The swarm of grey goblins poured into the area, accompanied by their regular counterparts and a single, daunting giant. The screechers, usually a chaotic bunch, now moved with an unsettling coordination, all converging on the same destination.
Goblin 1, observing their behavior, remarked, "The screechers are unusually lively today."
Goblin 2 nodded in agreement, adding, "They've picked up a scent. Seems like they're all heading towards the same place."
The giant cyclops, a one-eyed creature with orange-red skin and a covering of green moss, sighed heavily. "Why did I get stuck with goblins?" it grumbled.
Meanwhile, inside the Robinsons' house, each step of the cyclops sent tremors through the structure. The inhabitants now faced a far greater threat than the screechers.
Light, frustration evident in his voice, declared, "We don't have a choice. We have to fight."
Lily, her voice weary, voiced her concerns, "But... we can't take them head-on. We're outnumbered, exhausted, and haven't eaten anything."
Light's response was cold and resolute, "Then stay here. Barricade the doors and windows. Don't leave until I'm done."
Eli, his nerves apparent, voiced his doubts, "Light, we believe in you, but can you really take on all those monsters? This isn't like the school. There's a giant right outside. Even with the skeletons and the horse, we may not be able to win."
A faint smile curved on Light's lips as he observed the glimmering orbs, remnants of the dead screechers and the fallen Robinsons. His eyes gleamed with determination, "Then I'll even the odds."
He swiftly made his way back to the mirror, fear gnawing at him about losing himself to the haunting figure within. Yet, he remained resolute, channeling his mana and gathering the souls near the mirror to enact his formidable technique, "Soul Echo Reflection." Skeletal hands emerged from the mirror's edges, bringing forth a small army of six screechers and three skeleton soldiers.
Lily and Eli watched in amazement as Light commanded his undead army, their skeletal forms shimmering in the dim light. Katelyn, however, couldn't help but feel a surge of anger at the sight of Chuck's skeleton, a grim reminder of Light's past actions.
Her emotions were tangled, torn between her hatred for him and the lingering care she held within. Sarah, still broken by the loss of Rose and the Robinsons, watched Light with a mix of disgust and fear, unable to comprehend the extent of his powers and his willingness to wield them.
Katelyn, her voice gruff, couldn't hide her concern, "This is madness, Light. We should escape, not fight."
Lily, in awe of Light's abilities, exclaimed, "You really are something else, Light."
Eli, his nerves palpable, spoke with worry, "Just be careful, Light."
Sarah remained silent, her eyes fixed on Light, a mix of fear and loathing residing within her gaze.
With his companions' words echoing in his mind, Light made his way outside, armed only with a rusty goblin knife and a kitchen knife. Stepping into the midst of the brewing chaos, he confronted the oncoming horde.
The screechers, driven by their heightened senses, instantly caught Light's scent and charged towards him, their screeches piercing the air. The goblins and the cyclops watched, curiosity mingling with doubt, as they witnessed this feeble human preparing to face their onslaught.
Goblin 2, expressing doubt about Light's chances, taunted, "This weakling won't last long like the others. But I am curious about how he obtained our weapon."
Goblin 1 speculated, "Maybe he looted it from a corpse?"
Goblin 2 sneered, "Even so, I can't wait to hear the sounds of his bones breaking and his screams as we feast upon his flesh."
As the screechers closed in on him, Light called upon his undead army for support. The skeletal screechers, free from the constraints of internal organs, moved with uncanny speed, their skeletal bodies glowing under the sun's rays. They launched themselves at the enemy with deadly precision, their claws slashing through the air.
Goblin 1: What in the name of... Necromancy?!
The skeleton soldiers, though lacking agility, compensated with sheer strength. Their fists struck with bone-crushing force, dealing powerful blows to the enemy screechers. Yet, it was the Undead horseman who emerged as the vanguard.
Wielding Gorthak's lance with deadly precision, he charged through the swarm with relentless determination. With each swing of the lance, an enemy screecher fell, their lifeless forms joining the scattered remains.
Goblin 1, his eyes widening with recognition, exclaimed, "That lance... It belonged to Gorthak!"
Goblin 2 interrupted, finishing Goblin 1's sentence with a sinister tone. "Could this human have slain Gorthak? We may be facing a greater threat than we thought."
The goblins' suspicions grew, stirring unease among their ranks. Meanwhile, the cyclops observed the battle, its single eye widening in disbelief at the necromantic display unfolding before it.
Cyclops, whispering to Goblin 1: "What manner of sorcery is this? Humans shouldn't possess mana, yet…this one controls the dead with such proficiency. Hugo hasn't made the announcement yet.
Goblin 1, equally bewildered, responded in hushed tones: "I don't know, but we can't underestimate him. Let's inform Hugo about this. He needs to be warned."
As they exchanged whispers, Light overheard fragments of their conversation. Curiosity burned within him, demanding answers.
Light, his voice tinged with anger, demanded, "What do you mean announcement?! Explain yourselves!"
Caught off guard, the goblins turned to face Light, sinister amusement gleaming in their eyes.
Goblin 1, sneering: "Oh, so you overheard us, did you? Well, well, well. It seems our little secret has piqued your interest."
Goblin 2, chuckling: "Indeed. Humans like you shouldn't be meddling in matters beyond your understanding. Leave the playing field to us, and we'll spare you a particularly gruesome fate."
Light's eyes narrowed as he felt a surge of defiance. He couldn't allow these malevolent creatures to belittle him or his potential. With a renewed focus, he channeled his mana, summoning his power once more. "Shattered Barrage!"
Countless shards of bone erupted from the ground, hurtling toward the goblins with deadly precision. The projectiles tore through their flesh, silencing their wicked laughter forever. The cyclops, disoriented by the chaos, roared in confusion, its massive frame causing the ground to tremble.
Driven by rage and disorientation, the cyclops unleashed its fury upon the surrounding environment. Cement shattered, sidewalks cracked, and debris filled the air as it vented its frustration.
Inside the house, Eli, Katelyn, Sarah, and Lily watched in awe and concern as Light's powers manifested before their eyes.
Katelyn, her voice laced with reluctant admiration, couldn't deny the truth, "I can't believe I'm actually worried about him. But damn, he's strong."
Sarah, her anger momentarily softened by the display of power, added, "Look at what he's become... manipulating the dead like puppets. It's sickening."
Lily, her eyes shining with a mix of worry and hope, spoke up, "We may not fully understand him, but he's fighting to protect us. We have to trust him."
Eli, his voice tinged with anxiety, nodded in agreement, "Let's hope he can control his powers. We need him to defeat those creatures and ensure our survival."
As the chaotic battle raged on, Light's skeletal army clashed with the screechers, each strike leaving a trail of shattered bones and torn flesh. The Undead horseman, wielding Gorthak's lance with deadly precision, emerged as the symbol of their victory, charging through the swarm with relentless determination.
With each swing of the lance, the Undead horseman pierced through screechers, its spectral form moving with supernatural grace. The goblins, witnessing the weapon they recognized as Gorthak's, grew even more suspicious, fearing the worst about their fallen comrade.
The cyclops, disoriented by the sudden turn of events, roared in frustration and unleashed its fury upon its surroundings. Cement shattered, sidewalks crumbled, and the earth trembled under its powerful blows.
In the midst of the chaos, Light remained focused, utilizing his "Shattered Barrage" to keep the monsters from overpowering him. The goblins, however, succumbed to their injuries, falling to the ground lifeless. Only the disoriented cyclops remained, its roars echoing through the air.
Seizing the opportunity, Light closed in on the cyclops, his knives gleaming in the sunlight. With swift and precise strikes, he exploited the creature's disorientation, finding weak points in its thick skin. The cyclops staggered, disoriented and overwhelmed, until finally collapsing to the ground.
As the dust settled, a trail of destruction and fallen adversaries marked the aftermath of the battle. Light stood amidst the debris, his body covered in dirt and sweat, his chest heaving with exhaustion. Yet, a glimmer of triumph shone in his eyes.
Slowly, Eli, Katelyn, Sarah, and Lily cautiously stepped outside, their gazes fixed upon Light, a mixture of awe, concern, and relief etched on their faces.
Eli, his voice filled with awe, found it hard to articulate his thoughts, "I... I can't believe what I just witnessed. Light, you're incredible."
Katelyn, her voice still gruff but laced with a newfound respect, admitted, "You certainly know how to put on a show. But don't think this changes anything between us."
Sarah, her anger momentarily subsiding, acknowledged, "You fought well, Light. But never forget the cost of wielding such power."
Lily, her voice filled with a mix of concern and relief, added, "We're still in this together, Light. We'll support you, even in the face of these unsettling abilities."
Light, a mixture of weariness and determination on his face, nodded in gratitude to his companions. The battle was won, but the war against the encroaching darkness was far from over. With each step, Light knew he had to unlock the mysteries behind his powers and the enigmatic system that bestowed them upon him.
As he wiped the sweat from his brow and surveyed the aftermath of the battle, Light couldn't help but acknowledge that there were still more questions than answers. The journey to uncover the truth would be perilous, filled with challenges and sacrifices.