A wide corridor stretched before him. Four adventurers were fighting against approaching Bone Walkers in an organized battle formation. At the center of the group stood a red-haired, blue-eyed sorceress. The hem of her purple cloak billowed in the wind created by her spells, with waves of purple energy emanating from her crystal staff. When she pointed her staff at a Bone Walker, a powerful energy blast shattered its skull into pieces.
In front of her, a burly warrior with long black hair tied in a ponytail fought dance-like with a greatsword held in both hands. Though his armor was covered in blood and dust, every movement was in perfect harmony. Each swing of his sword cut through the skeletons before him.
On the group's right flank, a healer priest in gold-embroidered white robes was creating healing auras by raising his holy symbol. This young man with shoulder-length blonde hair instantly healed his companions' wounds and strengthened them with protective blessings. Each beam of golden light he emitted added new strength to his teammates.
On the left flank, an gunslinger was making lethal shots with dual pistols. The dark-skinned woman in her dark green cloak and brown leather armor was hitting every bullet into the skeletons' weak points. With her braided black hair and determined expression, she took aim and disabled a Bone Walker with each shot.
The situation was perfect for them. With each skeleton they took down, the group's harmony increased and their coordination grew stronger. The red-haired sorceress skillfully directed her energy, the warrior's sword cleared their path, the gunslinger's bullets eliminated distant threats, and the priest's healing spells kept everyone standing. As if they had been fighting together for years, each could anticipate the others' movements, displaying flawless teamwork.
At the back of the group, moving among the shadows, the fifth member made their presence known only through results. When Boran noticed them, this assassin gliding like a shadow in black leather armor was the group's secret guardian. The others might not see them, but they knew they were there, protecting them.
When each Bone Walker Archer suddenly collapsed, group members exchanged meaningful glances. The assassin's presence was like a secret agreement between them. Their silent and deadly movements were an invisible part of the group's battle strategy.
"Hmm... this is the group whose conversation I overheard yesterday! But they don't seem to need any help. Then why did they scream?"
Just then the battle ended. As the last Bone Walker turned to dust with a purple energy blast, the sorceress lowered her staff and took a deep breath. The group members exchanged those familiar looks that come after a successful battle.
"Nice work," said the red-haired sorceress, securing her staff to her belt. "Especially you, Shadow. You took down those archers at just the right moment."
The assassin, Shadow, finally became visible, gliding from the shadows. He approached the group gracefully in his black leather armor. "That's my job, Fire. Watching your backs..."
The burly warrior laughed while cleaning his sword. "We really had good coordination this time. None of us took any serious damage."
The healer priest, Light, nodded while placing his holy symbol on his chest. "Yes, Steel. I barely used any of my mana reserves this time. Everyone maintained their position perfectly."
"I was conservative with my mana too," said the gunslinger, holstering her pistols. "Only aimed for critical points. What do you think Fire, are we ready for the boss now?"
Fire, the sorceress who had taken on the group's leadership, nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Storm. We were all in top form during this last fight. We cleared the Bone Walkers using minimal resources. Plus, we successfully used the sound trap."
"Ah, yes," Steel laughed, strapping his sword to his back. "That scream trick works every time. Make some noise, draw the skeletons to you, then meet them in a prepared position. Classic."
"How do you know it's classic? We just learned it yesterday from an level eighty adventurer," said Shadow.
"Shut up!" Steel shouted.
Shadow slowly raised his hands. "The boss room must be close. With this many elite guards, we must be on the right track."
"Let's check the map," said Light, pulling out a scroll from his belt. The other group members gathered around him. "We're here now... The boss room should be in this large hall. Two corridors away."
Storm checked her pistols. "My mana is sufficient. How about you all? Fire, your mana?"
"At eighty percent," the sorceress replied. "Still have my potions too. We barely needed Light's healing, so he's in good shape too. Shadow, what's your status?"
The assassin showed the small vials on his belt. "I'm ready. Refreshed my paralysis poisons. Doubt they'll work on the boss but no harm in trying. Also have some oils we can apply to our weapons." He showed a vial hanging inside his hood. "Anyone who applies this oil to their weapon will be able to deal extra fire damage."
Steel shrugged. "We'll apply them after we find the boss room. First we'll need to break through the protective spells again."
"Our strategy is the same as always," said Fire, checking her staff. "Steel goes in first and draws attention. I'll cast my spells from behind. Storm, you watch for weak points. Light, your priority is keeping Steel standing. If Steel doesn't take damage, help Storm or Shadow with your support spells. Shadow..."
"I know," the assassin cut in, preparing to blend with the shadows. "I'll get behind the boss and look for weak points. I'll use my paralysis poisons if I get the chance. Even if they don't work, we can kill it without Steel taking any damage. Everyone just needs to keep using their strongest attacks."
"Perfect," said Fire. "Then let's move out. Stay quiet. We need to move silently until the next intersection."
As the group members made their final preparations, each checked their equipment one last time. Steel tightened his sword straps, Storm loaded fresh bullets into her pistols, Light blessed his holy symbol, Shadow arranged her poisons before melting into the shadows. Fire checked the crystals in her staff, making sure each one was glowing at full power.
"Let's go," Fire whispered. "And be careful. The creatures will likely increase as we get closer to the boss room."
The group began moving down the dark corridor in perfect harmony. Steel in front, Storm and Light in the middle, Fire in back, Shadow in the shadows... Each knew their role, moving with the flawless coordination that comes from years of fighting together. Their footsteps gradually faded away until the darkness completely swallowed them.