The Withering

The Umbra Wraith

You led the way, your senses heightened, every sound, every movement captured by your sharpened awareness.

The druids followed closely, their presence a silent reassurance, while the Soul Riders flanked the group, their eyes scanning the surroundings with focused intensity.

The side entrance you had targeted was heavily guarded by the usual Dark Core robotic goons, hulking, emotionless machines programmed to follow orders without question. They stood like sentinels, their red eyes glowing in the night along with flashlights, scanning for any sign of intrusion.

You exchanged a quick, determined glance with Alex, who nodded in response. She signaled to the others, and in perfect synchrony, the group moved into action.

With swift, practiced movements, Alex darted forward. She summoned the power of the lightning, her hand crackling with energy, and with a controlled strike, she sent a bolt straight into the first goon's chest. The machine sparked violently, its systems short-circuiting before it collapsed to the ground.

The electricity spread across a puddle on the ground, and hit the other goons at the same time.

You could feel the tension in the air easing as the guards fell one by one, each attack executed with perfect precision.

Meanwhile, Linda and Anne slipped past the main group, their task to disable the security cameras that lined the entrance. Linda's fingers moved deftly across a small device, hacking into the system, while Anne kept watch, her senses on high alert.

Within moments, the cameras flickered and went dark, the feeds cutting off without raising any alarms.

The side entrance was now unguarded and unwatched, the path ahead clear but no less dangerous.

You gestured for the druids to move forward, and they did so in a disciplined formation, keeping close to the walls to minimize visibility.

As you approached the door, you couldn't tell whether you could feel the cold from the metal or your own hands.

With a deep breath, you pushed the door open, and the group slipped inside, one by one, as silently as shadows.

The interior was a stark contrast to the rugged cliffs outside, cold, sterile, and illuminated by the harsh glow of artificial light. The air smelled faintly of oil and machinery, mingling with the ever-present scent of seawater.

Avalon held up a hand, signaling for everyone to pause and listen. The sound of distant footsteps echoed through the corridors, accompanied by the low hum of machinery. But there was no immediate danger. Not yet.

"We stick to the plan," He whispered, his voice barely audible, yet carrying the weight of command. "We find Ydris, and we get out. No unnecessary risks. Do not use spells for teleportation or any other kind that can get us discovered. Think before you act,"

The group nodded, their expressions resolute. The mission was far from over, but you had successfully breached Dark Core's headquarters without alerting the enemy.

The group moved silently through the dimly lit corridors, splitting up according to the plan.

The Soul Riders and druids fanned out, each taking a different path, their footsteps barely making a sound against the cold metal floors. You and the Soul Riders sneaked down a narrow hallway, the walls lined with pipes and wires that hummed with the faint energy coursing through the facility.

Every so often, you would pass by doors leading into stark, sterile rooms filled with complex machinery, their purposes unknown but undoubtedly sinister. The silence was only broken by the occasional distant clank of metal or the muffled hum of said machinery.