The last Guardian

as he stumbled away from the ancient temple, the weight of the artifacts and the map in his pack a constant reminder of his m

ry had a reputation for being as relentless as the desert itself. Marcus's thoughts raced as he scanned the desolate landscape for any sig

me relief from the wind, and he huddled behind it, catching his breath and reassessing his situation. His mind flashed

barely visible through the storm's haze. Marcus's training kicked in, his senses sharpening as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation. He checked his g

he wind's roar. Marcus flattened himself against the rocks, returning fire with calculated precision. His shots were measur

ed with a mixture of fury and admiration. "You can't hi

ere was no negotiating with a man like him. Marcus had seen what Viktor was capable of

uld make his next move. The sandstorm provided some cover, but it also made visibility challenging. He fired another round, taking

were skilled, but they lacked his resolve. He spotted Viktor himself, a towering figure in the midst of the

mmoning all his strength, he made a break for it, sprinting towards a narrow ravine that cut through the rocky lan

He reached the ravine and ducked behind a boulder, catching his breath. The storm showed no signs of

crunching on the rocky ground, their voices low and tense. He remained perfectly still, blending i

spot and taking the man down with a swift, silent attack. The second and third followed quickly, their surprise

loser. "Steele! You think you can take us

ght he couldn't win through sheer force. He needed to outthink his opponent, to turn the terrain and the

ything that could slow Viktor's advance. He moved quickly and silently, his hands working with the deftness of a

concealed position, his breathing steady and controlled. As Viktor passed the first trap, Marcus triggered i

ing from unexpected angles and using the terrain to outmaneuver his opponents. Viktor fought back

s. The storm seemed to hold its breath, the howling wind dying down for a bri

ice rough. "You're a stubborn

ened. "This ends here, Viktor. I

rutal, desperate struggle for survival. Blows were exchanged, each one fueled by years of rivalry

h swift, precise strikes. Each move was calculated, aimed at wearing down his opponent. Viktor wa

esumed its ferocious dance, the wind howling once more. Viktor loo

arcus said, hi

mile. "For now, Steele. But remember

this was only a temporary victory, but it was enough for now. He had the map an

e path ahead was still fraught with danger, but he was ready. The Oasis of