The moment Eragon and Lunara crossed the threshold, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew heavier, charged with an overwhelming density of Etherion. The chamber was immense, its ceiling lost in shadow. Massive pillars adorned with glowing runes lined the room, casting flickering light across the cold, obsidian floor.
At the far end of the chamber, a monstrous figure emerged from the gloom. Standing at least twenty feet tall, its body was a fusion of jagged stone and sinewy flesh. Its head bore a crown of glowing, curved horns, and its glowing red eyes burned with malevolence.
"Lunara..." Eragon whispered, his voice trembling.
"I see it," she replied, her tone steely. "That's a Warden Beast. Guardians of ancient Etherion sources. We've stumbled into something far beyond what I expected."
The Warden roared, the sound reverberating through the chamber like a thunderclap. As it stepped forward, the runes on the walls flared to life, feeding its already immense presence with surges of Etherion.
Eragon's grip tightened on his knife. "We've fought tough beasts before. We can do this."
"This isn't like the others," Lunara said, her golden eyes narrowing. "Its power isn't just raw strength—it's centuries of refinement. One mistake, and we're dead."
The Warden moved with surprising speed for its size, closing the distance in a matter of seconds. Its fist came down like a hammer, the ground shattering beneath the impact as Eragon and Lunara barely dodged to the sides.
"Keep moving!" Lunara shouted. "If it pins us down, we're finished."
Eragon channeled Etherion into his knife and lunged for the Warden's exposed flank. The blade struck true, but the beast's stone-like skin deflected the attack, sending a jarring shock up his arm.
The Warden turned, its tail sweeping in a wide arc. Eragon threw himself to the ground, the tail grazing his back and sending him tumbling. Lunara darted in, her claws glowing with Etherion as she struck at the beast's legs.
Her attacks left faint cracks in its stony armor, but the Warden retaliated with a backhanded swipe that sent her skidding across the floor.
"We're not even scratching it!" Eragon shouted, struggling to his feet.
Lunara wiped blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes blazing with determination. "We have to hit the joints. It's vulnerable where the stone meets the flesh."
Eragon nodded, his mark flaring as he summoned more Etherion. He focused on his movements, darting in and out of the Warden's reach, aiming for its knees. Lunara mirrored his strategy, her strikes targeting the beast's shoulders.
The Warden bellowed in frustration, its movements growing more erratic as their attacks began to chip away at its armor. But with every strike, its counterattacks grew more ferocious.
A sudden pulse of Etherion emanated from the Warden, and the runes on the walls erupted with light. Chains of energy shot out, snaring Eragon and dragging him toward the beast.
"Eragon!" Lunara cried, launching herself at the chains. She slashed through them, but not before the Warden's massive hand closed around Eragon, lifting him off the ground.
Eragon struggled, the Warden's grip crushing the air from his lungs. His vision blurred as he desperately channeled Etherion into his knife.
"Let him go!" Lunara roared, leaping onto the beast's arm. Her claws tore into its flesh, and the Warden released a roar of pain, dropping Eragon.
He hit the ground hard, gasping for air as Lunara continued her assault. The Warden swatted at her, its claws raking across her side and drawing a spray of blood.
"Lunara!" Eragon shouted, his rage igniting a surge of Etherion within him.
The system interface appeared in his vision:
[System Alert: Critical Condition Detected. Activate Etherion Bond Amplification? Y/N]
Without hesitation, Eragon selected Y.
The mark on his chest flared brighter than ever, and a torrent of Etherion flowed into Lunara. Her form glowed with radiant energy, her wounds closing as her claws elongated and her strikes grew more powerful.
Lunara's renewed strength allowed her to press the attack, her claws tearing through the Warden's stony armor and exposing the sinew beneath. Eragon joined the fray, his Etherion-infused blade striking at the beast's exposed joints.
The Warden roared, its movements growing sluggish as its injuries mounted. But even in its weakened state, it remained a formidable opponent.
With a final, desperate attack, the Warden unleashed a wave of Etherion energy that filled the chamber. Eragon and Lunara braced themselves, their combined Etherion forming a protective barrier.
The energy dissipated, and the Warden collapsed to its knees, its glowing eyes dimming.
The Warden's body disintegrated, leaving behind a glowing orb of Etherion and a crystalline shard. Eragon and Lunara stood over the remains, their bodies battered and bloodied.
"That... was the hardest fight of my life," Eragon said, his voice hoarse.
Lunara chuckled weakly, her golden eyes softening as she looked at him. "You did well, Eragon. Better than I expected."
The system interface appeared again:
[Boss Defeated: Warden Beast]
Reward: Etherion Core, Evolution Catalyst.
Lunara's eyes widened as she examined the Evolution Catalyst. "This... this is something I never thought I'd see. It can help me evolve into my true form."
Eragon managed a smile despite the pain. "Then it was worth it."
As they rested against the chamber wall, their wounds slowly healing, the bond between them felt stronger than ever.