Cedric took a deep breath, trying to keep his mind calm amidst the chaos. He quickly scanned the room, taking in every detail he could. The creatures surrounded him, closing in from all sides. He needed to figure something out, and fast.
His eyes flicked to Garrick, standing on his left with a smirk on his face. Cedric noticed something about Garrick’s weapon. Every time it changed shape, it seemed to form around his ring. It clicked in Cedric's mind—that had to be an artifact weapon. Magnus had mentioned something about that artifact set before. If it was true, Garrick’s weapon wouldn’t work against him. At least that was one less thing to worry about.
Cedric’s gaze moved around the room. It was large and circular, with a high ceiling and crisscrossing wooden beams above. Maybe he could use those beams to get some distance, but it wouldn't get him out of this mess. The only way in or out was now blocked by the creatures.
He glanced at the ceiling, wondering if he could break through to create an exit. But how? He didn't have any firestones or explosives with him. Even if he did, it could bring the whole place down on top of him. That was too risky.
Then there was that shadowy figure. It had grabbed him twice, but each time it didn’t follow him into the light. Maybe that was something he could use. If it couldn't move into the light, he had a bit more room to maneuver. But that didn't solve the bigger problem—getting out of here with the crowd and creatures surrounding him.
He thought about using Faylinn's vines. They could create a barrier, maybe buy him some time. But there were so many creatures, more than they could hold off for long. He needed a plan, something that could turn the situation around, but right now, nothing seemed to fit.
Cedric felt the pressure mounting. Every second he stood there, the creatures got closer. He had to come up with something, and soon. But the options seemed to slip away as quickly as he thought of them. He needed to find that one chance to escape. There had to be a way out of this, even if he couldn't see it yet.
Faylinn let out a soft mew from his shirt. "I don't know either, Fay. That shadow figure keeps blocking my escape route," Cedric muttered, eyes darting around the room for any possible advantage.
Faylinn mewed again, a little more urgently this time. Cedric's eyes widened slightly. "Good point, Fay. I noticed he doesn't follow us into the light. Maybe... maybe light is his weakness?"
Faylinn popped her head out of his shirt, letting out another determined mew. "Get him? But how? We can't reach him with all these creatures around—"
Suddenly, Cedric ducked on instinct as Garrick’s blade whizzed past his head. He didn’t even have time to think as he lunged forward, closing the gap between them. Garrick turned to strike again, but Cedric was already moving, diving toward him. The blade went right through Cedric, confirming his theory about the artifact. He swung his sword toward Garrick, aiming for a quick, decisive blow.
Just as the blade was about to connect, one of the creatures intercepted, throwing itself between them. Cedric's sword sank into the creature's oak-like skin with a sickening crunch, the blade wedged in the rough texture. He yanked his sword free, but there was no time to breathe. Another creature rushed him from behind, and he quickly spun around, parrying its attack. He couldn't keep this up; there were too many of them. Four more creatures were already closing in, each one more terrifying than the last.
Cedric kicked out at the dancer creature behind him, sending it sprawling back, but the others were relentless. They pressed in from all sides, their eerie movements unsettlingly coordinated. Faylinn's vines shot up from the ground, lashing out at the creatures, trying to push them back. One vine coiled around a creature's leg and pulled it down, but another swiped at it, cutting the vine in half. The little fox was doing her best to give him some breathing room, but it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.
Cedric fought desperately, every movement calculated to fend off the onslaught. He swung his sword in a wide arc, the blade cutting through the air as he parried and struck in a fluid dance of survival. One creature lunged at him, and he sidestepped, using its momentum against it to send it crashing into the ground. Another creature, with large wings and a body covered in patchwork text and images, swooped down toward him. Cedric ducked and slashed at it, his sword grazing its wing as it flew past.
The room was a chaotic whirlwind of motion. Creatures lunged and clawed, Faylinn's vines whipped and ensnared, and Cedric moved like a blur between them all. He had to keep moving, had to stay ahead of their attacks. His breath was coming in ragged gasps now, each parry and strike taking a toll on his stamina. His muscles burned with the effort of fending off the relentless assault. Despite his best efforts, they were pushing him back, forcing him into a corner. He needed to make a decision, and fast.
In a split-second decision, Cedric turned his gaze upward to the wooden beams. With no other options, he blinked out of the melee, his body shimmering out of existence for a brief moment. He reappeared on one of the beams above, balancing carefully as he caught his breath. From up here, he could see the swarm of creatures below, all of them looking up at him with hungry eyes. Faylinn hovered beside him, letting out a concerned mew as she nestled against his neck.
"We can't fight them head-on," Cedric murmured to Faylinn, his eyes darting between the creatures below. "There are too many of them."
Faylinn let out a questioning mew, her eyes focused intently on Cedric.
"Back to that shadow figure," Cedric continued. "I don’t think we have any way to light up the sewer."
Faylinn mewed again, sounding slightly more insistent this time.
"No, we certainly won't be able to hold out until sunrise," Cedric replied, glancing up at the beams above. "We need to find a way to get to him or... flush him out." Then it clicked. He repeated the phrase in his mind, piecing together a plan. "Flush him out? That's it!"
Cedric’s eyes lit up with a sudden realization. "That's a good idea," he told Faylinn, excitement creeping into his voice. "Okay, listen to me, Fay, I have a plan."
Just as he was explaining his idea, a sharp sound caught his attention. He turned his head to see Garrick swinging himself up onto the wooden beams, using his weapon that had transformed into a whip. The weapon lashed out at Cedric while he was mid-sentence, but just like before, it passed right through him.
"What the f—?What are you?" Garrick demanded, his voice filled with frustration and confusion. Cedric didn't give him the satisfaction of an answer. Instead, he lunged at Garrick, swinging his sword in a powerful arc. Garrick’s weapon shifted into a sword at the last second, and he managed to deflect Cedric's strike. The force of the impact sent Garrick teetering on the beam, but he quickly regained his balance, turning his weapon into a whip again to swing himself back up.
Realizing that their weapons were ineffective against each other, the two men dropped all pretenses and went for a more primitive approach: their fists. The beam creaked under their weight as they squared off, their eyes locked in a deadly stare.
Garrick was the first to move, lunging forward with a wild right hook. Cedric ducked just in time, feeling the air whoosh above his head. He retaliated with a quick jab to Garrick's ribs, making him grunt in pain. Garrick stumbled back, but Cedric didn't let up. He followed with a flurry of punches, each one aimed to disorient and push Garrick further toward the edge of the beam.
Garrick recovered quickly, his body twisting with surprising agility as he dodged one of Cedric's punches and landed a solid hit to Cedric’s jaw. Cedric reeled back, the force almost knocking him off balance. He blinked out of harm's way, reappearing on a beam a few feet away, giving himself a moment to recover. Garrick, not wasting a second, used his whip to swing towards Cedric. The whip wrapped around the beam next to Cedric, and Garrick used the momentum to launch himself, aiming a kick at Cedric’s chest.
Cedric managed to sidestep just in time, grabbing Garrick's leg and pulling him off balance. Garrick crashed onto the beam, but he quickly flipped back up, his whip already recoiling for another attack. The two continued their brutal dance on the narrow beams, fists flying and feet slipping on the slick wooden surface. Each time one of them fell, they used their abilities to get back up—Cedric blinking from beam to beam, and Garrick swinging with his whip, each move calculated to either gain an advantage or avoid a devastating blow.
Garrick threw a left hook, which Cedric blocked with his forearm. He countered with an uppercut, but Garrick ducked under it, driving his shoulder into Cedric's midsection. The impact knocked the wind out of Cedric, and he stumbled back, teetering on the edge of the beam. He blinked again to a safer spot, only to find Garrick already closing in, his eyes filled with a wild fury.
Cedric caught Garrick's fist mid-swing, twisting his arm and pulling him off balance. Garrick retaliated by using his whip to anchor himself to the beam, pulling himself back up with a grunt of effort. The beam creaked ominously under the strain of their fight.
As they fought on the narrow beam, the entire sewer began to vibrate. Both Cedric and Garrick paused, feeling the unsettling tremors ripple through the walls and floor.
"What did you do?" Garrick demanded, his eyes narrowing with suspicion and anger.
Cedric smirked. "My ticket out of here."
With that, Cedric took a step back, his gaze fixed on Garrick. In a swift motion, he swung his sword downward, striking the beam they were standing on. The wood splintered and cracked under the force, the beam beneath Garrick giving way. Garrick let out a startled shout as he plummeted toward the ground, but he quickly recovered, using his whip to latch onto another beam and pull himself back up.
But by the time he regained his footing, Cedric was already gone, having leapt down voluntarily. Garrick's eyes widened in surprise and confusion as he watched Cedric descend, seemingly throwing himself into the midst of the creatures below.
In that instant, the room was flooded with a massive wave of water. The water burst through with a roaring force, filling the chamber in seconds. The creatures and Garrick were caught off guard, struggling to keep their footing as the water level rose rapidly, swirling around them. Cedric clung to the wall as the water surged in, using the chaos to his advantage. The sudden flood caused a frantic stir among the crowd, the creatures splashing and thrashing in the rising torrent.
Cedric’s plan had worked. Faylinn's vine had managed to find and create a small breach at the blockage, allowing the water to flow back into the sewer. The force of the water, even from that small opening, was enough to create a massive wave that surged into the waterway, flooding it in seconds.
Once the initial wave had stabilized, Cedric took a deep breath and dove beneath the surface. He swam swiftly through the water, retracing his steps toward the way he and Magnus had entered. His lungs burned for air, but he managed to find small grates on the ceiling to stop and take a breath, pressing his mouth to the narrow openings before continuing his escape.
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The waterway had turned into a swift current, helping him glide through the submerged passages. He moved with the flow, occasionally needing to duck or maneuver around obstacles in his path. His muscles ached from the effort, but he kept pushing forward, driven by the need to get out of this sewer.
Cedric gasped for air as he broke the surface of the water, the cold night air hitting him like a wall. He managed to pull himself up onto the stone platform, coughing and sputtering, every muscle in his body screaming from the exertion. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the starry sky, grateful to have made it out of the flooded sewer alive. The sound of rushing water still echoed in the distance, the last remnants of his escape plan.
Faylinn popped her head out from his shirt, letting out a concerned mew as she looked at him. Cedric managed a tired smile, his chest still heaving from the effort. "Yeah, we got out thanks to you," he said between ragged breaths, reaching up to give her a gentle pat. She nuzzled against his hand, her small form a comforting presence after the chaos they had just escaped.
He let out a shaky breath, feeling the adrenaline starting to wear off. Just a few more moments to catch his breath, to gather his strength, and he could start moving again. The documents he had grabbed were soaked, but at least he had them. They might still be usable as evidence against Garrick. He could expose whatever was happening in this city and put a stop to it.
But then, a chill ran down his spine.
Before he could react, the shadowy figure appeared beside him, moving out of the darkness like a wraith. Its many heads twisted and turned as if scanning its surroundings, then locked onto Cedric. He barely had time to raise his hand in defense before the figure lashed out, gripping him by the throat with an ironclad grip.
The world spun around him as he was lifted off the ground, his feet dangling in the air. The strength of this creature was unreal, squeezing the breath out of him. Cedric struggled, clawing at the shadowy hand around his neck, but it was like fighting against a phantom. His vision blurred as he felt the grip tighten, crushing his windpipe.
Faylinn's vines shot up from the ground, piercing through the shadow figure. It staggered back, releasing its grip on Cedric, who fell to the ground gasping for air. The creature wavered for a moment, giving Cedric a sliver of hope, but it was short-lived. The figure began to move toward him again, its multiple heads shifting and contorting as it advanced, seemingly unfazed by the vines that had struck it.
Cedric raised his hand, using his power to slow the creature’s movements. But it pushed through the resistance as if his abilities were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Panic gripped him as he realized that this entity wasn't like the other creatures he'd faced; it operated beyond the reach of his usual tricks. He needed a new plan.
In a desperate move, Cedric blinked up onto the street above. If this shadow figure could move freely in the darkness, he needed to create his own battleground where he could fight on his terms. The streets were still dark, with the moonlight providing little illumination. He needed light, and fast. His eyes darted around, searching for anything that could help him.
Lanterns hung in front of the buildings, their flames extinguished for the night. If he could ignite them, it might give him the upper hand. But he had no firestones and no matches to light up the fire. The shadow figure was already emerging onto the street, its form blending seamlessly with the darkness as it moved toward him. Time was running out.
Faylinn let out an urgent mew, her eyes reflecting the dim light as she nudged him. Cedric glanced at her, his mind racing. They needed to act quickly. The figure was closing in, undeterred by his earlier attempts to slow it down. Cedric felt his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to make his next move, hoping against hope that he could find a way to create enough light to push this creature back.
With no other choice in sight, Cedric pulled out his sword, eyeing the lanterns hanging in front of the nearby buildings. Made of steel and containing a bit of oil, they were his only hope. If he could just create a spark, it might be enough to keep the shadow figure at bay.
He swung his sword at the first lantern, slashing through it with a swift, powerful strike. The metal casing shattered, but no spark appeared. The lantern fell to the ground in pieces, leaving Cedric with a sinking feeling of desperation.
Before he could attempt another strike, the shadow figure lunged at him with blinding speed. Cedric barely managed to dodge, blinking out of the way just in time. He reappeared a few feet away, sword at the ready, his eyes darting around for another target. He couldn't afford to stop moving; the figure was relentless.
He slashed at another lantern on the next building, hoping this one would be different. Again, the lantern broke apart, but still no spark. The shadow figure continued its menacing advance, inching closer with each passing second. Cedric's heart pounded in his chest. He needed light, and he needed it fast.
Retreating once more, he swung at yet another lantern, and this time, he got lucky. The blade struck at just the right angle, creating a small spark that ignited the remnants of oil within. A small flame flickered to life, casting a dim but warm glow around him. The shadow figure hesitated, its advance halted by the sudden light.
"Faylinn, vines!" Cedric called out. Instantly, Faylinn's vines erupted from the ground, weaving toward the newly lit lantern. Cedric slashed the lantern with his sword, breaking it and letting the flames spread onto the vines. The fire crawled along the vines, expanding the light's reach and forcing the shadow figure to step back, unable to move toward him.
Seizing this brief respite, Cedric rushed to the next building, desperate to grab more lanterns. But as soon as he stepped out of the light's protective circle, the shadow figure reappeared beside him. It struck at him with its dark tendrils, nearly catching him off guard. Cedric barely managed to snatch a lantern from its hook before blinking back into the safety of the light.
Cedric carefully used the flame from the vine to ignite the lantern in his hand, watching as the fire from the vine slowly died out, leaving just a small circle of safety around him. The burning light flickered, casting long shadows against the nearby walls. It wasn't much, but it allowed him to move more freely without worrying about the shadow figure attacking him directly.
The figure prowled just outside the lantern's glow, its many heads twisting and turning, seemingly calculating its next move. Cedric knew he had to figure out his next step quickly. The lantern was his only defense, but it wouldn't last forever. He needed to find a way to keep the creature at bay long enough to escape or find reinforcements.
With the lantern held high, he moved toward the next building, eyes on the lantern hanging by its entrance. He needed to light up more areas to widen his safe zone. But as he approached, the shadow figure darted ahead of him. Its tendril lashed out, smashing the lantern before Cedric could reach it, leaving it in shattered pieces on the ground. Useless.
"Damn it," Cedric muttered under his breath. His only plan was now ineffective. He couldn’t risk blinking to the next lantern, as it would extinguish his own, and he’d be left vulnerable. The shadow figure had anticipated his move, and now he was running out of options.
To make matters worse, he heard movement from the direction of the waterway. The creatures he had flushed out with the wave were beginning to emerge, their wet forms glistening in the dim moonlight. Some of them noticed him, their gazes locking onto him with an unnatural intensity. They began to make their way toward him, adding to the already dire situation.
Cedric gripped the lantern tightly, his mind racing. He couldn't fight off the shadow figure and the horde of creatures at the same time. His escape routes were limited, and his defenses were dwindling. He was trapped in the light, surrounded by enemies that thrived in the dark.
"Faylinn," he whispered urgently, feeling the little fox stir within his shirt. "Any ideas?"
Faylinn let out a low, worried mew, her vines twitching slightly. Cedric knew she was just as anxious as he was. They needed to hold out a bit longer—just long enough for Magnus and the others to arrive, if they were coming at all. For now, all he could do was stay in the light and hope he could fend off the encroaching darkness.
Cedric moved cautiously toward the wreckage of the blockage, eyes darting around as he tried to spot anything he could use to his advantage. His mind raced through the possibilities, but the situation was growing more desperate by the second. The masked dancer lunged at him, its movements fluid and unpredictable. Cedric managed to parry the attack, countering with a swing of his sword, but his limited range of motion—thanks to the fragile lantern—kept him from landing a decisive blow.
The dancer dodged easily, its movements almost mocking in their grace. Meanwhile, more creatures began to climb onto the street, emerging from the waterway. He needed to reach the blockage, but it was still too far. He couldn't outmaneuver both the shadow figure and this growing horde for much longer.
His eyes flicked toward the wreckage, the scattered pieces of wood and debris. It was mostly ruined from the water's force, but it was made of wood—dry, old wood. A fire could be the key. But he would have to act quickly.
Taking a gamble, Cedric made a snap decision. He threw the lantern toward the blockage, aiming for the center where the wood was driest. The lantern arced through the air, but it wasn’t going to make it in time. The shadow figure was already closing in, its many heads writhing as it zeroed in on him.
Desperate, Cedric used his power to slow the lantern’s descent, giving him just a few extra seconds. He blinked to the spot beneath the falling lantern, feeling the rush of air and the cold grip of dread as the shadow figure reached for him. The oak wood-skinned creature climbed onto the street just as he reappeared. Perfect.
With precise timing, he caught the slowed lantern midair and smashed it against the creature. The oil splattered across its wooden skin, catching fire almost instantly. Flames erupted, spreading quickly across the creature's body as it let out a ghastly wail. Cedric kicked it toward the blockage, sending the burning creature tumbling into the debris.
The fire spread rapidly, consuming the dry wood and creating a wall of flames that rose up between him and the shadow figure. The darkness recoiled, unable to pass through the searing heat and light. Cedric felt a momentary sense of relief, but it was short-lived. The wall of fire held the shadow figure at bay, but it did nothing to deter the growing number of creatures moving toward him.
He was still surrounded, and now he had nowhere to retreat. The creatures were closing in, their grotesque forms silhouetted against the raging inferno behind them. Cedric tightened his grip on his sword, his mind scrambling for another plan. The fire had bought him some time, but not nearly enough. He needed to think of something else, and fast.
Cedric heard the voice before he saw Garrick emerge from the crowd of creatures, a twisted smile on his face. "Impressive," Garrick said, his tone dripping with disdain. "But your luck ends here."
The creatures parted to make way for Garrick, who strode forward with an air of confidence. His eyes gleamed with malice, and his weapon, now in the form of a wickedly sharp scythe, twitched in his grasp. "I don't know what you are," he continued, his gaze flicking to Faylinn who peeked out from Cedric's shirt, "but you and your little friend will fetch a high price, even as corpses."
Cedric tightened his grip on his sword, feeling the weight of the blade as he readied himself for what would likely be his final stand. Faylinn's vines erupted from the ground around them, forming a protective barrier of writhing, thorny tendrils. Cedric knew they couldn't hold off this many enemies, not with Garrick leading them, but he was out of options. They would have to fight until the very end.
Garrick gave a signal, and the creatures launched their attack, a wave of grotesque forms surging toward them. Cedric steeled himself, swinging his sword to parry the first blow, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of assailants. Faylinn's vines lashed out, tangling and ensnaring several of the creatures, but they were too many.
Then, just as Cedric was certain they were about to be overrun, a massive burst of fire erupted from behind the crowd. The flames shot into the sky, creating a momentary wall of fire that forced the creatures back. Cedric turned his head in shock to see Tristan, Magnus, and Elysia charging into the fray.
"CEDRIC!" Tristan's voice rang out as he unleashed another torrent of flames, cutting a path through the crowd. Creatures scattered, some diving into the waterway, while others were incinerated where they stood. Magnus barreled forward, his shield up as he slammed into one of the creatures, sending it flying back into the mass. Elysia raised her hands, her power flowing into Tristan and Magnus, amplifying their attacks.
Garrick's eyes widened in surprise as the fireball hurtled toward him. He reacted quickly, grabbing a nearby creature and using it as a makeshift shield. The unfortunate creature screamed as it was engulfed in flames, Garrick throwing it aside like a rag doll. The path between Cedric and his teammates was now momentarily clear.
Without hesitation, Cedric blinked toward them, covering the distance in the blink of an eye. He landed beside Magnus, breathing heavily but alive. His friends had arrived just in time.
Magnus's roar echoed through the narrow streets, his voice filled with fury as he laid eyes on Garrick. "You!" he bellowed, his eyes narrowing with pure rage. Garrick, on the other hand, let out a sigh of exasperation, his demeanor dismissive and taunting.
"Not you again," Garrick muttered, shaking his head as if Magnus were merely an annoying pest. The fire wall Tristan had created continued to blaze behind them, casting long shadows across the cobblestones and keeping the other creatures at bay. The shadow figure, too, had disappeared into the darkness, unable to approach the light.
Both men began to close the distance between them, their movements slow and deliberate. The air was thick with tension, and Cedric could feel the hatred radiating from Magnus like a physical force.
"What is it you want with me, huh?" Garrick asked, his tone almost bored as he continued to mock Magnus. His eyes glinted with a twisted amusement. "You're still hung up on that old Samus, aren't you? Even after all these years."
Magnus's face twisted with anger. "I want you to pay for what you did," he growled, his voice low and seething with rage.
Garrick smirked, unbothered by the accusation. "Even if I had stayed with you in that cave, Samus would've died anyway," he sneered, dismissing the gravity of what had happened. "You know that as well as I do."
Magnus's grip on his axe tightened, his knuckles turning white. Garrick's words were like salt on an open wound, reopening old scars and bringing forth a flood of memories he had tried to bury.
"And what about Floyd?" Garrick continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "He was the first to run away. But I don't see you hunting him down."
Magnus's eyes blazed with a mixture of grief and anger. "Floyd's already dead," he said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with the weight of loss. "And you're next."
Garrick chuckled darkly, unfazed by the threat. "Oh, so you're playing executioner now?" He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Magnus's. "I'm not scared of you, Magnus. You were always just a big brute with nothing going on upstairs."
Magnus let out a roar of rage and charged at Garrick, his axe raised high. Garrick met him head-on, his weapon shifting form to match Magnus's attack. The two clashed in a flurry of steel and fury, each strike sending sparks flying into the air. The battle between them was as personal as it was brutal, years of pent-up anger and betrayal coming to the surface in every blow.
Garrick's weapon morphed into a longsword, its blade gleaming in the light of the fire still burning behind them. At the same moment, Magnus's armor materialized around him, the familiar weight settling on his shoulders as his shield formed at his side. It was as if both men were donning the final pieces of their identities, ready to end this long-standing feud once and for all.
With a mutual, silent understanding, they launched themselves at each other. The air between them crackled with the intensity of their anger and resolve. Their movements were fierce and precise, each swing and parry echoing with the years of history that had brought them to this point.
Cedric, Tristan, and Elysia stood back, watching the duel unfold. They knew better than to intervene. This was Magnus's fight—a battle that had been brewing for years, filled with the kind of personal demons and history that could only be settled in combat.
The clash of steel against steel rang out through the street as they collided, their weapons sparking with each impact. Magnus's shield blocked Garrick's strikes with the strength of his convictions, while Garrick's shifting weapon met each of Magnus's attacks with equal fury. It was a duel of skill and raw emotion, and it was clear that neither would hold back until one of them was defeated.
The fire behind them crackled and roared, casting dancing shadows across the scene as the two men fought, determined to settle the score once and for all.