The pulsing glow of the Riftforge intensified as Kael and Lira moved deeper into its labyrinthine halls. The air grew thicker with magic, crackling faintly in the quiet. Each step seemed to echo louder, as if the Forge itself were growing more aware of their presence.
Lira paused, scanning the twisting corridor ahead. "Something's wrong," she muttered, her hand tightening around the hilt of her dagger. "The air feels… charged."
Kael felt it too. His rune-marked hand tingled, reacting to the ambient energy. "Velis, what's ahead?" he asked silently.
The earring warmed as Velis responded. "Another guardian, stronger than the last. Its power is tied directly to this section of the Forge. It won't let you pass without a fight."
Kael exhaled, his grip tightening on his sword. "How strong are we talking?"
"Strong enough to kill you if you're careless," Velis replied bluntly. "Be ready."
As they stepped into the next chamber, the space opened into a vast, circular arena. The walls were lined with glowing runes, and the floor was a mosaic of shattered stone and ancient sigils. At the center stood a hulking sentinel, its metallic body towering over them. It was twice the size of the construct Kael had faced before, its arms ending in jagged, rune-etched blades.
The sentinel's glowing eyes flared to life as it turned toward them. Magic pulsed through its body, radiating power that made the air hum.
"Great," Lira muttered, stepping back instinctively. "I assume you've got a plan?"
Kael unsheathed his sword, his deep blue eyes fixed on the guardian. "Stay out of its range. I'll deal with it."
Lira frowned. "You sure about that? That thing looks like it could flatten a building."
Kael didn't answer, already moving. The sentinel roared to life, its massive blades carving through the air as it charged. Kael darted to the side, his speed enhanced by magic, but the force of the sentinel's swing sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber. The ground cracked beneath his feet.
"Faster, Kael," Velis urged in his thoughts. "You can't afford to get hit."
Kael teleported behind the sentinel, his blade striking at the glowing runes on its back. Sparks flew, but the construct's armor held firm. The sentinel twisted with surprising speed, its blade slashing toward him. Kael barely managed to teleport again, reappearing a few feet away.
"That didn't work," he muttered, breathing heavily.
"The runes on its chest are the key," Velis said. "You'll need to disable them before it collapses. But it won't give you an opening."
The sentinel's glowing eyes locked onto Kael, and it raised one arm. A surge of energy shot forth, a wave of raw magic that tore through the air. Kael dove to the side, the blast grazing him and searing the edge of his cloak. Pain flared in his shoulder, but he forced himself to his feet.
"You're struggling," Velis said. "Stop hesitating. Use your speed."
Kael gritted his teeth, teleporting again to dodge another swing. He appeared directly beneath the sentinel, slashing upward at its chest. The blade struck one of the glowing runes, cracking it slightly. The sentinel staggered, but its retaliation was swift—a backhanded strike that sent Kael flying across the chamber.
Kael hit the ground hard, pain shooting through his ribs as he rolled to a stop. He coughed, tasting blood. The sentinel lumbered toward him, its footsteps shaking the ground.
"Kael!" Lira called out from the edge of the chamber. She drew her bow, loosing an arrow at the construct. It struck one of its arm joints, barely slowing it down. "You can't keep taking hits like that!"
"I know," Kael muttered, forcing himself to stand. His vision swam, but the rune on his hand flared brighter, urging him onward.
"Get up," Velis said sharply. "You're faster than this. Use the Heartstone's power if you must."
Kael hesitated. Drawing on the Heartstone would give him a surge of strength, but the cost was always steep. His body could only handle so much before it began to break down.
The sentinel raised its blade, preparing to strike.
Kael closed his eyes, focusing on the Heartstone's energy. The rune on his hand blazed with light, and his entire body surged with power. Time seemed to slow as he darted forward, moving faster than ever before. He teleported to the sentinel's chest, his blade slashing across the runes in a blur of motion.
The first rune shattered, releasing a burst of light that staggered the sentinel. Kael teleported again, targeting the second rune. His sword struck true, the rune cracking under the force of his enhanced speed.
The sentinel roared, its movements growing more erratic as its magic faltered. Kael reappeared on the ground, his chest heaving as the power of the Heartstone receded. His body screamed in protest, his vision blurring, but he forced himself to focus.
"Finish it," Velis said.
Kael gripped his sword tightly and launched himself at the sentinel one final time. With a shout, he drove his blade into the last rune on its chest. The construct froze, its magic flickering out. Slowly, it collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust and shattered stone.