The quiet of the Eternal Spire shattered as an explosion rocked the chamber. Dust and shards of glowing runes fell from the ceiling, and the faint hum of magic turned into a deafening roar. Eziel instinctively dove to the ground, shielding his head as the force of the blast threw him against the wall.
"Ambush!" Boran bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos. The warrior was already on his feet, his axe blazing with runic light as he faced the source of the disturbance.
Figures emerged from the swirling dust, their forms cloaked in shadow and magic. Their movements were unnaturally fluid, their faces obscured by masks etched with unfamiliar symbols. Each carried weapons pulsating with Void energy, their glow a sickly green that made the chamber's light seem dim.
"Voidborn agents," Lysara hissed, standing behind the pedestal where the Riftcore glowed brighter than ever. She extended her arms, summoning a protective barrier of shimmering silver light around herself and the artifact. "They've come for the Riftcore!"
Eziel scrambled to his feet, his daggers already in hand. The runes on the blades flared as he whispered a quick incantation, the magic coursing through the weapons like fire. He sidestepped an incoming strike from one of the agents, countering with a swift slash that left a glowing arc in the air.
"Keep them off me!" Lysara shouted, her voice strained as she focused on stabilizing the Riftcore. The artifact's glow was erratic now, pulsating with a dangerous intensity that made the air in the chamber crackle.
"Easier said than done!" Eziel retorted, ducking beneath another attack. The agent's blade sliced through the air where his head had been moments before, its edge leaving behind a faint distortion.
Boran charged into the fray, his massive axe cleaving through two agents with a single swing. The force of his attack sent shockwaves through the chamber, but more agents emerged from the shadows, their numbers seemingly endless.
"Focus on protecting Lysara!" Eziel called out, his daggers flashing as he dispatched another foe. The agents were relentless, their attacks synchronized as if driven by a singular will.
One of the agents broke through the defensive line, making a beeline for Lysara. Eziel reacted instinctively, throwing one of his daggers with precision. The blade found its mark, embedding itself in the agent's chest. The figure stumbled, collapsing into a swirl of shadow and dissipating into nothingness.
"Behind you!" Boran roared, his warning barely reaching Eziel in time. He spun just as another agent lunged at him, their weapon aimed for his heart. Eziel parried the attack, his remaining dagger locking against the Void-infused blade. The strain was immense, the dark energy seeping into his weapon and threatening to overpower him.
With a growl, Boran barreled into the fray, his axe smashing into the agent and sending them flying across the chamber. "We're outnumbered!" the orc shouted. "We need reinforcements—or a miracle!"
"Working on it!" Lysara snapped, her voice tinged with frustration and concentration. The runes on the pedestal flared as she chanted in a language that was both ancient and incomprehensible. The Riftcore's glow stabilized slightly, its light pushing back against the encroaching darkness.
But the agents were undeterred. One of them raised a hand, summoning a swirling vortex of shadow that coalesced into a massive spear. They hurled it with unerring accuracy, aiming directly for the Riftcore.
"No you don't!" Eziel shouted, throwing himself into the spear's path. His dagger intercepted the projectile mid-flight, shattering it into harmless fragments. The impact sent him sprawling, his breath knocked out of him as he hit the ground.
Boran roared in fury, cutting through another wave of attackers. His movements were slower now, his injuries and exhaustion taking their toll. "We can't hold them forever!"
As if in answer, a brilliant light filled the chamber. Lysara's chant reached a crescendo, and the Riftcore emitted a pulse of energy that sent the agents reeling. The force was enough to disintegrate the closest attackers, their forms dissolving into wisps of shadow.
The remaining agents hesitated, their movements faltering as they assessed the situation. Taking advantage of the momentary reprieve, Eziel staggered to his feet, retrieving his thrown dagger. He met Boran's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them.
"We push them back," Eziel said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "Together."
Boran grinned, a fierce light in his eyes. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
The two charged forward, their combined strength overwhelming the remaining agents. Eziel's daggers danced through the air, leaving trails of light as they found their marks. Boran's axe cleaved through the opposition with brutal efficiency, each swing accompanied by a roar that echoed through the chamber.
When the last agent fell, the silence was deafening. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and burnt magic, the chamber littered with remnants of the battle. Lysara lowered her arms, the protective barrier dissipating as she collapsed to her knees.
"It's done," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "For now."
Eziel and Boran approached the pedestal, their weapons still at the ready. The Riftcore's glow had dimmed, but it pulsed with a steady rhythm, a sign that Lysara's efforts had succeeded.
"What just happened?" Eziel asked, his gaze shifting between the artifact and Lysara.
"The Voidborn know we have the Riftcore," she replied, her tone grim. "And they won't stop until they've claimed it. This was just the beginning."
Eziel exchanged a glance with Boran, both of them understanding the gravity of her words. Their enemies were relentless, and the fight was far from over. But for now, they had won a small victory—a flicker of hope against the encroaching darkness.
"Let them come," Boran said, his voice resolute. "We'll be ready."
Eziel nodded, his grip tightening on his daggers. The storm was far from over, but they would face it head-on. Together.