Ark 2 chapter 8 "Echoes of the Lost"
Retro's body still ached, but the dull pain in his muscles was no longer overwhelming. He lay still, his mind racing with unanswered questions.
Cleo sat beside him, quietly tending to his injuries, her gentle but practiced hands working with care. She hadn't said much since she introduced herself.
Retro, however, was done with waiting.
"Alright, Cleo." His voice was stronger now, but still laced with exhaustion. "You've patched me up, kept me from dying—appreciate that, really—but now it's time for some answers."
Cleo raised a brow, but she didn't stop working.
"You're surprisingly impatient for someone who just cheated death," she replied, dipping the cloth into a bowl of cool water before pressing it lightly against his forehead.
Retro exhaled sharply, irritated but not ungrateful.
"I don't have time to rest," he muttered. "Lilly, Lea, the others—they're out there somewhere, and I need to find them."
Cleo's hands paused for just a second, but it was enough for Retro to notice.
She knows something.
His eyes narrowed. "Cleo... What do you know?"
She sighed, placing the cloth aside before folding her hands in her lap. "Before I answer that, let me ask you something first."
Retro exhaled through his nose, his patience wearing thin. "Fine. Ask away."
Cleo studied him for a moment before speaking.
"What do you know about Rockbound Island?"
Retro shifted slightly, his mind piecing together what he already knew.
"Enough to know it's caught in a time loop."
Cleo nodded. "That much is true."
"Lea's parents are trapped in it. They've been trying to break free but don't have the power to do so."
Cleo's expression softened. "Lea... She made it off the island?"
Retro blinked. "You know her?"
Cleo looked away for a moment, a shadow crossing her face. "Yes. But this makes things more complicated."
Retro sat up slightly, ignoring the soreness in his limbs. "Explain."
Cleo hesitated, but then she took a breath. "Rockbound isn't just looping in time... It's anchored in time. Something, or someone, is making sure the loop never breaks."
Retro's jaw tightened. "And you think I have something to do with that?"
Cleo met his gaze, her golden eyes unreadable.
"No. But you might be the only one who can change it."
Retro let her words sink in, his mind turning over every possible implication.
If this island was being anchored in time, that meant something—or someone—was controlling it.
And if he was the key to stopping it...
That meant he was going to have to face something he wasn't prepared for.
"Fine," Retro said finally, "I'll play along for now. But first—I need to know where Lilly and Lea are."
Cleo nodded. "I can help you with that. But you need to regain your strength first. The storm that brought you here wasn't normal—it was designed to scatter you all."
Retro gritted his teeth. "So someone was expecting us?"
Cleo's expression darkened. "Yes."
Retro let out a slow breath, his mind sharper than before.
This wasn't just a matter of escaping Rockbound anymore. Something was waiting for them. And whatever it was, it wasn't going to let them leave easily.
"Alright, Cleo," Retro muttered, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "Then let's get started."
Cleo watched him carefully. "No reckless moves. If you push yourself too soon, you'll only make things worse."
Retro smirked, despite the weight of everything. "Reckless is kind of my thing."
Cleo sighed, but there was a small, knowing smile on her lips. "I figured."
As Retro stood, he felt it again—the faint stir of his magic, still weak but growing stronger.
He had a feeling he was going to need every bit of it soon.
Because Rockbound Island wasn't going to let them leave without a fight.
Retro's legs felt weak, but he forced himself to stand. Every muscle protested, but the moment he planted his feet, he knew he wasn't going to collapse again.
Cleo watched him carefully, arms crossed, but she didn't stop him this time.
"You're stubborn."
Retro smirked, adjusting his jacket. "I get that a lot."
She sighed, shaking her head. "Come with me. You'll need food and more answers than I can give you in just one conversation."
He nodded, and together they stepped out of the small wooden shelter he had woken up in.
The moment Retro stepped outside, a strange sensation washed over him.
The air was thick, heavier than it should have been. It wasn't just the humidity—it was something unnatural, something pressing down on his very existence.
His eyes flicked to the sky.
The cut in the sky still loomed above.
But now that he was outside, he could see something else—the way the clouds moved unnaturally, swirling in a slow, rhythmic pattern, as if being pulled by some unseen force.
The trees around him were tall and twisted, their branches gnarled and almost too still, as if they weren't swayed by the wind at all.
The ocean that surrounded the island was... quiet.
Too quiet.
No waves.
No crashing water.
Just an eerie stillness.
His instincts screamed at him—this wasn't just an ordinary island. Something was watching.
Cleo led him through the dense forest, their footsteps muffled by the soft earth.
Retro kept his guard up, every fiber of his being on edge. Something was off, and he could feel it.
"How long have you been here?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Cleo walked ahead of him, her golden eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Long enough."
Retro frowned. "Not an answer."
She glanced at him. "And yet, it's all you're getting for now."
He scoffed. "Great. You and Lilly would get along."
Cleo smirked slightly, but she didn't say anything else.
After a few more minutes of walking, the trees thinned out, revealing a small village nestled between the forest and the shore.
It was quiet, but not abandoned.
Retro could see figures moving between the huts, carrying supplies, preparing meals, repairing what looked like makeshift defenses.
But something was wrong.
The people here—they all looked... disconnected.
Their eyes were dull, their expressions hollow, as if they were going through the motions of life without really being alive.
Retro exhaled sharply. "This place is cursed, isn't it?"
Cleo finally stopped walking. She turned to face him, her expression unreadable.
"Not just cursed," she said quietly. "It's trapped."
Cleo led him to a small hut, where a simple wooden table was set with freshly prepared food—bread, dried fish, and a bowl of something that smelled like herbs and broth.
Retro wasn't going to argue. His body needed the fuel.
As he sat down and started eating, Cleo leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"This island is caught in a semi-time loop," she began. "Not everything resets, but certain things do. The people here... they've been trapped for so long, they've started to forget what time even is."
Retro swallowed his food and frowned. "And you?"
Cleo hesitated. "I remember. So does my husband."
Retro raised a brow. "Your husband?"
Before Cleo could answer, the door creaked open.
A man walked in, tall and broad, with messy dark hair, feline-like golden eyes, and faint leopard-like spots running along his arms.
His movements were sharp, confident—but his eyes held exhaustion, the weight of years of struggle.
Cleo turned to him. "Lex, he's awake."
The man—Lex—locked eyes with Retro, studying him carefully.
Then, with an amused smirk, he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe.
"So," Lex said, "you're the guy causing all the trouble."
Retro stared at Lex, sizing him up. There was something... different about this guy.
Then it hit him.
Something about Lex's presence—the way he carried himself, the way his aura felt slightly disconnected from this timeline—
He wasn't just anyone.
Retro's eyes narrowed. "You're not from here, are you?"
Lex smirked. "You catch on quick."
Cleo sighed. "Lex, don't mess with him. He's still recovering."
Lex chuckled, but his gaze never left Retro. "Fine, fine."
Then he stepped forward and, in a more serious tone, said:
"The name's Lex. I came from the future. And I think you and I? We've got a lot to talk about."
Retro stared at his hand, his breathing shallow as the glowing magic circle flickered to life against his skin.
The symbolic etchings spun in slow, deliberate motion, pulsing with an unnatural warmth. It wasn't fire, it wasn't lightning—it was something else entirely.
His body reacted instinctively. Without thinking, he pressed his palm against his chest, and almost immediately, the pain began to fade.
A soft glow spread over his body, easing the soreness in his muscles, the lingering damage from the Leviathan battle dulling into nothingness.
Cleo's sharp intake of breath broke the silence.
Lex, who had been leaning against the doorframe casually moments ago, suddenly stood straighter, his golden eyes locked onto the glowing mark.
"The hell?" Lex muttered.
Cleo took a cautious step forward, her golden eyes wide with shock. "That magic... that's healing magic."
Retro furrowed his brows. "Yeah? And?"
Cleo's hands clenched into fists. "Healing magic... shouldn't exist."
Retro blinked, looking down at his hand again. The magic was already starting to fade, the warmth retreating from his skin like an ebbing tide.
"...Shouldn't exist?"
Lex crossed his arms, his usual laid-back demeanor gone. "That magic was banned a long time ago. Not because it was weak, but because it was too powerful."
Cleo nodded, her voice urgent. "No one remembers how to use it. It was completely erased from history. And yet..." She swallowed, staring at him like he was something impossible. "You just did it effortlessly."
Retro clicked his tongue. "Great. Another thing about me that's 'not normal'."
Lex scoffed, his sharp feline-like gaze watching him carefully. "You don't get it, do you?"
Retro raised a brow. "Enlighten me, then."
Lex exhaled, stepping forward. "Healing magic isn't just some lost art. It was erased for a reason. That kind of power? It doesn't come from just anyone."
Retro felt a cold chill run down his spine. The way Lex was looking at him... like he knew something that Retro didn't.
Cleo's voice was softer, but no less serious. "Where did you learn this magic, Retro?"
Retro hesitated. "...I didn't."
Lex and Cleo exchanged glances, something unspoken passing between them.
Retro felt his frustration rise. "Look, I don't know what's happening, but I'm getting real tired of people looking at me like I'm some mystery they can't solve."
Lex smirked, but there was something calculating in his expression. "Then maybe you should start asking yourself the right questions."
Retro narrowed his eyes. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Lex leaned in slightly, his tone lower, heavier.
"It means that whoever you think you are, Retro... you might not be."
Retro's fingers curled into fists, his jaw tightening.
Something deep inside him twisted, like a memory just out of reach—something buried.
For the first time in a long time, he felt truly unsettled.
And for once, he didn't have an answer.
The moment Retro's mind was struck by the memory, his entire body stiffened, his vision flashing violently as something deep, something buried, resurfaced.
A painful weight settled in his chest, not physical, but something worse—a presence, a truth clawing its way to the surface.
Then, his aura exploded.
The air around him warped, twisting with pure, unfiltered fury. The very atmosphere crackled, distorting the space itself, making the walls groan, the flickering lanterns dim as if the very light feared his presence.
Cleo took a step back.
Lex froze.
A faint bead of sweat formed on Lex's forehead as he stared at Retro, his smirk gone, replaced with something dangerously close to alarm.
Retro lifted his head, his piercing green-and-yellow eyes locking onto Lex like a predator watching its prey.
His voice was low, sharp, and venomous.
"You know, I'm really getting sick and tired of all this bullshit."
The room vibrated, the weight of his aura pressing down on everything.
"Just give me a more suitable answer," Retro growled, his fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to move—to destroy something, to unleash something he wasn't sure he could control.
Then, he took a step forward, and the entire hut creaked under the force of his energy.
Lex stepped back.
A feline-like instinct flickered in his eyes—caution, a recognition that whatever Retro was... it was dangerous.
"Do I make myself clear, oh Mister Lex?"
The temperature in the room dropped, the once subtle pressure now suffocating.
Cleo gritted her teeth, pushing against the force of his aura.
"Retro—stop."
Her voice was sharp, cutting through the weight of his rage like a blade to a storm.
Retro's breathing was uneven, his emotions warring inside him. The memory, the unshakable feeling of being watched, the way Lex looked at him like he was something else entirely.
His knuckles turned white, but his mind forced itself to settle—not because he wasn't angry.
But because something deep inside him whispered:
"If you push too far... you might not come back."
With a final exhale, his aura retracted, the warping energy around him settling—but not vanishing.
Lex exhaled quietly, rubbing the back of his neck, but his gaze never left Retro.
Then, after a moment of silence, Lex grinned.
"...Heh. Yeah. You make yourself real damn clear."
But beneath that smirk...
There was something else.
Something like recognition.
Something like fear.
The air in the hut was thick with tension, the weight of Retro's aura still lingering like the aftermath of a storm.
Lex, despite his smirk, was still watching Retro carefully, like someone eyeing a loaded weapon with a broken safety.
Cleo, standing rigid, finally broke the silence.
"Lex." Her voice was sharp, a warning. "Enough with the cryptic games. Just tell him."
Lex's smirk faded slightly. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."
He turned his gaze back to Retro, who was still staring him down, his muscles tense, his mind still reeling from whatever memory had just hit him.
Lex exhaled, his golden eyes unreadable.
"Fine. You want a real answer? Then listen close."
He crossed his arms, his expression grim.
"Your magic—your existence—isn't normal. And I don't mean that in the 'you're just powerful' kind of way. I mean it in the you-shouldn't-exist kind of way."
Retro's jaw tightened. "The hell does that mean?"
Lex's smirk was gone entirely now, replaced with something cold and calculating.
"It means that whatever you are, whoever you were before you lost your memories—"
He leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes locking onto Retro's like a predator staring at another predator.
"—you were never supposed to survive."
The words hit like a hammer.
Retro felt something inside him shift, something that didn't feel right.
Cleo spoke next, her voice gentler, but just as serious.
"Retro... when I saw you use that healing magic, it confirmed something I've suspected for a long time."
Retro exhaled sharply, trying to push past the twisting feeling in his gut. "And what's that?"
Cleo hesitated, then finally said it.
"You aren't just powerful."
"You aren't just an anomaly."
Her golden eyes locked onto his, unshaken.
"Retro... you were created."
The words rang in his head, but they didn't make sense.
Retro let out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Created? What the hell does that even mean? You think I was built like some kind of experiment?"
Lex tilted his head slightly, his expression almost pitying. "Not built. But something close."
Retro shook his head, trying to piece it together.
"No. That doesn't add up. I have memories—I have a past."
Cleo nodded slowly, but her gaze remained firm.
"Fragments. You have pieces. But tell me, Retro... do you actually remember where you came from?"
His stomach twisted.
His mind reached—but all it found were gaps.
There was no home, no childhood, no real starting point—just memories of battles, of pain, of power.
And then, there were the lost memories—the ones buried so deep that every time he got close, it felt like something was pushing back.
His hand curled into a fist.
Lex leaned against the doorway, his expression unreadable. "I've been to the future, Retro. And even there, no one knows where you came from. Only that you're not supposed to be here."
Retro's pulse pounded in his ears.
He could feel something inside him shift, something trying to surface—but before he could grasp it—
A voice, not from anyone in the room, but from deep in his mind, whispered:
"You are a mistake."
Retro stiffened, his breath hitching.
The voice was familiar, but wrong—like it had always been there, but he had never been able to hear it before.
Lex and Cleo didn't notice his reaction—at least, not yet.
Lex simply sighed. "I don't have all the answers, Retro. But I do know one thing."
He turned, glancing toward the cut in the sky outside before looking back at Retro.
"Whatever's watching you? It doesn't want you to figure out the truth."
Retro exhaled slowly, pushing back the rage, the confusion, the creeping feeling that something had always been missing.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"Then I guess it's time to start figuring it out."
The air around them felt wrong.
Time had shifted, but this was different.
Cleo and Lex stepped back, their instincts screaming that something unnatural was happening.
Retro, however, didn't move.
He stood at the threshold of the distorted world, his eyes locked on the figure before him.
Gaia.
The very essence of the world, standing there, staring at him—silent.
For a moment, no one spoke.
No wind.
No sound.
Only the weight of her gaze upon him.
Retro felt something coil inside him, an instinctive urge to move, to fight, to lash out—
But he didn't.
Instead, he simply watched her, waiting.
His fingers twitched slightly, the lingering remnants of the magic he used earlier still pulsing faintly beneath his skin.
Lex, still keeping his distance, muttered under his breath. "This isn't right."
Cleo barely breathed, her golden eyes darting between Retro and Gaia, trying to understand what was happening.
And then, finally—
Gaia took a single step forward.
The world shuddered.
The pressure in the air intensified, like reality itself was trying to decide what came next.
Retro remained still.
For the first time in his life—he chose not to act.
And in that silence, Gaia finally spoke.
"Do you truly want the truth?"
Her voice wasn't loud. It didn't need to be.
It echoed inside him, reverberating in his very soul.
Retro's jaw tightened, but he didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Gaia studied him for a long moment, her gaze unreadable.
Then she exhaled softly.
"Then be prepared, Retro."
The sky cracked above them, and the world began to change once more.
The weight of her presence lingered, even as time itself fought to return to normal.
Gaia's golden eyes bore into Retro, not with hostility, but with something far heavier—something like regret.
"I cannot interfere in this world for very long," she said softly, stepping closer. "Phantom may find out."
At the mention of Phantom, Retro's jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides.
"Then why are you here?" he asked, his voice low.
Gaia reached out, her fingertips barely brushing against his cheek, her expression unreadable.
"At the top of the mountain," she whispered, "there is a relic. It holds something of value to you."
Retro's eyes narrowed, his mind racing.
A relic?
Gaia's touch lingered for a moment, her hands resting gently on his face.
And that was when he saw it—the sadness in her eyes, raw and unguarded.
It wasn't just concern for him.
It was something deeper.
Something unspoken.
Before he could say anything—before he could question her further—
Her form began to fade, dissolving into golden light, her presence slipping away like sand through his fingers.
As the world around them shifted back to normal, her final words echoed in his mind.
"Find it, Retro. Before it's too late."
And then—
She was gone.
Time resumed. The air felt lighter, but the weight of her message remained.
Retro exhaled, looking up toward the distant peak of the mountain.
He had another path before him now.
And for once—
He didn't know if he was ready for what he would find.
The air around Retro was still heavy, even though time had seemingly returned to normal. The world continued as it had before—Cleo and Lex were still in the room, the village still stood outside, and yet... everything felt different.
Retro stood motionless, staring at the spot where Gaia had just vanished.
Her words echoed in his mind.
"At the top of the mountain... there is a relic. It holds something of value to you."
His fingers twitched, his instincts screaming that whatever was at the mountain's peak wasn't just an ordinary relic.
It was something more.
Something that could change everything.
Cleo and Lex had seen it too—the way time bent, the way Gaia appeared and disappeared as if she were never supposed to be here in the first place.
The silence in the room was palpable.
Lex was the first to speak, his voice low, careful. "...That wasn't an illusion."
Cleo nodded slowly. "That was the real Gaia."
Retro exhaled sharply, his hands still trembling slightly, though he wouldn't admit it. "No shit."
Lex frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "A relic at the top of the mountain, huh? What do you think it is?"
Retro shook his head. "No clue. But if Gaia went out of her way to tell me, then it's something important."
Cleo's expression was serious, her golden eyes analyzing every detail. "And if Phantom finds out that Gaia interfered... he may try to stop you."
Retro clenched his fists. "Let him try."
The room was tense, the weight of the unknown bearing down on them all.
Then, Lex smirked slightly, breaking the tension just enough.
"Well then," he said, "looks like we're climbing a mountain."
After the reality-shifting encounter with Gaia, Retro, Lex, and Cleo wasted no time gathering supplies for the climb.
The mountain ahead wasn't just any ordinary peak. Even from the village, its jagged, ice-covered ridges loomed like the fangs of a great beast, disappearing into the stormy clouds above.
The air was already thin, the temperature rapidly dropping even at the base.
Cleo, knowing the dangers ahead, quickly gathered what she could from the village's supply stock.
Inside the village's storage hut, they found a limited supply of gear—this place wasn't meant for exploration, let alone a journey up a cursed mountain.
Climbing Gear & Survival Essentials:
✔ Heavy wool cloaks – for warmth, though they were worn and patched.
✔ Leather gloves & boots – reinforced for traction on icy surfaces.
✔ Coiled climbing ropes – sturdy, but old.
✔ Iron pitons – for securing themselves against the steep cliffs.
✔ Dried rations & water skins – limited, but enough for at least a couple of days.
✔ Healing herbs – nothing magical, but could at least treat minor wounds.
Cleo packed medicinal wraps and a few handmade potions from the village alchemist. "They won't heal instantly, but they'll keep you alive if you fall," she warned.
Lex inspected the rope and climbing spikes. "This stuff is old, but it'll do."
Retro barely glanced at the supplies. His mind was elsewhere—his eyes locked onto the mountain above.
Even though this was meant to be a climb, Retro knew better than to assume they wouldn't have to fight something along the way.
✔ Retro's gear:
His combat jacket, now layered with a fur-lined cloak for warmth.
His fists – with magic returning, his body was still his best weapon.
A dagger strapped to his side – not much, but better than nothing.
✔ Lex's weapons:
A curved hunting blade – well-maintained, designed for swift combat.
A small crossbow – though with limited bolts.
His raw strength & agility – enhanced by his feline instincts.
✔ Cleo's gear:
A short sword, though she wasn't a frontline fighter.
A satchel of potions & herbs – her true strength was in survival.
Magic scrolls – ones she had been saving for emergencies.
As they finished their preparations, Lex stretched his arms, eyeing Retro. "You're being quiet. Thinking about Gaia's warning?"
Retro exhaled, adjusting the rope around his shoulders. "Thinking about why she looked sad."
Cleo paused at that, glancing at him. "You think she's hiding something?"
Retro nodded once. "Yeah. And whatever it is... I have a feeling it's not going to be good."
Lex let out a low whistle. "Then I guess we better get moving before we regret this."
Cleo looked up toward the towering mountain and tightened her grip on her satchel. "We already might."
With their gear secured, they headed toward the base of the mountain, the first harsh winds whipping against them as they took their first steps into the unknown.
The ascent had begun.
The Journey Up - Battling the Elements
As Retro, Lex, and Cleo took their first steps into the treacherous ascent, the once solid ground of the village gave way to uneven terrain, the dirt path becoming rockier and more unstable.
The air grew colder with each step, the crisp chill biting into their exposed skin despite the heavy cloaks.
The first leg of the climb wasn't immediately difficult, but it was deceptively dangerous.
✔ The ground was unstable, loose gravel shifting beneath their boots.
✔ Jagged cliff faces lined the sides, making it easy to slip if they weren't careful.
✔ The wind howled, picking up in intensity the further they moved.
Cleo paused near a large boulder, adjusting the strap on her satchel. "If the wind gets any worse, we might need to anchor ourselves with the ropes sooner than expected."
Lex tested his footing on a patch of ice-covered stone, his golden eyes narrowing. "The ground's already frozen in some parts... this mountain's not gonna let us have an easy time."
Retro, walking slightly ahead, stopped suddenly.
He could feel something.
Something watching.
He turned his head slightly, his instincts on high alert, but there was nothing there—just the swirling snowflakes and jagged stone ridges surrounding them.
But the feeling didn't go away.
His gut told him this mountain was not just a climb—it was a test.
After two hours of climbing, the path had fully transitioned from uneven dirt and rock to frozen cliffs and narrow ridges.
✔ Their breaths came out in visible puffs, the air growing thinner.
✔ Every step was a risk, the ice beneath them threatening to crack at any moment.
✔ Visibility worsened, a thick layer of mist rolling down from the higher peaks, making it hard to see more than twenty feet ahead.
Cleo tightened the rope around her waist, securing it to her belt. "Alright, we need to stay tethered to each other. One wrong step here, and someone's going to be sliding down the mountain."
Lex gave a cocky grin. "You mean if someone messes up."
Cleo shot him a glare. "I swear, if you joke about falling to your death, I'll push you off myself."
Lex laughed, but as he took a step forward, his foot slipped slightly, sending a few small chunks of ice tumbling down the edge.
The laughter stopped immediately.
"...Okay, yeah. That was close."
Retro, still leading the group, tested the next ridge carefully, his sharp senses guiding him. "Less talking, more moving."
As they neared a narrow ice bridge, the world around them went eerily silent.
The howling wind died down for just a moment.
Then—
A deep, rumbling sound echoed from the mountain's depths.
A noise so low and guttural, it shook the ice beneath their feet.
Cleo froze, her grip on her sword tightening. "...That wasn't the wind."
Lex, his ears twitching slightly, lowered his stance instinctively. "Nope. That was something big."
Retro's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping across the white, snowy mist ahead.
Then he saw it—
A shadow moving in the fog, massive, its form obscured by the mist, but its presence unmistakable.
A guardian of the mountain.
And it had just noticed them.
Without hesitation, Retro unclipped his rope from his belt, tossing it to Cleo. "Secure yourselves—I don't know what that is, but it's not letting us pass without a fight."
Lex pulled out his hunting blade, his golden eyes flashing with adrenaline. "Well, guess I'm getting that fight after all."
Cleo, still gripping the rope, gritted her teeth. "You two are insane!"
Retro smirked, stepping onto the narrow ice bridge, the snow swirling around him.
"Yeah?" He rolled his shoulders, his fingers twitching as he called forth the power within him. "Then let's give this thing a reason to be afraid."
The swirling mist thickened, the cold biting into their exposed skin.
Then—
A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the mountain pass, shaking the ice beneath them.
Retro, Lex, and Cleo stood frozen as the shadow in the mist moved, its form growing larger and larger, until the fog finally thinned just enough to reveal its shape.
A dragon.
Not just any dragon—a creature sculpted from the very ice and snow of the mountain itself.
Its massive body stretched across the frozen pass, its icy-blue scales shimmering in the pale light, jagged like shards of crystal. Its wings, partially folded, looked like they were made of solid ice, while its serpentine tail lashed out behind it, cracking the ice below.
Its eyes, glowing a haunting pale blue, locked onto them.
A beast of ancient power. A guardian of the peak.
The Ice Dragon had awoken.
The dragon reared back, taking a deep breath.
Retro's instincts screamed.
"MOVE!" he roared, leaping to the side just as the dragon exhaled a torrent of ice.
A devastating blizzard shot forth, encasing the very spot where they had just stood in a thick layer of frozen spikes.
Lex, reacting purely on instinct, grabbed Cleo and pulled her out of the blast zone, just in time to avoid being turned into an ice statue.
Cleo gasped, her breath visible in the freezing air. "That thing can freeze us solid in seconds!"
Retro gritted his teeth, flexing his fingers. "Then we don't give it the chance."
Lex smirked, drawing his blade. "Finally, some fun."
The dragon lowered its head, watching them, waiting.
It wasn't just a wild beast—it was intelligent, studying their movements.
Retro wasn't about to give it that chance.
With explosive speed, he lunged forward, dashing across the icy surface, boots skidding slightly as he twisted his body—
Aiming a devastating punch straight for the dragon's skull.
But before he could land the hit—
The dragon moved.
Faster than he expected, it twisted its head, and instead of taking the impact, it swung its massive tail around, slamming it into Retro's side.
The force was enough to send him flying, his body smashing through an icy pillar before skidding to a stop against a rock wall.
Retro coughed, shaking the frost from his face. "Alright. That hurt."
Lex took the opening, dashing along the dragon's side, his blade glowing faintly with a magic-infused edge.
With a well-placed strike, he slashed at its leg, aiming for the joint where the scales were thinner.
His blade hit home, a crack forming in the ice—
But instead of blood, jagged icicles shot outward, forcing Lex to leap back to avoid getting impaled.
"It doesn't bleed," Lex muttered, landing next to Retro.
Retro wiped his lip, a bit of frost still clinging to his skin. "Great. So we're fighting a walking iceberg with teeth."
Cleo, keeping her distance, pulled a scroll from her satchel, her eyes scanning for a weakness.
"If it's made of ice, then fire should work, right?" she called out.
Lex nodded. "Yeah, well, we don't have much fire magic here, do we?"
Retro smirked. "We don't. But I've got something better."
He cracked his knuckles, his aura surging as he lifted his hand to the sky.
Electricity crackled at his fingertips.
"Let's see how well it handles lightning."
The dragon sensed the shift.
Its icy-blue eyes narrowed, its instincts warning it that something far more dangerous was coming.
Retro took a steadying breath, his mind tuning out everything else—Lex, Cleo, the freezing air—everything but the dragon.
Then, with a single motion, he brought his hand down.
"Storm Fang."
A massive bolt of lightning erupted from the sky, striking the dragon square in the chest.
The impact shook the entire mountainside, the crackling energy coursing through the creature's icy form, turning parts of its body into steaming mist.
The dragon let out a thunderous roar, rearing back in pain as cracks began to form along its crystalline scales.
Lex whistled. "Okay. That did something."
Retro rolled his shoulders. "Yeah? Then let's finish this."
The dragon, wounded but not defeated, let out another bellowing roar, the storm around them growing stronger.
Shards of jagged ice shot out from its body, creating a blizzard of deadly projectiles.
Cleo reacted instantly, raising a barrier of wind magic, deflecting some of the shards but struggling to hold it.
"It's not going to last!" she shouted.
Retro knew they had one shot at this.
"Lex!"
Lex grinned, already moving, his feline-like reflexes allowing him to dart across the battlefield.
With a burst of speed, he leapt onto the dragon's back, using his hunting blade to dig into its weakened scales, climbing toward its head.
The dragon thrashed, trying to shake him off, but Retro was already in motion.
"Keep it steady!" he called.
Lex gritted his teeth, holding on. "Just do it already!"
Retro summoned everything he had left, electricity surging through his entire body.
Then—
With a final burst of speed, he launched himself toward the dragon's exposed core, fist coated in raw lightning.
"Lightning Fang—Final Strike!"
His punch connected.
The dragon's entire body convulsed, lightning ripping through its core, the cracks spreading like wildfire.
For a moment, it let out one last roar—
Before its body shattered.
The storm faded.
The blizzard settled, and the once towering Ice Dragon was no more—just shards of ice and mist drifting into the wind.
Retro landed roughly, exhaling as he stumbled slightly, catching himself.
Lex landed next to him, breathing heavily. "Not gonna lie. That was fun."
Cleo, stepping forward, shook her head. "You two are impossible."
Retro, still catching his breath, smirked slightly. "Yeah. But we're still alive."
They turned toward the path ahead.
The mountain was far from over.
But now, they knew what awaited them.
And Retro?
He was more ready than ever.
The battlefield was silent, save for the howling wind that passed through the jagged cliffs.
The remains of the Ice Dragon lay scattered across the mountainside, its crystalline scales slowly fading into mist, disappearing as though it had never existed.
But Retro wasn't done.
Ignoring the exhaustion in his limbs, he stepped forward, approaching what was left of the dragon's chest.
Lex and Cleo watched in silence, both still catching their breath from the battle.
Then-
Retro plunged his hand into the remains, cutting through layers of ice and hardened muscle, searching for something.
Lex narrowed his eyes, already understanding what was about to happen.
Cleo, however, stiffened, confusion flickering across her face. "Retro, what are you-"
Then he found it.
The heart of the Ice Dragon.
Still whole, still radiating power, pulsing faintly with the last remnants of the dragon's ancient energy.
Without hesitation-
Retro ripped it from the beast's chest.
The core of ice and frost pulsed in his grasp, its surface cracking slightly as it reacted to the heat of his touch.
Lex remained silent, his sharp golden eyes watching intently.
Cleo took a step forward, her voice filled with alarm. "Retro, stop. That thing is-"
Before she could finish-
Retro brought the dragon's heart to his mouth.
And he bit into it.
The moment the flesh hit his tongue, an icy burn tore through his body.
The raw magic within the heart surged through his veins, freezing and igniting him all at once.
His muscles locked, his pulse pounded violently, but he didn't stop.
He kept eating.
Each bite sent shockwaves through his system, his blood turning colder, his breath becoming visible in the air-
But the energy, the raw strength, the essence of the dragon itself, began fusing into him.
Lex remained composed, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Cleo, however, couldn't hide her shock.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" she snapped, eyes wide. "You're eating a dragon's heart! Do you even know what that could do to you?!"
Retro exhaled, frost escaping his lips as he finally swallowed the last piece.
His hands trembled, his aura flickering violently, as the power within the heart settled deep into his core.
Then, finally-
He turned to Cleo, his eyes glowing faintly, his voice steady.
"I know exactly what it'll do."
Lex, finally speaking, chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"You just keep proving me right, don't you?"
Cleo, still fuming, turned to him. "And you're just okay with this?!"
Lex shrugged. "It's not about being okay with it. It's about understanding why he did it."
Retro wiped the frost from his lips, rolling his shoulders as his body adjusted to the power shift.
Lex smirked. "It's an old warrior's practice. You kill something powerful? You take a piece of it with you. Not just as a trophy-but to become stronger."
Cleo's expression remained conflicted. "That's insane. You don't even know if his body can handle it!"
Retro stretched his fingers, watching as a faint shimmer of ice-blue energy flickered around his hand, the dragon's magic merging with his own.
"I can handle it," he said simply.
Lex grinned. "Guess we'll find out soon enough, won't we?"
Cleo exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "You two are absolute maniacs."
Retro smirked. "Yeah? Then I guess it's a good thing you're stuck with us."
Cleo groaned. "Don't remind me."
With the dragon slain and its heart now a part of Retro, the trio continued their climb.
The peak of the mountain awaited, and whatever relic Gaia had spoken of was still out there.
But one thing was certain-
Retro wasn't the same as before.
And whatever awaited them at the top?
He was ready.
The cold had changed.
Before, the wind was bitter and howling, the ice sharp against their skin.
Now?
The air was still.
Too still.
Retro, Lex, and Cleo continued their climb, the path ahead narrowing, jagged cliffs framing their route.
Every step forward felt heavier, as if the mountain itself was watching them now.
The power from the Ice Dragon's heart still pulsed through Retro's veins, his breath visibly cold, his senses sharper than ever.
As they moved higher, Cleo paused, her golden eyes scanning the terrain.
"Do you feel that?" she murmured.
Lex nodded slowly, his feline-like instincts on edge. "Yeah... the air's different."
Retro exhaled, watching as the mist from his breath lingered unnaturally, twisting in the air as if resisting the wind.
Then he noticed it.
The snow wasn't falling anymore.
It was suspended in the air, frozen in place, as though time itself was hesitating.
Retro narrowed his eyes. "Something's wrong."
As they reached the final ridge, the sky above them warped.
The cut in the sky—Gaia's wound—was closer than ever.
And beneath it?
A stone altar stood alone, embedded in the peak of the mountain.
A relic.
The one Gaia had spoken of.
But they weren't alone.
A figure stood before the altar, facing away, their presence unmistakable.
Cleo's breath hitched. "It's... him."
Lex's jaw tightened, his fingers twitching toward his blade. "Damn it."
Retro's aura flared, the ice magic in his blood reacting violently to the presence before them.
The figure turned slightly, their silhouette visible beneath the fractured sky.
Their eyes—glowing white—pierced through the mist.
Phantom.
And he was waiting for them.
The Dark God Awaits.-------
The moment Phantom turned, the very air around them trembled.
A god stood before them.
Not just any god—the son of Gaia, the Dark God of Creation.
The figure's black coat billowed in the wind, his white eyes void of emotion as he gazed at Retro, Lex, and Cleo.
There was no malice in his stare, no obvious hostility.
And yet—
The weight of his presence alone was enough to make the world feel smaller.
Retro clenched his fists, his blood burning with the lingering power of the Ice Dragon.
"So," Retro growled, taking a step forward, "you're finally showing yourself."
Phantom tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
Then he spoke.
"You are not ready for what lies ahead."
Retro smirked, but there was no humor in his voice. "Then you don't know me very well."
Phantom studied him for a moment.
Then—
He raised his hand, and the very fabric of reality twisted around them.
The battle had begun.