The first strike came like a thunderclap. The Mech-Hunter's massive arm swung through the air, cutting through the wind with a speed that belied its enormous size. Vara barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side just in time, her blade singing as it cut through the air in an arc of silver. The ground beneath her feet trembled with the impact of the Mech-Hunter’s strike, sending plumes of dust into the air.

  She had no time to think, no time to process the gravity of the situation. She could feel the Codex inside her, pulsing with raw energy, urging her forward. Every movement felt sharper, faster, as if the artifact had fused itself with her very being, feeding off her adrenaline and fear. The world around her seemed to slow as she raced forward, her senses heightened, her body responding with a fluidity she had never known before.

  The Mech-Hunter loomed above her, its towering form a monstrosity of metal and muscle. Its chest opened, revealing a series of glowing red lights that pulsed in sync with its mechanical heart. A low, guttural growl emanated from the machine as it powered up its weapons.

  But Vara was faster. She closed the distance between them in a flash, her sword slashing in a wide arc. Sparks flew as her blade collided with the Mech-Hunter’s reinforced arm, the sound of metal on metal ringing through the air. The beast retaliated, swinging its arm with unnatural precision, but Vara was already rolling away, her feet barely touching the ground.

  “Come on,” she muttered to herself, adrenaline surging through her veins. She needed to find an opening, a weakness—something to exploit.

  Her eyes flicked to the Mech-Hunter’s chest, the weak point she had spotted earlier. There, in the heart of the machine, was a faint crack in the armor—a potential vulnerability. The Codex inside her hummed with an energy she could almost feel in her bones, and for a moment, she let it guide her.

  She pushed herself to her feet, her sword flashing as she dashed forward once again. The Mech-Hunter swung its arm in a horizontal arc, but Vara ducked low, sliding under the beast's massive limb with practiced ease. She moved like water, her body shifting effortlessly around the oncoming blows. The Codex whispered to her, urging her to strike harder, faster, as if it was a living thing that thrived on battle.

  She reached the Mech-Hunter’s chest and drove her blade forward, aiming for the crack. Her sword sank deep into the armor, and she could feel the Codex inside her flare with a violent burst of energy. The Mech-Hunter’s internal systems screeched in protest, and sparks flew as its armor buckled under the pressure. It recoiled, but Vara did not give up. She twisted the blade, using every ounce of strength to widen the crack.

  “Come on, damn you,” she growled, pushing deeper into the machine.

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  With a final grunt, the Mech-Hunter let out a mechanical roar, its entire body surging forward. The impact sent Vara flying backward, her body slamming into the ground with bone-shattering force. She gasped for air, the world spinning around her as pain shot through her ribs. But she couldn't afford to stay down. Not now.

  The Mech-Hunter stood over her, its red eyes glowing with murderous intent. It raised its massive foot, preparing to crush her. Her heart hammered in her chest as she scrambled to her feet, barely managing to roll out of the way before the metal limb smashed into the ground where she had been just seconds before.

  Vara didn’t hesitate. She knew that if she didn’t end this fight now, the Mech-Hunter would tear her apart. She summoned the power of the Codex again, feeling it surge through her body like an unstoppable force. The world around her slowed once more, and for the briefest of moments, she saw everything in vivid clarity. The crack in the Mech-Hunter’s chest was just there, exposed, waiting for her to finish the job.

  She dashed forward again, faster than before, her blade raised high. The Mech-Hunter tried to counter, but it was too slow. Vara was already inside its reach, the blade plunging deep into the crack with a resounding crash. The Codex erupted inside her, a wave of energy so intense that it almost blinded her. The Mech-Hunter’s systems began to fail, its mechanical limbs jerking and twitching uncontrollably.

  The ground shook once more, and the Mech-Hunter crumpled to the earth, its glowing red eyes flickering before fading into darkness. Vara stood above the wreckage, breathing heavily, her body trembling from the exertion. The Codex inside her pulsed with an insistent hum, as if it had tasted victory and now demanded more.

  She staggered back, pulling her blade free from the machine’s shattered chest. The wound in her side throbbed, but she didn’t have time to care. There was more to this battle than just the Mech-Hunter. Her enemies—both human and machine—were coming, and she would need all her strength to survive.

  As the dust settled, she could hear the faint sound of footsteps approaching. But this time, they weren’t the heavy, mechanical thuds of the Mech-Hunter. These were lighter, more familiar. She turned, her eyes narrowing as a group of figures emerged from the shadows.

  They were dressed in the dark, utilitarian garb of the Nomads, their faces obscured by visors and masks. At their head was a woman with piercing blue eyes that glowed in the dim light, her posture confident and predatory.

  “Vara,” the woman called, her voice sharp and authoritative. “You’ve been busy.”

  Vara’s grip tightened on her sword. “What do you want, Ayara?”

  Ayara, the leader of the Nomads, smiled coldly. “You’ve stirred the hornet’s nest. The Codex is powerful, but it’s also a beacon for those who know how to wield it. You’re not the only one who seeks its power, Vara. And soon, you’ll find yourself surrounded by enemies from all sides.”

  Vara’s heart raced as she assessed the situation. She was still weak from the battle with the Mech-Hunter, but she couldn’t afford to show fear. Not now.

  “Then I guess I’ll have to make sure none of you get it,” she said, her voice steady as she prepared for whatever came next.

  Ayara’s smile widened. “We’ll see about that.”