As the glowing red symbols on the ground intensified, the massive beast let out an earth-shaking roar that reverberated across the entire floor.
Kenta (dodging): "What a terrible sound. I think it's trying to tell us how strong it is!"
Malik (calmly): "Don't underestimate it. This is more than just a beast. Its movements are tied to the rules of the tower."
While Kenta skillfully distracted the beast, Malik and Waleed used the time to study the glowing symbols.
Waleed: "The symbols keep changing! It's like they're reacting to every move we make."
Malik: "Then they're not just marks; they're part of the puzzle. We need to figure out how to use this to our advantage."
Elsewhere in the arena, Aryas and his companions observed the situation carefully.
Letha: "Should we let them face their fate alone?"
Aryas: "No, this beast won't go down with strength alone. If we abandon them, we'll be trapped here forever."
Aryas approached Malik, attempting to negotiate once again.
Aryas: "This beast won't fall without teamwork. The symbols on the ground are the key, aren't they?"
Malik (hesitant): "Yes, but they require precise movements and synchronization."
Aryas: "Then let's work together. We'll fight, and you solve the puzzle."
The First Strike
The two teams launched a synchronized attack. Kenta used his incredible agility to strike the beast from behind, while Waleed fired lightning arrows to disorient it.
Kenta (mockingly): "Is that all you've got? I expected something tougher!"
Letha (retorting): "Don't celebrate too soon; it's barely started!"
With each hit directed at the beast, the symbols on the ground shifted rapidly, almost like drawing a new map.
Malik: "The symbols are forming a path! If we follow them, we might find its weak spot."
Aryas: "We'll hold it off. Just hurry!"
As the teams kept the beast occupied, Malik focused on the glowing symbols. They seemed to highlight specific points on the beast's body.
Malik: "They're pointing to its weak spots! Waleed, aim for its left chest!"
Waleed: "On it, commander."
Waleed unleashed a lightning arrow that struck the designated spot with precision, causing the beast to stagger and let out an enraged roar.
Kenta (laughing): "Oh, I think we really annoyed it this time!"
As the beast weakened, its movements slowed but it refused to fall.
Letha: "It's vulnerable now; we can finish it ourselves!"
Aryas: "No, we need them until the end."
Malik: "If you try to betray us, we'll leave you to deal with it alone."
Suddenly, a smaller gateway opened behind the beast, glowing ominously. From it stepped a new creature, smaller in size but radiating a strange aura.
Kenta: "Great, now we have a new guardian! Is this a monster convention?"
Oris (from a distance): "This is the 'Shadow Guardian.' Its role is to protect the symbols and prevent you from completing the puzzle."
Waleed: "The further we go, the harder this gets. The tower seems to enjoy mocking us."
Malik: "We have no choice but to fight and push forward."
As the main beast continued its assault, the Shadow Guardian began attacking both teams, its shadows snaking across the ground to hinder their movements.
Malik (shouting): "We need to divide tasks! One team handles the main beast while the other deals with the guardian."
Kenta: "I like it. I'll take on the guardian; I need a new challenge!"
Aryas: "That's our decision too. Good luck, Lightning Heroes!"
The Arena of Secrets
First Clash with the Shadow Guardian
The shadows moved like coiled serpents, weaving through the glowing glyphs, making the arena pulsate with life. The Shadow Guardian stood at the center, cloaked in black, revealing only glowing violet eyes.
Malik: "This isn't just any guardian. He controls the shadows as if he owns this realm."
Kinta (mocking): "Amazing, I love interesting enemies. Think he'll talk?"
Shadow Guardian (deep voice): "Words hold no value here. Only strength determines fate."
The guardian lunged at the group, attacking with deadly shadows, forcing everyone to scatter.
Walid: "Be careful! These shadows aren't illusions; they actually hurt!"
Kinta: "Oh, I figured that out when one almost sliced me in half. Thanks for the clarification!"
As the battle raged on, three mysterious fighters emerged from the shadows, clad in strange armor adorned with cryptic symbols.
First Fighter: "So, you seek to challenge the tower? Welcome to a slow death."
Second Fighter (a woman with white hair): "We are the Tower's servants, tasked to keep you in your place."
Third Fighter: "You won't get past this floor, no matter how hard you try."
Malik (angrily): "The Tower never stops sending obstacles. If you're against us, prepare to fight."
Walid (sarcastically): "I love warm welcomes, but this is too much!"
The fight split into separate skirmishes:
• Malik faced the Shadow Guardian alone, trying to understand his abilities and evade his attacks.
• Kinta clashed with the white-haired fighter, who displayed exceptional skill with a dual spear.
• Walid used his lightning arrows to disrupt the third fighter, who wielded dangerous fire magic.
• Arias and his team engaged the first fighter, seemingly the leader, wielding a massive sword glowing green.
Malik: "The closer we get to the glyphs, the more intense the shadows become. We need to find a way to disable them."
Kinta (amid strikes): "Brilliant analysis, while you think, we're busy not dying here!"
Walid: "Kinta, maybe distract her a bit. I need time to prepare a strong arrow."
As the fight progressed, it became evident that the shadow fighters weren't mere enemies but held secrets about the Tower.
Shadow Guardian: "You don't understand the Tower. It's not a place but a living entity. Each floor is a test of will and intellect."
Malik (angrily): "Then why send us to die? Is this some kind of game?"
First Fighter: "Death isn't the end here. The Tower reshapes everything."
Kinta (laughing): "Oh great, we're in a video game now? Do we respawn if we die?"
Walid: "Don't count on it, genius."
As the fight continued, the Shadow Guardian removed his cloak, revealing a body entirely made of shadows. His power intensified, causing the ground itself to shift and hinder the team.
Malik: "This isn't just a fight. It's a psychological test. The shadows are making us see our worst fears."
Kinta (softly): "Do you see that? It's… no, that's not real!"
The team began to work together to face the challenge.
Malik: "Listen up! If we don't work together now, we'll be easy prey. Walid, hit the shadows with a strong lightning arrow. Kinta, keep the guardian distracted."
Kinta (smiling): "I love being the bait."
Walid: "I'm preparing the arrow, just buy me time."
As the chapter closed, the team seemed close to a breakthrough. The glyphs started glowing strangely, as if responding to their coordination. But at that moment, a towering figure emerged—a larger, more powerful Shadow Lord wielding a massive black sword glowing with mysterious energy.
Malik: "This isn't good. The real fight is just starting."
Kinta: "Fantastic, more fun!"
…