"I don't think the Ethereal Link will activate this time," Arvian said, his tone steady but grim.
"So we're going to have to rely solely on our abilities. Astrea's ability boosts her physical strength, Darius has his shield for defense, and I have an offensive skill. We need to use them strategically, not recklessly."
"So, how are we going to defeat Zaryx?" Arvian began, his tone focused as he outlined the plan.
"First, I'll use my offensive skill to distract it, keeping its attention on me. Then, Astrea, you'll attack it relentlessly from the sides, exploiting any openings. Darius, you'll use your shield ability to protect us from its counterattacks. We'll have to coordinate perfectly to make this work."
"That sounds like a perfect plan," Astrea said with a nod, her determination shining through. "If it works, we could actually take that thing down."
As the hours passed, an unsettling silence filled the air, and the fear within them grew stronger. With every second that went by, an unseen burden pressed down on their hearts, eating away at their resolve.
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[System Notification: Stage 2 - Dance with The Winged Judgement]
[SYSTEM]:
Stage 2 is about to begin. The challenge: "Dance with The Winged Judgement."
Commencement Countdown:
Time Remaining: 1 minute
[Safe Zone Rules:]
The safe zone is temporary and only grants partial reprieve from Zaryx's wrath.
Zaryx despises those who abandon the fight or display fear. Entering the safe zone during combat may provoke unforeseen consequences.
[Penalty for Death in Safe Zone:]
If a participant dies within the safe zone, they will be subjected to an Unhuman Mission, a task so vile and twisted that no human heart can endure it.
Warning: Survival in the Unhuman Mission is not guaranteed, and its nature is designed to break the spirit.
◇_______________◇
"Well, we can't afford to die," Arvian said, his voice firm, the gravity of their situation sinking in.
[3..2...1...]
The pressure suddenly increased, distorting the surrounding air and making everything in their line of sight blurry.
A shadowy figure appeared, moving with lightning speed. It moved in a blur of darkness from one location to another, and then it was somewhere completely different.
Where they stood, a huge, luminous circle appeared out of nowhere.
"We're already in the safe zone," Arvian said, his voice low and steady.
"Both of you, be ready."
The moving shadowy figure revealed itself in full—Zaryx, the Winged Judgment. His long sword surged with black power, and his wings spread wide, crackling with dark energy.
He bared his teeth and screeched in a primal display of rage, his eyes burning bright red with rage.
Arvian's mind raced. Will Fury Infusion also boost the power of any weapon Astrea wields?
He turned to her, his voice filled with urgency. "Astrea, do you have a sword in your inventory?"
Astrea checked quickly and replied, "Empty?"
Arvian swiftly opened his inventory, his fingers moving with practiced speed as he retrieved a sword. He handed it to Astrea, urgency in his voice. "Use this alongside your ability. Activate it with the Fury Infusion. Take it."
He handed it to Astrea, urgency in his voice. "Use this alongside your ability. Activate it with the Fury Infusion. Take it."
Arvian's instincts took over as Zaryx took a slow, menacing stride toward them.
"Astrea, activate your ability!" With a sense of urgency, Arvian yelled.
Arvian took a step back without thinking, chanting under his breath and raising his hands. "Ethereal Lash."
The dark energy shot from Arvian's hands, heading straight for Zaryx, but in an instant, the winged figure swung its sword, easily slicing through the tendril and dissipating the energy.
Arvian's eyes widened in shock as he realized how powerful Zaryx was. "It can block it... just like that," he muttered, his mind racing for their next move.
Without hesitation Astrea lunged at Zaryx, moving with incredible speed.
She landed punchs after punchs on it, her punchs were hitting with blurry speed, each blow harder than the last.
There was no pause, no room for doubt—only the constant rhythm of her punches, fueled by the power of her Fury Infusion, as she fought the Winged judgment.
Arvian's eyes widened as he realized Astrea wasn't holding the sword.
He hurried over to it without thinking, and his hand automatically slid around the hilt to pick it up. The blade's weight felt different now, as if it were charged with fresh energy. Quickly, he knew, he had to use it.
Astrea abruptly lost consciousness after nearly 20 seconds, and the Zaryx was gradually regaining its equilibrium.
"Damn, Astreaa!" Arvian shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.
"Darius, you take Astrea and get to safety! I'll buy sime time."
With that, he charged toward Zaryx, his sword raised high. As he closed the distance, Zaryx let out a deafening roar and swung his massive sword with terrifying speed.
The blow was so powerful that it sent a shockwave through the air, and Arvian barely deflected it with his own blade.
Zaryx let out another roar, his rage unrelenting. He sent Arvian flying in the direction of safety after knocking him back with a strong sword sweep.
The force of the blow left Arvian disoriented as he crashed hard to the ground.
He tumbled uncontrollably, rolling recklessly in the safe zone, his body unable to regain control as the momentum carried him forward.
Unfortunately, Darius was still carrying Astrea, and they were far from the safe zone. He couldn't reach Arvian in time to protect him from the oncoming danger.
And he lost his coniuosness
Suddenly, Zaryx vanished from sight, only to reappear right above Arvian.
A surge of immense dark energy erupted from him, flooding the area.
The suffocating darkness quickly swept over almost the whole safe area, even reaching Darius Kain and Astrea. Everything appeared to be consumed by the shadows, and Arvian's form vanished into the emptiness as the dark force engulfed him whole.
Everything went black
◇_______________◇
[System Notification: Death Detected - Safe Zone Violation]
[SYSTEM]:
Participant Arvian has died within the safe zone during Stage 2 of the trial.
Unforeseen Event Triggered:
Zaryx has consumed the essence of the fallen participant, attempting to claim control over their body.
The safe zone has destabilized.
[Consequences]:
Unhuman Mission Assigned: Arvian has been granted an Unhuman Mission, a tormenting task that defies human morality and survival. Failure is not an option.
Team Impact: All teammates will now face the secondary consequences of a safe zone death. The details of these consequences will be revealed in time.
World Shift: All surviving participants are forcibly transported to yourn world to complete the Evil Mission, where survival and moral integrity are in jeopardy.
[Trial Status]:
The trial has not concluded.
The timeline of future events has been altered due to this unforeseen event. All outcomes are now in flux.
[SYSTEM NOTE]:
This violation has changed the fabric of the trial and the future it connects to. Proceed with caution. The consequences of fear are never without cost.
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