The Hollow Vale stretched out before them, a twisted expanse of cracked ground and pulsating light. The closer they got to the nexus, the louder the rhythmic hum became, vibrating through Kael's chest like a drumbeat. Each pulse seemed to sap the air of life, making every step heavier than the last.
Kael tightened his grip on his spear as the group approached the glowing core in the distance. Shadows flickered at the edges of his vision, shifting unnaturally with each beat of the nexus.
"We're close," Marra said, her bow drawn and ready. "Stay sharp."
Kael glanced at the others. Thane clutched his staff, his face pale but determined. Corin's daggers gleamed faintly in the distorted light, his usual smirk replaced with grim focus. Leena walked beside Kael, her sword gripped tightly. Though she still moved awkwardly, her eyes shone with resolve.
"Movement," Marra whispered, halting the group. She pointed toward the clearing ahead. Emerging from the shadows were humanoid figures, their forms shimmering with dark energy. Their glowing eyes locked onto the group, and they advanced silently, their movements unnaturally fluid.
"Shades," Thane said, his voice trembling. "They're stronger this close to the nexus."
"Get ready," Marra said. "Here they come."
Kael planted his feet, his spear at the ready as the shades charged. The first one lunged at him, its claws slicing through the air. He sidestepped, spinning his spear and driving it into the creature's chest. The shade let out a guttural hiss before dissolving into mist.
Victory!
You have defeated Shade (Level 4)
+20 XP
Another shade closed in from his right, moving faster than the first. Kael's instincts screamed at him to act, but its erratic movements made it difficult to predict.
Kael quickly considered his MP. With 30 MP at the start of the battle, he needed to use his skills carefully. Gritting his teeth, he activated Skill Replication.
Skill Replication Activated
Skill Replicated: Evasive Step (Basic)
-10 MP
The world seemed to slow as the skill took hold. Kael felt his body lighten, his reflexes sharpening. The next time the shade lunged, he sidestepped effortlessly, his spear striking true. The creature crumpled, dissolving into mist like the first.
Victory!
You have defeated Shade (Level 5)
+25 XP
Kael's heart pounded as he scanned the battlefield. The shades swarmed toward the group in waves, their glowing eyes filled with malice. He spotted Thane casting a spell, the runes on his staff glowing brightly as a burst of energy erupted, striking a cluster of shades and sending them reeling.
"Keep pushing!" Marra shouted, loosing arrow after arrow. Each shot found its mark, dropping shades before they could close the distance.
Nearby, Leena swung her sword at a shade, her strikes clumsy but determined. The creature swiped at her with its claws, and she stumbled back, barely managing to block the attack.
"Leena!" Kael shouted, rushing to her side. A shade lunged at him, but he activated Evasive Step again, dodging the attack with ease.
Evasive Step Activated
-5 MP
His spear struck the creature in the chest, and it dissolved into mist.
Victory!
You have defeated Shade (Level 4)
+20 XP
Kael turned to Leena, helping her to her feet. "Stay with me. We'll handle them together."
Leena nodded, her grip on her sword tightening. "I'm trying."
"You're doing fine," Kael said. "Just keep moving."
***
The battle raged on, the group struggling to hold their ground against the relentless onslaught. Kael's muscles burned, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. Each swing of his spear felt heavier than the last, and the oppressive energy of the nexus seemed to sap his strength.
"We can't keep this up!" Corin shouted, slashing at a shade. "They're endless!"
Kael's eyes flicked to the glowing nexus in the distance. The pulsing light seemed to mock them, each beat sending another wave of shades their way. They needed to disrupt its power, or they wouldn't survive.
"Thane!" Kael called. "Can you hit the nexus?"
Thane hesitated, his face pale. "I-I don't know! It's too strong!"
"You can do it!" Kael shouted. "Just try!"
Thane nodded, raising his staff with trembling hands. The runes glowed brighter as he chanted, a wave of energy bursting forth and streaking toward the nexus. The spell struck the glowing core, and the hum faltered for a moment. The shades recoiled, their movements growing sluggish and disjointed.
"It's working!" Marra shouted. "Keep going!"
Kael turned his attention back to the shades, his body moving on instinct. As another cluster of creatures charged, he made a decision. Though his MP was low, the situation called for drastic action.
Body Double Activated
-15 MP
A shimmering clone of Kael appeared beside him, mirroring his stance perfectly. The double rushed forward, drawing the shades' attention and giving the group a moment to regroup.
Marra's eyes widened as she fired an arrow past the double. "What—how—"
"Later!" Kael shouted, his spear striking down another shade. The clone fought with precision, its spear slicing through the creatures with ease. Though it wasn't as strong as Kael himself, it provided a critical advantage.
Victory!
You have defeated Shade (Level 6)
+30 XP
Victory!
You have defeated Shade (Level 5)
+25 XP
***
With Thane disrupting the nexus and the clone holding off the shades, the group began to push forward. Kael's body ached, his movements sluggish as exhaustion set in. Despite the toll, they pressed on, determined to finish the fight.
As they neared the nexus, Marra spotted glowing crystals embedded in the ground around it. "The anchors!" she shouted. "Gerric said we need to destroy them!"
Kael nodded, charging toward the nearest crystal. The energy radiating from it made his hands tremble, but he forced himself to strike. The spear connected with a loud crack, and the crystal shattered, sending a burst of light into the air.
One leyline connection severed.
Leena followed his lead, striking another crystal with her sword. Though the blow nearly knocked her off balance, the crystal shattered.
Two leyline connections severed.
Corin and Marra worked together, their weapons slicing through the remaining anchors. Each shatter sent a pulse of energy through the nexus, its glow dimming further.
Three… Four… Five leyline connections severed.
As Kael approached the final anchor, the ground shook violently. The nexus let out a deafening roar, and a surge of dark energy erupted, knocking him off his feet.
The Master's voice echoed in the clearing, cold and mocking. "You think you can stop me? Fools. You're only delaying the inevitable."
Kael pushed himself to his feet, his jaw tightening. "We'll see about that."
He raised his spear, driving it into the final crystal with all his strength. The anchor shattered, and the nexus let out a final, deafening pulse before collapsing in on itself. The glowing light faded, and the oppressive hum disappeared.
All leyline connections severed.
The nexus has been destroyed.
Kael fell to his knees, his chest heaving as the energy in the air dissipated. The clearing was quiet, the only sound the labored breathing of the group.
"It's over," Marra said, her voice filled with relief.
Kael nodded, though his body trembled with exhaustion. "For now."
But the Master's parting words lingered in his mind, a chilling reminder that their fight was far from over.