Alaric was in deep thought. The power was something that was never known to anyone. First, he had the angelic light power, and now the power of eclipse. No one was known to have wielded two powers. What was going to happen? Anyhow, he selected yes.
Alaric's body began to pulsate with dark shadows and darkness. The system started to tell Alaric about his new powers: shadow manipulation, shadow teleportation, shadow dome, and shadow spread (target's all cells start to cover in shadow; side effects: user will not be able to use shadow power for 24 hours), and many more. As Alaric read through these messages, everyone outside was fighting the epic-tier monster.
The epic-tier monster, a colossal beast with the body of a lion and the wings of a dragon, roared and sent shockwaves through the forest. Master Kael had struck near its core twice with his shadow sword, but the monster's hide near the core and neck was too strong to pierce. Each time, the beast's wounds sealed almost immediately, the dark magic infusing its flesh with unnatural resilience.
Clem, Darian, and Elara fought valiantly alongside the guards. Darian's earth manipulation raised barriers and ensnared the advance-tier monsters. Elara's ice created protective shields and offensive spikes that slowed their enemies. Clem darted around the battlefield, her healing touch reviving fallen guards and comrades, but it was clear they were being overwhelmed.
The beast roared again, its call summoning reinforcements. From the forest emerged a horde of fifty beasts. Twelve Thornback Wolves with backs covered in sharp thorns and roots, using their agility and natural camouflage to ambush their prey. Twenty-eight Barkbeetle Bears, massive creatures with bark-like skin and beetle features, including pincers and antennae, providing formidable defense. Ten Lightningroot Foxes, their electric fur crackling with energy, set traps and hid in the underbrush, striking with lightning speed.
Master Kael's sword glowed with dark energy as he faced the epic-tier beast. "We can't hold them off much longer!" he shouted, slashing at the monster's side. His attacks landed, but the beast's hide was too resilient.
A Thornback Wolf lunged at a guard, its thorns slicing through the air. The guard raised his shield just in time, but the impact sent him sprawling. Another guard faced a Barkbeetle Bear, its pincers snapping dangerously close. He swung his sword, but the bear's bark-like skin absorbed the blow.
Clem focused on healing, her hands glowing with a soft light as she mended wounds and restored strength. But the strain was taking its toll. "We need Alaric," she whispered, her voice filled with desperation. "We can't hold on like this."
In the midst of the chaos, Alaric's body floated above the ground, bathed in a dark, pulsating aura. His eyes opened, now glowing with a mix of golden light and deep shadows. He felt the immense power coursing through him, the dual forces of light and dark intertwining.
With newfound determination, Alaric descended to the ground. He saw his friends and allies struggling, the beast horde pressing in on all sides. He raised his hand, and a dome of shadows erupted around them, encompassing the entire battlefield. Inside the dome, the shadows provided a barrier that repelled the attacking beasts, giving everyone a moment to breathe.
Clem looked up, her eyes widening in awe and relief. "Alaric... you're back."
Alaric nodded, his voice steady. "I am. And I'm not going to let us lose."
He extended his hands, and a wave of healing energy spread through the dome. It was the fastest and most powerful healing he had ever performed, mending broken bones and closing deep wounds in seconds. But there was a downside. The epic-tier monster and the horde of beasts outside the dome were also being healed, their injuries knitting together as they roared in renewed vigor.
"Alaric, what are you doing?!" Master Kael shouted. "You're healing them too!"
"I know," Alaric replied, his eyes glowing. "But it's the only way to buy us time."
As everyone inside the dome recovered, Alaric focused on the system messages still flashing before his eyes. He scanned the new abilities, looking for something to turn the tide. He discovered that despite the absence of sunlight, he could still use his light powers.
Outside the dome, the Thornback Wolves prowled, their sharp thorns scraping against the shadowy barrier. The Barkbeetle Bears roared, their pincers snapping as they tried to break through. The Lightningroot Foxes darted around, setting electric traps and waiting for an opening.
Alaric glanced at the system interface, reading about the shadow abilities. He understood their power and limitations. "I need to use the Shadow Dome to protect us while we recover," he thought, feeling the weight of responsibility.
Suddenly, the epic-tier monster launched a powerful attack. Its massive claws struck the shadow dome, sending shockwaves through the barrier. Alaric gritted his teeth, maintaining the dome with all his strength. The beast roared again, summoning even more creatures from the depths of the forest.
The guards and students readied themselves, their injuries healed and their spirits bolstered by Alaric's magic. Clem, Darian, and Elara stood side by side, determination etched on their faces.
"We can't let them get through," Clem said, her voice firm. "Alaric's giving us a chance. We have to make it count."
Darian nodded, his earth manipulation forming barriers and traps to slow the advancing beasts. Elara's ice magic created spikes and walls, adding another layer of defense. The guards, now fully recovered, took their positions, ready to fight.
The epic-tier monster struck the dome again, its claws tearing at the shadows. The Thornback Wolves launched coordinated attacks, their thorns slicing through the air. The Barkbeetle Bears charged, their pincers snapping and their bark-like skin absorbing blows. The Lightningroot Foxes set electric traps, the ground crackling with energy.
Inside the dome, Alaric felt the strain of maintaining the barrier. He knew he couldn't hold it forever. "I need to find a way to turn this around," he thought, searching the system for answers.
**Shadow Manipulation**: Alaric could control shadows, using them as weapons or shields. He could summon tendrils of darkness to ensnare his enemies or create barriers to protect his allies. This ability allowed for both offense and defense, but prolonged use could drain his energy rapidly.
**Shadow Teleportation**: This ability allowed Alaric to move instantaneously between shadows. He could travel short distances in the blink of an eye, making him almost impossible to hit. However, the range was limited, and overuse could leave him disoriented.
**Shadow Dome**: Alaric could create a dome of darkness to protect a large area. This dome was impenetrable by physical attacks, but it required immense concentration to maintain. The longer the dome was up, the more energy it drained from Alaric.
**Shadow Spread**: A devastating attack that enveloped all targets in an area with shadows, corrupting their cells and causing immense pain. The downside was that after using this ability, Alaric would be unable to use any shadow powers for 24 hours, leaving him vulnerable.
As he absorbed this information, a new quest appeared in his mind.
**Quest: Defeat the Epic Tier Beast**
**Rewards:**
1. Skill: Light Disk (A spinning disk of concentrated light that can cut through almost anything)
2. Skill: Shadow Embrace (Temporarily grants allies increased speed and strength)
3. Item: Eclipse Armor (A unique armor set that enhances both light and shadow abilities)
4. Title: Eclipse Warrior (Increases the effectiveness of all light and shadow abilities by 20%)
5. Epic Beast Daggers (Two finely crafted daggers with the power of an epic-tier beast, providing enhanced agility and attack speed)
Alaric knew what he had to do. He focused on the Shadow Dome, maintaining the barrier while everyone inside healed and recovered. The epic-tier beast outside roared, slamming its claws into the dome with renewed fury. The Thornback Wolves, Barkbeetle Bears, and Lightningroot Foxes continued their relentless assault, but they couldn't break through.
Master Kael's eyes narrowed as he observed Alaric. "Whatever you're planning, make it quick. We can't hold them off forever."
Alaric nodded, his eyes glowing with determination. He released the Shadow Dome, allowing it to dissipate. The epic-tier beast roared, sensing the opportunity to attack. It charged, its massive claws tearing through the ground.
Alaric summoned all his strength, channeling both light and shadow. He raised his hand, creating a barrier of light to block the monster's attack. The beast's claws clashed with the barrier,sending sparks flying.
"Everyone, focus on the smaller beasts!" Alaric shouted. "I'll handle the big one!"
The guards and students sprang into action. Darian used his earth manipulation to trap the Thornback Wolves in pits and ensnare them with roots. Elara's ice spikes pierced the Barkbeetle Bears' bark-like skin, slowing them down. Clem's healing touch revived fallen guards, keeping them in the fight.
Alaric faced the epic-tier monster, his heart pounding. He knew he had to defeat it to complete the quest and save his friends. The beast roared, its eyes blazing with fury. It lunged at him, its massive jaws snapping.
Alaric dodged, using Shadow Teleportation to move behind the beast. He summoned tendrils of shadow, wrapping them around the monster's legs to immobilize it. The beast roared in frustration, thrashing against the restraints.
Master Kael joined the fight, his sword glowing with dark energy. He slashed at the monster's side, but the hide was too tough to pierce. "Alaric, we need to find a way to get through its armor!"
Alaric nodded, his mind racing. He remembered the system messages and the new abilities he had gained. "Light Disk," he whispered, focusing on the power within him.
A spinning disk of concentrated light formed in Alaric's hand. He could feel its immense power, the energy humming with potential. He hurled the Light Disk at the epic-tier monster, aiming for its core. The disk sliced through the air, striking the beast with a blinding flash.
The monster roared in agony as the Light Disk cut through its hide, reaching its core. But it wasn't enough to bring it down. The beast, now enraged, broke free of the shadow tendrils and charged at Alaric with renewed fury.
Alaric used Shadow Teleportation to evade the attack, reappearing a few meters away. He needed another plan. He glanced at Master Kael, who was struggling to fend off the beast's relentless assaults.
"Kael, enhance your sword with shadow!" Alaric shouted. "I'll create an opening!"
Master Kael nodded, his eyes narrowing with determination. He channeled his energy into his sword, the blade glowing with dark power. Alaric summoned another Light Disk, the bright energy forming in his hand.
"Now!" Alaric cried, launching the Light Disk at the beast's neck. The disk struck, creating a deep gash and exposing the vulnerable core within. Master Kael seized the opportunity, leaping forward and plunging his shadow-infused sword into the monster's core.
The beast roared one final time before collapsing, its body dissolving into dark mist. The forest fell silent, the air heavy with the aftermath of the battle.
Alaric lowered himself to the ground, the light around him fading. He felt exhausted but relieved. They had survived.
A system message appeared before his eyes:
**Quest Complete: Defeat the Epic Tier Beast**
**Rewards:**
1. Skill: Light Disk (A spinning disk of concentrated light that can cut through almost anything)
2. Skill: Shadow Embrace (Temporarily grants allies increased speed and strength)
3. Item: Eclipse Armor (A unique armor set that enhances both light and shadow abilities)
4. Title: Eclipse Warrior (Increases the effectiveness of all light and shadow abilities by 20%)
5. Epic Beast Daggers (Two finely crafted daggers with the power of an epic-tier beast, providing enhanced agility and attack speed)
Alaric felt a surge of power as he accepted the rewards. The Eclipse Armor materialized on his body, fitting perfectly. He felt stronger, more confident. Two finely crafted daggers, imbued with the essence of the epic-tier beast, appeared in his hands. Their weight felt perfect, their balance impeccable.
As the dust settled, new guards from a nearby station arrived, their eyes widening at the sight of the battlefield. "We came as backup," their leader said. "But it looks like you handled it."
Master Kael nodded, his eyes still on Alaric. "Yes, but we had help."
Clem approached Alaric, her eyes filled with gratitude and awe. "Thank you, Alaric. You saved us all."
Alaric nodded, feeling a mix of pride and relief. But he knew this was just the beginning. The power of the eclipse was still new, still untested. And he had a feeling that greater challenges awaited.
One of the new guards stepped forward, his expression serious. "There's been unusual activity reported further north. Head towards west city and from there you will get to the academy without anymore trouble. "