Chapter 3: Shadows Unleashed
The hulking shadow beast towered over the clearing, its form shifting and writhing like living smoke. Its glowing red eyes fixed on Draven and the paladin, who stood side by side in a tense truce.
"That thing came from the dungeon?" Draven muttered, his claws flexing. "Looks like it skipped the warm-up round."
The paladin kept her sword raised, her grip steady. "Focus. If we don't stop it, it'll destroy everything in its path—including us."
The beast let out a deafening roar, sending a shockwave that knocked leaves from the trees. Without warning, it charged, its massive claws carving deep gouges in the earth.
"Move!" the paladin shouted.
Draven activated Shadow Step, blinking out of harm's way as the beast's claw slammed into the spot where he had stood. The impact sent chunks of dirt flying. The paladin rolled to the side, her armor gleaming as she slashed at the creature's arm. Her blade connected, but the shadows reformed instantly, leaving no visible damage.
"It regenerates!" she yelled, leaping back to avoid a counterattack.
"Good to know," Draven replied. "Let's see how it handles this."
With a wave of his hand, the shadow wolf lunged at the beast, its fangs sinking into the creature's smoky form. The beast roared again, swatting the wolf away. The wolf dissolved into tendrils of shadow, only to reform beside Draven moments later, growling in defiance.
The system chimed in his mind:
[Analysis Complete. The Shadow Beast's core is its weak point. Destroy the core to eliminate the creature.]
Draven's eyes narrowed as he scanned the creature. Through its swirling form, he caught a glimpse of something—a glowing red orb buried deep within its chest.
"I see it," he said. "The core's in its chest."
The paladin nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "Then we hit it together. Keep it distracted, and I'll go for the core."
"Why do I have to be the bait?" Draven muttered, but before he could argue further, the paladin charged forward, her sword glowing with radiant light.
Draven sighed. "Fine. Let's do this."
He commanded the shadow wolf to flank the beast, while he darted in from the opposite side. The creature swung its massive claws, forcing him to Shadow Step repeatedly to avoid being crushed. Each step left him more drained, but he couldn't afford to slow down.
The paladin leapt high, her sword arcing toward the beast's chest. The creature roared, a tendril of shadow lashing out and knocking her out of the air. She hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop.
"Hey, over here!" Draven shouted, slashing at the beast's back to draw its attention. His claws tore into its form, but like before, the shadows reformed instantly.
The beast turned to him, its red eyes burning with fury.
"That's right," Draven said, smirking despite the sweat on his brow. "Come and get me."
As the creature lunged, the paladin rose to her feet, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. She raised her sword, its light intensifying.
Draven saw her preparing for another strike. "Now or never," he muttered. He commanded the shadow wolf to leap onto the beast's head, distracting it just long enough for him to Shadow Step onto its back.
"Go for the core!" he yelled, driving his claws into the creature's shifting form, anchoring himself as it thrashed.
The paladin charged, her sword blazing like a star. With a fierce cry, she plunged the blade into the beast's chest, driving it straight into the glowing core.
The creature let out an ear-splitting scream as cracks spread across its body, light pouring from the core. Draven leapt off just as the beast exploded into a shower of shadows and embers, the force of the blast knocking him to the ground.
When the dust settled, the clearing was eerily silent. The paladin stood over the spot where the beast had fallen, her sword glowing faintly before dimming.
Draven pushed himself up, wincing. "Well, that was fun."
The paladin turned to him, her expression unreadable. "You fought well… for a vampire."
"Thanks. You're not bad yourself," he said with a smirk.
Before she could respond, the system chimed in his mind:
[Task Complete: Defeat the Elite Dungeon Boss.]
[Rewards: Skill Upgrade – Shadow Step (Extended Range), Item – Shadow Core Fragment.]
A small, dark crystal appeared in Draven's hand, pulsing with faint energy. He stared at it, intrigued.
The paladin narrowed her eyes. "What's that?"
"None of your business," he said, pocketing the fragment.
Her hand tightened on her sword. "We had a deal. The beast is dead. Now it's your turn."
Draven raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, lady. I'm not looking for another fight." He activated Shadow Step, putting a safe distance between them.
"I'll see you around," he called, disappearing into the forest with his wolf.
The paladin watched him go, her expression conflicted. "Draven Nightshade," she murmured. "What are you really after?"