Chereads / Across the Starbound Sea / Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Resolve

Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Resolve

One of the twisted beasts lunged forward, with its claws gleaming menacingly. Lord Darion remained perfectly still, his expression calm. He pivoted smoothly, his Luminite blade flashing like a starburst. The weapon pierced the creature's chest effortlessly, the corrupted flesh sizzling as it met the radiant glow. With a flick of his wrist, Darion withdrew the blade and spun, severing the creature's head in one seamless motion. The lifeless body hit the ground.

A heavy rumble signalled another beast rushing in from behind. Darion didn't turn until the last second, when his sword arced in a streak of light. The creature's raised claw, mid-swing, was cut cleanly from its arm. Before it could cry out, Darion stepped forward, driving his blade straight through its chest. The strike was so precise that the beast didn't even stumble before collapsing in silence.

"So persistent, huh?" Darion murmured, his tone as composed as his movements.

Two creatures attacked together, their wild strikes aimed to overwhelm him. Darion extended his free hand, summoning a pulse of Luminis energy. The blast erupted outward like a rippling wave of light, sending both creatures sprawling. He advanced swiftly, with his blade moving. The first creature's body split apart in a clean cut from shoulder to hip. The second tried to rise, but Darion's blade flashed again, severing its leg. Before it could cry out, his weapon descended in a graceful arc, cleaving its head cleanly in two.

Meanwhile back at the wall, Captain Marek stood firm, his eyes scanning the battlefield. The endless swarm of corrupted creatures was thinning, but not fast enough. Worse, the supply of Luminite arrows and bolts was running dangerously low.

"Stop the bombardment!" Marek commanded. "Prepare for direct combat!"

A loud horn blared, its deep, resonant sound echoing across the battlefield. The gates creaked open, and the Solaris Guards marched out in perfect formation. Their golden armour, etched with intricate patterns, gleamed faintly in the glow of the burning fires. Each of the 1,000 guards was a Harmonisation stage practitioner, and they moved with practiced discipline.

At the front of the formation, the guards carried long spears tipped with Luminite. Behind them, the regular soldiers followed, their ranks reinforced by the protective Luminis shields created by the 50 peak Harmonisation stage practitioners who remained atop the wall. These 50 stood in a semi-circle, their hands glowing as they focused their energy into the shields that covered the advancing soldiers below.

"Hold your positions!" Marek barked. "Stay together, protect the shield bearers, and don't let them break our line!"

The corrupted creatures surged forward, their screeches deafening as they slammed into the advancing Solaris Guards. The first clash was thunderous, the impact of claws and weapons against the glowing Luminis shields creating bursts of light and sound. The shields held strong, allowing the guards to counterattack with their spears, driving them into the creatures' bodies.

The battlefield became a storm of chaos. Spears thrust forward, cutting down the corrupted creatures one after another. The glowing Luminis shields absorbed the brunt of the enemy's attacks.

Even with the shields, the soldiers had to remain vigilant. Each corrupted creature was a monstrous foe, capable of withstanding multiple blows before falling. The Solaris Guards fought bravely, their training and discipline evident in every move, but the sheer number of creatures was overwhelming.

Captain Marek stayed near the front, his blade flashing as he cut down a creature that had broken through the line. His voice rang out above the din of battle, rallying the soldiers and keeping their morale high. "Push forward! Don't let them surround us!"

The battle raged on, but the tide was beginning to shift. The corrupted creatures were being pushed back, their numbers dwindling under the relentless assault of the Solaris Guards and the soldiers. 

Suddenly, flying corrupted creatures, with wings like jagged shadows, swooped toward the wall. Their glowing, malevolent eyes locked on the peak Harmonisation practitioners maintaining the Luminis shield. 

The soldiers protecting them acted quickly. Arrows and bolts imbued with Luminite energy shot through the air, striking down several of the flying creatures. Others were cut down by swift sword strikes from the agile defenders. Despite their efforts, a few of the flying beasts managed to breach the defences, soaring past the wall toward the camp.

Back at the camp, the atmosphere was tense. Practitioners stationed there, aware of the possibility of such attacks, sprang into action. Harmonisation stage warriors formed defensive circles around key areas, ready to intercept the creatures. One of the beasts, an Essence Flow peak stage creature, dove toward a quiet corner of the camp, where Luca and his companions were stationed.

The creature landed with a thunderous crash, its claws sinking into the earth. It then let out an ear-piercing screech . The group froze, momentarily forgetting their training as they faced the creature. Luca, however, remembered his encounter with the wild boar.

Gritting his teeth, Luca gripped his Luminite sword tightly and charged forward. Before the creature could strike, he slashed at its side, his blade cutting deep into its corrupted flesh. The beast roared in fury, turning its glowing eyes on him. Its strength was overwhelming. He stumbled back but refused to give in.

"Everyone! Distract it!" Luca shouted, his voice breaking the fear that gripped his companions.

Hearing him, the others sprang into action, throwing rocks, firing arrows, and hurling small bursts of energy to draw the creature's attention. The distractions worked, giving Luca a brief opening. He lunged forward, channelling Luminis into the sword, struck a powerful blow to the beast's neck. The creature let out a strangled cry and collapsed to the ground, appearing lifeless.

Luca cautiously pressed his hand to the ground, channelling his Luminis energy to sense any lingering life. Suddenly, the creature jerked upright, its claws swiping wildly at him. He barely managed to roll away, his heart pounding as the beast prepared to lunge again.

Before it could strike, a spear whistled through the air and lodged deep into the creature's eye. The beast shrieked one last time before collapsing, its body going still. Everyone turned to see a Harmonisation stage practitioner standing there.

"Good job, kids," the warrior said, giving them a nod of approval before striding off toward another battle.

Luca stood still for a moment. His chest rising and falling as he struggled to catch his breath. Then, his legs gave out, and he sank to the ground, drained both in body and spirit.

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