chapter 25

Chapter 25

The metallic crash echoed through the room as Elion narrowly appeared to be the titanic stroke of the demonic axe. The shockwave lifted stone splinters and hurled a icy wind blast across the room. The runes engraved on the walls pulsed dangerously, reacting to the colossal power released by the creature.

Elion lands flexibly, his boots slipping on the stone floor. His arm was shaking on impact, a dull pain running through his shoulder. He winced, his breath short.

"He's quick for his size," he growled.

Eridan quickly got back on his feet after being pushed against the wall. His shield was still vibrating with impact. He stood before Elion, raising his gun.

"We have to unbalance it! It's too heavy to beat head-on."

"Easy to say," Veyla retorted, narrowly dodging a side strike from the axe. She threw a volley of lightning-soaked daggers, but the weapons ricocheted against the creature's thick armor.

The creature emitted a dull rumble, its red eyes shining with an unhealthy glow. A black vapor was escaping from the gaps of his armor, slowly dissipating into the air.

"This thing is made of pure demonic energy," whispered Elion.

He channeled his Ki, the silvery light surrounding his sword intensifying. He felt the familiar warmth of his power flowing through his veins, vibrating to the rhythm of his heart.

"Then just exorcise him," he said, his cold tone.

Elion leaped, his sword lighting up with a bright silver glow. He split the air in a perfect bow, aiming at the creature's flank.

The sword sank into the black armor. The creature roars, a jet of black smoke escaping from the wound. But instead of collapsing, the creature swept its arm back.

Elion was thrown back, his body violently hitting a stone column. He fell back to his knees, his breath cut off.

"That won't be enough!" cried Eridan, throwing himself forward.

Eridan's shield lit up with a golden light when he charged. He hit the creature's chest directly, a dull impact echoing through the room. The creature retreated several steps, but straightened up almost immediately.

"It's regenerating," whispered Veyla, her eyes wide.

A red light pulsed through the creature's armor, closing the wound. The demonic symbols along his body lit up more.

"He uses class 5 magic," grumbled Eridan.

Elion slowly got up, a icy glow in his eyes.

"Then we're going to have to use a coordinated attack."

He closed his eyes, concentrating his Ki. The silvery aura around him intensified, taking a more defined form, like spread wings.

"Veyla, weaken his mobility." Eridan, get ready to push him away as soon as I open a gap."

Veyla nodded, concentrating an electric wave in her hand.

- "Ready."

Eridan raised his shield, his golden aura vibrating around him.

"Go ahead!"

Elion charged. He disappeared in silvery lightning, reappearing right in front of the creature. He fell his sword towards the joint of the armor.

Veyla threw a lightning bolt directly into the ground, creating a shockwave that enveloped the creature's legs. Lightning crackled, momentarily paralyzing the colossus.

Elion took advantage of the opening. His sword sank deep into the weak spot of the armor. A silvery light exploded around the creature.

"Eridan! Now!"

Eridan charged, his shield lit up with golden runes. He hit the creature hard. The shockwave threw the creature back, causing it to hit the wall with colossal violence.

The creature roars, black smoke escaping from his body. She tried to get up, but Elion gave her no chance. He channeled one last pulse of Ki into his sword, creating a blinding silvery light.

"Awakening of the Lunar Sword!"

He shot his sword in a perfect bow. The silvery light passed through the creature from side to side.

A heavy silence set in.

The creature remained motionless for a second, before its armor cracked. A shock wave roamed the room. Then the creature collapsed, its body dissolving into black smoke.

Elion stood, his breath hoarse. His silvery aura slowly weakens, dissipating into the air.

"Is it over?" asked Veyla, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Eridan lowered his shield, kneeling.

"Yes... it's over."

Elion approached the black altar, now silent. The red light was gone, and the runes engraved around the room were slowly going out.

"It was just a test," he whispered.

Eridan frowned.

"A test?"

Elion put a hand on the surface of the altar. A faint vibration roamed the ground beneath his feet.

"This place... was not a prison. It was a sanctuary."

Veyla approached, her look worried.

"A sanctuary? For what?"

Elion sat up, his piercing gaze staring at the back wall.

"For the real guard. This creature was just a fragment of the power sealed here. Something much older and more powerful still slumbers beneath this sanctuary."

Eridan stood up, his face grave.

"We should seal this place."

Elion nodded slowly.

"Yes. But not until you've found out what's hidden there."

He walked away from the altar, his sword still drawn.

This sanctuary has not been opened for centuries. Demonic magic has corrupted this place... but the real threat still lies dormant."

Veyla crossed her arms, a restless glow in her eyes.

"Are you really going to wake up what's dormant here?"

Elion smiled slightly, his gaze frozen.

"If that's the price to pay for getting the necessary strength... then yes."

He turned his heels, entering the dark corridor leading deeper into the sanctuary. Veyla and Eridan exchanged a worried look before following him.

In the shadow of the sanctuary, something slowly stirred. A red eye opened briefly, before closing in absolute silence.