The Harbinger cackled, a sound like nails scraping on a chalkboard. Its dark magic crackled around it, easily deflecting the blows of Mark's clones. Their coordinated assault, usually unstoppable, was rendered useless as the creature saw through their every move. This wasn't a mindless beast – it was an intelligent foe, one who understood the nature of Mark's power.
"Pathetic copies," it sneered, sending a wave of dark energy that sent several clones flying.
Mark gritted his teeth. Elara and Kai watched from behind cover, frustration etched on their faces. "There has to be a way," Elara muttered, her grip tightening on her sword.
Suddenly, a new memory flooded Mark's mind, a shared experience from one of his blacksmith clones. The memory depicted the intricate construction of a pair of enchanted shackles, forged with a specific type of enchanted metal recently discovered by another clone.
"Bingo!" Mark shouted, a grin splitting his face. He created a new batch of clones, this time focusing on a specialized skillset – blacksmithing and enchantment.
The Harbinger, momentarily distracted by the new wave of attackers, didn't notice the two blacksmith clones flanking it. With practiced efficiency, they slammed the enchanted shackles onto the creature's wrists. Black energy flared as the magic took hold, binding the Harbinger's movements.
"Now!" Mark roared.
His signal triggered another wave of clones, this time alchemists. They hurled vials filled with shimmering concoctions – potions specifically designed to disrupt magical energies by a clone with a newfound knowledge of alchemy.
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The Harbinger thrashed, its dark aura flickering. It unleashed a torrent of dark magic, but the potions neutralized its power mid-air, leaving the creature vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, Elara and Kai charged forward, blades flashing. They moved with a practiced rhythm, their years of experience complementing each other flawlessly. Mark, watching from a safe distance, coordinated the assault of his remaining clones, directing them to support the warriors and exploit the Harbinger's weakened state.
The battle raged on, a chaotic symphony of clanging metal, sizzling potions, and the furious roars of the Harbinger. Slowly, but surely, their attacks took their toll. The creature's dark magic sputtered and died, replaced by a pained snarl.
With a final coordinated push, Mark's forces overwhelmed the Harbinger. The once-powerful entity crumpled to the ground, defeated.
Silence descended on the battlefield. Mark approached the fallen creature, his clones cautiously forming a defensive circle around them. As he got closer, something caught his eye – a flicker of recognition in the Harbinger's black, reptilian eyes.
In a flash, a vision flooded his mind. He saw a vast technological city bathed in an unnatural glow, then another vision – a malfunctioning device spewing dark energy, and finally, the Harbinger, forced into this world by the catastrophic event.
The vision faded as quickly as it came. Mark, shaken, looked back at the defeated creature. It was a monster, but it was also a victim of circumstance.
"You weren't always like this, were you?" Mark asked hesitantly.
The Harbinger let out a rasping cough. "System…malfunction…" it croaked before its form dissolved into a black mist that dissipated into the air.
Mark stood there, overwhelmed by the implications of what he had just witnessed. The System, the force that governed this world, wasn't infallible. In fact, it might even be the source of the problems it claimed to solve.
A grim determination settled over him. This victory felt bittersweet. He had defeated a powerful enemy, but the true fight for freedom, for answers, had just begun.