Floki stood alone in the swirling void, the Blade of Spirits humming faintly in his grip. Shadows writhed and pressed against him, testing his will and resolve with every breath he took.

Ahead, the shadows coalesced into a massive figure with jagged limbs and glowing crimson eyes. Its aura was oppressive, like a tidal wave threatening to crush Floki under its weight.

The system chimed in Floki’s mind.

[Final Guardian Detected: Apex Abyssal Warden. Core Weakness Identified. Synchronize Blade for Maximum Damage.]

Floki smirked, his grip tightening on the Blade of Spirits. “Another big guy? You void types are all the same.”

The Warden lunged, its massive claw slashing downward with terrifying speed. Floki activated Phantom Step, his afterimages scattering as he darted to the side.

The Blade of Spirits pulsed in his hand, urging him forward. Floki struck with precision, the blade slicing into the Warden’s arm. Dark energy erupted from the wound, but the creature showed no signs of pain.

The system chimed softly.

[Damage Inflicted: 10%. Core Vulnerability Detected. Exploit Weakness.]

Floki darted around the Warden, his movements fluid as he avoided its sweeping attacks. The shadows around him twisted violently, amplifying his speed and precision.

The Warden roared, releasing a wave of dark energy that forced Floki to summon Shadow Clones. The clones intercepted the attack, their forms shattering as Floki closed the gap.

He lunged, the Blade of Spirits glowing faintly as it pierced the Warden’s core. The creature staggered, its form flickering as its energy began to wane.

The system chimed again.

[Core Integrity: 40%. Critical Weakness Detected. Amplify Output.]

Floki grinned, his strikes growing sharper as he pressed the attack. The Blade of Spirits pulsed with each blow, its energy syncing with his movements.

The Warden lashed out with one final, desperate attack, forcing Floki to dodge with a quick roll. Rising to his feet, he struck with all his strength, the blade sinking deep into the creature’s core.

A deafening roar filled the void as the Warden dissolved into a mass of swirling shadows. The oppressive energy lifted, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake.

The system chimed softly.

[Trial Completed. Blade Synchronization Achieved at 90%. Path Progression: 75%.]

Floki lowered the Blade of Spirits, his breathing steady but labored. He turned toward the faint light of the chamber’s exit, his grin widening. “Not bad, but I’ve had tougher fights.”

As Floki stepped into the light, Pai Mei was waiting outside the chamber, his expression calm but unreadable. “You’ve conquered the trial,” Pai Mei said. “But this is merely the beginning of your journey.”

Floki rested the Blade of Spirits on his shoulder, his grin sharp. “Then let’s see what’s next.”

Pai Mei turned, leading the way back toward the main halls. “You’ve earned the blade. Now, let us see if you can master it.”

…The dining hall of Pai Mei’s temple was both grand and austere. Large pillars carved with ancient symbols lined the walls, and a single long table stretched across the center of the room. The flickering glow of lanterns illuminated the space with a warm light, contrasting the cold, dark energy that seemed to linger throughout the temple.

Floki entered, the Blade of Spirits strapped to his back, its faint hum a constant reminder of the trial he had just completed. Pai Mei was already seated at the head of the table, his posture straight, his gaze calm yet piercing.

“Sit,” Pai Mei said simply, gesturing to the seat nearest him. “Tonight, we dine and talk.”

Floki grinned, plopping into the seat with his usual casual air. “Didn’t think you were the dinner type, Master.”

Pai Mei’s lips twitched slightly, not quite a smile. “Even the strong must eat, Floki. And a sharp mind is forged as much through conversation as it is through battle.”

The servants moved swiftly and silently, placing a variety of dishes on the table. Floki’s eyes flicked to them briefly, noting the precision of their movements. It was strange—there were no other disciples in sight, only these servants who seemed more like phantoms than people.

Pai Mei’s voice broke the silence. “You carry the energy of shadow with you, yet your techniques lack refinement. Tell me, where did you learn them?”

Floki leaned back, grabbing a piece of fruit from a nearby platter. “Picked them up during my time at the Shadow Clan. Their training isn’t exactly gentle, but it worked for me.”

Pai Mei nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “The Shadow Clan… an ambitious group, but their teachings lack depth. And yet, you’ve managed to push beyond the limitations of their methods. Impressive.”

Floki smirked, his tone light. “I aim to impress, Master. But now you’ve got me curious—why’s this place so empty? No other students, just the servants. Don’t tell me you’re short on recruits.”

Pai Mei’s gaze sharpened slightly. “I do not take disciples often, Floki. The training I offer is not for the faint of heart. Most who attempt it do not survive.”

Floki’s grin faltered for a moment before returning with a sharper edge. “Guess that makes me the exception.”

Pai Mei inclined his head, acknowledging the remark. “Perhaps.”

The conversation shifted as they continued to eat, Pai Mei’s questions probing deeper into Floki’s experiences and ambitions. But then, the grandmaster’s tone changed, his voice carrying a subtle edge of curiosity.

“You carry something unique with you,” Pai Mei said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “A fragment of great energy. Show it to me.”

Floki’s brow furrowed for a moment before realization dawned. He reached into his pouch and retrieved the relic, its surface gleaming faintly in the lantern light. The moment he placed it on the table, Pai Mei’s demeanor shifted.

The grandmaster’s eyes widened, and his calm exterior cracked with a rare display of emotion. “Where did you acquire this?”

Floki leaned forward, his tone casual but curious. “Liberated it from the Shadow Clan’s Pill Master. Figured it might come in handy.”

Pai Mei’s expression darkened, though not with anger. “Krysta,” he said, almost to himself. “Of course, it was her.”

Floki arched an eyebrow, intrigued. “You know her?”

Pai Mei’s gaze remained fixed on the relic. “Krysta was my first disciple, many years ago. That fragment… it was part of a set I owned, meant to amplify the power of those who wield the Path of Death. She stole it from me and vanished.”

Floki’s grin widened, his voice laced with amusement. “Well, looks like I did you a favor by stealing it back.”

Pai Mei’s eyes flicked to Floki, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Perhaps you did. But its presence here changes things.”

Floki leaned back in his chair, spinning the relic lightly between his fingers. “So, what’s the big deal with it? Other than it looking fancy.”

Pai Mei’s tone grew serious, his gaze heavy. “This is one-fifth of a greater whole. Together, they form a key capable of unlocking the full potential of death energy. But wielding even one piece requires great mastery.”

Floki’s grin widened, his voice laced with amusement. “And let me guess—you had all five pieces at some point?”

Pai Mei shook his head, his tone measured. “I only managed to acquire two. This one was stolen. Another is still in my possession, kept hidden in a secure place.”

He leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. “The other two fragments belong to powerful masters. Wong Fei-Hung of the Northern Region has one, and Liu Kang of the Southern Region holds another.”

Floki’s grin faltered slightly as he processed the information. “And the fifth?”

Pai Mei’s gaze shifted, his tone almost distant. “The last fragment is said to lie within ancient ruins on a large island in the Azure Sea. The place is known as Cloud Song Island, a location surrounded by treacherous waters and guarded by its own mysteries.”

The system chimed softly in Floki’s mind.

[Artifact Update: Shadow Relic Identified as Part of Five. Potential Synergy with Death Energy Detected. Objectives Updated.]

Floki leaned back, “So, this thing’s pretty popular. Guess I should hold onto it for now.”

Pai Mei’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “The relic is dangerous, but in your hands, it may yet serve a purpose. Do not take it lightly.”

Floki tucked the relic back into his pouch, his grin sharp. “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll keep it safe—safe for me, at least.”

Pai Mei rose from his seat, his movements deliberate. “Rest now. Tomorrow, we continue. The relic may guide you, but mastery will decide your fate.”

Floki watched as Pai Mei left the dining hall, his mind racing with questions and possibilities. He leaned back in his chair, his grin softening as he stared at the flickering lanterns above. “Cloud Song Island, huh? Sounds like my kind of place.”

The servants moved silently, clearing the table as Floki rose to leave. The Blade of Spirits hummed faintly at his back as he made his way to his chamber, the weight of the relic in his pouch heavier than ever.