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

The chamber where Garuk the Bloodhorn fell was now silent, the only sound being the dripping of dark blood onto the cold stone. The three assassins stood over his corpse, catching their breath.

Seraphis wiped a streak of blood from her cheek and turned toward the massive doors leading deeper into the dungeon. “That was just the first guardian. We have a long way to go.”

Elowen rolled her shoulders. “Then let’s keep moving. No sense in waiting around for something worse to show up.”

Sylvaine exhaled, gripping her staff. "Three more floors before we rest. Stay sharp."

With that, they pressed forward, deeper into the abyss.

Floor 11 – The Swarm of Shadows

The moment they stepped into the next chamber, the temperature plummeted.

A vast cavern stretched before them, lined with stalactites that dripped with an eerie, glowing liquid. Strange, black mist coiled along the floor, shifting as though it were alive.

Then, the mist moved.

Dozens—no, hundreds of shadowy figures emerged from the fog. Their eyes gleamed crimson, and their bodies were translucent, flickering between existence and nothingness.

“Wraiths,” Sylvaine muttered, gripping her staff. "They drain life on contact. Don't let them touch you."

Before anyone could respond, the swarm rushed forward.

Seraphis flicked her wrist, sending her metal playing cards flying. They cut through the wraiths, but instead of falling, the creatures simply reformed, hissing as they closed in.

Elowen cursed. "They’re regenerating!"

Sylvaine’s eyes narrowed. “Then we need to use magic.”

She raised her staff, chanting under her breath. A sudden gust of wind tore through the chamber, gathering into a powerful vortex. The wraiths screeched as the magic-infused wind ripped through them, their bodies dispersing into nothingness.

Seraphis and Elowen moved in tandem, carving through the remaining wraiths while Sylvaine purified them with wind magic.

Within minutes, the chamber fell silent.

Elowen exhaled. “That was a nightmare.”

Seraphis nodded. “Let’s keep going.”

Floor 12 – The Titan's Gauntlet

As they descended, the air became thicker, the very walls of the dungeon shifting as if alive.

A deep rumble shook the ground, and from the darkness emerged a monstrous figure.

A stone golem the size of a fortress stood before them. Its arms were as thick as trees, and each step it took caused the ground to tremble.

A deep, guttural voice echoed through the chamber. “Intruders. You shall not pass.”

Without hesitation, the golem slammed its massive fists down, aiming to crush them.

Seraphis darted to the side, avoiding the impact as the ground shattered beneath the force.

Elowen moved like a ghost, her daggers scraping against the golem’s rocky surface—but they barely left a mark.

Sylvaine narrowed her eyes. “Physical attacks won’t work! We need to hit its core.”

Seraphis glanced up and saw it—a faint blue glow deep within the golem’s chest.

That was the weak point.

She whispered a command, and her metal cards morphed into thin, piercing needles.

With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward, piercing straight through the golem’s chest.

The creature staggered, its movements slowing.

Elowen saw her chance.

With blinding speed, she leapt onto the golem’s arm, using it as a foothold to climb higher.

Sylvaine raised her staff. "I'll break its defenses!"

A powerful wind blast struck the golem, forcing its chest open—revealing the glowing core inside.

Elowen plunged her dagger straight into it.

The golem let out a deafening roar, its body crumbling into dust.

Silence returned.

Elowen landed gracefully, exhaling. "That was exhausting."

Seraphis nodded. "One more floor before we rest."

Floor 13 – The Crimson Fang Pack

The next chamber was a massive forest, dense with thick trees and glowing red vines.

But the real threat lay ahead.

A pack of massive, blood-red wolves prowled in the distance, their eyes gleaming with hunger.

Seraphis barely had time to react before the leader—an Alpha twice the size of the others—charged.

Its fangs snapped inches from her throat, but she twisted out of the way, slashing with her cards.

Elowen moved in, her daggers flashing as she engaged two wolves at once.

Sylvaine raised her staff, sending arcs of lightning crashing down, electrocuting several of the beasts.

But the Alpha was relentless.

It lunged at Sylvaine, claws extended—

Seraphis intercepted, her cards forming into a blade that severed one of its legs.

The beast howled in pain but refused to fall.

Elowen appeared behind it, her daggers plunging into its skull.

The Alpha collapsed.

With their leader dead, the remaining wolves hesitated.

Sylvaine took the opportunity, releasing a final gust of razor-sharp wind, slicing through them all.

And then—silence.

Seraphis exhaled. “That’s enough for today.”

Setting Up Camp

They found a small alcove near the exit of the floor.

Sylvaine set up a protective barrier around them, ensuring nothing could ambush them in their rest.

Seraphis gathered dry wood, lighting a small fire.

Elowen took out some dried rations, passing them around. "We need to recover our strength. The next floors will only get harder."

Seraphis nodded, staring into the flames. They had come far, but the dungeon still had many dangers ahead.

For now, they would rest.

Tomorrow, they would continue the descent—toward the second guardian.