When they heard Laston's final words, they knew instantly that something was about to happen. Without hesitation, they braced themselves and their Magic.
A glowing Magic circle suddenly materialized behind Laston. They can even see clearly its intricate patterns that almost looks like what familiar to them in their world, but also different.
From within the diagram, a figure emerged. They were sure that this was his champion.
The being was a fusion of flesh and metal, his body eerily resembling an Elf. Pointed ears and pale skin contrasted with sections of gleaming metal plating around his body. He was devoid of clothing yet lacked any defining human features like genitals. His design unsettlingly artificial but also familiar, making the three of them feeling disturbed.
As the champion's eyes flickered open and locking onto the five Elves, Aerchon, Saeldir, Arlyn, Vael, and Sylra stared back in shock.
A wave of revulsion, disbelief, and fear gripped them as they saw the horrifying sight.
Realization settling in their expressions. The fusion of flesh and metal was seamless. Laston managed to merge organic life and the strange engineering of this world.
The being stood in his place, his frame was unnatural. Laston had sculpted him with precision beyond what any Elven craftsmanship or even dward could achieve.
His eyes looks cold and artificial. But they are eerily aware. The creature scanned the room and analyzing each of them in an instant.
A low sound came from his body as glowing lines pulsed beneath the metallic parts of his skin, synchronized with the faintly flickering runes that lined the chamber.
He tilted his head slightly as if testing his own movement. Then flexed his fingers with each one tipped with sharp retractable blades.
"Meet Eryndor," Laston announced, his tone filled with unmistakable pride. "The pinnacle of what we can become. No weakness, no emotion, no fragility of flesh. Pure efficiency. My perfect creation."
Aerchon gritted his teeth. "This… abomination… was once an Elf, wasn't he?!"
Eryndor's gaze met Aerchon's for the briefest moment. A flicker of something that maybe recognition, or was it just a programmed response coming from him. Then, in a voice that was smooth yet hollow, Eryndor spoke.
His voice sent a chill down their spines. There was no emotion in it and no remnants of a soul they could grasp onto. They didn't know how Laston managed to kidnap an Elf and get him to this world for experiment but now he is here and already become that abomination.
Vael took a step forward, his bow raised slightly but he not yet drawn it. "Is there anything left of you in there?" Vael asked. "Do you remember who you were?"
Eryndor stared at him for a long moment. Then, almost imperceptibly, he shook his head. "Irrelevant."
Sylra exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around her dagger. "You're just his weapon now."
"Ah, but what a powerful weapon he is. He is stronger than any Elf and immune to the frailties that bind you all." His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "And now, he'll be the one to test just how outdated you've become."
Laston moved his hand and gestured forward.
Eryndor suddenly begin to moved.
He move faster than their eyes could follow and closed the distance between them in a blink of an eye.
Aerchon barely managed to raise his sword in time as Eryndor's arm transformed. His flesh receding as a sleek blade appendage extended from his wrist.
The impact sent a sharp vibration through Aerchon's bones as he was forced backward, his feet skidding across the metal floor.
The others reacted instantly.
Vael loosed an arrow. It flew with incredible speed, aimed for Eryndor's head, but before it could land his skin pulsed and a segmented plate shifted, deflecting the projectile as if it were nothing.
Arlyn darted in from the side and his twin swords flashing in a deadly arc. He aimed for Eryndor's joints seeking any weaknesses in the disturbing construct's form.
But Eryndor twisted with unnatural fluidity, his arm snapping up with impossible speed to parry the blow.
A metallic clang echoed as steel met something harder. Arlyn's attack barely left a scratch on that strange metal in Eryndor's body.
"Too slow," Eryndor murmured mechanically.
His other arm shot out and become an elongated then a spear-like blade emerging from his forearm.
Arlyn barely twisted away in time, the tip of the weapon grazing his shoulder and slicing cleanly through the leather of his armor. Blood welled up instantly.
Saeldir moved next, his hands glowing with Magic as he sent a powerful surge of energy toward Eryndor. He sent a concentrated burst designed to disrupt both Magic and technology.
For a brief second, the air around Eryndor flickered and his movements hesitating.
"Now!" Saeldir shouted.
Sylra took the opening. She lunged low with silent and quick steps, her dagger coated in venom and she aimed for Eryndor's exposed flesh side.
But before she could land the blow, Eryndor's body shimmered.
A sudden pulse of energy radiated outward, a shockwave that sent her and the others stumbling back.
Laston chuckled again, his hands still clasped behind him as he watched their struggle.
"You're struggling already. Perhaps I should have given you something easier first," he said.
Eryndor straightened, his artificial eyes sweeping over them. "Analysis complete," he stated flatly. "Adjusting combat parameters."
Something shifted in the chamber.
The runes on the walls brightened. The veins of power beneath the floor pulsed faster.
His body reconfigured in real-time. His plate armor shifting and overlapping, the hum of energy intensifying. His limbs extended slightly, his entire form now sleeker, more refined, and more lethal.
Sylra's heart pounded. "He's learning to our fighting?"
Aerchon tightened his grip on his sword. "Then its time to get serious."
Aerchon move first, signaling for the others with his look to stay back because he wanted to get serious. The others nodded att him and let him be.
Meanwhile, Laston's lips turned into a wicked smile.