The air grew thick with darkness, an oppressive weight pressing down on Ethan's shoulders. He could barely see beyond a few feet, the once grand dungeon chamber now swallowed by Aldric's domain. The only source of light came from the faint flickering of his own aura, struggling against the abyss.
Aldric's voice echoed through the void, laced with cruel amusement. "No one's ever escaped my domain alive, Ethan."
Ethan flexed his fingers, his body tense. His passive abilities flickered across his mind, each one a tool waiting to be used. Titan's Ascent: 75%. Crimson Resolve: 55%. Iron Stride (Phantom Step): Fully Mastered.
"I don't need to escape." Ethan's voice was steady. "I just need to break you."
Aldric appeared out of the shadows like a specter, his fist cutting through the air at blinding speed. Ethan barely managed to raise his arm in time, bracing for impact. The blow sent shockwaves rippling through the domain, his bones groaning under the sheer force.
But he didn't falter. Iron Grip activated instantly, his feet digging into the ground as he locked his stance. He absorbed the impact and retaliated with a devastating counterpunch to Aldric's ribs.
Aldric staggered back, his smirk faltering for the first time.
Ethan exhaled sharply. He's strong, but not invincible.
Aldric recovered quickly, summoning a mass of black chains from the void. They writhed like living serpents, slashing through the darkness and aiming for Ethan's limbs.
Ethan dodged with Phantom Step, his body flickering in and out of existence, narrowly avoiding the deadly binds. He landed a few feet away, fists clenched. He needed to find the core of Aldric's domain—every domain had a weakness.
He scanned the space, noticing the faintest shimmer in the distance, a small disturbance in the otherwise seamless void.
"There you are," Ethan muttered.
Aldric's eyes narrowed. "What are you—"
Ethan didn't give him a chance to finish. With Iron Stride, he launched himself forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet as he blitzed past Aldric, heading straight for the disturbance.
Aldric cursed, his hands weaving another set of chains, but Ethan was faster. He spun mid-air, dodging the onslaught and slammed his fist into the core of the domain.
The void trembled.
Aldric roared in rage as the domain started to fracture, cracks of light piercing through the darkness.
Ethan grinned. Found it.
But Aldric wasn't done. Dark energy exploded from his body, his rage manifesting in a desperate final assault.
"You think I'll let you walk away alive?" Aldric bellowed, his body contorting as he tapped into his full power. His muscles swelled, his aura burning black, veins pulsating with raw energy.
Ethan readied himself, rolling his shoulders. He could feel his passive skills pushing him forward, his body adapting to the chaos. He had never been one to retreat.
The final clash was imminent.
One of them wasn't leaving this dungeon alive.
To be continued…