the third floor(10)

The air was thick with the scent of burnt ozone, and the ground beneath their feet trembled with the force of each blow. Dakota, standing at the front, could feel his fury rise as the three cloaked figures continued to dance around them, effortlessly deflecting every attack. The dark energy radiating from them twisted the very air, making it harder to focus, but that didn't matter. Dakota had had enough of their games.

Dakota:

"Screw this. I'm not wasting another minute on these guys."

Liam, his fists crackling with lightning magic, was the first to charge. His body surged with electrical energy as he shot forward, his powerful punch aimed directly at the closest cloaked figure. The figure barely managed to block, the impact sending them skidding back several feet.

Liam:

"Let's see how you like this!"

The cloaked figure staggered but quickly regained their footing, unleashing a pulse of dark energy. Liam gritted his teeth as the energy collided with his body, knocking him back.

Jack, not far behind, swung his massive greatsword with the fury of a storm. His blade, empowered by lightning magic, cut through the air, creating sharp gusts that forced the cloaked figures to take a step back.

Jack:

"Tired of this shit already. Time to end it!"

The second cloaked figure raised its hands, summoning a massive torrent of shadow magic. But Jack's sword collided with the attack, the force of the clash creating a deafening boom as the dark energy splintered around them.

Duke and Franklin, who had been waiting for the right moment, made their move next. Duke's sword shimmered with a brilliant fiery light as he charged forward, moving with precision. His strikes were clean, each one slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

Duke:

"Your tricks won't work on us. You should have known better."

The cloaked figures tried to defend themselves, but Duke's relentless barrage of attacks overwhelmed them. Franklin, equally determined, joined in with his fists blazing with fiery energy. Each punch he threw sent shockwaves through the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Franklin:

"You think you can stop us with that weak shit? Pathetic."

The cloaked figures staggered under the combined onslaught, their dark shields cracking and their energy wavering. But they weren't done yet. One of the figures, a woman with crimson eyes, raised her hands, summoning a dark vortex that threatened to consume everything in its path.

Woman:

"You think you can overpower us? You have no idea what you're dealing with."

But Dakota wasn't listening. He could feel his patience snapping. These figures were stalling them—playing a game they didn't have time for. He looked over at the group, a mix of frustration and determination in his eyes.

Dakota:

"Enough! I'm done with this crap."

Before anyone could react, Dakota turned away from the battle, his boots crunching on the stone floor as he began marching down the cave, ignoring the clash of magic and the growls of the figures behind him. The group hesitated for a moment, stunned by Dakota's sudden decision, but then Henry, Lucas, ava, Liam, Jack, Duke, Franklin and the others exchanged quick glances. They knew Dakota wouldn't abandon them—not really. If he was leaving the fight, it was for a reason.

Duke:

"Let him do what he does best. We'll hold them off."

Franklin cracked his knuckles, his fiery aura flaring up as he faced the woman cloaked in shadows.

Franklin:

"You think we're just gonna roll over? Not happening."

Liam nodded, stepping forward as well, his body already humming with electricity.

Liam:

"Let's give him some breathing room. We've got this."

Jack swung his sword once more, creating a vortex of lightning and cutting through the darkness around them.

Jack:

"Stay focused. We don't stop until they're on the ground."

Dakota's steps echoed in the distance, his determination guiding him forward. He ignored the swirling dark magic behind him and the battle that raged. His mind was laser-focused on one thing: the ticket. He knew it had to be close, and if it meant running away from these figures, so be it. They weren't worth his time. Not today.

Dakota:

"Just a little further..."

He continued moving through the cave, his eyes scanning the walls for any sign of the hidden room. His thoughts were consumed with the urgency of the task at hand. He couldn't afford to waste time on distractions, not when the ticket was within reach.

The battle behind him raged on. The cloaked figures fought back with everything they had. Their magic was dark, twisting the very fabric of the air around them, but Duke, Franklin, and the others pushed through it with unrelenting force. The cave trembled with each impact, the ground beneath their feet shaking with the sheer power of their blows.

But despite their combined strength, the cloaked figures didn't break. They just kept coming, their dark magic surging in waves, forcing the group to keep up their defense.

Dakota could hear the clash of steel and the crackle of lightning, but he didn't look back. He was focused solely on finding the damn ticket. The sooner they got it, the sooner they could leave. He wasn't going to let these figures waste any more of his time.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Dakota saw a faint glow ahead. It was the ticket room—exactly what he had been searching for. His heart raced as he approached, a sense of triumph filling him.

Dakota:

"Got it."

He reached out and grabbed the glowing ticket, the cool sensation of the ancient artifact sending a shiver through his body. The moment his fingers wrapped around it, he could feel the power of the room shift, as if the very cave was acknowledging the achievement. Dakota smirked.

Dakota:

"I knew it. Let's get the hell out of here."

Turning on his heel, he took a deep breath, ready to return to the fight. But as he did, he called out to the group, his voice carrying through the cave.

Dakota:

"Hey, you idiots! I found the ticket! Get over here!"

His shout echoed through the chamber, and the others—still locked in battle—heard him. Liam, Jack, Duke, and Franklin and the others exchanged glances, a brief moment of confusion passing before they all turned toward Dakota. The cloaked figures were starting to close in on them, but there was a brief hesitation in their movements. They clearly hadn't expected Dakota to make a break for it.

Liam, shaking his head with a grin, turned back to the woman cloaked in shadow.

Liam:

"You're kidding me, right? That's all you've got?"

With a burst of lightning, he sent the figure stumbling backward, buying just enough time for the group to make their way toward Dakota. The cloaked figures gritted their teeth, realizing they had underestimated him.

Jack:

"You hear that, guys? We're outta here!"

Franklin grinned, his fiery aura flaring as he landed a heavy punch on one of the figures, sending them skidding across the ground.

Franklin:

"Catch us if you can, assholes."

Duke, with a final swing of his sword, knocked another cloaked figure off balance.

Duke:

"Move it. We're not staying for this."

Together, the group moved quickly, making their way to Dakota. As they reached him, Dakota didn't waste a second. He held up the ticket in front of him, the glow intensifying.

Dakota:

"Time to get the hell out."

Without another word, he used the ticket, the familiar sensation of teleportation washing over him. A bright flash filled the room, and in the blink of an eye, they were transported to the next floor. The cloaked figures stood at the entrance of the room, unable to follow.

Dakota, now about to advance on the next floor, couldn't help but smirk. He turned to the cave entrance one last time, knowing the cloaked figures were still standing there, glaring at them. But it didn't matter anymore.

Dakota:

"Oh, I found the ticket, you sons of bitches. You can go fuck off and find another cave."

The figures remained silent, their dark forms looming in the distance, but they didn't follow. The group had won. For now.

Dakota and the group advanced to the fourth floor.

Dakota exhaled, feeling the weight of the battle lift off his shoulders. He looked around at his group, nodding in approval.

Dakota:

"Alright, let's keep moving. This is just one step closer to the end."

And with that, they continued forward, the looming presence of the cloaked figures now a distant memory. But Dakota knew this was far from over. It was just the beginning.