Chapter 8 – The Four-Headed Arcane
**Arcane Awakening**
Shen's voice cut through the tension.
**"Alright, let's move out."**
The Commander's orders echoed in their minds: *Slay the Arcane.* But none of them could have anticipated the horror that awaited.
Shen, Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz stepped onto the battlefield, weapons gleaming under a blood-red sky.
---
**A Summoning Unleashed**
The ground trembled as dark magic erupted. Before them loomed a grotesque monstrosity—a four-headed Arcane, its maws dripping with malice.
**"What… is this?"** Shen's grip tightened on his sword.
**"What?! What kind of monster is this?"** Ruke staggered back.
Kenya's eyes narrowed. **"A four-headed Arcane!"**
A shadowy figure—the Arcane Drifter—hissed from the sidelines, **"Commander, this is no ordinary foe. Its power is beyond them!"**
The Commander's voice remained eerily calm. **"Their strength is matched… for now."**
Kenya turned to Shen. **"Plan?"**
**"We sever all four heads. At once."**
Eliz paled. **"Four? How?"**
Ruke swallowed hard. **"He's right."**
Shen's cursed blade hummed. **"We strike together—*now*."**
Fire erupted from Kenya's palms, lightning arced from Ruke's fists, and Eliz's magic tore through the air. Shen lunged, his sword carving through the central head in a single stroke.
**"Done!"** Shen panted.
**"We won!"** Kenya cheered.
But triumph dissolved into dread as another spell ignited—
---
**The True Battle Begins**
The earth split open, disgorging a horde of Red Goblins and stone-skinned Golems.
**"Commander?!"** Shen whirled around, but the Commander stood silent.
A fierce grin spread across Shen's face. **"Guess this is the real test."**
**"You've got to be joking!"** Kenya spat.
Eliz's hands shook. **"This isn't possible—"**
Ruke's voice dropped to a whisper. **"No… it's just beginning."**
Steel flashed, spells exploded, and the team fought like demons. The Goblins fell easily, but the Golems—
**"Kenya! With me—take down that Golem!"** Shen roared.
Kenya smirked. **"About time."**
As Shen and Kenya shattered the stone titan, Eliz and Ruke cleared the swarm. Minutes later, exhaustion crippled them.
**"I'm spent…"** Shen gasped.
**"Same…"** Kenya slumped.
Ruke and Eliz groaned in unison. **"No stamina left…"**
Then, the unthinkable—another four-headed Arcane materialized.
---
**The Commander's Lesson**
**"No way…"** Shen's heart sank.
**"Is this even a fight anymore?"** Kenya rasped.
But before the Arcane could strike, it erupted into ash. The Commander stood with outstretched hands, his power scorching the air.
**"Now you understand,"** he said, voice like gravel. **"This 'stamina' is why I trained you. All these days… wasted?"**
The team bowed their heads. **"Sorry, Commander."**
**"No. You've proven your strength."** His eyes gleamed. **"Tomorrow, real training begins. And you'll restart *basics*."**
Shen's exhaustion vanished. **"Hell yes!"**
Kenya, Eliz, and Ruke echoed, **"Bring it on!"**
The chapter closed as the Commander's laughter mingled with their renewed