The Wraithblade circled Ryan, its red eyes glowing brighter as the clearing grew darker. Shadows rippled unnaturally across the ground, twisting and writhing like living entities. The shard in Ryan's inventory pulsed with an almost frantic rhythm, its glow casting faint beams of light that seemed to push back the encroaching darkness.
(Player HP: 65/100)(Guardian HP: 220/400)
Ryan steadied his breathing, his knuckles white as they gripped the hilt of his longsword. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he couldn't falter. The shard's faint light reminded him that this wasn't just a fight—it was a test.
The Wraithblade struck first, its daggers a blur as they sliced through the air. Ryan ducked low, the sound of the blades slicing above him sharp in his ears. He rolled to the side and activated [Parry (Enhanced)], his blade catching one of the daggers. Sparks erupted from the clash, and the reflected energy forced the Wraithblade to recoil briefly.
[Damage Reflected: 5 HP]
[Damage Dealt: 40 HP]
(Guardian HP: 180/400)
The Guardian recovered quickly, lunging forward again. Ryan pivoted and countered with [Precision Slash], his blade glowing with a concentrated energy that cut cleanly through the Wraithblade's torso. Wisps of shadow spilled from the wound, dissipating into the clearing.
[Damage Dealt: 70 HP]
(Guardian HP: 110/400)
The Wraithblade let out a guttural snarl, its form rippling violently. The clearing grew darker, the shadows coalescing around the Guardian until it was barely visible.
A notification appeared:
[Phase Two Activated: Shadow Assimilation]
The Wraithblade dissolved into the darkness, its form vanishing entirely. Ryan's heart raced as he scanned the clearing, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow. The shard in his inventory pulsed brighter, its glow illuminating faint ripples in the darkness around him.
"Clever," Ryan said under his breath, adjusting his stance. "But I've got tricks too."
He activated [Shield Bash], the burst of energy radiating outward and dispersing the shadows in its path. For a moment, the Wraithblade's silhouette was visible, darting through the darkness like a predator. Ryan followed its movements, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The Guardian lunged from the shadows, its daggers gleaming with a dark, otherworldly light. Ryan sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the first strike, and raised his blade to block the second. The impact jarred his arms, but he held firm, countering with [Courage Strike]. The longsword flared with light as it slashed across the Wraithblade's chest, forcing it to stagger.
[Damage Dealt: 60 HP]
(Guardian HP: 50/400)
"Come on," Ryan muttered, his breath ragged. "I'm not going down that easily."
The Wraithblade growled, its form flickering as it reformed, now more solid and aggressive. It lunged again, striking with relentless speed. Ryan blocked the first two blows, but the third slipped past his defenses, cutting across his side.
[Damage Taken: 15 HP]
(Player HP: 50/100)
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Ryan activated [Precision Slash], his blade glowing sharply as it cleaved through the Wraithblade's shoulder. The Guardian howled, shadows spilling from its form like blood.
[Damage Dealt: 50 HP]
(Guardian HP: 0/400)
The shard pulsed brighter, its glow now steady and unwavering. Ryan felt its energy coursing through him, strengthening his resolve. As the Wraithblade dissolved into fragments of light, the clearing slowly returned to its natural state. The oppressive shadows faded, and the faint light of the moon broke through the canopy above.
[Enemy Defeated: +300 EXP]
(Player HP: 50/100)
Ryan dropped to one knee, his chest heaving as the shard in his inventory materialized in his hand. Its surface was now etched with intricate, glowing patterns, a testament to the trial he had overcome.
[Trial Complete: Test of Shadows]
[Rewards: Resonant Shard Enhancement, +3 Skill Points]
"That… was intense," Ryan muttered, staring at the shard. Its glow felt more controlled now, more attuned to him. He opened his skill menu, quickly allocating his new points.
[Skill Upgrade: Courage Strike (Enhanced)] - Increases damage output and briefly stuns enemies.
[New Skill Unlocked: Shadowstep] - Allows the user to teleport a short distance, perfect for evasion or positioning.
As the menu closed, Ryan rose to his feet, the weight of exhaustion giving way to a faint smile. He had passed another trial, but the journey ahead felt more daunting than ever.
[New Objective: Seek the Third Resonant Guardian]
The notification faded as Ryan tightened his grip on his longsword. The path ahead stretched into the darkness, but the shard's glow gave him the courage to move forward.
"One step closer," Ryan said. "Let's see what's next."