In the shadowed depths of the Vault's antechamber, Darien—now fully revealed as Serath Kain—moved with lethal precision. Flanked by his shadowy henchmen, he approached the pair of elite guards stationed at the Vault's entrance. The guards, clad in shimmering mana-infused armor, raised their halberds at the intruders.
"Halt! No one enters the Vault without authorization," barked the taller guard, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall.
Serath offered a thin smile, his shadow blade forming in his hand with a soft hum of malevolent energy. "Authorization? I don't believe I require it."
Before the guards could react, Serath surged forward, his movements a blur.
His blade sliced cleanly through the halberd of the first guard, the weapon clattering uselessly to the ground.
Shadows erupted from his outstretched hand, enveloping the second guard in a suffocating vice.
The guards fought valiantly, their attacks imbued with the Academy's protective enchantments. But against Serath's unnatural power, they were outmatched. The taller guard fell with a final, choked gasp as Serath's blade pierced his chest.
The other crumpled moments later, his armor disintegrating under the corrosive force of shadow magic.
Serath turned to his followers, their forms barely distinguishable in the dim light. "Dispose of the bodies. We're on borrowed time."
His henchmen obeyed silently, dragging the fallen guards into the darkness. Serath approached the Vault's imposing doors, their glyphs flaring weakly as they resisted his presence.
With a casual wave of his blade, he began unraveling the protective enchantments, each shattered glyph dimming the room further.
A faint rumble echoed as the defenses weakened. Serath's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "The Vault's secrets will soon belong to the Reaver."
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The Vault's entrance loomed ahead, a towering door inscribed with ancient glyphs glowing faintly against the encroaching darkness.
Sang-hoon skidded to a halt, his boots scraping against the marble floor as he caught his breath. Behind him, Elena's golden spear burned brilliantly, a beacon against the chaos consuming the Academy.
The shattered barrier had thrown the grounds into turmoil. Students and instructors fought valiantly against the invading shadowy figures, but their movements were uncoordinated, frantic.
Sang-hoon's heart clenched as a young recruit was overpowered, their desperate cry muffled by the roar of a monstrous beast crashing through the central courtyard.
Kaelith perched tensely on Sang-hoon's shoulder, the little dragon's iridescent eyes scanning the scene.
"We're running out of time," Sang-hoon said as Kaelith hissed, his voice low but urgent.
Elena nodded grimly.
The timer in his vision now read: 03:21:14.
Less than four hours remained to prevent catastrophe.
Less than four hours remained to prevent catastrophe.
"Elena, the Vault's protections have already been compromised," Sang-hoon said, gripping the hilt of his spear. "We need to stop Darien before he breaches the inner chamber."
Elena nodded, her jaw set with determination. "Then let's move. If he's already inside, we'll be facing more than just him."
The pair advanced toward the Vault, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous corridor.
The air grew heavier with each step, a suffocating pressure that seemed to emanate from the Vault itself. The glyphs on the door flared brightly as they approached, reacting to the presence of intruders.
"He's disabled some of the defenses," Elena observed, her sharp eyes scanning the flickering runes. "But not all of them. If we're lucky, we might catch him mid-process."
Sang-hoon wasn't so sure.
Serath Kain wasn't one to leave loose ends.
His meticulous nature had been evident even before Sang-hoon had uncovered his true identity. If Serath was inside, he would be prepared for resistance.
Kaelith suddenly growled, his claws digging into Sang-hoon's shoulder.
"Something's coming."
A shadowy figure emerged from the corridor ahead, its form humanoid but twisted, its limbs unnaturally elongated. Its eyes glowed crimson, and it moved with an unnatural, fluid grace.
Elena muttered, raising her spear.
"You take the left. I'll cover the right."
The creature lunged, its elongated claws slashing through the air.
Sang-hoon sidestepped deftly, his spear slicing across its torso.
The creature shrieked but didn't falter, its wounds closing almost instantly.
"It's regenerating!" Sang-hoon shouted, dodging another attack.
"Aim for the core," Elena called back, her spear thrusting forward in a blinding arc of light.
The creature recoiled, a dark, pulsating orb visible beneath its translucent skin.
Sang-hoon nodded, focusing his strikes.
Kaelith leaped from his shoulder, flames erupting from his tiny maw as he distracted the creature.
Taking advantage of the opening, Sang-hoon plunged his spear into the core. The creature let out a piercing wail before disintegrating into a cloud of ash.
"Efficient," Elena said, lowering her spear. "But we've lost precious time."
The timer now read: 02:57:43.
They reached the Vault's entrance, the massive door slightly ajar. Sang-hoon's stomach sank. Serath was already inside.
"Stay close," he whispered, pushing the door open. The room beyond was a cavernous chamber, its walls lined with pedestals holding relics of unimaginable power. The air was thick with mana, the energy crackling like static electricity.
At the center of the chamber stood Serath Kain, his shadowy blade poised above a pedestal housing a crystalline sphere. The sphere pulsed with a rhythmic light, its glow illuminating Serath's sharp features.
"You're too late," Serath said without turning, his voice calm and measured. "The Vault's heart is mine."
"Not if we stop you here," Sang-hoon retorted, stepping forward. "You won't destroy the Academy."
Serath turned, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Destroy it? No, Elyska. I'm elevating it. The Shadow Reaver's will is far greater than this pitiful institution."
"You're delusional," Elena snapped, her spear crackling with energy. "Stand down, or we'll make you."
Serath chuckled, a cold, hollow sound. "You think you can stop me? Very well."
With a wave of his hand, the crystalline sphere shattered, its fragments swirling around him like shards of light.
The room trembled, the air growing impossibly heavy as an inhuman roar echoed from the depths of the Vault.
A massive figure began to materialize, its form grotesque and monstrous, its many eyes glowing with malevolent intent.
"Meet the first of the Reaver's heralds," Serath said, his voice dripping with triumph. "And your end."
Sang-hoon tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. The timer in his vision blinked ominously, now reading: 02:49:37.
"We need to stop him and whatever that thing is," Elena said, her voice steady despite the rising tension.
"Agreed," Sang-hoon replied, stepping forward. Kaelith landed beside him, flames licking at his jaws.
The monster let out a deafening roar, its massive claws slamming into the ground, sending shockwaves through the chamber. Sang-hoon steadied himself, his eyes meeting Serath's.
"You've underestimated us," Sang-hoon said, his voice firm.
Serath smirked. "Have I?"
The ground beneath Sang-hoon's feet suddenly gave way, a swirling vortex pulling him into the abyss below.
"Elyska!" Elena's voice echoed above as darkness enveloped him.
And then, silence.