, overlaying Floki’s energy levels and combat patterns.

[Analysis: Opponent Testing Limits. Potential for Training Detected.]

Floki lunged again, his glaive slicing through the air. Pai Mei caught the blade with two fingers, his grip unshakable.

“You’re reckless,” Pai Mei said, his voice sharp. “But there’s potential in you.”

Floki’s grin widened despite the strain. “You’re starting to sound impressed.”

Pai Mei released the glaive, stepping back as he crossed his arms. “If you wish to master the Path of Death, your arrogance will have to die first.”

The relic pulsed in Floki’s pouch, its energy syncing faintly with Pai Mei’s aura. Floki lowered his glaive, his expression thoughtful.

“Teach me, then,” Floki said, his tone steady. “I’m ready.”

Pai Mei’s piercing gaze lingered on him for a moment before he nodded. “Very well. But know this—failure is not an option here.”

The gates of the temple closed behind them, the shadows within swirling like a living entity. Floki’s journey into the Path of Death had truly begun.