Warpath Ridge was silent.
Liam stood at the edge of the ravine, watching the twisted landscape stretch before him. The ground here was fractured stone, sharp and uneven, broken by jagged cliffs and deep trenches. The wind howled low, scraping dust and small stones across his boots. No trees. No shelter. Just open ground and the heavy pressure of being watched.
Rena stepped beside him, sword drawn. Her eyes swept the horizon, her stance already braced for a fight.
"He's close," she said.
Sarya knelt a few meters ahead, inspecting the terrain. She ran her fingers across a strange set of marks in the stone.
"Recent tracks. Heavy armor. Large stride."
Kaelyn crouched atop a nearby boulder, her crimson cloak drifting behind her in the wind. She didn't speak, but her daggers were in hand, and her gaze was locked on the ridgeline beyond.
Liam felt the pulse of the system again, stronger now. Warning him. Preparing him.
> [System Alert]
Zone Six: Warpath Ridge – Contested Territory
Threat: Rival Overlord Approaching – Class: Warlord
Combat Style: Power, Shockwave, Area Control
Objective: Survive, Defeat, and Maintain Bond Stability
Buff Active: Warlord's Edge (Rena) – +10% Strength and Defense
Passive Skill: Duel Guard – Active
Status: Fatal Strike Protection Ready
Liam scanned the broken terrain ahead. There were no trees to hide behind, no buildings to fortify. Just stone, dust, and the high cliffs that boxed them in. A perfect arena.
A trap.
Sarya stood, her crossbow loaded.
"This place was chosen. Not by us."
Kaelyn flicked one dagger in her hand.
"He's not afraid to fight out in the open."
Rena didn't look away from the horizon.
"Good. Neither are we."
Liam spoke calmly.
"We hold the ridge. Tight formation. Rena, front with me. Sarya, cover fire. Kaelyn..."
Kaelyn smirked.
"Do what I do best."
Liam nodded.
"Exactly."
Then the wind stopped.
A figure appeared across the ravine.
Black armor. Red cape. A massive war axe resting on one shoulder. His steps were slow, deliberate, and each one echoed against the stone like a drumbeat. The system pulsed again.
> Threat Identified: Rival Overlord – Name: Darek, Warlord of Ash
Power Tier: Equal – Overlord Class
Warning: He Seeks to Break Bond Links – Risk to Companions
Objective: Prevent Disruption, Defeat or Repel Target
Darek's voice carried across the ridge without effort.
"Liam. I've been watching you."
Liam raised his sword slightly.
"Not interested in fans."
Darek's expression didn't change.
"You've claimed four. That's too many. The system allowed it. I won't."
Kaelyn chuckled softly.
"He's jealous."
Sarya aimed her crossbow.
"He's stupid."
Darek took another step forward, his axe shifting.
"You think you can keep them? Power like that needs to be earned. I'll take them… one by one."
Liam stepped forward.
"You'll fail."
Darek moved fast.
One moment he stood across the ravine, the next he was in front of Liam, swinging his axe with brutal speed.
Liam's sword came up, but he wasn't fast enough.
Rena moved.
She threw herself between them, shield up, bracing for impact.
The axe struck.
The world flashed white.
But there was no pain.
A glowing shield flared to life between Rena and the blow. Energy surged around her.
> Duel Guard Triggered
Fatal Strike Blocked
Cooldown: 1 Hour
Bond Loyalty: Rena – Maximum
Buff: Warlord's Edge Reinforced – Liam Defense +10% for 5 Minutes
Rena stood firm, holding the shield's glow for a second longer before stepping aside.
"I said I've got you," she said, voice steady.
Liam didn't hesitate. He moved in, slashing at Darek's exposed side. Steel met armor. Sparks flew.
Darek growled, stepping back.
Kaelyn struck from the side, her blade cutting deep into his leg.
Sarya's bolt slammed into his shoulder.
Darek staggered.
"You fight together," he muttered. "Let's see how long that lasts."
Liam raised his sword.
"You're about to find out."
Darek swung his axe again, a brutal overhead strike aimed straight for Liam's head.
Liam sidestepped, the blade whistling past and slamming into the stone with enough force to crack it. Dust exploded upward, and Liam used the cover. He surged forward, his sword glowing with system energy, and drove the blade into Darek's side.
Sparks flew.
Darek staggered, but his armor held.
"You're strong," Darek growled, "but not enough."
He twisted, elbowing Liam hard in the chest. Liam stumbled back. Before Darek could follow up, Rena was there, sword slashing across his back. Her blade bit into the armor, drawing blood.
Darek turned to strike, but Kaelyn struck first.
Her dagger slid between two plates of his armor, piercing his thigh. She kicked off him and vanished into the dust again.
Darek roared in frustration, spinning wildly.
Sarya's bolt flew through the air, slamming into Darek's shoulder. His arm dropped slightly.
Liam charged.
He struck low, aiming for the same point Kaelyn had hit.
The sword cut deeper this time. Darek dropped to one knee, blood staining the stone beneath him.
"You think this is enough?" he spat.
Liam didn't answer.
He raised his hand.
"Icebind."
Frost erupted from his palm, wrapping around Darek's legs, locking him in place.
Rena followed with a heavy swing. Her blade crashed down on Darek's weapon, knocking it from his grip.
Kaelyn appeared behind him again.
"This is the part where you fall."
Darek's eyes glowed.
"No. This is the part where you learn fear."
He slammed his hand into the ground.
A pulse of energy burst outward, knocking all of them back.
Liam rolled to his feet, sword raised.
> [System Alert]
Darek – Vital Signs Critical (23%)
Power Surge Detected – Final Assault Imminent
Buff Triggered: Bond Synergy – Frost Edge + Trap Reflex
Combined Bonus: 20% damage for next 3 attacks
Darek rose, blood running down his face, his axe back in hand.
"You won't take what I built."
Liam stepped forward.
"You built nothing. You tried to steal."
He struck.
The sword clashed with the axe. Sparks flew.
Rena joined, her blade cutting across Darek's chest.
Kaelyn moved behind him, striking again.
Sarya fired one final bolt.
It struck Darek's helm, sending him stumbling.
Liam drove his sword into Darek's chest, straight through the cracked armor.
Darek gasped.
Then he vanished, his body dissolving into system light.
> Rival Overlord Defeated
Reward: Territory Stabilized – Warpath Ridge
Buff: Bond Sync Stable
Signal Detected – New Bond Target Incoming
Type: Berserker
Status: Hostile – Charging Location
The ground trembled.
From the far ridge, a figure sprinted toward them, massive and fast.
Sarya aimed her crossbow.
"Friend of his?"
Kaelyn crouched, ready.
"Doesn't matter."
Rena stepped beside Liam.
"I'll protect you."
Liam raised his sword.
"We take her down."
The berserker roared.