Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The air became heavier as Elion and his group progressed through the crypt. The cold stone walls exuded icy moisture, and a dark mist clung to the ground, waving slowly around their feet. The magic torches fixed along the tunnel flickered under the effect of the dark energy that pervaded the air.

Elion walked at the head of the group, his sword still drawn. The enchanted steel of his blade shone faintly under the trembling glow of the torches, pulsating to the rhythm of the Ki he channeled into it. Behind him, Eridan advanced with a stiff posture, his shield raised, while Veyla covered their rear, his piercing gaze sweeping through the moving shadows.

"It's not normal," whispered Eridan. "This mist... it's a corrupt form of magic."

"I feel it too," Elion answered in a tense voice. "This magic is not only demonic... it is ancient."

Veyla stopped suddenly, raising her hand.

"Wait."

They froze. A dull rumble echoed through the tunnel, making the stone walls vibrate. The mist around them intensified, rising in dark spirals.

"Something is coming," whispered Elion.

A metallic echo sounded, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps scraping the stone. A massive figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

It was a humanoid creature, over three meters high, with a body covered with black, corroded plate armor. His red eyes shone in the darkness, and long curved claws stretched out with his hands. An aura of evil energy pulsed around it, making the air vibrate.

"A black knight..." whispered Eridan, squeezing the handle of his sword.

"Rank 4," Veyla added in a tense voice. "And he gives off an unusually powerful magical signature."

The black knight slowly raised his massive sword, a jagged black blade that seemed to suck the light around it.

"In formation!" ordered Elion.

Eridan and his knights immediately placed themselves in line, raising their shields. Veyla positioned herself to the left of Elion, her dagger shining with a bluish glow.

"He'll attack," warned Elion.

The Dark Knight uttered a guttural roar before projecting forward with surprising speed. He swept his sword in a horizontal bow, aiming at the side of the group.

- "Biculars!"

Eridan and his knights raised their shields, blocking the blow of a colossal force. The impact hurled a shockwave through the tunnel, causing stone splinters to fly.

Elion rushed immediately, channeling his Ki into his legs to propel himself towards the Dark Knight. He struck with a precise stroke, aiming at the weak spot under the arm of the armor.

Elion's sword met unexpected resistance. A dark barrier surrounded the Dark Knight, dispelling the impact.

"A magic barrier," whistled Elion.

The black knight immediately replied, casting his sword down at Elion. The latter rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow that blew the ground in a rain of stone.

"Veyla! Distract him!"

Veyla projected forward, her dagger crackling with magic lightning. She aimed at the Dark Knight's legs, forcing him to fold slightly.

Eridan rushed in his turn, his sword wrapped in a blood-red glow. He hit the black knight's barrier, creating a crack in the protection field.

"Elion! Now!"

Elion channeled a wave of Ki into his sword, the blade lighting up with a bright silver glow. He leaped, shooting down his gun at the weak spot created by Eridan.

The blade pierced the barrier, hitting the black knight's torso directly. A heartbreaking cry escaped from the creature as a wave of Ki exploded from the open wound.

The creature retreated, staggering.

"We're holding it!" cried Veyla.

The Dark Knight raised his sword one last time, but Eridan was faster. He plunged his sword into the creature's neck, sharpening the flow of energy that kept it alive.

The black knight collapsed in a dull crash. His armor cracked before disintegrating into black ashes.

A heavy silence set in in the crypt.

Eridan removed his sword from the ground, breathing heavily.

"He wasn't just a black knight," he said. "He was... reinforced by unknown magic."

Elion knelt beside the remains of the black knight, laying a hand on the black ashes. He closed his eyes, channeling his Ki to probe the residual essence.

A vision burst into his mind: a hooded figure standing on a black stone throne, surrounded by deep black flames. Monstrous creatures bowed to her.

"Who are you?" whispered Elion.

The vision disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"Elion?" asked Veyla, kneeling beside him.

Elion opened his eyes again.

"This is just the beginning."

He sat down, his dark gaze fixed on the darkness before them.

"We're going on."

Eridan wiped the blood off his blade.

"If 4-rank black knights patrol here..."

"Then something worse is in the depths," Elion ended.

Veyla put a hand on her dagger.

"The sponsor behind this must be extremely powerful."

"And we'll find him," said Elion.

They continued their progression through the crypt, the dark mist thickening around them.

Elion felt increasing pressure in his mind - a dark consciousness watching their every move. An ancient, icy will that tested their determination.

And this time, Elion had no intention of backing down.