Chapter 131 : Face-Off against cult leader

Ruchir, Garret, Robert, and Professor Aanya gathered in a dimly lit room filled with maps, ancient scrolls, and arcane tools.

The tension in the air was palpable as they planned their next move.

The map they had recovered from the cultists had led them to several key locations within the capital, each one suspected to be a hideout or ritual site.

With Professor Aanya's powerful abilities, they had decided to strike swiftly and eliminate the cult's influence.

Garret was pacing back and forth, his usual bravado tempered by the seriousness of the situation. "I just don't get it. Why are these cultists so obsessed with dark rituals? Can't they just stick to normal hobbies like the rest of us?"

Robert rolled his eyes, trying to stay calm. "Garret, these people are dangerous. They're not just playing around. If we don't stop them, who knows what they'll do next?"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Garret replied, waving his hand dismissively. "But I'm just saying, they could've picked something less creepy, you know?"

Ruchir, who had been studying the map intently, finally spoke up. "We don't have time for this. We need to move quickly and hit all the locations marked on this map. If we strike fast, we can corner them before they realize what's happening."

Professor Aanya nodded in agreement. "With the element of surprise on our side, we can eliminate their strongholds and cut off their resources. But we must remain cautious. These cultists are more cunning than they appear."

With a final nod of agreement, they set out, determined to cleanse the capital of the cult's influence.

___

At the first location, an old warehouse tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city, they were met with minimal resistance.

The cultists guarding the entrance barely had time to react before Ruchir charged in, sword flashing as he unleashed his Ink Sword Slash technique.

The air crackled with energy as his blade, imbued with the power of his ink calligraphy, tore through the cultists, leaving behind trails of dark energy that sizzled on the ground.

Garret, not one to be outdone, activated his Golden Body Technique.

His skin shimmered with a golden hue as he plowed through the remaining cultists, each punch sending shockwaves through the warehouse.

"Rock Fist!" he shouted, his fist colliding with a cultist's chest, sending the man flying into a stack of crates.

Robert, meanwhile, stood back, focusing his energy into the ground. "Grass Root Bind!" he called out, and tendrils of grass erupted from the floor, entangling the fleeing cultists and holding them in place for Ruchir and Garret to finish off.

Professor Aanya stood in the center of the chaos, her eyes glowing with ethereal light.

"Spectral Barrage!" she commanded, and a horde of ghostly apparitions materialized around her, screaming as they charged at the cultists, driving them into corners and overwhelming them with sheer force. The cultists, terrified by the sight of these spectral warriors, fell quickly.

Within minutes, the warehouse was cleared.

They moved swiftly from one location to the next, each battle a repeat of the first. Ruchir's sword, Garret's fists, Robert's magic, and Professor Aanya's spectral forces made quick work of the cultists, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake. Each location had its challenges, but with their combined strength, they overcame them with relative ease.

At the fourth location, a rundown chapel hidden in the heart of the capital, Ruchir felt a sense of foreboding. They approached cautiously, but again found nothing more than a few cultists, easily defeated by their combined might. It was almost too easy.

Garret looked around, wiping sweat from his brow. "You know, for an ancient cult, these guys are really bad at defending themselves. I was expecting more of a challenge."

Robert nodded in agreement, though he still kept his guard up. "It's like they're not even trying. Maybe they're just scared of us."

Ruchir frowned, not liking the uneasy feeling in his gut. "Something's not right. This last location should be the most heavily guarded, but there's nothing here."

Professor Aanya, who had been silent for most of the mission, suddenly stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surroundings. "There's something... off about this place," she murmured. "It feels like a trap."

Just as the words left her mouth, the air around them seemed to warp and twist. Dark figures materialized from the shadows, surrounding them in a circle. Ruchir, Garret, and Robert immediately drew their weapons, readying themselves for a fight.

From the shadows emerged a man wearing a black and red mask, his presence exuding a dark, oppressive aura. "So, you're the ones who've been causing trouble for my followers," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I must admit, I'm disappointed. I expected more from the Mysterious Heaven Palace."

Ruchir stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the masked man. "We won't let you continue your twisted rituals. Surrender now, and we might spare your life."

The cult leader let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "Surrender? To the likes of you? You disgust me with your self-righteousness, always thinking you're better than everyone else. But you're nothing—just pawns in a game you don't even understand."

Garret, always quick with a retort, smirked. "Oh, please. You're just mad because we've been wiping the floor with your cronies all day. Maybe you should pick better underlings."

The cult leader's eyes flashed with anger, his voice rising. "You dare mock me? I'll show you true power! Crimson Tide!"

He thrust his hands forward, and a massive wave of blood-red water surged from the ground, rushing toward them with incredible speed. Ruchir and the others braced themselves, but before the wave could reach them, Professor Aanya stepped in front, her hands glowing with ghostly energy.

"Spectral Shield!" she shouted, and a barrier of glowing spirits formed in front of them, absorbing the impact of the water with an eerie wail. The shield held strong, but it flickered under the pressure.

Ruchir's eyes narrowed as he realized the strength of their opponent. "Garret, Robert, take care of the others! I'll help Professor Aanya hold off the leader."

Garret grinned, cracking his knuckles. "About time! Rock Technique: Earthquake Punch!" He slammed his fist into the ground, causing the earth to tremble and knock several cultists off their feet.

Robert followed up with his own attack. "Grass Root Magic: Thorn Vines!" Thorn-covered vines shot out of the ground, ensnaring the cultists and leaving them vulnerable to Garret's powerful strikes.

Meanwhile, the cult leader unleashed another attack, this time summoning tendrils of water that slashed through the air like whips. "Hydro Lash!" he roared, aiming the attacks directly at Professor Aanya.

She barely managed to deflect the attacks with her Spectral Barrage, but the effort was clearly taking a toll on her. Sweat dripped from her brow, and her breathing grew labored. "Ruchir, I can't hold him off much longer!"

Ruchir gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plan. The cult leader was too strong, too well-prepared. But he couldn't give up now. "Professor, fall back! I'll cover you!"

He leaped forward, his sword glowing with righteous energy. "Ink Sword Technique: Divine Slash!" His blade cut through the air, slicing through the water tendrils and forcing the cult leader to retreat a step.

The cult leader sneered behind his mask, clearly unimpressed. "Is that the best you can do, boy? Your righteousness is nothing compared to the power I wield!"

With a wave of his hand, he summoned a torrent of water that spiraled into a massive whirlpool, threatening to engulf them all. "Abyssal Maelstrom!"

Ruchir struggled to keep his footing as the ground beneath him shifted. Garret and Robert were fending off the remaining cultists, but they were tiring, and the whirlpool's pull was strong. Professor Aanya, too, was faltering, her energy nearly spent.

Just when it seemed like they might be overwhelmed, the cult leader paused, his eyes narrowing. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the air, and he scowled. "This commotion... I've drawn too much attention. We'll continue this another time."

Before they could stop him, the cult leader gestured to his remaining followers. "Retreat! We'll finish them later."

Garret, panting heavily, shouted after him, "Yeah, run away, you coward! We'll be waiting!"

But the cult leader was already gone, disappearing into the shadows with his followers. The whirlpool dissipated, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.

Professor Aanya collapsed to one knee, her breathing ragged. Ruchir rushed to her side, placing his hands on her shoulders and channeling his energy into her. "Righteous Healing," he whispered, the glow of his energy flowing into her wounds.

She sighed in relief as some of the pain faded, but her eyes remained sharp. "Ruchir... that man, the leader... he was holding back. If he'd wanted to, he could've destroyed us all."

Ruchir nodded grimly, understanding the gravity of her words. "He didn't want to cause too much of a scene. But why?"

Professor Aanya shook her head, still weak from the battle. "Whatever his reason, we need to be careful. He's not someone we can take lightly."

Garret, leaning against a wall, wiped the sweat from his brow. "Well, that was intense. But hey, we're still alive, right?"

Robert nodded in agreement, though his expression was more serious than usual. "We'll have to be even more prepared next time."

Ruchir helped Professor Aanya to her feet, his resolve hardening. "We won't let them win. Next time, we'll be ready for whatever they throw at us."

As they made their way back to their headquarters, the weight of the cult's threat hung over them like a dark cloud. The battle had only just begun, and they knew the worst was yet to come.