Not Yet

He was there.

Before the gaping entrance of the Blazing Voidlands—a rift in the world, an unstable wound of pure, raw energy. It pulsed, breathed, and beckoned. Everything in Rioshi screamed to step forward.

But he didn’t move.

Not a single step.

His gaze lingered on the swirling shadows, then he closed his eyes.

Not yet.

He knew he was strong. But not enough.
Not yet stable. Not yet ready.

And in this world, arrogance cost more than weakness.

So Rioshi turned his back on the rift… and walked away.

He traveled endlessly.

Through forgotten valleys, into frostbitten ruins, across deserts where the sky wept fire. He hunted ancient beasts, not for trophies, but to absorb what they were. To understand. To grow.

He battled creatures as swift as wind, mages fused to elemental currents, and crawling horrors that bent gravity like paper.

With each fight, the Évolis system refined itself.
With each victory, his mastery deepened.
And slowly, his arsenal of spells and techniques grew into something terrifying.

But something was missing.

A connection.

Not a mere ally. Not a servant.
Something instinctive. Silent. A spirit that would understand his path without needing words or promises.

And he found it—on the misted edge of a forgotten lake, unmarked on any map.

A creature, wounded, cornered, and fighting for its life against greedy hunters.

A Felshadow—a rare, mythical feline cloaked in silver and black, able to bend into shadows and merge with ambient mana. It fought with the same silent rage Rioshi once knew.

He didn’t hesitate.

The hunters fell in seconds.

Silence returned.

Instead of fleeing, the creature approached him. Cautious. Quiet. Curious.

They stared at one another.

One second. Two.

And then—without a word—a bond was born.

🔗 New Link Established
🐾 Name: Undetermined
Species: Alpha Felshadow
Primary Ability: Shadow Veil / Dimensional Strike
Status: Synchronous Companion

During his wanderings, Rioshi crossed paths once more with two familiar faces.

Two academy students. Covered in mud, panting from their chase—but unwavering.

“Rioshi!” one called out. “We’ve been looking for you… We saw what you did. We know we’re nothing compared to you. But we want to follow your path. We want to grow—even if it hurts.”

He stared at them, silent.

He wasn’t a teacher. Not a leader.

But… he didn’t reject them.

And they understood. They stayed.

Days passed.

The trio became something more.

Each one learned not by instruction, but by observation. Rioshi didn’t speak. But every action, every battle, every decision taught more than lectures ever could.

He honed his inventory: rare potions, defensive artifacts, dimensional stones, anti-distortion talismans, even cursed relics—mastered, not feared.

Each night, he gazed at the sky.
And felt the Voidlands calling louder.

He was no longer afraid.

He was becoming ready.

🔄 Quest Paused: Entry into the Blazing Voidlands
📦 Status: Preparation 78% Complete
🐾 Active Companion: Alpha Felshadow
👥 Followers: 2 (Synced Progression)

And somewhere deep within the shadows of the Voidlands… a voice awakened:

“He hasn’t entered…”
“He prepares.”
“Good. Let him come ready.”

The forest trembled.

Creatures born of the Void slipped through the cracks. Misshapen beasts of pure chaos—rapid, feral, merciless. Sentinels of the Void, scouts of the unseen.

They surrounded Rioshi and his small group.

But he didn’t flinch.

“We’ve got this!” shouted one of his companions. “Let us handle it this time!”

They charged.

Less refined than him, but stronger than before. Their movements were sharper. Their strikes, more deliberate. They fought with will.

But it wasn’t enough.

One creature broke through.

It lunged—claws outstretched—aiming for the kill.

Then the world stopped.

An unseen wave tore through the air.

And the beast collapsed. Burned. Erased.

They turned, wide-eyed.

Rioshi stood, arm half-raised. His aura pulsed—slow, steady, overpowering. Silver and crimson particles floated around him, bending the very air to his will.

They froze.

One of them whispered:

“He was like us… just a student. Quiet. Almost invisible. And now…”

The words never finished.

Because Rioshi’s presence was no longer something you noticed. It was something you felt. Crushed by. Inspired by. It wasn’t training anymore.

It was… transcendence.

And then, without warning, Rioshi spoke.

His voice was calm. Detached.
Almost distant.

“…It’s time.”

The companions glanced at one another, confused.

“Time? For what? What are you—”

He looked at them.

Then said:

“You must continue without me. For a while. I have something to do.”

They opened their mouths to argue.

Then stopped.
Something in his voice told them—

This wasn’t a farewell.
This was a threshold.

They nodded, solemn.

“Do what you have to, Rioshi.”

He walked alone.

Across the black plains. Through mountains shattered by ancient magic. Each step resonated beneath his feet. Even the Felshadow, his ever-watchful companion, remained silent.

Ahead… the Voidlands awaited.

A living wound in the world. Its edges aflame, its core pulsing like a monstrous heart. Red lightning cracked through its skies. Mana flickered in volatile bursts. And from within—distant screams echoed.

Rioshi didn’t slow.

And as he crossed the final stretch…

The world seemed to hold its breath.

⚠️ Quest Reactivated: Entry into the Blazing Voidlands
🎯 Objective: Assimilation and Survival in the Primary Zone
🕒 Estimated Duration: Unknown
💠 Reward: Major Evolution of the Évolis System

He raised his eyes to the blood-streaked heavens.

“You’re only at the beginning…”
Morvath’s voice echoed like a dying echo in his mind.

Rioshi closed his eyes.

And stepped forward.

Into the rift.
Into the fire.
Into everything.