Berko, wielding his newly acquired Tier 5 sword, matches Grixx’s movements, the blade slicing through the air with lethal accuracy. Alix, maintaining composure, channels protective wards to shield his comrades from the onslaught.
Amidst the clash, Grixx identifies the leader of the assailants—a slightly larger Umbral Stalker issuing silent commands. With a decisive maneuver, Grixx disarms and subdues the leader, pinning it to the ground.
"Hold still," Grixx growls, tightening his grip.
The remaining Umbral Stalkers, witnessing their leader’s capture, retreat into the shadows, their forms melding seamlessly with the darkness.
Alix approaches the captive, his eyes narrowing. "We mean you no harm unless provoked. Why did you attack us?"
The creature’s voice hisses through the magical translation. "Intruders... in our domain... must be eliminated."
Alix steps forward, his gaze cold and calculating. "Tell me where your people reside," he demands. "Cooperate, and I may spare your life."
The Umbral Stalker hisses defiantly, its voice a raspy whisper. "Kill me if you must. I will reveal nothing."
Instead of anger, a thoughtful expression crosses Alix’s face. "Very well," he says calmly. "We will explore this place until we find your base. Perhaps then, your kin will be more forthcoming."
The creature’s defiance wavers for a moment, but it remains silent, unwilling to betray its kind.
Grixx tightens his grip on the captive. "What shall we do with this one, Your Majesty?"
Alix considers briefly before responding. "Bind him. He may prove useful as a guide—or a bargaining chip."
Berko produces restraints, securing the Umbral Stalker’s limbs. The creature offers no resistance, its expression inscrutable.
With their new captive in tow, the trio continues their journey, determined to uncover the secrets of the Umbral Stalkers’ domain.
Alix, Grixx, and Berko continue their cautious exploration of the subterranean expanse.
Suddenly, without warning, two massive figures emerge from the shadows ahead. Standing over eight feet tall. Recognizing them as Tier 5 Umbral Stalkers, Alix and Grixx ready their weapons, while Berko positions himself protectively near their captive.
Alix’s mind races as he begins to channel his eleven Tier 4 buffs, knowing he cannot face a Tier 5 opponent without them. However, his adversary lunges with blinding speed, forcing Alix to prioritize defense. He manages to activate eight buffs before narrowly evading a sweeping claw strike. Rolling to the side, he completes the remaining enchantments, feeling the surge of augmented strength and agility course through him.
The Umbral Stalker hisses, its eyeless visage turning toward Alix. "Your skills won’t save you trash." it snarls, voice dripping with malice.
Alix grips his weapon tighter, eyes narrowing. "We’ll see about that."
The creature attacks again, its claws slicing through the air with lethal precision. Alix parries and counters. Despite the Stalker’s ferocity, Alix’s enhanced abilities allow him to match its speed and strength.
Meanwhile, Grixx engages the second Umbral Stalker, their battle a blur of steel and shadow. His combat prowess is evident as he anticipates and counters each move with calculated efficiency.
The Umbral Stalker lunges, a blur of blackened muscle and jagged claws. Alix sidesteps, his blade flashing upward to deflect the strike. Sparks explode from the impact. Without hesitation, Alix channels a Tier 4 spell — Pyre Lance. A spear of searing flame erupts from his free hand, streaking toward the creature’s chest.
The Stalker twists impossibly fast, avoiding a fatal hit, but the flame scorches its side. It roars, dark tendrils of energy crackling from its wounds.
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"You think that’s enough?" The Stalker sneers, its guttural voice distorted. "I’ll crush you."
"Try," Alix growls back, dashing forward.
He weaves between the Stalker’s swiping claws, his blade dancing with precision. Each strike he lands crackles with enchantment — ice blooms along the creature’s arm where Alix cuts, only to shatter as the Stalker’s unnatural energy pulses outward.
"Quit running!" The Stalker’s patience snaps, and it lunges again, claws poised to tear through Alix’s chest.
Tier 4 Skill — Mirage Step.
Alix flickers out of view, appearing behind his enemy in a flash of blue energy. He drives his sword deep into the Stalker’s back. The creature howls, spinning wildly with unnatural reflexes. Alix’s sword is wrenched from his grip, still buried in its spine.
"Persistent little insect!" the Stalker snarls, black energy flaring from its claws as it swings for Alix’s head.
Tier 4 Skill — Arcane Bastion.
Alix instinctively throws up a shimmering blue barrier. The Stalker’s claws slam into it, sending a shockwave of force rippling through the air. The barrier holds — barely — flickering as cracks spiderweb across its surface.
"This isn’t enough…" Alix grimaces, stepping back. His Tier 4 skills are chipping away at the creature, but not enough to deliver a decisive blow. He knows he needs more power — something stronger.
Drawing in a deep breath, Alix focuses his energy, recalling the technique he had only practiced against training dummies. He channels magic through his core, weaving two distinct energies together — fire and wind. The two Tier 4 spells resist one another at first, the raw forces threatening to spiral out of control. Sparks crackle at his fingertips as the unstable magic surges.
Alix grits his teeth, feeling his magic surge as he recalls the combination he had only tested on training dummies.
Tier 4 Spell — Pyre Lance.
Tier 4 Skill — Gale Thrust.
He channels both simultaneously — the searing flames of Pyre Lance flicker to life in his left hand, while his right hand directs Gale Thrust, a concentrated burst of compressed wind that can accelerate objects with immense force. The two energies ripple dangerously as he forces them to intertwine — not a fusion, but a combined assault.
The Umbral Stalker lunges, claws dark with crackling energy.
"Try dodging this!" Alix snarls.
He fires the Pyre Lance forward, but instead of hurling it with his arm, he channels Gale Thrust behind it. The sudden force amplifies the speed of the fiery spear, turning it into a blazing projectile that rockets through the air like a flaming missile. The compressed wind surrounds the lance, feeding the fire and stretching the flames into a spiraling inferno.