Chapter 40: Corruption
Scene – "The Serpent's Corruption"
The lake trembled again, this time with a chilling energy.
Kael's eyes narrowed as dark mist seeped from the vortex that had opened earlier.
> Kael: "No… this isn't a summon. This is… a remnant."
Captain Elara gripped her sword tightly. "Remnant?"
Before Kael could answer, a horrifying howl echoed across the lake—a sound not belonging to the serpent, but something older, filled with rage and despair. The very air grew heavy, and the water turned pitch-black.
Fel's voice rang in Synoh's mind from afar:
> "That aura… it belongs to a fallen demon. The one the serpent once killed centuries ago. Its hatred never faded."
---
The dark aura twisted like smoke above the water, forming a massive spectral shape with burning red eyes. The Lake Serpent reared its head, growling in warning—its instincts already sensing the danger.
> Lake Serpent: "Begone, wretch! You were vanquished long ago!"
The aura only laughed—a deep, distorted sound echoing across the lake. Then, like a tidal wave, it surged downward, slamming into the serpent's body.
A shockwave of darkness exploded outward, nearly knocking everyone off their feet.
Meth screamed, shielding herself as Dred grabbed her arm. "What the hell is that thing doing!?"
Ursa shouted over the chaos, "Captain! The serpent—it's—!"
The serpent writhed violently, its luminous blue scales turning black, its eyes burning crimson once more. It roared in pain, slamming its tail against the water, sending a towering wave crashing onto the shore.
---
Yuta's eyes widened. "No… no, wait—!"
The serpent raised its head, glaring down at him. But in its gaze, a faint glimmer of clarity flickered.
> Lake Serpent (weakly): "Human… listen… this aura— it seeks to destroy… everything… I cannot—control—!"
Kael and Elara exchanged looks—then both gasped as the serpent suddenly thrashed backward, diving deep into the center of the lake. The surface erupted with dark energy, creating a whirlpool of corrupted mana.
Yuta shouted desperately, "Stop! Fight it!"
The serpent's voice boomed through the chaos, trembling with pain:
> Lake Serpent: "Attack me… before it's too late!"
---
Kael clenched his fist, summoning his dark chains. "You heard him! Everyone—prepare to strike!"
Elara unsheathed her blade, flames bursting to life across its edge.
"Everyone, move into formation! Keep your distance but aim for the head—don't let the aura spread further!"
Ursa and Dred led the charge from the sides, while Meth began chanting a purification spell. Yuta stayed at the front, his summoned wolf roaring beside him.
As they charged, the lake serpent let out a sorrowful roar, half its voice that of a beast—half that of a soul in torment.
> Kael (grimly): "That demon's hatred has found a host… and if we fail to stop it, this lake will become a cursed wasteland."
---
A clash erupted — water exploded upward as fire, lightning, and dark magic tore across the surface.
The serpent's tail struck the ground, narrowly missing Dred, who dove out of the way with a curse.
Meth cried out, "My spell isn't working—the aura's too strong!"
Elara gritted her teeth, slashing through a wave of black mist. "Keep going! We'll free it, or die trying!"
Meanwhile, Kael formed a massive sigil in the air, chains of shadow shooting forward to restrain the serpent's body.
> Kael: "Yuta! This is your moment—if you can reach its heart, maybe you can break the aura's hold!"
Yuta nodded, riding his wolf toward the serpent's glowing chest, determination burning in his eyes.
---
Ending the Chapter
As Yuta approached the corrupted serpent, the aura flared violently—its eyes glowing red, the demon's distorted voice echoing once more:
> Demon's Voice: "This lake… this world… belongs to us."
The serpent's body twisted in agony, and in its final moments of control, it roared one last time—
> Lake Serpent (to Yuta): "End this… child of man!"
The chapter ends with Yuta charging straight into the serpent's shadow, his hand glowing with taming energy—
while Kael, Elara, and the others scream his name from the shore as the scene cuts to black.