Before Nel could respond, the air shifted. A heavy, oppressive energy descended on the courtyard, making it hard to breathe. From the shadows emerged the source of the disturbance—a Level 3 essence user. Their essence twisted and warped the very fabric of the air, distorting light and sound.
"We have to retreat now!" Nel screamed, her voice sharp with urgency.
"No," I countered, my grip on my sword tightening. "We can't let this thing get away. It'll only get stronger."
Before I could continue, the Level 3 zombie moved with terrifying speed, its attacks precise and overwhelming. Its movements forced us into immediate action, each of us adapting to the brutal assault.
"Don't hold back!" I shouted. "We have to kill it now!"
Nel activated her domain, and a wave of energy surged through the area. Suddenly, we felt lighter, faster, and any lingering fatigue evaporated. Her strikes sent shockwaves through the air, forcing the zombie back. Zach's domain flared brighter as he shifted into a boxer's stance, his strikes measured and calculated despite the strain on his focus.
Amir had already taken position in the distance, his rifle aimed steadily. "I need time to charge up!" he called out. "Keep it busy!"
The zombie let out a low, guttural laugh, and the environment around us warped. The warm daylight shifted into eerie moonlight, and the courtyard transformed into a grotesque amusement park. Rusted rides creaked in the distance, and disjointed carnival music echoed ominously.
"Undead Circus," I muttered, recognizing the signs of its true domain.
"Amir!" I shouted. "The other sword—now!"
"Aye aye, captain!" Amir swiftly pulled a sword from his pack and hurled it toward me. The zombie lunged, aiming to intercept it, but Nel darted in with her dagger, slicing its arm to force it back. I caught the sword midair and immediately joined the fray.
Deya was at my side, her movements sharp and precise. For the first time, our synergy clicked perfectly. Her punches and kicks were relentless, and I could feel her essence surging with every strike.
"Deya," I called out, parrying an attack aimed at her. "You're awakening!"
She didn't respond, her focus entirely on the fight. Her domain activated mid-combat, granting her increased speed and power. But as the battle wore on, I could see her energy fading.
"Hold on," I said, staying close. "We're almost there."
The zombie took advantage of her brief hesitation, rushing toward her. Nel barely managed to grab Deya and pull her back in time.
Zach's composure returned as he reentered the fight, his strikes precise and devastating. "Hope you didn't think this was your time to shine alone," he smirked.
"Yeah, don't forget about us," Amir added, firing a critical shot that staggered the zombie. He abandoned his rifle, his essence-charged gauntlets glowing as he moved in to engage.
"What happened to staying back?" I muttered, noticing Amir closing the distance.
"That last shot would've drained me," Amir replied, dodging a wild swing from the zombie. "Besides, our captain's about to burn himself out."
Only then did I notice the warm trickle of blood running from my nose and ears. My vision blurred slightly, but I grinned through it. "Time for some magic. I'm going to cut the moon."
Amir and Zach worked seamlessly, pushing the zombie back as if they'd trained together for years. Nel watched me cautiously, her voice tinged with both excitement and concern. "You're using one of your clan's sacred moves, aren't you?"
"Yes," I replied, positioning my three swords in front of me. The one in the center was midnight black, the one on my left crimson red, and the one on my right as blue as the ocean. "And by the way, I'm Polaris' son."
Nel snorted, despite the tension. "If I'd known I was babysitting the Fortune Keeper's heir, I'd have charged double." She readied herself. "Just tell me when."
"Don't leave me behind, maggots!" Nel shouted, her domain unleashing a massive blow that left the zombie reeling.
As Nel, Zach, and Amir kept the zombie occupied, I whispered under my breath, "With Lady Luck"
Nel began pushing the zombie toward me, her strikes calculated and powerful. When it was just a few feet away, she screamed, "Time for a show!" The team scattered, retreating as they watched from the edges.
"May your fate be better in the next life," I said softly as the zombie charged at me.
"You might want to deactivate your domain," Zach said to Nel, grimacing as he clutched his ribs.
"Why?" she started to argue, but then she saw it—me, standing amidst the swirling energy of my three swords.
The team said the name of the technique in unison with me: "Total Control: Night Ender."
In a blur, I moved. The zombie's attacks couldn't touch me as I struck every vital point with precise, devastating cuts. It thrashed and lunged mindlessly, but none of its hits connected. When it tried to retreat, I hurled one sword into its back and severed its arms with the other two.
The sky returned to normal as I sheathed the swords. With a final, solemn motion, I drove my hand into the zombie's head, ending it.
The team gathered, battered but victorious. Nel coughed up blood, and Amir cradled A broken arm, but they stood firm.
"We need to report this," Nel said, her voice hoarse. "Essence zombies don't just appear. Something's wrong."
"Agreed," I said, looking at the group. "But first, we're going to the nearest hospital."
As we left the courtyard, the weight of what we'd just faced settled over us. Whatever was happening, it was just the beginning.