Dawn broke over the Crimson Wastes, casting long shadows across the jagged terrain. The air was heavy with tension as Ryan, Arya, and Grent packed up their camp. The encounter with the Shadebound Hunters had left them on edge, and the faint pulse of the Core in its container seemed louder in the stillness of the morning.
Arya tightened her bowstring, her eyes scanning the horizon. "We're not far now. If we push hard, we'll reach Dawnstead by nightfall."
Grent adjusted his hammer, a grim look on his face. "Let's just hope we don't run into anything else. Those Hunters were bad enough."
Ryan nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Do you think they'll come after us again?"
Arya's gaze didn't waver from the horizon. "Probably. The closer we get to safety, the more desperate they'll be. Stay sharp."
The journey through the Wastes was grueling. The sun rose higher, its heat relentless as the group navigated rocky terrain and shifting sands. The faint scent of sulfur lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the land's hostility.
Ryan's HUD flickered occasionally, struggling to maintain functionality in the Core's presence. He kept a wary eye on his surroundings, every shadow and distant sound setting his nerves on edge.
"Something's not right," he muttered, breaking the silence.
Arya slowed her pace, glancing back at him. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know," Ryan admitted, his eyes scanning the area. "It's too quiet. Like they're waiting for something."
Grent grunted. "Waiting to ambush us, more like. Keep moving. Standing still makes us easy targets."
By midday, the terrain began to shift. The jagged rocks gave way to rolling dunes, and the faint outline of Dawnstead's walls appeared on the horizon. Relief washed over Ryan at the sight, but it was short-lived.
Arya stopped suddenly, holding up a hand. "Wait."
Ryan froze, his hand tightening on his sword. "What is it?"
Arya crouched low, her eyes narrowing as she pointed to a cluster of dunes ahead. "Tracks. Fresh ones."
Grent moved beside her, his expression darkening. "Raiders?"
Arya shook her head. "Bigger. And there's more than one."
A low rumble echoed across the dunes, and the ground beneath their feet trembled. Ryan's HUD flashed a warning: Hostiles Detected.
From the dunes ahead, three massive forms emerged, their bodies covered in thick, spiked armor that gleamed in the sunlight. Their eyes glowed with a menacing red light, and their movements were heavy but deliberate.
[Ironfang Behemoths] - Level 16
Grent let out a low whistle. "And here I thought we were done with big ones."
Arya nocked an arrow, her expression calm but focused. "This is it. Last stretch. Take them down, and we're home."
Ryan drew his sword, the weight of the battle ahead settling over him. "Let's do this."
The first Behemoth charged, its massive claws tearing through the sand as it barreled toward them. Grent stepped forward to meet it, his hammer glowing faintly as he swung with all his strength. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, but the Behemoth barely staggered.
Arya loosed an arrow that struck the creature's exposed joint, causing it to roar in pain. "Focus on the weak points! Their armor's too thick everywhere else!"
Ryan activated [Quick Strike], darting around the Behemoth's side. His HUD highlighted a crack in its armor near the leg, and he targeted it with precision. His blade struck true, drawing a spray of dark ichor as the Behemoth stumbled.
The second Behemoth joined the fray, swiping at Arya with one of its massive claws. She rolled out of the way, firing another arrow that embedded itself in the creature's neck. "Grent, keep them off me!"
"Working on it!" Grent shouted, slamming his hammer into the first Behemoth's chest. The creature roared, its movements slowing as the repeated blows took their toll.
The third Behemoth circled the group, its glowing eyes fixed on the Core's container. Ryan noticed its focus and shouted, "It's after the Core! Arya, cover it!"
Arya nodded, repositioning herself to guard the container as the Behemoth charged. She fired a rapid volley of arrows, each one striking with precision and forcing the creature to veer off course.
Ryan activated [Power Slash], his sword glowing as he targeted the first Behemoth's exposed core. The strike landed with devastating force, and the creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing into the sand.
"One down!" Ryan called, turning to face the remaining two.
The second Behemoth lunged at Grent, its claws raking across his shield. He grunted, pushing back with a roar of defiance as Arya fired another arrow, this time striking the creature's eye.
Ryan moved to assist, his sword flashing as he targeted the joints in its legs. Each strike weakened the creature, until finally, it crumbled under their combined assault.
The final Behemoth let out a deafening roar, its movements growing erratic as it charged at Ryan. He braced himself, his HUD flashing with a new notification: Skill Unlocked: Blade Tempest. A high-speed, multi-directional attack that delivers a flurry of slashes to all enemies in a radius. Effective against multiple targets or large foes with exposed weak points.
Without hesitation, Ryan activated the skill. His sword glowed brightly as he spun in a flurry of strikes, each one finding its mark. The Behemoth staggered, its armor shattering under the relentless assault. With a final, powerful blow, Ryan drove his blade into the creature's core, ending the fight.
+800 XP. Level Up! (Ryan is now Level 11)
The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the faint hum of the Core. Ryan leaned on his sword, his chest heaving as he looked around. The Behemoths lay defeated, their massive forms dissolving into the sand.
Arya approached, her bow still in hand. "Nice work. That new skill of yours came in handy."
Grent clapped Ryan on the back, grinning despite the exhaustion in his eyes. "Kid's got some moves. You might just survive this after all."
Ryan managed a tired smile. "Thanks. Let's get out of here before something else shows up."
The group resumed their march, Dawnstead's walls growing larger with every step. The Core was secure, and the path ahead was clear. But Ryan knew their journey was far from over. The Wastes had tested them, but the real battle was only just beginning.