Stepping through the next gate, they entered the **Chasm of Despair**, a dark and foreboding cavern filled with twisted shadows and echoes of lost souls. The air was heavy with a sense of hopelessness, and Kento felt a chill creep up his spine.
Suddenly, a deep growl resonated through the chasm as the **Beast of Regret** emerged from the shadows—a massive creature with scales that shimmered like dark metal and eyes that burned with fury. "You trespass in my domain," it snarled, its voice like gravel.
"We're here to defeat you!" Kento shouted, raising his sword.
The Beast of Regret lunged at them, its claws slashing through the air. Kento barely dodged the attack, feeling the rush of wind as the claws missed him by inches. "Rena, stay
getting struck by a wave of dark energy that sent it spiraling to the ground.
"Liru!" Rena cried out, rushing to its side. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine!" Liru replied, quivering but determined. "I just need a moment to recover!"
"Focus on absorbing what you can!" Kento shouted, his voice rising above the chaos. "Rena, can you create a barrier?"
Rena nodded, gathering her light magic to form a protective dome around Liru. "Stay behind me, Liru! We'll find a way to defeat it together!"
The Soul Reaper let out a chilling laugh, its voice echoing in the air. "Your courage is admirable, but it will not save you! I will claim your souls and add them to my collection!"
Kento gritted his teeth, unwilling to show fear. "We've come too far to give up now! Rena, distract it while I flank it!"
With a swift motion, Rena unleashed a barrage of light orbs toward the Soul Reaper, illuminating the gloomy landscape. The orbs exploded upon impact, briefly illuminating the area and forcing the Soul Reaper to shield its eyes.
"Now, Kento!" Rena shouted, seeing the opening.
Kento charged forward, the blade of his sword gleaming as he aimed for the Soul Reaper's side. But the creature quickly twisted, countering with a swift swing of its scythe that clashed against Kento's blade, sending him staggering back.
"Foolish boy!" the Soul Reaper sneered. "You cannot hope to defeat me with brute strength alone!"
Kento steadied himself, breathing heavily as he regained his balance. "We need to find its weak point. There has to be something we can exploit!"
Suddenly, the Soul Reaper raised its scythe and summoned dark tendrils that shot toward them, lashing out like snakes. Rena flared her magic, creating a barrier to deflect the attack.
"Stay close to me!" Rena yelled, her magic flaring brightly as she held back the tendrils.
"Liru, are you ready?" Kento asked, glancing back at the slime.
"I'm ready! I'll absorb as much of its dark energy as I can!" Liru replied, its form shifting as it prepared to counter the tendrils.
"Good! On my signal, Liru!" Kento shouted, focusing on the Soul Reaper. "Now, Rena!"
With a surge of energy, Rena released her barrier, illuminating the area with a blinding light. The Soul Reaper recoiled, momentarily blinded.
"Now, Liru! Absorb it!" Kento commanded.
Liru expanded, enveloping the dark tendrils and drawing the energy into itself. The darkness flowed into Liru, causing it to glow with a mix of dark and light.
"Keep it coming!" Liru cried, its form pulsating with energy.
The Soul Reaper, realizing its advantage was slipping away, roared in fury. "You will pay for this insolence!" It summoned a dark storm overhead, sending swirling shadows spiraling down toward them.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!" Rena shouted, summoning her strongest light barrier.
Kento clenched his fists, determination surging through him. "We won't back down! Together!"
As the shadows descended, Rena's barrier clashed with the dark energy, causing a massive explosion that sent shockwaves through the realm.
"Now, Kento!" Rena shouted, her voice filled with urgency.
Kento lunged forward, the blade of his sword glowing with the energy absorbed by Liru. "This is for everyone you've taken!" He aimed for the Soul Reaper's heart, driving the blade forward with all his strength.
The sword pierced the Soul Reaper's chest, and it let out a bone-chilling wail, its form shattering into fragments of light and darkness.
As the shadows dissipated, the ethereal landscape began to brighten, the mournful whispers fading into silence.
Panting, the trio stood victorious. "We did it," Kento breathed, his heart racing. "But we need to keep moving".