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Chapter 18: The second skirmish in Serpents Pass

  "Ebony surveyed the carnage, his mind racing, trying to formulate a plan. His initial instinct was to retrieve his blades and employ hit-and-run tactics, slicing through the centaurs with swift, deadly strikes.

  But then he realized, "Goodness, I must have left them back at the centaur encampment." The distance was too great; there wasn't time to retrieve them. He needed a new strategy.

  He turned to his companions, issuing orders with a sharp, decisive tone. "Alright, extraction. You guys are going to deliver the finishing blows.

  I wish I knew where my beauties were, but since they're likely back at the encampment, I'll create a distraction. Stun them with my elemental abilities while you move in for the kill."

  Both Vicky and Alex nodded in agreement.

  Then Xiao Ling interjected, "After we finished clearing the encampment, they were looting weapons and such. I'm afraid they might have taken one of your blades, they are currently in the Caravan."

  Ebony's face contorted, a mix of surprise and violent fury.

  He roared, "Those filthy, disgusting motherfuckers touched my fucking blades?!"

  Abandoning his initial plan, Ebony charged towards the caravan with blinding speed, intent on retrieving his swords from the Silver Falcons.

  "Ebony, wait! Come back! You didn't take a potion!" Vicky shouted, acid vials still clutched in her hands, as she sprinted after her leader. Alex followed suit, his wand glowing with anticipation. Xiao Ling trailed behind them, trying to keep pace with Ebony's sudden burst of speed."

  Ebony charged towards the centaur encirclement, their arrows raining down on the beleaguered Silver Falcons. He knew he needed to create a significant distraction, a chaotic display that would draw their attention away from the falcons.

  With a series of fluid, spinning kicks, Ebony unleashed blasts of fire and wind, targeting the centaurs’ flanks. Several creatures were struck, their attention momentarily diverted from the Falcons.

  Ebony repeated his attack, a whirlwind of elemental strikes, his movements a blur of motion. The centaurs, though irritated and distracted, retaliated with a volley of arrows, their aim surprisingly accurate.

  Seeing the incoming projectiles, Ebony stomped the ground, sending a wave of earth shards erupting from the earth.

  The jagged stones flew towards the centaurs, striking several.

  One shard struck a centaur in the stomach, dealing 15 damage. The creature recoiled, its eyes widening in shock and pain.

  Ebony, surprised by the effectiveness of the earth shards, realized he had found a vulnerable spot. "So, a soft underbelly," he murmured, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "There's always more than one way to skin a cat."

  He continued his advance, leaping from shard to shard, using them as makeshift platforms to close the distance.

  With a powerful leap, Ebony launched himself at a group of centaurs, unleashing an inferno spin kick that struck one squarely in the back. He landed on the creature’s back, riding it like a wild horse.

  The centaur, enraged, tried to dislodge Ebony, its arms flailing wildly. But Ebony, agile and quick, evaded its grasp.

  Ebony grabbed the centaur’s arms, locking them in place, and pressed his foot against its back, attempting to tame the creature. This only fueled its fury.

  While Ebony created chaos, Alex and Xiao Ling moved in for the kill. Alex, his Pacheco wand glowing, fired a bolt of magical energy, striking a centaur preparing to loose an arrow.

  Xiao Ling, his lunar twins flashing, sliced at the legs of several centaurs, crippling their mobility.

  Vicky, keeping her distance, provided support with her acid vials. She hurled a vial at a centaur, the liquid sizzling and burning, dealing 10 damage.

  Alex, capitalizing on the opening, waved his wand, summoning a dark, shadowy ball of energy. He fired it point-blank at a centaur, the energy wrapping around the creature’s body.

  The centaur, trapped in the dark energy’s grip, struggled helplessly. Xiao Ling, descending from a nearby pine tree, struck the creature with his daggers, dealing a critical 55 damage.

  The centaur collapsed, its head lolling. Alex, raising his Pacheco wand, unleashed a final burst of magical energy, ending the creature’s life (100 XP gained).

  Ebony, still riding the enraged centaur, continued to use his elemental abilities to stun and distract the others while occasionally using earth shards to inflict damage.

  The centaurs, though formidable, were beginning to feel the pressure. Their ranks were thinning, and their focus was fractured.

  However, they were not without their own ferocity. Several centaurs retaliated, their arrows finding their marks, striking Ebony and his companions.

  Alex, despite his magical prowess, took a glancing blow to the arm, while Vicky was grazed by an arrow, the wound stinging.

  Ebony, his face fixated on the Caravan, saw an opportunity for the Silver Falcons to regroup. He released the centaur he was riding, which prompted another to swing at him. Ebony leaped off its back as it swung, using the momentum to kill another centaur in a single swoop.

  He executed an acrobatic flip, landing on the ground and heading straight towards the Caravan to retrieve his blades.

  As he ran, he noticed a half-drunken healing potion in the hands of a dead silver falcon and picked it up, pursued by several centaurs.

  One of the Silver Falcons looked up and saw Ebony running towards them.

  "Hey, look! It's that bard! He came back for us!" the Falcon exclaimed in shock.

  Another snarled, "You dummy, why'd you come back?"

  "Wow, this guy is crazy. He actually came back for us," a third Falcon said.

  "Well, what do you know? I guess he is exactly what he says," another remarked.

  A scrawny-looking Falcon added, "Yeah, I guess no matter what, he intends to save us all, it appears."

  The Silver Falcons started to cheer him on, urging him to hurry. But one shouted, "You're going to get yourself killed!"

  Ebony, a few feet from the Caravan, was suddenly confronted by a centaur wielding an iron mace.

  He saw the mace in slow motion, realizing it was about to strike a fatal blow. He quickly drank the healing potion, restoring his health just in time. The mace struck his face, dealing 15 damage.

  Had he not healed, the blow would have killed him.

  Ebony rolled on the ground and regained his footing, the mace mark etched on his face, a bruise forming, blood running down his nose and mouth.

  Taking the pain like a man, he took another swig of the healing potion, restoring his health again.

  Multiple centaurs gave chase as he ran, trying to evade his attackers.

  As Vicky prepared to throw another vial, another arrow struck her arm, forcing her to take cover. This revealed her position, prompting a centaur to charge at her with a two-handed longsword.

  She dodged just in time, the sword chopping down the tree behind her, her only cover. The centaur began to pursue her into the forest.

  Xiao Ling, agile as ever, evaded most of the arrows, but one pierced his shoulder.

  He continued to dodge and weave, but more arrows found their mark, chipping away at his health.

  Xiao Ling stopped, taking a defensive stance as five centaurs attacked simultaneously. He parried and dodged, blocking their strikes.

  But as he evaded, the number of attackers increased from five to seven, then ten, then twelve. The bounty hunter was quickly overwhelmed.

  As Alex was about to strike another centaur, the creature slammed its blade into his neck, knocking him to the ground with 7 damage.

  The centaur pulled back its blade and struck Alex’s arm, dealing 10 damage. Alex, fighting through the pain, refused to show fear, pointing his wand at the creature’s head.

  "Jordan, fresh bandage wrapped around his head and a nasty gash on his arm, emerged from the caravan, his expression grim but determined.

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  He surveyed the chaotic scene, the centaurs' numbers dwindling against the combined assault of Ebony and his companions.

  "They're occupied!" Jordan shouted, his voice ringing out above the din of battle. "Now's our chance! Silver Falcons, with me!"

  The remaining Silver Falcons, their resolve renewed, rallied around Jordan, grabbing their axes, swords, spears, and bows. They were a force reborn, ready to turn the tide.

  The first to join the fray was a burly Falcon named Borin, wielding a massive two-handed axe. He charged towards the centaur on top of Alex, his axe cleaving through the air, striking the creature in the chest with a resounding thud. The centaur crumpled to the ground, its life extinguished.

  Vicky, still pursued by centaurs, prepared to strike where she stood.

  Next came Abby, a nimble archer, her bow drawn taut. She loosed a volley of arrows, each finding its mark, piercing the centaurs' flanks and legs.

  The centaurs, taking significant damage, struggled to retaliate, their focus disrupted by Abby's relentless arrows.

  Vicky, seizing the opportunity, hurled a flask directly at a centaur's face, killing it instantly (100 XP gained).

  *Level up 4*

  Yes she said to herself

  She then retreated, taking a swig of her potion.

  The centaurs, already reeling from the combined assault, were now being picked off with deadly precision.

  Then there was Gareth, a veteran swordsman, his blade flashing in the sunlight. He moved with practiced grace, his sword a blur of motion, parrying and riposting, cutting down centaurs with each precise strike.

  As the Silver Falcons joined the battle, their numbers grew, their attacks coordinated and relentless. The centaurs, once a formidable force, were now being pushed back, their lines breaking under the combined pressure.

  Ebony, still fighting his way towards the caravan, noticed the Silver Falcons' resurgence. He grinned, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. "Looks like they decided to join the party," he muttered, his voice laced with grim satisfaction.

  Vicky, her acid vials still sizzling, took advantage of the distraction, hurling a vial at a group of centaurs attempting to flank her. The acid splashed across their hooves and legs, searing their flesh, causing them to rear in pain.

  Xiao Ling, though wounded, continued to dance through the centaur ranks, his lunar twins flashing, his movements a blur of deadly precision. He parried a centaur's blow, then retaliated with a swift strike to the creature's neck, felling it instantly (700 XP gained).

  Alex, his wand glowing with renewed energy, unleashed a barrage of magical bolts, striking down centaurs with each precise blast (400 XP gained). He moved with newfound confidence, his fear replaced by a burning determination.

  The battlefield was a whirlwind of steel, magic, and elemental fury. The Silver Falcons, emboldened by their renewed numbers and Jordan's leadership, fought with a ferocity that surprised even themselves.

  The centaurs, their ranks dwindling, began to panic, their once-organized assault devolving into a chaotic retreat.

  The tide of battle had turned.

  The Silver Falcons, once on the brink of defeat, were now pushing back the centaurs, their combined strength proving too much for the creatures to handle.

  "Ebony, seizing the opportunity, pressed towards the caravan, the centaur with the mace hot on his heels, its hooves pounding the earth like thunder.

  As the centaur struck, Ebony dodged with a hair's breadth, the mace grazing his temple. He retaliated with a swift, bone-jarring kick, sending the creature stumbling back, its eyes wide with surprise.

  Then, with a theatrical flourish, he slammed his palms onto the ground. Two stone slabs materialized in mid-air, jagged and menacing. He snatched them up, smashing one over the centaur's thick skull and the other over its powerful leg, dealing a brutal 7 damage.

  The centaur wailed, a high-pitched, agonizing screech, collapsing to the ground, its screams piercing the air, tears streaming down its face like a waterfall.

  Ebony, creating some distance, finally reached the caravan, frantically searching for his blades, his eyes darting across the scattered cargo.

  He found one, its hilt glinting in the chaos, just as another centaur grabbed his shirt, its grip like iron. With a fluid, almost casual motion, Ebony downed a healing potion, the liquid burning a warm path down his throat, just as the centaur swung the mace again.

  The mace connected with a sickening thud, impacting Ebony’s stomach, dealing 13 damage, the force sending a jolt of pain through his body.

  Landing on his side with a tuck and roll to protect his head, he slammed against a tree, the impact jarring his senses.

  He stood up, the potion bottle still clutched in his hand, now almost empty, a grimace on his face. He took one last swig, draining the dregs, restoring himself. The bruise on his face faded, the pain receding, and he tossed the empty bottle aside with a dismissive flick of his wrist.

  He stood, his sword gripped tightly, the steel gleaming in the dim light, ready to rejoin the fray, his eyes burning with determination.

  Ebony stretched his muscles, his joints popping, regaining his energy, the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

  He fixed a piercing stare on the downed centaur, pointing his blade directly at the creature, his voice a low, menacing growl. "You get that one for free," he said, his words laced with a chilling promise."

  "Ebony's shortswords, twin blades of sixty centimeters of gleaming silver steel, were a testament to masterful craftsmanship.

  Each sword boasted a golden guard, a crimson handle, and a silver pommel adorned with a delicate hoop ring. Its twin was nearly identical, save for its verdant green handle, a subtle variation that spoke of individuality.

  The immaculate design spoke of meticulous detail, a testament to the blacksmith's skill. These weren't mere weapons; they were extensions of Ebony himself.

  He had always cherished them, their weight in his hands, a familiar comfort, a silent promise.

  The grips felt surprisingly light, yet undeniably sturdy, a perfect balance between agility and strength. The blades were sharp and perfectly balanced, instruments of both offense and defense. Exactly as he remembered them.

  A surge of renewed hope coursed through him, a jolt of energy that banished the lingering pain and fatigue.

  He remembered the shop, the talented blacksmith Damir, and the creation of these very blades. They were made for him, for moments like this, for monstrous beasts like the centaurs.

  He didn't usually name his weapons, but he knew they were his, and that was all that mattered. Now, he was going for the kill. He had to... He needed to…… He wanted to."

  Ebony advanced, his twin shortswords held low, their silver surfaces reflecting the chaotic light of the battlefield. The centaur, its mace a heavy, menacing weight, charged forward, its hooves thundering against the earth.

  As the centaur swung its mace in a wide, devastating arc, Ebony shuffled back, the weapon whistling past his face by a hair's breadth. The force of the blow slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth.

  Ebony, seizing the momentary opening, spun in a fluid 360-degree motion, his blades a blur of silver. He aimed for the centaur's arm, slicing through the air with precision.

  The blade connected, a clean slice that severed the centaur's arm just above the elbow, dealing 20 damage.

  The creature roared in agony, its severed limb falling to the ground.

  Distracted by the searing pain, the centaur staggered, its eyes wide with shock.

  Ebony pressed his advantage, his blade flashing forward, piercing the centaur's chest, puncturing its lung.

  He withdrew the blade, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood, and struck the other lung, the force of the blow driving the blade deeper.

  The first one delt 30, The second strike was a critical hit 47, the blade finding its mark, ending the centaur's life (100 XP gained) * Level Up 2*.

  The creature collapsed, its eyes glazing over, its roar fading into a gurgling death rattle.

  Ebony, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts, stood over the fallen centaur, his blades dripping with its blood. He leveled his gaze towards the remaining centaurs, a grim determination etched on his face.

  Ebony, his twin blades glinting like slivers of moonlight, faced the injured centaur. Its leg, still hobbled from the stone slab strike, was a testament to his earlier assault. The centaur, enraged and desperate, swung its mace in a wide, clumsy arc.

  Ebony ducked under the blow, the wind of the mace whistling past his ear, a stark reminder of the danger.

  He retaliated with a swift, spinning kick, striking the centaur's already damaged leg. The creature roared in pain, its balance faltering. Ebony pressed his advantage, his blade flashing forward, slicing across the centaur's chest, dealing 12 damage.

  The centaur, its eyes wild with fury, attempted to strike again with the mace, but Ebony, his movements fluid and precise, dodged in time. He sliced the creature at the same spot again, dealing 10 damage.

  The second centaur, positioned behind the first, loosed another arrow. Ebony, anticipating the attack, parried the projectile with his blade, deflecting it harmlessly.

  He then shifted his stance, preparing to engage both enemies.

  The injured centaur, its mace still a threat, lunged forward, attempting to grapple Ebony.

  Ebony, using his Shaolin agility, evaded the grab, his movements fluid and precise. He countered with a series of rapid strikes, his blade a blur of motion, dealing another 10 damage to the centaur's flank.

  As the centaur staggered, Alex-Gray, his wand glowing with renewed power, unleashed a fireball, striking the second centaur and destroying its bow, dealing 25 damage. The centaur, disarmed and enraged, roared in frustration.

  Before Ebony could land another blow, the Silver Falcons unleashed a volley of arrows, striking the injured centaur with a barrage of chip damage. Arrows peppered the creature, dealing a combined 11 damage.

  Another volley of arrows struck the second centaur, dealing 5 damage.

  Ebony, seizing the opportunity, unleashed a flurry of kicks, targeting the injured centaur's legs and feet. The creature stumbled, its movements becoming increasingly erratic.

  With the centaur weakened and disoriented, Ebony lunged forward, his blade flashing, delivering a decisive critical strike that pierced its heart, dealing 28 damage. The centaur collapsed, its life extinguished.

  The second centaur, now without its bow, drew a dagger and charged at Ebony. The Silver Falcons, their arrows finding their mark, dealt another 10 damage to the centaur.

  Ebony, his blade still dripping with the first centaur's blood, turned his attention to the second. He moved with a swift, predatory grace, closing the distance in a heartbeat.

  He parried a wild swing from the centaur's dagger, then retaliated with a series of precise strikes. Ebony shuffled back and forth, slicing the centaur's chest for 10 damage. He followed with a series of dodges, aiming for the centaur's lower half for 15 damage.

  The centaur, attempting a desperate stab, was met with a powerful roundhouse kick to the face, dealing 6 damage.

  Ebony finished the sequence with a decisive thrust, plunging his blade into the centaur's chest, dealing 9 damage.

  Ebony, taking his time, executed a series of fancy, precise strikes, each one a calculated blow that eventually led to the creature's demise, dealing a total of 40 damage.

  This was a combination of blade strikes, vital organ strikes with his legs and fists, and well-placed kicks.

  Ebony stood, his breath coming in ragged bursts, his blade held low, ready for any further threats. He surveyed the battlefield, his eyes scanning for remaining centaurs.

  Ebony turned to see Xiao Ling engaged with a centaur in the midst of a chaotic prairie battle. The bounty hunter moved with a fluid grace, his lunar twins flashing like dark lightning, parrying the centaur's clumsy longsword strikes with effortless ease.

  Ebony, sensing an opportunity, rushed to assist Xiao Ling, his own blades drawn. He watched as Xiao Ling, with a swift, decisive motion, clashed his lunar twins against the centaur's longsword. The impact shattered the blade, sending fragments flying. The centaur, now unarmed, stood momentarily stunned.

  Before the centaur could react, Ebony, with a burst of speed, slid beneath its legs, his blades slicing upwards in a swift, brutal motion.

  The centaur's lower half was cleanly severed, the creature collapsing with a guttural roar.

  Ebony turned to see Xiao Ling engaged with a centaur in the midst of a chaotic prairie battle. The bounty hunter moved with a fluid grace, his lunar twins flashing like dark lightning, parrying the centaur's clumsy longsword strikes with effortless ease.

  Ebony, sensing an opportunity, rushed to assist Xiao Ling, his single remaining blade drawn.

  He watched as Xiao Ling, with a swift, decisive motion, clashed his lunar twins against the centaur's longsword. The impact shattered the blade, sending fragments flying. The centaur, now unarmed, stood momentarily stunned.

  Before the centaur could react, Ebony, with a burst of speed, slid beneath its legs, his single blade slicing upwards in a swift, brutal motion.

  The centaur's lower half was cleanly severed, the creature collapsing with a guttural roar. Ebony, not pausing, conjured an earth shard, striking the creature where he had just severed it, killing it instantly (100 XP gained). Level up 3.

  A gleeful grin spread across Ebony’s face. He felt a surge of energy, a noticeable shift in his power. "Better than I was before," he muttered to himself, a hint of self-congratulation in his voice.

  Xiao Ling turned to Ebony, his expression a mask of slow, deliberate disapproval. "Bard," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "you just took my kill."

  Ebony, his bardic charm faltering slightly, replied, "My apologies, good sir. I merely sought to assist. There are, after all, many more centaurs to contend with. I fail to see the great offense."

  Xiao Ling grabbed Ebony's shirt, his grip tight. "It matters," he growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "What is mine, is mine. I do not tolerate the theft of my kills, especially when they are so clearly earned."

  Ebony, sensing the rising tension, attempted to defuse the situation. "Good sir, I meant no offense.

  It was a chaotic moment, and I believed you required assistance. Besides, our shared objective is the eradication of these bandits, is it not?"

  Xiao Ling, his eyes narrowed, released Ebony's shirt with a sharp shove. "I do not care for your justifications. I care only that you understand: do not take my kills. Understood?" His voice was stern, leaving no room for argument.

  Ebony, recognizing the futility of further confrontation, especially with a higher-level opponent, conceded. "Understood, good sir. My apologies once more."

  Xiao Ling, his gaze still sharp, turned and strode towards the forest, following the trail of destruction – broken trees and sparking lights – that marked Lapith's Bane's path.

  Ebony, left alone, began to clean his single blade and straighten his already tattered clothes, a slight frown creasing his brow.

  He muttered to himself, "A bit touchy, isn't he? Still, best not to provoke a man who can cleave centaurs in twain with a flick of the wrist."

  "Ebony turned, surveying the battlefield. The carnage was extensive, but the immediate threat had passed. The centaur bandits were defeated or had retreated, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

  The Silver Falcons, battered and bruised, tended to their wounds, bandaging themselves and helping their injured comrades. The cost of victory was evident; Ebony noted the significant losses. What had been 100 strong were now barely 30.

  Some Falcons grieved over their fallen, retrieving weapons and personal effects from the bodies of their comrades. The atmosphere was one of grim triumph. They had survived, but the toll was heavy, and another ambush would definitely wipe them all out.

  Ebony scanned the area, his gaze searching for familiar figures. Pyrrhus and Lapith's Bane were nowhere to be seen. His eyes then caught a flash of light and the trail of destruction leading into the forest, a clear indication of Xiao Ling's pursuit of the final boss.

  Ebony felt a surge of determination. He needed to confront Lapith's Bane, to get a measure of the threat they faced.

  But first, he needed to regroup with Vicky and Alex. He spotted them near the caravan, tending to their own injuries and taking a brief respite.

  Putting on his characteristic bravado, Ebony stretched his arms, feigning nonchalance.

  He inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, and then approached his companions with a confident stride. "Well, well, looks like we're still standing, eh? Told you it was just another obstacle in our path. Nothing more, nothing less."

  Vicky's expression was a mix of relief and exhaustion. "That was... intense," she said, her voice slightly shaky. "I'm glad it's over, but..." She trailed off, glancing at the fallen Falcons.

  Alex stepped forward, his face pale but a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I... it was s-scary," he admitted, his stutter more pronounced than usual. "But... I think we... we grew. A lot. From... from that." He nodded, his eyes shining with a newfound resolve.

  Vicky nodded in agreement. "It was incredibly risky," she added, her voice firmer now. "But... it worked out in the end."

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