Chapter 69: Ritual Interrupted (And Insulted)

The sudden vanishing of four cultists into the undergrowth caused a ripple of panic through their ranks. They muttered amongst themselves, glancing nervously at the surrounding foliage. Drake, hidden in the shadows, grinned. Time for a little dramatic flair.

He cleared his throat loudly, his voice echoing through the clearing. "Psst! Hey, you guys!" he called out. "Yeah, you in the robes. Did you lose something? Because I think I just found four of your friends… tangled up in some rather uncomfortable shrubbery. They send their regards. And also some rather colorful complaints about the local flora. Apparently, the thorns are a bit… *pokey*."

The cultists turned their attention towards the sound of Drake's voice, their faces contorted with anger and confusion. "Show yourself, infidel!" one of them shouted.

"Oh, I'll show myself," Drake replied, stepping out of the shadows. "But I'm afraid I haven't brought any party favors. Unless you count witty insults as party favors. Because I've got a whole arsenal of those."

He activated Void Embrace, feeling the familiar surge of dark energy.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Embrace (Level 3). Health Drain per turn: 2."*

The cultist priests, realizing the threat, began to chant louder, channeling their energy into the ritual circle. The air around the altar crackled with dark energy.

"Don't mind me," Drake said, glancing at the priests. "Just admiring your… handiwork. Though I have to say, that altar could use a bit of redecorating. Maybe some throw pillows? A nice vase of flowers? Or perhaps a sign that says 'Welcome to our Totally Not Evil Ritual Site.' That would be a nice touch."

He then used Void Step, teleporting behind a group of cultists near the altar. He unleashed a Void Shatter, aiming it at the base of the altar itself.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Shatter (Level 2). Cost: 70 Mana. Damage Dealt: 100."*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 2. Drake Health: 67/100"*

The chaotic energy struck the altar, causing it to shake and crack. The cultist priests shrieked in alarm, their chanting faltering.

"Oops," Drake said, feigning innocence. "Did I do that? My bad. I seem to have a knack for breaking things. Especially really important ritualistic things. It's kind of a hobby of mine."

The cultists, now thoroughly enraged and distracted, turned their attention to Drake. They charged at him, their daggers raised.

While the cultists were focused on Drake, Corvus used his magic to create a thick fog, obscuring the clearing and further disorienting the cultists. He then began to target the cultist priests with carefully aimed spells, disrupting their chanting and weakening the ritual.

Drake, using his enhanced Dexterity and *Street Fighting* skills, weaved through the attacking cultists, dodging their clumsy attacks and delivering swift strikes.

"You know," he said, kicking one of the cultists into a nearby tree, "for a cult dedicated to the Void, you guys are surprisingly bad at stealth. I mean, seriously, those robes? Not exactly camouflage material. And that chanting? A bit loud, don't you think? You're practically advertising your evil plans. It's like you *want* to be stopped."

He then used Shadow Rend on another cultist, the shadowy blade slicing through the cultist's arm, causing a deep gash.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Shadow Rend (Level 7). Cost: 70 Mana. Damage Dealt: 170. Bleed Status Effect Applied."*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 2. Drake Health: 65/100"*

The cultist screamed in pain, clutching his bleeding arm. The Bleed status effect was taking its toll, further weakening him.

Corvus, taking advantage of the chaos, managed to incapacitate several of the cultist priests, disrupting the ritual significantly. The dark energy around the altar began to dissipate.

The remaining cultists, realizing their ritual was failing and their comrades were falling, began to panic. Some tried to flee, while others fought with renewed desperation.