As the wraiths surged toward them, their ethereal forms twisting and writhing in the dim light, Alucard felt an overwhelming surge of power within him. The chaotic energy from the cursed wood fueled his resolve, intertwining with his own magic, igniting a fierce fire in his heart.
"Stay focused!" Alucard shouted, his voice echoing through the chaos. He could see the determination in Seraphina's eyes as she unleashed arrow after arrow, each finding its mark with deadly precision. Garret swung his axes with a primal fury, each strike cleaving through the shadows, dispelling the darkness that sought to envelop them.
But for every wraith they defeated, more seemed to rise from the depths of the forest, an unending tide of malevolence. Alucard could feel their numbers growing, the darkness coiling around them like a serpent, tightening its grip.
"We can't hold them off forever!" Jasper shouted, his voice strained. He channeled his magic into protective barriers, but they flickered under the relentless onslaught of wraiths. "There's too many!"
"Then we fight smarter," Alucard replied, glancing at the shimmering pool behind them. "If this water holds the key to dispelling the remaining dark magic, we must use it!"
Seraphina nodded, understanding the plan without needing further explanation. "Cover me!" she called out as she began to retreat toward the pool, her focus unwavering.
Alucard and Garret moved in tandem, their strikes forming a protective wall around her. The wraiths hissed, their shadows swirling in a frenzied attempt to close in on Seraphina, but Alucard's sword danced like a flame in the night, cutting through the darkness with each powerful swing.
"Push them back!" Garret roared, launching himself into the fray, his axes carving a path toward Seraphina. The wraiths recoiled momentarily, confused by their sudden offensive.
Alucard felt the tide of battle shift, if only for a moment. "Now, Seraphina! Channel your magic into the pool!"
As Seraphina reached the edge of the glimmering water, she knelt, drawing from the very essence of the pool. Energy crackled around her, lighting up the night as she began to chant. "Spirits of the forest, heed my call! Let the light of this sacred water banish the shadows once and for all!"
The pool responded to her call, shimmering brighter as the magic flowed into the air like tendrils of light. The wraiths halted, drawn toward the brilliance, their dark forms visibly trembling.
"Now!" Alucard urged. "Together!"
As Seraphina's chant grew louder, Alucard focused his own energy, channeling it into a beam of radiant light. Garret stood by her side, his own spirit igniting in response to their unity, wielding his axes like beacons against the encroaching darkness.
The light erupted from the pool, cascading over the battlefield and sweeping through the gathering shadows. Alucard felt the surge of magic course through him, his spirit entwined with the power of the forest. "For our freedom!" he cried, and together they released their magic, a brilliant wave of energy washing over the wraiths.
The darkness shrieked, a chilling sound that echoed through the cursed wood as the light consumed the shadows. One by one, the wraiths disintegrated, their forms collapsing into wisps of darkness before being drawn into the pool.
As the last wraith fell, a deep silence settled over the forest. Alucard stood panting, heart racing, staring at the pool as the remnants of the shadows were absorbed into its depths. The air felt lighter, and the oppressive energy that had hung over them began to fade.
"Did we… did we do it?" Seraphina gasped, her eyes wide as she rose from the ground.
Alucard nodded slowly, still wary of what lay ahead. "For now, we've pushed back the darkness. But I can sense that this isn't over. The sorcerer may be defeated, but something else is awakening."
Jasper frowned, scanning the now-calm forest. "We need to gather our strength and prepare for what's next. This place may have changed, but the danger still lurks in the shadows."
Garret cracked a smile, wiping sweat from his brow. "Well, at least we're not being chased by wraiths anymore. That's a win in my book."
"Let's regroup and assess what we've found," Alucard said, feeling the weight of responsibility settle upon him once more. "We must stay vigilant. If something is stirring in the darkness, we need to be ready to confront it."
As they gathered around the shimmering pool, Alucard felt a strange connection to the water, a bond forged in the heat of battle. It pulsed gently, as if in response to their presence, and for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope.
"We can protect this place," Alucard declared, determination surging within him. "And together, we will uncover the truth behind this darkness."
As they prepared to delve deeper into the mysteries of the cursed wood, Alucard knew that their journey was far from over. Shadows still whispered of greater evils, and the true test of their strength awaited them in the heart of the night.