The world burned around them.

  Shattered stone, crackling flame, bloodstains steaming in the dust.

  Alistair spun in place, blades dripping, but his head was clear.

  His head was clear.

  Finally.

  The Bloodsong had left its mark, but now? Now he was in control.

  And there was a fight to finish.

  The last of the four enemy champions, a towering Ossan Relic-Knight, charged him with a two-handed cleaver of bone-forged steel, spectral energy trailing the blade.

  Its steps were heavy, methodical.

  Unstoppable, unless someone made it stop.

  Alistair narrowed his eyes, a grin tugging at his lips.

  “Time to remind the audience who they’re dealing with.”

  He straightened his back, let power coil through his voice.

  [Noble Edict – Activated]

  Command: Kneel.

  His voice rang out, sharp as a blade.

  “KNEEL.”

  The Ossan faltered mid-step, then dropped hard to both knees, spectral blade falling beside it with a heavy clang.

  [Target Stunned – 3 seconds]

  Alistair didn’t waste a breath.

  He whipped toward Kael.

  “NOW!”

  [Tactical Flow – Activated]

  Target: Kael.

  Next skill: +50% effectiveness, no resource cost.

  Kael moved in a blur, bow rising fast. His fingers closed around the Ring of Airborne Might, energy surging.

  A shimmering arrow of wind-imbued force formed on the string.

  Kael drew. Released.

  [Ring of Airborne Might – Activated]

  The arrow screamed through the air, impacting the Relic-Knight’s exposed chest.

  The force of the blast rocked the kneeling champion backward.

  [Critical Hit]

  Windforce Wave Triggered

  Additional Damage: 85

  Target knocked prone.

  The Ossan toppled, spectral wards shattering with a final hiss.

  [Target Eliminated – Ossan Relic-Knight]

  Alistair flashed a grin. “That’s how you do it.”

  But there was no time to admire the kill.

  A flash of green and brown caught his eye.

  Brimma now in full badger form, was locked in a brutal scrap with the Fellgloom Witch.

  The witch hovered, black tendrils lashing down as Brimma snarled and clawed upward, teeth snapping.

  Her fur was scorched. The air stank of burnt hair and rot.

  Alistair pivoted fast, raising a hand.

  [Kindle Spark – Activated]

  Target: Fellgloom Witch.

  A bright spark flared from his palm, striking one of the shadow tendrils.

  [Hit: 15 Fire Damage]

  Bonus Effect Triggered – Shadow Burn Applied

  Additional 10 Fire Damage – Radius Burn

  The tendril exploded in a brief burst of flame forcing the Witch to recoil with a shriek.

  Brimma didn’t miss the opening.

  She launched upward, claws ripping through charred cloth and shadow.

  [Target Bleeding – Moderate]

  Alistair grinned wider. “Burn, you creepy old hag.”

  He spared a glance to the side.

  Thessaly and Buddy were still engaged with the final two enemies, Grathok Scourgelord and the Shardfang Hunter.

  Thessaly held the Scourgelord at bay with a wall of twisting roots and relentless shield strikes.

  Buddy was pure motion, flames licking his jaws as he darted around the crystalline predator, claws raking with savage precision.

  [Buddy – HP: 271 / 438]

  [Grathok Scourgelord – HP: 112 / 400]

  [Shardfang Hunter – HP: 89 / 320]

  Alistair called out. “Buddy keep him busy! Thessaly hold your ground!”

  “Doing both,” Thessaly shot back, voice cool despite the sweat on her brow.

  Kael notched another arrow, breathing hard.

  Brimma, now in her gnome form, darted backward flinging another green bolt toward the weakened Witch.

  [Target Eliminated – Fellgloom Witch]

  The Witch let out one last wail, then dissolved into black ash.

  Alistair clapped once. “And stay dead.”

  He pivoted again, eyes locking on the last two enemies.

  “Let’s finish this.”

  [Leadership Domain – Aura Active]

  Current Allies Buffed: Thessaly, Kael, Brimma, Buddy.

  +11% Attributes.

  Tactical Awareness Overlay: Active.

  Small icons pulsed faintly in his vision, tracking their positions, HP, status.

  Alistair rolled his shoulders, blades ready.

  Time to end this dance.

  Two left.

  Buddy circled the Shardfang Hunter, growling deep, flames licking at his jaws.

  Thessaly held the Scourgelord pinned with a shifting wall of roots, her armored skin cracked but her stance rock solid.

  Alistair wiped a smear of blood off his cheek, grinning.

  “Well, let’s not drag this out.”

  [Leadership Domain – Tactical Flow – Cooldown: 62 seconds remaining.]

  No free boost this time.

  He moved anyway.

  The Shardfang Hunter lunged at Buddy, its crystal-tipped claws slashing fast.

  [Buddy – HP: 249 / 438]

  Buddy retaliated with a savage shoulder slam, his claws sparking off crystalline armor.

  [Blazefang Activated]

  Burn Applied.

  A faint screech echoed as cracks webbed through the Hunter’s crystal plating.

  Alistair raised a hand.

  [Kindle Spark – Activated]

  The spark flared out, striking one of the fractures.

  [Hit: 15 Fire Damage]

  Bonus: Shard Weakness Exploited – Additional 10 Fire Damage.

  The crack widened, Buddy didn’t hesitate.

  He lunged, jaws clamping down hard.

  [Critical Hit]

  Target: Shardfang Hunter – HP: 12 / 320]

  Alistair called out, voice sharp. “Buddy finish it!”

  The hellhound shook his head violently, shards flying, until the Hunter stilled.

  [Target Elmnated – Shardfang Hunter]

  “Good boy,” Alistair grinned. “Very good boy.”

  Buddy growled low, licking his muzzle, molten eyes gleaming.

  Alistair pivoted to Thessaly.

  The Grathok Scourgelord was a mess, its twin cleavers dulled, movements sluggish.

  [Grathok Scourgelord – HP: 68 / 400]

  Thessaly lashed forward, roots snapping around its ankles.

  [Rootbind Grasp – Activated]

  The beast snarled, slashing wildly, but too late.

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  Thessaly surged in, driving her armored fist straight into its jaw.

  [Thornspike Shell Active]

  Bonus Damage Applied.

  The Scourgelord staggered, Alistair moved.

  He sprinted forward, one clean thrust of his blade straight through the beast’s exposed ribs.

  [Critical Hit]

  Target: Grathok Scourgelord – HP: 0 / 400]

  It collapsed in a heap, roots tightening as it fell.

  [Target Eliminated – Grathok Scourgelord]

  Silence.

  Only the crackle of fading flames and Buddy’s heavy breaths filled the air.

  Alistair let out a long breath, rolling his shoulders.

  “Not bad,” he said cheerfully. “Not bad at all.”

  Brimma stalked closer, staff tapping. “You’ve still got blood on your face, boy.”

  He wiped at his cheek again, smirking. “Adds to the charm.”

  Kael finally lowered his bow, letting out a slow exhale. “About time.”

  Thessaly glanced toward Alistair, calm as ever. “We held.”

  “That we did,” Alistair said. “And we looked damn good doing it.”

  Buddy padded up beside him, singed, bleeding, but proud.

  Alistair reached out, scratching behind one scorched ear.

  “Now,” he said, flashing a grin. “Let’s see what they brought us.”

  “Let’s go shopping.”

  They all went about stripping the dead from anything valuable. They collected the loot and deposited in four neat piles.

  “Alright. Time to see if they brought anything shiny.”

  [Loot Collected – Ossan Relic-Knight]

  ? Relic-Knight’s Boneblade (Rare)

  ? Ossan Sigil Fragment (Quest Item)

  ? 87 Gold Coins

  [Loot Collected – Fellgloom Witch]

  ? Tattered Spellbook: Spell of Eternal Frost (Level 10 Water Magic)

  ? Witch’s Cursed Ring (Uncommon)

  ? 62 Gold Coins

  [Loot Collected – Grathok Scourgelord]

  ? Grathok Cleaver Pair (Uncommon)

  ? Bone-trophy Necklace (Uncommon Trinket)

  ? 74 Gold Coins

  [Loot Collected – Shardfang Hunter]

  ? Crystalline Fang Dagger (Rare)

  ? Shardweave Cloak (Rare)

  ? 93 Gold Coins

  Alistair let out a low whistle.

  “Not bad. Not bad at all.”

  He picked up the Shardweave Cloak, running a hand over the shimmering threads.

  +3% Dodge. +10% Magic Resistance. A subtle shimmer he could activate at will.

  “Mine,” he said simply, swinging it over his shoulders. The fit was perfect.

  Kael gave a faint grin. “I already have one.”

  Alistair winked. “You’re welcome.”

  He passed the Bone-trophy Necklace to Thessaly.

  “+2 Constitution, +5% Poison Resistance. You deserve it.”

  She took it without a word, nodding once.

  Kael picked up the Crystalline Fang Dagger, testing its weight. “Backup blade,” he said, sliding it into his belt.

  Brimma huffed. “At least this time you didn’t burn everything to ash.”

  “I do what I can,” Alistair said cheerfully.

  Thessaly knelt briefly beside the Grathok’s corpse, inspecting the bones. “No trophy worth taking,” she murmured. “Too tainted.”

  Alistair began sorting the pile.

  “Let’s see… sword for me, maybe. Shadowflame Hexes? Brimma?”

  She arched a brow. “I don’t dabble in cursed books.”

  “Shame,” he said. “I was picturing you going full dark queen.”

  Kael snorted, despite himself.

  Brimma took the Witch’s Cursed Ring with a skeptical look.

  “I’ll cleanse it first.”

  “Of course,” Alistair said innocently.

  Buddy prowled close, eyes gleaming.

  Alistair grinned.

  “No chew toys, I’m afraid.”

  Buddy huffed, flopping down with a low grumble.

  Then Alistair lifted the Tattered Spellbook, pages laced with frost, chill radiating from the cover.

  Spell of Eternal Frost

  Level 10 Water Magic Spell

  Mana Cost: 60

  Cooldown: 2 minutes

  Effect:

  ? Encase a target or area in ancient, soul-chilling ice.

  ? Deals massive Water damage.

  ? Freezes affected targets solid for 3 seconds (bosses resist).

  ? Freezing persists in equipment and weapons for 15 seconds → adds Water damage and slows for all hits.

  Lore: A relic of forgotten ocean mages. The frost of the deep seas does not simply freeze flesh, it freezes hope.

  [Restriction: Requires Water Magic Level 10 to use.]

  “Well, well,” he murmured. “Seems the gods want me branching out.”

  Brimma raised a brow. “Dangerous spell.”

  “Delightful,” Alistair said cheerfully.

  Kael shook his head. “You don’t even know Water Magic.”

  “Not yet,” Alistair said with a grin. “But I’m highly motivated.”

  Buddy rumbled approvingly nearby.

  Alistair pocketed the coins and sigil fragment, slid the Relic-Knight’s Boneblade onto his back for later inspection.

  When the sorting was done, he straightened.

  “Well,” he said brightly. “We’re alive. We’re richer. And no one’s been possessed by a cursed relic yet. I call that a win.”

  Brimma rolled her eyes.

  Kael smirked.

  Alistair straightened.

  “Right then. Let’s move.”

  “I need a moment,” she said calmly. “I leveled.”

  Kael leaned against a boulder, exhaling. “Me too,” he muttered. “Got a new ability to check.”

  Alistair arched a brow. “Just don’t test it on me.”

  Kael actually laughed. Progress.

  Alistair exhaled, flicking open his interface.

  Time to see the damage.

  [LEVEL UP – You have reached Level 21!]

  +4 Attribute Points Awarded

  +3 Agility

  +2 Dexterity

  [Short Blades Skill Leveled Up: 9 → 10]

  [New Passive Ability Unlocked]

  [Bleeding Precision]

  Passive: All Short Blade critical hits inflict Bleeding (10% weapon damage per second for 5 seconds). Stacks up to 3 times.

  [Light Magic Skill Leveled Up: 2 → 3]

  +2% Light Spell Damage

  +1% Healing Potency

  [Leadership Domain Skill Leveled Up: 7 → 8]

  +1% Companion Attribute Boost

  +2% Tactical Awareness Refresh Rate

  [Dual Wielding Skill Leveled Up: 8 → 9]

  +2% Off-hand Attack Speed

  +1% Off-hand Damage

  Alistair blew out a low breath.

  “Well,” he said aloud, “that explains the slicing and dicing.”

  He tapped the [Bleeding Precision] summary.

  “Finally,” he muttered. “About time this skill started living up to the name.”

  A familiar voice cut in.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  He looked up, Brimma stood nearby, leaning slightly on her staff.

  Alistair grinned. “Always.”

  She snorted. “Third group.”

  Alistair tilted his head. “Third?”

  Brimma nodded grimly. “Third group we’ve wiped out since the encounter with the Lycans. The closer we get to that dragon, the thicker the rats.”

  Alistair sighed. “Makes sense. Everyone wants a bite of those bones.”

  She raised a brow. “Do you?”

  He flashed a crooked smile. “I want the whole damn skeleton.”

  Brimma actually smirked. “Of course you do.”

  Alistair glanced up, frowning. “How long?”

  She followed his gaze. The sun had set, and the first stars had started shimmering.

  “Three, maybe four hours,” she said. “At most.”

  Alistair exhaled. “Then we keep moving. No chance I’m missing that prize.”

  As if on cue, a wet crunch echoed through the clearing.

  Alistair blinked. Turned.

  “Buddy…”

  The hellhound sat contentedly beside one of the champion corpses, massive jaws working through ribs with audible cracks.

  Blood stained his muzzle, steam rising faintly.

  Kael looked over and blanched. “Gods.”

  Thessaly simply shook her head.

  Brimma’s mouth twitched. “He’s learned from his master.”

  Alistair put a hand on his hip. “Excuse me, I chew with style.”

  Another crunch.

  Alistair sighed. “Buddy leave enough of the loot intact, will you?”

  Buddy huffed, tail thumping once against the ground, but didn’t stop.

  Alistair pinched the bridge of his nose. “I swear, one day that mutt is going to eat one of the gods, and we’ll all be cursed.”

  Brimma snorted. “That mutt just saved our lives.”

  “Fair point.” Alistair’s grin returned. “Fine. Feast away, Murderpaws.”

  Kael choked. “You… you now call it Murderpaws?”

  “Of course,” Alistair said lightly. “Look at him. He’s adorable.”

  Buddy growled low, entirely too pleased.

  Alistair shook his head.

  “Well,” he said, voice sharpening. “We’ve got hours left. We’re moving soon. Rest fast, check your loot, get ready.”

  He looked toward the horizon.

  Toward the light where the dragon waited.

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