Arthev stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the floating crystal. "This is what shaped Skyhaven," he murmured. "Its veins, its stones, its forges."
He reached out, his fingertips grazing the artifact's cool surface. A soft pulse traveled up his arm, a sensation of recognition that was neither wild nor chaotic. It was precision itself, a controlled nexus of ancient design. This was not raw power; it was a foundation.
He stood in silence for a long moment, absorbing the truth of it.
Then his eyes narrowed. "The Soul Stones," he whispered.
Shukaku stirred within him. "What about them?"
Arthev did not look away from the crystal. "Do you recall the city's equipment? The talismans for communication and projection?"
"I remember," Shukaku replied, his thoughts like the slow curl of a tail. "Strange devices. I could not decide if I wanted to break them or study them. They were not normal tech."
"Precisely," Arthev said. "That has troubled me since the beginning. Such devices should not exist, not in this era. The soul technology they used was not fueled by natural energy."
He gestured with his chin toward the crystal. "I believe this artifact is the source. It is the heart of Skyhaven's entire technological evolution."
Shukaku grunted, a deep sound in his chest. "I am listening. Explain."
Arthev's mind raced, his words finding a steady rhythm. "Over the past days, I studied the spirit stones for which Skyhaven is renowned. They are not like fairy plants. They are filled with soul power, yes, but it is refined to a frequency usable only by machines and tools, not for cultivation."
He paused, letting the implication land. "That is why the stones offer no benefit to a soul master's rank. They cannot harmonize with our life energy. Their very origin is mechanical, engineered."
"You are saying those rocks are linked to this thing?" Shukaku asked, skepticism giving way to curiosity.
"I am saying they were born of it," Arthev replied. "This artifact's influence must have reshaped the surrounding leylines over millennia, altering how raw soul power crystallizes underground. Within its domain, it created spirit stones for a single purpose: to fuel technology."
Shukaku was quiet for a moment. "That would explain why the stones are so rare outside the city," he said slowly. "And why they are useless far from here. They cannot function without their source."
"Exactly," Arthev said with a nod. "Removing the artifact will not undo the change, only weaken it over time. The land has absorbed this modified energy for generations. The change is permanent. The forges will still burn, though not as hot."
"So, taking the root does not instantly kill the tree?" Shukaku summarized, his tone thoughtful.
"Not instantly," Arthev agreed, his eyes gleaming with the insight. "Its resonant signature is embedded too deeply. The ecosystem it created has its own momentum. The energy will perish for centuries through stone and soil. It will fade, but Skyhaven will endure."
Shukaku let out a dry huff, a sound like a chuckle. "Good. I would hate to be the one who brought a city down just for a glowing trinket." He paused. " But carrying that thing forever is going to be a burden. You are not planning to drag around it in a sack like a common merchant, are you?"
A samll smile touched Arthev's lips. "There is no need for that."
He lifted a hand and touched the simple pendant at his chest. It warmed with a soft, golden light. In response, the floating crystal wavered, dissolved into a stream of shimmering particles, and flowed into the pendant. The light pulsed once, then faded, leaving the chamber in shadow.
"The pendant was made to contain it," Arthev said. "That's likely why it responded to my touch. Its built-in storage keeps the artifact secure."
Shukaku laughed. "Convenient! Very well, the loot is secured. What is our next move? Do you plan to collapse here, or shall we find a more suitable place for you to nap?"
Instead of answering, Arthev moved to the side of the shattered pedestal and sat down, crossing his legs and settling his hands calmly on his knees.
"Neither. There is one more matter," he said, his voice growing quiet.
The extreme pressure of the battle had forced his body to its absolute limits. He had been stalled at Level 19, a bottleneck enforced by caution and circumstance. But now, after the fight, after the fusion with Shukaku, after surviving the unleashed power of a Level 94 guardian beast, that barrier had shattered.
He could feel it: soul power moving through his veins not like a torrent, but like a deep, inevitable tide. A gentle, steady light began to emanate from his seated form.
"The breakthrough," he whispered, closing his eyes. "It is inevitable now. Level 20."
Shukaku's presence grew still and focused. "Then take it. The battlefield is quiet. The tomb is silent. Let it rise."
And so, Arthev did.
To be continued...