The night was heavy, cloaked in the smell of ash and damp earth. Andy and Nia moved carefully through the outskirts of the ruined village, their steps softened by the weight of silence. Survivors rested under hastily erected wards of light, Nia's magic flickering gently to shield them from the chill. Andy stood guard, his blades crossed on his knees, eyes scanning the treeline.
The ember in his chest pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat not his own. It burned hotter whenever he closed his eyes. He pressed his palm against it, jaw tightening. I can't lose control. Not here.
Then the silence shattered.
Branches cracked. Shadows shifted. From the tree line, a pack of corrupted soldiers burst forth, weapons gleaming dark with twisted mana. Their eyes glowed faintly, empty and merciless.
The system's chime cut into Andy's thoughts.
[Quest Triggered: Fang's Ambush]
[Objective: Defend Survivors]
[Danger Level: Moderate+]
Andy rose in one smooth motion, Ember-Edge and Tide-Singer drawn, their edges catching the faint glow of firelight.
[Bond Activation Check…]
[Current Bond: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 15%]
[Dragon Warrior Form – Tier I Enhanced Available]
He inhaled deeply. "Activate."
Flames and water spiraled around him, aura flaring with a force that lit the battlefield. Scaled lines shimmered faintly across his skin as Dragon Warrior Form: Tier I Enhanced surged alive. His presence alone made the corrupted hesitate, but only for a heartbeat—then they charged.
Andy moved first. Ember-Edge cut down in a wide arc, flame bursting from the strike and scattering two foes. He pivoted, Tide-Singer flowing upward in a cold flash, slicing cleanly through another's guard. The clash of steel rang out, sparks showering the dark.
"Twin Surge!"
His blades crossed, streams of fire and water erupting into a spiral torrent. The force exploded outward, tearing into the front line and sending them crashing into the dirt. Steam enveloped the clearing, hot and suffocating.
[Skill Used: Elemental Flow – Twin Surge]
[Efficiency: 79%]
[Corrupted Minions Defeated: 3/??]
Through the mist, more emerged, snarling. One raised a jagged halberd and struck at him. Andy caught it on Ember-Edge, twisting his wrist before driving Tide-Singer deep into the soldier's chest. The body crumpled as black smoke hissed away.
Another tried to break past him toward the survivors. "Not happening!" Andy snarled, kicking off the ground. He blurred forward, his aura exploding in a fiery flash, Ember-Edge cutting across the enemy's spine before it could reach the defenseless.
Behind him, Nia's staff blazed. She stood by the cluster of survivors, wards glowing brighter as corrupted arrows slammed against her barriers and fizzled into harmless sparks. "Andy! Right flank!"
He spun, Ember-Edge flaming bright, intercepting two more. Their blades struck against his, but his enhanced form didn't falter. He shoved them back, eyes sharp, before slicing one cleanly across the chest and turning to finish the other with a reverse strike.
The fight was relentless. Andy's breathing grew heavier, his arms aching from the ceaseless flurry, but his footing held strong. The ember in his chest pulsed faster, hotter, each beat pushing him harder. Don't slip. Don't let it take control.
Finally, with one last clash of steel, Andy's blades cut through the last corrupted soldier. The forest fell silent again, save for the crackle of fire and his ragged breaths.
The system's chime echoed through his mind, crisp and cold.
[Quest Progress: Objective Complete]
[Corrupted Minions Eliminated]
[Reward: Corrupted Fragment (x2)]
[Bond Progress: +5%]
[Current Bond: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 15%]
Andy lowered his blades, flames fading from his arms. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest still searing from the ember's restless stirrings.
Nia approached, her eyes soft but worried. "You pushed yourself too hard again."
He gave her a faint smirk, though his hand remained pressed against his sternum. "Better me than them." His gaze flicked toward the survivors—shaken, but alive.
The system pulsed one last time:
[Quest Line: Black Fang Rising – Progress Updated]
Andy tightened his grip on Ember-Edge. Tonight's ambush was only a taste. The Black Fang was hunting, and he would be ready for the next strike.
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