In a reality where the fabric of space and time is as malleable as clay, the three interdimensional heroes – Belevor the Ranger, Miriel the She-elf wizard, and Frod the Halfling – were no strangers to danger. However, none of them could have anticipated the unworldly terror that was the Xenos Incursion.
“By the stars,” Belevor muttered, eyes narrowed at the advancing alien horde – creatures that defied logic and description, their forms a maddening fusion of scales, tentacles, and too many eyes. Their sickening laughter echoed through the air, the noise enough to freeze one's blood.
Miriel gripped her staff, face pale but determined. “We have to reach the Wormhole, it's our only way out.”
“Easier said than done,” Frod muttered, scanning their surroundings. “We're outnumbered.”
“Then let's even the odds,” Belevor said, nocking an arrow to his bow. “Frod, get us to the Wormhole. Miriel and I will hold them off.”
As the Halfling scampered off, Miriel summoned a shimmering shield around them, repelling the first wave of Xenos. Belevor loosed arrow after arrow, each one finding its target with deadly accuracy.
But for every Xenos they felled, two more seemed to take its place. The weight of their situation sunk in. “We’re not going to last long at this rate,” Miriel breathed, her shield flickering under the relentless assault.
Suddenly, a group of Xenos broke through the line, charging straight towards the pair. Belevor launched himself at them, a furious whirlwind of steel and wrath. Even as he fell one after another, he knew they were getting overwhelmed.
A guttural roar echoed through the battlefield. A monstrous Xenos, larger and more grotesque than the others, surged forward. It swung a mighty tentacle, catching Belevor off guard and sending him flying.
Miriel screamed, "Belevor!" With a furious cry, she thrust her staff forward. A massive wave of energy erupted from the tip, blasting the Xenos back. But the monstrous Xenos was undeterred, shrugging off her attack like it was nothing.
Meanwhile, Frod had found the Wormhole, hidden behind a bizarre alien structure. But operating it was no simple task. “Come on, Frod, think,” he muttered to himself. The engravings depicted various cosmic phenomena. And then it clicked - he had to align the symbols to their corresponding astral bodies. But time was not on his side.
Back at the battlefield, Belevor got up, his body aching. He saw Miriel battling the monstrous Xenos alone, her magical energy waning. Fear gripped him – they were running out of time.
Summoning every ounce of his strength, Belevor sprinted towards the monster. He leapt, plunging his dagger deep into its multitude of eyes. The creature bellowed, thrashing wildly and dislodging him. But the damage was done. With a last howl of agony, the creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into a puddle of alien ichor.
“Belevor, the Wormhole!” Miriel called, pointing towards the now active portal. Frod had done it. But a wall of Xenos stood between them and their escape.
Taking a deep breath, Belevor shouted, “Frod, get Miriel through. I’ll hold them off!”
Frod nodded and sprinted towards Miriel, pulling her towards the portal. Belevor fired off a volley of arrows, halting the Xenos advance momentarily. As the last of his arrows found their mark, Belevor turned and sprinted for the Wormhole.
A deafening roar signified the Xenos' charge. Belevor could feel their hot breath on his heels as he threw himself into the swirling portal. The world spun wildly, then everything went black.
When Belevor opened his eyes, he was lying on soft grass, the comforting twinkle of familiar stars above him. Frod and Miriel were there, nursing their wounds but alive.
“We made it,” Miriel breathed, her face pale but her eyes shining with relief.
“We did,” Belevor agreed, his heart still pounding from their narrow escape.
The memory of the Xenos Incursion would haunt their dreams for many nights, but they had survived. And as long as they were together, Belevor knew they could face whatever the multiverse threw at them.
