Alden and the Dark Elf continued their slow dance, slowly circling each other.
Both were understandably wary and cautious.
They were also reluctant.
After all, their bodies were about to experience the hellish strain of combat once again.
…Without receiving much of a reprieve from their last battles.
Alden internally sighed.
He didn't lower his guard, knowing the moment he did, the Dark Elf would skewer him where he stood. The corrupted creature was not equivalent to an Expert. But, based on the aura it emitted, there was no doubt it was strong.
To be at the pinnacle of the [Adept] rank.
Alden's features turned even more solemn.
As the seconds passed, the tension in the cave slowly rose.
It kept building and building.
Alden secretly held his breath.
Sweat lined his palms.
His entire body was on edge.
The tension was so thick he could cut it with a knife.
…Staring at his abyssal dagger out of the corner of his eye, a subtle smirk crossed Alden's face.
In the next moment, he lunged.
The Dark Elf shifted.
His tenebrous dirk slammed into its gelid blade, seeking to bypass it.
Unfortunately, Alden's opponent was skilled enough to not let that happen.
The two magical energies - ice and darkness of the void - seethed as they sought to overpower the other.
With his dagger locked in place, Alden found himself face-to-face with his foe.
He stared at the Dark Elf again, able to gain a greater appreciation for the complexity of the carvings on its skin and eyes. He almost gagged at the putrid smell that escaped its horrifying mouth. Alden's nose wrinkled, watching as the creature displayed a crooked smile.
'...That's not creepy at all.'
Clenching his teeth, Alden took a half-step back and changed his grip.
Immediately, he attacked from a different angle. The abyssal power contained within his dirk had decreased slightly after touching the gelid blade, but it was still absolutely lethal.
The Dark Elf blocked it with ease.
He launched a few more attacks, the sound of his dagger and the frozen weapon colliding, reverberating like a symphony of shattered glass. The stalactites above vibrated, amplifying the noise.
And so, a chilling and slightly morbid melody took place.
Alden ignored it to the best of his ability.
He didn't feel discouraged at his lack of success in getting through the Dark Elf's guard.
For he had not attacked with the aim of really making any of his strikes land.
He wanted to distract the creature a little.
His mad grin widened, also turning a little crooked.
A shadowy tentacle manifested into existence.
It snaked from Alden's back, rushing to coil around the Dark Elf's left foot.
From such a short distance, it was all but impossible to dodge. However, the corrupted being didn't attempt to move out of its way. Rather, it stayed calm, inviting the appendage in.
Alden's eyes narrowed.
'...What is it planning?'
That was the last thought he had before the tentacle made contact with the Dark Elf's foot.
…Only, it did not touch the Dark Elf's skin.
Suddenly, the being's lower limb was wrapped in a sturdy case of ice.
The roiling appendage failed to make any purchase, harmlessly slipping off the solid surface.
Alden's neck snapped upward.
He muttered a curse, manifesting more tentacles. His mana reserves were just about to dry up.
Yet, Alden could not pay that any mind.
He needed the extra appendages.
Because a barrage of stalactites suddenly fell from the ceiling, doubtless under the Dark Elf's control.
The icicles shone with a cold hue.
In the next moment, they were upon him.
Eight dark tentacles rose up to meet the rain of frigid stalagmites.
Like a storm of swords, the jagged icicles fell down like an iron rain.
Only, in this case, it was an extremely glacial rain.
Alden took another step back and spun, his movements swift and decisive. The tentacles surrounding his figure each locked onto a stalactite, wrapping around its icy exterior like a serpent slowly suffocating its prey.
The dark tendrils released an ominous sizzle as the abyss and tundra clashed once more.
Since there were more icicles than tentacles he could summon, Alden brought his dagger up, deflecting any stalagmites that passed his net of shadowy appendages. He spun and spun, his world blurring under the speed with which he rotated.
Alden's mana sense zeroed in on the incoming projectiles.
Eventually, he survived the jagged rain.
His chest rose and fell.
Rivulets of sweat slid down his chin, a sign of his exertion.
Alden swayed, dizziness rising up to claim his mind and body.
He staggered, gritting his teeth.
The Dark Elf's figure oscillated in his vision.
Alden blinked furiously, struggling to banish the lightheadedness he currently felt.
The dark tentacles around him suddenly winked out.
The same occurred with his tenebrous dirk, the obsidian blade dissolving into shadowy wisps.
He fell to a knee, world still spinning.
Alden gritted his teeth, urging his body to stand back up. Unfortunately for him, it did not listen.
He continued to heave, feeling as if there was a raging fire inside his lungs.
Alden closed his good eye and inhaled a deep, chilly breath.
The cold gave him a little clarity.
Enough to raise his head and gaze at his foe.
His pupil was still dark crimson under the effects of bloodlust.
Reflected in it, the Dark Elf slowly approached.
Its steps were like a haunting omen of dread.
Each footfall sounded like a death knell.
Alden's grin twisted.
He chuckled hoarsely.
Then, he wiped his mouth.
Slowly, he stood up, madness and desire brewing within him like a dark, bloody storm.
Another low chuckle escaped his throat.
The ice on the Dark Elf's wound had lost its pale glow.
...Which meant there was no longer a steady supply of magic sustaining the makeshift dressing.
The Dark Elf had run out of ice.
The creature's smile turned even more crooked.
Alden's own distorted grin deepened as well.
He slowly clenched his fists...
And staggered forward.