The crimson potion surged through Zaro's veins, a fiery torrent mending torn flesh and reigniting his fighting spirit. As the world swam back into focus, the roars and hisses of the corrupted guardians echoed through the chamber. Malkor, a grotesque amalgamation of mismatched limbs, lumbered toward him, its multiple eyes burning with predatory hunger.

Oh, no you don't, you overgrown jigsaw puzzle! Zaro snarled, activating Shadow Camouflage. The world dissolved into shades of gray and black as his form melted into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness. A quick glance at the system confirmed the overcharged mana, an extra 50 points from draining that corrupted creature earlier.

Malkor's confusion was palpable, its multiple eyes darted around, searching for its vanished prey.

Where'd he go? Gorgoth's voice boomed, a guttural rumble that echoed through the chamber.

He's hiding, the coward! Chuck hissed, its voice a chilling whisper that slithered through the air.

Coward? Me? He scoffed, his voice a disembodied echo in the darkness. I prefer the term tactical genius. Zaro replied with a grin.

He darted through the shadows, circling Malkor with silent, swift movements, a phantom weaving through darkness. A plan formed in his mind, he still had a dagger in his hand and one embedded in Gorgoth. If he could stab each beast, he could use the daggers as conductive beacons, chaining his void energy between them.

Zaro materialized behind Malkor, Voidfang shimmering with faint, purple light. He taunted, his voice a disembodied echo, drawing the creature's attention. Malkor spun around, multiple eyes locking onto Zaro's position. It lunged, grotesque limbs flailing, claws raking the air. Zaro dodged, narrowly avoiding its attack, the claws tearing through the space inches from his face.

Zaro wanted to separate his foes, so he needed to move around Malkor.

He teleported with Void Step, reappearing on the other side of the chamber, jeering as Malkor charged across the chamber, its footsteps shaking the ground. Zaro reinforced his Shadow Shield with void energy, thickening the shadowy barrier as Malkor slammed into it, claws raking against the defenses. The shield held, but Zaro felt the strain, the void energy flickering under the onslaught.

Suddenly, Chuck attacked from the flank, an energy blast burning through Zaro's shirt, needles of pain ignoring his armor. His health dropped by fifty points. Zaro threw his dagger at Malkor, spun to dodge left, narrowly avoiding another attack. He heard the screech of the impact and the thud of his dagger finding its target.

As Zaro reoriented himself, a blinding flash of light erupted from across the chamber. Ezra, her bow glowing, loosed an arrow of brilliant white that struck Malkor in the chest, momentarily stunning the creature.

Chad's voice echoed through the chamber as he was injured by the dagger.

Chad, hit my dagger with lightning quick!

Zaro flung his last dagger at Chuck, and Chad unleashed a thunderbolt. The electricity crashed into Zaro's dagger, chaining through the three nightmares and there was an audible sizzle!

Ezra loosed another fire arrow at Malkor, but the creature only grew more enraged. It lunged, its massive arm sweeping across the chamber, catching Ezra off guard and sending her crashing against the wall with a sickening thud.

Zaro's heart sank at the sight of Ezra's crumpled form. Malkor turned back toward Zaro, eyes ablaze with fury. A primal rage surged through him an intensity unlike anything he had ever felt. Void energy twisted within him, amplified by rage, its power twisting into a crimson hue.

You. Will. pay! Zaro snarled, each word laced with venom, each syllable dripping with the promise of retribution.

With his vision blurring, the world now tinged red, Zaro's eyes glowed as he charged forward with unnatural speed, propelled by the void. He felt no pain as Malkor's claws slashed across his shoulder, ignoring the seventy health points lost.

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He unleashed a void strike, a three punch combo that would have made Kimbo Slice proud.

Malkor's alchemical makeup disagreed with the red void energy. His powered punches pummeled progressively potent potholes perforating with an opposing frequency that made the creature's body react like repelling magnets. They tore huge holes, like mini explosions, in its hide.

The creature roared in pain, its movements faltering, its multiple eyes blinking in confusion as it began to heal.

Malkor stumbled back, confusion in its eyes as Zaro's onslaught left it unable to heal. Zaro pressed his advantage, every impact tearing through Malkor's monstrous maimed form until, at last, it collapsed, its life force drained, form dissolving into nothingness.

Zaro picked up the Void Gem that was left behind.

System Alert Enemy Defeated.

Zaro dismissed the notification and looked at the new icon.

New Skill Unlocked, Void Rage.

A new icon appeared on the system interface, a stylized flame burning with a crimson intensity. Beside it, a timer ticked down from 60 seconds, its numbers glowing with a fiery red light.

Void Rage, 50 seconds remaining.

No time to analyze the new feature. Malkor's good friends are still alive. Zaro recalled his daggers and when in his palm he felt the void fang could be a conduit as if it would soak up the rage energy.

He activated Void Step, teleporting toward Chuck, the ethereal figure that had been watching the battle with detached amusement.

Your turn, shadow puppet, Zaro snarled, channeling void energy throughout his entire body. He forced rage energy into the blade and it hummed with power, its form elongating, its edges glowing with a brilliant red light. It was like a lightsaber, but with a more sinister vibe and a distinct lack of catchy theme music.

Void Rage, 30 seconds remaining. It looks like manipulating the Void Rage cost 20 seconds to make the saber. Zaro made note of that.

Chuck hissed, its form flickering, its empty eyes fixated on the glowing blade. It lunged, its ethereal form moving with unnatural speed. Zaro was able to deflect its attack with a kick, channeling void energy into his leg, the impact sent a shockwave through its intangible form. But it kept spinning and hit him with another ghostly slash like before that ignored his armor and dealt 40 damage.

Just then, it was hit by a lightning bolt.

Chuck recoiled, its form momentarily disrupted. Zaro seized the opportunity, slashing with the void infused dagger, carving a glowing Z across its chest. The ethereal flesh parted like smoke, the blade passing through it with effortless ease

Void Rage, 15 seconds remaining.

Chuck screamed, a chilling sound that echoed through the chamber, its form flickering violently, its ethereal essence dissipating into the air. With a final, desperate lunge, it reached for Zaro, its claws outstretched. But he was too quick. He activated Void Step, teleporting away from it, the void infused saber evaporating into nothingness after use. Just his dagger remained. I guess once I use up the infused energy, it evaporates? Zaro thought.

Void Rage, 5 seconds remaining.

System Alert Enemy Defeated. Zaro ignored this notification so he could focus on the task at hand.

While he was dealing with his monster, the dynamic duo the Orc and the Mage, were taking on the muscle bound monstrosity, Gorgoth. It was a clash of titans, a symphony of steel and magic, a ballet of brawn and brains with a healthy dose of yelling and explosions, of course.

Ramrod was the first to engage, charging headfirst into the fray like a bulldozer with anger management issues. His axe, a blur of motion, met Gorgoth's claws in a shower of sparks, the impact echoing through the chamber like thunder.

He ducked and weaved, dodging the creature's wild swings, his own attacks finding their mark with brutal efficiency. But Gorgoth was a formidable opponent, its thick hide resistant to Ramrod's axe, its strength surpassing even the mighty Orc.

Chad, ever the strategist, kept his distance, his voice a steady stream of incantations as he wove his spells. Fireballs erupted around Gorgoth, momentarily blinding the creature and forcing it to stagger back. Ice shards pierced its flesh, slowing its movements, while bolts of lightning crackled through the air, disrupting its connection to the void and momentarily weakening its defenses.

The battle raged, a chaotic dance of brute force and arcane power. Ramrod, fueled by adrenaline and a healthy dose of Orcish rage, landed blow after blow, his axe chipping away at Gorgoth's defenses, creating openings for Chad's spells to find their mark.

Zaro void stepped to Ezra's side and analyze told him she was in a death countdown condition. He knew from gaming experience that if someone didn't give her a revive potion or something similar, she was done for.

The creature roared in frustration, its attacks becoming more frantic, less precise.

Then, Chad unleashed his most powerful spell, a vortex of wind and lightning that enveloped Gorgoth, its energy swirling around the creature, constricting its movements, disrupting its connection to the void. Ramrod seized the opportunity, charging forward with a mighty roar, his axe finding its mark, cleaving through Gorgoth's weakened defenses, the blade sinking deep into its flesh.

Zaro sent a void bolt for good measure.

Gorgoth stumbled, its roars turning into gurgling screams, its massive form collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash. The creature's corrupted energy dissipated, its body dissolving into wisps of shadow, leaving behind only a lingering silence and the faint scent of ozone.

System Alert. Enemy defeated.

He ignored this notification as well.

The Orc and the Mage stood victorious, their chests heaving, their bodies battered and bruised, but their spirits unbroken.

They had faced a formidable foe, a guardian of corruption, and they had emerged triumphant, their combined strength and strategy proving too much for the creature's brute force.

The chamber fell silent, the echoes of the battle fading into the oppressive stillness. Zaro stood there, holding Ezra, his body aching, his vision blurring, the crimson glow in his eyes fading as the Void Rage timer reached zero.

Do you guys have a potion to bring someone back from a death condition?

They both approached with sadness on their faces and both shook their heads, signaling no.

What do we do? Zaro asked as he propped Ezra up against the wall and tried to shake the blurriness out of his vision.

Void Rage. 0 seconds remaining.

System Alert, Quest Completed.

Exhaustion washed over him, the adrenaline fading, leaving him weak and vulnerable. He stumbled, knees buckling, the world tilting into darkness. The last thing Zaro saw before losing consciousness was the cave ceiling.