The Loom of Beasts was quiet now, the golden threads glowing softly under Aiyokún's watchful presence. Malik stretched, spinning his yo-yo in wide arcs, feeling the hum of his upgraded thread energy. Kesi padded beside him, eyes alert, tail flicking like a pendulum.
Naomi stood a few steps ahead, scanning the Loom's shifting patterns. "We don't have time to waste. The Spindle Court isn't waiting for us to train leisurely. We need speed, precision, and teamwork."
Aubrey twirled her shadow blades, arcs of darkness snaking across the glowing threads. "Then let's do this. I want to see what we're capable of, as a team."
Isaiah flexed his gauntlets, silver threads humming. "We coordinate, cover each other, and push our limits. That's how we survive."
Aiyokún's voice resonated in their minds. "Then begin. The Loom tests those who seek mastery. Your first trial will measure control, focus, and synchronization. Fail, and the threads will remind you of your mortality."
From the Loom floor, three minor Loom Guardians emerged—creatures half the size of Aurath, made of shifting threads, their eyes glowing faintly. They moved with unnerving precision, testing the boundaries of the threads around them.
Malik twirled his yo-yo. Phantom Spin II duplicates sprang to life, circling two of the Guardians. Kesi melded into the shadows, striking from unexpected angles. Naomi dashed forward, weaving her Weave Slash II through gaps in the threads, striking the third Guardian in a precise rhythm.
Aubrey's Shadow Bind I latched onto the Guardians' thread patterns, slowing their movements, while Isaiah's Iron Thread Barrier I protected the team from counterattacks.
The Codex pulsed as Malik focused. [Thread Ascension Path – Knotted Thread Stage Progress: 68%]New Skill Unlocked: Thread Snare – immobilize enemies temporarily by manipulating their soul threads
With a synchronized strike, the four of them ensnared the Guardians in a web of golden, shadow, and silver threads. The Loom pulsed, approving their coordination.
Before they could celebrate, the shadows shifted again. A faint silver sigil appeared at the edge of the Loom—a Spindle Court agent, cloaked in thread-like armor, eyes glowing with malice.
"Amateurs," the agent hissed, voice echoing like silk tearing. "You dare meddle in the Loom's affairs?"
Naomi stepped forward, blade raised. "We don't meddle. We survive. And we don't let monsters like you dictate our lives."
Malik spun his yo-yo, threads whipping toward the agent. "Yeah… your turn to get tangled."
The battle was brief but intense. The agent's silver threads clashed with Malik's golden ones, Kesi and Aubrey striking simultaneously while Isaiah's barriers absorbed incoming attacks. Naomi found the opening, driving her Weave Slash II through the agent's defenses.
The Spindle Court agent recoiled, retreating with a curse. "This isn't over. The Loom remembers… and so do we."
Malik exhaled, spinning his yo-yo with a grin. "Well… first lesson learned. Don't let mysterious masked jerks crash our training."
Naomi shook her head, smiling faintly. "Lesson two—never underestimate the Loom's tests. And the Spindle Court isn't going to give us any breathing room."
Kesi purred, circling Malik. The shadows seemed calmer, synchronized with the team's threads.
Aiyokún's voice filled their minds, calm but firm. "You have begun to understand the threads… but mastery requires trials beyond combat. Learn the Loom, learn each other, and learn yourself. Only then will you be ready to face the Spindle Court's full strength."
Malik's grin widened. "Alright… Loom, challenge accepted. Let's weave some chaos."