The Guild of the Eternal Dawn was silent, the weight of the impending confrontation casting a shadow over its walls. Alaric and Kimpa Vita, their gazes determined, crossed the threshold of the main hall. Before them stood a spiral staircase leading to the upper floors, each level promising fiercer opposition than the last.
"Are you ready, Alaric?" Vita asked, a gleam of challenge in her dark eyes.
Alaric nodded, feeling his heart pound harder in his chest. "More than ever."
They climbed the first few steps quickly, their footsteps echoing against the stone. The first floor opened up before them like a vast training hall, filled with guild members armed and ready to defend their ground.
One of the mercenaries stepped forward, a massive axe in hand. "You're not going any further," he growled.
Alaric wasted no time. Force of the Ancients. He raised his arm and slammed his fist into the ground with colossal force. A shockwave burst from the impact point, sweeping through the ranks of mercenaries before him. Some were thrown against the walls, others knocked over like leaves in the wind.
Kimpa Vita was not far behind. She raised her staff and muttered a quick incantation. Divine Double Strike Ray. Two beams of sacred light shot from the tip of her staff, slicing through the air at lightning speed. The rays struck two of the guild members, knocking them back with crushing force, leaving a trail of burning light behind them.
"We need to keep moving," Vita said in a calm but authoritative voice.
Alaric nodded. "Yes. Time is of the essence."
Together, they ascended to the next floor. There, they were confronted by guild mages, their hands already weaving complex spells.
"Let me handle this," Vita declared, her eyes glowing with a dangerous light.
She closed her eyes for a second, then raised her staff. Holy Tempest. She spun rapidly on herself, creating a storm of divine energy around her. The mages tried to cast their spells, but the storm of sacred light engulfed them, disrupting their magic and throwing them back with relentless force.
Bursts of divine light struck like lightning, preventing the mages from concentrating. In just a few moments, all opposition had been neutralized. Vita stopped spinning, the calm returning around her, and gestured for Alaric to follow her.
They headed to the third floor. Here, assassins hid in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. Alaric closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the presences around him. Spectral Swiftness. His body began to move with incredible speed, dodging the assassins' blows before they were even delivered.
With disconcerting fluidity, he countered each of their movements, his surgical attacks striking their weak points. Silverleaf Blade. His blade glowed with a soft green light, each strike cutting with devastating precision. In no time, the assassins were down, unable to keep up with his speed and strength.
Vita watched, impressed by Alaric's mastery. "You're stronger than I imagined," she commented.
Alaric replied with a sly smile. "And you haven't seen anything yet."
They climbed the steps leading to the fourth floor. A massive warrior stood before them, his heavy armor glinting in the dim light. "I am the Guardian of this level. You shall not pass," he declared in a deep voice.
Alaric prepared to attack, but Vita placed a hand on his arm. "Let me handle this one," she said softly. She positioned herself, her staff glowing with intense light. Celestial Strike Flash.
Vita channeled divine energy into her staff and unleashed a rapid series of strikes from a distance. The magical attacks hit the warrior in quick succession, each blow growing more powerful than the last. The warrior staggered, his heavy armor unable to protect him against the divine force.
As he tried to counterattack, Vita used Archangel's Rush, instantly moving behind him and releasing an explosion of divine energy on impact. The blow was too powerful. The warrior collapsed, unable to continue the fight.
Alaric joined her, impressed. "You're amazing," he said sincerely.
Vita shrugged, a satisfied smile on her lips. "We need to stay focused. The final floor awaits us."
They ascended the last set of stairs leading to the fifth floor, the top of the tower where Gobinot was located. As they approached the door, it suddenly swung open, revealing Gobinot himself. His face was twisted with rage and despair.
"You really think you can defy the Guild of the Eternal Dawn and get away with it?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. "You're nothing compared to me!"
With a quick motion, he pulled a small vial from his pocket. Without hesitation, he brought it to his lips and swallowed the contents. A demonic pill. Alaric and Vita exchanged looks of surprise.
"He just signed his death warrant," Vita murmured, gripping her staff more tightly.
Gobinot's body began to tremble as the demonic pill took effect. His skin stretched and tore, dark and glowing veins appearing, and his muscles bulged with supernatural strength. A dark and menacing aura emanated from him, filling the room with malevolent energy.
"Gobinot has chosen his path," Alaric said in a calm but determined voice. "We must stop him here and now."