In the previous chapter, Solomon found himself locked in an intense battle against the mysterious figures within the maze. As the clash reached its climax, he began to notice a startling detail—the dark magic wielded by these enemies bore an eerie resemblance to the power of the Shadow Cult. The sinister aura, the malevolent magic runes, and the peculiar rhythm of the spells they cast—all of it was disturbingly familiar. A thought struck him like lightning: "Could these attackers be connected to the Shadow Cult?"
Solomon knew that if the Shadow Cult was indeed involved, it would spell a far greater danger than he had initially imagined. Determined to end the battle decisively, he resolved to unleash the full extent of his power. Taking a deep breath, he gathered the immense holy energy within him. It surged through his veins like an unstoppable storm, converging into his sword, the Blade of the Stars. He raised the sword high, his voice echoing through the labyrinth as he shouted:
"Holy Wrath of the Heavens!"
In an instant, blinding light erupted from the blade, radiating like the birth of a new star. A devastating wave of energy swept forward, tearing through the air with unrelenting force. The mysterious figures recoiled in terror, their faces etched with shock and fear as the energy crashed into them. Their bodies were hurled backward like rag dolls, and groans of pain filled the air.
After what felt like an eternity, the battle ended. The battlefield was shrouded in the acrid stench of smoke and dust, with rubble scattered everywhere. Standing amidst the chaos, Solomon clutched his sword, his breaths ragged. His clothes were torn, his body battered, but his eyes still burned with unwavering determination. Slowly, he approached one of the fallen attackers, who lay weak and trembling on the ground.
Leaning down, Solomon fixed his icy gaze on the man. "Who are you? And why are you after the crystal orb?" His voice carried a weight of authority, cold and unyielding, like that of a judge passing sentence.
The injured man hesitated, his eyes flickering with fear and defiance. But under the crushing pressure of Solomon's presence, he finally muttered weakly, "We… we are remnants of the Shadow Cult. That crystal orb… it holds unimaginable power. Our leader has been sealed away for years, and we've been searching for the orb… to use its energy to… resurrect him."
The revelation sent a chill down Solomon's spine. He was no stranger to the horrors wrought by the Shadow Cult. This organisation had once plunged the entire continent of Gloria into chaos and despair. Though the cult had been dismantled years ago, their lingering ambition to resurrect their leader was a grave threat. If they succeeded, the continent would once again be consumed by darkness.
"Your vile schemes will never succeed!" Solomon declared coldly, standing tall as he turned away from the defeated cultist. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders. He knew he had to act quickly—return to the Victoria family estate and strategise with his allies to confront this looming danger.
As Solomon made his way back, his mind was in turmoil. The cult's attack proved their desperation and their willingness to stop at nothing to achieve their goal. "If they're already this determined, they won't rest until they get the orb. I need to grow stronger, and I must unite every available ally against them," he thought, clenching his fist.
When he finally reached the grand castle of the Victoria family, the tranquillity of the estate stood in stark contrast to the storm brewing in his heart. Without delay, Solomon strode into the council chamber, where Duke Arthur and the family elders were already in discussion.
"Your Grace, Elders, I bring urgent news!" Solomon announced loudly as he entered the room, his voice cutting through the calm like a blade.
All eyes turned to him, and the sight of his battered appearance drew startled gasps. Duke Arthur furrowed his brow. "Solomon, what happened? Tell us everything."
Taking a deep breath, Solomon recounted his ordeal in the maze—how he discovered the crystal orb, fought off the mysterious attackers, and uncovered their connection to the Shadow Cult. He spared no detail, relaying the truth with grave urgency.
When he finished, silence filled the chamber. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of disbelief and dread. Claude, one of the oldest and wisest members of the family, spoke first. "The Shadow Cult… still clinging to their wicked dreams? If they succeed in resurrecting their leader, it will be disastrous. What can we do?"
Duke Arthur rose to his feet, his face set with determination. "This is not just a threat to us—it endangers the entire continent. We must stand united against this menace, just as we did in the past. We cannot allow the Shadow Cult to rise again!"
The room erupted in agreement, with each elder pledging their support. However, it was clear to all that this would be no simple task. The Shadow Cult was no ordinary enemy; their cunning, power, and vast network made them a formidable foe. As the family began to deliberate their next course of action, the tense atmosphere was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Alfred, one of the castle's stewards.
"Your Grace, we have trouble!" Alfred's usually calm demeanour was replaced with panic. His face was pale as he reported, "A group of cloaked figures has surrounded the castle. They're radiating an ominous aura, and their intentions are clearly hostile!"
The room froze. Solomon's heart sank. "It's them… The Shadow Cult is here already."
Duke Arthur remained composed, though his expression grew steely. "Stay calm, everyone. Prepare for battle and protect the castle at all costs!"
Together, they left the chamber and headed for the castle's outer courtyard. Outside, a chilling sight greeted them. A horde of black-robed figures stood in silence, their presence exuding a suffocating darkness that seemed to taint the very air. At the forefront of the group stood a man whose eyes glowed a menacing crimson. His gaze locked onto the castle, cold and unyielding.
The tension was palpable, the castle walls seemingly vibrating with the weight of the impending clash. Solomon tightened his grip on the Blade of the Stars, his resolve hardening. "They've come for the orb. But I'll make sure they regret it."
And so, the battle began—a clash of light and shadow that would decide not just the fate of the Victoria family, but the entire continent. Could Solomon and his allies repel the Shadow Cult's assault? Or was this only the beginning of a greater conflict that would engulf the world in darkness? The answers lay shrouded in the shadows of the unfolding storm.