i reincarnated in to my Novel

The air was thick with anticipation as both groups faced off in the clearing, the distant relic glinting in the sunlight. Dakota stood silently, his eyes scanning the enemy with careful calculation. The moment felt suspended in time, as if everything around them was holding its breath.

The quiet was shattered by the sound of cracking branches and the rustling of leaves, growing louder with each passing second. The disturbance was unmistakable, the rumble of something large approaching.

Liam: "What's that sound?"

Alex: "Something's coming."

Everyone's eyes shifted to the edge of the forest, trying to pierce the dense trees to see what was causing the commotion. The forest around them seemed to tense, the leaves rustling with an unnatural rhythm, as though something else had entered their domain.

Dakota cast a quick glance at Henry, who stiffened at the sound, his eyes narrowing in alert. For a split second, their shared understanding flickered.

Dakota (thinking): Could it be the Dark Mages? But they usually travel alone, don't they? There's no magic here, so why are they suddenly this active?

His thoughts raced, but he kept them to himself, never letting his face betray his concerns. His friends had no idea about the Dark Mages, and he wasn't about to burden them with this knowledge just yet. It's better they don't know. Not now.

Henry: "Everyone, prepare yourselves."

Henry's words broke the tension, and everyone instinctively assumed battle stances, weapons drawn, eyes scanning the forest. The disturbance grew louder, drawing nearer with every passing second.

The trees parted with a snap, revealing seven cloaked figures. They moved with a predatory grace, each one draped in tattered robes that shifted in the breeze like shadows. Their faces were hidden beneath the deep hoods of their cloaks, leaving only their eyes visible—a cold, calculating gaze that made the air feel heavier.

Mila: "Who the hell are these guys?"

Her voice was barely a whisper, but the question carried an urgency that no one could ignore.

Alex: "I've never seen anything like them."

They didn't respond. Instead, the seven Dark Mages moved as one, stepping forward with a synchronized, fluid motion. The forest seemed to recoil from their presence, the very ground beneath their feet cracking under their weight. The tension in the air grew thicker.

Dakota could feel the weight of their gaze on him, particularly from the leader—the one who stood in the front. His posture was rigid, his cloak swirling around him like a dark storm.

Dakota (thinking): I'm not sure if they're testing us, but if these are the ones I think they are, we're in for a tough fight. No magic, no tricks, just raw combat.

Without a word, the leader moved, his footsteps silent but deadly as he advanced toward Dakota. His companions followed suit, each one splitting off to face a member of the opposing group.

Dakota: "I'll take the leader. Focus on the others."

Henry: "Got it."

The battle began in an instant, and Dakota was already in motion. He lunged forward, his blade flashing through the air toward the leader. The Dark Mage raised a hand to block, and their weapons collided with a resounding clash, the force of the impact sending a ripple through the air.

Dakota's eyes narrowed as he felt the strength behind the leader's defense. The figure moved quickly, stepping back and striking with calculated precision. Dakota parried, his sword clashing against the Dark Mage's, the metal singing with each strike. The leader's movements were sharp, relentless, a perfect counter to Dakota's every action.

Meanwhile, the others engaged their own foes. Mila clashed with one of the Dark Mages, her blade cutting through the air as she moved with fluid grace. The Dark Mage she faced was fast, blocking her strikes with ease, but Mila was relentless, pushing forward with a series of swift, calculated attacks.

Michael met another head-on, his sword swinging in powerful arcs. The Dark Mage blocked with a hardened blade of his own, their swords locked for a brief moment before they broke apart. Michael darted in, his movements unpredictable, but the Dark Mage countered with a quick strike aimed at Michael's side. Michael barely managed to dodge, his muscles burning as he readied himself for another attack.

Ethan and Lucas faced two more, the air thick with the sound of steel ringing out as they exchanged blows. Ethan's sword flashed with each strike, his attacks precise and brutal. The Dark Mages, however, were fast, their reactions quick, making it difficult for Ethan to land a blow.

Dakota's focus remained on the leader. Every strike they exchanged was an attempt to read each other, to find an opening. The leader was fast, calculating, each movement made with purpose, forcing Dakota to adjust his own style. The clash of their blades sent sparks into the air, and for a moment, Dakota could feel the intensity of the battle increasing.

But despite the leader's skill, Dakota was quicker, his strikes flowing like water as he tested the Dark Mage's defenses. The leader parried one blow, only for Dakota to spin and aim a strike at his side. The leader stepped back, narrowly avoiding the cut, and his eyes gleamed with a mixture of respect and annoyance.

Leader: "You're not as easy to defeat as I thought."

Dakota: "Neither are you."

They circled one another, each waiting for the other to make a mistake. The sounds of battle continued to echo around them, the clash of swords, the grunts of exertion, the rhythmic footfalls of combatants moving in sync with one another. The other members of Dakota's group were holding their own, but the outcome of the battle was still unclear.

Dakota's attention snapped back to the leader. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not for a second. The Dark Mage's strikes came faster now, each one designed to push him back, to test his limits.

Dakota (thinking): I can't let this drag on. I need to break through.

His next move was swift, a feint followed by a powerful slash aimed directly at the leader's chest. The leader blocked it just in time, but Dakota immediately pivoted, launching a series of strikes with deadly accuracy. The leader staggered back under the barrage, his cloak billowing as he tried to regain his footing.

But before Dakota could press the attack, the leader's foot lashed out, kicking a chunk of stone directly into Dakota's path, forcing him to dodge. It was a temporary setback, but it allowed the leader to recover, his cold eyes locking onto Dakota's once more.

The battle was far from over.

Dakota: "Come on then. Let's finish this."

But as he prepared for another strike, the leader suddenly stepped back, raising a hand to signal for the others to halt. The remaining Dark Mages, who had been locked in combat, stopped as well, their eyes flicking between Dakota and the leader.

Leader: "This is not the time for final blows. We will meet again."

With those words, the leader turned, his cloak swirling behind him as he retreated into the forest, the other Dark Mages following suit. The battle, though intense, had ended in a stalemate—for now.

Dakota stood motionless, watching the shadows disappear into the trees. His grip on his sword tightened.

Dakota (thinking): They're not done yet. We'll have to be ready for whatever comes next.