Ron, his irritation palpable, watched as Fray and the rest of his group walked away towards the bridge. He turned to Luke beside him and vented his frustration, "Why did you let them leave!?"
Luke, fixated on the departing group, responded with a thoughtful gaze, "It's not a smart idea to fight them now. We still don't know anything about them, and I don't think they can defeat the fortress. They seem injured as well." His eyes lingered on Fray's arm.
Aslin, her eyes reflecting deep contemplation, mused, (They just completed their challenge without external help. They must be tired, but why are they so confident?) The mysteries of the Merciless Clan lingered in the air, adding layers of uncertainty to their new journey.
At the edge of the bridge, Fray and the group paused for a moment. Adam handed his bracelet to Elisa, and with a nod of acknowledgment, she accepted it. Casper, Rin, and Sina continued their way across the bridge, determined expressions etched on their faces.
However, Fray, still nursing injuries from the previous battle, chose to remain behind. He recognized the increased peril on the bridge and deemed it necessary to guard against potential threats.
Furthermore, the accumulated experience points gathered by the group until now had been entrusted to Elisa. The moment had finally arrived for her to channel that energy and potentially summon her spirit.
At the bridge's edge, Adam and Fray stood facing the Guardians' Team and the other weary warriors. Adam's gaze fixed on Luke, who held their eyes, before Adam remarked, "Sooner or later, our paths will cross with theirs, and I'm sure it won't be in a favourable manner."
Fray, maintaining a stoic demeanour, responded in a measured tone, "Indeed, even if our paths don't naturally intersect, I will ensure they do. However, now is not the opportune time for such a clash."
. . .
Sina, Rin, and Casper, quick and agile, danced between the tentacles and deftly avoided the energy beams.
Sina wielded a dark whip, its shadows slicing through the air, while Rin brandished two wicked daggers, executing swift and calculated strikes. Casper moved with the grace of a seasoned swordsman, parrying and dodging with his blade in hand.
Elisa surveyed her comrades – Sina, Rin, and Casper – realizing that the absence of Fray, their main support, meant they had to expedite their battle with the fortress.
"Ten thousand glory, answer my call," Elisa mumbled, a resolute determination in her voice.
As Elisa spoke the call, the air around her quivered with latent power. A sudden surge of luminescence erupted before her, a dazzling display of radiant energy taking form. From the luminous glow materialized a sword, its presence commanding and ethereal.
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The blade, resplendent in its otherworldly radiance, seemed to draw light from the very air around it. As it solidified, it emitted a soft hum, carrying the weight of arcane might. The hilt, adorned with intricate symbols, glowed with an enchanting aura, intertwining magic and steel in an artful dance.
Simultaneously, behind Elisa, a legion of energy blades manifested into existence. Each blade shimmered with an iridescent brilliance, hovering in perfect alignment, awaiting the guiding touch of their wielder.
An aura of pulsating energy enveloped Elisa, casting a brilliant glow around her. It wasn't merely a manifestation of power but a doubling of her energy stats.
Elisa's spirit, held the distinguished rank of the seventh tier, just like Casper's spirit. What set her spirit apart was its unique nature – a weapon-type spirit, Which is the rarest category among spirits.
Such spirits are born from the essence of powerful weapons. Only the most formidable weapons, after reaching the pinnacle of their existence, could aspire to become spirits.
Yet, even among the rarefied ranks of weapon spirits, Elisa's spirit stood as a paragon. Its rarity and potency demanded a significant expenditure of energy for its summoning, and only those with considerable strength could wield it. Control over such a formidable spirit required years of rigorous training.
The ethereal spirit at Elisa's command bore the resplendent title of "The Ten Thousand Glory." Within its luminous essence lay two potent skills bestowed upon her. The first, "The Ten Thousand Blades," granted Elisa the ability to summon ten thousand blades, all under her precise control, provided she could harness the full extent of the spirit's might.
The second skill, aptly named the "Aura of Glory," held the capacity to enhance Elisa's energy capabilities twofold.
Elisa, with grace and agility, maneuvered through the onslaught. Her enchanted sword glowed with an ethereal radiance, deflecting the dark tendrils that lashed out at her.
She moved with a dancer's precision, anticipating each strike and countering with the swift arcs of her weapon. As the confrontation intensified, the fortress's row of eyes fixated on Elisa, casting ominous energy beams her way. With a swift roll, she evaded the beams, narrowly avoiding the destructive onslaught.
...
The trio of Luke, Aslin, and Lisa stood in unity, their eyes fixated across the river where Elisa had summoned her weapon. The ethereal glow of The hundreds of blades painted the scene with an otherworldly radiance, capturing their attention.
Aslin, couldn't help but voice his thoughts. "I've never seen a weapon like that before. Its power is extraordinary, but I wonder about its true nature."
Lisa, thoughtful and observant, chimed in, "Whatever it is, it's impressive. They're strong, it seems we made the right decision by not starting a fight with them"
The trio fell into silence, their attention fully devoted to Elisa's battle unfolding on the other side of the river.
The radiant display of blades and the dynamic dance of Elisa's movements left them in awe. They watched with wide eyes as Elisa met the fortress's onslaught with an unwavering resolve.
As the fortress's eyes closed and the walls parted, revealing a concealed red eye, Elisa unleashed her final attack – the hundreds of blades swirled around the sword forming a storm that reached the clouds.
The massive storm of blades, sharp and relentless, advanced with a ferocity that tore through the rain, leaving behind trails of radiant brilliance as it approached the eye.
In that crucial moment, the storm of blades bore down upon the fortress's unveiled core. The sheer power and spectacle left Luke, Aslin, and Lisa speechless.
Fray and Adam observed Elisa's astonishing attack, their expressions reflecting genuine surprise at the magnitude of her power. As the fortress emitted a resounding roar, its walls began to crumble under the force of Elisa's relentless assault.
In quiet admiration, Fray observed the unfolding scene, his thoughts echoing in his mind. (Impressive, she didn't even need to enter the fortress to make it yield.) The formidable display of Elisa's prowess left both Fray and Adam in awe.
. . .
Following the unexpected confrontation with the Guardians' team, the group, without engaging in further discourse, as soon as they took down the Fortress continued their journey.
Undeterred, Fray led them toward the next castle, their collective resolve unwavering. In the ensuing five days, the group underwent a transformative process, growing stronger with each passing challenge. The missions that lay ahead gradually became more manageable.
Currently, standing side by side, Fray, Elisa, Adam, Rin, Casper, and Sina witnessed the crumbling fortress before them. As the structure let out a final roar, several holographic windows materialized in front of them, displaying the outcomes of their formidable journey.
[ Achievement Unlocked: The Merciless Clan Conquers Five Castles and Defeats Five Bosses with a 100% Participation Rate ]
[ Mission Accomplished: The Merciless Clan Cleanses the Roaring River ]
[ Restored Legacy: The Everlast River Regains Its Name ]
[ Hidden Triumph: The Merciless Clan Reaches the Hidden Score, Earning an S Rank ]