The sky over Vorrath burned with the crimson glow of the setting sun, casting long, jagged shadows across the ruined cobblestone streets. The once-bustling town now stood as a hollowed husk of its former self, its people either evacuated, dead, or hiding in terrified silence. The air was thick with tension, every breeze carrying whispers of dread.
Kael's body ached with exhaustion. His shoulder throbbed where one of the smaller Phantoms had clawed at him. He'd survived, but barely. Each swing of the sword felt like dragging lead through molasses. He leaned on Lyrik for support as they stumbled into the remnants of an abandoned blacksmith's forge.
Lyrik shoved the rusted door shut behind them, securing it with an iron bar. "Rest here," he growled, his voice as harsh as grinding metal. "We don't have much time before more come."
Kael collapsed onto the cold floor, his lungs heaving as he gasped for air. He stared at the dark ceiling, his mind swimming with questions. The image of the Phantom's glowing eyes haunted him—predatory, intelligent, and brimming with malice.
"What were those things?" Kael finally managed to croak, his voice hoarse.
"Phantoms," Lyrik replied, pacing the room. "Spawn of the Rift. Mindless to most but controlled by the Void Lords when needed. Dangerous alone, lethal in packs."
Kael sat up, his fists clenched. "Why were they after me? I'm nobody."
Lyrik stopped, turning to face him. His piercing gaze bore into Kael like a hammer striking steel. "You're not 'nobody.' They were after you because you're the last Draxon."
Kael blinked. The name meant nothing to him. "What's a Draxon?"
Lyrik snorted, shaking his head. "Not what. Who. Your bloodline. Your parents were warriors, Kael. Demon hunters. Voidbreakers."
The words hit Kael like a punch to the gut. His memories of his parents were fleeting—a soft lullaby, a strong hand guiding him through the market, a warm embrace on a stormy night. He never knew they were anything more than simple townsfolk.
"That's impossible," Kael muttered. "My parents were farmers."
"They hid the truth from you," Lyrik said, his tone softening slightly. "For good reason. The Rift hunts your kind. It fears you."
Kael opened his mouth to argue, but before he could speak, the ground beneath them trembled. Dust rained down from the ceiling as a low, guttural growl echoed through the streets outside.
"They've found us," Lyrik said, his voice grim. He unsheathed his sword, the blade glinting faintly in the dim light. "Stay behind me."
Kael staggered to his feet, gripping his sword tightly. It felt heavier than before, the weight of Lyrik's revelations pressing down on him.
The door shuddered as something massive slammed against it. The iron bar groaned under the strain, and cracks spider-webbed across the wooden frame.
"Get ready," Lyrik growled.
The door exploded inward, shards of wood and metal scattering across the room. A massive Phantom loomed in the doorway, its hulking frame barely fitting through the entrance. Its skin was a sickly gray, its eyes glowing with unholy light. Behind it, smaller Phantoms swarmed, their shrieks piercing the air.
Lyrik moved first, a blur of motion as he lunged at the beast. His blade cut through the air with precision, slashing across the Phantom's arm. The creature roared, swinging its massive claws, but Lyrik dodged with practiced ease.
Kael hesitated, his body frozen with fear. He'd fought smaller Phantoms before, but this was different. The sheer size of the beast was overwhelming.
"Move, boy!" Lyrik shouted, his voice snapping Kael out of his trance.
Gritting his teeth, Kael charged into the fray. He swung his sword at one of the smaller Phantoms, the blade biting into its flesh. The creature screeched, black ichor spraying from the wound, but it didn't fall. It lashed out, its claws raking across Kael's arm.
Pain flared, but Kael pushed through it. He twisted his blade free and struck again, this time cleaving the Phantom's head from its shoulders. The creature crumpled to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of black mist.
"Focus on the small ones!" Lyrik barked, dodging another swipe from the massive Phantom.
Kael nodded, scanning the room for his next target. The smaller Phantoms moved with unnerving speed, their movements jerky and unnatural. One leapt at him, its jaws snapping. Kael raised his sword just in time, driving the blade through the creature's chest.
Behind him, Lyrik was a whirlwind of steel. His blade danced through the air, cutting down Phantoms with ruthless efficiency. But the larger beast was relentless, its attacks growing more ferocious with each passing moment.
"Kael, the chain!" Lyrik shouted, nodding toward the forge's ceiling.
Kael followed his gaze, spotting a rusted chain dangling from a pulley system. He didn't need further explanation. He sprinted toward it, dodging a Phantom's swipe as he went.
Reaching the chain, Kael leapt and grabbed hold, yanking it with all his strength. The pulley groaned, and a massive iron beam swung down from the ceiling.
Lyrik timed his movements perfectly, stepping aside as the beam struck the massive Phantom. The creature roared as the force of the impact sent it crashing to the ground.
"Now!" Lyrik shouted.
Kael rushed forward, his sword aimed at the Phantom's exposed neck. With a battle cry, he drove the blade deep into its flesh. The creature spasmed, its glowing eyes flickering before dimming entirely.
Silence fell over the forge, broken only by the sound of Kael's ragged breathing. The remaining Phantoms had fled, their connection to the larger beast severed.
Lyrik sheathed his sword, his expression unreadable. "Not bad," he said gruffly. "You're rough, but there's potential."
Kael sank to his knees, his body trembling. The weight of what he'd just done, what he'd just learned, crashed over him like a tidal wave.
"What now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lyrik placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now, we train. If you want to survive, you need to be stronger. Much stronger."
Kael looked up at him, his jaw set with determination. "Then let's start."
Outside, the crimson sky deepened into night, the shadows of the Rift creeping ever closer.