The fight was getting more intense. The Loki Familia was fighting fiercely against the Black Goliath, but his glowing runes were absorbing every attack, making the monster nearly invincible.
In the streets of Rivira, the townspeople and Bell's team faced the endless army of summoned monsters. The bodies of the creatures piled up, but for every monster slain, two more seemed to emerge from the shadows.
"It'll never stop!" Aisha growled, wiping the blood off her weapon.
Welf struck down an ogre with a powerful blow, panting:
— If we don't find what's fueling all this, we're going to be overwhelmed!
Riveria's words kept playing in Bell's mind:
> "Divine mana… There is a source somewhere. As long as this energy persists, the monster will be invincible."
Bell realized that in order to destroy the Goliath and stop the hordes, he had to find this source.
—There is someone here… someone using this divine mana! he whispered.
He activated Ethereal Vision, amplifying his power beyond its limits.
Bell's eyes lit up, seeing a chaotic mix of emotions: fear, anger, despair, and determination. Every individual, every monster, every adventurer glowed with a unique hue.
But amplifying this skill came at a price. An intense pain struck his head, his pupils swirling at a crazy speed, desperately searching for an unusual emotion in this ocean of colors.
— Bell, hold on! Lili shouted, pulling a monster that was getting too close to him.
Aisha cut through a line of goblins that had gathered around him, yelling:
— If you do this, do it quickly! We can't protect you forever!
Suddenly, Bell saw an aura unlike anything else. A black and gold hue, pulsing with an almost divine intensity, lay in the distance, hidden among the debris and ruins.
— There! he breathed, out of breath.
—What do you see? Aisha asked, chaining an ogre.
— The origin of mana! Someone or something is hidden there!
To reach this source, Bell had to cross a sea of monsters. He gripped his sword, ready to fight his way through, but the task seemed impossible.
It was then that a golden figure appeared at his side.
— Aiz!
She drew her sword and declared:
— I'll open a passage. Follow me.
For the first time, Bell and Aiz Wallenstein fought side by side.
Aiz dove into the heart of the monsters, her sword dancing like a storm. Each precise blow cleaved through the creatures, reducing them to ash. Bell, inspired by her grace, followed close behind her, cutting down the monsters that tried to slip behind her.
Welf, Lili, and Aisha covered their rear, taking out the monsters that tried to reform their lines.
— Keep going! Welf shouted. We will hold this position!
For Bell, fighting with Aiz was a revelation. Her movements were fluid and precise, and he could almost predict her actions.
At one point, their eyes met briefly, and Aiz gave him a rare smile:
— You're doing well.
—Thank you! Bell replied, breathless but determined.
Thanks to Aiz, Bell and his team were able to make their way to the source of the strange aura. In the distance, they spotted a hooded figure holding a dark box.
The shadow seemed distracted, focused on the object it was handling. But upon sensing their presence, it straightened up, a sinister smile playing beneath its mask.
—So you found me… she whispered.
Bell clenched his sword, his heart pounding.
— Who are you? Why are you doing this?
The shadow burst out laughing.
— It doesn't matter. You won't leave this place alive.
Chapter 74: The Duel of Shadows
The fight broke out. While the Loki Familia fought desperately against the ever-regenerating Black Goliath and the people of Rivira fought the infinite army to buy time, Bell and his team faced their own opponent.
The shadow moved with unnatural speed, dodging Aisha's attacks with frustrating ease. She struck with calculated precision, but her blows seemed to barely graze their target.
Stay put, coward! Aisha roared, unleashing an attack of phenomenal power.
But the shadow dodged in one fluid motion, landing a few meters away with disturbing ease.
During the fight, Lili, taking advantage of the commotion, armed her ballista and aimed. She fired a projectile that flew into the air, tearing off the shadow's hood.
A moment of shock settled over Bell's team as the identity of their enemy was revealed.
Tammuz?! Aisha cried, stunned.
The Ishtar Familia's sub-captain stood before them, his expression hard and determined.
Bell Cranel, you are a threat. Ishtar may have faith in you, but I will not be blinded. You must be eliminated before you destroy everything we have built.
Tammuz, a level 5 adventurer, immediately dominated the fight. He launched a quick attack towards Bell, who only had time to parry with his new sword. But the impact was so powerful that Bell was thrown backwards, crashing against a wall.
Bell! Aisha shouted, throwing herself into the fray.
Aisha, though level 4, used all her strength to confront Tammuz. Her sword clashed with her opponent's in an explosion of sparks, but each blow seemed to push her back further.
You can't win, Aisha, Tammuz growled.
She gritted her teeth and replied:
Maybe not alone, but I'm not alone.
Welf and Lili joined the battle. Welf, though less experienced, used his sword forged by Hephaestus to try to slow Tammuz down.
Lili! Find a way to close this box! Welf shouted as he blocked an attack.
Lili nodded and pushed through the debris, looking for an opening.
Meanwhile, Bell, rising with difficulty, clutched his sword and murmured:
I won't let you hurt them.
He activated Eternity Cryostasis, creating an icy field around himself.
Aisha, cover me!
Aisha responded with a nod.
Bell focused his mana, speaking the incantation:
<< Oh frozen wind, cover the earth with an immaculate shroud. Let eternal peace descend and let my vengeance be engraved in ice. Cryostasis of Eternity! >>>
The ground covered in ice, slowing Tammuz and creating an opening for Aisha.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Aisha struck with all her might, her sword creating a shockwave that made Tammuz stumble.
You think you're strong? Then show me! she roared, her eyes shining with rage and determination.
Tammuz straightened up, but Lili was already near the box. She aimed her ballista at the mechanisms and fired, but Tammuz noticed her action.
No! he shouted, throwing himself in her direction.
Bell intervened, activating Argonaut.
Ignite your passion, scream your desire!
An intense light enveloped his sword. He parried Tammuz's attack, creating a shockwave so powerful that it sent both fighters back.
Enough, Tammuz! You are wrong! I am not your enemy, Bell shouted.
Tammuz, out of breath but still determined, growled:
You can't understand me.
To be continued...