He inhaled slowly, feeling the dry air sear his lungs. Fighting through both forces would be suicide. But skirting them? Possible. Dangerous, but possible.
Nyxaris pressed against his side, speaking into his mind. "We must move before they scent us. The bloodshed will soon taint the very sands."
Adrian nodded, drawing the small dagger he had and coated it with shadow to protect it from breaking, shadow energy danced on the dagger's blade, its edge dark and flickering. Deadly enough for now. Keeping low, Adrian slipped between the warring camps, the rising sounds of battle serving as perfect cover. He darted from shadow to shadow, sand crunching softly beneath his boots. He almost made it.
A vampire scout, his armor gleaming in the moonlight, turned suddenly, catching a glimpse of Adrian's movement. A shout tore from his throat, alerting others. Adrian cursed under his breath.
"So much for stealth."
The scout moved with inhuman speed, hurling a spear crackling with blood essence. Adrian parried and ducked instinctively, the weapon grazing the air where his head had been moments before. Sand exploded into the air behind him. Nyxaris growled and launched himself at the attacker. Adrien noticed his dagger was on the verge of breaking down and had no choice than to place it away.
Adrian summoned a temporary blade using Umbral Construct, feeling the familiar drain of energy. He only had moments before the weapon would dissolve. The vampire lunged, talon-like fingers aiming for Adrian's throat. Adrian twisted, slashing across the vampire's side. The construct hissed on impact, leaving a burning gash.
Nyxaris struck next, fangs flashing as he clamped down on the vampire's leg, dragging him to the sand. With a final effort, Adrian plunged the blade into the vampire's heart. The creature convulsed, letting out a keening wail before crumbling into ash. Panting, Adrian stumbled back.
[ Enemy defeated. +700 exp]
"Is it me or the exp i recieve from kills has dropped?" Said Adrien, feeling no remorse for the vampire he had killed. "One down." Around him, the dunes seemed to pulse with anger. Shadows stirred on the edges of the battlefield. More would come.
"We need to keep moving," Adrian muttered, wiping sweat and blood from his brow. Nyxaris merely growled in agreement. Ahead, the ruins of the Temple shimmered in the fading light, like a beacon calling them forward.