The Fallen King’s Blade
Kyle barely had time to react before the First Marked was on him.
The air cracked with energy as the warrior crossed the battlefield in an instant, their blade of pure darkness slashing toward Kyle's throat. He ducked, the sword missing him by a hair's breadth, but the force of the swing alone split the stone behind him.
He didn't have time to process how fast they were. The First Marked pivoted smoothly, already bringing their weapon back around in a second strike.
Kyle raised his sword to block—
The impact nearly broke him.
His arms screamed in pain as the force of the strike sent him skidding backward, his boots scraping against the shattered battlefield. He barely kept his footing.
A notification flashed red.
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Warning! High-Impact Damage Sustained. Health Reduced by 35%.
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Kyle's breathing was ragged. One hit. That was one hit.
The First Marked stood unmoving, their stance low, their glowing blue eyes locked onto Kyle with cold, merciless precision. This wasn't a mindless specter like the others. This warrior knew how to fight.
Kyle gritted his teeth. He had come too far to be cut down here.
The First Marked charged again, their blade a blur of darkness. Kyle moved on instinct, his new ability Phantom Reflex already kicking in.
He saw the strike before it landed.
His body twisted, dodging just in time. He countered with a quick slash, aiming for their exposed side.
The First Marked blocked effortlessly, their blade moving in a blur.
Kyle barely had time to recover before they retaliated—a brutal downward slash, too fast to dodge. He brought his sword up again, blocking the strike, but the impact rattled his entire body, sending fresh pain through his arms.
Another red warning flashed.
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Health Reduced by 15%.
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Kyle's heartbeat pounded in his ears. This wasn't a fight—this was a slaughter. He could barely keep up. The First Marked's speed, precision, power—they were on an entirely different level.
He needed to turn this around.
The warrior attacked again, this time with a sudden thrust aimed straight for Kyle's chest.
He didn't dodge.
Instead, he sidestepped at the last second, pivoting around the attack—and with all the strength he had left, he drove his sword forward, straight into the First Marked's side.
For the first time, he felt resistance.
His blade sank into their armor, piercing through the dark mist that surrounded them.
The First Marked staggered slightly.
Kyle pressed the advantage, wrenching his sword free and delivering a second, brutal slash across their chest.
Their form flickered, blue energy leaking from the wound like mist.
A notification appeared.
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First Marked Wounded. Weakness Identified.
Exploit the opening!
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Kyle moved immediately, slashing again, but this time, the First Marked was ready.
They parried with brutal force, their counterattack slamming into Kyle's ribs with the strength of a falling mountain.
Pain exploded through him as he was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the ground.
His vision blurred.
Another red warning flashed.
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Critical Health Warning! Health Reduced by 40%.
Fatal Damage Imminent.
---
Kyle coughed up blood, his entire body screaming in pain. He tried to move, but his muscles refused to obey. The First Marked was already approaching, their dark blade glowing with pure death.
He was losing.
He was going to die.
The system flashed violently in his vision.
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Evolutionary Growth Activated: Emergency Override.
Analyzing Survival Options…
New Skill Acquired: Unbroken Will (Lv. 1)
When faced with certain death, your body pushes beyond its limits. For 30 seconds, pain is suppressed, speed is increased, and strength is doubled.
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Kyle's body exploded with energy.
The pain vanished. His limbs burned with raw power, his vision sharpening as time itself seemed to slow.
The First Marked struck downward, their blade aiming to end him.
Kyle moved.
He rolled faster than before, dodging the attack by inches. Before the First Marked could adjust, Kyle was already on his feet, his sword swinging in a brutal arc.
This time, he was faster than them.
His blade cleaved into their side again, the energy of Spectral Rend tearing through their armor like fire through dry wood.
The First Marked let out a guttural sound—not pain, but something close.
Kyle didn't stop.
He slashed again, then again, his movements fueled by the raw power of Unbroken Will.
The battlefield shook as the First Marked staggered back, their form flickering, their armor cracking apart.
Kyle's heart pounded, adrenaline surging through him.
One more.
One more hit would end this.
He tightened his grip on his sword and rushed forward.
The First Marked moved at the same time, their blade glowing with a final burst of dark energy.
They both struck.
The moment Kyle's sword plunged into their chest, he felt their blade pierce his side.
Pain ripped through him—but he didn't stop.
He twisted the blade deeper, forcing all his strength into the final strike.
The First Marked let out a hollow, echoing roar, their body fading, their weapon disintegrating into dust.
Then, silence.
Kyle stumbled back, gripping his bleeding side. His legs buckled, his vision darkening.
The First Marked was gone.
A final notification appeared.
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Trial of the Marked Completed.
You have overcome the Fallen. You are no longer just a Marked. You are a Warborn.
Title Acquired: Warborn of the Forgotten.
+5 Strength, +3 Dexterity, +2 Constitution.
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Kyle collapsed to his knees, his breath ragged. He had won, but he felt like he had barely survived.
The battlefield around him dissolved, the darkened ruins of the City of Ash returning to focus.