The tension in the air was palpable as Ignatz towered over Rowan, his blood-red eyes narrowing. He raised his massive axe, its blade shimmering with an eerie black energy that seemed to distort the air around it. Rowan, battered and bruised, struggled to stay on his feet, clutching his side as blood dripped from his wounds.
Just as Ignatz prepared to deliver a finishing blow, a sudden gust of wind swept through the battlefield, carrying with it a faint glow. Rowan turned his head weakly, and before him stood a figure that seemed plucked from the pages of an ancient legend—a wizard.
The newcomer wore flowing robes of deep indigo adorned with intricate golden runes, their hem fluttering as if moved by an unseen breeze. A tall staff, crowned with a crystal that pulsed with vibrant energy, was clutched tightly in their hand. Their face was partially obscured by the shadow of their wide-brimmed hat, but the determination in their piercing blue eyes was unmistakable.
"Step away from the human, beast," the wizard commanded, their voice carrying an unearthly authority.
Ignatz's lips curled into a sneer. "You think your tricks will save them?" He planted his axe into the ground with a thunderous crash. "Come then, wizard. Show me what you've got!"
The wizard began chanting, their voice reverberating with an ancient power. The crystal atop their staff flared brilliantly, and with a single thrust, they released a torrent of energy. A blazing beam shot forth, colliding with Ignatz and sending him skidding backward. Dust and debris erupted in all directions, but when the air cleared, the orc general still stood. His armor was scorched, but his defiant grin remained.
Ignatz roared, charging forward with his axe. The wizard responded in kind, conjuring shields of light to deflect the strikes, each clash echoing like thunder through the ruined town. Every movement from Ignatz was brutal and calculated, while the wizard's spells were precise and strategic.
While the duel raged, the knights, spurred on by this moment of opportunity, rushed to evacuate the remaining townspeople. Maya, leading a group of terrified children, guided them through the rubble-strewn streets. Their cries for their parents tore at her heart, but she kept moving, urging them toward safety.
Amid the chaos, Rowan knelt on the ground, his breaths shallow and labored. A strange sensation coursed through him, a distant, melodic voice calling from deep within his mind.
"Activation sequence initializing..."
Rowan clutched his head, the voice growing louder, clearer. It was not a human voice, but something mechanical, precise, and emotionless.
"Core synchronization at 10%... 20%..."
"What... is this?" Rowan whispered, his vision blurring.
As he knelt there, Maya, now safely hidden with the children, glanced toward him. Her heart sank at the sight of his bloodied figure. "Rowan!" she called out, her voice filled with worry. He didn't respond. His body seemed to glow faintly, and as she looked closer, she saw his wounds knitting themselves together before her eyes.
Frustrated by the wizard's resilience, Ignatz slammed his axe into the ground, sending a shockwave that leveled the remaining houses and turned the area into a barren, open field. The wizard staggered, dropping to one knee under the force of the blast.
"You're strong," Ignatz growled, gripping his weapon tightly, "but strength alone isn't enough. Watch as I wipe this pathetic town off the map!"
The crystal atop the wizard's staff dimmed slightly as they prepared another spell, but they hesitated. The villagers were too close. A heavy strike might harm the innocents they fought to protect.
Rowan, still kneeling, felt the voice in his head intensify.
"Core synchronization at 80%... 90%..."
Ignatz raised his axe high, dark energy swirling around it. "This is the end!" he roared, swinging it down with devastating force.
The attack surged forward, a wave of destruction heading straight for the heart of the village. The wizard braced for impact, summoning every ounce of their power to shield the townspeople. But as the dust settled, they stared in disbelief.
Rowan stood before them, his gaze locked on Ignatz. His body radiated a faint, golden light, and his hand was outstretched as if he had caught the attack mid-air. The ground beneath his feet was cracked, but he remained steady.
"What... is this power?" the wizard muttered.
Ignatz staggered back, his sneer replaced by a look of shock. "Impossible... no mere human could withstand that."
The voice in Rowan's mind spoke again.
"Core synchronization complete. System activated."
Before anyone could react, a dark portal began to form behind Ignatz. A guttural voice echoed from within it, commanding the general. "Enough, Ignatz. Fall back."
"No!" Ignatz roared, slamming his fist into the ground. "I'm not done here!"
"You will obey," the voice growled, and a tendril of black smoke snaked out, wrapping around Ignatz and pulling him into the portal. "This isn't over, human," Ignatz spat before disappearing into the void.
The remaining orcs, leaderless and disoriented, were swiftly dealt with by the knights.
The battle was over, but the townspeople were left in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on Rowan. He stood motionless, his glowing aura fading, his body swaying precariously. Before he could fall, the wizard caught him, a small smile tugging at their lips.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" they murmured.
Rowan's vision blurred, and the world around him darkened.
When Rowan opened his eyes, he was walking down an endless hallway bathed in golden light. Doors lined the walls, each one etched with unfamiliar symbols. He reached for one, but it slipped away as if repelled by an invisible force.
As he struggled for breath, the hallway dissolved, and Rowan found himself in a bed. The soft murmur of voices filled the room. Turning his head, he saw Maya asleep in a chair beside him, her face streaked with dried tears.
Rowan shifted slightly, wincing at the dull ache in his body. But as he glanced up, his breath caught. A translucent screen hovered before him, filled with glowing text.
Name: Rowan Hale
Level: 1
Strength: 18
Agility: 9
Vitality: 12
Wisdom: 4
"What... is this?" Rowan muttered, swiping at the screen instinctively. The text shifted and expanded, revealing more details.
His heart raced. Whatever this was, it wasn't a hallucination. It felt real, tangible. But what did it mean? And how had he unlocked it?
As he stared at the screen, Rowan knew one thing for certain: this was only the beginning.