Eros stood amidst the bodies of the guards, the fortress floor stained with blood, the Blades of Chaos dripping crimson. The main entrance was a slaughterhouse, littered with broken armor and twisted spears. His breath was heavy, but the Blades of Chaos vibrated at his belt, their energy pulsing in sync with his divine heart. He'd cleared the entrance in minutes, each strike a testament to his growing power. But he was only getting started.
He plunged into the fortress's dark corridors, the rough stone walls etched with scenes of war and carnage. The air reeked of metal and sweat, flickering torches casting dancing shadows. The Blades of Chaos, still in hand, seemed to anticipate his every move, as if alive. Eros advanced, his steps swift and silent, his black Spartan toga clinging to his golden muscles, streaked with enemy blood.
A group of five bronze-armored guards burst from a side corridor, wielding flaming spears. Eros smirked, activating Lightning Strike. In a blink, he was on them, black blades slicing through the air at inhuman speed. Two heads rolled before the others could react. "Too slow, assholes," he growled, dodging a spear that whistled past his face. He triggered Rage, a surge of raw power flooding his muscles. In a fluid motion, he cut down the remaining three, their armor crumpling like paper. Blood sprayed, splattering his toga, but he paid it no mind, pressing forward without pause.
Further in, a larger chamber opened, guarded by a captain and his men. The captain, a bearded giant with a double-bladed axe, roared a challenge. "You're the fallen one, huh? Pan's gonna crush you!" Eros raised an eyebrow, a sinister smile curling his lips. "We'll see who crushes who," he replied. He activated Counterblow, letting the captain's axe swing down. The blades absorbed the impact, their black runes flaring, and he unleashed a black bolt that obliterated the captain, his chest exploding in a spray of blood. The other guards charged, but Eros danced between them, his blades carving through flesh and armor with deadly precision. In seconds, the chamber was silent, strewn with bodies.
[Progress: 50% of the fortress infiltrated]
Note: Ares' lieutenants await. Stay sharp, fallen.
Eros smirked. "Lieutenants, my ass. They're all going down." He pressed on, navigating tighter corridors where guards grew more numerous and skilled. A squad of ten tried to surround him, their spears forming a wall of points. Eros activated Lightning Strike, becoming a deadly blur. His blades sliced through spears, then throats, blood painting the walls. Another group ambushed him, hurling flaming javelins from balconies. He used Counterblow, absorbing their energy and unleashing a black explosion that collapsed the balcony, crushing the attackers.
Each step brought him closer to the fortress's heart. Bodies piled up, the stench of blood thick in the air. Eros felt his divine body thrum, fueled by adrenaline and the blades' power. But he stayed cautious, knowing Ares' lieutenants and perhaps Ares himself would be a different beast. Finally, he reached a vast chamber, its walls adorned with warrior frescoes and hanging weapons. At its center, on a crude stone throne, sat Pan, the god of the wilds, his flute beside him, a massive iron-and-wood mace in his hands.
"So, you came," Pan said, his voice rough, his satyr eyes glinting with feral light. He rose slowly, grabbing his mace a monstrous weapon that looked capable of crushing mountains.
Eros planted his blades in the ground, crossing his arms, a mocking grin on his lips. "Told you I'd show up, Pan. I'm here to take down you and your Olympian buddies."
Pan chuckled, his hooves clacking on the stone floor. "Still as cocky, fallen one. But you're in my domain now." Without another word, he charged, mace raised, swinging with force that shook the air. Eros reacted in a flash, drawing the Blades of Chaos and blocking the strike. The blades absorbed the impact, their black runes flaring, and a crater formed beneath his feet, the stone cracking with a rumble. Eros grunted under the pressure, muscles straining, but he held firm, shoving Pan's weapon back with a snarl.
"Not bad for a goat," he taunted, voice dripping with defiance. He spun, activating Lightning Strike, the black blades whistling as they aimed for Pan's flank. The forest god dodged, faster than he looked, and countered with a mace swing that grazed Eros's head. The ground shook again, and Eros leaped back, blades ready.
The interface flickered:
[Quest: Defeat Pan, Ares' Lieutenant]
Objective: Eliminate Pan to weaken Ares' camp.
Reward: +150 charisma points, Blades of Chaos enhancement.
Penalty: Death.
Eros smirked, his eyes blazing with feral intensity. "You're done, Pan." He activated Rage, a surge of raw power flooding his body. His blades blurred, striking at inhuman speed. Pan blocked several blows with his mace, but Eros was too fast. One blade slashed Pan's arm, black blood spurting. Pan roared, charging again, but Eros used Counterblow, absorbing the attack and unleashing a black bolt that struck Pan's chest. The god staggered, breath cut short, but didn't fall.
"You're tough," Eros growled, panting but resolute. He chained Lightning Strike with Divine Touch, his blades trailing gold and black. Pan howled, a deep gash marking his chest, but he countered with a mace swing that forced Eros to retreat, his feet sliding on the cracked floor.
Fatigue began to weigh, the Blades of Chaos' drain creeping in. Eros gritted his teeth, knowing he had to end it fast. He lunged at Pan, activating Rage one last time. His blades descended, one aiming for the throat, the other the heart. Pan blocked the first, but the second sank into his chest, black blood gushing.