The hidden passage behind the Warden’s throne was narrow, its walls lined with glowing blue runes. The air was thick, almost suffocating, as if the ancient energy of the fortress pressed down on Damien. He moved cautiously, Ebonfang in hand, ready for whatever lay ahead.
The corridor eventually opened into a vast underground chamber. At its center stood an elaborate altar, surrounded by floating shards of crystal similar to the one Damien had claimed earlier. The shards pulsed in unison, their light reflecting off the dark stone walls.
As Damien stepped closer, the air around the altar shifted, rippling like disturbed water. From the shadows emerged three figures, each clad in black, spectral armor. They carried long, curved blades, their forms flickering like fading embers.
Without a word, the spectral warriors advanced.
Damien raised Ebonfang, his heart steady. He activated Phase Step, closing the distance to the first warrior in an instant. His blade struck true, but the figure dissipated into smoke, only to reform behind him. The other two attacked simultaneously, their strikes swift and precise.
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Damien twisted out of their reach, activating Celestial Aura. The shimmering field slowed the warriors’ movements, giving him just enough time to retaliate. He unleashed Astral Slash, the wave of energy carving through two of the figures. They faltered but did not fall.
These weren’t ordinary enemies. They moved as if they shared a single mind, their coordination flawless. Damien gritted his teeth, focusing on their patterns. He activated Blade Echo, his afterimages striking alongside him as he fought. The spectral warriors began to falter under the relentless assault.
Finally, with a powerful upward slash, Damien shattered the last warrior. The room fell silent, the shards around the altar dimming slightly.
He approached the altar, wary of any remaining threats. As he placed his hand on its surface, the runes flared to life, and another surge of energy coursed through him. The shards floated higher, their light intensifying before converging into a single point.
A second shard, larger and more refined than the first, materialized before him. Damien reached out, the shard’s warmth spreading through his body as he claimed it.
Another trial completed, and the path forward revealed itself once more.