The Decision to Strike – A Coordinated Attack
Mellali's mind was buzzing, the weight of everything he'd learned pressing down on him. The creature was dangerous—not because of its physical strength, but because of what it was about to unleash: an undead horde, sealed behind the stone slab. If the creature succeeded, an army of the dead would be free to roam the world once more. They couldn't let that happen.
Exchanging a look with Hadjer, Mellali's heart steadied. She was the calm under pressure—quick and deadly with her Bladesong. He could still feel the lingering buzz of Mind Sliver ready in his mind, waiting to be cast.
"Let me weaken it first," Mellali whispered. "I'll hit it with Mind Sliver—soften it up. You can finish it off."
Hadjer's nod was quick but steady, her grip tightening on the makeshift staff she'd found in the ruins. "I'm ready."
---
Mind Sliver – Mellali's Opening Move
Mellali focused, the familiar sensation of psychic energy swirling within him. The creature's bony figure hunched over the stone slab, oblivious to what was coming. His eyes narrowed as he reached out with his mind.
"Mind Sliver."
A pulse of invisible, psychic force shot from Mellali, striking the creature in its skull. The creature jerked, its grip on the slab faltering as its body stiffened in response. Its hollow eyes, once focused solely on moving the stone, widened slightly in confusion and pain as the spell took hold.
The creature's mind reeled, its defenses cracking under the psychic assault. Mind Sliver wasn't a spell that hurt the body—it was meant to shatter the mind, leaving the target vulnerable and disoriented. And it had done its job.
Mellali could feel the connection—he'd broken something inside the creature's mind, leaving it wide open for Hadjer's attack.
---
Hadjer's Bladesong – A Deadly Dance
Without hesitation, Hadjer launched into motion, her body flowing effortlessly into the Bladesong.
The Bladesong was more than just a combat style. It was an elegant, dangerous dance that amplified her speed, focus, and magic. Her mind sharpened, her reflexes heightened, and her defensive instincts kicked in, making her harder to hit. The energy of the Bladesong coursed through her, making every step, every strike, a part of the rhythm.
Increased AC (Armor Class): Hadjer's heightened reflexes made her nearly impossible to hit if the creature retaliated.
Enhanced Speed: Her movements became blindingly fast, allowing her to close the distance before the creature could react.
Concentration Boost: If she needed to cast a spell or maintain her focus, the Bladesong would keep her steady.
With her staff in hand, she moved with precision, each strike targeted to exploit the creature's weakened state. The first blow landed cleanly against the creature's exposed ribcage, splintering bone. It reeled backward, stunned by the speed of the attack.
Hadjer didn't let up. Her next strike came just as swiftly, a perfectly timed follow-up that slammed into the creature's side, sending a shockwave through its frail form.
The creature let out a guttural snarl, clawing at the air, but it was too slow, too disoriented from Mellali's Mind Sliver to defend itself properly. Hadjer was relentless, her movements graceful and calculated, each step a part of the deadly dance that was her Bladesong.
---
The Finishing Blow
The creature staggered, its gaunt limbs flailing weakly as it tried to regain its balance. But Hadjer was already moving in for the kill. She spun on her heel, her staff glowing faintly as she delivered the final blow—a sharp strike to the creature's skull.
The force of the impact shattered bone, and with a sickening crack, the creature crumpled to the ground in a heap of brittle bones and decayed flesh. The stone slab remained unmoved, its deadly purpose left unfinished.
Hadjer stood over the fallen creature, her breathing steady, her body still humming with the energy of the Bladesong. Slowly, she let the magic fade, the glow around her staff dimming as she stepped back.
Mellali let out a slow breath, relief washing over him. "That was... impressive."
Hadjer gave him a brief nod, wiping her brow. "It's done. But we don't know if there are more like it. We bought ourselves time—nothing more."
---
Experience Points and Drops:
As the creature lay still, a soft chime echoed faintly in Mellali's ears. His vision blurred for a moment, and then a familiar stat window appeared before him, this time showing his and Hadjer's XP gain.
Experience Points Earned:
Mellali Mohamed: 150 XP
Alibida Hadjer: 150 XP
Mellali grinned. "Looks like we're gaining XP from fights. We're leveling up."
Hadjer glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Just like in a game, huh?"
"Yeah," Mellali said, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "But it's not just about points. We need every bit of power we can get."
Hadjer knelt down beside the creature's remains, examining its twisted form. As she sifted through the bones, something caught her eye—a faint glimmer. She carefully reached down, pulling a small, dark amulet from the remains of the creature's chest.
"What's that?" Mellali asked, stepping closer.
Hadjer held it up to the faint light. The amulet was simple, made of a dull metal, but there was something off about it. The surface was etched with strange runes, barely visible but pulsing with a faint, unsettling energy.
"It's a drop," Hadjer muttered, her voice cautious. "Looks... cursed, maybe."
Mellali frowned, reaching out with his magic to inspect it more closely. "It's definitely enchanted. Could be useful... or dangerous."
The amulet hummed with dark energy, its purpose unclear, but it felt important. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, Mellali couldn't tell yet—but it might be the key to understanding what the creature had been trying to accomplish.
---
A Moment of Reflection
With the creature defeated and the amulet in hand, Mellali and Hadjer stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the encounter settling in. They had stopped the immediate threat, but the stone slab remained—a silent reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond.
"What do you think this thing was doing with the slab?" Hadjer asked, her eyes scanning the stone. "It's clear it was trying to release something."
Mellali nodded. "Yeah. It was trying to open a path. I don't think this is over. There's something—others—behind that slab. Maybe more undead, maybe something worse."
Hadjer's grip on the amulet tightened. "Then we need to be ready."
A Time to Leave – The Need for Rest and Resources
The fight was over, but Mellali and Hadjer weren't in the clear yet. As the creature's remains lay still and silent, the two of them stood there, their breaths heavy and bodies aching. The adrenaline that had fueled their escape and combat was now fading fast, replaced by a bone-deep weariness.
Despite all the night shifts they had pulled back in the real world—Hadjer as a nurse, Mellali as a programmer and X-ray tech—this was different. Here, they had no safety net.
Hadjer glanced at Mellali, her eyes tired but sharp. "We need to get out of here. Now."
Mellali nodded, his mind sluggish but still working. "Yeah. We're drained, and I don't know how long before more of those things show up."
They looked around the crumbling ruins once more before heading back into the forest, moving with purpose but slower than before. The dark amulet in Hadjer's hand felt heavier now, as if the fight had drained more than just their strength. The tension was thick, and the only thing keeping them going was the knowledge that they needed water, food, and rest.
---
The Weight of Exhaustion
The forest closed in around them as they made their way through the undergrowth, heading toward the clearing they had spotted earlier from the ridge. Every step was heavier than the last, the weariness in their bones undeniable.
"I've pulled all-nighters before, but I've never felt this wrecked," Mellali muttered, rubbing his temples as a dull headache began to settle in.
Hadjer, equally exhausted, managed a faint smirk. "Yeah. Except back home, we had caffeine and a bed to fall into after. Here? Just more monsters waiting to find us."
They both knew they were running on empty. Mellali's mana hadn't fully regenerated, and Hadjer's body ached from using her Bladesong. They needed food and water desperately if they were going to have any chance of surviving.
"Let's keep moving. There's a clearing up ahead," Mellali said, pushing through the fatigue.
---
The Clearing – Finding Water
After what felt like hours of trudging through the forest, they finally broke through the tree line and entered the clearing. The moonlight bathed the grassy area in a soft glow, casting long shadows across the ground. Mellali scanned the area, hoping for something—anything—that could help.
"There!" Hadjer's voice was low but urgent as she pointed to a glimmer in the distance, just beyond the edge of the clearing.
Mellali followed her gaze and felt a wave of relief wash over him. The faint glint in the moonlight wasn't just a trick of the eye—it was water. A small, narrow stream winding its way through the grass, the sound of the gentle flow reaching their ears as they approached.
They hurried over to the stream, both dropping to their knees beside it. The water was clear, cold, and most importantly, fresh. Mellali cupped his hands, dipping them into the stream before bringing the cool liquid to his lips. It was refreshing, a sharp contrast to the dryness that had been parching his throat for hours.
Hadjer followed suit, drinking deeply, her tired muscles relaxing slightly as the cold water soothed her body. They didn't have any water skins to fill—nothing to carry it in—but at least now, they had something to sustain them.
"We'll have to drink what we can for now," Hadjer said, wiping her mouth. "We can figure out how to carry some later."
Mellali nodded. "Yeah. But at least it's something. We needed this."
---
The Search for Food
With their thirst temporarily quenched, they now turned their attention to another pressing need—food.
Hadjer stood up, her body still aching but slightly more energized from the water. "There has to be something around here. Edible plants, berries, anything."
Mellali pushed himself up, feeling a little less sluggish but still worn down. "Let's look around. We can't go much farther without something to eat."
They split up, each scanning the area for signs of food. Hadjer moved through the edges of the clearing, checking the bushes and plants, while Mellali searched near the stream, hoping to find something edible growing near the water.
After a few minutes, Hadjer returned, holding a small bunch of dark berries in her hand. "Found these. They look safe enough, but I'm no expert on fantasy berries."
Mellali studied the berries, frowning slightly. "We don't really have much of a choice, do we?"
Hadjer shrugged. "Not really. Just don't eat too many at once. We'll see how our bodies react."
They each ate a few berries, chewing slowly, the taste sharp but not unpleasant. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep their energy from dropping further.
---
Resting by the Stream
The night grew colder as Mellali and Hadjer settled down by the stream, the sound of the flowing water lulling them into a sense of temporary safety. They still felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on them, but the small meal and water had helped, even if just a little.
"We need to rest," Hadjer said, her voice firm but tired. "We're no good like this."
Mellali nodded in agreement. "I'll take the first watch."
Hadjer shook her head. "You're more drained than I am. I'll keep watch first. You rest."
Mellali didn't argue. The exhaustion was overwhelming, and now that they had found water and a bit of food, the urge to sleep was almost impossible to resist. He lay back on the soft grass, staring up at the stars for a moment before his eyes grew heavy.
"Wake me if anything happens," Mellali muttered, his voice already fading as sleep took hold of him.
Hadjer watched him for a moment, her body still tense as she kept her eyes on the forest. The amulet was still in her hand, its dark surface cool against her skin, but she didn't trust it. Whatever power it held, it wasn't friendly. She could feel the faint pulse of energy from the runes etched into its surface, like a heartbeat that didn't belong to her.
Still, for now, they were safe. For now.