Chapter 8: The Revenant's Challenge
The Shadow Revenant loomed in the center of the chamber, its massive, blackened sword dragging against the stone floor with a deafening screech. Its armor pulsed with dark energy, and the oppressive aura seemed to weigh down the air itself.
Selene and Draven stood at the entrance, their eyes locked on the towering figure. The faint glow of the chamber's runes bathed them in an eerie light.
The system's voice echoed in Draven's mind:
[Boss Fight Initiated: Shadow Revenant.]
[Tip: Exploit weaknesses. Environmental advantages may prove critical.]
Draven glanced at Selene. "Any bright ideas?"
Selene gripped her dark blade, her expression calm. "Don't die. That's step one."
"Helpful," Draven muttered, summoning his shadow wolf.
The Revenant moved with surprising speed for its size, closing the distance in a blur of dark energy. Its massive sword came down in a sweeping arc, forcing Draven and Selene to leap in opposite directions. The blade struck the ground, sending cracks spidering across the floor and releasing a wave of shadow that rippled outward.
Selene landed gracefully, her blade already in motion. She darted toward the Revenant, aiming for its exposed joints. Her strike connected, but the shadowy armor absorbed most of the blow, sparking faintly.
Draven circled around, using the distraction to strike from behind. His claws glowed with dark energy as he activated Shadow Spike, driving it into the Revenant's back. The creature roared, spinning with its sword to force him back.
"You're tough," Draven said, dodging the counterattack. "But I've faced worse."
The Revenant raised its free hand, summoning orbs of shadow that hovered around it like malevolent stars. It hurled them one by one, each exploding on impact and forcing Draven and Selene to stay on the move.
"Any weaknesses?" Draven called out, narrowly avoiding a blast.
Selene's eyes darted to the glowing runes on the chamber walls. "The runes—they're linked to its power. If we disrupt them, it might weaken."
"Good to know," Draven said, directing his shadow wolf toward one of the glowing symbols. "Distract it while I work."
Selene nodded, charging the Revenant head-on. Her blade clashed against its sword, sparks flying as she expertly parried its brutal strikes. Her movements were fluid, almost dance-like, keeping the creature's attention locked on her.
Meanwhile, Draven reached the nearest rune, its glow pulsating with dark energy. He extended his claws, channeling his own shadow energy to disrupt the symbol. The rune flickered and dimmed, and the chamber shook as the Revenant let out a furious roar.
[Boss Weakened: Rune Disruption Successful. Strength Reduced by 15%.]
"That did something," Draven called out, moving to the next rune.
Selene smirked, dodging a heavy swing. "Keep going. I'll handle the big guy."
Draven didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted to the next rune, his shadow wolf providing cover by snapping at the Revenant's legs. The creature lashed out, but its movements were slower now, less precise.
As Draven disrupted the second rune, the Revenant staggered, its armor cracking slightly.
[Boss Weakened: Strength Reduced by 30%.]
"Almost there," Draven muttered, eyeing the final rune across the chamber.
But the Revenant wasn't going to make it easy. It slammed its sword into the ground, releasing a shockwave of shadow energy that knocked both Draven and Selene off their feet.
"Enough!" the Revenant roared, its voice shaking the chamber. It raised its hand, summoning a massive vortex of shadows above its head. The swirling mass grew larger, its power suffocating.
Selene pushed herself to her feet, her violet eyes narrowing. "Draven, hurry up! If that thing goes off, we're done."
Draven gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move despite the weight of the shadow energy pressing down on him. His shadow wolf dissolved, its energy returning to him as he reached the final rune.
"Come on," he muttered, slashing at the glowing symbol with all his strength. The rune flickered, then shattered, releasing a burst of light that dispelled the oppressive shadows around the room.
The Revenant let out a deafening scream, the vortex above it dissipating as it fell to one knee. Cracks spread across its armor, and its glowing eyes dimmed.
[Boss Severely Weakened: Final Rune Destroyed. Strength Reduced by 50%.]
Selene didn't waste a moment. She charged forward, her blade glowing with dark energy as she unleashed a flurry of strikes on the weakened creature. Each blow chipped away at its armor, black mist pouring from the cracks.
Draven joined the assault, his claws slashing through the Revenant's defenses. With a final, coordinated strike, they brought the creature to its knees.
The Revenant's voice echoed one last time, weaker now. "You… are stronger than expected. But the shadows… will consume you… eventually."
With that, the massive figure crumbled into black mist, its sword clattering to the ground.
[Boss Defeated: Shadow Revenant.]
[Rewards Unlocked: Shadow Relic, Experience Points, ???.]
Draven and Selene stood in the silent chamber, their breathing heavy.
"Not bad," Selene said, wiping her blade clean.
Draven smirked, inspecting the Shadow Relic that materialized before him—a jagged, black crystal pulsing with energy. "Worth the trouble?"
Selene nodded, her violet eyes glinting. "That relic is more than it seems. It's a piece of the truth we're after."
Draven frowned, turning the crystal in his hand. "The truth, huh? This had better be worth it."
"It will be," Selene said, her tone serious. "But this is just the beginning. The deeper we go, the harder it'll get."
Draven slipped the relic into his cloak, his resolve hardening. "Good. I'm just getting started."