The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the vast, desolate landscape outside the hidden prison facility.

As dusk approached, the air was heavy with tension, both within the prison and among the teams of mercenaries outside.

Team Seahorse, led by Captain Zelene, had joined forces with several other teams from different mercenary guilds. In total, seven teams had gathered for the impending assault on the Abyssal Order's branch.

Their numbers were impressive—fifty warriors and mages combined.

Among them, thirty were skilled experts at the Third Order Rank, well-versed in the ways of combat, while another fifteen stood at the Fourth Order, their prowess greater than most. The remaining five were formidable Fifth Order mages and warriors, possessing a level of mastery that made them stand out even among their peers.

Despite not having precise knowledge of the enemy's numbers or strength, they all shared a common goal: to dismantle the Abyssal Order's branch in Alveron City.

The meeting convened in an abandoned building situated near the prison, where Zelene and the leaders of the other teams discussed their strategy. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and nervous excitement.

A burly man with a distinctive scar running across his face stepped forward, addressing the assembly. He represented the Wrathguard Mercenary Guild, a formidable organization from the city of Dornfeld, renowned for its strength and expertise.

"All right, everyone," he boomed, "We're all here to bring down the Abyssal Order and recover our comrades. From the information we've gathered, their strength is predominantly within the Third and Fourth Order Ranks, with very few Fifth Order experts."

The leaders exchanged determined glances, nodding in agreement. The information they had collected over the past few days had helped solidify their strategy.

"The plan is simple," the burly man continued, "We'll launch a coordinated assault from multiple directions. We'll create confusion and chaos to gain the upper hand. Each team will have a specific role. All the support and healing mages are to be paired together with a Fourth Order Warrior.”

The leaders of the other teams voiced their support for the plan.

As the strategy meeting continued, the teams honed their preparations, each team leader sharing insights and expertise.

They discussed their plan in meticulous detail, assigning each team a specific role and clarifying their objectives. They strategized for hours, and the tension in the room grew with every passing moment.

Finally, they agreed to launch the assault under the cover of darkness, utilizing the element of surprise. With a clear understanding of their roles and objectives, they finished their preparations and made their way to the outskirts of the prison facility.

Night descended, shrouding the prison in a veil of shadows.

The teams of mercenaries, each wearing attire that allowed them to blend into the darkness, gathered near their designated entry points. Tension filled the air as they awaited the signal to commence their operation.

A small group of mages set up magical barriers and prepared spells to provide support and healing when needed. They would be stationed at a safe distance from the initial clash, ready to intervene should their comrades require assistance.

Captain Zelene, leading Team Seahorse, took one last moment to ensure her team was ready. They wore expressions of determination, tinged with a touch of anxiety.

"Remember our objectives," she whispered to her team. "We're here to retrieve Tavon and dismantle the Abyssal Order's operation. Stay vigilant and focused."

Her team nodded in understanding. They had trained for this moment, and their determination to see it through was unwavering.

The signal was given, and the seven teams launched their coordinated attack. In the dead of night, they stormed the prison facility from multiple directions, catching the Abyssal Order off-guard.

Mages unleashed spells, lighting up the battlefield with a kaleidoscope of magical energy. Warriors charged forward with weapons drawn, clashing with the guards and members of the Abyssal Order stationed within the facility.

Chaos erupted as the two forces clashed in the dark. Battle cries and incantations filled the air, and the prison's corridors became a battleground.

The fight raged on, and Team Seahorse pressed forward, determined to reach Tavon.

Allan and Selena moved with precision, their teamwork evident as they faced their first foes.

Allan, his powerful aura surging, gripped his axe tightly and activated his technique, the "Rending Echo." His battle aura enveloped his weapon, and he swung it with tremendous force towards the oncoming guards.

"Stand back!" Allan warned Selena, who stood behind him. Her eyes flashed with resolve as she began to channel her magic.

She murmured a healing spell, and her gentle aura spread, not only mending Allan's wounds but also offering support to the other mercenaries engaged in battle.

As the guards closed in, Allan deftly used his "Aegis Parry" technique, which involved precise positioning of his axe to deflect enemy strikes and create openings for his own attacks.

Adrian and Lily, leading the way, faced another group of guards in the prison corridor.

Adrian focused his energy into his sword, activating his "Harmonizing Sword" technique. His blade seemed to resonate with a faint, ethereal hum.

"I'll clear the path. Lily, cover my flank," he instructed.

Lily nodded and, with a swift incantation, summoned her Wind Magic, “Gale Vortex.”

She launched a cyclone of sharp-edged wind blades toward the guards, disrupting their formation and giving Adrian the opportunity to strike.

Adrian's "Flowing River Footwork" technique allowed him to dance around the battlefield, swiftly incapacitating the enemy.

Meanwhile, Zelene, the powerful Fifth Order Mage, stepped forward and raised her staff, channeling the force of water and sound.

She unleashed a spell known as "Tidal Resonance." A massive wave of water surged forward, accompanied by resonating sound waves. The combined power of water and sound magic devastated the guards, hurling them backward with force.

A chorus of spells and battle cries filled the prison building as other mercenary teams joined the fray. The guards were no match for their combined might, and they were quickly subdued.

As they pressed forward, they reached the inner chambers of the prison, where an unsettling sight awaited them. Thirty grotesque creatures, trapped within cuboidal barriers, stood ahead.

Next to these barriers, individuals donned in robes bearing the Abyssal Order's insignia watched with an eerie, detached interest.

Zelene couldn't help but voice her disbelief, her tone a mix of astonishment and apprehension. "What is this...?"

Amidst the chaos, the leaders of the other mercenary teams arrived, and they, too, shared in the collective shock as they faced this unforeseen development.

At this moment, the people wearing the robes bearing the Abyssal Order’s insignia spoke with an eerily calm voice, “...These are the members who failed to pass the trial and join the Abyssal Organization. They have lost their minds and have become mindless creatures who solely crave destruction.”

At this moment, another member of the Abyssal Order spoke up, “These things can be considered quite lucky since they can become useful to the Abyssal Order that they wished to join so ardently by fighting against you all.”

“These creatures are the new recruits?” Adrian’s eyes widened as he heard those words.

With a twisted, almost gleeful tone, one of the Abyssal Order members confirmed Adrian's question, "Correct."

Adrian exhaled heavily, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He didn't even need to turn around to know the reactions of the rest of his Team Seahorse.

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Considering that this meant that Tavon had become one of these monstrous creatures, it was bound to break each one of them and throw them in despair.

The emotions were etched across their faces.

Shock. Grief. Despair. And pure, unbridled rage.

Lily's eyes welled up with tears, her hands trembling with a mix of sorrow and anger. "This can't be... Tavon..."

Allan, usually the epitome of strength, appeared shaken, his fists clenched, his gaze fixed on the abominations before them.

Zelene's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing as a whirlwind of emotions swept through her.

She had led her team into this perilous mission, driven by the hope of saving Tavon, and now they were faced with this nightmarish revelation.

"I won't let them get away with this," she said through gritted teeth.

The members of the other mercenary teams also shared shock and sorrow. But they were united by a common purpose—to stop the Abyssal Order from wreaking more havoc and to put those to rest who had become the victims of their vile experiments.

In the face of this heart-wrenching discovery, Adrian's determination only grew stronger. He turned to his teammates and spoke resolutely, "We will make them pay for what they've done. It is our duty to put Tavon and all these people who have been turned into these monstrous creatures to rest."

Zelene nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a newfound resolve.

But their moment of solidarity was disrupted when the members of the Abyssal Order, with their cruel grins, ordered, "Open the barriers!"

As the barriers released the grotesque creatures, they charged at the teams of mercenaries with horrifying speed and ferocity.

Before the Fifth Order Rank experts among the mercenaries could react, a strange force, an invisible wave, threw them back. Three were hurled out of the prison building, and two crashed violently into the walls.

Zelene found herself among those who were thrown against the wall. Groaning as she opened her eyes, she spotted a complex magic array set up to conjure the barrier. It seemed purpose-built to repel and prevent the Fifth Order Rank experts from intervening effectively.

The burly man, known as Captain Joe, whispered with grim realization, "They must have known about our attack on their hideout! That's why they had this barrier prepared beforehand."

One of the Abyssal Order members stepped forward with a malicious grin. "You mercenaries aren't as clever as you think. Did you truly believe you could escape our watchful eyes? This city is ours, through and through."

The Fifth Order Rank mercenaries, stuck outside the barrier, could only watch helplessly as their comrades inside faced a nightmarish battle against the monstrous creations of the Abyssal Order.

Zelene landed on the ground with a steely determination. Her voice was unwavering as she coldly addressed the members of the Abyssal Order, "This changes nothing. We will defeat you all and rescue our comrades!"

The prison building crackled with intense energy as the Fifth Order Rank experts from the mercenary guilds faced off against their formidable counterparts from the Abyssal Order.

Among the Fifth Order Rank experts of the mercenary guilds, three were warriors and two were mages. Meanwhile, on the side of the Abyssal Order, there were six Fifth Order Rank experts. Three were mages and three were warriors.

Joe was a Fifth Order Warrior who wielded a massive axe that could cleave through anything. He faced a mage named Elaria from the Abyssal Order who had a flame attribute.

Elaria was a slender woman with fiery red hair and eyes. She chanted her spells quickly and unleashed waves of fire at Joe, trying to burn him alive.

Joe dodged the fire attacks with his agility and strength, using his axe to deflect some of them. He activated his Battle Aura, which was a dark green color, and enhanced his physical abilities.

He charged at the mage, swinging his axe with great force. The mage tried to block his attack with a fire shield, but Joe's axe broke through it and slashed her arm.

Elaria screamed in pain and retreated, but Joe pursued her relentlessly. He swung his axe again, aiming for her neck, but she managed to dodge it by a hair's breadth.

Elaria counterattacked with a fireball, but Joe caught it with his hand and crushed it. He grinned and said, "You're no match for me, you little firecracker. Give up and surrender."

Elaria glared at him and said, "Never. I'll fight for the Abyssal Order until my last breath." With that, she began to chant another spell so that she could make this man pay for his arrogance!

Meanwhile, Ceredig was another Fifth Order Warrior who used a large broadsword as his weapon.

He faced an agile warrior named Ealdred from the Abyssal Order who had a silver sword and a black cloak.

Ealdred was a man with sharp features and cold eyes. He moved like a shadow, striking at Ceredig from different angles.

Ceredig blocked his attacks with his broadsword, which was heavy and sturdy. He activated his Battle Aura, which was a bright yellow color, and enhanced his defense and endurance.

He waited for an opening to counterattack, but Ealdred was too fast and elusive. He said, "You're a slippery one, aren't you? But you can't keep this up forever. Sooner or later, you'll make a mistake and I'll catch you."

Ealdred smirked and said, "Don't be so confident, you brute. You're slow and clumsy compared to me. You'll never touch me."

Ealdred darted around Ceredig, slashing at him with his sword.

Ceredig parried his sword with his broadsword, creating sparks in the air. He said, "I guess we shall see about that.” He began to prepare his battle aura to unleash his technique.

Rhys was the third Fifth Order Warrior among the mercenary guilds. He did not use any weapon but relied on his fists to fight.

He faced a mage named Sylara from the Abyssal Order who had an ice attribute.

Sylara was a woman with pale skin and blue hair and eyes. She chanted her spells calmly and unleashed shards of ice at Rhys, trying to freeze him solid.

Rhys dodged the ice attacks with his reflexes and speed, using his fists to shatter some of them.

He activated his Battle Aura, which was a fiery red color, and enhanced his attack and speed. He rushed at the mage, throwing punches with great power.

The mage tried to stop him with an ice wall, but Rhys broke through it with his fist. He reached her and landed a punch on her face.

Sylara staggered back and spat blood but recovered quickly. She said, "You're strong, but not smart. You can't beat me with brute force alone."

Rhys snorted and said, "You're weak, but not brave. You can't beat me with magic alone." He threw another punch at her, but she dodged it by an inch.

Sylara counterattacked with an ice spear, but Rhys caught it with his hand and snapped it in half. He said, "Is that all you've got? Come on, show me what you can do."

Sylara frowned and said, "Fine. I'll show you my true power." She began to chant a spell, preparing to unleash a powerful spell.

Zelene faced two opponents from the Abyssal Order. The first was a Wind Magic specialist named Aeliana, a lithe and agile mage, while the second was a sword-wielding warrior known as Kael.

Aeliana summoned gusts of wind, creating a miniature cyclone that threatened to engulf Zelene and distort her spells.

Meanwhile, Kael advanced with precision, his sword technique honed to perfection.

With a quick chant, Zelene unleashed her unique spell, "Tidal Harmonics."

The sound magic rippled through the air, resonating with the water spells and calming the chaotic winds created by Aeliana.

Aeliana's cyclone dissipated, and the mage stumbled, disoriented by the harmonic waves. Seizing the opportunity, Zelene unleashed a torrent of water, binding both Aeliana and Kael, immobilizing them.

Zelene spoke coldly, "You two are foolish to challenge me together."

Aeliana said, "Don't be so arrogant, you witch. You can't handle our combined power. You'll soon be blown away by my wind."

Kael said, "You wench! I will definitely skewer you with my spear sooner or later. "

Zelene responded coldly, “I don’t have time to waste on you two fools! I will end this quickly!" She began to chant her next spell that could possibly end this battle.

Brenin was the other Fifth Order Mage among the experts of the mercenary guilds. He could use earth attribute spells. He faced a warrior named Hugo from the Abyssal Order who had an axe as his weapon, which was coated with a lethal toxin, making even a minor wound deadly.

Hugo was a man with black hair and red eyes. He swung his axe with great force and skill, trying to chop Brenin in half or smash him to pieces.

Brenin recognized the danger. With a quick incantation, Brenin activated his powerful Earth Attribute spell, "Boulder Breaker."

He summoned massive boulders from the ground, sending them crashing toward Hugo with overwhelming force.

When Hugo got up, he had a somewhat excited smile on his face as he spoke, “Looks like it will be fun slaughtering you, mage.”

Brenin said coldly, "Perhaps it will be the other way around."

As the battle continued, the members of the Abyssal Order, realizing that they were at a disadvantage, began to employ strange and ominous artifacts. These demonic relics held the power to infuse their attacks with a malevolent and destructive force, drastically enhancing their strength and shifting the tide of the battle.

Sylara, the ice attribute mage, activated a sinister-looking amulet adorned with icy blue gems. As she invoked its power, her spells grew sharper and more lethal. Shards of ice formed around her, forming an icy aura that enveloped her spells. Her icy projectiles became more piercing and swifter, threatening her opponents with lethal precision.

Hugo, the warrior wielding the poisoned axe, unveiled a sinister medallion with a grotesque demon's face etched upon it. As the medallion glowed ominously, his axe strikes grew faster and deadlier. With each swing, the poison on his axe blade intensified, making even the slightest graze a deadly threat.

Aeliana, the Wind Magic specialist, wielded a peculiar staff with a twisted, serpent-like head. As she invoked its dark magic, her wind spells became more chaotic and violent. Cyclones of gale-force winds formed around her, creating a tempest that swept away her adversaries.

Elaria, the Flame Attribute mage, possessed a dark and ornate ring. As she chanted incantations, her fiery spells became more intense and all-consuming. Flames erupted in fierce and unpredictable patterns, scorching the battlefield and incinerating her foes.

Ealdred, the agile warrior, revealed a sinister talisman etched with sinister runes. It amplified his speed and agility, allowing him to move like a phantom. His sword techniques became a blur, making it nearly impossible for his opponents to track his movements.

Kael, the sword-wielding warrior, brandished a malevolent pendant that granted him strength and stamina beyond the limits of a normal warrior. His sword strikes were infused with brutal force, and he wielded his weapon with unparalleled ferocity.

These demonic artifacts, fueled by the Abyssal Order's malevolent powers, began to turn the tide of the battle. The members of the Abyssal Order unleashed their enhanced abilities with reckless abandon, intensifying the chaos and destruction on the battlefield.

The mercenaries found themselves challenged like never before as their enemies grew stronger and more relentless.

However, the mercenaries weren’t completely helpless.

had prepared for this battle and brought with them a few tricks to level the playing field.

Zelene and Brenin, both Fifth Order mages, reached into their pouches and withdrew Magic Scrolls.

These scrolls were not ordinary pieces of parchment; they were meticulously prepared with powerful spells at the full strength of a Fifth Order Mage. With these scrolls in hand, all that was required was a small infusion of magic to activate them. No time-consuming chants or intricate gestures were necessary.

Zelene looked at Brenin and nodded.

She then activated her Magic Scroll, and her spell instantly unleashed, creating a torrent of water with a force that could rival a waterfall.

It surged towards the Abyssal Order mages and warriors, threatening to overwhelm them.

As the water spell engulfed its targets, Brenin activated his Magic Scroll. The ground beneath their enemies trembled and cracked as massive boulders erupted from the earth.

These colossal rocks soared towards the Abyssal Order members, causing chaos and destruction as they struck their foes.

Ceredig pulled out a fearsome Tier Five Crossbow, a weapon designed for precision and lethality.

The bolts fired from this crossbow were swift and almost impossible to evade, even for a Fifth Order Warrior.

The piercing power of the bolts could penetrate the defenses provided by Battle Aura, making it a formidable and deadly weapon.

Ceredig smirked as he aimed the crossbow at the enhanced members of the Abyssal Order.

Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger, launching a bolt that streaked through the air with deadly intent. The bolt struck one of the Abyssal Order warriors, and he grunted in pain as it pierced through his Battle Aura and into his side.

The mercenaries continued to deploy their tactics, determined to push back the Abyssal Order's members.

~~

Amidst the chaotic battle between the Fifth Order Rank mercenaries and the formidable Abyssal Order members, the situation took a dire turn within the barrier. Inside the mystical enclosure, it was a battlefield where Third and Fourth Order Rank mercenaries had to confront thirty grotesque creatures.

Initially, the mercenaries had a numerical advantage with forty-five fighters against thirty monstrous foes. They formed a defensive line, attempting to block and retaliate against the ferocious assaults of these nightmarish creatures.

However, the raw power of these creatures proved far beyond their expectations. The Third Order Warriors were met with brutal force, and many fell under the relentless attacks of the monstrous beings. Their steel weapons proved futile as the creatures' strength easily overpowered them.

The Third Order Mages unleashed their spells, hoping to halt the advance of these horrors, but their magic seemed to have minimal effect on the monstrous foes. Spells that should have been lethal merely wounded the creatures, with no visible sign of pain or weakness.

It was only the Fourth Order Warriors who could hold their ground, their advanced combat techniques enabling them to withstand the relentless onslaught. However, even they were pushed back, and their exhaustion began to show.

One Fourth Order Warrior yelled to his comrades, "Stay together! We can't afford to break our formation!"

Another added, "Use your Battle Auras! We need to counter their strength!"

As the mercenaries struggled to maintain their ranks and fight off the gruesome creatures, it was evident that their situation was rapidly deteriorating, and the odds were stacked against them.

It was at this moment that one of the warriors killed a monster. The man who had done it was none other than Adrian. As of this moment, his blade was completely enveloped with darkness. It was Adrian’s Shadow Energy!

As he slashed through the grotesque creatures, Adrian knew full well that his strength didn't surpass that of a Fourth Order Warrior. In fact, he was well aware that he was far from reaching that level of mastery.

However, the grotesque creatures fell before him with surprising ease, and it wasn't because of his superior might.

No, it was something else entirely.

Adrian sensed it – The unique energy within the creatures didn't resist his Shadow Energy; it embraced it, fueling his power even further.

Selena, Lily, and Allan watched with astonishment, never fathoming the extent of Adrian's concealed strength. The sight of his blade, pulsing with dark power, sent shivers through them!

Even the other mercenaries within the barrier gazed in astonishment at Adrian's blade, sensing a presence that was undeniably demonic.

"Keep your distance and avoid their attacks," Adrian's voice cut through the chaos. "I'll handle these abominations. It seems I have a natural advantage against them."

With his Flowing River Footwork, Adrian danced around the grotesque creatures, striking with precision and grace. His movements were a fluid ballet of strength and accuracy, allowing him to unleash powerful attacks while elegantly sidestepping their gruesome retaliations.