Chereads / The Eternal Trail / Chapter 36 - Chapter 35

Chapter 36 - Chapter 35

The team exited the cathedral, the night's chill wrapping around them like a shroud. Their breaths formed misty puffs in the air as they made their way through the deserted streets of Seoul, heading towards their next destination—the old government building at the heart of the city.

As they approached the imposing structure, its once-majestic facade now seemed menacing under the moonlight. The building's tall, broken windows stared down at them like dark, soulless eyes. Vines and overgrowth crept up the stone walls, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Hana paused at the entrance, her hand resting on the cold, iron handle of the door. "This is it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The final anchor point."

Ji-Hoon nodded, his gaze steady. "Stay close and stay alert. The Void won't give up its last stronghold easily."

They pushed open the heavy doors, which groaned in protest. Inside, the building was a labyrinth of dimly lit hallways and empty rooms, each one echoing with the ghosts of its past. Dust motes floated in the air, disturbed by their movements, and the faint scent of mold and decay lingered.

Maeve's eyes flicked around, trying to pierce the darkness. "We need to find the main hall. That's where the anchor point is likely to be."

Seok-jin took the lead, his flashlight cutting through the gloom. "This way," he said, guiding them through the twisting corridors. The sense of foreboding grew stronger with each step, the oppressive energy of The Void pressing down on them like a physical weight.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the building, followed by the sound of scurrying feet. The team froze, their hearts pounding in their chests. "What was that?" Soo-min whispered, her voice trembling.

Hana's eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, her demonic senses on high alert. "We're not alone," she said, her voice tense. "Be ready."

As they turned a corner, they were met with a horrifying sight. The hallway was filled with grotesque figures, twisted and malformed by The Void's corrupting influence. The creatures' eyes glowed with a sickly green light, and their mouths twisted into feral snarls.

"Here we go," Ji-Hoon muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon. "Everyone, get ready."

The team sprang into action, their movements synchronized and deadly. Ji-Hoon and Seok-jin fought at the front, their strikes swift and precise. Soo-min, perched on a nearby ledge, picked off enemies with her expert marksmanship, each shot finding its mark.

Hana and Maeve pushed forward, their goal clear in their minds. The anchor point had to be destroyed, no matter the cost. "This way," Hana said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.

They reached the main hall, a grand chamber now fallen into disrepair. The anchor point was at the center, a swirling vortex of dark energy that seemed to suck the very light from the room. Hana and Maeve began the ritual, their voices rising in unison. "We need to hold them off until the ritual is complete," Hana said, her eyes glowing with determination.

The battle was intense. The creatures attacked with a frenzy, their numbers seemingly endless. Ji-Hoon, narrowly avoiding a clawed swipe, called out, "How much longer?"

Maeve, her voice strained from the effort, replied, "We're almost there. Just a little more."

The air crackled with dark energy, the oppressive force pushing against Hana and Maeve's will. But they pressed on, their bond and determination their greatest weapons.

With a final, powerful incantation, Hana and Maeve completed the ritual. The anchor point shattered in a blinding flash of light, and the oppressive energy lifted. The Void creatures let out a deafening screech before dissolving into nothingness.

Panting and exhausted, the team regrouped in the main hall. "We did it," Hana said, her voice shaky but triumphant. "The final anchor point is severed."

Ji-Hoon wiped sweat from his brow, a look of relief mixed with resolve on his face. "We've done it. We've stopped The Void."