Tianlei stood in the heart of the abandoned village, the air heavy with dust and the scent of rot. His golden armor shimmered beneath the moonlight, the polished metal gleaming with a fierce glow, as though alive with anticipation. The village had once thrived with life, but now it was nothing more than a graveyard of broken stone, crumbling homes, and decaying wood. In the distance, the wind howled, carrying whispers from long-forgotten souls.
The ground beneath Tianlei's feet cracked as his boots sank slightly into the dirt. His dual swords—the Crimson Flame and Blue Inferno—were tightly gripped in both hands, their fiery auras swirling in the dead air. The Crimson Flame, a sword that burned with rage and unrelenting heat, and the Blue Inferno, a blade that cut through the very air with precision and cold fury. These blades were not mere weapons—they were an extension of his soul, and in this moment, they burned with a vengeance.
The monster stood across from him, towering and monstrous, its grotesque form cutting through the moonlit haze like a dark nightmare come to life. It was a twisted creation, its body emaciated, its muscles stretched taut beneath its flesh, as if barely held together by the sinews of its form. Standing at least eight feet tall, the creature's four legs were like the limbs of a spider, each one ending in razor-sharp claws. It crouched low, its posture predator-like, waiting, watching. Chains rattled around its body, ancient, rusted metal winding around its form, the cages that hung from the chains swaying as if disturbed by some unseen torment.
The monster's face was the most horrifying aspect of its form. It was not a face at all, but a massive, jagged bone plate, covering where its features should have been. A slit ran down the center of the plate, deep and dark, and from within, a low, guttural growl emanated. The slit flared open as the creature let out a terrible scream—its voice like that of a tortured soul. There was no humanity in this thing. It was an executioner, a punisher, and a soul collector.
Tianlei's golden armor clattered as he shifted his stance, his body poised for action. He was ready. The time for hesitation had passed. His hands clenched the hilts of his swords, the flames dancing with each breath he took.
The battlefield was set.
With a shriek that split the air, the monster surged forward. Its spider-like legs propelled it toward Tianlei with astonishing speed, its claws reaching for his throat. The chains on its body rattled like the sound of death itself, and the metal cages swung ominously in the air. Tianlei's mind was sharp, his senses heightened. He had already predicted its movement.
Clang!
The monster's clawed limbs struck first, aiming for Tianlei's golden chest. With the flash of his crimson blade, he parried the blow, the intense heat from the sword clashing against the creature's brutal force. The force of the strike sent ripples of shock through Tianlei's arms, but he stood firm, using the momentum to pivot and slash his blue sword toward the creature's exposed flank.
But the monster was quick—too quick. It spun on its feet, its long arms reaching out, grabbing the chains and swinging them like whips. Tianlei barely had time to react as one of the rusted chains wrapped around his arm, pulling him off balance. The weight of the cages at the ends of the chains crashed toward him, but Tianlei gritted his teeth and used his Wrath swordsmanship to shift his center of gravity. He swung his Crimson Flame sword in an arc, igniting the air around him with a burst of flame that cut through the metal chain.
The chain shattered, but the monster was relentless. It roared in fury, the cages rattling violently as it raised its massive arms, one hand swinging the chains toward Tianlei in a deadly arc. Tianlei reacted quickly, sidestepping, the Blue Inferno slashing forward with a controlled, precise strike. The blade cut through the air, but the monster twisted its body, narrowly avoiding the deadly blade. Still, the heat from Tianlei's crimson sword left a scorching mark across its side, sizzling the air around them.
Tianlei knew he had to act fast. He could feel the weight of his armor, the slow burn of exhaustion creeping into his limbs. But the Wrath swordsmanship flowed through him, and his movements became instinctive, fluid, and precise. His body was no longer just reacting—he was commanding the battle. The Crimson Flame roared to life as he swung it again, creating a wide, explosive arc that bathed the area in red light. The monster ducked, its spider-like legs skittering backward, but Tianlei wasn't finished.
He dashed forward, his golden armor gleaming in the fading light as he closed the distance between them. With a roar, Tianlei thrust the Blue Inferno forward, its tip igniting in a flash of blue flame. The blade penetrated deep into the monster's side, tearing through its thin flesh and bone. The monster let out a deafening scream, its body jerking as it staggered back, blood dripping from the wound.
But the creature was far from defeated.
With an unholy howl, the monster lashed out with its claws, slashing toward Tianlei's face. He ducked just in time, the claws grazing across the golden plate of his helmet, but not piercing it. Tianlei's heart raced as he spun to the side, his Wrath swordsmanship giving him the speed and precision he needed to avoid the attack. His swords were a blur—Crimson Flame cutting wide, and Blue Inferno flicking in with deadly accuracy.
The flames from his swords were not just destructive; they were an extension of his wrath, of the anger and fire that burned within him. As Tianlei advanced, he used the Crimson Flame to create a sweeping arc of fire that forced the monster to retreat. The heat from the blade scorched the air, filling the battlefield with a suffocating, oppressive heat. The monster's exposed skin crackled as it backed away, the burns from Tianlei's flames starting to take their toll.
But it wasn't over yet. The monster's desperation grew as it charged again, its limbs moving with terrifying speed, its chains swinging wildly. Tianlei grinned, the fire in his heart matching the flames of his blades. This time, he wasn't going to retreat.
With a single, explosive movement, Tianlei leaped into the air, both swords raised high. The Blue Inferno glowed with an icy fury, while the Crimson Flame blazed with the intensity of a wildfire. As he descended, he swung both swords down in a massive, vertical slash, the flames from his blades converging in a single, deadly force.
The monster tried to block with its chains, but it was too late. Tianlei's swords cleaved through the air like a storm, cutting through the chains, slicing deep into the monster's ribcage. The creature howled, a final scream that echoed through the night. Its body spasmed as the combined force of the Crimson Flame and Blue Inferno exploded outward in a burst of heat and light.
The explosion of fire and energy lit up the entire village. The monster's body crumpled, its skeletal frame breaking apart as the flames consumed it from within. The rusted chains and cages fell to the ground, their clattering sound a harsh echo in the silence that followed.
Tianlei stood over the fallen creature, his chest heaving with exertion, his golden armor singed and scorched. The flames from his swords had died down, but the heat still hung heavy in the air. The monster was gone, its body reduced to ash and charred bones.
Tianlei lowered his swords, his hands trembling slightly from the intensity of the battle. He had faced down a creature of unimaginable horror, and he had emerged victorious. The village around him was silent now, the haunting presence of the monster vanquished. Tianlei's heart still pounded in his chest, his senses still sharp from the adrenaline of the fight.
He stood alone in the desolate ruins, the weight of his victory settling over him. The power of the Wrath swordsmanship had carried him through, had given him the edge to defeat the Warden. And as the wind howled once more through the empty village.
The crimson screen flickered in the air, its cold text appearing before Tianlei's eyes.
[You have successfully slain the Emaciated Warden. You have received 2500 peaks.]
Tianlei turned slowly, his golden armor creaking with the motion, and looked toward Selene Arclight. She stood there, her eyes glistening, a soft shimmer of tears reflecting the moonlight. Her face was pale, but it was clear that something had shifted in her expression—something that spoke volumes of emotions unspoken.
He took a few steps toward her, the heavy weight of battle still lingering on his shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low but carrying a deep concern.
Selene didn't speak at first. Instead, she wiped her eyes quickly, as if not wanting him to notice the tears. But Tianlei had already seen them. He stepped closer, his gaze softening.
"Yes," she finally replied, the single word heavy with meaning. As she said it, her cheeks flushed a faint crimson, her emotions betraying her calm exterior. She moved toward him, closing the distance between them, though her face still held the lingering warmth of the battle they had just faced together.
Tianlei sheathed his swords in a single fluid motion, the familiar hum of the blades slipping away into their storage space. He could feel the heat of their flames, but he had no need to wield them further now. The battle was over.
Selene noticed the motion and tilted her head in slight confusion. "Why did you store your swords?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Tianlei chuckled softly, though there was an edge of seriousness to his reply. "It's not that I wanted to store them. If I use both of my swords together, it triggers a cooldown of 72 hours before I can wield them again. I can't afford that time right now."
A moment of silence passed between them as Selene took in his explanation. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, perhaps in disbelief at the power he held. She took a small step closer, her breath catching in the still night air.
Tianlei's heart skipped a beat as she closed the space between them, her movements steady and deliberate. Before he could react, Selene placed both hands gently on his chest, her palms warm against his armor. Her touch sent a jolt through him, a heat he couldn't ignore. "Can you close your eyes for a moment?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with something he couldn't place.
Tianlei's breath hitched. His face reddened immediately, his heartbeat surging wildly in his chest. Selene felt it too, her hands pressing lightly against him, as if sensing his every reaction.
"Why?" he stammered, though his voice was thick with uncertainty. "What's happening?"
Selene didn't immediately answer. Instead, she leaned in closer, her breath mingling with his. "I just want to say thank you," she murmured, her words soft and sincere. "For saving me… for everything."
Tianlei's face flushed deeper, his body frozen in place. He had no words for the rush of emotions that hit him all at once—pride, confusion, joy. He nodded, unable to speak in the moment, and with no further hesitation, he shut his eyes.
Selene took this as her cue. Slowly, she leaned in, her lips barely brushing his ear as she came even closer. Her breath was warm against his skin, and Tianlei's pulse raced faster with every inch that brought her nearer.
Selene was still close to Tianlei, her presence intoxicating, her touch lingering against his chest. His eyes were closed, his heart racing, and his face flushed a deep red. He was so close to her, his awareness consumed by the heat of the moment. He didn't see the transformation that began in her—didn't feel the shift in her presence until it was too late.
Her lower jaw began to extend, an eerie, unnatural length growing as her teeth sharpened into deadly points. Her mouth opened wide, too wide, stretching as if made for devouring. Tianlei, his eyes still closed in innocence, didn't perceive the change until it was upon him. Her tongue, now long and snakelike, snaked out and coiled around him, wrapping him in an almost affectionate grip before he could register the danger.
Her eyes, once soft and full of emotion, turned completely black—empty, void-like, staring down at him with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. The warmth of her presence was gone, replaced by something darker, something predatory. The transformation was swift, almost seamless. He was too enamored with the moment, too lost in the gentle touch of her hands, to notice the horrific change in her.
Then, without warning, her monstrous jaw descended. Tianlei felt a sudden pressure on his face, the sharp, jagged teeth sinking into his flesh, the pain flooding his senses too quickly for him to react. The moment he had been lost in, the blush on his face, all of it shattered as he realized what was happening.
Her teeth gnawed deeper, ripping through his skin, tearing at the very structure of his face. His blood poured from the open wounds, splattering against the ground, a fountain of red. Tianlei's body went rigid in pain, but the confusion of what was happening—of Selene, the one he had trusted, now turned into something grotesque—left him paralyzed.
The agony was immense, his flesh being shredded away, but his mind was overwhelmed by the brutal reality of it. Selene's mouth continued to tear into him, dragging the skin, the muscle, and even the bone with terrifying precision. The world around him blurred as he struggled to understand what was happening, his heartbeat slowing, and his vision dimming.
Blood sprayed from his face like a crimson waterfall, staining the ground beneath them. Tianlei tried to scream, but the pain rendered him silent. The weight of Selene's presence was too much, her grip too strong. As the life drained from him, Tianlei's body gave out, collapsing onto the cold, unforgiving earth. He didn't have the strength to resist, the shock and pain overwhelming him as he crumpled, his face unrecognizable.
His last breath escaped him in a final, quiet gasp. Selene's monstrous form loomed over him as he lay motionless on the ground, his life snuffed out in a moment of terror.
Tianlei was dead.