The Gauntlet of Guardians
The southern corridor was an endless maze of twisting paths and hidden dangers. Each step was measured, every decision calculated. Lennon's AI provided continuous updates, identifying potential threats and suggesting optimal strategies.
As he approached the first guardian chamber, Lennon steeled himself. The massive stone door loomed before him, its surface etched with runes that pulsed with an ominous light.
**"AI, analysis?"**
**"Guardian detected. Estimated threat level: mid-third circle. Combat efficiency: 65% based on current mana reserves."**
Lennon smirked. **"Good. Let's get this over with."**
With a wave of his hand, the door groaned open, revealing the guardian within—a towering golem of obsidian and fire. Its eyes burned with a malevolent light as it lumbered toward him.
**"Third-circle spell: Void Barrier Fortress!"** Lennon shouted, summoning his strongest defensive spell. The shimmering barrier enveloped him, absorbing the golem's initial onslaught of fiery blasts.
He retaliated with **Eclipse Barrage**, sending a storm of void energy crashing into the golem. The creature staggered but quickly recovered, its molten fists slamming into the barrier with devastating force.
The battle was brutal, each exchange pushing Lennon to his limits. The golem's attacks were relentless, its molten core radiating intense heat that threatened to overwhelm him. But Lennon fought with precision, exploiting every opening the creature exposed.
After a grueling battle, the golem finally crumbled, its molten core collapsing into a pool of liquid fire. Lennon stood over the remains, his chest heaving with exertion.
**"One down, two to go,"** he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
---
The second guardian was a spectral entity, its form shifting between solid and ethereal states. Unlike the golem, it relied on illusion and deception, making it difficult to track and attack.
Lennon quickly realized that conventional spells were ineffective. He switched tactics, using **Graviton Collapse** to distort the space around the entity. The spell forced the guardian into a solid state, allowing him to land a decisive blow with **Abyssal Lance**.
The fight was mentally exhausting, but Lennon emerged victorious. He wasted no time, knowing the final guardian awaited.
---
The third guardian was the most formidable—a colossal beast with scales harder than steel and claws that could rend through his barriers with ease. Its movements were surprisingly swift, and its intelligence was evident in its calculated attacks.
Lennon fought fiercely, using every spell and artifact at his disposal. His AI provided crucial assistance, analyzing the beast's attack patterns and suggesting countermeasures.
Despite his best efforts, the battle pushed him to the brink. The beast's claws tore through his defenses, leaving deep gashes across his torso. Blood stained his robes, but he refused to yield.
In a desperate final attack, Lennon channeled all his remaining mana into **Eclipse Barrage**, targeting the beast's vulnerable underbelly. The attack struck true, and with a deafening roar, the creature fell.
Lennon collapsed to his knees, his body trembling from the ordeal. **"That… was too close,"** he muttered, clutching his side.
---