Chapter 18: The Ruins and the Great Battle
Dawn of the Adventure
Ares woke up early, fully prepared for the journey that could determine his fate. Selina was waiting for him at the city gate, wearing a black cloak that concealed her features.
Selina: "Are you ready?"
Ares (confidently): "More than ever."
They moved through the dense forests surrounding the kingdom, heading toward the ancient ruins where the legendary "Dragon Slayer Sword" was said to be buried. According to the scrolls, these ruins were once a prosperous kingdom before a legendary dragon destroyed them centuries ago.
But the place wasn't entirely abandoned…
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First Encounter with Monsters
As soon as they reached the outskirts of the ruins, the fog thickened, and strange sounds echoed from the darkness.
Selina (cautiously): "We're not alone here..."
Suddenly, a group of demonic creatures leaped from the rubble. They were massive beasts with sharp fangs and glowing red eyes.
Ares: "Get ready, there's no turning back!"
Ares sprang into action, using his swordsmanship skills. He moved swiftly, dodging the monsters' attacks before slashing one of them in half with a single strike.
Selina unleashed waves of fire, burning several creatures, but she wasn't fast enough to react when one of them lunged at her.
Selina: "Ares!"
In a flash, Ares intervened, delivering a powerful punch that shattered the monster's skull.
Ares (calmly): "Are you okay?"
Selina (nervously smiling): "I could've handled it… probably."
After an intense battle, they managed to defeat all the monsters. But this was only the beginning...
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The Path to the Sword
Ares and Selina advanced through the ruins, passing through dark corridors and crumbling structures. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the walls were adorned with ancient carvings that told the story of the fallen kingdom.
Selina: "They say the sword is sealed in the heart of the old castle… but reaching it won't be easy."
True enough, after a few steps, they found themselves before a massive stone door. Upon opening it, they entered a vast arena, and in the center...
The Guardian Beast
A colossal creature stood before them, resembling a massive stone statue that moved. Its eyes glowed a deep blue, and it wielded a giant hammer capable of crushing anything with a single strike.
Ares (whispering): "Looks like this is the first boss..."
A deep voice echoed from the guardian:
Guardian: "Who dares desecrate this sacred place?"
Selina: "We have no choice but to defeat him!"
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The Battle Against the Stone Guardian
The guardian swung its hammer at Ares, who barely dodged as the ground shattered beneath the impact.
Ares: "This thing is unbelievably strong!"
Selina cast an ice spell, freezing one of the guardian's limbs, but it quickly shattered the ice and attacked her.
Selina: "The freezing won't last long!"
Ares decided to use his speed, moving around the guardian with quick strikes. But his attacks barely scratched its solid stone body.
Ares: "We need a weak point..."
He noticed a glowing spot on the guardian's chest, like a pulsating core.
Ares (smirking): "Found it!"
He signaled to Selina, who understood immediately. She launched a massive fireball at the guardian's face, distracting it for a moment. Ares seized the opportunity, leaping into the air before striking directly at the weak spot.
Ares: "Die, you monster!"
His blade pierced through the guardian's core, causing cracks to spread across its body before it shattered into pieces.
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Saving Selina
Before they could celebrate their victory, the ground beneath them collapsed, and Selina fell into a deep pit.
Ares: "Selina!"
Without hesitation, he jumped after her, landing in an ancient underground chamber filled with traps and lurking monsters.
Selina (weakly): "My leg… I think it's broken…"
Creatures with glowing eyes crept from the shadows. Ares realized he had to protect her no matter what.
Raising his sword, he prepared for battle.
Ares: "I'll get you out of here, I promise!"
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To be continued in the next chapter!