CHAPTER 6: Sunset

Aric: Hm… looks like he's arrived.

With an almost choreographed grace, Aric rose from the rock, the air pulsating with unseen power. He stood at the summit, encircled by a legion of monstrous entities, their forms a grotesque dance of shadows.

Closing his eyes, Aric took a deliberate deep breath, the charms clasped in his hands igniting with an otherworldly fire. The ominous glow cast eerie shadows on his face as he prepared to unleash the dark forces within.

As if responding to his silent command, multiple explosions erupted in synchronized chaos across different zones of the battlefield. The ominous spectacle painted the scene with flashes of malevolent light.

Aric (with unwavering determination): Let's go and spill some nasty blood. "Bloodmoon."

In the midst of the battlefield, the colossal orb cracked violently, unable to withstand the powerful shockwaves from the explosions. The once-imposing structure collapsed, releasing a surge of energy that rippled through the air.

Meanwhile, in the control room Under the orb, chaos unfolded. Soldiers and mages hurriedly navigated consoles, their faces etched with panic.

Mage 1: No, this is bad! We've lost control over the monsters. We need to evacuate immediately!

Mage 2: Inform the captain at once!

Abruptly, a soldier burst into the room, slamming the door behind him in a hurry.

Soldier: Sir! We're surrounded by monsters!

Mages exchanged alarmed glances as the soldier continued.

Soldier: Look at the screens!

On the display, the images revealed monsters ruthlessly attacking soldiers. The mana in the atmosphere surged, and fear gripped the hearts of everyone in the control room.

Mage 3: This is a nightmare. We need to regroup and find a way out.

As tension mounted, an eerie fog began to seep from the ground, shrouding the entire area. Mage 1 raised his voice, trying to maintain composure.

Mage 1: Everyone, stay together and be cautious. Don't—(he shouted).

A group formed, consisting of five mages and four soldiers. They moved forward cautiously, huddled close together for safety. As they approached a door, a grim sight awaited them – a lifeless body, drained of blood, with a gaping hole in its chest.

Mage 2: By the gods, what could have done this?

Mage 3: We need to keep moving. Whatever did this might still be around.

Mage 1 cast a barrier spell, creating a protective shield around the group as they cautiously moved through the unsettling atmosphere. The young wizard in the group, witnessing the dried soldier corpses, couldn't hold back the nausea any longer and vomited, a mix of fear and disgust.

Soldier: Hold on, kid, we need to keep moving.

The soldier extended a helping hand to the young wizard, assisting him in standing up. Despite the gruesome scene, the group pressed forward. As they reached a wall, Mage 1 pulled a lever, and a door creaked open. They stepped into a dimly lit corridor.

Mage 1: The road is rough; be careful not to step on too much... stuff.

The soldier guided the shaken young wizard forward, encouraging the group to maintain focus. In the eerie silence, they navigated through the dimly lit corridor, their senses heightened.

Mage 1 turned to Ronny, a member of the group, with a sense of urgency.

Mage 1: Ronny, do you have a Communication scroll?

When Mage 1 turned to look back, there was no one. Panic set in, and the mage started running, the eeriness of the dimly lit corridor amplifying his fear. Suddenly, a distant scream pierced the air.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

The mage's heart raced as he sprinted, but he tripped and fell backward, colliding with an unseen obstacle. As he looked up, terror seized him. Before him stood a monstrous tree-like being, an Elder Guardian, its roots intertwined with his companions, absorbing their life energy.

Mage 1 (frantically): No, this can't be! What is that thing doing here? I can't die here! Ifento ignes! (he shouted)

With a desperate incantation, a giant black flame ball shot from Mage 1's hands towards the Elder Guardian. The surrounding area erupted into flames, casting an infernal glow on the horrific scene.

Mage 1 (defiantly): Take that, you bastard! Fento ignes!

The mage repeated the incantation, and the surrounding area erupted in flames. The Elder Guardian roared in response, and the fog thickened, veiny tendrils extending towards the mage.

Mage 1: Shield!

A protective barrier formed around him, but the veins of the Elder Guardian struck with a force that shattered the shield, sending the mage sprawling to the ground. Coughing up blood, he struggled to his feet, determination burning in his eyes.

Mage 1 raised his hands, and a crest emitted a bright light, forming a magic circle around him.

Mage 1 (with resolve): Die! (he shouted)

From the magic circle emerged a massive dark fire dragon, its scales as black as the void. The dragon roared and surged toward the Elder Guardian with an ominous intensity.

Upon impact, the dragon's dark flames seemed to feed the Guardian, as if it were savoring a delectable feast. The eerie scene unfolded, leaving the mage dismayed and desperate for a solution to the ancient terror that now stood before him.

Mage: That's impossible, how?

The mage coughed up copious amounts of blood, weakened and desperate. Just as all hope seemed lost, he was struck straight in the chest by one of the Elder Guardian's veins.

On the verge of succumbing to his injuries and facing his deathbed, the ground beneath them began to shake violently. The ceiling above shattered, and from the debris emerged a portly figure.

Mage (in a pale voice): Please, save me, Sir Roy.

West of the battlefield

Amidst the chaotic battlefield, Redbeard's crew fought like frenzied beasts against the relentless onslaught of monsters. The ground, now a gruesome canvas of blood and fallen creatures, bore witness to the intense struggle for survival.

Redbeard, the grizzled pirate captain with a mane of fiery red hair and a beard to match, found a momentary respite amidst the carnage. Seated between the lifeless bodies of an ice dragon, a giant turtle, and a massive snake, he took a swig from his whiskey flask, the fiery liquid providing a brief reprieve from the mayhem.

As Redbeard wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his mate, Black-Eyed Bill, approached with a blood-soaked sword in hand. "Cap'n, we're holdin' 'em back, but there's no end to these cursed creatures! But its fun.

Redbeard, his fiery hair illuminated by the chaos around him, scanned the battlefield with a scowl. "Where be George? He's not joinin' the fray, and I can't feel his energy. Bill, go fetch him, and be quick about it!"

Bill, ever the obedient first mate, nodded and vanished into the melee of battling pirates and monsters.

As Redbeard rose from his makeshift throne of dragon, turtle, and snake corpses, his eyes narrowed. A monstrous tiger charged at him, its ferocity matched only by the bloodlust in its eyes. Redbeard swiftly unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming with the promise of a deadly dance.

With a determined roar, Redbeard sprinted towards the approaching tiger. However, just as he prepared to strike, an ominous sense of danger swept over him. Instinctively, he altered the trajectory of his blade, parrying a surprise attack from another assailant.

A powerful clash ensued, and Redbeard gritted his teeth as he struggled to hold his ground against the surprise attacker. The monster tiger, taking advantage of the distraction, unleashed a fierce swipe, sending Redbeard staggering backward.