Asher returned to the shore, the pill given to him by the sea elf elder secure in his grasp. The morning sun had climbed higher, casting a golden glow over the water. He stood at the water's edge, the gentle waves lapping at his feet, and gazed out toward the distant island.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of expectation and the thrill of the unknown. With a resolute nod, Asher placed the pill on his tongue and swallowed. Almost immediately, he felt a subtle change coursing through his body. It was as if a wave of calm and clarity washed over him, a connection to the sea that was both foreign and natural.
Stepping into the water, he braced himself for the usual resistance and chill, but was met instead with a sensation that was entirely new. The water embraced him, not as a barrier, but as an extension of himself. He took a tentative breath, and to his amazement, the water filled his lungs not with the suffocating rush of drowning, but with life-sustaining air. It was a surreal experience; he was breathing underwater as easily as he did on land.
With each step, he delved deeper, the ocean floor beckoning him onward. The light from above danced in patterns through the water, illuminating an underwater world that was both beautiful and mysterious. Fish darted around him, unbothered by his presence, their scales glinting like jewels.
Asher marveled at the sensation of weightlessness, the freedom of movement. He moved with a grace he had never known, each stroke and kick propelling him effortlessly forward. The ocean's depths, once a realm of silence, were now a playground for exploration.
As Asher swam gracefully through the water, a thought crossed his mind about his guardian. He glanced upwards, through the clear blue, wondering if his spectral ally could follow him into this aquatic realm. To his relief, although the guardian couldn’t submerge itself in the water, it floated effortlessly on the surface, mirroring Asher’s path below. It seemed to possess an innate sense of where Asher was.
Asher was reassured. The guardian’s presence, even just above the water, was a comfort. “As long as it's with me, that's all that matters.” he thought, content that his guardian could accompany him to the island.
With his focus back on the island, Asher increased his pace, cutting through the water with newfound urgency. He was aware that the pill’s effect was finite, and every moment under its influence was precious. The island seemed to grow larger with each stroke.
Asher calculated the time it would take to reach the island, considering the duration of the pill’s effect. “I should make it there just in time.” he estimated. The thought of the pill's magic wearing off while still in the water was a risk he was aware of, but the reward of completing the side quest outweighed the danger.
As Asher neared the island's shore, the anticipation of finally setting foot on the mysterious land was palpable. But just as he was about to reach the sandy beach, he sensed movement in the water around him. In a flash, he realized he was not alone – an ambush had been set.
Four fishmen, armed with tridents, had been lurking in the waters near the island. Their presence was a clear indication that they were guarding the island against intruders. Asher's arrival had not gone unnoticed.
Underwater, Asher was at a distinct disadvantage. His movements, though aided by the pill, were no match for the natural agility of the fishmen in their element. Moreover, his guardian could not assist him beneath.
Adrenaline surged through Asher as he made a split-second decision. He swam with all his might towards the shore, the fishmen in hot pursuit. They were faster, their bodies streamlined for aquatic combat, but Asher had a head start. He pushed himself to the limit, his muscles burning with the effort.
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Finally, with a burst of effort, Asher emerged from the water onto the island's shore. His guardian, who had been mirroring his path above the surface, landed beside him, ready to join the fight.
The four fishmen soon followed, emerging from the water with menacing grace, their tridents gleaming in the sunlight. Asher stood up, water dripping from his clothes, his heart racing. He was back on his turf now, and with his guardian by his side, he was ready to face this new challenge head-on.
The fishmen spread out, encircling Asher and his guardian, their tridents at the ready. Asher's eyes darting between his four adversaries. With a nod to his guardian, Asher prepared to engage the fishmen, the clash of battle imminent.
As the fishmen closed in, Asher knew this was the moment to unleash his newly acquired skill. He focused intently, channeling his necromantic energy into the curse of 'Agony.' The air around him seemed to ripple with dark energy as he extended his hand towards the fishmen.
Asher released the curse. Dark, ethereal tendrils snaked out from his hand, weaving through the air and latching onto each of the four fishmen. The effect was immediate and striking.
The fishmen, once agile, suddenly slowed as if moving through thick mud. Their once-fluid movements became labored and sluggish. It was as though an invisible weight had been anchored to their limbs, dragging them down and sapping their strength.
Their attacks, came in slow, weakened thrusts. Their tridents felt heavier in their hands, and their strikes were easily dodged by Asher and his guardian. The fishmen's expressions turned to ones of confusion and frustration as they struggled against the debilitating effects of the curse.
Asher could see the curse of 'Agony' at work – not only did it reduce their speed and weaken their attacks, but it also seemed to drain their resolve, casting a pall of despair over them. They were no longer the confident predators that had emerged from the sea; they were now the prey, hindered and vulnerable.
With the fishmen slowed by the effects of 'Agony,' Asher's guardian sprang into action, capitalizing on this temporary advantage. Aware that the debilitating effect would only last for a brief ten seconds, the guardian moved with a sense of urgency, aiming to reduce their numbers as swiftly as possible.
The guardian first invoked the necrotic touch buff[https://i.imgur.com/qTABiF4.png [https://i.imgur.com/qTABiF4.png]]. Dark, eerie energy crackled around the guardian’s form, lending a sinister green aura to its already formidable presence.
The guardian launched into its shield throw skill[ https://i.imgur.com/YnMd0hl.png [https://i.imgur.com/YnMd0hl.png]]. The shield, empowered by the guardian's strength, flew through the air with incredible speed. It struck the first fishman with a resounding impact, knocking him to the ground. Then, as if guided by an unseen force, the shield ricocheted towards the next fishman, repeating the process. One after another, each fishman was hit and subsequently toppled over like dominoes, their slowed state rendering them unable to dodge or counter the assault.
In moments, all four fishmen lay on the ground, momentarily incapacitated by the forceful blows from the guardian's shield. Wasting no time, the guardian immediately followed up with a shield charge[https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png [https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png]]. It targeted the nearest fishman, rushing forward with its shield leading. The impact was lethal, the sheer force of the charge proving too much for the already weakened fishman, who succumbed instantly.
You have killed a 'Fishmen'. You have earned 20 EXP! (295/800)
As the last effect of 'Agony' faded, the three remaining fishmen began to stir, slowly regaining their strength and speed. The brief period of vulnerability had passed, and they were now aware of the threat Asher and his guardian posed. They picked themselves up, gripping their tridents tightly, ready to engage once more.
Recognizing that 'Agony' was now on cooldown and unavailable for immediate reuse, adjusted his stance, preparing for the fishmen's counterattack. The advantage they had gained was significant, but the fishmen were still opponents to not take lightly.
The guardian, standing steadfast beside Asher, readied its shield and braced for the renewed assault.