Chapter 7: The Guardian's Gambit

Kael and Renn barely had time to catch their breath before the next challenge loomed before them. The warrior in gleaming armor who had greeted them at the end of the labyrinth now stood motionless, his piercing gaze locking onto them like a hawk surveying its prey.

"Your final test before entering Elderspire proper awaits," the warrior declared. "I am Sir Dain, Guardian of the Gate. To proceed, you must defeat me in combat."

Renn groaned, rolling his shoulders. "Of course. Another fight. Why am I not surprised?"

Kael, however, focused entirely on Sir Dain. Unlike the previous trials, this was no mindless challenge of illusions or echoes. This was an actual warrior, one who had likely fought thousands before them. And he had to be stronger than anything they had faced so far.

Dain drew his blade, a long sword infused with streaks of glowing Ether. The moment he did, the air in the chamber shifted—dense, heavy, charged with unseen power.

"Come," Dain said, raising his sword. "Let us see if you are worthy."

Kael moved first, dashing forward with a burst of Etherflow, his blade clashing against Dain's in a shower of sparks. The force of the impact sent Kael skidding back, his arms aching from the sheer strength behind Dain's strike.

Renn flanked from the side, unleashing a flurry of dagger strikes, but Dain maneuvered with inhuman precision, deflecting each one with effortless grace.

"He's fast," Renn muttered, leaping back. "Too fast."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "Then we need to be faster."

He activated Echoforge, allowing the memories of past warriors to flood his mind. His stance shifted, his movements sharpening. The next exchange came in a flash—Kael met Dain's strikes blow for blow, his Etherblade glowing fiercely with absorbed techniques.

But Dain was relentless. He adapted with every attack, pressing Kael into a desperate defense. Then, with a single powerful swing, Dain sent Kael flying into the chamber wall.

"Not good!" Renn shouted, lunging in to cover him.

Kael coughed, struggling to rise. He had to think—fighting Dain head-on wasn't going to work.

Then it hit him.

He remembered the lesson from the Labyrinth of Echoes. Fighting as himself wouldn't win this battle. He needed to fight unpredictably.

Kael let go of his usual form, shifting between styles absorbed through Echoforge. His movements became erratic, mixing different battle techniques seamlessly. Dain hesitated for the first time, thrown off by Kael's unpredictable strikes.

Renn took the opportunity to strike from behind, landing a precise cut along Dain's armor. It wasn't enough to defeat him, but it was a crack in his perfect defense.

Kael pressed the advantage, dodging a downward slash before delivering a powerful Ether-charged strike to Dain's side. The warrior stumbled, his armor flickering with unstable Etherflow.

Dain exhaled, then smiled. "Impressive. You have learned well."

He sheathed his sword, stepping aside. "You have passed the final trial. Elderspire welcomes you."

Kael and Renn exchanged glances, barely believing what they had just achieved.

As the grand doors to Elderspire creaked open before them, Kael took a deep breath. This was only the beginning.