The air crackled with anticipation as Zaro and his companions stood before the towering stone door, its surface etched with intricate glyphs that pulsed with a faint, purple light. Zaro could feel the whispers emanating from the glyphs, their voices a chorus of warnings and promises, a symphony of fear and power. His Void Sense tingled, a primal urge drawing him towards the door, a sense of destiny intertwined with a healthy dose of trepidation.

Well, this is it, Ramrod muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his axe, his gaze fixed on the imposing door. The heart of the beast.

Ezra nodded, her bow drawn, an arrow nocked and ready. Be prepared for anything, she warned, her voice a steady whisper in the echoing chamber.

Chad, ever the pragmatist, adjusted his spectacles and peered at the glyphs, his brow furrowed in concentration. I do hope there's a decent reward behind this door, he mused. Perhaps a treasure trove of ancient artifacts or a library filled with forbidden knowledge. Or maybe just a comfortable chair and a pot of strong coffee. One can dream.

Zaro ignored Chad's rambling and reached out a hand, his fingers tracing the intricate glyphs. As he touched the stone, a surge of energy pulsed through him, the glyphs glowing with a brilliant blue light. The door creaked open, revealing a vast chamber beyond, its depths shrouded in an ominous darkness.

They stepped through the doorway, weapons drawn, senses heightened. The air in the chamber was thick and heavy with the stench of decay and a palpable darkness that pressed against Zaro's skin like a damp shroud. Each breath felt like inhaling shards of glass, a chilling reminder of the void's oppressive presence. The walls pulsed with a faint green light, casting long, distorted shadows that danced and writhed like living things.

In the center of the chamber, three figures materialized from the swirling darkness, their forms warped and corrupted, their eyes burning with malevolent intent.

System Alert Quest Update. Defeat the Source of Corruption. Objective Eliminate the three corrupted guardians. Reward Unknown.

Unknown? Now that's intriguing, Zaro thought. It's not every day the system dangles a mystery reward in front of me. It's like opening a loot box with a question mark on it, the anticipation building with every step towards the unknown. But first, he had three overgrown, void-infused roadblocks to deal with.

Zaro used Analyze, but the information was limited. Threat level high, weaknesses unknown. It was as if this encounter wasn't part of the normal dungeon. He didn't have enough experience to know for sure, but if the system was offering a reward for victory, he was determined to win.

I smell fear and food, a voice hissed, slithering through the chamber like a venomous serpent. Look what the cat dragged in. A band of pathetic adventurers, venturing into the heart of our domain.

The first figure stepped forward, its form a grotesque mockery of a human. Its skin was stretched taut over bulging muscles, its limbs elongated and twisted, its fingers ending in razor-sharp claws that glinted in the eerie green light. Its eyes glowed with a sickly yellow light, and its mouth was a gaping maw filled with rows of jagged teeth.

I am Gorgoth, the creature growled, its voice a guttural rumble that shook the chamber. Guardian of the Whispering Caves. And you shall not survive.

Beside Gorgoth, the second figure emerged from the shadows. It was a towering monstrosity, its body a patchwork of mismatched limbs and organs, its flesh pulsating with a sickening green light. Its head was a grotesque fusion of animal and human features, its multiple eyes darting around frantically.

I am Malkor, the creature boomed, its voice a chorus of guttural growls and screeching hisses that grated on their ears. And I will feast on your souls.

The third figure, the last to reveal itself, was the most disturbing of all. It was a slender, ethereal being, its form shifting and flickering like a dying flame. Its eye sockets were empty, and its mouth was a lipless gash that stretched across its face, a silent scream frozen in time.

I am Chuck, the creature whispered, its voice a chilling echo that seemed to penetrate their very souls. And I will consume your hopes and dreams.

They all stopped and laughed a bit. Chuck? Seriously? How is he the scariest one?

Just then, Chuck hissed, MY NAME HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN GENERATIONS AND YOU SHALL NOT. Zaro cut it off by yelling, Shut up and fight, CHUCK.

Remember the plan, everyone, Zaro yelled, his voice echoing through the chamber, trying to project an air of confidence he didn't quite feel. Ramrod, you take the muscle. Ezra, you handle the ranged attacker. Chad, you distract the... whatever that thing is. And I'll... improvise.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Ramrod defaulted to his Orcish simplicity and didn't hesitate. With a roar that shook the chamber, he charged towards Gorgoth, his axe gleaming in the eerie light. The two behemoths clashed, their weapons meeting with a deafening clang, sparks flying as their raw power collided. It was like a clash of titans, a battle of brute force and unyielding determination. For a moment, Zaro allowed himself to marvel at the sheer intensity of their confrontation, but he knew he couldn't afford to be distracted. The other guardians posed just as much of a threat, and he needed to stay focused.

Ezra, ever graceful, moved with fluid precision, her arrows finding their marks in Malkor's pulsating flesh, each shot drawing a guttural roar from the creature. The creature roared in pain, its multiple eyes darting around frantically, trying to locate the source of the attacks.

Ezra smiled and said, I brought some fire enchanted arrows just for this occasion.

Chad, his face pale but his resolve firm, began chanting, his hands glowing with arcane energy. He unleashed a barrage of spells, fireballs and ice shards exploding against Chuck's flickering form, momentarily disrupting its ethereal presence. The creature hissed and chuckled, its form distorting under the onslaught of magic. But no damage was done; it was taunting them.

Zaro, meanwhile, was analyzing the situation, his mind calm, trying to formulate a strategy. These were not ordinary corrupted creatures; they were the source of the corruption, the guardians of this twisted realm. He couldn't just rely on brute force or simple tactics. He needed to exploit their weaknesses, to disrupt their connection to the void, to find a way to sever their ties to the darkness that fueled their power.

But how?

As Zaro pondered his options, Gorgoth slammed his fist into Ramrod, sending the Orc crashing against a wall with a sickening thud. Ramrod recovered and yelled, IF I'M NOT BLEEDING, I'M NOT LIVING, while charging back into the fray.

Ezra cried out in alarm as her arrow was deflected by Malkor's grotesque arm, the projectile ricocheting off its unnatural flesh. Frustration and determination flashed in her eyes. She couldn't let this abomination best her.

With a deep breath, Ezra nocked a few fire arrows, aiming for the creature's already damaged arm. As the arrows struck true and the arm caught fire, Malkor let out a roar of pain and rage. Ezra allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction. She was far from finished.

Chad's spells seemed to pass through Chuck's flickering form, having little effect, the creature's ethereal nature making it resistant to conventional magic. Chuck fired ethereal slashes at Chad, knocking him off his feet and tearing his sleeves while bashing him with psychic damage.

Zaro's mind raced. Two bolts should buy Chad some time. Void Step, now! He activated the skill, the familiar tug of shadows pulling him through the swirling darkness. Gorgoth loomed before him, a grotesque titan of corrupted flesh. This is it. One chance. Before the creature could react, Zaro plunged his Voidfang into its back, channeling Void Drain, feeling the familiar pull as its corrupted energy flowed into him. To his surprise, the energy overcharged his mana.

System message Void Drain. Draining corrupted void energy. Mana replenished. Target weakened.

A guttural roar ripped from Gorgoth's throat as Zaro's Voidfang sank deep into its flesh. The creature's massive arm, moments ago a blur of unstoppable force, faltered mid swing. Its movements slowed, each step a labored effort as if its very essence was being leached away. A double charged void bolt slammed into its knee, the force of the impact echoing through the chamber as bone splintered and sinew tore. Gorgoth crashed to one knee, its eyes wide with a mixture of pain and disbelief. Zaro enjoyed forcing the giant to bend the knee to its new void king.

Zaro had another Voidfang in his hand and cut a few slashes into Gorgoth's ribs.

Suddenly, Malkor's massive arm slammed into Zaro, sending him flying across the chamber like a ragdoll. He crashed against a wall, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Zaro gasped for breath, his vision blurring, his body aching, the taste of blood filling his mouth. Minus 100 health. His Voidfang slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

Zaro, Ezra's voice echoed through the chamber, filled with concern.

Zaro's vision swam, the world tilting precariously as he struggled to his feet. His void shield sputtered, the protective barrier shattered at the point of impact. Panic clawed at his throat for a brief moment. With a desperate surge of willpower, he reactivated the void shield at twice the charge giving him more resilience. He focused on his fallen Voidfang, willing it back to his hand. The dagger flew through the air, its hilt smacking into his palm with a reassuring weight.

Malkor lumbered towards Zaro, its multiple eyes fixed on his vulnerable form, its grotesque mouth gaping open, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

This was it. Zaro was cornered, outnumbered, outmatched. But he wouldn't go down without a fight. He channeled void energy into his fists, preparing for a final stand, ready to unleash his fury.

Oi, catch! Ramrod bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos of the battle. Zaro glanced up just in time to see a small vial arcing through the air landing at Zaro's feet. He glanced down and saw a familiar vial, its contents glowing with a vibrant, crimson light. A healing potion.

Drink up, ya scrawny void slinger! Ramrod called out, his usually boisterous tone tinged with a hint of concern. Can't have ya keeling over on us now!

Zaro snatched the potion, uncorking it and downing the contents in a single gulp. The potion's warmth spread through his body like a wildfire, mending his wounds, replenishing his strength, and igniting a spark of defiance within him. Fully healed.

Zaro looked up, a grin spreading across his face. The battle was far from over, but he wasn't alone. He had his companions, his skills, and the power of the void at his fingertips.

And it was about time to explore his damage per second.

Zaro closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself to the very core of his being, where the void energy swirled and pulsed. He could feel it responding to his call, growing stronger, more insistent.

When he opened his eyes, they glowed with an otherworldly purple light. The guardians hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty passing over their grotesque features.

Zaro smiled. It was time to show these abominations the true power of a Voidwalker.