Chapter 12: The Relic and the Beast

The fortress swallowed them in oppressive silence, the heavy stone walls pressing in like a tomb. The glowing blue runes flickered faintly, casting eerie shadows that danced along the cracked floor. Ethan gripped his pipe tightly, his knuckles white, as he followed Karis and Lucas deeper into the hall.

"You know," Ethan whispered, his voice echoing slightly, "it feels like this place was designed by someone who loves horror movies. Just needs a creepy doll in the corner to complete the vibe."

Karis shot him a sharp look over her shoulder. "Focus."

"I am focused," Ethan said defensively. "Focused on not screaming and running out of here."

Lucas chuckled softly, though his shield remained firmly raised. "I'll admit, this isn't exactly comforting."

The hallway opened into a massive circular chamber, its high ceiling disappearing into darkness. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, atop which rested the Relic: a glowing, crystalline orb pulsing with faint white light. Symbols etched into the floor spiraled toward it, their faint hum filling the air.

"There it is," Karis said, her eyes narrowing. "The Relic."

"Right," Ethan said, glancing around. "So where's the catch? There's always a catch."

As if on cue, the hum grew louder, the runes on the floor flaring to life with a blinding blue light. The ground shook violently, and cracks spiderwebbed across the chamber as a deafening roar echoed from above.

Ethan looked up, his stomach plummeting. A massive creature descended from the shadows, landing with a ground-shaking crash. It was a hulking, four-legged beast, its body covered in jagged, blackened armor. Glowing red eyes stared down at them from a wolf-like face, and twin, smoky tendrils extended from its back, writhing like snakes.

"Of course there's a boss," Ethan muttered, raising his pipe. "Why wouldn't there be?"

---

Final Raid Objective: Defeat the Relic Guardian.

Threat Level: Extreme.

---

Lucas let out a shaky breath. "This… this might be a problem."

"No kidding," Ethan said, backing up slightly. "Karis, what's the plan?"

She didn't answer immediately, her eyes locked on the creature as she gripped her knife tightly. "We draw its attention away from the Relic. Lucas, you block. Ethan, look for weak points. I'll strike when I see an opening."

"That's the plan?" Ethan said, his voice rising. "What happened to 'don't die'? Can we stick with that?"

"Move!" Karis barked as the creature roared, lunging toward them.

Lucas raised his shield just in time, the Guardian's massive claws slamming into it with enough force to send him sliding back. The shield cracked, but it held, and Lucas grunted with the effort of holding his ground.

"Anytime now!" Lucas shouted.

Ethan darted around the side, activating Perception as he scanned the creature's massive frame. The glowing runes along its body pulsed faintly, and a jagged scar across its left shoulder caught his eye.

"There!" he shouted, pointing. "Its shoulder! There's a weak spot!"

"Good," Karis said, already moving. "Keep it distracted."

Ethan swallowed hard. "Distracted? Sure. No problem."

He sprinted toward the Guardian, swinging his pipe at one of its legs. The pipe connected with a loud clang, and the beast turned its glowing eyes on him, snarling.

"Hey, ugly!" Ethan shouted, darting back. "That all you've got?"

The Guardian lunged, its massive claws tearing through the floor as Ethan dove out of the way. He rolled to his feet, panting. "I was kidding! You're doing great! No need to prove yourself!"

Karis used the opening, leaping onto the creature's back and driving her knife into the scar on its shoulder. The Guardian roared, twisting violently to shake her off. She clung on, slashing at the glowing runes as the creature bucked beneath her.

Lucas charged forward, slamming his shield into the beast's leg. The impact made it stumble, and Ethan took the opportunity to activate Ravager's Pounce, leaping forward and bringing his pipe down on the weakened shoulder.

The Guardian howled, black smoke pouring from the wound as it staggered. Karis leapt off its back, landing gracefully beside Ethan.

"It's weakening," she said, her voice steady. "Keep going."

"Easy for you to say," Ethan muttered, dodging another swipe. "You're not the one it's trying to eat."

The beast reared up, its tendrils lashing out. One of them caught Lucas's shield, yanking it away and sending him sprawling. The shield clattered to the floor, cracked beyond repair.

"Lucas!" Ethan shouted, running toward him. The Guardian roared again, its massive claws slamming into the ground between them and cutting off the path.

"We need to end this now!" Karis said, circling to the beast's other side.

Ethan gritted his teeth, his mind racing. The Guardian was slowing, but it wasn't enough. They needed a final blow—a way to take it down for good.

His gaze darted to the glowing runes on the floor, spiraling toward the pedestal. The Relic pulsed faintly, its energy rippling outward.

"What happens if we use the Relic?" Ethan asked, pointing.

Karis hesitated. "It could amplify our attacks. Or it could kill us. The Forge doesn't exactly come with a manual."

"Awesome," Ethan said. "Let's gamble."

Before she could argue, Ethan sprinted toward the pedestal. The Guardian roared, turning to chase him, but Karis and Lucas intercepted it, attacking its legs and drawing its attention.

Ethan reached the pedestal, the Relic's glow intensifying as he approached. He hesitated, his hand hovering over it.

This is either going to save us… or kill us, he thought.

"Ethan!" Karis shouted. "Do it!"

He grabbed the Relic. Energy surged through his body, a blinding light radiating from the crystal as it hummed with power. His pipe crackled with electricity, the glow extending across its length.

The Guardian turned toward him, its red eyes narrowing. Ethan raised the glowing pipe, a wry grin spreading across his face. "Okay, buddy. Let's end this."

The beast lunged, and Ethan activated Ravager's Pounce, leaping forward with the Relic-enhanced weapon. The impact was explosive, the pipe driving into the creature's chest and shattering the glowing runes along its body.

The Guardian froze, its form flickering as black smoke poured from its wounds. It let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into a swirling vortex of energy.

---

Final Objective Complete: Retrieve the Relic.

Raid Successful.

XP Gained: 2,000.

New Level Achieved: Level 7.

---

Ethan collapsed to his knees, panting as the Relic's glow faded. The chamber was silent now, the oppressive energy lifted.

Lucas limped over, his face pale but smiling. "You actually did it."

Karis approached, wiping blood from her knife. "Not bad," she said, smirking. "For a rookie."

Ethan looked at the faintly glowing pipe in his hand and chuckled. "Guess I'm full of surprises."

As the world around them began to blur, signaling the end of the raid, Ethan grinned. "So, when's the next one?"

Karis groaned. "Don't push your luck."