The air grew heavier as the trio stood before the massive iron door leading to the heart of the Evernight Citadel. It was adorned with carvings of battles long past, the images almost coming alive in the flickering torchlight. A sense of foreboding hung thick, as if the ruin itself was daring them to proceed.
Rodensky leaned against the wall, inspecting the map as its faint glow pulsed rhythmically. "This is it. The last room." He traced his finger over the map's intricate designs. "Whatever's in there... it's tied to the legacy of this place. If we win, we take it all."
Emmanuel smirked, sheathing his sword for a moment. "'If we win?' You're sounding a little too cautious for my taste, Rod." He gave Abaddon, now perched nearby, a quick pat. "We've come through worse."
Rodensky shot him a wry smile. "I'm just making sure you don't get cocky, especially after that last room. Those sentinels nearly flattened you."
Izabella chuckled softly as she adjusted the straps of her armor. Her divine aura flickered faintly, a testament to how much power she had expended already. "He's right, though. We've been lucky to survive this far. Whatever's behind that door will be far stronger."
Emmanuel shrugged but nodded. "Fine, fine. I'll play it safe this time. Maybe."
Izabella turned to Rodensky, her voice quieter. "You're the one who's held us together. If we get through this, it'll be because of your strategy."
Rodensky rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically bashful. "Don't go putting me on a pedestal just yet. Let's survive first, then we'll talk about celebrations."
The trio shared a brief laugh, though the tension between them was palpable. After a moment, Izabella spoke again, her tone somber. "When we step in there, I'll focus on weakening it with divine power. Rodensky, you'll need to use your speed to find any weaknesses, and Emmanuel..."
"I know," Emmanuel said, his smirk fading. "Hit it hard and keep it busy."
Rodensky nodded, tightening his grip on his weapon. "Let's do this."
---
The Boss Chamber
The door creaked open with a groan, revealing a cavernous chamber bathed in an ominous green glow. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the temperature plummeted as they stepped inside. At the center of the room stood a towering figure clad in pitch-black armor, a massive sword resting in its gauntleted hand. A deathly aura surrounded it, swirling like a storm.
The system panel materialized before them:
"Boss Room: Defeat the Death Knight of Evernight Citadel. Reward: The Legacy of the Citadel. Beware: This is an A rank opponent."
The Death Knight turned its glowing, hollow eyes toward them, and the very room seemed to tremble with its presence.
Izabella stepped forward, her divine aura flaring as she raised her sword. "This ends here, creature of darkness!"
The Death Knight responded with a guttural growl, its aura surging outward in a wave of necrotic energy. Rodensky and Emmanuel barely managed to dodge, the force of the attack leaving cracks in the stone floor.
"Stay on your feet!" Rodensky shouted as he dashed forward, his agility allowing him to evade the Death Knight's sweeping strikes. He focused on analyzing its movements, looking for any opening.
Emmanuel and Abaddon charged in, their combined strength forcing the Death Knight to shift its focus. The clash of blade and claw against steel echoed through the chamber, sparks flying with each impact.
Izabella remained at a distance, chanting softly as her sword glowed brighter. "By the light, be purged!" she cried, sending a beam of holy energy toward the Death Knight. The attack struck true, causing the creature to stagger briefly.
"That's it!" Rodensky called out. "Keep hitting it while it's weakened!"
The Death Knight roared, slamming its sword into the ground. Black tendrils of energy erupted from the floor, forcing the trio to scatter.
Rodensky used the opportunity to dart behind the creature, aiming for the joints in its armor. His strikes were precise, but the Death Knight's aura burned with necrotic energy, forcing him to retreat before he could land a decisive blow.
"It's healing!" Izabella warned, her divine aura flaring as she unleashed another wave of light. "We need to break its core!"
Rodensky's eyes narrowed as he used his skill Eye of Truth, which revealed a faint glow emanating from the Death Knight's chest. "Its core is in its chestplate! We have to hit it there!"
Emmanuel grinned, his sword glowing with fiery energy as he prepared a devastating strike. "Leave it to me!"
Abaddon roared, distracting the Death Knight as Emmanuel charged forward. Izabella unleashed a final surge of divine power, creating an opening.
Emmanuel's sword struck the core dead-on, shattering it with a resounding crack. The Death Knight let out an unearthly wail as its aura dissipated, and its body crumbled to the ground.
---
The Legacy of Evernight Citadel
The chamber fell silent, save for the trio's labored breathing. The system chimed:
"Boss defeated. Congratulations, challengers. You have claimed the Legacy of Evernight Citadel."
A pedestal rose from the center of the room, bearing a glowing artifact. Izabella, Emmanuel, and Rodensky approached cautiously, their exhaustion tempered by curiosity.
Rodensky reached out, his hand hovering over the artifact. "Let's see what this legacy really is."