The tension in the training grounds was palpable as Dante Valen and his group stood at the ready. The Nexus Trials were underway, but no one had anticipated an ambush by rogue wraiths. Their shrieks echoed through the air, piercing and chaotic, as they spilled into the arena from all sides.
Dante's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. The Bloodline Chronicle system's voice chimed in his mind:
"Multiple hostiles detected. Suggest immediate engagement."
"Thanks for stating the obvious," Dante muttered under his breath as a massive wraith lunged toward him.
Beside him, Damien was already in motion, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. "You've got to be faster, Dante! These things won't wait for you to warm up!"
Dante grinned. "Don't worry about me, Damien." He activated his sword qi, the blade glowing with crimson energy as he slashed through the first wraith, its body disintegrating. Ista Valen was on Dante's right flank, her movements sharp and calculated. "We need to thin their numbers before they overwhelm us!" she shouted, her daggers flashing as she executed a series of rapid strikes.
From the corner of his eye, Dante noticed Ethan Grayson falter. A wraith had clawed through Ethan's side, and blood stained the ground beneath him. "Grayson! Pull back!" Dante yelled, rushing to cover him.
"No!" Ethan gritted his teeth, swinging his weapon to fend off another attacker. "I won't let you down!"
The Betrayal UnveiledThe chaos began to settle as the group drove the wraiths back. Dante was catching his breath when a cold voice cut through the air.
"You really think you're untouchable, Valen?"
Dante turned, his blood running cold. It was Marik, one of his closest friends. The glint in Marik's eyes was unmistakable—hatred.
"What are you doing, Marik?" Dante asked, his voice steady despite the storm brewing within him.
Marik smirked, a cruel edge to his expression. "Did you really think I'd follow you forever? You're nothing but a lucky fool who stumbled into power."
Before Dante could respond, Marik raised his hand, signaling a second wave of wraiths.
The Fight for SurvivalChaos erupted once more as the creatures surged forward, even deadlier than before. Marik disappeared into the shadows, leaving the group to fend for themselves.
"Dante, we're being overwhelmed!" Ista's voice broke through his focus.
"I know!" Dante roared, the energy from the Bloodline Chronicle surging through him. Crimson tendrils of energy coiled around his blade as he activated a forbidden technique. With one powerful slash, a dozen wraiths fell, their screams piercing the air.
But it wasn't enough.
A massive wraith descended upon Dante, claws poised to strike. Before he could react, a figure darted in front of him.
Ista.
She plunged her daggers into the creature's chest, but its claws raked across her torso in retaliation. She crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath her.
"No!" Dante's scream tore through the air. He dropped to her side, cradling her in his arms.
"Dante… stay strong," Ista whispered, her voice barely audible. "You have to survive this… for all of us."
Her eyes closed, and her body went limp.
The loss sent Dante into a frenzy. His crimson aura flared, and his voice became a guttural roar. "Marik! You'll pay for this!"
Damien stepped forward, his face hard as stone. "Dante, we'll get him. But for now, focus. We have to survive."
Damien's words pulled Dante back from the brink, and together, they led the charge, cutting through the remaining wraiths with brutal efficiency.
By the time the dust settled, the training grounds were in ruins. Ista's lifeless body lay among the debris, a stark reminder of the cost of betrayal.
As the group regrouped, Dante turned to Damien. "We're going after Marik. And when we find him, he'll regret ever crossing us."
Damien's lips curved into a grim smile. "Now you're talking."
"Quest Updated: A Traitor's End."
The Bloodline Chronicle's notification echoed in Dante's mind as he clenched his fists. The hunt had begun.