The night passed in uneasy silence. Though they had learned of the portal and the brewing war, the group's course remained unchanged. Their destination was the Death Knights' domain, and no distractions—no matter how great—would deter them.
Breaking Camp
As dawn broke, the world stirred with life, yet an eerie tension lingered in the air. Shinryu stretched, his silver hair catching the morning light, golden claw-like markings along his jaw gleaming with celestial radiance. The damp scent of earth from last night's rain clung to the wind.
Nearby, Raikai tightened the straps of his weapon harness, his muscles tense.
Shinryu: "Still thinking about that portal?"
Raikai exhaled sharply. "Of course. A war's about to break out, and we're just walking away from it. But..." He cracked his knuckles. "We've already chosen our path. The Death Knights' training is what we need to get stronger. There's no point rushing into a war without being prepared."
Xue Mor approached, arms crossed, her expression composed but firm. "Agreed. If Phoenix Cry truly falls under attack, it won't be over in a day. If anything, this is a warning—things are accelerating. Whatever happens, we need to be ready."
Perched on the wooden railing of the inn's entrance, Shin Keilan smirked. "Then let's not waste time. The faster we reach the Death Knights, the faster we return stronger than before."
With their course set, they gathered supplies and resumed their journey.
---
On the Road
Traveling deeper into the wilderness, the terrain became rougher. The road to the Death Knights' domain was not well-traveled; only those seeking brutal trials dared to make this journey.
By midday, they arrived at an abandoned outpost, its wooden gates barely standing, banners tattered by time.
Torra Yun: "This used to be a checkpoint leading toward the Death Nights. Looks like it hasn't been used in years."
Shin Keilan crouched, examining the ground. "Footsteps. Some fresh, some old. We're not the only ones heading this way."
Xue Mor narrowed her eyes. "That means we could run into competitors... or worse."
Shinryu nodded, adjusting his gauntlet-style Eternal Arms. "Then we stay sharp."
As they moved past the ruins, the feeling of being watched gnawed at them. Something—or someone—was tracking them. And they were getting closer.
The usual sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong had vanished, replaced by an unsettling stillness.
Shin Keilan suddenly stopped, his serpent-like pupils narrowing. "We're being followed."
Raikai's lips curled into a grin. "Took them long enough. I was starting to think this would be a peaceful trip."
Torra Yun rolled his shoulders, his muscles tensing like coiled steel. "If they wanted an ambush, they'd have struck already. They're waiting for something."
Xue Mor crouched, touching the dirt. The faintest trace of disturbed earth ran along the edges of the path. "They're experienced. Moving in formations, staying out of sight. Whoever they are, they know what they're doing."
Shinryu exhaled. "Then let's set the stage ourselves."
---
The Ambush
Rather than walking blindly into the trap, the group took cover in the dense underbrush, blending into the shadows. Minutes passed. Then, figures emerged from the trees—six of them, clad in dark armor, their weapons already drawn.
Mercenary Leader: "Damn. They're cautious."
A second man, a thin figure with a jagged scar across his cheek, sneered. "Doesn't matter. We were paid to slow them down, not kill them. Just keep them busy."
Raikai cracked his knuckles. "You hear that? They're underestimating us."
Shin Keilan's voice was a whisper. "We hit them fast. No mercy."
With no warning, Shinryu shot forward like a streak of white and gold, his claws flashing as they slashed toward the nearest enemy. The man barely had time to react before he was sent crashing into a tree, blood spraying from his chest.
At the same time, Raikai spun his twin chains, the bladed fangs at their ends whistling as they lashed out, wrapping around an enemy's weapon and yanking it away. He followed up with a crushing knee to the man's ribs, the crack of bone echoing through the trees.
Torra Yun, unmovable as a mountain, met two enemies head-on, their blades striking his Iron Body cultivation with little effect. With a roar, he swung both tonfas in a brutal arc, sending both men sprawling.
From above, a faint whistle cut through the air. Meilin Zhen's mini crossbows struck true, her bolts sinking into the last enemy's shoulder. The mercenary cried out, only to be silenced as Xue Mor's wire-daggers wrapped around his throat, tightening until his breath ceased.
The fight was over before it even began.
---
Interrogation
The only survivor, the scar-faced man, gasped for air as Shinryu pressed a clawed hand against his throat.
Shinryu: "Who sent you?"
The man spat blood, laughing despite his situation. "You think I'll talk? You don't know who you're dealing with."
Shin Keilan's foot pressed down on the man's arm, his voice cold. "You're mercenaries. That means you work for coin, not loyalty. Talk, and we might let you live."
The man hesitated, then grinned. "Doesn't matter. You're heading to the Death Knights, aren't you? Then you're already dead. The ones who hired us are already ahead of you."
Raikai frowned. "Ahead? Who?"
The mercenary chuckled darkly. "An old enemy of the Phoenix Cry Empire. And let's just say... they don't plan to let any of you finish the trials."
Shinryu's eyes burned with determination. "Then we'll just have to go through them."
He slashed his claws across the mercenary's throat, ending the conversation.
The path to the Death Knights was growing more dangerous. But nothing would turn them away now.
The Obsidian Heirs
Hours passed as they continued deeper into the Death Knights' domain. The land itself grew more hostile—twisted trees, jagged cliffs, and an unnatural fog blanketing the earth.
Then, they saw them.
At the mouth of a ruined temple stood six warriors, clad in dark robes lined with obsidian armor. Their insignia—a coiling black dragon intertwined with chains—marked them as nobles of the Obsidian Empire, a faction infamous for its brutal warriors and blood-soaked ambition.
At their head stood Hei Xu, his long black hair tied back, his sharp features like sculpted onyx. His eyes gleamed with ruthless amusement.
Hei Xu: "So, the Phoenix Cry dogs finally show themselves."
Next to him, Yan Mei, a deadly woman draped in shadow-like silks, smirked. "I expected more from the children of legends."
Raikai's grip on his chains tightened. "And I expected less from the Obsidian Empire. What do you want?"
Hei Xu stepped forward, his Eternal Arms—a jagged spear laced with shadow energy—resting on his shoulder. "The same as you. But unlike you… we don't plan to let you leave alive."
The battle for dominance had begun.