Chapter 29: The Tibia Mariner #29
Adrian's command rang out, urging Torrent into a swift gallop as they ventured deeper into the murky swamp. The spectral steed responded with a surge of energy, his ethereal form gracefully cutting through the murky waters, sending splashes of water cascading in their wake.
With each powerful stride, Adrian felt the vibrations resonating through his body, a testament to the otherworldly strength of his spectral companion.
As the gap between them closed, Adrian's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed upon the figure of the mariner. The hunched silhouette stood against the desolate landscape, draped in ethereal purple lace that billowed in the wind. It was a sight that simultaneously sent a chill down Adrian's spine and ignited a fire of determination within his heart.
The mariner, a skeletal figure with its bones barely held together, sat atop a ghostly boat. The boat seemed to defy the laws of existence, its ethereal form seamlessly gliding across the water's surface. In its bony hand, the mariner held a large horn, which it used to steer the ship, its eerie melody carrying through the air like a mournful cry.
And as Torrent closed in on the mariner, Adrian prepared himself for the impending confrontation. He reached behind his back, his fingers closing around the hilt of the Lordsworn greatsword. The hilt felt cool against his touch, reassuring in its familiarity and weight.
With a powerful leap, Adrian propelled himself off Torrent's back, his body twisting mid-air as he unsheathed his greatsword. The blade gleamed in the pale light, its steel honed and ready for battle. As he descended, he swung the massive blade in a sweeping arc, aiming for the mariner with lethal intent.
Much to Adrian's surprise, the mariner reacted instantly, blocking the attack. The clash of metal rang out as Adrian's blade connected with the mariner's horn, sparks dancing in the air as the two opposing forces collided. The mariner, though ethereal, showed surprising resilience, its skeletal form shifting and contorting to withstand the force of the blow.
A ghostly laughter echoed through the swamp as the mariner retaliated, pushing Adrian away with brute strength and bringing the horn to its mouth. Proving the laws of physics and biology meant nothing in this world, the mariner blew into its horn as Adrian landed and recovered his balance.
Adrian's muscles tensed as he landed on the swampy ground, his eyes darting to the surrounding waters. To his surprise and dismay, bony hands emerged from the murky, shallow waters, their skeletal fingers clawing their way up from the depths. One by one, five undead creatures pulled themselves from the ground, their blackened bones contrasting against the pale glow of the swamp.
Dressed in torn rags and wielding spears, the undead creatures stood between Adrian and the mariner, their lifeless eyes fixed upon their newfound opponent. A sinister grin spread across the mariner's skeletal visage, its hollow eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. It let out a shrill, ghostly laugh, the sound echoing through the air, further fueling Adrian's determination.
With a twitching eye and a clenched jaw, Adrian knew that time was of the essence. He had to end this fight swiftly and decisively. Gripping his greatsword tightly, he channeled his energy into the blade.
A surge of power coursed through Adrian's body, flowing toward the blade of his sword. With a mighty swing of his sword, he unleashed a golden flying slash that tore through the air with blinding speed.
The unleashed attack struck the undead creatures with devastating precision, their bodies disintegrating in an explosion of spectral energy. The air filled with the acrid scent of decay as the remnants of the undead creatures dissipated, leaving only Adrian and the mariner standing amidst the aftermath.
Adrian's eyes burned with triumph and fury as he locked his gaze onto the mariner. WAleady irritated, he charged forward, his footsteps splashing through the swampy terrain. The mariner's smug demeanor faltered momentarily, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty.
However, the undead creature quickly recovered its bearing as Adrian closed the distance between them with his greatsword raised high and bellowing at the top of his lungs, "Who's laughing now, you scrawny bitch?!"
Adrian's heart raced as he closed in on the mariner, his greatsword raised high, ready to strike with all his might. But before he could reach his target, the mariner swiftly reacted, plunging its horn into the water. The ghostly boat propelled backward, creating a surge of purple, murky water that surged toward Adrian.
Adrian's instincts kicked in. He sensed the imminent danger, his body moving with remarkable agility. With a surge of energy, he channeled his power into his legs, disappearing, appearing just outside the wave's radius almost instantly. He watched as the wave crashed into a nearby rock, shattering it in half with the force of its impact, and sighed in relief.
Using his supernatural speed, Adrian disappeared again, reappearing beside the mariner, who was caught off guard by his swift movements. With fierce determination, Adrian swung his greatsword with both hands, unleashing another golden flying slash from point-blank range.
The mariner attempted to raise its horn to block the attack, but the force behind Adrian's strike was too overwhelming. The flying slash collided with the mariner's feeble defenses, pushing aside the horn and striking the mariner's bony chest with a resounding impact.
A cry of anguish echoed through the air as the mariner's ethereal form flickered momentarily before disappearing, only to reappear some distance away.
Frenziedly paddling away, the mariner's actions betrayed no signs of fear or despair, only urgency. Adrian summoned Torrent and pursued, despite knowing that the mariner was leading him deeper into its territory.
Adrian's pursuit of the mariner led him deep into the murky swamp, its waters growing darker and more treacherous with each passing step. The chilling presence of death clung to the air, a grim reminder of the battles that had taken place in this forsaken place.
As Adrian closed in on the mariner, the creature abruptly halted, causing Adrian to skid to a stop as well. His eyes scanned his surroundings, and his heart sank as he realized they were standing in a cemetery, the graves submerged in the murky swamp water.
With a determined grimace, Adrian dismissed Torrent, the spectral steed fading away into the mist. He leaped off its back, his boots landing on the water-soaked ground with a splash. Without hesitation, he lunged at the mariner, his greatsword poised for a strike.
However, the mariner was ready for Adrian's attack. It slammed its horn against the water's surface, creating a swirling typhoon of purple water that propelled its ghostly boat high above the ground. The mariner's cunning tactics threw Adrian off balance, but his resolve remained unwavering.
The mariner blew into its horn again, summoning a dozen undead skeletons from the graves that immediately surrounded the cemetery.
The skeletons emerged from the murky waters, their skeletal forms rising ominously. Dressed in tattered rags, they wielded various weapons, their empty eye sockets fixated upon Adrian with an eerie intensity.
As Adrian's eyes scanned the battlefield, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the mariner's strategic adjustments. The creature had learned from their previous encounter, scattering the undead creatures in a formation that ensured Adrian couldn't take them down with a single blow.
Annoyed but undeterred, Adrian suppressed his frustration and decided to test the waters. He unleashed a golden slash from his greatsword, directing it toward the mariner with pinpoint accuracy. The blade glowed with radiant golden light as it tore through the air, its lethal trajectory set to strike its intended target.
As expected, the mariner swiftly reacted to Adrian's attack. Utilizing its control over the typhoon, it manipulated the swirling currents of purple water to veer its ghostly boat aside, evading the incoming golden slash with remarkable agility.
Adrian's brow furrowed in irritation, but he refused to allow setbacks to dampen his resolve. He knew that defeating the mariner would not come easily. This skeletal adversary possessed an uncanny ability to adapt and counter his every move.
Refocusing his energy, Adrian recalibrated his strategy. He recognized that brute force alone would not be enough to overcome the mariner's cunning defenses. He needed to outmaneuver his ethereal foe, finding the perfect moment to strike.
Adrian assessed the battlefield with a steely gaze, taking in every minute detail. He studied the mariner's movements, analyzing the patterns and anticipating its next maneuver.
With some quick thinking, he quickly formulated a crude but effective plan to take down his foe. Taking a deep breath, he rested his greatsword on his shoulder and waited for the skeletons to close in on him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone