The first move belonged to Mars. With a quick signal, he motioned for his vanguard to advance. Helga, Bren, and Dain took the lead, their shields and weapons braced for the first engagement. The castle's gates remained shut, but as they crossed the threshold of the outer courtyard, a low, guttural growl rumbled through the air.
From the shadows of the ruined archways, demonic sentries emerged. Twisted figures clad in cracked black armor, their eyes burning with an unholy glow, they moved in disciplined formations, their rusted weapons still deadly in their clawed hands.
[RAID UPDATE: Demonic Sentries Engaged – 25 NPCs Remaining]
"They're mid-tier elites!" Rowan called out. "And their attack patterns are different—this isn't the same old script!"
Mars cursed under his breath. "It won't be. They adapt now. They'll counter whatever worked against them before."
Bren charged forward first, his Titan weapon crashing down upon the nearest sentry with a thunderous impact.
[Bren Callow – 3,425 DMG Dealt]
The demon staggered but did not fall—its armor absorbed the brunt of the blow. Helga moved in next, her shield crashing against another, locking the creature in place as Dain weaved between them, his staff striking with precision at their exposed joints.
Then the real battle began.
The demonic sentries fought back with an eerie unity, their attacks methodical and relentless. One broke through The Chosen's ranks, slashing toward Kai, but before it could land a blow, Varian unleashed Arcane Eruption, sending a wave of raw energy cascading through the enemy ranks.
[Varian – 5,150 AOE DMG Dealt]
With a flick of his wrist, Mars activated Crimson Wave, his sword carving through the staggered demons, their bodies dissipating into smoke upon defeat.
[Mars – 4,800 DMG Dealt – Critical Hit]
The courtyard battle was fierce, but after minutes of intense combat, the last sentry fell.
[RAID UPDATE: Demonic Sentries Defeated – 0 NPCs Remaining]
Mars exhaled sharply. "That was just the welcoming party. The real fight starts inside."
[EXP GAINED: +4,500]
The Throne Room Awaits
The grand hall of Morrath Castle was as foreboding as the legends described. The high ceilings dripped with eerie green light from torches burning with unnatural flame. The long, tattered banners of the Demon King hung from the walls, their sigils ancient and worn. The entire chamber was thick with an unnatural cold, one that bit at the skin and seeped into their bones. The shadows along the walls writhed and twisted unnaturally, as if the darkness itself were alive.
And at the far end of the room, seated upon a throne of black stone, was Morrath the Demon King.
The massive demon barely stirred as they entered, his crimson eyes gleaming beneath his horned crown. His presence alone weighed upon them, the sheer malevolence radiating from his form enough to make the weaker members of The Chosen falter. His obsidian-black armor pulsed with cursed energy, runes along the plating shifting as if whispering incantations of doom.
[RAID UPDATE: Morrath the Demon King Engaged – 1 Boss Remaining]
[ENRAGE TIMER: 10:00]
Mars stepped forward, his Icebound Blade glistening with frost, wisps of icy mist coiling off its edge. He tightened his grip on the hilt, feeling the raw power of the sword pulsing beneath his fingers. "We bring him down fast and clean. No mistakes. Keep the pressure up and don't let him take control."
Morrath rose from his throne, his massive wings unfurling slightly. "You dare set foot in my domain and demand my throne? Foolish mortals. I will see you frozen in time, shattered into dust beneath my reign."
Without warning, Morrath unleashed a wave of abyssal frost, the chilling energy cascading across the chamber. Mars reacted instantly, slashing downward with Icebound Blade, sending out a counter-wave of frigid energy. The two forces clashed, ice and darkness exploding upon impact, frost spreading across the stone floor.
The battle was a brutal test of endurance. Wraithbound knights surged forward, their spectral blades cutting through the ranks. Morrath himself launched massive arcane attacks, jagged spears of ice and cursed magic raining down upon them.
[WARNING: ENRAGE TIMER AT 5:00]
[System Alert: If the Enrage Timer Reaches Zero, Morrath Will Unleash "Eternal Frost"]
[Effect: Instant Raid Failure – All Players Will Be Killed, Losing 15% EXP]
Mars dashed through the chaos, his sword leaving a trail of frozen mist as he struck down the wraiths. He activated Frostfang Slash, his blade carving through a knight before encasing it in solid ice. Another wraith lunged at him, but before it could strike, he pivoted and unleashed Glacial Rend, the air around him cracking as frozen spikes erupted upward, impaling the enemy.
[Mars – 6,700 DMG – Critical Freeze Applied]
"Keep moving!" he shouted as Alycia launched a storm of lightning at Morrath. The Demon King snarled and retaliated with a vicious swipe of his clawed gauntlet, sending a wave of necrotic frost across the battlefield.
[ENRAGE TIMER: 1:30]
[FINAL WARNING: If Morrath's Enrage Timer Reaches Zero, "Eternal Frost" Will Activate]
[Eternal Frost Effect: Instant Death. All Players in Raid Will Die and Lose 15% EXP]
[Survival Requirement: At least One Player Must Deal a Fatal Strike Before the Timer Expires]
Alycia fired off the last of her mana reserves, sending a final arc of lightning toward Morrath. Mars saw his opening, activated Shadow Piercer, and struck true, his blade sinking deep into the Demon King's chest. The Icebound Blade surged with power, frost spreading from the wound as Morrath's movements slowed, his entire form trembling from the chilling magic.
[FINAL BLOW – MARS: 8,500 DMG – MORTAL STRIKE]
Morrath roared, his form breaking apart into shards of dark energy before vanishing completely.
[RAID COMPLETE: Morrath the Demon King Defeated]
A system prompt appeared before Mars.
[Claim Morrath Castle as Guild Stronghold?]
[Yes/No]
He turned to face his guild, who were catching their breath, still processing the victory. "We have two choices: take the castle now, or let the zone reset so we can farm it one more time for more EXP and loot."
Bren grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "One more time sounds good to me."
The rest of The Chosen murmured their agreement.
Mars smirked and pressed No.
[Morrath Castle will reset in 48 hours.]
They would fight again. And this time, they would be even stronger.