Chapter 48: Relentless assault

As night fell, the campfire cast flickering shadows over the dense forest. Raiden stretched out nearby, his exhaustion from the journey evident. Xavier glanced at him and spoke with a calm yet firm tone.

"Get some rest, Raiden. You'll need your strength for what's ahead."

Raiden hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, lying down on his cloak. "Understood, Master Xavier. I'll be ready when the time comes."

Once Raiden fell into a deep slumber, Xavier activated his Dragon Eye, its purple glow illuminating his sharp features. He focused his gaze toward the distant Starfire Stronghold, analyzing the layout and searching for vulnerabilities. The fortress was well-guarded, with patrols stationed along the walls and sentries on the towers.

However, as his gaze swept across the structure, something caught his attention. The tower closest to their current position was poorly monitored, especially on the right side. The sentries there seemed lax, their movements sluggish, and the shadows offered natural cover.

A small smirk tugged at Xavier's lips as a plan began to form. "The right side of the tower… that's where we make our entry," he murmured to himself.

He mentally outlined the strategy, considering potential traps, fallback options, and the best way to leverage Raiden's abilities. Xavier knew the young disciple was still learning, but this mission was as much a test of Raiden's potential as it was a critical step in weakening the Crimson Shadow Cult.

As the first hints of dawn painted the sky, Xavier looked toward Raiden, still peacefully sleeping. "This will be a lesson in precision and strategy," he thought, determination etched on his face. With the plan set, Xavier closed his eyes for a brief moment of rest, readying himself for the coming battle.

As Xavier drifted into his dream state, the familiar warmth of Elior's presence enveloped him. Standing in the ethereal space, Xavier immediately knelt, his tone respectful yet eager.

"Master Elior, I've been thinking about my next battle. Do you have a fire-element mystic sword that could enhance my fighting style? Something that could give me the edge I need."

Elior's golden eyes glimmered with pride as he chuckled. "Ah, Xavier, always pushing forward, always seeking to improve. You remind me of myself in my youth."

With a wave of his hand, flames erupted in the air, swirling and coalescing into the shape of a majestic blade. The sword gleamed ruby red, its hilt shaped like a phoenix with wings outstretched, as if poised to take flight. Elior held it out to Xavier.

"This, my disciple, is the Infernal Winged Blade. Forged in the heart of a dying star, it resonates with the fire element and will amplify your abilities tenfold. With this, you'll find it far easier to cut through your enemies' defenses."

Xavier accepted the blade with reverence, feeling its intense heat yet strangely unburned. Its energy melded with his own, a perfect harmony that left him awestruck.

"Thank you, Master Elior. This is beyond anything I imagined," Xavier said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Elior placed a firm hand on Xavier's shoulder, his expression serious now. "The blade is powerful, but it demands understanding and mastery. Let me grant you the knowledge you need."

With a touch to Xavier's forehead, a torrent of information flooded his mind—the intricate forms of the Infernal Blade of Enlightenment, including the 3rd, 4th, and 5th forms, each more devastating than the last. Xavier saw himself executing these techniques, flames erupting with every swing, his movements fluid and precise.

"Now, train," Elior commanded, stepping back.

Xavier nodded, gripping the blade tightly. He began practicing, each swing of the sword igniting the air around him. The 3rd Form, Infernal Strike, created a wave of scorching flames that obliterated everything in its path. The 4th Form, Phoenix Spiral, sent him spinning like a whirlwind, fiery wings trailing behind. The 5th Form, Eruption of Dawn, was the most powerful, a concentrated blast of fire that radiated outward in a blinding explosion.

Xavier repeated each form relentlessly, pushing himself to refine every movement. Hours passed in the dreamscape as his mastery of the techniques grew. By the time he reached the advanced level in all three forms, he was drenched in sweat but brimming with confidence.

Elior watched from the sidelines, his smile returning. "Well done, Xavier. With this blade and your determination, you'll carve your name into history."

As the dream began to fade, Xavier's last thought was a renewed resolve: "Let's seize the stronghold."

As the first light of dawn barely crept over the horizon, Xavier opened his eyes, his mind sharp and body invigorated from his training in the dream state. Quietly, he sat up, pulling out the Infernal Winged Blade, its ruby-red edge gleaming faintly even in the dim light. He marveled at its flawless design for a moment before turning to Raiden, who was still sound asleep.

"Raiden," Xavier called softly, his voice calm yet commanding. The young disciple stirred and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"What is it, Master Xavier?" Raiden asked, still groggy but attentive.

Xavier sheathed his blade and extended a hand, helping Raiden to his feet. "The time has come. Follow me. We'll strike at the right side of the tower. It's the weakest point, and we'll take out the guards there silently. We need to work our way through their ranks systematically, one step at a time."

Raiden nodded, his expression serious as he strapped his gear on and readied himself. "How many guards are there?"

Xavier's dragon eye glowed faintly as he scanned the area once more. "Around fifty in total. We'll eliminate the ones on the right flank first. Move quietly, use the shadows, and remember—precision over power. We'll deal with them before they even know we're here."

Raiden's determination shone through as he followed Xavier into the forest, both of them blending seamlessly into the early morning gloom. As they approached the tower, Xavier raised a hand, signaling Raiden to stop.

"Wait here and watch closely," Xavier whispered. "I'll handle the first few. Learn from my movements."

Xavier moved like a shadow, his Infernal Winged Blade drawn but silent. The first guard barely had time to react before the blade cut through him with a whisper of fire, his body crumpling to the ground noiselessly. The second and third guards followed swiftly, their fates sealed before they even knew they were under attack.

Raiden watched in awe, noting Xavier's flawless balance and the way the blade seemed to guide his movements. When Xavier motioned for him to join, Raiden moved into position, following his master's example as they worked their way through the guards one by one.

By the time they reached the inner perimeter of the tower's defenses, they had taken down over twenty guards without raising an alarm. Xavier turned to Raiden, his voice low but encouraging.

"Good work so far, Raiden. Stay focused. We're halfway through. Remember, every movement must count. Let's finish this."

As Xavier and Raiden silently dispatched the remaining guards, the operation had gone almost flawlessly—until Raiden, in a moment of distraction, accidentally knocked over a rack of swords with a loud clatter. The sound reverberated through the area, immediately drawing the attention of a nearby patrol.

"Intruders!" one of the guards shouted, pointing in their direction. Another guard wasted no time, rushing to a nearby alarm bell and sounding it before Xavier could intercept him. The loud clang of the bell echoed ominously, and the distant sound of galloping horses from a nearby town signaled that reinforcements were on their way.

Xavier's mind raced as he moved with deadly precision, cutting down the guards with swift strikes of his Infernal Winged Blade. Flames danced along the blade, each swing leaving a blazing arc in its wake. Within moments, the remaining guards were down, and Xavier disabled the alarm mechanism with a precise strike.

But the damage was done. The alarm had already been raised.

Xavier turned to Raiden, who stood frozen, guilt written all over his face. He placed a firm but reassuring hand on Raiden's shoulder, his voice calm and steady. "Raiden, listen to me. Mistakes happen. This isn't the end of the mission, but right now, we need to adjust our plan."

"But I—" Raiden began, his voice trembling.

"No," Xavier interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You've done well so far, but now you need to retreat. Head back to the camp and wait for me there. I'll handle the rest."

Raiden hesitated, his fists clenching. "But I can fight—"

"Raiden, trust me," Xavier said, his dragon eye glowing faintly as he glanced toward the tower and the approaching sounds of reinforcements. "This isn't about your ability. It's about strategy. If something happens to you, I'll lose a vital member of my clan. Right now, I need you to regroup and prepare for the next step."

Reluctantly, Raiden nodded, his respect for Xavier overriding his urge to stay. "I'll wait for you at the camp," he said, his voice laced with determination.

Xavier watched as Raiden disappeared into the shadows, heading back toward their temporary camp. Turning his attention back to the stronghold, Xavier's eyes narrowed. The reinforcements would arrive soon, and he needed to act fast.

With his blade in hand, Xavier stepped into the stronghold, ready to face whatever came next. This time, there would be no room for error.