Gatebreaker

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the camp as Jonas stirred from his sleep. His body ached, but there was a new energy in him, a result of the stat points he’d allocated the night before. He felt stronger, more resilient, ready to face the challenges of the day. But what really gnawed at him was the strange, growing bond with Grimm—a magnetic pull that lingered in his thoughts even as he woke.

Grimm was already up, leaning against a tree with her arms crossed, her axe propped beside her. The soft morning light hit her skin, making her look almost ethereal, even with the battle scars marking her body. She wasn’t just powerful—there was a quiet, commanding confidence about her that made Jonas’s pulse quicken every time he looked at her.

"Rise and shine, warrior," she called out, her voice firm but carrying that teasing edge. "Today’s the day we push you even further. You’re not gonna survive Ilvorya half-asleep."

Jonas sat up, stretching, the soreness in his muscles a reminder of just how intense yesterday had been. "I’m up," he muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What’s the plan for today?"

Grimm smirked. "First, you’re gonna learn something new. You can’t just hack and slash your way through every fight, Jonas. Knowing your enemies—and yourself—is half the battle."

Jonas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Grimm pushed herself off the tree and grabbed her axe, the massive weapon easily hefted over her shoulder as she walked over. She squatted down beside him, her eyes gleaming with the same intensity that had drawn him in last night. "You’ve been fighting blind so far. You don’t know what you’re up against—what their weaknesses are, their strengths. Hell, you don’t even know your own potential. That’s where Analysis comes in."

"Analysis?" Jonas repeated, curious.

Grimm nodded. "It’s a skill you’ll need if you want to survive. Helps you see the details—of your enemies, your allies, and yourself. It’ll show you things you can’t just guess by looking. Every fighter worth their salt learns it. And lucky for you, today’s lesson is all about figuring out what you’re really working with."

She reached into her pack and pulled out a small, gleaming crystal, holding it up to him. "This here’s an Analysis Stone. Normally, you’d have to work your ass off to earn the skill on your own, but this’ll give you a shortcut. Touch it, focus, and let it sink in."

Jonas eyed the stone, hesitant at first, but he trusted Grimm. She hadn’t steered him wrong yet. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and placed his hand on the crystal. The moment his fingers made contact, a rush of information flooded his mind—like a door opening in his thoughts, revealing hidden layers of the world he hadn’t been able to see before.

Skill Unlocked: Analysis (Level 1)

Jonas blinked, feeling the surge of knowledge settling in. His head buzzed with new potential. "That… was intense."

Grimm grinned. "Get used to it. That’s just the beginning. Now try it out—on yourself first. You need to know where you stand before you can size up your enemies."

Jonas nodded, closing his eyes and focusing on himself, calling up the Analysis skill. The familiar chime echoed in his mind, and a detailed display appeared before him, hovering in his thoughts like a hologram.

Analysis - Jonas Hawke

Race: Human

Class: Novice Warrior (Level 2)

Class Description: A beginner class focused on physical combat. Low-level warriors specialize in basic weapon skills, relying on strength and endurance to survive. Capable of evolving into more specialized classes as they progress.

Race Description: Humans are adaptable and resilient, with no inherent bonuses but balanced stats across all attributes. Their strength lies in their versatility and potential for growth.

XP: 1300/2000

Stat Points Available: 0

Skills:

Basic Sword Mastery (Level 2)

Rift Sense (Level 2)

Analysis (Level 1)

Jonas absorbed the information, more detailed than anything he’d seen before. It wasn’t just numbers or vague descriptions—Analysis revealed his potential, laid out in front of him in a way that made sense. It made him feel more grounded, more aware of what he was working with.

"I can see my class and race," he said, still processing. "But it’s more than just stats. It’s like I can feel the potential, like there’s more waiting to be unlocked."

Grimm nodded approvingly. "Exactly. As you level up, your class will evolve. Same with your race. Right now, you’re still a low-level warrior, but with the right training, you’ll become something much more powerful. And as you make choices—moral or otherwise—that’s going to shape who you become. Physically and mentally."

Jonas’s mind raced. He could see how this would become crucial as he progressed—knowing not just where he was but where he could go. "So, I can use Analysis on enemies too?"

"That’s the idea," Grimm said, her voice turning serious. "Every fight you get into, you use that skill to understand what you’re facing. It’ll help you learn their weaknesses, their strengths, and give you the edge you need."

She straightened, her eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. "We’re not just going to talk about it, though. You’re going to practice. There’s a training ground not far from here. We’ll head there, and I’ll throw a few challenges your way. See if you can use Analysis to figure out how to handle them."

Jonas stood, already feeling more confident. The battle yesterday had pushed him, but this… this was the next step. The deeper he got into this world, the more he realized how much he needed to grow. And with Grimm at his side, guiding him, he felt like he could take on whatever Ilvorya had to throw at him.

They left the village behind, trekking through the forest. Grimm moved with a predator’s grace, her massive war axe slung over her shoulder. Jonas found himself watching her again, drawn not just by her power but by the way she seemed so comfortable in her own skin. The way she was both fierce and, somehow, deeply alluring.

As they walked, Grimm glanced over at him, catching him staring again. This time, she didn’t smirk or tease. She just held his gaze for a long moment, her eyes softening, the tension between them simmering in the quiet of the morning.

"You’ve got a lot to learn," she said, her voice lower, more intimate than before. "But you’ve got the fire for it. That’s what matters. Keep pushing yourself, and you’ll be stronger than you ever thought possible."

Jonas nodded, his throat dry. He wanted to say something—anything—to acknowledge the pull between them, the way every glance, every touch seemed to spark something deeper. But before he could find the words, they reached the training ground.

The clearing was wide and open, surrounded by trees and marked by old stone ruins. Grimm stopped in the center, her eyes scanning the area before turning back to him.

"Time for your first real lesson in Analysis," she said, her grin returning. "I’ll summon a few things for you to fight. Use your new skill, figure out their weaknesses, and take them down."

Jonas nodded, ready. His heart pounded, not just from the anticipation of the fight, but from the lingering tension between him and Grimm. This was more than just a battle. It was another step in his journey—one that would push him not just as a warrior, but as a man.

Grimm raised her hand, and a shimmer of magic rippled through the air. The ground in front of them trembled, and with a deep rumbling sound, three stone golems rose from the earth, each towering and hulking with jagged rock bodies.

"Go," Grimm ordered, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Show me what you’ve learned."

Jonas closed his eyes, calling on Analysis. The familiar chime echoed in his head as the details of the golems appeared before him.

Analysis - Stone Golem

Race: Elemental Construct

Class: None (Non-Living Entity)

Level: 3

Description: A hulking mass of enchanted stone brought to life through elemental magic. Slow but incredibly durable, with high defense against physical attacks. Weak to elemental magic—especially lightning and water.

Jonas’s eyes snapped open, a plan already forming in his mind. The golems were slow, but their rock-hard bodies meant his sword wouldn’t do much damage. He needed to find another way—use their weaknesses against them.

He gripped his sword, ready for the fight ahead.