The corrupted world inside the Ruins of Never-ending Dreams had become a battlefield of chaos. Every corner, every terrain, every breath of air was thick with darkness and tension. Yet amid the fear and uncertainty, the warriors fought on, each group in their own field of battle.
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Third Terrain
In the forest where even the trees had turned hostile, the fight was fierce and wild. The corrupted Nightclaw, moved with terrifying speed. Its sleek body shimmered with black mist, and its glowing purple eyes followed every movement like a predator enjoying the hunt. Around it, twisted vines and thorned branches lashed out from the corrupted trees, attacking anyone who came close.
Lucien stood at the front, his crystallized fire spear burning with brilliant blue and orange flames. Each strike was precise ,when he moved, it was like watching a dancer of flame. Lunis, the Bluemoon Wolf, darted beside him, his fur glowing under the faint light. Whenever Lucien thrust his spear, Lunis mirrored him, their attacks blending perfectly , one of fire and one of moonlight.
The two worked as if their hearts shared a single rhythm. When Lucien spun his spear to parry the panther's claws, Lunis leapt from the side, biting into its leg and pulling it down. Blue flames and moonlight collided, forming bursts of radiant light that pushed back the spreading darkness.
Behind them, Adriana swung her massive hammer with terrifying power. Each blow crushed corrupted roots and beasts alike, sending shockwaves through the ground. The weight of her weapon didn't slow her down; instead, she moved as if the hammer was a part of her body. Every time she struck, a cloud of black mist scattered in the air.
Adrian, calm and collected, stayed just behind the frontline. His glowing sword flashed again and again as he cut through anything that got too close. But what made him invaluable wasn't just his precision , it was his ability to see a few moments ahead.
"Lucien, left side, incoming from the roots!" he warned, his voice clear even through the roar of battle.
Lucien turned just in time, blocking a whip-like branch that would have pierced his shoulder. "Got it!" he replied sharply before countering with a fiery spin that burned the corrupted roots to ash.
Adriana smashed through a fallen tree that had come alive, splitting it in half with one strike. "These things just don't stop coming!" she shouted, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"They will," Adrian said, his eyes glowing faintly as he foresaw another attack. "Two more, from the mist!"
Lunis growled, his silver fur flaring brighter. The wolf leapt high, slamming down with a wave of pale light that blew away the dark fog, revealing the two panther-like beasts preparing to pounce. Lucien didn't hesitate, he thrust his spear, blue fire erupting forward in a line that engulfed both beasts at once.
For a moment, the corrupted forest stood still. The dark mist faded, and only their heavy breathing remained.
Lucien twirled his spear, resting it against his shoulder. "Looks like that's done."
Adriana grinned. "For now. Let's hope the others are doing just as fine."
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Fourth Terrain
At the pond's edge, chaos had its own rhythm. The water had turned thick and black, bubbling like boiling tar. From it emerged monsters, twisted reflections of aquatic life.
The first was Shellcrush, a massive crab with jagged armor that gleamed like iron. The second, Mudscale, a bloated turtle whose cracked shell leaked dark ooze. Then came Whipfin, a long catfish-like creature with fins that lashed like blades, and finally Croakbane, a monstrous frog whose belly pulsed with strange light before spitting acid.
Alex stood at the front, gripping his colossal pickaxe, his body surrounded by a storm of sand and wind. He swung the weapon with brute strength, smashing through Shellcrush's claws. The impact shook the ground, sending debris flying everywhere.
Sera stood behind him, her hands glowing with the soft green light of nature magic. "Hold them still, Alex!" she shouted.
"Already on it!" he replied, slamming his pickaxe into the ground. A wave of sand rose, trapping the beasts' legs momentarily. Sera's vines burst out of the soil, wrapping around the trapped creatures and tightening with immense force.
The beasts thrashed and roared, trying to break free, but Sera's control over nature was precise. The vines hardened, and roots from the corrupted trees joined in, forming a massive cage.
Clara stood a little behind, focusing her magic. Her wand glowed softly as waves of warm light spread through the team. "Boosting your strength , and speed!" she said gently. The light wrapped around Alex like a shield, making his swings faster, his movements sharper.
Roland stayed close to the two mages, watching for any surprise attack. When Croakbane leapt toward Clara, he moved instantly, punching the frog mid-air with enough force to shatter its bones. The impact sent it crashing into the water, lifeless.
"Nice one," Sera said without looking back.
Roland smiled faintly. "Just keeping our healer safe."
Alex's pickaxe glowed as he gathered energy into it. He spun once, then slammed it down, creating a massive burst of sand and wind that tore through the enemies. The turtle roared as its shell cracked apart; the crab was flung into the air and smashed onto the rocks.
Clara used another spell, healing minor cuts and burns that appeared on Alex's arms. "Be careful, don't overdo it."
He nodded, breathing heavily but grinning.
The water around them grew still. Only the broken bodies of the corrupted beasts remained. The group took a short breath, knowing this battle was just one of many yet to come.
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Fifth Terrain
Farther away, the open landscape was a war zone of dust and destruction. The grass was brown and black, the air thick with the smell of smoke. Massive beasts roamed here, Ironhoof, a bull-like monster with horns made of blackened steel, and Blazehide, a horse-like beast with a mane of crimson fire. Above them, the Mournwings circled endlessly, shrieking through the dark sky.
Rok charged first, swinging his crowbar wreathed in wind and sand. Each strike created slicing gusts that tore chunks of flesh from the beasts. Doran followed close, his hammer Moltenheart blazing with molten energy, each hit sending waves of heat through the battlefield.
Tovern, wild as ever, laughed as he smashed his gauntlets into anything in sight, dust and energy bursting with every punch. His movements were reckless but effective, he fought like a storm given form.
Movern and Gepa, standing a few steps behind, watched calmly. Movern's katana gleamed as he cut down any Mournwing that dared approach. His movements were swift, precise, his focus unbroken. Gepa analyzed everything , every enemy's motion, every opening ,and used his thunder magic to strike down those that slipped past the front line.
"Those three…" Gepa said quietly, shaking his head. "They're like a disaster given shape."
Movern gave a faint smile beneath his calm expression. "Makes you wonder… who are the real beasts here?"
Rok and Doran seemed to be competing, their voices echoing through the battlefield.
"Three for me!" Rok shouted, knocking another Mournwing from the sky.
"Four!" Doran countered, smashing Ironhoof's skull with a single blow.
Tovern, grinning madly, slammed both fists into the ground, creating a shockwave that threw Blazehide off its feet. "Then I'll take all of them!" he yelled.
The air shook with the sound of battle, thunder, flame, and laughter mixing together. Despite the chaos, none of them looked exhausted, if anything, they seemed to grow more alive with each passing second.
Movern exhaled slowly, wiping the blade of his katana. "Unbelievable… they're still just warming up."
Gepa nodded. "Yeah. But we'll need that energy soon. This ruin's not done with us yet."
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Far away, a voice echoed softly, filled with irritation.
"As I thought," the figure muttered. "Those beasts aren't going to be enough for them… ughhh."