The battlefield blazed like a broken star.
Kael moved through the chaos with purpose, his footsteps cracking the stone as he sprinted toward the center of the breach. Skybrand in one hand, Dawnrend sheathed across his back, his aura radiated a pressure that even monsters paused to feel.
Arin was at his side, weaving between flames and rubble, casting sigils in the air with her staff. Her eyes burned—not just with fire, but with conviction.
Ahead, Dreadspeaker Varnok raised its voice once more, and the air shattered.
It wasn't a roar. It wasn't even sound.
It was pure psychic force.
[Status Effect: Mindflay – Resist Check Failed | -200 MP | Movement Speed -15% for 10 sec]
Kael staggered mid-sprint, blood leaking from his nose.
Arin planted her staff, shouting through clenched teeth. "Cover your mind!"
Kael gritted his teeth and activated his core:
[Trait Activated: Heavenforged Will – Mind-Control Immunity Upgraded | Psychic Resistance +20%]
The pressure eased.
Varnok stepped forward—towering, gaunt, limbs wrapped in thorny void-metal. Its face was obscured by a mask of stitched skin, and tendrils of smoke swirled behind it like robes.
[Boss: Dreadspeaker Varnok – LVL 17 – Type: Abysscaster]
• Traits: Mindflay Aura, Void Channeler, Speech of the Depths
• Weakness: Disruption, Divine Light
• Known Kill Count: 231
Kael raised Skybrand. "Arin, we purge this freak. No running."
She grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Varnok extended its hand. Glyphs of ancient, forgotten tongues spun around it.
[Spell Incoming – "Chorus of Despair"]
• Effect: Continuous AoE Mental Damage + Summon Abyssal Wailers
Kael reacted instantly, slamming his blade into the ground.
[New Ability: Divine Crosslash – Skybrand Exclusive]
• Wide-range horizontal cleave | Disrupts active spellcasting
The light from Skybrand cut across the battlefield like a meteor trail.
Varnok reeled back with a shriek, its spell faltering. Dozens of summoned Wailers dissolved into smoke before fully forming.
Kael didn't let up.
He charged, slashing upward with a rising arc. Skyforged flame met Abyssal shadow.
The impact lit the sky.
[Dreadspeaker Varnok – HP: -1100 | Stability: -8%]
Varnok retaliated with a sweep of its clawed hand. Reality itself tore—a jagged gash in the air, slicing toward Kael like a blade of oblivion.
Arin countered.
[Glyph Chain Cast – Flame Reversal: Reflect + Reinforce]
The rift-flame struck her barrier and bounced—redirected straight into Varnok's own horde. Abyssspawn screamed as their master's power consumed them.
Varnok twisted, tendrils flaring. "Defiant sparks… you'll burn all the same!"
[Enrage Phase Activated – Varnok's Speed +20% | Summons "Howling Choir"]
Ten new specters burst from the shadows—levitating entities of sound and sorrow, their shrieks warping space.
Kael cursed under his breath. "Too many. Arin—buy me ten seconds."
She nodded, stepping into the center of the ruined plaza. She raised her staff high, the runes on her body igniting one by one.
"Ten seconds? I'll give you fifteen."
Kael stepped back, unsheathing Dawnrend.
[Weapon Sync: Skybrand + Dawnrend – Dual Ascension Activated]
• Passive Trait Unlocked: Dawnlight Pressure – Enemies in range suffer -12% defense
• Overdrive Available: "Heavenfall Slash"
Kael closed his eyes. Time slowed. Energy crackled across his skin.
The system chimed.
[Skill Unlocked: Heavenfall Slash – Mythic Class Ability | Single Target / Wide Arc Hybrid | Cooldown: 240s]
With a roar, Kael vanished in a burst of white-gold flame.
He reappeared directly in front of Varnok, both blades raised in an X.
[HEAVENFALL SLASH]
The strike descended like a comet, a diagonal cleave of such force that it split the earth below and the sky above. The boss's entire body warped—energy bursting from every crevice in its form.
[Critical Hit! -4720 HP | Varnok Stability: 0%]
The Dreadspeaker fell backward, its body unraveling into spectral threads. Its mask shattered. As it dissolved, it whispered with a thousand voices.
"He watches from the hollow throne… and you… are not ready."
Silence followed.
Then came the System's voice.
[Boss Defeated – Dreadspeaker Varnok]
• EXP Gained: +9600
• Loot Acquired: Abysscore Shard x2, Mindcloak of Varnok (Epic), Gold: 1200
• Reputation Gained – Ashspire +30
• Title Unlocked: "Breaker of Silence"
• Trait Gained: Mental Fortitude (+15% Psychic Resistance)
Kael collapsed to one knee. Arin dropped beside him, laughing through exhaustion.
"You said ten seconds," she grinned.
Kael wiped blood from his chin. "Used every one."
The city guards approached, awe on their faces. Talien himself descended from the spire, flanked by elite Skyforged Sentinels.
He surveyed the aftermath and knelt beside Kael.
"The last time a Heavenfall Slash was seen, it shattered a mountain. You've inherited a legacy… and a war."
Kael looked toward the breach. The monsters had fallen. The light had returned. But deep in the shadows beyond the city…
[System Alert: New Threat Approaching – Unknown Entity: "The Hollow Sovereign" has changed course toward Ashspire.]
Kael stood, gripping both blades. "Then we sharpen ourselves before he arrives."