The morning sun was rising as Adam and his companions approached the gates of Eldwyn. It had been three days since their battle in the Brackmarsh Caves, and while the group had survived, the toll of the fight was evident in their weary faces and battered equipment. The journey back had been tense, with everyone on high alert, knowing that the Cult of the Core wouldn't take the destruction of their workshop lightly.
Adam walked at the front of the group, his energy sense pulsing faintly in the back of his mind. Though the road was calm and the breeze carried no signs of danger, he couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that something was wrong. The cult wasn't the kind of enemy to simply let them walk away after dealing such a blow.
As the gates of Eldwyn came into view, Adam slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing. Something was off. The guards stationed at the entrance weren't there, and the usual bustle of merchants, adventurers, and townsfolk was oddly subdued.
"Something's wrong," Adam muttered, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.
Seren, walking beside him, glanced at the empty gatehouse and frowned. "You're right. Where are the guards?"
Kaela shifted her staff nervously, her eyes scanning the walls. "This isn't normal. Eldwyn is never this quiet, not even at dawn."
Duncan tightened his grip on his axe, his jaw clenched. "Stay sharp. If the cult's made a move, we could be walking into a trap."
"Agreed," Adam said, his voice calm but firm. He turned to the group, his golden eyes steady. "Stay together. No one splits off until we know what we're dealing with."
The Silent Streets
As they entered the city, the eerie silence only grew more oppressive. The usual sounds of blacksmiths hammering away, merchants hawking their wares, and children playing in the streets were nowhere to be heard. Instead, the streets were empty, the shutters of the shops and homes tightly closed.
Liria clutched her healing staff tightly, her soft voice trembling. "Where is everyone? Did something... happen to them?"
"They're hiding," Eryk said, his sharp eyes scanning the buildings. "Look."
Adam followed Eryk's gaze and saw faint movements behind the windows of the houses. Faces peeked out briefly before disappearing again, as if the townsfolk were too scared to even look for long.
"They're terrified," Adam said quietly.
"And they should be," a voice echoed from the shadows ahead.
The group froze, weapons drawn as a figure stepped out from the alleyway. He was a man of medium height, dressed in black and crimson robes adorned with the sigils of the Cult of the Core. His face was pale and angular, with a cruel smirk curling his lips.
"Welcome back, travelers," the man said, spreading his arms theatrically. "You've caused quite the stir in our organization. The destruction of the Brackmarsh Caves... well, let's just say the master wasn't pleased."
Adam stepped forward, his sword drawn and glowing faintly with golden energy. "If you're here to deliver a message, save it. Whatever your master has planned, we'll stop it."
The cultist chuckled darkly. "Oh, I'm not here to deliver a message. I'm here to deliver punishment."
He raised his hand, and a series of runes flared to life on the ground around him. The air shimmered, and from the glowing sigils, several figures emerged—hybrids, their monstrous forms a grotesque combination of beast, man, and metal.
The hybrids snarled and charged forward, their claws gleaming in the sunlight.
The First Battle
"Formation!" Adam shouted, moving to the front.
Seren and Duncan immediately flanked him, their weapons ready, while Kaela and Liria took position in the back. Eryk vanished into the shadows, preparing to strike from the flank.
The hybrids were fast, but Adam's energy sense flared, giving him a split-second warning before their attacks landed. The first hybrid lunged at him, its claws swinging in a wide arc. Adam sidestepped the strike, his nuclear core pulsing as he brought his sword down in a powerful slash. Golden energy flared as the blade cleaved through the hybrid's arm, sending it reeling with a howl of pain.
Duncan roared as he brought his axe down on another hybrid, the weapon biting deep into its metallic hide. "These things again!" he growled. "How many of them do they have?"
"Too many," Seren replied, her twin swords flashing as she struck another hybrid across its legs, forcing it to stumble. She spun and delivered a decisive slash to its neck, cutting it down.
Kaela raised her staff, fire surging from its tip as she hurled a fireball at a group of hybrids. The explosion engulfed them, sending smoke and charred flesh into the air.
"Liria, keep us up!" Kaela shouted, not taking her eyes off the hybrids.
"I'm on it!" Liria replied, her hands glowing with a soft golden light. She channeled her magic, sending waves of healing energy toward Duncan, whose arm had been grazed by one of the hybrids.
Adam's sword glowed brighter as he unleashed a burst of energy, striking down two hybrids at once. But even as the last of the creatures fell, he could sense something larger looming ahead.
The Maniac Swordmaster Appears
A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the now-silent street. The group turned to see another figure approaching—this one far more imposing.
He was tall and lean, with wild silver hair that framed his sharp, angular features. He wore dark armor that gleamed faintly with crimson runes, and at his side hung a greatsword nearly as tall as he was.
The air around him was oppressive, a suffocating weight that made even Duncan take a cautious step back.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice smooth and laced with amusement. "I was wondering what kind of pests managed to destroy one of our workshops. And what do I find? A ragtag group of adventurers."
"Who are you?" Adam demanded, his sword raised.
The man smirked, his crimson eyes glinting with malice. "I am Veylor Maldrak, one of the Ascended Seven. But you can call me your executioner."
Adam's jaw tightened. The air around Veylor practically screamed danger. This wasn't like the cultists or hybrids they'd faced before. This was someone on an entirely different level.
"Step back," Adam said quietly to his group.
"What?" Seren hissed. "You can't fight him alone!"
"I'm not planning to," Adam said, his voice calm but firm. "But I need you to cover me. He's too strong for us to take lightly."
Veylor laughed, the sound echoing through the street. "Oh, this is rich. You really think you have a chance?"
He unsheathed his greatsword in a single fluid motion, the blade glowing faintly with a blood-red aura. The pressure in the air grew heavier, and Adam could feel the raw power radiating from the man.
The First Clash
Veylor moved faster than anyone expected. One moment he was standing still, and the next he was in front of Adam, his greatsword swinging in a devastating arc.
Adam barely had time to react, raising his sword to block. The impact sent a shockwave through the street, cracking the cobblestones beneath their feet. Adam gritted his teeth as the force of the blow sent him skidding backward, his arms trembling from the sheer power behind the strike.
"Not bad," Veylor said, grinning. "But you'll need more than that to survive."
Adam steadied himself, his nuclear core flaring as golden energy radiated from his body. "I've fought stronger than you," he said, his voice steady.
Veylor's grin widened. "Is that so? Then let's see how long you can last."
The battle began in earnest, with Veylor's greatsword clashing against Adam's glowing blade. Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, the sheer force of their blows shaking the nearby buildings.
But it quickly became clear that Adam was at a disadvantage. Veylor was faster, stronger, and more experienced, his movements precise and deadly. Every strike from his greatsword felt like it could shatter Adam's defenses at any moment.
Adam's companions tried to assist, but Veylor's speed made it nearly impossible to get close. He countered every attack with ease, his movements almost effortless.
A Devastating Loss
As the fight dragged on, it became clear that the group couldn't hold out much longer. Veylor was toying with them, his smirk never fading as he delivered blow after blow.
And then it happened.
With a single, devastating strike, Veylor's greatsword cleaved through Duncan's defenses, sending the veteran warrior crashing to the ground in a pool of blood.
"No!" Liria screamed, rushing to his side, but Veylor's blade swung again, forcing her to retreat.
Adam's heart sank as he saw Duncan's motionless body. Rage boiled within him, his nuclear core flaring brighter than ever before.
"You'll pay for that," Adam growled, golden energy surging around him.
Veylor grinned, his crimson eyes gleaming. "Come on, then. Show me what you've got, 'hero.'"