The dim light of the setting sun cast long shadows over the forest path as Kael made his way back to the guild. The day had been long, filled with grueling training sessions with Varin, but Kael's mind was alive with new possibilities. He had pushed his limits during their sparring match, learning to flow seamlessly between Void and Shadow techniques. Every move had felt more fluid, more precise, as if he were beginning to truly understand the depth of his powers.
But as he neared the edge of the forest, a strange sensation crept up his spine. The air grew colder, the familiar peacefulness of the path replaced with an unsettling stillness. Kael stopped in his tracks, his senses sharpening.
Then, out of the darkness, they came—Darkspawns.
The shadows around him twisted unnaturally as figures began to emerge, grotesque creatures with jagged limbs and glowing red eyes. There were at least half a dozen, and they moved with a predatory grace, their eyes locked onto Kael.
His heart raced, but he didn't panic. Instead, a familiar calm washed over him. This was it. A real fight. The Darkspawns had come for him, but he was ready. He tightened his grip on his blade, recalling everything Varin had taught him.
System Notification:
Enemy Detected: Darkspawn (Lv. 10).
One of the Darkspawns lunged at him, its claws slicing through the air. Kael sidestepped with ease, the movements Varin had drilled into him taking over. With a swift motion, he activated Shadow Step, his body flickering as he vanished from one point and reappeared behind the creature.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Shadow Step (Lv. 3).
Before the Darkspawn could react, Kael unleashed Shadow Slash, his blade cutting through the creature's back in one fluid arc.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Shadow Slash (Lv. 3).
Combo Achieved: Shadow Step + Shadow Slash.
Bonus damage applied.
The Darkspawn shrieked in pain, its form twisting violently as dark energy rippled from the wound. But Kael wasn't finished. Another Darkspawn charged at him from the side, its claws raised to strike, but Kael was already moving. He spun on his heel, activating Void Breaker, his blade glowing with violet energy as it crashed into the creature.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Void Breaker (Lv. 3).
The force of the attack sent the Darkspawn flying backward, its body slamming into the ground with a heavy thud. As the remaining creatures advanced, Kael's instincts kicked in. He needed to handle them quickly, efficiently. Summoning the power of the void, he channeled energy into his blade, activating Void Rend.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Void Rend (Lv. 5).
Kael slashed his sword in a wide arc, releasing a wave of dark energy that cleaved through two of the Darkspawns in one devastating strike. Their bodies disintegrated into black mist, vanishing as quickly as they had appeared.
But the battle wasn't over. Two more Darkspawns leapt toward him from opposite sides. Kael grinned, his confidence surging. This was the perfect opportunity to test a combo he had been working on.
Activating Shadow Rend, he unleashed a swift, precise strike, aiming for the Darkspawn on his left. Simultaneously, he stepped into the shadows, his body flickering with the power of Shadow's Fall, reappearing behind the second creature.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Shadow Rend (Lv. 3).
Skill Activated: Shadow's Fall (Lv. 3).
Combo Achieved: Shadow Rend + Shadow's Fall.
The Darkspawn didn't stand a chance. The first creature fell to the ground, its body sliced clean through, while the second crumbled as Kael's blade tore through its spine. He spun around, adrenaline coursing through him as the last Darkspawn screeched in rage, launching itself at him with reckless abandon.
Kael stood his ground, channeling his final skill. As the creature closed in, he activated Void Breaker again, his blade crashing into the Darkspawn's chest with a surge of power. The creature let out one last scream before disintegrating into dust.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Void Breaker (Lv. 3).
Combo Achieved: Void Rend + Void Breaker.
Critical Hit! Bonus damage applied.
As the battlefield fell silent, Kael exhaled, his chest rising and falling with the exertion of the fight. He lowered his blade, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. This wasn't like the sparring sessions with Varin—this was real combat, and Kael had emerged victorious. He had used everything Varin had taught him, weaving his skills together with precision and fluidity.
Then, the system chimed once more.
System Notification:
You have earned 1800 EXP.
Kael's eyes widened as the familiar surge of energy rushed through him. The system was rewarding him for the battle, and it seemed he had crossed another threshold.
System Notification:
Congratulations! You have reached Level 9.
All stats increased by 5.
You have earned 5 Skill Points (SP).
Kael took a deep breath, feeling the power of his newly increased stats coursing through him. He had leveled up again, and with it came the promise of even greater strength.
But then, as if the system wasn't done yet, another notification appeared.
System Notification:
Congratulations! You have reached Level 10.
All stats increased by 10.
You have earned 10 Skill Points (SP).
Kael smiled, his body still humming with the power of his victory. Two level-ups in one fight. He had come a long way, but this was just the beginning. He glanced down the darkened path, knowing that more challenges awaited him. But after tonight, he was more confident than ever that he would face them head-on.
Sheathing his blade, Kael continued on his way back to the guild. His journey wasn't over, but with every battle, every fight, he was growing stronger. And soon, he would be ready to face whatever dark forces were coming for him.
He was Kael Relan, wielder of both Void and Shadow—and he was just getting started.