Chapter 10: Into the Fire

Ethan's stomach lurched as the world snapped into focus around him. The hum of the Forge faded, replaced by the cacophony of howling wind and distant screams. He staggered, planting his pipe on the ground for balance as the landscape solidified.

They were on a massive, crumbling bridge suspended over a swirling abyss of darkness. The stone beneath his feet groaned and cracked, and glowing blue runes flickered faintly along the edges of the structure. In the distance, the bridge led to a towering fortress that seemed to pulse with energy.

"Okay, I have questions," Ethan said, glancing over the side. "Like, why is there an endless pit of nothingness under us? And why does the bridge feel like it's held together by duct tape and hope?"

"Focus," Karis snapped, appearing beside him with her knife drawn. "This isn't sightseeing. Look ahead."

Ethan squinted, his stomach sinking. A horde of enemies swarmed the far end of the bridge—twisted humanoid creatures with jagged weapons and glowing red eyes. Their screeches echoed across the chasm as they moved in unison, their movements eerily precise.

---

Raid Objectives:

1. Cross the bridge.

2. Defeat the Horde Commander.

3. Retrieve the Relic from the Fortress.

---

"Right," Ethan said, gripping his pipe tightly. "So, uh… this is a team thing, right? Where's the rest of the dreamers?"

A voice cut through the chaos: "Over here!"

Ethan turned to see a young man sprinting toward them, his short, messy hair flopping in every direction. He carried a shield that looked like it had been stolen from a medieval museum, and his face was a mix of panic and determination.

"I'm Lucas," the guy said, skidding to a stop next to them. "You're the new guy, right? Ethan?"

Ethan blinked. "Uh, yeah. How do you—"

"The system flagged you as part of my raid team," Lucas interrupted, raising his shield as the creatures on the bridge started to move. "And by the way, you're late."

"Late?" Ethan said, his voice rising. "We literally just got here!"

"Save it," Karis snapped, stepping forward. "We've got incoming."

The creatures surged forward, their claws scraping against the stone as they charged. Lucas raised his shield, bracing himself. "We need to form a line! They'll overwhelm us if—"

Karis was already moving, her knife flashing as she darted toward the nearest enemy. She slashed its throat in one fluid motion, kicking its body over the side of the bridge. "Less talking, more killing!" she shouted.

Ethan sighed, gripping his pipe. "Of course she's good at this. No pressure."

He stepped forward, swinging the pipe at an oncoming creature. It connected with a satisfying crack, sending the enemy sprawling. Ethan grinned, spinning the pipe in his hand. "Okay, I could get used to this."

"Don't get cocky!" Lucas shouted, bashing a creature with his shield. "There are at least twenty more!"

"Twenty?" Ethan said, dodging a swipe from another enemy. "Why not thirty? Or a hundred? Go big or go home, right?"

"Stop talking and focus!" Karis snapped, stabbing another creature in the chest.

Ethan grumbled, ducking as a clawed hand swiped at his head. He spun, swinging the pipe upward into the creature's jaw. It screeched, dissolving into black smoke as it fell.

The battle was chaos, a blur of flashing weapons, glowing eyes, and shouts. The bridge trembled under the weight of the fight, cracks spreading across its surface. Ethan felt his adrenaline surging, every instinct screaming at him to keep moving, keep fighting.

"Behind you!" Lucas shouted.

Ethan turned just in time to see a creature lunging at him. Without thinking, he activated Shadowstep, phasing through the enemy's attack. The world seemed to slow as he stepped behind it, raising the pipe.

"Surprise!" he said, swinging with all his strength. The creature dissolved into smoke as the pipe connected, and Ethan grinned. "I love this skill."

Karis rolled her eyes, cutting down another enemy. "Maybe save the banter for after we're not being swarmed?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Ethan quipped, stepping back to avoid another attack.

Lucas let out a shout as he bashed two creatures off the side of the bridge with his shield. "We're making progress, but the Horde Commander's still ahead! We need a plan!"

"Plan?" Ethan said, deflecting a clawed swipe with his pipe. "I thought the plan was 'hit things until they stop moving.'"

"It's more complicated than that!" Lucas said, panting. "The Commander will keep sending reinforcements unless we take him out first."

"Then we cut through," Karis said, her voice cold. "Stick close and don't fall behind."

She surged forward, slashing her way through the remaining creatures with brutal efficiency. Ethan and Lucas followed, the three of them carving a path through the horde as the fortress loomed closer.

Ethan grinned despite himself, his heart pounding as he swung the pipe like a batter in a championship game. "I don't know about you guys, but I think we're actually killing it out here. Pun intended."

Lucas groaned. "Please stop with the puns."

Karis didn't say anything, but Ethan thought he saw the faintest hint of a smirk on her face.

Finally, they broke through the horde, the last few creatures falling as the bridge trembled ominously. Ahead of them stood the Horde Commander, a massive figure clad in jagged armor, its glowing red eyes burning with malice.

"Well, that's terrifying," Ethan said, stepping back. "Any ideas?"

"Yeah," Karis said, gripping her knife. "Don't die."

The Commander roared, raising a massive blade as it charged toward them.

"Great advice," Ethan muttered, raising his pipe. "Let's hope it works."