Phoenix Vanguard: Legends of Astravera

Shadow Assassins

The scene shifted back to the rookie in golden armor, who was now fighting for his life against the encroaching darkness. His breath came in ragged gasps, each strike he parried sending jolts of pain through his already bloodied body. The assassins were relentless, their cloaks billowing like dark clouds around them as they swarmed, knives glinting menacingly in the moonlight.

“Stay back!” he shouted, desperation fueling his voice as he managed to deflect the first few attacks. But for every successful block, another assassin found a way to slip through his defenses, a sharp blade grazing his side and drawing blood. Panic surged through him; he knew he was outmatched and outnumbered.

“Please! Just take whatever you want! I can offer you—” he began, scrambling for anything that might save him, desperate to buy a moment's reprieve.

One of the assassins, a figure shrouded in darkness, chuckled darkly. “We’ll get everything from you after we kill you. What good are your offers now?”

With a burst of agility, one assassin launched himself high into the air, using the moonlight to cloak his descent. The rookie's instincts kicked in, and he swung his sword upwards in a desperate attempt to deflect the blow. The sound of metal clashing rang out, and he managed to redirect the attack, but he hadn’t noticed the other assassin circling behind him.

Before he could react, the second assassin struck, knocking him to the ground. Pain shot through him as he fell, struggling to get back on his feet.

“Finish him!” one of the assassins commanded, stepping forward with a wicked grin, blade poised for the final strike. But before he could bring it down, another assassin intervened.

“Wait,” the second assassin hissed. “We can come back for him later. There’s more loot to be had, and we’ll have time to take everything after we deal with this.”

Reluctantly, the first assassin stepped back, their eagerness to kill tempered by the promise of future gains. Together, they descended on the rookie, quickly stripping him of his armor and weapons, their hands moving with practiced efficiency. The rookie lay helpless on the ground, a mix of fear and fury burning in his eyes as they looted him of his hard-won gear.

“Next time, rookie,” one assassin taunted as they melted into the shadows, their laughter echoing ominously in the alleyway, leaving the bloodied boy alone in the darkness.

Meanwhile, deep within the cave, Haruki and Andres pressed onward, the oppressive silence enveloping them.

“Do you think we lost them?” Andres asked, his voice barely above a whisper, still panting from their frantic escape.

“I hope so,” Haruki replied, scanning the shadows for any signs of danger. “But we can’t let our guard down. There are too many threats in this city.”

They ventured deeper, their footsteps muted against the damp ground. The flickering light they had seen earlier grew brighter, revealing a cave illuminated by phosphorescent stones embedded in the walls. It was beautiful yet eerie, the glow casting ghostly shadows around them.

“Look at this place,” Andres breathed, momentarily distracted from their perilous situation. “It’s amazing…”

Their eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing a pack of Guardian Golems (Level 12). The massive stone creatures stood motionless, their eyes glowing faintly.

“Can you beat one?” Haruki asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Of course! Remember, I beat you!” Andres replied, a teasing smile on his face.

“Fine, I trust your strength,” Haruki said, but the seriousness of the situation lingered in his eyes. “Just don’t get cocky, and be careful.”

Andres gave a thumbs-up, his confidence unshaken. “I’ll go first. You follow my lead,” Haruki instructed.

With a swift movement, Haruki activated the Zephyr Dance, enhancing his speed and evasion. He dashed forward, closing the gap between him and the nearest Golem. In one fluid motion, he unleashed Gale Slash, his katana slicing through the air.

“Gale Slash!” he shouted, the wind swirling around him as he struck. The Golem crumbled under the force, collapsing in a heap as the damage was displayed: 179 Damage and 120 Experience Points.

Haruki stared in disbelief as the Golem, which had only 140 HP, was taken down in one hit. “I can’t believe I one-shotted it!” he exclaimed, astonished at his own strength.

Andres burst into laughter, slapping Haruki on the back. “You were that scared? Come on, man!” His voice echoed loudly through the cave as he laughed, completely forgetting where they were.

Haruki shot him a glare. “Quiet, idiot! You’ll alert—”

Before he could finish, the sound of stone grinding against stone filled the air. The other Guardian Golems had noticed them, their glowing eyes locking onto the pair.

Andres smirked, drawing his bolo. “Guess we’re in for it now.”

As the remaining Golems turned their gaze towards them, Andres felt a rush of adrenaline. “Back-to-back?” he proposed, stepping closer to Haruki, a grin spreading across his face. “Let’s become stronger together!” he said, his voice filled with determination.

“Yeah!” Haruki replied, standing his ground as they prepared for the impending battle. “Let’s show them what we’ve got!”

“Hey, wanna see my other skill?” Andres teased, a playful smile stretching across his face as he readied his weapon.

Haruki rolled his eyes. “Not interested,” he replied, trying to sound dismissive. But inside, he was keenly observing Andres, curiosity piquing despite himself.

“Fine! I’ll show you anyway!” Andres declared, his excitement bubbling over. With a swift motion, he activated his Attack Skill: Scorched Earth.

The ground trembled as he slammed the Bolo into the earth, and a burst of flames erupted around them, scorching the cave floor. The heat radiated outward, engulfing the nearby Golems in a fiery explosion.

“Scorched Earth!” he shouted, flames dancing around him. The skill dealt 140 damage to multiple enemies, with a double critical strike of 159 to others, sending the Golems reeling back in surprise.

“Easy peasy!” Andres boasted, a triumphant grin plastered on his face.

Haruki, initially annoyed at Andres’s brashness, couldn’t help but be amazed at his friend's growing power. Just how strong is he? He wondered, watching the chaos unfold.

“Focus on the fight!” he called out, though the awe in his voice betrayed him. He couldn’t deny that the display of strength was impressive, and a flicker of admiration sparked within him.

“Got it! But I just wanted you to see!” Andres replied cheekily, already prepared for the next wave of Golems that were now charging toward them, angered by the unexpected flames.

“Let’s work together!” Haruki said, his focus returning as he activated the Zephyr Dance once more, darting to the side to flank the Golems.

Andres nodded, his expression serious now as he took his stance. “Alright, let’s show them what we can do!”

As they moved in sync, striking the Golems with a combination of swift strikes and fiery attacks, the cave echoed with the sounds of battle.

Andres felt a surge of exhilaration coursing through him. Fighting alongside Haruki, he was not only testing his skills but also building a bond of trust and teamwork that would carry them through the challenges ahead.