As they ventured deeper into the north, the once-familiar lands of Xandros became more alien with each passing mile. The air was colder, heavier, and even the light seemed to fade faster, as though the sky itself conspired to cast them into shadow. The village they had passed through haunted their thoughts, the twisted magic leaving an invisible mark on their spirits.
Padrino rode at the front of the group, his eyes scanning the horizon. Every instinct told him they were walking into a trap, but there was no turning back. Too much was at stake. Rimuru's future—its very existence—depended on them finding the source of the disturbance and putting an end to it.
The others were silent, the only sound coming from the rhythmic clop of hooves on the hardened earth. Hinata rode beside Padrino, her expression tight with focus. She had been quieter than usual since they passed the village, her normally bright aura dimmed by the presence of the dark magic that still lingered in the air.
"Something's watching us," she whispered, her hand moving to the hilt of her staff. "I can feel it."
Padrino nodded. He had felt it too. Ever since they entered this region, it was as if they were being stalked—an unseen force lurking just out of sight, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Keep your eyes open," Padrino ordered, his voice low but firm. "We don't know what we're dealing with."
Ahead, the landscape changed. The once-dense forests gave way to barren, rocky terrain. Massive cliffs rose on either side of them, funneling them into a narrow path that stretched for miles. It was the perfect place for an ambush, and everyone knew it.
Marko pulled his horse up beside Padrino, his face drawn in concentration. "I don't like this. It's too quiet, too... exposed."
"We don't have a choice," Padrino replied, though he shared Marko's concern. "If we're going to find the source of this magic, we have to keep moving."
Talon, who had been riding at the back of the group, suddenly halted. "Wait," he said sharply, his voice tense. "We're not alone."
Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them rumbled, a deep, unnatural sound that made the horses rear in panic. The cliffs on either side of them seemed to shift, dark shapes emerging from the shadows.
They weren't alone.
"Ambush!" Padrino shouted, drawing his sword as the figures came into full view. They were unlike any enemy they had faced before—twisted, shadowy creatures that seemed to melt into the very darkness around them, their forms barely solid. They moved with unnatural speed, darting toward the group with horrifying precision.
"Form up!" Marko barked, taking charge of the soldiers. "Defensive positions!"
The elite soldiers of Rimuru responded quickly, forming a tight circle around the core of their group. Hinata raised her staff, her magic flaring to life as she summoned a barrier of light to protect them. The shadow creatures hissed and recoiled from the light, but they did not retreat.
"They're drawn to the magic," Talon warned, his voice strained. "Hinata, lower your barrier. It's only making them stronger."
Hinata hesitated, her eyes flicking to Padrino. He nodded once, trusting Talon's judgment, even if it made his blood boil. With a reluctant motion, Hinata lowered the barrier, and the creatures slowed, their focus seeming to wane for a moment.
"Strike now!" Padrino commanded, seizing the opportunity.
With a roar, the soldiers surged forward, their swords and spears cutting into the shadowy forms. But the creatures were like smoke, dissipating into the air only to reform moments later. For every one they destroyed, another took its place.
Padrino swung his sword with precision, cutting through the darkness, but the creatures seemed endless. A sharp cry from behind made him turn just in time to see one of the creatures lunge toward Asuna, who had been holding back, readying her own magic.
"Asuna!" Padrino shouted, but before he could act, Talon moved like lightning, cutting the creature down with a swift motion. Asuna staggered back, her face pale, but nodded her thanks to Talon.
"We can't keep this up," Marko growled, slashing at another creature. "There's too many."
Padrino knew he was right. The shadow creatures were wearing them down, and the soldiers were starting to falter. But he also knew they couldn't retreat. Not now. Not when they were so close to uncovering the truth.
"We need a way to disrupt them," Hinata said through gritted teeth, her staff glowing faintly as she fought to contain her power. "Something to break their connection to the magic that's animating them."
"That's it," Talon said suddenly, his eyes lighting up with realization. "They're not real. They're manifestations, projections of the magic. If we can find the source and disrupt it, they'll disappear."
"But where's the source?" Padrino asked, frustration creeping into his voice as he dodged another attack. The creatures were relentless, their movements growing more erratic and desperate.
"It's close," Talon said, his eyes scanning the cliffs. "I can feel it."
Before anyone could respond, a high-pitched screech filled the air. The creatures froze, their forms flickering as though something had disturbed the magic holding them together. In that moment of confusion, Padrino saw it—a faint glow emanating from a crevice in the cliffside, barely noticeable amid the chaos.
"There!" he shouted, pointing toward the glow. "That's the source!"
Without hesitation, Padrino broke through the defensive line, sprinting toward the cliff. Hinata followed close behind, her magic at the ready. The others fought to hold back the shadow creatures, giving Padrino and Hinata the time they needed.
As they reached the glowing crevice, Padrino could feel the raw power emanating from within. It was ancient, twisted magic, the kind that warped reality itself. Hinata raised her staff, her light magic pulsating in response to the dark energy.
"Can you disrupt it?" Padrino asked, his voice tight with urgency.
"I can try," Hinata replied, her hands trembling slightly as she focused her energy.
With a surge of power, Hinata unleashed a beam of light, striking the source of the dark magic. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a deafening crack, the ground trembled, and the glow intensified before shattering into a thousand fragments of light.
The shadow creatures let out one final, ear-piercing wail before dissolving into nothingness. The silence that followed was almost unbearable, the sudden absence of danger leaving them all breathless.
"It's done," Hinata said, her voice shaky but relieved.
Padrino exhaled slowly, his sword still raised, though there was no longer any need for it. The threat had passed—for now.
But as he looked toward the distant horizon, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.