The descent from the Shattered Peaks was no less treacherous than the climb. The mist that had concealed the Core's plateau now followed them, clinging to the air like a living thing. Every so often, Ryan glanced over his shoulder, his grip tight on his sword. The memory of the Shadow Sentinel lingered, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.
"Eyes forward, kid," Grent said, his hammer resting on his shoulder. "If they're coming, they'll hit us head-on."
Ryan nodded, though his unease didn't fade. Arya led the group, her steps careful and deliberate as she navigated the narrow trail. The sealed Core rested in a reinforced container strapped to her back, its faint glow visible even through the layers of protective wards.
"How much farther to the foothills?" Ryan asked, his voice low.
"Half a day, if we don't hit trouble," Arya replied, her eyes scanning the rocky path ahead. "Stay sharp. The energy from the Core might draw more than just shadows."
The group moved in tense silence, the only sounds the crunch of their boots on gravel and the distant howling of the wind. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the trail widened into a small clearing. Arya raised a hand, signaling for a break.
"Here," she said, setting down her pack. "We'll rest for a bit. Keep your weapons close."
Ryan and Grent dropped their packs, and Ryan took a seat on a flat rock, his legs aching from the descent. The air was colder here, the wind biting at his exposed skin. He unsheathed his sword, inspecting the blade for any signs of wear. It had served him well, but he couldn't help but wonder if it would be enough for the battles still to come.
"Something's bothering you," Arya said, sitting down beside him. Her tone was casual, but her sharp eyes didn't miss a thing.
Ryan hesitated. "It's just... that Sentinel. The way it moved, the way it fought—it felt like it was more than just a monster. Like it had a purpose."
Arya nodded slowly. "The Guardians aren't like the creatures we've fought before. They're connected to the Cores. Protecting them is their only reason for existing. But you're right—it wasn't just mindless. It was reacting to us, thinking. That's what makes them dangerous."
Grent joined them, his expression grim. "And if there are more Cores, there'll be more Guardians. Stronger ones."
Ryan exhaled, the weight of their mission settling heavily on his shoulders. "Then we need to get stronger too."
Arya smirked faintly. "That's the spirit. Just don't lose your head in the process."
The break was short-lived. As they prepared to move on, the mist thickened, swirling unnaturally around the clearing. Ryan's HUD flickered, and a warning flashed across his vision: Multiple Hostiles Detected.
"They're here," Arya said, her bow already in hand.
From the mist emerged figures cloaked in shadow, their forms shifting and indistinct. They moved silently, their glowing eyes fixed on the group. Unlike the Sentinel, these creatures were smaller and more numerous, but their presence was no less menacing.
[Shadow Stalkers] - Level 10
Grent let out a low growl, hefting his hammer. "Looks like they sent the cleanup crew."
Ryan drew his sword, his pulse quickening. "How many?"
"Enough to make this interesting," Arya said, loosing an arrow that struck one of the Stalkers square in the chest. The creature let out a shrill hiss before dissolving into mist.
The Stalkers surged forward, their movements unnervingly fast. Grent met them head-on, his hammer swinging in wide arcs that scattered the attackers. Ryan activated [Quick Strike], darting around the edge of the fray to target the creatures' flanks. His sword struck true, each hit dispersing a Stalker into nothingness.
Arya's arrows flew with precision, picking off targets before they could close in. "Keep moving!" she shouted. "Don't let them surround you!"
Ryan sidestepped a lunging Stalker, his blade flashing as he countered with a powerful slash. His HUD flashed: +50 XP. He barely had time to recover before another Stalker was upon him, its claws raking the air inches from his face.
Grent roared, his hammer smashing into the ground and creating a shockwave that sent the Stalkers sprawling. "We can't hold this position forever!"
Arya nodded. "We need to push through. Ryan, stay close to me. Grent, cover the rear!"
The trio began a fighting retreat, their movements coordinated and deliberate. Every step was hard-fought, but they pressed on, refusing to be overwhelmed. Ryan's arms burned with the effort, but he gritted his teeth and kept swinging, each strike driving them closer to safety.
Finally, the Stalkers began to thin, their numbers dwindling as the group reached the edge of the mist. With a final swing of his hammer, Grent sent the last attacker flying, its form dissolving into shadow.
The clearing grew quiet once more, the mist retreating like a living thing. Ryan collapsed to one knee, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
"Everyone okay?" Arya asked, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
Grent nodded, leaning on his hammer. "Still in one piece. You?"
Ryan forced himself to stand, his legs trembling. "I'm good."
Arya gave a small nod. "Then let's move. The foothills aren't far, but we can't afford to let our guard down. Not now."
Ryan glanced at the path ahead, the weight of the sealed Core pressing heavily on his mind. The fight had been brutal, but it was only a taste of what was to come. As they resumed their journey, he couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows weren't done with them yet.