Chapter 21: The Light Within the Shadows
The swirling storm of darkness around Jin-Seong seemed endless, an oppressive veil that suffocated his every move. So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa stood firm behind him, their faces set in determination, but even they could feel the weight of the shadows pressing down on them. Avenis's voice echoed from every corner, twisting and taunting, as the shadowy creatures continued their assault.
Jin-Seong gripped his sword tighter, feeling the faint but unmistakable pulse of Ara's power resonating within him. The light he had summoned moments ago had pushed back the shadows, but it wasn't enough. Avenis was still toying with them, lurking somewhere within the void, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"Jin-Seong!" Yeon-Hwa shouted, her spear clashing against one of the regenerating shadows. "We can't keep this up! They just keep coming back!"
So-Ra slashed at another creature, her wind-infused blade tearing through its form, but it simply reformed moments later. She cursed under her breath. "These things aren't going down. What's the plan?"
Jin-Seong's mind raced. He knew that if they kept fighting like this, they'd be worn down by the endless shadows. The battle wasn't one of strength—it was a test of resolve, of strategy. He had to find the key to Avenis's power and break the cycle.
He glanced toward Avenis, who stood far in the distance, his form barely visible through the swirling darkness. The figure was still, as if he was simply observing, letting his minions do the work. Jin-Seong's eyes narrowed. Avenis was controlling the battlefield, manipulating the shadows. But even illusions had limits.
"Keep defending yourselves," Jin-Seong ordered, his voice cutting through the chaos. "There's something we're missing. These shadows—they aren't real, not fully. They're tied to Avenis's power. We need to disrupt his control."
So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. They shifted their stances, no longer focusing on attacking the shadows, but instead staying on the defensive, watching for any opening in Avenis's strategy.
As Jin-Seong focused, the faint glow of Ara's energy pulsed within him again, stronger this time. He closed his eyes, trying to connect with the constellation. Ara had always been a distant presence, guiding him from afar, but now he needed more. He needed its full power.
The darkness around him seemed to react, swirling more violently as if sensing his intent. Avenis's voice broke through the storm again, cold and mocking. "Do you truly think you can tap into Ara's full power? You're a fool, Jin-Seong. The constellations are far beyond your grasp."
Jin-Seong ignored the taunt, focusing deeper on the connection. He could feel Ara's presence, distant yet strong, like a star shining through the void. His mind cleared, and in that moment, he understood. The light of Ara wasn't just something he could summon—it was something within him, a force that could dispel even the darkest of illusions.
The glow from his sword intensified, its azure hue brightening as the light spread out, pushing the shadows back even further. The shadow creatures recoiled, hissing and writhing as they were bathed in the light.
Avenis's voice faltered for the first time, a hint of irritation creeping into his tone. "You think light alone will save you? You don't understand the true depths of darkness."
Jin-Seong opened his eyes, the glow from his sword now illuminating the entire battlefield. He turned to So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa, his expression calm yet determined. "I don't need to defeat the shadows," he said. "I need to defeat him."
Without another word, Jin-Seong surged forward, his sword blazing with Ara's light. Avenis's figure shifted, as if the shadows themselves were warping around him, but Jin-Seong didn't hesitate. He closed the distance in a flash, his sword slicing through the air.
Avenis barely reacted, his form dissolving into smoke once again as Jin-Seong's blade cut through where he had been standing. But Jin-Seong had expected this. He spun on his heel, his sword arcing through the air and slashing at the shadows around him.
"You can't hide forever, Avenis!" Jin-Seong shouted. "Your illusions are breaking. I'll find you!"
The shadows twisted and contorted, but Jin-Seong's light continued to push them back. With each strike, the darkness thinned, revealing glimpses of the real world beyond. He could feel it now—Avenis's power was waning, his control over the battlefield slipping.
Avenis's voice was strained, no longer mocking. "You... you don't understand. This is just the beginning! The constellations... they are watching, Jin-Seong. You are nothing but a pawn in a game far larger than you can comprehend!"
Jin-Seong's eyes narrowed. "Maybe. But right now, I'm the one who's winning."
In one final, decisive motion, Jin-Seong thrust his sword into the ground, channeling the full power of Ara into the earth. The light exploded outward, flooding the battlefield with blinding brilliance. The shadows screamed in agony, their forms disintegrating in the face of Ara's light.
Avenis's figure reappeared, stumbling backward, his hood falling to reveal a pale, twisted face. His eyes, filled with rage and fear, locked onto Jin-Seong.
"You... you cannot stop what's coming," Avenis hissed, his voice trembling. "The constellations have already set their sights on this world. You are nothing but a flicker of light in an endless night."
Jin-Seong stepped forward, his sword still glowing with Ara's power. "Then let that flicker burn."
With one swift motion, he brought his sword down, slicing through Avenis's form. The dark figure let out a final, pained scream before dissolving into nothingness, his presence vanishing from the battlefield.
The storm outside finally began to calm, the rain lessening as the oppressive darkness faded away. Jin-Seong stood still for a moment, his breathing heavy but controlled. The battle was over, but Avenis's words echoed in his mind. The constellations… what was their true purpose?
So-Ra and Yeon-Hwa approached, their faces weary but relieved. "It's over," So-Ra said, sheathing her sword. "For now."
Jin-Seong nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something much larger—something far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. The constellations had plans, and somehow, he was at the center of it all.
As the last of the storm clouds drifted away, Jin-Seong gazed up at the sky, where the stars began to shine once more.