*EAST CASTLE GATE, HERO TRAINING GROUNDS*
Viktor announced:
"Maintain formation, trainees! No breaking rank!"
The group instantly fell silent and obediently closed any gaps between them.
Kai's angry gaze still lingered on the back of the formation, but he turned forward, expression neutral.
Ryan also faced ahead, eyes darting briefly towards Mark before focusing on Viktor.
The entire group marched onward in tense silence, formation intact.
*EAST CASTLE GATE, HERO TRAINING GROUNDS*
Time passes as they march towards the Dragon's Spine woods:
Viktor's expression gradually shifts from focused to uneasy:
He scans their surroundings, senses on high alert.
Kai and Ryan, still near the front of the formation, exchange a subtle glance:
They too seem to sense something off – their eyes narrow, focusing on the woods.
Ryan leans slightly towards Kai, whispering:
"Do you feel that? The air feels... heavy."
Kai's gaze sweeps across the treeline:
"Like something's watching us. Viktor seems to sense it too."
Viktor's voice lowers, breaking the marching cadence:
"Halt. Formation, hold position."
The group stops abruptly, eyes fixed on Viktor – then drifting nervously towards the woods.
Mark's eyes widen suddenly, as if sensing something:
He shouts urgently, voice cutting through the tense silence:
"GET DOWN AND COVER YOUR EARS, NOW!"
The guards laugh:
"Haha, weakling thinks he's in charge!"
"Idiot..."
Suddenly:
A deafening, earth-shattering SCREAM erupts from the woods:
The sound wave hits like a physical blast, sending guards flying backward:
They crash into trees, stumble, and collapse
Mark slowly rises, ears ringing, and sees a terrifying creature emerging from the distortion:
Viktor's voice cuts through the chaos:
"REGROUP, SURVIVORS – DEFENSIVE FORMATION!
Those able, move to me – NOW!"
The stunned members slowly stumble towards Viktor, still disoriented:
Mark joins Hana, who's watching him with a mix of shock and admiration.
The creature steps forward, towering over them:
A massive, curvaceous woman-like figure with:
- Porcelain-like skin
- Long, wild black hair
- A twisted, crimson-painted horn protruding from her forehead
An Oni – a powerful, evolved Ogre from dark legends.
She lets out a menacing, husky laugh:
"Ahahah... We have a GOOD HARVEST today!
Plump travelers, ripe for slaughter... How delightful!"
Two more Oni emerge from the distorted trees behind her:
One with blue tattoos and dual ivory horns, another with scarred skin and a single black horn.
The lead Oni gestures to the group:
"it seems we have enough for all three of us to feast...*
*EAST CASTLE GATE, HERO TRAINING GROUNDS*
Viktor draws his sword, voice firm:
"We'll give you no feast. Prepare to defend yourselves!
Everyone, tight formation – protect each other!"
While giving orders, Viktor discreetly nods to Rylan:
"Signal for rescue."
Rylan raises his hand, whispers an incantation, and snaps his fingers:
A loud, piercing whistle echoes through the air, followed by:
A dense, crimson cloud of smoke bursting into the sky above them.
The lead Oni laughed menacingly:
"Foolish mortals, summoning help that will arrive TOO LATE!
You'll be feasts before reinforcements even see our smoke signal!"
Her voice echoes through the area, then she unleashes a thunderous roar:
The ground shakes as her allies emerge from the surroundings:
- Ogre warriors lumber out from behind trees, clubs at the ready
- Hobgoblins scramble down rocky slopes, bows drawn and arrows nocked
- Goblins pour out of nearby bushes, wicked knives glinting in sunlight
The group is suddenly surrounded by a sea of twisted, savage faces.
The group is surrounded by twisted, savage faces:
Guards grip weapons tightly, trying to hold their position:
But fear and nervousness etch their faces – eyes wide, sweat dripping.
Suddenly, a huge blue circle erupts at their feet:
The circle pulsates softly, emitting calming energy.
The guards glance down, then look up to see the circle's center:
Hana stands calmly, her staff glowing with gentle blue light:
Her eyes closed, voice whispering incantations –
"Calmus Mentis... Healio Aura..."
Her staff pulsates in rhythm with the blue circle, soothing the guards' nerves.
Hana's staff continues to glow softly, calming the guards:
The lead Oni snarls, furious at the sudden turn of events:
"CHARGE AND DESTROY THEM!" she thunders.
Her minions surge forward, but before they can attack:
A sleek, glowing arrow slices through the air:
It pierces the skull of the Oni standing beside their leader,
Decapitating it instantly – the headless body collapses.
The lead Oni's eyes widen in shock and rage:
She turns towards the source of the arrow...
Ryan stands tall, bow still trembling from the shot, eyes locked intensely:
His skill "Piercing Arrow" had found its mark.
The lead Oni unleashes a deafening roar and charges straight at Ryan:
Her massive sword slices through the air, aimed at Ryan's chest:
But suddenly, another sword intersects hers –
Kai stands calmly, his sword blocking the Oni's with ease:
His expression neutral, yet eyes gleaming with hint of smugness:
As if blocking a powerful Oni's attack was almost... boring.
The guards stare, impressed despite themselves:
Viktor's eyebrow rises, surprised by Kai's skill.
Hana watches the scene unfold, her expression serene and neutral.
The lead Oni snarls, shocked at being blocked so effortlessly:
"You dare... think you can defeat me?"
Kai smirks slightly, "Defeat you? I'm just getting started...
The lead Oni's eyes flash with anger, but then widen in shock:
She sees her fallen comrades:
- One Oni headless from Ryan's initial Piercing Arrow
- Another Oni lies nearby, body riddled with precise cuts
Ryan looks surprised himself, as if wondering who struck the blows:
Then they see Chris emerging from shadows, daggers bloody:
His Assassin class skills evident – Silent Takedown and Deadly Precision had claimed the Oni.
The battlefield erupts into chaos:
- Guards clash with Goblins and Hobgoblins
- Viktor exchanges blows with an Ogre
- Kai continues battling the lead Oni
Meanwhile:
- Mark looks around nervously, unsure what to do
- Nao grips her weapon tightly, frozen in indecision
- Hana maintains her calming spell, staff still glowing softly
The lead Oni snarls at Kai, enraged by her comrades' downfall:
"You'll pay for their deaths... ALL OF YOU WILL FEAST MY HORNS!"