https://i.imgur.com/dVB8Mxv.png [https://i.imgur.com/dVB8Mxv.png]
Enveloped in the sinister shroud of Death's Caress, Asher's guardian became a specter of the end itself.
As its health waned, the aura intensified, transforming into a visible, almost palpable cloak of shadows that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
It was as though the very essence of death had descended upon the guardian, wrapping it in a chilling embrace so vivid, so eerie, it sent shivers down the spine.
The cavern, witness to this grim manifestation, appeared to recoil in suspense, its vibrant luminescent light fading into a somber dimness.
The stronger the manifestation of death's aura grew, the more the ambient glow seemed to retreat, as if the natural world itself feared it.
This spectral spectacle cast a haunting pall over the battlefield.
Each moment under Death's Caress was a precarious dance on the edge of oblivion, a frightening reality that navigated with every pulse of their dwindling vitality.
As the guardian moved, shadows trailed in its wake, weaving through the air. The sight was mesmerizing.
Death Caress your Guardian, granting it [94%] Increased Movement Speed & [47%] Increased Damage Mitigation.
As The Drowned advanced, its movements were a blur, still imbued with the reversal effect of 'Agony' , its trident a harbinger of doom. The creature's eyes, aglow with a hunger unbound, fixed on Asher with a predatory intensity. But Asher, with resolve steeling his gaze, stood undaunted, his guardian by his side — a shield against the dark.
The guardian, now supported by the avatar of death's will, moved with unprecedented speed and resilience. Its form, a blur of motion far surpassing that of his opponent, leaving a trail of shadows that wove through the air, its very presence a challenge to the abyssal sentry.
The Drowned struck, its trident cleaving through the air, aiming to pierce the heart of its foe.
But the guardian, faster than sight, intercepted the blow, its shield meeting the trident with a clash that echoed through the cavern like the tolling of a bell. Sparks flew, illuminating the struggle in flashes of light.
The cavern itself seemed to react to the battle, the luminescent ores pulsing with a rhythm that matched the combatants' movements. The blood-red pool, disturbed by the fray, rippled, casting reflections that painted the walls in hues of crimson and blue.
The Abyssal Sentry, enraged by the defiance it faced, unleashed a fury like the storm of the abyss itself.
It moved with relentless speed, its attacks a tempest that sought to overwhelm the guardian. But, empowered by the embrace of death, was an immovable force, its defense impenetrable, its resolve unyielding.
The trident, a deadly extension of the abyssal fishmen's will, sliced through the air with lethal precision, aiming to bring a swift end to the battle. Yet, the guardian, empowered by the spectral shroud of Death's Caress, guided by it's unseen force, met the attack with a flawless parry.
The force of the block staggered the fishmen, throwing the abyssal creature into a brief moment of imbalance, its deadly dance momentarily disrupted.
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Seizing this critical juncture, the guardian, acting on instinct, activated its Necrotic Touch ability. A dark-green energy enveloped its shield, becoming a conduit for the necrotic power, ready to unleash devastation upon its next strike.
The guardian's enhanced speed, a staggering 94% increase granted by Death's Caress, had already tested the limits of The Drowned reactions.
But now, propelled by the urgency of the moment and the strategic opening it had created, the guardian executed its Shield Charge. The burst of speed was astonishing, pushing past the boundaries of what was thought possible, the movement speed now surging beyond 100%.
Caught off-guard by the guardian's blistering assault, had no time to react. The impact of the shield, charged with necrotic energy and propelled by unmatched velocity, was catastrophic.
The Drowned Sentry was sent hurtling through the cavern, past the ominous pool of blood, to crash into the far wall with a force that shook the very foundation of the cave.
Dust clouded the air at the point of impact, and rock splinters cascaded from the ceiling.
The cavern fell silent for a moment, the echoes of the collision fading into a heavy stillness.
The abyssal terror that had emerged from the depths with malevolent intent, lay amidst the rubble, its form still.
As the dust settled and the eerie quiet of the cavern enveloped them, Asher stood vigilant, his eyes locked on the still form of the champion ranked opponent across the cavern.
Deep down, he sensed the battle was not yet over; the absence of a system notification confirming it's defeat was a clear indication that the abyssal sentry remained a threat.
The fight, intense and draining, had not reached its conclusion.
Time, Asher knew, was not on their side.
Although the guardian's regenerative passive ability worked to mend its wounds, it steadily lessened the effect of death's Caress.
Asher was loath to rely on the risky tactic of allowing The abyssal fishmen to strike the guardian just to lower its life to maintain the Death's Caress potency.
However, Asher was aware of a crucial aspect of their bond that could play to their advantage.
Unlike him, the guardian used its life force, not mana, to fuel its abilities thanks to it's 'blood mage' passive skill.
This unique mechanism meant that every use of an ability, while depleting the guardian's vitality, could also be strategically used to keep Death's Caress within the critical threshold that enhanced their combat effectiveness.
With this in mind, Asher prepared for the next phase of the battle. "We're not done yet," he said with caution. He turned to his guardian, signaling with a nod. "Don't let him regain foot."
The guardian, understanding its master's intent, readied itself once more.
Positioned on opposite ends of the cavern, the guardian, assessed the situation.
Despite the distance that separated them, they were not without options.
The guardian possessed a skill that transcended the limitations of melee combat, a ranged ability that could bridge the gap between them.
Gripping its shield firmly, the guardian focused its intent.
The shield, imbued with the energy of Necrotic Touch, began to glow with a faint, ominous light.
Then, with a powerful motion, the guardian hurled the shield across the cavern. The shield spun through the air, aimed directly at The abyssal fishmen, who remained ominously still on the other side.
The throw was precise, the shield cutting through the air with lethal accuracy.
Asher and his guardian watched, their breaths held in anticipation.
Yet, upon impact, the unexpected occurred — the shield bounced off the fishmen's body as if it had struck an impenetrable barrier. The sound of metal clashing against an unseen force echoed through the cavern.
It was in this moment, with the shield spiraling back towards the guardian, that a chilling revelation dawned upon Asher.
The creature's abilities were far beyond their initial assessment.
From the abyssal sentry's back, specter-like octopus tendrils began to emerge, glowing with an ominous green-blue hue.
The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying, a display of power that they had not anticipated.
Beside it, spectral tridents formed out of the same eerie energy, mirroring the number of tendrils. Six tendrils and six tridents now floated menacingly around the creature.
The cavern, with its shadows and light, seemed to warp around the creature, accentuating its transformation.
Asher watched, horror-stricken, as the fishmen's form took on a new, more daunting aspect. "It's like... a fishmen Asura." he whispered, the name of the multi-armed deity coming to mind in the face of it's newfound form.
The guardian retrieved its shield, the metallic clang a note in the tense silence that followed.
Now armed with its spectral limbs and tridents, represented a threat level they had not prepared for.
https://i.imgur.com/Cfazn8W.png [https://i.imgur.com/Cfazn8W.png]