The Depths Of The Citadel

The blade responded, its light flaring brighter with each pulse. The orb shuddered violently, its surface cracking as the energy within struggled to contain itself. The spectral forms froze mid-attack, their hollow eyes turning toward me as if sensing the shift.

"I think you're making it mad!" Ji Ho called, ducking behind a crumbled pillar.

"Good," I said, pouring more energy into the blade. "Let it get mad."

With a final surge of power, the orb exploded, releasing a shockwave that sent us both flying. I hit the ground hard, the divine blade clattering from my hand. When I looked up, the orb was gone, replaced by a towering figure of pure light and shadow. It had no discernible features, only a shifting, humanoid form that radiated an overwhelming presence.

"Well," Ji Ho said, coughing as he got to his feet. "This just keeps getting better."