Chapter 85: Sands of Time and a Cult of Shadows

Following the Keepers' guidance, Drake and his companions set off on their quest for the Sunstone, the first of the artifacts they needed to combat the Harbinger. Their journey led them across vast plains, through dense forests, and finally, into the heart of a scorching desert.

The desert was a harsh and unforgiving landscape, the sun beating down mercilessly, the sand stretching endlessly towards the horizon. The air was dry and hot, making it difficult to breathe.

*Notification: "Environmental Hazard Detected: Extreme Heat. Increased Stamina Consumption. Risk of Dehydration."*

"Well, this is just lovely," Drake muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "I knew I should have packed that tiny umbrella. And maybe a portable swimming pool. Because deserts."

Elara, using her wind magic, created a gentle breeze to cool them down. "We need to find shelter soon," she said. "The heat is taking its toll."

They pressed on, following the map provided by the Keepers. After several hours of travel, they spotted a cluster of ruins in the distance, rising from the sand like the bones of a forgotten giant.

*Notification: "Location Discovered: Ruins of Akhet. Ancient City. Suspected Cult Activity."*

"Those must be the ruins of Akhet," Corvus said, consulting the map. "The Sunstone is said to be hidden somewhere within."

As they approached the ruins, they noticed a group of figures patrolling the perimeter. The figures were clad in dark robes, their faces hidden by hoods.

*Notification: "Enemy Detected: 10 x Cult of Shadows Guardians. Threat Level: Moderate."*

"More cultists," Drake groaned. "Seriously? Can't we go anywhere without running into these guys? It's like they're having a 'Void's Biggest Fan' convention, and we're the uninvited guests."

The Cult of Shadows Guardians were swift and agile, wielding curved daggers and casting spells of darkness. They attacked Drake and his companions, their movements fluid and precise.

Drake activated Void Embrace and Shadow Cloak, disappearing into the shadows. He then used Void Step to teleport behind one of the guardians, delivering a swift Shadow Rend.

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

*Notification: "Health Drain: 1. Drake Health: 59/100"*

The guardian cried out in pain, clutching his bleeding wound. Drake then used Void Tendrils (Darkness) to ensnare another guardian, pulling him to the ground.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Shadow Tendrils (Darkness) (Level 3). Cost: 60 Mana. Damage Dealt: 50 (each tendril). Ensnared 1 target"*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 1. Drake Health: 58/100"*

Corvus unleashed a barrage of fire spells, incinerating several of the guardians. Elara used her wind magic to create sandstorms, blinding and disorienting the remaining cultists. Borin charged into the fray, his great axe cleaving through the air, sending guardians flying.

The battle was intense, the desert air filled with the sounds of clashing steel, crackling magic, and Drake's sarcastic commentary.

"You know," he said, dodging a dagger thrown by a cultist, "for a cult dedicated to shadows, you guys are surprisingly easy to spot. Maybe you should try wearing brighter colors. Like neon pink or something. That would really throw off your enemies."

He then used Void Shatter, the chaotic energy engulfing a group of guardians, sending them sprawling.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Shatter (Level 3). Cost: 70 Mana. Damage Dealt: 120. Void Corruption Status Effect Applied."*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 1. Drake Health: 57/100"*

The remaining guardians, seeing their comrades fall, tried to flee, but Drake and his allies quickly dispatched them.

*Notification: "Enemy Defeated: Cult of Shadows Guardian (+300 XP)."*

*(Repeated for each guardian)*

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Cult of Shadows Guardian Encounters (+3000 XP)"*

*Experience: 12200 + 3000 = 15200/14000*

*Notification: "Level Up! Drake has reached Level 15!"*

*Notification: "Stat Points Available: 15"*

*Notification: "Skill Points Available: 2"*

He allocated his stat points putting 5 into Constitution, 5 into Intelligence and 5 into Wisdom.

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Constitution +5. Current Constitution: 54."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Intelligence +5. Current Intelligence: 37."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Wisdom +5. Current Wisdom: 39."*

He allocated his skill points, putting one into Void Step and one into Shadow Rend.

*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Void Step (Level 5). Effect: Increased teleportation range, reduced mana cost, leaves behind a brief afterimage that can distract enemies, and now allows Drake to teleport through solid objects."*

*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Shadow Rend (Level 8). Effect: Increased damage, high chance to inflict the 'Bleed' status effect, and now has a chance to temporarily reduce enemy armor."*

With the guardians defeated, they turned their attention to the ruins of Akhet, the ancient city where the Sunstone was hidden. The city was a maze of crumbling walls, collapsed buildings, and sand-filled courtyards. The air was heavy with the weight of ages and the lingering presence of the cult.

Their search for the Sunstone had begun.