Akira crouched behind a cluster of shrubs, his body tense as he waited for the patrolling Ogre-Kin to pass. His Phoenix spirit hovered beside him, its icy flames flickering faintly in the darkness.

  “Take out that one first,” the Phoenix whispered, its voice steady. “He’s isolated, and his route leads him out of sight from the others. Use your frost magic to silence him.”

  Akira nodded, gripping the hilt of his frost-infused blade. He moved silently, his steps as light as the forest breeze. As the Ogre-Kin turned its back, Akira struck, the blade emitting a chilling mist as it pierced through the guard’s thick hide. The creature collapsed with a muted grunt, frost creeping over its body.

  “Good,” the Phoenix said. “Now move to the next one. Two are by the cages. Take the one on the left first; he’s distracted.”

  Akira followed the instructions, weaving through the shadows as he approached the pair. He moved in quickly, dispatching the first guard before the second could react. A sharp thrust silenced the second guard, leaving Akira with a brief moment to catch his breath.

  A Misstep

  The Phoenix guided Akira toward another group of guards near the center of the camp. “This one will be tricky,” it cautioned. “There are three of them, but if you approach from the east, you can—”

  Before the spirit could finish, one of the guards turned abruptly, its yellow eyes locking onto Akira’s form in the shadows.

  “INTRUDER!” the guard bellowed, raising a crude horn to its lips and sounding an ear-splitting alarm.

  Akira’s heart sank as the camp erupted into chaos. Ogre-Kin scrambled to their feet, grabbing weapons and shouting orders. The sinister energy from the central tent seemed to pulse in response, the air growing heavier.

  “Damn it!” Akira hissed, drawing both of his swords. The Phoenix flared brighter beside him, its voice urgent.

  “Brace yourself! They’re coming from all sides!”

  A Fight Against the Odds

  Akira’s blades became a blur of crimson fire and icy blue as he fought off the rushing Ogre-Kin. His movements were precise and lethal, each strike felling a brute in his path. But for every one he took down, two more seemed to replace it.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Too many…” Akira muttered through gritted teeth, his muscles burning from exertion.

  The Phoenix’s voice echoed in his mind. “You can’t win this fight alone, Akira. Retreat!”

  But before Akira could move, a massive Ogre-Kin, twice the size of the others, barreled toward him, swinging a spiked club. Akira dodged the initial swing, but the force of the attack shattered the ground beneath him, sending him sprawling.

  As he struggled to get back on his feet, another guard lunged at him, and then another. Akira’s vision blurred as exhaustion and pain took hold.

  A New Power Awakens

  Just as the largest Ogre-Kin raised its club for a final blow, time seemed to slow. Akira’s mind raced, a thousand thoughts flooding in at once. He couldn’t keep up—couldn’t think clearly.

  I need… something… anything…

  Suddenly, a calm, unfamiliar voice resonated in his mind.

  “Do you require assistance?”

  Akira’s eyes widened. “Who—what are you?”

  “No time for introductions,” the voice replied. “Activating Athena protocol: Autopilot Mode.”

  Before Akira could process what was happening, his body moved on its own. His grip on his swords tightened, and he launched into a flawless series of attacks. His strikes were faster, stronger, and more precise than ever before. It was as if an invisible force had taken over, wielding his abilities with perfect efficiency.

  The largest Ogre-Kin roared in frustration as Akira darted around it, delivering devastating slashes that left it reeling. The surrounding guards fell one by one, unable to match the speed and power of his movements.

  The battle ended as abruptly as it began. Akira stood amidst the carnage, his breath heavy but his body steady.

  The Aftermath

  The voice returned, calm and analytical. “Combat assessment complete. Threat neutralized. Exiting Autopilot Mode.”

  Akira stumbled, regaining control of his body. He looked around at the fallen Ogre-Kin, his mind racing.

  “What… just happened?” he muttered, gripping his swords tightly.

  The voice spoke again, this time with a more conversational tone. “You have awakened the unique skill Athena. My purpose is to provide insight, analysis, and guidance in various situations. You seemed to need assistance, so I intervened.”

  Akira blinked, trying to make sense of it all. “Athena…? What are you? Where did you come from?”

  “I cannot answer that at this time,” Athena replied. “But I am here to help you. Ask, and I will provide answers.”

  Still confused but realizing he had no time to dwell on it, Akira turned his attention back to the camp. The sinister energy from the central tent was growing stronger, and the captured Blood-Tinged Wolves still needed rescuing.

  “Fine,” Akira said, his resolve hardening. “If you’re here to help, then help me figure out what’s in that tent and how to free those wolves.”

  “As you wish,” Athena replied, her voice steady. “Let’s proceed.”

  With his newfound ally, Akira moved toward the heart of the outpost, ready to face whatever lay ahead.