The battlefield roared with the sounds of steel and Ether clashing in violent bursts. Lukas's forces pressed their advantage, cutting down Drevyn soldiers with precision. But amidst the chaos, one figure stood out, a shadow of dark energy lingering at the far end of the battlefield. Lukas's eyes locked onto the man who seemed to command the very darkness around him. He felt something off—a cold, unfamiliar sense of dread creeping into his bones.
"Who… is that?" Lukas whispered, feeling the pulse of energy reverberate through the field.
The system in his mind flickered to life, scanning the figure, and the response sent a chill down his spine.
[Warning: High-level Ether cultivator detected. Cultivation stage: Advanced.]
Lukas's heart raced. He had never encountered a cultivator beyond Level 9. The Dark Commander stood at a stage of power that Lukas could scarcely comprehend, something far beyond his current strength.
Marcus, wielding his greatsword, appeared beside Lukas. "Who is that?" His voice was steady, but Lukas could see the tension in his jaw.
"I don't know," Lukas replied, gripping the hilt of his saber tighter. "But we're about to find out."
The air around the Dark Commander seemed to ripple, the dark energy expanding outward as if it was alive, pulsating with malevolence. Lukas felt a pull—an unnatural urge to confront this foe, despite the danger.
"Stay back," Lukas commanded Zane and Marcus. "This one's mine."
Zane frowned, his twin swords gleaming with Ether. "You can't take him alone. We fight together."
"I need to see what he's capable of," Lukas said. His heart pounded, and a small part of him knew this wasn't just about the battle—it was about pushing his limits, about facing an enemy who might finally challenge him.
As Lukas approached, the Dark Commander turned, his face hidden beneath a hood. "You…" his voice echoed, as though it came from the depths of the earth. "Do you think you're worthy to stand against me?"
Without waiting for an answer, the Dark Commander thrust his hand forward, a wave of dark Ether erupting from his palm. Lukas barely had time to react as the energy tore through the air toward him. He dodged, the force of the attack blasting the ground where he had stood just moments before.
The ground trembled under the weight of the strike, and Lukas's eyes widened in shock. 'What kind of power is this?'
The Dark Commander stepped forward, his dark aura swirling like a storm. "You are too weak. Give up, and I will consider giving you a swift death."
Lukas gritted his teeth, his instincts screaming at him to retreat, but his pride and the desire to prove his strength urged him forward. "We don't back down," he growled, charging with his saber drawn.
Their blades met with a deafening clash, the dark Ether from the commander's weapon overpowering Lukas's attack. Sparks flew as Lukas was pushed back, his muscles straining under the pressure. This wasn't just a battle—it was a storm of power crashing down on him.
For the first time in a long while, Lukas felt the sting of helplessness.
The Dark Commander sneered. "Is this the strength of Valeria's so-called rising star? You're nothing!"
Lukas's grip tightened on his saber as he pushed forward again, this time focusing on agility. He ducked under the next strike, aiming for a precise blow at the commander's exposed side. But the Dark Commander was faster—far faster than anyone Lukas had ever faced. A swift counter knocked Lukas off balance, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The system pinged in his mind.
[Retreat Advised: Current combat capabilities insufficient.]
But Lukas was stubborn. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand, breathing hard. He was no match for the commander's power, but retreating now felt like admitting defeat.
With another surge of dark energy, the Dark Commander lashed out again, his movements graceful yet devastating. Lukas barely parried the blow, but the sheer force behind it sent him sliding back several feet.
"Retreat!" Marcus shouted from the distance. Lukas's forces had already started pulling back, unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure.
Lukas's chest heaved with each breath, his body aching from the intensity of the fight. His mind screamed to keep fighting, but the reality was clear—he wasn't ready for this. Not yet.
Clenching his fists, he made the difficult choice. "Fall back!" he yelled, his voice hoarse. "Everyone, retreat now!"
The Dark Commander stood still as Lukas's forces retreated, his dark aura flickering but making no move to give chase. His lips curled into a dark smile. "Wise decision. But next time, you won't escape so easily."
Lukas spared one last glance at the commander before turning away. As his forces pulled back, the sting of defeat settled deep in his gut. He had faced an opponent far beyond his current power—and for the first time, he felt the weight of his limitations.
---
The retreat was swift, the Veridan forces regrouping at a safe distance from the battlefield. Lukas sat by a small campfire, staring into the flames, his mind replaying the battle over and over again. His body still ached from the fight, but it was his pride that had taken the hardest hit.
"How did he overpower us so easily?" Zane asked, sitting down beside Lukas. His usual calm demeanor was replaced with frustration.
"He's on a different level," Lukas admitted, his voice low. "We weren't ready for that kind of power."
Marcus stood nearby, arms crossed. "He could have wiped us out… but he didn't."
Lukas nodded. That was what unsettled him the most. The Dark Commander had let them go, and that meant one thing—he had something bigger planned.
[New Objective Unlocked: Investigate the Dark Commander's Origins]
Lukas glanced at the system notification, determination rising within him. He would find out who this commander was, where he came from, and what his next move would be. But first, he needed to grow stronger—far stronger than he had ever imagined.
"I need to get stronger," Lukas muttered, his eyes blazing with resolve.