Chapter 28: The Hunters' Assault
The journey back through the warped forest was silent. The Core in Kaylen's hand pulsed with an intensity that made his entire body hum with power. The final fragment had amplified the artifact's energy to an almost overwhelming level, and Kaylen could feel it clawing at his mind. The whispers were gone, replaced by a deep, resonant hum that filled his thoughts.
"How are you holding up?" Solas asked, breaking the silence.
Kaylen glanced at them, his face pale but determined. "It's stronger than ever. But it's… quieter. Like it's waiting."
Eryn frowned, their blade glinting in the faint light filtering through the twisted branches. "Waiting for what?"
Kaylen's grip tightened on the Core. "For the fight."
---
As they emerged from the forest into the open wasteland, a low rumble shook the ground. Kaylen froze, his heart pounding as he scanned the horizon. The air was thick with tension, and the faint hum of the Core grew louder in his hand.
"They're here," Solas said, their tone grim.
Eryn unsheathed their blade, their expression sharp. "The Hunters?"
Solas nodded, pointing to the distant horizon. "Look."
Kaylen followed their gaze, his stomach sinking. A line of figures was advancing toward them, their glowing weapons cutting through the gloom like beacons. At their center stood a tall figure clad in black armor, their presence radiating authority.
"That's their leader," Solas said, their voice low. "They're not holding back this time."
Kaylen's chest tightened as he stared at the advancing Hunters. He could feel the Core responding to them, its energy surging as if preparing for the battle to come. "They're after the Core," he said, his voice steady. "And they won't stop until they get it."
Eryn smirked, their blade ready. "Then we give them a reason to stop."
---
The Hunters attacked with precision and ferocity, their movements swift and calculated. Eryn charged into the fray, their blade flashing as they intercepted the first wave. Solas followed close behind, their relics flaring with bursts of energy that disrupted the Hunters' formation.
Kaylen stood at the center of the battlefield, the Core blazing in his hand. Its energy surged through him, wild and untamed. He focused, channeling the power into a torrent of fire that engulfed the nearest Hunters. The flames roared, but the Hunters pressed on, their glowing weapons cutting through the inferno.
"They're stronger than before!" Eryn shouted, parrying a strike from one of the elite Hunters. "And there's more of them!"
Solas deflected another attack, their voice sharp. "They've been waiting for this moment. The Core's energy is drawing them in."
Kaylen gritted his teeth, the Core's power thrumming in his chest. He summoned another burst of fire, shaping it into a barrier that held back the advancing Hunters. The strain of wielding the Core was immense, but he couldn't afford to falter.
"Kaylen!" Solas called, their tone urgent. "The leader is coming for you!"
Kaylen turned, his breath catching as the leader stepped forward, their black armor gleaming in the dim light. The air around them crackled with energy, and their weapon—a massive spear glowing with crimson light—hummed with deadly power.
"You've caused us enough trouble," the leader said, their voice cold and commanding. "Surrender the Core, and I'll grant you a swift death."
Kaylen raised the Core, its light blazing in defiance. "Come and take it."
---
The leader attacked with terrifying speed, their spear slicing through the air in a blur of crimson light. Kaylen barely managed to dodge, the weapon grazing his side and sending a jolt of pain through his body. He retaliated with a blast of fire, but the leader deflected it effortlessly, their spear glowing brighter.
"You're outmatched," the leader said, their tone almost mocking. "You're a child wielding a power you don't understand."
Kaylen clenched his fists, the Core's energy surging within him. "Maybe. But I'm not giving up."
He summoned the Core's full power, the flames roaring to life around him. The leader lunged, their spear cutting through the inferno, but Kaylen met the attack head-on. The clash of their energies shook the ground, the sheer force of the impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
---
Eryn and Solas fought desperately to hold off the other Hunters, their movements sharp and precise. The battlefield was chaos, the air thick with the sounds of clashing weapons and roaring flames.
"Kaylen's holding his own," Eryn said, deflecting a strike aimed at Solas. "But he can't do this alone."
Solas nodded, their relics flaring as they unleashed another wave of energy. "We need to finish this quickly. If the leader takes him down, it's over."
---
Kaylen's battle with the leader raged on, their movements a blur of fire and light. The Core's energy burned hot in his veins, its power almost overwhelming. He could feel the strain on his body, but he refused to back down.
"You're stronger than I expected," the leader admitted, their spear glowing with crimson energy. "But it won't be enough."
Kaylen smirked, his breath ragged. "You'll have to do better than that."
The leader lunged, their spear aiming for Kaylen's heart. He raised the Core, its light flaring as it met the attack. The impact sent both of them staggering back, the ground beneath them cracking under the force.
Kaylen summoned one final burst of fire, the Core's energy blazing brighter than ever. The flames roared toward the leader, their heat intense enough to warp the air. The leader raised their spear to block, but the sheer force of the attack overwhelmed them, sending them crashing to the ground.
As the flames subsided, the leader struggled to rise, their armor scorched and cracked. Kaylen approached, the Core pulsing steadily in his hand.
"This isn't over," the leader growled, their voice filled with anger and pain. "You can't win."
Kaylen stared down at them, his expression hard. "Maybe not. But neither will you."
The leader vanished in a flash of light, retreating with the remaining Hunters. The battlefield fell silent, the echoes of the battle fading into the distance.
---
Kaylen collapsed to his knees, the Core's light dimming as its energy settled. Eryn and Solas approached, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"You did it," Eryn said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You held them off."
Kaylen nodded weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "For now."
Solas knelt beside him, their gaze steady. "The Hunters won't stop. But you've shown them you're stronger than they expected. That's a victory in itself."
Kaylen looked at the Core, its glow steady but ominous. The final battle was looming, and the weight of the fragments pressed heavily on him. But for now, they had won.
And Kaylen was ready for whatever came next.