Hero of Darkness

After passing through the doorway, the Hero's party found themselves in an entirely new landscape. The scene before them was desolate and grim. Barren lands stretched out, the soil blackened and devoid of life. A haunting silence pervaded the surroundings, where once-mighty trees stood withered and lifeless.

Moving forward, they found themselves navigating terrain that resembled a vast canyon. Towering rock formations enclosed them, forming walls that hemmed them in. Strangely, the sides of these imposing canyon walls featured numerous stone gargoyle heads, their expressions frozen in eerie grimaces.

As they advanced cautiously through this unsettling environment, Maximus voiced the realization that had settled upon them all.

"From what Sylvana divulged, it seems the second guardian shares a kinship with darkness element."

Tensions ran high among the party members, each step a reminder of the imminent danger they faced in confronting yet another guardian, one who harnessed the power of darkness.

Yawn!

In the midst of this tense environment, Kahn's casual yawn cut through the tension like a blade.

"Great. Wake me up after he shows up." he quipped, conjuring an ice slab and reclining upon it as if it were a comfortable mattress.

With an air of nonchalance, he declared his intention to catch up on some rest.

"From now on, we will use Strategy 3."

Meanwhile, Maximus took charge, issuing clear instructions that the group instinctively understood.

Strategy 3 was invoked, a tactical formation that had been drilled into them through rigorous training and past battles.

Svana assumed her role as a scout, surveying the terrain for potential traps or lurking dangers. Rolakan and Speki focused on their protective duties, conjuring barriers to shield the group. The remaining members moved in unison, each with their designated task.

Maximus and Borat formed the protective front and back of the party's formation, their steadfast presence guarding against potential threats.

Conan and Xavolees took positions on the flanks, serving as the primary offensive force. Pokawor and Vikaat lent support from a distance, their skills enhancing the group's effectiveness.

And in a display of stark contrast, Atreus seemed to have taken the instructions of "Strategy 3" quite literally, his icy resting place a testament to his carefree approach.

And finally… Atreus was tasked with sleeping soundly.

----------------

Their party treaded carefully, a palpable sense of apprehension coloring their every step. The desolation of the surroundings seemed to be mirrored within their own minds, uncertainty gnawing at their confidence. The absence of the sun added an eerie dimension to the already unsettling atmosphere.

As they traversed the dead lands and the mountains, they couldn't shake off the feeling of being lost. The unfamiliar landscape played tricks on their perception, heightening their sense of disorientation.

BOOM!!

Suddenly, an explosive shockwave shattered the uneasy calm. The resounding boom jolted them into immediate action, and Maximus wasted no time in issuing orders. With a swift command, the party rallied together, sprinting toward the source of the detonation through the rugged terrain.

Minutes later, they arrived at a colossal crater, its depths littered with metallic spears resembling macabre thorns.

Amidst this gruesome landscape, a figure impaled upon those brutal spikes came into view. Blood trickled down her form, a testament to the severity of her wounds.

"Everyone, hold your positions!" Maximus commanded, his voice carrying a mix of caution and concern.

The party formed a protective perimeter around the scene, vigilant for any sign of danger or an impending attack. 

It was clear that their journey was fraught with not only physical trials but also unexpected encounters that demanded their constant vigilance.

"No, Svana!" Vikaat's anguished cry echoed through the air as he rushed towards the gaping hole.

"Stop! It's a tra—" Maximus's warning was abruptly cut off as an unforeseen horror unfolded before them.

Stab!

Stab!

In a split second, as if sprung from the very earth itself, dozens of long spikes, each spanning three meters in length, erupted from the ground.

They struck with deadly precision, skewering Vikaat mercilessly and piercing his heart and brain simultaneously.

The tengu warrior's life was extinguished in a harrowing instant, mirroring the cruel fate that had befallen Svana just moments earlier. The party's shock was palpable, a collective gasp of horror and disbelief mingling with the air.

The relentless and unpredictable nature of their challenges became abundantly clear, a stark reminder that their journey through the guardians' realms was fraught with peril beyond their imagination.

"Seriously... To walk into such an obvious trap when you haven't even made sure that the assailant isn't present nearby...

Is this really the group that defeated Sylvana?" A ghastly and condescending voice reverberated through the air, carrying with it an air of malevolent amusement.

"My lord will be so disappointed to learn that a bunch of untrained warriors killed one of the guardians." the voice continued, its taunting tone echoing in the desolate landscape.

"Then why don't you show up since we are but insolent idiots, your archmagnificiency?"

Atreus retorted, his voice laced with a mixture of defiance and sarcasm as he roused himself from his icy makeshift bed.

"Do not goad me. Such efforts are futile.

As long as you are here, your lives are at my mercy." the voice replied ominously, its words dripping with a cold and calculated malice.

"And I am a very persistent individual. The only time any one of you sees me is when your final moments have come." the voice concluded before fading into an unsettling silence.

With the weight of these dire words hanging heavily in the air, the party was left to grapple with the looming threat of an adversary who seemed to hold their fate in his grasp.

----------------

The party fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their fallen comrades and the looming threat of their adversary bearing down on them. Grief and shock mingled in the air as they retrieved the lifeless bodies of their friends.

Speki and Rolakan seemed to have known Svana the longest and seemed greatly affected by her demise.

Pokawor was disheartened by Vikaat's death since both were apparently sparring buddies over the years.

Although Conan, Xavolees and Borat were not that close to the fallen comrades, kept quiet in respect of their fallen team members.

Maximus too was silent and had not shown any emotion, as if contemplating something.

As a leader, he was in a situation where he had to come with new plans to face upcoming dangers and prepare for more ambushes since two of their best reconnaissance members were now taken down by the mysterious assailant that hid in the darkness of these lands.

It was evident that he would attack them again and this time, even more lives could be lost.

Hence, Maximus was in a situation where he could not even display a semblance of empathy for the two comrades he had known for close to 9 years at this point. 

Among them, Atreus remained unaffected by the loss, his countenance revealing no signs of sorrow. He assessed the situation with a pragmatic detachment, analyzing the missteps that had led to their comrades' demise.

[An assassin who excels in stealth and finding traps fell victim to her own oversight.

And a long-range warrior let his emotions cloud his judgment, leading to his downfall...

Both paid the price for their mistakes while ironically dying to the very thing they were supposed be good at.] Kahn's thoughts echoed a sentiment of calculated analysis.

Then, breaking the silence, Kahn announced his intentions.

"I will go and scout the area. Ensure the group's security from potential attacks." he stated.

"Wait! That's an unnecessary risk. Staying together has more chances of our survival.

This terrain is the enemy's territory. You will be walking towards your death." he implored Kahn to not leave.

At Maximus' cautious response, Kahn insisted, "Don't worry. I'm experienced in dealing with this kind of threat.

It's better if I go alone. Others might inadvertently become... obstacles."

With that, Kahn left, the tension in the group palpable as they grappled with the challenges of navigating a treacherous and unfamiliar environment, while facing an adversary whose capabilities seemed tailor-made to exploit their weaknesses.

----------------

30 Minutes Later…

"How did you find me?!" spoke a 5 meter tall creature with 2 bat-like wings and a snake-like tail.

The tension-filled silence was shattered by the appearance of a formidable figure. Towering at five meters tall, this creature bore a menacing visage—two bat-like wings extended from its back, while a snake-like tail coiled beneath it.

Bull-like horns adorned its head, and its muscular, humanoid form exuded an aura of raw power.

In response to its question, Atreus remained unfazed.

"How did I find you?" he echoed, his demeanor steady.

The creature's response was laden with aggression.

"Well, it doesn't matter... Your fate is sealed, just like the others." spoke this massive figure.

"What is your name?" asked Kahn.

"And why do you bother asking? It's not like we are going to become friends." berated the enmey.

Atreus offered a calm retort, his voice carrying an air of detached curiosity.

"It's a simple courtesy I extend when I encounter individuals who are destined to meet their end at my hands."

SWOOM!!

Before the creature could react, Atreus took swift action.

A resounding swoosh marked the activation of a dark, dome-like barrier that isolated them from the outside world.

Kahn had activated the Dimensional Domain as he declared in a tyrannical voice.

"Consider that… a professional courtesy."