Dorian was practically shaking with excitement; he had never felt such anticipation.
[Spacerend] was likely going to be his most powerful skill, and he wanted to see just how good it would be.
And now the moment he had been waiting for had arrived, the ground rumbled and the quest screen popped up again.
[The Ember Vault]
Welcome to [The Ember Vault], this battlefield was the last stand of the Ashen Legion - an elite army tasked with protecting the sleeping [Flamebound King].
Betrayed by their own, they slaughtered each other, their souls bound to the battlefield by a powerful curse.
Now, they awaken, eager to fight only through the will of those who have cursed them. Beware, adventurers, there is no chance at negotiation.
The army has been defeated, not a soul left standing. Instead, the souls of the fallen will be recycled into the [Ember Knights], empowering them further. Each knight holds a key to the coffin they protect, what is within... no one knows.
[Objectives]:
- Destroy the cursed Ashen Legion's army (12,432/12,432) [COMPLETED]
- Kill the [Ember Knights] (0/5)
- Kill the [Hollow Baron] (0/1)
[Rewards]:
- Revealed upon completion. Rewards depend on contribution.
There was some new flavour text, essentially saying that the [Ember Knights] were going to appear now. He was witnessing it currently.
The earthquake that had happened was a result of a ancient-looking temple rising from the ground. They could not see inside it at all though, even Veylan couldn't.
Light red streaks of power erupted from the bodies of the thousands of fallen, all flying to the lone temple that stood amongst it's dead worshippers.
A menacing aura flared up from the temple, it's white walls cracking. The party was pushed back, as the aura grew stronger and stronger while the souls were consumed, never entering the cycle of reincarnation again.
As the power reached it's apex, the temple crumpled. Revealing five incredibly powerful figures. They looked identical, and when Dorian used [Cat's Eye] on them, he was only proven right.
[Ember Knight Lv. 122]
[Ember Knight Lv. 122]
[Ember Knight Lv. 122]
[Ember Knight Lv. 122]
[Ember Knight Lv. 122]
They certainly looked like knights, each had a helmet that only had one parting. A T shape that ran across their eyes and down at the nose all the way to the chin. They each had a large, dark red panache, it was so long that the back of it went all the way down to their mid-back.
They each wore sleek armour, not heavy. Most of the armour was focused around their chest, shoulders and back. It was simple, but you could tell it was extremley high-quality.
"Dorian, how confident are you in taking one by yourself?" Veylan asked.
Dorian did want to fight desperately, but he knew he was at a significant level disadvantage. However, in an army it was hard to get unique titles, only a commander would be able to most of the time. So these knights probably weren't particularly strong for their level, meanwhile Dorian was extremley strong, practically unkillable. Combined with his new [Epic] class, he would probably be able to hold his own.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"I think I could do it." Dorian replied confidently.
Veylan nodded, "I'll take two, Dain and Isolde you take two as well, Caroline you try and help them all as much as you can."
Caroline nodded seriously, her gaze fixed on Dorian. Clearly all she had heard was "help Dorian". While he would appreciate help, he knew that he was unlikely to die, Dain and Isolde did not have his advantages, they would need her help more.
"Caroline, I know you want to help me. But Dain and Isolde will need it, I will survive, but without your help, they will struggle. Do you understand?"
Caroline looked reluctant after just telling Dorian she would do her best to heal him, but she was experienced and knew that everyone surviving was much more important then unspoken promises.
"I know."
"Good."
Dorian turned to the [Ember Knights] again, which one should he choose? They were all the same, so it didn't matter much. Before he could decide, Veylan shot forth with a high-speed and extended his arms out to the side. His body went straight into two unprepared [Ember Knights] standing next to each other. A plume of dust went up, and they reappeared almost a mile away. The two [Ember Knights] already standing, ready for combat.
Three left, Dain and Isolde were nearer to two of the [Ember Knights], so Dorian chose the one furthest from them.
He used [Forbidden Rush] to accelerate towards them, and appeared quickly before his chosen opponent. They were also ready, it hefted a very large sword in it's hands, the blade about as wide as it's shoulders, and swung it at him.
Dorian reached for his shortsword, unsheathing and blocking the attack in the same motion. Then he lifted his leg and kicked at the midriff of the knight with all his might. The knight shot back, lifted into the air temporarily. It wasn't an attack meant to damage, but one to move them away from the other knights. He noticed they were getting ready to join in on attacking him, and Dain and Isolde hadn't managed to get their attention yet. So he jumped away with the knight, deciding to follow up with another attack quickly.
Dorian used [Slash], aiming for the neck of the knight. Due to the weight of it's weapon, it could not move it so fast. Instead, the knight let go with it's left hand and used a body strengthening skill to block the attack with it's hand. It grabbed onto the blade of the shortsword, he felt it tug slightly, not to try and take it from him, but to garner some momentum to swing it's sword.
It was only holding it with one hand, and it was in a backhanded position, his sword arm was across its own body. It was quite difficult to strike from that position, so Dorian had assumed they wouldn't try to hit him from there.
Unfortunately, he had underestimated the strength and skill of the knight, it was intelligent enough to know how to strike from that position effectively. This combat intelligence was at a level that he wasn't familiar with back in Greystone. Dorian could only activate [Iron Skin], but the skill was not very compatible with his path, so even though it was a high tier, it would not be enough.
The large sword tore through his torso, just under his ribs. Dorian screamed in pain, but quickly choked it down, he needed to focus if he didn't want to feel more pain than necessary. Fortunately, Dorian was slightly correct with his previous assumption, and the position the knight had struck from was not enough to gather enough strength to completely slice through Dorian.
Dorian moved to kick the sword hand of the knight, pushing down with his blade against it's hand. The knight simply let go of the blade now, making Dorian stumble as he was suddenly of balance. Thankfully, the movement disloged the sword from his torso, and a furious pain erupted, many times worse than the actual attack. Dorian bit down another scream, determined to stay focused.
He had regained feeling in his right leg again, due to the rapid healing. And he planted it behind him, ready to use [Slash] once again. Before, he could even move his sword arm, the knight flashed in a blur of movement and headbutted him right on the forehead.
His vision blurred and he fell down, Dorian saw double as the knight stalked towards him.
It's not taking this seriously. It could come down here and try to finish me off right now. But it's taking it's time. Bastard.
He was angry at the thing for not thinking of him as a dangerous opponent.
And it's right. Dorian realised. I am a much lower level than it, but that's not the main problem. I know that I won't die. So I'm not putting in all my effort. I've had two chances to use [Spacerend] so far, and I haven't. Why? Because I'm being complacent. Wake the fuck up Dorian.
Dorian steeled himself, a glint flashing in his eye. The knight didn't want to take him seriously? Fine. He would show it how serious he could get.