The eerie calm of the Starlight Rift settled over the land as the last remnants of Darkspawn scattered like dust in the wind. A faint glow lingered around Missy as her system sent out a notification to the rest of the group:
System Alert: Mission Update – Aethervine Harvest Successful. Objective 1/4 Complete.
Missy smiled to herself, satisfied with the progress. "That's one down," she whispered, turning to her AI companion Lira and her system guide Pinto, who hovered by her shoulder, still glowing from the exertion of their recent efforts.
"There's more work to do, though," Pinto chimed in, her tiny voice resonating in Missy's ear like the soft rustle of leaves.
Missy sighed. "Of course, there is. Void Crystals, ShadowWeave Fabric, and... closing the rift. We're just getting started."
The system updated once more, detailing the next steps: Remaining Objectives: Collect 50 Void Crystals, 15/50 ShadowWeave Fabric, Close the Rift by Destroying Darkspawn Nesting Grounds.
Missy's system pinged again—an update from Kael and Simon. Kael, always efficient and focused, had located one of the Darkspawn nesting grounds. Simon, at their makeshift base, had been coordinating everyone's efforts, keeping the team synced despite the chaos of the Rift.
As Missy reviewed the incoming messages, her focus shifted to Mark, who was stationed on the south side of the rift with his AI companion Arnold. A Valkyrian Archer by trade, Mark specialized in ranged combat, his divine arrows raining down with precision. Arnold, his Assassin companion, moved like a shadow, scouting ahead for hidden threats. Together, they made a deadly team.
Mark's update came in, his tone urgent and restrained.
Mark : "We found the Void Crystals... but there's a problem."
The message unfurled in Missy's interface, and her heart sank at the sight of the details.
Location: Southern Caves, guarded by 2 Advanced Darkspawns (Lvl 14 - Lieutenant Class), alongside an army of 115 Basic and 10 Elite Darkspawns. This area appears to be a Darkspawn camp.
Missy's heart skipped a beat. Two high-ranking Lieutenants, along with an entire army of lower-tier Darkspawns? That wasn't something Mark could handle alone—not even with Arnold at his side. She read Mark's follow-up message:
Mark: "I can take the Lieutenants, but the army... I'll be overwhelmed. I'm not built for attrition, and Arnold is good, but we don't have a healer. Potions are low."
Missy cursed under her breath. "Damn it. That's too much for them. Simon, we need reinforcements."
Simon's reply was quick and direct.
Simon: "Kael's closer to the southern side. He can help. Joseph and I will join as soon as possible."
Missy's tension eased slightly. Kael was nearby, and Kael could handle almost anything. His class, Voidblade, was a potent combination of stealth and assassination, blending perfectly into the dark, volatile environment of the rift. The Voidblade could manipulate shadows themselves, becoming a ghost on the battlefield.
Kael's voice broke through the static of the comms, his tone calm and confident.
Kael : "I'll handle it. I need the EXP."
Short and to the point. Kael never wasted words.
Missy's system chimed again, alerting her to a separate task.
Kael: ShadowWeave Fabric – 45/50 Collected.
It was good progress, but now the priority shifted to the Void Crystals and taking out the Darkspawn camp. Missy bit her lip, watching the messages pour in as she imagined Kael making his way through the rift.
Kael moved like a wraith through the dimly lit corridors of the Rift, his form blending seamlessly into the shadows. His eyes scanned the darkened paths ahead, tracking the flow of void energy that permeated this place. His Void Daggers pulsed faintly at his side, attuned to the ambient magic of the Rift. Each step he took was soundless, his presence barely a whisper in the vast, ethereal landscape.
As he neared Mark's position, Kael activated Void Step, momentarily shifting into the void itself. His movement quickened, and the world around him blurred into a streak of dark energy. He crossed the remaining distance in seconds, reappearing at the edge of a rocky outcrop overlooking the Darkspawn camp below.
He crouched low, blending into the shadows as his eyes scanned the scene. Below him, the camp buzzed with activity. Basic Darkspawns shuffled around in their grotesque, hunched forms, their twisted limbs dragging along the ground. The Elite Darkspawns stood taller, their movements more deliberate, their eyes glowing with dark intent.
But it was the Lieutenants that drew Kael's attention. Two Advanced Darkspawns, hulking figures of darkness, stood near the entrance to a cavern where the Void Crystals were kept. Their armor glistened with void energy, and Kael could sense their power even from this distance.
System Alert: Advanced Darkspawns Detected. Lieutenant Rank – Level 13.
Kael's lips curved into a faint smile. This would be interesting.
Kael : "Mark, I see them. Don't engage. Wait for my signal."
Mark's reply was swift, his voice tinged with relief.
Mark: "Understood. I'm in position. Ready when you are."
Kael activated Veil of Shadows, his form disappearing from sight as he descended the rocky outcrop. He moved silently through the camp, weaving between the Darkspawns with practiced ease. His shadowy form was undetectable, even to the sharp senses of the Elite Darkspawns.
He was a ghost in the darkness.
As he neared the Lieutenants, Kael prepared his attack. He could take one down quickly with his Echoing Strike, but the other would require a bit more finesse. He focused his energy, dark tendrils of void magic swirling around his daggers.
With a flick of his wrist, he launched himself forward with Shadow Dash, his form a blur of darkness as he closed the distance between himself and the first Lieutenant. His dagger struck true, sinking deep into the Darkspawn's side. The creature roared in pain, but before it could react, Kael's second dagger plunged into its throat, silencing it.
System Alert: Critical Hit. Echoing Strike Activated – +25% Damage.
The second Lieutenant turned, its eyes glowing with fury as it raised its weapon to strike. Kael activated Spectral Presence, leaving behind a shadowy decoy as he slipped into the void once more, dodging the Lieutenant's attack.
The decoy flickered and danced in front of the Lieutenant, drawing its attention. The creature swung its massive blade, cleaving through the decoy, but it was too late. Kael reappeared behind it, his daggers flashing in the dim light as he struck again, severing the Lieutenant's spine.
The creature collapsed to the ground, its body dissolving into dark mist.
System Alert: Lieutenant Darkspawn Defeated.
Kael stood over the fallen Darkspawn, his breath steady as he surveyed the camp. The Lieutenants were down, but the army of Basic and Elite Darkspawns still remained. He could take them out one by one, but that would take time—time they didn't have.
"Mark," Kael called over the comms. "The Lieutenants are down. Begin your assault on the camp. I'll cover you."
Mark's response was immediate.
Mark: "Roger that. Moving in."
From his vantage point, Kael watched as Mark and Arnold moved into position. Mark's bow glowed with divine energy as he nocked an arrow, drawing back the string with practiced ease. With a whispered prayer, he released the arrow, sending it streaking through the air.
The arrow struck the first Darkspawn in the chest, exploding in a burst of radiant light. The creature screamed, its body disintegrating into ash.
Arnold followed suit, darting through the shadows like a phantom. His daggers flashed in the darkness as he sliced through the throats of unsuspecting Darkspawns, his movements precise and lethal.
Together, they made quick work of the Basic Darkspawns, cutting them down before they could organize a proper defense.
But the Elite Darkspawns were a different story.
As the remaining Elites closed in on Mark and Arnold, Kael leaped into action. He activated Dark Infusion, channeling void energy into his daggers. His attacks became faster, more lethal, as he moved through the battlefield like a whirlwind of shadows.
He struck from every angle, his daggers flashing in the dim light as he sliced through the Elite Darkspawns with brutal efficiency. One by one, they fell before him, their bodies dissolving into mist.
System Alert: Basic and Elite Darkspawns Defeated.
Kael stood amidst the carnage, his breath steady as he surveyed the battlefield. The camp was cleared, and the Void Crystals were theirs.
"Void Crystals secured," Kael reported over the comms. "We're ready to move to the next objective."
Before he could take a step toward the cave where the Void Crystals pulsed with raw energy, Kael felt a shift in the shadows. His senses sharpened as he detected movement nearby. More Darkspawns, these ones cloaked in shadow, emerged from the cracks in the ground.
Shadow-based Darkspawns—perfect targets to farm ShadowWeave Fabric.
Kael's lips curved into a grin.
He dashed toward the creatures, his daggers ready, and as they lunged at him, he vanished into the shadows once more, reappearing behind them with a deadly strike. The battle was swift, his blades dancing through the air, carving through the Darkspawns with ease.
System Alert: Shadow-based Darkspawns Defeated. Collected 5 ShadowWeave Fabric.
With each kill, small scraps of ShadowWeave Fabric appeared in his inventory.
System Alert: ShadowWeave Fabric Collected – 50/50. Objective Complete 2/4.
Kael wiped his daggers clean, the last of the ShadowWeave Fabric stored safely in his inventory.
Kael: "That's another objective down. I'm heading back. Mark and Arnold will be collecting the Void Crystals."
Simon's voice came through, laced with relief.
Simon: "Good work, Kael. Mark and Arnold, once you finished regroup at the base. Let's strategize for the final objective. We start attacking their nesting ground tomorrow."
As Kael sheathed his daggers, his eyes flickered toward the horizon. The Rift still pulsed with dark energy, and the final nesting ground awaited. Their mission wasn't over yet.