We enter the queen’s chamber and it hits me. An immense amount of energy. It's dense and seems to fill every picometer of the room. If it wasn't for my armor, It feels like I would be crushed under the sheer weight.

  The source of the energy is sleeping on the other side of the room.

  [Cerberus Lvl 190]

  The queen is a monster. Which is obvious of course. Perhaps monstrous is a better word. It is curled up in a ball, but it must stand nearly ten meters tall. All three of its heads are adorned with large horns that just look like they would love to gore someone. Thankfully, it appears to be asleep for now.

  The rest of the room is full of tons of smaller hounds, workers. They are busy dragging eggs away as they materialize around the cerberus, the queen. They disappear into small side tunnels, either to go outside or down one of the pathways we didn't take.

  To either side of the cerberus are two [Lava Hound Lvl 120]. Standing guard over their slumbering queen.

  Liv steps forward.

  “Hey monster queen, come meet your demise!” She activates her taunt skill before any of us can think to stop her.

  The cerberus’s leftmost head twitches.

  Then, one of its large black eyes open up.

  “Oh fuck.” Moxie says.

  “Yep. That about sums it up.” Stephen jumps off to the side. “Now that Liv has gone and removed any element of surprise, how about we cook ourselves up some nice cerberus steak for dinner?”

  I waste no time and rush into the room. With practiced effort, I jump onto the back of one of the lava hounds and give its insides a nice toasting. Turns out that their inner gooey bits aren't fire proof. Which is surprising, considering they are lava hounds.

  The hound lets out a roar and throws me off. Naturally, being the way that these things work, I end up landing right at the feet of the cerberus. Who is currently attempting and failing to swallow Liv whole.

  I Blink out of the way, but the cerberus is even faster. One of its heads turns in my direction and lets out a large gout of flame. It scorches the area right next to me, my arm gets pretty badly burned as I roll away.

  I roll onto my feet and I run away and cower behind Liv. Moxie gives me a look, but she throws me a bit of healing and I am good as new.

  Before I can get back out, Violet is already on the back of the other lava hound. She is concentrating intensely while balancing on its back. Then her blade lights up with the familiar glow of aether and she pushes it right through the hound’s armor. The hound disintegrates and I catch up with her.

  “New skill?”

  “Got it for hitting level one hundred.”

  We run towards the other lava hound. “Wait, you've hit one hundred. Damn, you beat me.”

  “Well, that is because you are an idiot. Now fuck off.” She then speeds away from me and kills the other lava hound before I can get to it. How rude, hasn't she heard of sharing the glory? Oh wait, it's Violet, of course she hasn't.

  I turn to look back at Liv, and it is not looking good. She seems to be completely occupied with blocking the cerberus’ three headed attack. Of course, she does it flawlessly and with crazy efficiency. But she is definitely being pushed to her limit. Moxie also seems to be getting tired.

  Stephen fires several shots at the monster, but the bullets just ping off its skin like they are nothing. I move in and launch myself onto the monster’s back. It starts shaking violently, trying to get me off. But I ain't that easy to shake off, Violet can attest to that.

  I dig my dagger into its back. I can feel the effects of my newly upgraded proficiency as I dig deeper and deeper into the monster. It lets out a roar of pain as I cast a few lightning bolts into its body. I bet it smells like some nice roast cerberus, how delicious.

  The cerberus doesn't stay still though. It jumps up into the air, which does not seem possible for such a large creature. Moments before I am splattered on the ceiling, I Blink off to the side.

  Unfortunately, there is no ground nearby, so I fall.

  With a thud, I land on my ass. I leave a small crater in the ground.

  Two of its heads turn to face me the moment it lands. With only a split second left, my Blink cooldown refreshes and I manage to get away. But my aether has been severely depleted with two quick uses of Blink.

  However the distraction allows Liv to get in a nice bunch of slashes, and I throw a few fireballs in to get the beast even more. However, it is not enough as the cerberus just regenerates.

  We need to take it out in one shot otherwise it will just heal again.

  Maka. I feel funny. Lemon says worriedly. Something is happening.

  What is it?

  I do not know. It feels like something is calling to me, it's trying to get into our bond.

  Well, try to refuse it.

  I am trying. But I don't think I can stop it, it is extremely powerful. It reminds me of the time when you called on my ability.

  That's not good. The last time I used that ability I was knocked unconscious for several hours and I lost my arm. Well, if you can't resist it, then just let it in.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Okay then, you're to blame if we destroy reality.

  I immediately regret my idea as I feel an immense weight fill my mind. It is strong.

  Mortal. Your resolve has been seen, your desire has been heard. Most of all, you have proven yourself worthy of taking upon this challenge. Do you accept this burden?

  I mull over what the voice says. I have no fucking clue what its talking about. But it seems similar to the voice that I spoke to when I first activated the exchange ability. My best guess is that it is the nature of space, Vixelos. Disregarding the thing where I am just casually talking to a part of reality, I have no clue what burden it speaks of.

  But, if I know anything of magic it is one thing.

  Power comes at a price.

  So, the theory would say that this ‘burden’ will come with a reward of some sort. Assuming I survive whatever the challenge is. The moment I make my decision, an incantation flows into my mind.

  “Nature Vixelos, I accept your challenge and shall take upon the burden of all that which is. Humble me with your gift.”

  Very well, mortal. Your plea has been heard, and so it shall be answered. Rise, Challenger of Space.

  My body fills with energy. Not aether, not mana. Something different, something more fundamental. I can feel it rush through me, it takes its time as it seems to survey me for something.

  My body erupts into pain. I scream.

  A few seconds-minutes-years pass. I can't tell.

  Then, the pain stops and my vision fills with several messages.

  [Special Skill Gained: Causal Inquiry]

  [Causal Inquiry]: You have begun to ask questions about reality, and the nature of fate again. Progression in this field of study can unlock untold power. But, the strings of fate are not something so easily toyed with.

  To evolve this skill you and your dragon must reach level 1000 and you must complete one challenge assigned by a Nature.

  [Title Gained: Challenger of Space]

  {Challenger of Space}: You have been personally selected by Nature Vixelos to set out on the pathway of space itself. To travel this pathway is to suffer. But also to gain. To gain that which desire is, at the cost of all. Should you complete this challenge, you shall be named Champion and given the title Weaver of Space.

  Stage 1: [Dimensional Shift]: You have been granted limited ability to temporarily shift between reality and the place known as the void. However, use of this power will come at a severe cost. Use it wisely.

  Stage 2: Reach Rank 2 In both of your paths and observe a piece of missing space to unlock.

  Stage 3: ???

  Note: It is wise to avoid sharing the finer details of your titles and special skills.

  My brain aches as I read over the new information. What in the fuck did I just sign onto? Also, what the fuck is a Unique skill? Or a Title. I have never heard any mention of such things.

  I return to the present and I remember where I am.

  In the middle of a fight.

  Liv is still absorbing the attacks of the cerberus, Moxie and Stephen supporting her. However, one of the heads is trying to bite at me. But, get this, the one standing between me and its maw is none other than Violet.

  I stand up on my feet and walk in front of Violet just as she bats away another attack. Mustering the most badassery I can – which is still nothing compared to hers – I speak. “Ya’ll leave this one to me.” How am I going to do that? I've got no clue, but these are things that you kinda figure out on the way.

  I feel around for a few moments and then I find it, the [Dimensional Shift] skill. It feels dangerous when my mind brushes up against it. So naturally, I grab it and pull.

  My perception of reality shifts. The world desaturates. It is the exact same as that time when I did whatever I did with that energy around Violet. I look around and I can see the entire room, it seems to be frozen in time. No, not frozen, but moving extremely slowly.

  I watch every muscle in Liv’s body move as she intercepts and redirects one of the cerberus’s claws. It is cool, like it is all playing out in super slow motion.

  But, I can feel the cost. Something inside me, my soul if I had to guess, is draining. This must be the ‘cost’ or atleast, I hope it is.

  “Indeed, mortal.” A voice says to my side. I turn and my jaw drops. It is a boy, but so very clearly not a boy. He can't be more than 100cm tall, but he has long blue hair that goes all the way down to his knees. He has no eyes, instead there seems to be a pure energy blazing in his eyesockets.

  There is a presence around him, power. Not a small amount either, a lot of it. He walks closer to me and looks at me. “Quite an interesting mortal you are. There hasn't been a new one of your kind for a fair while indeed. And to think, there are two of you in such a short period. Maybe that schemer is up to things once again.” He glances over at Violet, who looks cute even in slowed down time.

  Two of us? He must be talking about Violet. Perhaps this has something to do with us being dragonkin. “Schemer? Wait, what the fuck am I, what is this place, who are you?”

  “Who am I?" the mortal asks.” He laughs. “I am Vixelos of course, I forget the terms you folk use to describe us. As for what this place is… it is known as the void. My domain. Some have taken to calling it a place between places, but it is also every place in a way.”

  “So uh, what the fuck am I here for?” I ask, my jaw still hangs open in utter bewilderment.

  Vixelos laughs. “Well, I presume you desire to slay that monster over there. Thus you have called upon my power. I thank you, it has been a while since I have been nourished. You and others have made quite delicious treats as of late.” He licks his lips, which sends shivers down my spine. “My power is at your disposal while you are here, up to the limit of what you are willing to give of course.”

  I am not sure that I fully understand what this guy is saying. But it seems like I have gotten access to a great power. “Well then, could you use some of that power to kill that monster over there?” I point to the cerberus.

  “As you wish.” Vixelos disappears and then reappears next to the cerberus and snaps his fingers. I feel a ripple go through reality, and then he teleports back next to me. “It is done.”

  Surely enough, I slowly watch as the cerberus starts to disintegrate. Whatever Vixelos did to the thing, it is quite thoroughly dead. “Uhm, thank you?”

  “Ha, it is I that should be thanking you for the meal. I do expect that we will meet again someday, you are quite an interesting one, mortal.”

  I am snapped back to reality and time resumes its normal flow. I collapse onto the ground, limp. Sounds rush around me and I think someone shouts my name. The last thing I see before passing out is a bunch of system messages.

  [Rift Cleared]

  [Time Until Destabilization: 16 hours]

  [All Objectives Completed: Hive Completed]

  [Rewards Have Been Dispersed]

  [Scout has leveled up! Lvl 90 -> Lvl 124]

  [Mage has leveled up! Lvl 78 -> Lvl 112]

  [Average Level is now 118]

  [Gained 72 Unallocated Stat Points]

  [Fire Resistance has leveled up! Lvl 1 -> Lvl 4]

  [Lemon has leveled up! Lvl 42 -> Lvl 98]

  [2 New Skill Choices Pending]

  Next Chapter: Those Are Some Nice Badges

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