Chapter 148: Chapter No.148 Teamwork
[Samael Ashwood's POV]
The spirit's gaze pierced through the air as it hovered above the shimmering orb, its ethereal form slowly solidifying into a ghostly knight clad in spectral armor. It carried a translucent sword that crackled with arcane energy.
SCREEEEEECHHHH!!!
It let out a deafening screech that reverberated through the chamber, shaking the very walls around us.
Tremble! Tremble!
Within seconds dozens of similar-looking ghostly figures materialized, emerging from the walls and shadows. Each of them donned the same spectral armor, their eyes glowing with an eerie blue light. The chamber's atmosphere shifted dramatically, and the once soft glow of the runes turned into an ominous pulsing that matched the rhythm of their flickering eyes.
"Everyone, back up!" I commanded, my voice sharp.
We moved into a defensive formation, instinctively adjusting to this new threat. My mind raced through potential strategies. These weren't simple constructs or illusions—they carried the air of something ancient and powerful. The ghostly knight at the center seemed to be the focal point, its presence commanding the other spectres.
"Seraphina, illusions won't work here," I warned. She nodded quickly, already refocusing her magic.
The ghostly knight raised its sword, and without warning, it lunged forward with alarming speed. It targeted me, swinging its blade with a vicious intent.
And that's where he lost~
My right hand which always rested on the hilt of the slide down to the scabbard while with the help of my thumb, I gently pushed the pommel of my sword, releasing it with a sharp click. In one fluid motion, I drew the blade and met the knight's strike head-on, the sound of steel against spectral energy ringing through the chamber.
"Lightning Magic: Thunderous Requiem!"
Electricity surged through my blade, crackling with raw power as I channelled my magic. The moment the ghostly knight's sword clashed against mine, a burst of lightning exploded outward, sending arcs of electricity spiralling through the air. The knight recoiled from the shock, its spectral form shimmering as if disrupted by the sheer force of the strike.
"Now!" I shouted to the team, using the opportunity to press the attack.
Eveline and Raven didn't hesitate. Raven, using her Dark Magic: Abyssal Chains, summoned tendrils of shadow that shot toward the spectral figures, binding their movements. Meanwhile, Eveline unleashed another barrage of water lances, targeting the lesser ghosts while they were momentarily immobilized.
"Water Magic: Hydro Barrage!" she called out, sending a rapid series of water bolts into the ghostly forms, each hit causing the spectres to flicker and wane in strength.
The chamber filled with the chaotic sounds of battle, the clash of magic and steel ringing out as we fought off the spectral knights. Liliana, with her Blood Magic, siphoned the residual energy from the ghosts, weakening them further, while Sionna maintained a defensive position, ready to intercept any threats that slipped through the front line.
But it was the ghostly knight—the leader—that posed the greatest challenge. It recovered quickly from my lightning strike, its eyes glowing brighter as it let out another piercing screech. The other spectres surged forward in response, their attacks becoming more aggressive, more coordinated.
"Leave this to us, Samael!" Raven shouted as dark mist started enveloping her hands, while Eveline and Liliana moved in to reinforce her. They aimed to corner the lesser spectres while Raven focused on the knight.
Lily's ice magic supported Raven while Sionna backed up Liliana and Eveline, creating a barrier of water to fend off any ghosts trying to breach our line. The teamwork was seamless; each of us playing our role in this chaotic dance of magic and combat.
"Let's take down the main threat!" I yelled over the cacophony, locking my eyes onto the ghostly knight, which was now gathering energy for a counterattack. The air around it shimmered with raw power, a sure sign that it was about to unleash a devastating blow.
"Raven! Now!" I shouted as I saw the knight channelling its energy.
Raven nodded, her focus intense. "Dark Magic: Shadows of Oblivion!"
Shadows coalesced around the ghostly knight, enveloping it in darkness. The energy it had been gathering flickered, destabilizing as Raven's magic constricted around it. The other spectres paused, momentarily thrown off balance as their leader faltered.
"Eveline, hit it with everything you've got!" I urged.
"Right!" she replied, charging her spear with water magic. "Water Magic: Raging Torrent!"
A massive wave surged forth from her spear, crashing into the knight with a ferocious force. The combination of water and darkness overwhelmed it, and for a brief moment, the ghostly figure was pushed back, flickering like a faulty light.
"Now! Finish it!" I commanded, Liliana formed a massive crimson lance with blood magic glowing as she concentrated fiercely, channelling her power into a singular point.
"Blood Magic: Crimson Lance!" With a powerful thrust, the lance shot forward, piercing through the knight's shimmering form with a brilliant flash. The attack landed squarely, and for a moment, it felt like time slowed as the spectral knight let out a howl of anguish.
The lance struck true, dispersing the knight's essence into a shower of motes, each glimmering like stars against the dark chamber. The other spectres wailed in despair, their energy waning as their leader fell, the light in their eyes dimming.
"Keep going!" I shouted, my own magic still crackling at the ready. "Don't let them regroup!"
With the knight defeated, we turned our attention to the remaining ghostly figures, now disoriented and weaker. Eveline continued her relentless barrage of water lances, targeting the spectres one by one, while Raven's chains ensnared those attempting to escape.
"Let's clean this up!" Sionna exclaimed, summoning a torrent of water that crashed into a cluster of spectres, washing them away and dissipating them into nothingness.
I moved alongside them, feeling the adrenaline surge through me. Each swing of my blade felt lighter as I connected with the remaining spectres, cutting through their forms with ease.
"Liliana, do you need to siphon more energy?" I called out.
She shook her head, determination shining in her eyes. "I'm fine! I just need to focus!"
We rallied together, the teamwork solidifying into a rhythm. One by one, the spectres fell, and soon the chamber was filled with echoes of victory, the last remnants of their eerie forms crumbling to dust.
"Is that it?" Eveline asked, breathing heavily but smiling as the final spectre faded. "Did we win?"
"Looks like it," I replied, wiping sweat from her forehead with my sleeves as I took a moment to catch my breath. The tension in the air began to dissipate, replaced by an overwhelming sense of relief. The chamber, now devoid of spectral threats, felt eerily calm.
"Good job, everyone," I said, looking around at my teammates. Each of them wore expressions of triumph mixed with exhaustion, a testament to our first victory. "We worked well together."
"Did you see that lance? It was beautiful!" Liliana beamed, her eyes alight with excitement. "I felt the energy flow through me!"
Eveline nudged her playfully. "And I can't believe you nearly stole the show with that final strike! I was ready to take them down myself!"
Sionna chuckled softly, shaking her head. "The point is we did it together. This is what teamwork looks like. But we shouldn't linger—who knows what else is waiting for us?"
I nodded in agreement, glancing around the chamber for any potential exits or signs of the next challenge. The pedestal still stood at the center, the orb atop it pulsing gently as if inviting us closer.
"Should we check out the orb?" I suggested, stepping toward the pedestal. "It might provide some answers or clues for the next part of the dungeon."
As I approached, the orb shimmered more brightly, casting a soft glow that illuminated the runes etched into the pedestal. I could feel a faint magical energy radiating from it, inviting curiosity but also caution.
"Be careful," Raven warned, her eyes narrowed. "It could be a trap."
"I'll go," I decided, reaching out slowly. "If it's something dangerous, better I take the risk. Everyone, stay alert."
As my fingers brushed the surface of the orb, the runes flared to life, and a vision unfolded before my eyes—a swirling image depicting the next part of the dungeon, filled with twisting corridors and lurking shadows. I gasped as I caught glimpses of lurking creatures and the ominous architecture of the place, all woven together by threads of magic.
"It's a map!" I exclaimed, pulling back slightly as the vision faded. "And a warning. We need to be on guard; there are more monsters ahead, and they're not just spectres."
"Great," Eveline muttered, rolling her eyes. "As if it wasn't already terrifying enough."
"Let's take what we learned from this encounter," I said, stepping back from the pedestal and gathering my thoughts. "We know we can rely on each other. If we stick to our strengths and communicate effectively, we can handle whatever comes next."
"Alright, then," Seraphina chimed in, a determined glint in her eyes. "Let's move forward. I'm ready for anything."
We carefully retraced our steps back through the chamber, making our way into the winding corridors that lay ahead. The atmosphere shifted once more as the shadows deepened, and I could hear distant sounds echoing through the halls—scratches and growls, the unmistakable noises of creatures lurking just beyond our sight.
"Stay close," I reminded everyone, my voice low. "No splitting up. We can't afford to lose anyone."
THUD! THUD! THUD!
"Something's coming!"
No shit~
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..
...
[To Be Continued]
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Stone Me!, I can take it.
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