The Invincible Young Master

There were sudden rustlings from the trees, and dark-robed figures emerged from the shadows, moving in eerie silence to encircle the crater. Zarak took in the scene, his eyes narrowing.

"They're outnumbered," he observed, his gaze sweeping over the crimson guards.

The old man didn't respond, and his eyes were fixed on the scene. These crimson-clad figures weren't just random guards, they were high-ranking ascendants, the type who wouldn't let a single leaf fall near their charge without consequence.

And by the look of them, they were ready to defend their charge to the death.

One of the dark-robed figures stepped forward, his hand outstretched.

Darkness pulsed from his fingertips, spreading in a wave as the rest of his group moved to align, forming a tight perimeter around the crater's edge. Their stance was rigid, their intent clear.

Zarak looked to the old man, urgency flashing in his eyes. "We should help them,"

The old man placed a steady hand on Zarak's shoulder, holding him back with a grip firmer than his age would suggest.

"Patience, lad," he said. "Not now, watch first."

Zarak frowned, his eagerness tempered but not extinguished. "But they're outnumbered, those dark figures mean to harm them."

The old man sighed.

"Perhaps they do," he replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "But if you go help them right now, it would appear like a setup."

Zarak's eagerness faded into a contemplative silence. He watched the scene unfold.

"Understood," Zarak murmured, his gaze still fixed on the figures. For now, he would follow the old man's wisdom: hold steady and observe.

…

Inside the shimmering barrier, the captain, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a hard-set expression, gritted his teeth, raising his voice over the sound of crackling energy.

"Who are you, and who sent you?!" he demanded, his tone firm despite the crumbling shield around him.

One of the dark-robed figures let out a low, mocking chuckle.

"Does it matter?" the voice replied with a hint of contempt. "Soon, everyone here will be dead."

The captain's gaze sharpened, scanning the figures cloaked in shadow along the crater's edge. He could see it now, these were no mere mercenaries.

Their stillness, precise movements, and powerful auras betrayed the skill of elite assassins, carefully chosen and trained for a mission like this.

They moved in perfect sync, too coordinated and equipped with dark arts to be a random band of attackers.

One of the attackers stepped forward, lifting his arm as a dark mist swirled from his palm, creeping through the air like ink spreading through water.

The mist slithered toward the barrier, and as soon as it touched, the light of the protective shield began to fade.

Cracks appeared, patches of darkness expanding as the mist ate away at the barrier with disturbing ease.

The captain's expression grew graver. They were running out of time.

"Captain!" one of his men shouted, his voice strained. His hand was outstretched, his fingers glowing as he poured energy into the weakening shield. "The mist, it's draining the barrier faster than we can keep up!"

The captain scanned his team, their faces tense, jaws clenched in the effort.

They were skilled and loyal, but these dark arts were proving more formidable than they'd anticipated.

They had underestimated this enemy, and now, every second counted.

He looked back at the robed figures, who had surrounded the crater.

They were ready, their eyes fixed on every movement his men made, calculating.

Astral Bloom stage, he noted grimly, a powerful, well-organized unit of high-level ascendants.

And whoever was leading them was lurking somewhere in the shadows, watching.

He had to choose his next steps carefully. The barrier was weakening, and if he misjudged, he would be putting his entire unit and the person in the carriage at fatal risk.

"Reinforce the barrier!" he commanded. "Hold your positions, no one breaches the line. We are the only defense between them and the carriage."

His words ignited a fierce determination among his men, who adjusted their stances, pouring every bit of their power into fortifying the fading barrier.

The odds were steep, but this mission was one they couldn't fail.

The mist pressed harder against the barrier, widening its gaps as it nibbled at the energy, yet they stood firm.

The captain's eyes hardened. They were outnumbered, surrounded, and up against an enemy wielding dark arts.

But he knew that for as long as they could stand, they'd give everything to keep that barrier from falling.

He braced himself, every nerve on edge, fully aware that he was standing alone against an overwhelming enemy.

The mist continued to seep through the barrier, draining its energy.

Beside him, one of his most loyal lieutenants murmured, "Captain, we can't keep this up. The barrier's failing. If we don't do something now, it'll collapse entirely."

His gaze swept over his men, and then to the carriage they were sworn to protect.

Determination hardened his face as he turned back to his soldiers, his voice steady and commanding.

"To those who thought to ambush us," he declared, his voice echoing through the stillness, "we'll show them why we're sworn to this duty."

Looking to his team, he whispered, "I'll hold them off. You take the carriage and get it out of here."

His tone left no room for argument.

One soldier stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. "Captain, we can't just leave you-"

"That's an order," the captain interrupted, his eyes unwavering. "Our duty is to protect. There's no room for hesitation."

His men exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of respect and reluctance. They knew, as he did, that if they stayed, the entire mission would be compromised.

Nodding in silent understanding, they gathered around the carriage, chanting as they summoned a protective flight spell.

The air buzzed with their combined magic, and slowly, the carriage began to lift, floating above the crater.

The captain, gripping his shield tightly, stepped out from behind the barrier, his voice ringing out with fierce defiance. "Come at me!"