I glance up toward the dais, where the Dungeon Boss sits motionless on the dias as if the defeat of its subordinates wasn’t its concern. Looting the fallen corpses, I moved cautiously down the carpet runner towards the dias. Passing the second set of columns, a tense expecting more Fallen soldiers to appear, but nothing happens. As I approach the third set of columns, another two Level 21 Fallen Soldiers appear from behind the columns.

“Here we go again,” I mutter, raising my sword as they begin to advance.

The first soldier charges, its movements precise and unrelenting. It swings its blade in a wide arc, aiming to cleave me in half. I parry the strike, sparks flying from the impact as the force pushes me back a step. Before I can counterattack, the second soldier lunges from my left; sword raised high. I sidestep just in time, narrowly avoiding the blade as it whistles past my shoulder.

I’m caught between them, their attacks coordinated and relentless. I spin around to block the first soldier’s follow-up strike, my arms straining under the force of the blow. These soldiers are faster and stronger than the others—more disciplined and more dangerous. I feint toward the second soldier, drawing him in with a quick swipe of my blade. He reacts instantly, raising his shield to block, and in that moment, I sidestep and dash toward the first soldier. I aim for the gap in his leg armor with a swift, upward strike. My sword connects, slicing through the metal with a screech. The soldier staggers, momentarily thrown off balance.

But before I can press the advantage, the second soldier slams into me with his shield, knocking me off my feet. I hit the ground hard, my sword clattering across the stone floor. Pain shoots through my side, but I roll to my feet just in time to see both soldiers advancing on me, their weapons raised for the kill. I dive toward my sword, grabbing it and spinning to face them. They come at me together now, swords raised high. My heart pounds, but I focus, waiting for the right moment. Just as they close in, I drop low, avoiding their synchronized strikes, and lash out at the legs of the second soldier. My blade cuts deep, severing tendons, and he collapses to one knee with a roar of pain.

The first soldier presses the attack, his sword a blur as he swings again and again, forcing me back. I dodge the strikes, my movements becoming more desperate as fatigue sets in. I need to finish this fast. I deflect his next strike with a burst of adrenaline, turning his momentum against him. I spin and slash across his midsection, feeling my blade bite through the corrupted metal, and the soldier lets out a hollow groan as he falters. Seizing the opportunity, I press forward, driving my sword into the gap between his chestplate and helmet. There’s a sickening crunch, and the light in his eyes flickers before going dark. The soldier crumples to the floor, lifeless.

But the second soldier isn’t done. Despite his injured leg, he swings wildly, fueled by some unnatural rage. I narrowly avoid the blow, feeling the wind from his sword rush past my face. His movements are slower now, more erratic. I parry his next strike and slam my shoulder into his weakened form, knocking him back. With one swift motion, I bring my sword down on his neck, cleaving through the weakened armor. The soldier’s body shudders before collapsing to the ground. I stand there, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling. The two Fallen Soldiers lie motionless at my feet.

I tighten my grip on my sword and take a deep breath. The fight is far from over. With renewed determination, I march forward, ready to face the final boss of this dungeon and get back to Southport. The Fallen Knight had risen its head, having sensed the defeat of its last two subordinates. Its glowing red eyes burned through the dim light of the chamber. Having looted the fallen soldiers, I move cautiously forward. As I pass the fourth set of columns, the Kight stands from its throne. One hand is still on its large broadsword while the other pulls a large kit shield from behind its throne, made of the same dark metal as its armor and sword.

Finally passing the fifth and last set of columns, the dungeon boss steps forward down the steps of the dais. “You have done well to best my soldiers, mortal,” the knight says, its voice a deep, guttural rumble that seems to resonate through the stone walls. “But you will not defeat me.” Without another word, as the Fallen Knight steps off the dias, it charges forward with a roar, the ground trembling beneath its heavy boots.

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I brace myself, bringing my sword up as the boss closes the gap. The first swing of its broadsword is as fast as it is powerful—a deadly arc of dark steel aiming to cleave me in two. I leap to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike as it crashes into the stone floor, leaving a jagged crack in its wake. The shockwave from the impact nearly knocks me off my feet, but I recover quickly, circling around to the knight’s flank. I lash out with my sword, aiming for the gaps in its armor, but the boss anticipates the move, spinning with surprising agility for its size. Its shield slams into my blade, knocking it aside with brutal force.

I stumble back, my arms shaking from the impact. This isn’t like the soldiers—it’s faster, stronger, and much more skilled. I’ll have to be smarter and more precise. The Fallen Knight charges again, its broadsword coming down in a deadly overhand strike. I dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade, and counter with a quick thrust toward its chest. My sword glances off its armor with a metallic screech, leaving little more than a scratch.

The knight swings horizontally now, forcing me to duck low as the blade passes over my head. I roll to the side, coming up behind one of the columns for cover. The knight turns slowly, its glowing eyes locking onto me as if assessing my next move. I can’t keep playing defense. I need to find an opening—some way to break through that impenetrable armor.

Suddenly, the knight slams its shield into the ground, a wave of dark energy radiating outward from the impact. The shockwave catches me off guard, knocking me back as the cursed energy saps at my strength. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to my feet as the knight steps forward again, relentlessly. Its sword swings down in another heavy arc. This time, I don’t dodge. Instead, I parry with all my strength, angling my blade to deflect the massive broadsword. The force of the blow sends me skidding backward, but I hold my ground, my muscles straining.

The knight’s eyes glow brighter, almost as if amused by my resistance. It lunges forward again, its shield raised to bash me, but I duck low, diving under the swing and rolling to the side. I come up behind the knight, but instead of attacking directly, I dart toward one of the columns, circling to force the knight to follow me. As I run, I notice for the first time the faint, pulsing glow of runes etched into the knight’s armor.

I dash back toward the Fallen Knight, sidestepping its sweeping sword as I close the distance. My eyes lock onto a large rune on its shield arm, pulsating with a faint red glow. I swing my sword in a wide arc, aiming directly for it. My blade connects, and a burst of red energy erupts from the rune, causing the knight to stagger back, momentarily stunned. I press the attack, hacking at the armor where the rune once glowed. The knight lets out a low, guttural growl. Its movements are slower and more erratic now. It swings its sword wildly, but I manage to dodge the first few strikes, my adrenaline pushing me forward.

The knight recovers quickly, raising its shield to defend, but it’s too late—I’ve already found my target: another rune, this one glowing faintly on its leg. I leap forward, plunging my sword into the rune’s center. The burst of red light is stronger this time, and the knight stumbles, its movements growing sluggish.

With a roar of fury, the knight raises its sword and slams it into the ground, sending another shockwave of dark energy through the chamber. I’m knocked off my feet, my body hitting the cold stone floor with a painful thud. Dazed, I struggle to rise, my vision blurred from the impact. The knight looms over me now; its sword raised high for the final strike. My body screams in protest as I force myself to roll out of the way, just as the massive blade crashes into the ground where I had been moments before. Dust and debris fill the air, and I cough, struggling to catch my breath.

Summoning the last of my strength, I again charge toward the knight, ducking under its raised shield. I aim for the final rune—this one on its chest, glowing faintly. With a desperate cry, I drive my sword into the rune with all my might. The impact sends a shockwave of energy through both me and the knight. The red glow in its eyes flickers, and for a moment, everything is still. Then, with a loud crack, the rune shatters. The Fallen Knight staggers, its sword and shield dropping to the floor with a resounding crash. Its armor begins to crumble, dark energy leaking from the cracks in its form. With one last hollow groan, the knight collapses, the light in its eyes fading to nothing.