Chapter 25: The Abyssal Vanguard

The narrow corridor stretched endlessly into the darkness, its oppressive silence broken only by the faint rattling of chains that lingered behind them. Every step the group took seemed to echo louder than the last, as if the fortress itself was aware of their presence. The air grew colder, and the weight of the throne's power pulsed stronger within Ishar, fueling his resolve but also amplifying the unease that hung over them.

Fei broke the silence, his voice low and tense. "Master, this doesn't feel right. The Keeper of Chains was strong, but… it feels like something worse is ahead."

Lin Yao's staff glowed faintly, her grip tightening on it. "He's not wrong. The energy here is… different. It's not just oppressive. It's hungry."

Ishar didn't break stride, his skeletal warriors marching silently behind him. The throne's heart pulsed in tandem with his own, its cold energy pushing back the suffocating darkness that surrounded them. "This is the Sovereigns' domain," he said, his voice as icy as the air. "They're desperate to stop us. The closer we get, the more desperate they'll become."

Lin Yao's eyes narrowed, her staff emitting a brighter glow as she scanned the corridor. "Desperate Sovereigns are the last thing we need. But if we've come this far, we're not turning back now."

The group pressed on, their footsteps echoing ominously in the endless dark.

The Abyssal Vanguard

The corridor opened into a vast chamber, its floor and walls made of smooth, black stone that reflected the faint crimson glow emanating from the ceiling. The air was thick with an unnatural energy that seemed to cling to their skin. At the center of the chamber stood a group of figures, their forms shrouded in darkness. Unlike the Wailing Shades or the Keeper of Chains, these beings radiated an aura of intelligence and malice.

The system's voice echoed in Ishar's mind.

Hostile Entities Detected: Abyssal Vanguard. Elite Guardians of the Fortress. High Intelligence and Coordinated Combat Capabilities. Weakness: Fragmented Focus in Prolonged Engagements.

The tallest of the Vanguard stepped forward, its form solidifying into a humanoid shape clad in obsidian armor. Its voice was deep and resonant, reverberating through the chamber.

"You have come far, Ishar," it said, its crimson eyes locking onto him. "But this is where your journey ends. The Sovereigns will not allow you to claim what is theirs."

Ishar stepped forward, his skeletal warriors forming a defensive line behind him. His pale eyes glowed faintly, the throne's power swirling around him. "The Sovereigns' time is over. If you stand in my way, you'll meet the same fate as the others."

The Vanguard leader laughed, a hollow, echoing sound that filled the chamber. "Bold words for a mortal wielding borrowed power. Show us your strength, necromancer. Prove you are more than just a pretender."

With a wave of its hand, the other members of the Vanguard advanced, their movements unnaturally fast and coordinated. Each one wielded weapons forged from shadow and crimson energy, their strikes precise and unrelenting.

The Battle Commences

Ishar raised his hand, summoning Obsidian Dominion. Shadows erupted from the ground, forming a swirling barrier that intercepted the first wave of attacks. The skeletal warriors charged forward, their iron weapons clashing against the Vanguard's shadow-forged blades. Sparks flew as the two forces collided, the chamber echoing with the sound of battle.

Lin Yao spun her staff, releasing a burst of radiant energy that struck one of the Vanguard in the chest. The creature staggered, its armor cracking slightly under the force of the attack. "Their defenses are strong, but they can't handle sustained light energy," she shouted.

Fei darted around the battlefield, his movements quick and agile. He targeted the joints of the Vanguard's armor, his dagger flashing as he struck with precision. Each hit caused the creatures to falter, their coordination faltering slightly.

The Vanguard leader remained at the center of the chamber, watching the battle unfold. Its voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "You fight well, necromancer. But let us see how you handle true power."

It raised its hand, and the crimson glow from the ceiling intensified. The other members of the Vanguard began to glow as well, their movements growing faster and more aggressive. They fought with renewed ferocity, pushing back Ishar's forces.

"They're drawing power from the chamber itself," Lin Yao shouted. "We need to disrupt their connection!"

Ishar nodded, his pale eyes narrowing as he focused on the leader. "Keep them busy. I'll deal with this."

Breaking the Connection

Ishar raised his hand, summoning Shadowforge Blade. The weapon crackled with dark energy as he advanced toward the Vanguard leader. The creature raised its own weapon, a massive sword wreathed in crimson fire, and the two clashed with a resounding explosion of energy.

"You cannot win," the leader growled, its strikes coming faster and harder with each swing. "The Sovereigns' power is eternal."

"Eternal until I destroy it," Ishar replied coldly, his blade meeting the leader's with unrelenting force. He channeled the throne's power into his strikes, each one sending shockwaves through the chamber.

Meanwhile, Lin Yao directed her energy at the glowing crystals on the ceiling, her staff emitting a focused beam of light that caused one of the crystals to shatter. The chamber dimmed slightly, and the Vanguard faltered, their movements growing less coordinated.

"It's working," Fei shouted, using the opening to land a devastating strike on one of the Vanguard. The creature let out a guttural roar before collapsing into shadow.

Ishar pressed his advantage, his blade striking the Vanguard leader's armor with unrelenting precision. Cracks began to spread across its chestplate, the crimson glow within flickering like a dying flame.

"This is the end for you," Ishar said, his voice icy. With a final, powerful strike, he drove his blade into the leader's core. The creature let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into shadow.

The Heart Revealed

With the Vanguard defeated, the chamber fell silent. The oppressive energy that had filled the air began to dissipate, replaced by a cold stillness. At the far end of the chamber, a massive door began to glow, its surface etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with crimson light.

The system's voice echoed in Ishar's mind.

Objective Updated: Enter the Heart of the Fortress. Final Trial Awaits.

Lin Yao lowered her staff, her breaths heavy. "That was… too close. If they're the Vanguard, I don't even want to think about what's behind that door."

Fei sheathed his dagger, his hands trembling slightly. "Whatever it is, we'll face it. Together."

Ishar stepped toward the glowing door, his skeletal warriors falling in line behind him. "The Sovereigns can send whatever they want. The throne's heart is within my reach, and nothing will stop me from claiming it."

As the door began to open, a blinding light filled the chamber, and the group braced themselves for what lay beyond. The final trial awaited, and the battle for the throne's ultimate power was far from over.