Colchis - 831.M30
The black sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the ancient arena. Dharok, clad in the imposing Aegis Pattern Power Armor, stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the massive construct before him. Ankhaten, the Sentinel of Eternity, a Khemrian Warsphinx, towered above, its form a blend of intricately carved stone and ancient enchantments. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and the hieroglyphs etched into its body seemed to pulse with latent power.
Settra's voice echoed across the arena. "Let the battle begin!"
With a surge of determination, Dharok activated his Psychoportation, blinking out of existence only to reappear beside Ankhaten. He used the Solar Hero Style, his fists radiating with raw, destructive energy. He struck with the force of a meteor, aiming to shatter the construct's stony hide. The air crackled as his punches collided with Ankhaten, each blow sending out shockwaves.
Ankhaten, undeterred, reacted with terrifying speed, twisting its massive body to face Dharok. Its eyes flared, and it unleashed a torrent of scorching breath. Dharok barely managed to evade the worst of the flames, but the intense heat still washed over him, causing his armor to sizzle. He leaped backward, seeking to reposition himself.
The Warsphinx lunged, its claws tearing through the sand with frightening precision. Dharok darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. He launched another series of devastating punches, each one aimed at the joints and weak points of the construct. The impact reverberated through the arena, but Ankhaten's stone body endured, showing only minor cracks.
With a roar, Ankhaten countered, its massive paw swiping at Dharok with bone-crushing force. Dharok tried to dodge, but the blow caught him, sending him sprawling across the arena floor. Before he could recover, the Warsphinx's tail lashed out, striking him with a powerful thud. Dharok grunted in pain but forced himself back to his feet, his resolve unbroken.
He focused, and with another burst of Psychoportation, he closed the gap again, this time aiming for the head of the Warsphinx. He landed several precise blows, each one chipping away at the construct's defenses, but Ankhaten retaliated with a ferocity that took Dharok by surprise.
Ankhaten's breath attacks and swift counters kept Dharok on the defensive, its claws and teeth seeking to tear him apart. Dharok's fists continued to blur with the speed and power of Solar Essence, but the construct matched him blow for blow. Each strike from the Warsphinx was calculated and devastating, leaving Dharok with little room to maneuver or retaliate effectively.
The battle raged on, with Dharok struggling to maintain his footing. His attacks were relentless, but the Warsphinx's defenses were nearly impenetrable. Ankhaten's lightning speed and breath attacks kept him at bay, and the few strikes that did land seemed to have minimal effect. Dharok's armor bore the marks of the onslaught, and he could feel his energy waning.
Ankhaten pressed its advantage, its massive claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. Dharok ducked and weaved, but the construct's relentless assault began to take its toll. Each breath attack and swipe pushed him further back, leaving him struggling to find an opening.
With every passing moment, the disparity in their power became more apparent. The Solar Hero Style allowed him to strike with immense force, but it offered little in the way of defense. Ankhaten's counters were swift and brutal, and Dharok found himself constantly on the back foot, unable to gain the upper hand.
As the battle continued, Dharok was driven back, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Ankhaten's eyes gleamed with a cold, unyielding light, and the construct seemed to sense its impending victory. Dharok's mind raced, searching for a way to turn the tide, but each attempt was met with the Warsphinx's unwavering might.
The Sentinel of Eternity advanced, its presence overwhelming. Dharok's strikes grew weaker, his movements slower, as the relentless assault continued. The ground beneath him was scarred from their battle, but it was clear that the advantage lay with Ankhaten. Dharok could feel the weight of the fight pressing down on him, and for the first time, doubt began to creep into his mind.
Ankhaten's massive form loomed over him, its eyes burning with an eerie, almost malevolent glow. Dharok braced himself, knowing that the next moments would be critical. The construct reared back, preparing to deliver the final, crushing blow.
Dharok, clad in his Aegis Pattern Power Armor, was a combat monster. He had faced countless foes and emerged victorious, but this battle was proving to be one of his greatest challenges. Ankhaten was not just any opponent. Its nature as a construct meant it was devoid of the malevolence that Dharok's abilities were designed to counter. The advantage was Ankhaten's, and it pressed this advantage with relentless ferocity.
But Dharok was not one to give up easily. He knew he had one last card to play. Beneath the construct's formidable exterior, there was a lifeline, a Liche Priest whose soul animated the Warsphinx. Dharok had been subtly channeling his power, siphoning the essence from the Priest even as he fought. It was a risky gambit, one that left him vulnerable, but it was his only chance.
As Ankhaten's massive paw descended, Dharok's mind reached out, grasping the soul of the Liche Priest. He could feel the death energy pulsing within the construct, the malevolent force that held it together. With a final, desperate effort, Dharok drew on his power, pulling the soul towards him.
The Warsphinx's blow struck, sending Dharok sprawling. Pain lanced through his body, but he did not let go. He tightened his mental grip, siphoning more of the soul's essence. Ankhaten staggered, its movements growing sluggish. The glow in its eyes flickered as the soul animating it weakened.
Dharok forced himself to his feet, every muscle screaming in protest. He summoned the last reserves of his strength, focusing entirely on the Liche Priest's soul. With a final, agonizing pull, he drained the last of its energy.
Ankhaten's eyes dimmed, and the massive construct shuddered. Cracks appeared along its stone form, spreading rapidly. The Warsphinx let out a final, echoing roar before collapsing in on itself, the ancient magic binding it unraveling.
Dharok stood amidst the crumbling remains, breathing heavily. The battle had pushed him to the brink, but he had triumphed. The construct had fallen, its animating force extinguished.
The field was silent for a moment, the only sound the settling dust and debris. Dharok knew he had been at a disadvantage, fighting a foe that his powers could not easily defeat. But he had relied on his determination, his skill, and a risky strategy that had ultimately paid off.
As he looked around at the remains of Ankhaten, Dharok knew that the victory had come at a great cost. Yet, he had proven his worth and his resilience, standing tall even when the odds were against him. Dharok, battered but unbroken, stood amidst the ruins of his foe, his breath coming in heavy gasps.
Settra's towering form approached Dharok, each step resonating with authority. His eyes, burning with an intensity born from millennia of conquest, were fixed on the victorious warrior. He stopped a few paces away, his imposing presence casting a long shadow over Dharok.
"You have done well," Settra's voice boomed, carrying a tone of grudging respect. "Ankhaten, the Sentinel of Eternity, was a formidable adversary, one that has felled countless foes. Yet, you stand victorious."
Dharok straightened, meeting Settra's gaze. He could feel the weight of the Pharaoh's words, the acknowledgment of his prowess. Settra continued, his voice steady and commanding.
"You fought with honor and tenacity, demonstrating not just strength, but the will to overcome even the most dire of challenges. It is not often that one earns my regard, but today, you have done so."
Dharok nodded, accepting the compliment. "It was a hard-fought battle," he replied, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Ankhaten was indeed a worthy opponent."
Settra's eyes narrowed slightly. "Worthy indeed. But the trial is not yet over. There are still more champions to face. Tell me, who will be the next to fight?"
CHOICE: Who is next?
[] Write in (Name only)
DHAROK
Dharok: Lost 3 Essence. 4/7 Essence left.
Hlvl: 6/23 Lethal Damage.
OVERVIEW:
Dharok was getting his ass kicked. The being was not evil so no stacking bonus and he was unable to do enough damage or get past his hardened stone flesh which was specifically designed to take on hits from bone giants and shrug it off. The Construct also was fast, having the same "mutation" for multi attack and aced all of its reaction rolls.
Ultimately, you guys were nearly screwed over by the rolls as the 1s really hurt you. But what saved you was, ironically enough, the Vampirism, in which you rolled 3 sux, 5 sux and finally 10 Sux.
You roll Willpower for Psychic powers. Needless to say, the soul animating the construct was out of the fight at that point.
My recommendation? Get charmed Existence so you do not need to fear 1s again. Also use Lore of Light more. It would have helped here.