Chapter 81: The Echo Swarm 2
Ikehara strode into the thick swarm of insects as if he were walking through a light fog. The black mist of the swarm parted effortlessly for him, allowing him to pass without a single insect touching him. His figure soon faded into the distance, swallowed by the mist, but his smile—the smugness of someone who held all the cards—lingered in the air like a taunt.
Tessa stood still, her eyes narrowing. She could feel the danger of the swarm, even without seeing its full nature. She quickly called out to the moon goddess. What can I do to protect us?
The moon goddess responded, her voice soft but filled with warning. You can draw on the lunar shield, but it will come at a price, Tessa. This is daylight, not the time of the moon's reign. Channeling that much power now would leave you weakened...vulnerable. You would be easy prey for anything—or anyone—that followed. Are you certain this is the path you wish to take?
Tessa's mind raced. There wasn't much choice. If they stayed here, who knew what other threats might appear? Northwind wasn't a place for hesitation, and neither was Akanon City. She weighed her options quickly, knowing time was slipping away with each passing second. The insects were already beginning to buzz closer.
Tessa turned toward Adrian, her face showing the conflict within. "I can create a lunar shield," she said, "but it'll drain me. If I do this, I'll be too weak to defend myself afterward. I don't know if I can take that risk."
Adrian, ever composed, glanced at her with that confident gleam in his eye. "Don't worry, princess," he said, his voice smooth and calm, like the world could collapse around them, and he'd still be unmoved. "I've got you covered. Just do your thing."
For a moment, Tessa felt a weight lift from her chest. Adrian's unshakable confidence was like an anchor. If anyone could hold the line when things got rough, it was him.
She nodded and began to focus, reaching deep within herself to tap into the moon's power. The familiar coolness of the lunar energy filled her veins, wrapping her in a sensation that was both comforting and foreign under the blazing sun. Slowly, she raised her hands, and a soft, silver light began to encircle the group. The lunar shield took shape, a shimmering dome of pale energy that extended around her and the others.
"Stay inside the shield," Tessa commanded, her voice firm. "If you step out, there's no protection."
The group of fifty pressed close, their eyes wide as they watched the mist of insects swirl just beyond the shield. The black swarm buzzed angrily, unable to breach the shimmering light. It was an eerie sight, the insects scratching and clawing at the barrier, but powerless to pass through.
Tessa could feel the strain immediately. The sun above seemed to fight against the moon's power, the two celestial forces at odds. Her limbs grew heavier, her breath shallower. But she held on.
They moved forward as one, the silver light guiding their way through the mist. But the tension in the air was thick. The buzzing of the swarm grew louder, more chaotic, as if the insects knew they were being thwarted and hated it.
Everything was going smoothly—until one man at the back of the line made a critical mistake.
"Hey, I think I dropped my canteen," he muttered, glancing back.
"No!" someone hissed. "Don't leave the shield!"
But the man was already stepping out, his hand reaching for something that lay just beyond the shield's boundary. The moment his foot crossed the line, the swarm was on him. The black insects engulfed him in seconds, their wings buzzing frantically as they descended upon their unsuspecting victim.
"Get back here!" someone shouted, but it was too late.
The man let out a yelp, then a strangled scream, before collapsing to the ground. His body twitched as the swarm covered him completely. When the insects finally lifted away, what was left was...disturbing.
The man stood shakily, his eyes wide and unfocused. His face contorted in confusion, his hands clawing at the air, grasping for things that weren't there.
"Don't touch me, Grandma!" he shouted, swatting at invisible foes. "I told you I don't want the pink socks! Stop throwing cats at me!"
The group watched in horrified silence as the man stumbled around, mumbling to himself about rainbows, cats, and something about a "glorious hat made of cheese."
"I think we lost him," Nyala whispered, her face pale.
One of the others shook his head, his eyes wide with shock. "What even...?"
The man was still swatting at thin air, his face twisted in frustration. "No! Not the teapot! Anything but the teapot!" He dropped to the ground and started rolling as though trying to escape invisible hands. "Don't make me dance, Grandma!"
Tessa, struggling to hold the shield steady, exchanged a glance with Adrian, who, despite the chaos, was still unfazed. His expression was as steady as ever, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he watched the unfortunate man descend further into madness.
"Guess he didn't listen," Adrian murmured, his tone wry.
Tessa barely suppressed a grim smile. "I warned them."
"Yeah, and now he's dancing with imaginary teapots," Adrian replied dryly, his eyes glinting with humor. "But hey, maybe he's onto something."
The rest of the group kept moving, though the disturbing image of the man flailing at invisible threats remained in their minds. They dared not speak, not wanting to attract the attention of the insects still hovering around them.
Finally, after what felt like hours but was only minutes, they passed through the last of the mist, the lunar shield flickering as Tessa's strength began to wane. The swarm seemed to hesitate, almost as if it realized it could no longer touch them. And then, with a final, frustrated buzz, it receded into the distance.
Tessa lowered her arms, the shield dissipating as she collapsed to one knee, exhausted. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her vision blurred.
Adrian was by her side in an instant, his presence as steady as ever. "You did well," he said softly, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "Rest now. We're through the worst of it."
Tessa nodded weakly, grateful for his calm reassurance. But as she glanced back at the group, she caught sight of the man still stumbling about, grasping for imaginary objects and muttering nonsense about socks and grandmothers.
"At least, we protected almost everyone.... Well except.... him," Tessa muttered with a faint, tired smile.
Adrian chuckled. "Yeah, there's always that."