Chapter 38: Speed Up

The darkness within Zha'thik's stronghold pulsed with anticipation as the ancient warrior faced off against Kael, his former comrade-turned-traitor. The air reeked of treachery, and Zha'thik's eyes burned with a fierce determination. His immortal body hummed with power, ready to unleash its full fury upon the betrayer.

"You were once a brother, Kael," Zha'thik said, his voice low and menacing. "What corrupted you?"

Kael sneered, his eyes flashing with malevolent intent. "Power. The Shadow Organization promises limitless power."

Zha'thik's gaze narrowed. "I'll show you true power." With a swift motion, he drew his sword, its blade shimmering with an otherworldly light. Kael followed suit, his own sword crackling with dark energy.

The battle erupted, clashing steel echoing through the stronghold as the two warriors exchanged blows. Kael unleashed a flurry of strikes, but Zha'thik parried each attack with precision, his immortal reflexes guiding his movements.

"You should have remained loyal," Zha'thik growled, his sword slicing through the shadows. Kael stumbled back, his defenses wavering.

Zha'thik seized the opening, striking true. Kael's sword flew from his grasp.

"You should not have betrayed me," Zha'thik declared, his blade poised for the final blow.

Kael's eyes widened in terror. "No...mercy...".

Zha'thik hesitated, a moment of weakness.

Kael exploited it, striking Zha'thik's exposed side with a hidden dagger.

Zha'thik's eyes narrowed. "You should not have done that." His immortal body began to heal the wound, but his anger remained.

Zha'thik charged, his sword flashing in the dim light. Kael stumbled back, his dark energy surging.

The battle intensified, the stronghold trembling as the opposing forces collided. Kael's defenses crumbled beneath Zha'thik's relentless assault.

Zha'thik's blade sliced through, striking true. Kael's dagger fell, his body crashing to the ground.

Zha'thik stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion.

Lyraea rushed to his side. "Zha'thik! Are you injured?".

Zha'thik's gaze locked onto Lyraea. "I am fine," he said, his immortal body fully healed. "Protect Jin. The Shadow Organization will not stop."

Lyraea's determination flared. "I will. I promise."

As they spoke, the shadows seemed to deepen, the darkness closing in. The Shadow Organization would not be easily defeated.

Zha'thik's eyes blazed with fury as he faced Kael, the traitor's dark energy swirling around him. The air crackled with anticipation, the very fabric of reality trembling before the impending storm.

"You will pay for your treachery," Zha'thik declared, his voice thundering through the stronghold.

Kael sneered, his sword flashing with malevolent intent. "You're no match for the Shadow Organization's power."

Zha'thik charged, his movements a blur as he unleashed his immortal strength. The ground shook beneath his feet, cracks spreading through the stone as he accelerated.

Kael stumbled back, his eyes widening as Zha'thik closed the distance in a heartbeat. The ancient warrior's sword sliced through the air, its blade shimmering with holy light.

Kael raised his own sword, dark energy surging to meet the attack. The blades clashed, their impact sending shockwaves through the stronghold. Walls crumbled, stones tumbling to the ground as the two warriors exchanged blows.

Zha'thik's speed was breathtaking, his sword flashing in swift arcs. Kael struggled to keep pace, his dark energy fueling desperate counterattacks.

The battle raged on, the stronghold trembling as if the very foundations of the earth were being rent asunder. Mountains in the distance began to shake, their peaks crumbling as the fight's shockwaves resonated through the land.

Kael unleashed a devastating combo, his sword slicing through the air with wicked precision. Zha'thik parried each blow with ease, his immortal reflexes guiding his movements.

The ancient warrior countered with a flurry of strikes, each one aimed at Kael's weak points. The traitor stumbled back, his defenses wavering.

Zha'thik seized the opening, unleashing his signature technique: the Celestial Slash. A blindingly bright blade of light shot forth, slicing through Kael's defenses.

The traitor's sword flew from his grasp, his body sent crashing into the nearby mountainside. The impact sent boulders tumbling, an avalanche of stone and debris cascading down the slope.

Kael struggled to rise, his dark energy surging. Zha'thik charged forward, his sword flashing with holy light.

Their blades clashed once more, the impact sending a massive earthquake rippling through the land. The stronghold crumbled, its walls collapsing as the two warriors fought on.

The battle's ferocity intensified, the very fabric of reality beginning to unravel. The skies darkened, stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse.

Zha'thik's strength surged, his immortal body glowing with an aura of pure power. Kael's dark energy faltered, his defenses crumbling.

The ancient warrior unleashed a devastating finishing blow, his sword slicing through Kael's defenses. The traitor's body crashed to the ground, his dark energy dissipating.

The earthquake subsided, the avalanche ceasing as the battle's fury dissipated. Zha'thik stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion.

Lyraea approached, her eyes wide with awe. "Zha'thik, your power is incredible."

Zha'thik's gaze locked onto Lyraea. "The Shadow Organization will not stop. We must protect Jin at all costs."

Jin stood tall, his eyes locked onto the leader of the Shadow Organization, Arianna. Her gaze pierced through him, filled with malevolent intent.

"So, you're the chosen one," Arianna sneered. "I'll enjoy watching you beg for mercy."

Jin's determination flared. He knew this battle would decide the fate of the multiverse.

"[System Message: _Battle Mode Activated_]"

"[System Message: _Necromancy Skill Available_]"

Jin's eyes gleamed with resolve. "Arise."

The air seemed to shiver as Jin's Necromancy skill awakened. Three figures materialized beside him, their ethereal forms coalescing into solid flesh.

Ash, the spectral warrior, stood to Jin's left, his sword shimmering with otherworldly energy.

Xarath, the dark sorceress, stood to Jin's right, her eyes blazing with malevolent power.

Han, the undead archer, took position behind Jin, his bowstring humming with dark energy.

Arianna's eyes widened. "You're... a Necromancer?"

Jin's smile was cold. "I am the master of my destiny."

Ash spoke, his voice like a gentle breeze. "We stand with you, Jin."

Xarath's voice dripped with venom. "Let us show them the true meaning of power."

Han's bowstring sang as he drew back, ready to unleash a hail of arrows.

Arianna's gaze faltered, her confidence wavering.

"[System Message: _Allies' Stats Boosted_]"

"[System Message: _Necromancy Skill Amplified_]"

Jin's determination burned brighter. With his generals by his side, he would crush the Shadow Organization.

"Let's begin," Jin said, his voice echoing through the shadows.

Arianna's eyes flashed with anger. "You'll never leave this place alive."

Arianna charged forward, her movements a blur as she closed the distance between herself and Jin. Her eyes blazed with an otherworldly energy, her speed and strength seemingly impossible for a mortal.

Jin stood firm, his Necromancy skill amplifying his physical abilities. Ash, Xarath, and Han flanked him, ready to strike.

Arianna's fist flew toward Jin, her punch carrying the force of a cataclysm. Jin raised his hands to block, but Arianna's strength was overwhelming.

The impact sent Jin flying into the nearby mountain. The rock face crumbled, boulders tumbling down as Jin's body crashed into the stone.

"[System Message: _Jin's HP -20%_]"

"[System Message: _Jin's Defense -10%_]"

Ash leapt forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight. Arianna sidestepped the attack with ease, her speed incredible.

Xarath unleashed a wave of dark energy, but Arianna absorbed it, her body glowing with an eerie light.

Han's arrows rained down upon Arianna, but she swatted them aside like annoying insects.

Jin struggled to rise, his body battered and bruised. Arianna's attack had pushed him to his limits.

Arianna's gaze locked onto Jin, her eyes burning with intensity. "You're no match for me."

She charged forward, her movements a whirlwind of destruction. Jin stumbled back, his defenses wavering.

Ash, Xarath, and Han fought valiantly, but Arianna's power was overwhelming.

"[System Message: _Arianna's Stats Revealed_]"

"[Name: Arianna]"

"[Level: 85]"

"[Class: Shadow Empress]"

"[HP: 10,000]"

"[Strength: 5,000]"

"[Speed: 4,000]"

"[Defense: 3,000]"

Jin's eyes widened as he grasped the true extent of Arianna's power.

"[System Message: _Jin's Necromancy Skill Level Up_]"

Jin's eyes locked onto Arianna, his determination burning brighter. He knew he needed to close the gap in speed to stand a chance.

"[System Message: _Jin's Necromancy Skill Level Up_]"

"[System Message: _New Ability Unlocked: Velocity's Embrace_]"

"[Velocity's Embrace: Increases movement speed by 50% and attack speed by 30% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 30 seconds]"

Jin's gaze gleamed with excitement. This was the break he needed.

"Velocity's Embrace!" Jin shouted, activating the skill.

His body surged with energy, his speed increasing exponentially. Jin blurred forward, his movements a whirlwind of destruction.

Arianna's eyes widened, her own speed pushed to its limits. "Impossible!"

Jin's fist flew toward Arianna, his velocity-enhanced punch carrying the force of a tornado.

Arianna blocked the attack, but Jin's speed allowed him to unleash a flurry of strikes.

Ash, Xarath, and Han seized the opening, their attacks landing with precision.

"[System Message: _Arianna's HP -10%_]"

"[System Message: _Jin's Velocity's Embrace Duration: 5 seconds remaining_]"

Arianna's gaze flashed with anger. "You think speed alone will defeat me?"

She unleashed a devastating counterattack, her strength sending Jin flying back.

Jin's velocity-enhanced reflexes allowed him to dodge the worst of the attack.

"[System Message: _Jin's HP -5%_]"

"[System Message: _Velocity's Embrace Cooldown: 20 seconds remaining_]"

Jin's determination flared. He would not be defeated.

The battle raged on, the outcome hanging in the balance.