"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

The echoes of battle still lingered in the colosseum as Seraphis, Elowen, and Sylvaine stepped forward, their breaths steady but their bodies tense.

The Minotaur they had just fought lay motionless on the stone floor, its axe buried in the dust beside it. But the moment they crossed the threshold into the next chamber, a suffocating presence filled the air.

The torches lining the walls flickered violently, casting long, eerie shadows across the massive arena ahead. The chamber was far grander than the last, its architecture carved from obsidian stone, towering statues of ancient warriors lining the edges.

At the far end of the room, seated on an ornate stone throne, was a colossal Minotaur, far larger than the one they had just faced. Dark steel armor covered his chest and shoulders, adorned with ancient runes that pulsed with a crimson glow. His horns curved wickedly, almost like a crown, and in his grasp rested a massive halberd, its blade humming with ominous energy.

His golden eyes burned with intelligence.

Unlike the previous Minotaur, this one radiated something more than brute strength—something ancient, something terrifying.

He stood, his heavy hooves cracking the stone beneath him.

“So, you’ve come this far.” His voice rumbled like an earthquake. “I am Garuk the Bloodhorn, the First Guardian of the Abyssal Depths.”

Seraphis's grip tightened on her cards. "Another obstacle."

Garuk smirked. "You misunderstand. I am no mere obstacle. I am your executioner."

With a single stomp, the entire arena trembled.

The battle had begun.

The First Clash: Overwhelming Might

Garuk moved with blinding speed, far too fast for a creature of his size.

He swung his halberd in a sweeping arc, the sheer force of the attack creating a shockwave that tore through the ground, sending stone debris flying.

Seraphis barely managed to flip backward, avoiding the deadly strike as it cleaved through a stone pillar like paper.

Elowen dashed to the side, her daggers flashing, but Garuk read her movement instantly.

He snatched a broken pillar with one hand and hurled it straight at her.

Sylvaine reacted instantly, her hands glowing as she slammed a force barrier in front of Elowen.

The pillar shattered against the barrier, sending shards of rock everywhere.

Seraphis took the opening.

With a flick of her wrist, her metal playing cards shot forward, aiming for Garuk’s throat.

But before they could reach him, his halberd spun with inhuman precision, deflecting every single one.

His golden eyes gleamed. “A clever trick, but not enough.”

The Turning Point: Strategy Over Power

Seraphis narrowed her eyes. He wasn’t just powerful—he was a seasoned warrior.

Elowen wiped blood from a small cut on her cheek. "This guy’s no joke."

Sylvaine gritted her teeth. "Then we stop holding back."

Garuk charged again, his massive form a blur.

But this time, Seraphis anticipated his movement.

She whispered under her breath, activating her illusion ability.

To Garuk, it seemed as if Seraphis had vanished.

His eyes darted, searching for her—but the real Seraphis was already behind him.

With pinpoint precision, she sent two of her metal cards straight into the back of his knee.

A deep wound opened, dark blood spilling onto the floor.

Garuk roared in pain, staggering slightly.

Elowen saw her chance.

With a burst of speed, she lunged at his exposed flank, daggers flashing.

Her blades found their mark, piercing through the gaps in his armor, drawing more blood.

Sylvaine followed up, launching a volley of wind-enhanced needles that buried themselves into Garuk’s shoulder.

He grunted, but then…

He laughed.

Phase Two: The Guardian Awakens

Garuk slammed his halberd into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked them all backward.

“Impressive,” he rumbled, wiping the blood from his mouth. “But I am not so easily felled.”

The runes on his armor flared bright red, and the wounds they had inflicted began to heal before their eyes.

Sylvaine cursed. "He's regenerating!"

Garuk gripped his halberd tighter. The air became heavier, the pressure immense.

Then he disappeared.

For a brief moment, it was as if he had teleported.

And then—

He was behind Seraphis.

A massive fist crashed into her stomach, sending her flying into a pillar with a sickening crack.

She barely had time to register the pain before Garuk was upon her again.

He raised his halberd—aiming to cleave her in two.

But at the last second, Elowen appeared, intercepting the attack with both daggers.

The sheer force sent her skidding backward, her arms trembling from the impact.

Seraphis coughed, forcing herself up. "Damn… he's fast now."

Sylvaine clenched her fists. "Then we finish this—now."

The Final Assault: Death’s Gambit

Seraphis locked eyes with her sisters. They needed to go all out.

She whispered a command to her cards.

They responded instantly, shifting and multiplying into dozens—then hundreds—of razor-sharp blades, forming a storm of steel.

Sylvaine’s hands glowed with pure magical energy, summoning massive torrents of wind.

Elowen coated her daggers in a toxin so potent it melted the stone beneath her.

Garuk smirked. “Show me your true power.”

Seraphis launched her storm of cards, creating a maelstrom of slicing steel.

Garuk spun his halberd, deflecting most of them—but it was a feint.

As he focused on the cards, Elowen blurred behind him, her daggers piercing into his ribs.

He roared—but it was too late.

Sylvaine unleashed her wind magic, turning the storm of cards into a cyclone of death.

The attack ripped into Garuk from all sides.

For a moment, the Minotaur stood, his body trembling.

Then—he fell to one knee.

Blood dripped from his wounds, his golden eyes dimming.

He exhaled sharply, then laughed.

"Magnificent."

Then his body collapsed.

Victory and the Path Forward

The chamber grew silent.

Seraphis wiped the sweat from her brow. "That was… intense."

Elowen sheathed her daggers. "He was just the first guardian."

Sylvaine exhaled. "Three more to go."

Seraphis stepped over Garuk’s fallen body, looking toward the massive stone doors ahead.

Beyond them lay the next challenge.

And the dungeon’s true horrors were just beginning.