He spotted the counterattack coming in and tried to bring his weapon around to catch it. His precarious balance caused him to stumble and fail in his block. Razor-sharp claws dug into his cheek as burning pain radiated through his face and neck.
You dealt 5 damage to Shadefire with Counter.
You dealt 10 damage to Shadefire with Blade Flurry. (Interrupted)
Shadefire dealt 7 damage to you with Counter.
Cursing and clutching his burning face, he missed the next attack as the animal reared up on both hind legs and came down. Its paws each snagged a shoulder and ripped lines straight down his torso. Large rents cleaved through his leather armor and his body felt as though it were dipped in molten lava.
Shadefire dealt 35 damage to you with Rake and Tear. (Bleeding) (Critical)
Atlas fell to a knee and feebly lashed out with his staff. It hit nothing, but the cat did back away, giving him a few moments to compose himself.
Holy crap, that hurts. Wonder what triggers an actual bleed effect?
His focus snapped back to the cat as he saw it crouch down again. Instead of trying to get his staff ready and get to his feet, he got to a knee and dove to his right. The move worked, and the cat sailed by.
He rolled to his feet and immediately charged for the nightstalker triggering Counter. The weapon smashed into its spine and he used Blade Chase. The flurry of blows rang through the trees as his staff spun and connected. Triple Threat followed and after the first attack the red flash showed back up.
This time, Atlas was ready for it and brought his staff across to intercept the attack. The plan worked for a moment as the paw connected with the smooth wood, but it didn’t stop. Instead, it pushed through his defense again and slashed him across the chest.
You dealt 5 damage to Shadefire with Counter.
You dealt 18 damage to Shadefire with Blade Flurry.
You dealt 5 damage to Shadefire with Triple Threat. (Interrupted)
Shadefire dealt 7 damage to you with Counter.
Bleed dealt 3 damage to you.
Son of a bitch! Atlas screamed into his mind. The constant slashing and tearing of the animal’s claws finally threatening to break his pain tolerance.
My mother was not a dog, human. How dare you insult me so!
What? Oh… Atlas realized as he chuckled to himself.
I’m going to turn you into a really nice chest piece before we’re done.
Try it, puny man.
Atlas bared his own teeth at the animal as he charged in, adrenaline pumping in his veins. He reared back his staff to swing, activating Triple Threat, when he saw the cat tense and crouch. Knowing it was going to dodge, he waited until he saw the direction it moved and then swung that way instead, ignoring the phantom image.
The weapon smacked hard into the cat’s skull and it mewled in pain.
You learned the ability Anticipate!
The following two attacks thumped into the animal, and he activated Pursuit. His dash took him to the side of the creature, and the staff stabbed into a soft spot on its neck. He almost activated Triple Threat again until he remembered it failed last time. Scrambling for an option, he realized his folly.
You can’t chain two of the same abilities. The second attack needs to be a lower hit combo than the first. He activated Double Slash instead and was relieved as his combo continued and both attacks landed.
You dealt 18 damage to Shadefire with Triple Threat.
You dealt 5 damage to Shadefire with Pursuit.
You dealt 12 damage to Shadefire with Double Slash.
The cat wobbled on its feet but remained standing, glaring at him. This thing can’t have a lot more health left. I’ve already done around 70 damage to it, and its health bar looked like it had a little less than a third remaining.
The nightstalker stumbled toward him as if to attack, but he easily swept his staff to the side and countered it.He activated his full combo with Counter, followed by Blade Chase, Triple Threat, Pursuit, and Double Slash.
You dealt 5 damage to Shadefire with Counter.
You dealt 18 damage to Shadefire with Blade Chase.
You dealt 18 damage to Shadefire with Triple Threat.
You dealt 5 damage to Shadefire with Pursuit.
You dealt 12 damage to Shadefire with Double Slash.
The final thump of the staff cracked into the skull. The cat fell to the ground, and no longer moved.
Well done, druid. Take your reward.
The voice sounded lethargic in his mind and faded to nothing. He approached the creature and dug through his pouch for the crystal. The clear gem vibrated as he held it close to the animal. When it touched the fur, a flash of light lit the area and a swirl of purple energy traveled from its eyes and swirled in the air before darting into the gem.
You received Nightstalker Cat Transformation Crystal.
The crystal registered as a quest item and he couldn’t absorb it like he did the Dire Bear version. Time to get back to the city.
Chapter 18
Climbing the Ladder
Atlas pushed open the door to the druid master’s home. The old man stood near the back of the house, watering a small plant in a wooden bucket. He glanced over to Atlas and nodded for him to approach.
“Finished the task. Shadefire is dead and I have the filled crystal.”
“Well done. Didn’t think it would be that bad for you, but you never know. Let me see the crystal,” he said as he sat down the small clay cup he’d been pouring water out of and extended his hand.
Atlas plucked the crystal from his bag and placed the gem of swirling purple light in Master Greenfoot’s hand. The druid turned it in his palm a few times and smiled.
“Such a wondrous thing. You ready?”
“I guess
