Chapter 10: challenging stage two of Genesis quest again
His eyes glowed as he nodded to Arzia and his eyes locked with hers. Her gaze was something unsettlingly serious, as if she knew exactly what is on the line.
The world behind him rippled, and the Bladeheart estate simply disappeared, as something like the darkened sky broken by the barrenness of Psalm online. Before them lay the dungeon, crumbling stone walls crumbling to the earsplitting storm of green mist in thick air. But every step they took sounded like it echoed in the stillness, as if it were the still air itself watching them go.
Brian adjusted the hilt of his sword, and warned, "Stay close." The rising tension was comforting, he could feel the cool metal of the blade against his fingers. "Kaanz is a tough one. We need to be tactical."
She was always on the lookout, and positioned herself beside him. "You're safe," she said in her tiny, barely there voice, a voice that was so tiny it should not have been possible for it to carry any weight.
The two moved slowly, carefully, deeper into the dungeon. It was oppressive; the air felt dead, as if their prison was more alive, ready to gobble them up, than anyone. Only their heavy stride, broken by the whisper of the passing shadows of distant creatures, could be heard.
A low growl vibrated through the ground and then suddenly… Every instinct in Brian's body screamed to be ready for battle as it tensed.
'Get ready' he whispered to Arzia and his hand instinctively grabbed the hilt of his sword. The beast was close.
A giant hulk appeared from the haze. The orc warrior in green skin stood before them, his skin sheen barely brightening now in the faint sheen of sweat. His broad shoulders were armored heavily, and his light moderately enchanted massive axe set aglow with dark magic. Brian felt his spine filled with a cold chill when Kaantz's eyes locked with theirs.
"Do you fear death?" The voice of Kaantz rumbled as thunder, rumbling deep and mocking. "Come, then. I'll show you how it feels to face the end."
Before he could react, Brian felt a wide arc swing from Kaantz's axe aimed at his head. The strike whistled through the air like a tornado, and the ground under their feet shook. Without hesitation Arzia sprung into action, flailing her sword into the enchanted axe and the two clashed with a loud resounding clash. In a flurry of sparks, the two weapons hit, sending out a shockwave that itchy up Brian's hair.
Brian didn't wait to see what would happen with their first exchange. Arzia was strong, he knew that, she could hold her own against Kaantz, but this wasn't just about strength. It was about strategy.
Brian stepped back with a swift movement of his eyes scanning the battlefield. Kaantz's attacks were relentless, but slow, too slow. Brian could see the cracks in the orc's defenses. All he had to do was find the right moment.
"Arzia!" His voice was sharp with command, he shouted. "We need to outmaneuver him! Don't just block, distract him! Keep him unbalanced!"
Arzia's eyes closed, she adjusted her stance and kept her face calm. Sword obscured by a blur of silver, Kaantz shifted but could only track her to a blurry frame quickly changing as fast as anything ever has. Each strike was calculated, precise, just enough to get Kaantz's heavy axe a little out of whack, forcing the axe to shift in his swing.
Brian inhaled deeply, started to pull MANA with his body, naturally moving through the same spell casting rhythm it liked. The air thick with energy, the world around him slowed as he set his next move.
He muttered, well aware the surge of magic was coursing through him. His MANA pressed his fingers tingling as he made the spell, solidifying the MANA into a sphere of pure energy. It cracked with power, and Brian threw the lance forward.
The blast hit Kaantz's side, the energy of the explosion knocking the orc back. The creature shook off the impact, roared in pain. He could see it in his eyes, he'd hit something vital.
Arzia didn't miss the opportunity. She lunged forward, snatching her sword, it flashed through the air. She cut the orc's head away with a single, with fluid motion, a last blow, as clinical.
Kaantz crumpled to the ground heaped, and the dungeon shook with his fall. There was a moment of silence, broken only by the sound of Brian's labored breathing.
Brian smiled a little, 'We did it.' In the midst of the fighting, he felt a surge of pride.
Arzia stood over the orcs fallen body, having an unreadable expression. "You did well, Brian."
Brian was still catching his breath, and he nodded. "It's not over yet. But it's a start."
---
The haunting green mist rising into the air from the surrounding dungeon, Brian felt something leave from off his chest that he was not accustomed to. He almost forgot the dangers that awaited him in the real world. It had felt like a quiet victory — a victory over Kaantz, the monster that had, a few moments ago, seemed so intimidating — an indication of how far he had come.
Bright congratulatory messages flashed on the glowing screen in front of him. He caught a quickening of his heart as he saw the rewards.
---
System Message
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have successfully defeated Kaantz, the Orc King.
+500 EXP
+1,000 Gold
New Skill Unlocked: MANA Control
Item Acquired: Orc King's Amulet
+5 Synchronization Rate
---
Brian closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath. There was so much MANA coursing through him, and his strength was returning so fast, the victory seemed even more real. The power was rising in his body, the virtual world and his own were becoming more and more synchronized with each step.
Turning to Arzia, watching, her glowing eyes filled with a strange sense of pride, Brian said: 'Not bad.' "Every time we push through this, we get better."
Arzia replied in a tone so unwavering it was almost a shout: "Indeed," she said. "Brian, you are getting stronger." In the game and in reality."
He thought back to the property that was his home, the state of the property that Brian called home. For now, for this short time, he allowed himself to feel a bit of accomplishment.
---
The transition from the digital to his actual world was jarring back in the real world. The Blade heart mansion was a large pile of white marble, welcoming sunlight through the high windows and shining in the grand hall that was always vast and imposing. Brian couldn't stop thinking something was off. It wasn't just the war looming. The atmosphere was thick with tension, but something else was doing it.
He moved through the hall, lost in thought, half aware of his surroundings. The weight of reality was bearing down on him again, bowing him over, but he was still being carried on the waves of his recent achievement.
"Brian."
the sharp voice cut through his thoughts. Bice, his mentor, stood in the doorway, and he turned to look at him. The retired knight's face was set in its usual frown, but his eyes were different. Maybe concern, perhaps curiosity. It was hard to say.
Bice crossed his arms over his chest and said, "You've been making some serious progress." "I've been watching your training."
A small smile squeezed past Brian's inner thoughts. "Thanks, Bice. It's been… helpful."
For a moment, Bice softened his gaze, but he didn't lower his guard. "No need for modesty. I've seen what you can do. You've got potential, I can tell you. I need to know, are you ready for what's to come? You can't hide behind your noble name forever, the war, the battles."