The wind howled as the group sprinted away from the crumbling ruins. Hikaru could feel the oppressive weight of the magic pursuing them, an unseen force closing in from behind. The dark vortex within the ruin had fully manifested, and he knew it wasn't just the Wraith of the Abyss they were running from. It was the wrath of an ancient power that had been sealed away for centuries, now released and hungry for destruction.
Hikaru's heart pounded in his chest, the rhythmic beat matching the intensity of his thoughts. His mind raced, calculating their next steps. The Wraith had to be stopped before it consumed the entire region, but he couldn't do it alone. The others were already struggling to keep up, their breaths ragged and their faces etched with fear.
"Stay focused!" Hikaru shouted to his team. "Get to the outpost, now!"
Kora was at his side, her expression grim as she kept pace. "We can't outrun it forever. What do you suggest we do?"
Hikaru glanced over his shoulder. The ruin was now completely engulfed in a swirling storm of black magic, dark tendrils reaching out like claws, grabbing at the ground and sky. The Wraith of the Abyss was pushing through the magic, its form taking shape—massive, monstrous, and dripping with shadows. Its eyes burned with an unearthly light, and its mouth twisted into a grin that promised nothing but death.
"We fight," Hikaru said, his voice cold with determination. "It's the only way."
System Alert: Entity "Wraith of the Abyss" Approaching
➤ Entity is now at full strength
➤ Incoming Attack: Large-Scale Energy Wave
➤ Warning: Damage Radius: 500 meters
➤ Suggested Action: Prepare for Defensive Maneuvers
The System's warning echoed in Hikaru's mind as he pushed himself harder, his body fueled by adrenaline. The outpost was just ahead, but it wasn't far enough to escape the impending disaster. They needed to prepare, and they needed to do it fast.
"Kora!" Hikaru barked. "Form the others into a defensive formation. Get the mages ready for their light spells. We need to hit it hard."
Kora nodded without hesitation, shouting orders to the rest of the group. The scouts moved swiftly, taking positions around Hikaru and Kora, while the mages began to gather their energy, their hands glowing with the beginnings of powerful spells.
Hikaru's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword. His mind was still processing the implications of what was happening. The Wraith of the Abyss was no mere creature; it was the manifestation of forbidden magic, the kind that could tear the fabric of reality apart. Whatever it was, whatever it sought, it had to be stopped.
As the group made their way to the outpost, the air grew colder, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. The energy wave the System had warned them about was coming, and it would be upon them in moments.
"Brace yourselves!" Hikaru shouted.
Kora drew her sword, the blade humming with energy. The mages around them began to chant, their voices rising in unison, weaving their spells together to create a protective barrier.
Hikaru turned his attention to the oncoming threat. The Wraith of the Abyss was close now, its enormous form blotting out the sky. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—its body seemed to be made of pure shadow, its movements both fluid and erratic. It was as if the creature existed in multiple dimensions at once, its presence warping reality itself.
The Wraith raised one of its massive arms, the energy in the air crackling violently. A wave of dark magic surged forward, obliterating everything in its path. Trees, rocks, and the very ground beneath them disintegrated as the attack hurtled toward the group.
But Hikaru wasn't about to let that happen.
"Light magic, now!" Hikaru commanded.
The mages released their spells in unison, their magic converging into a massive barrier of radiant energy that expanded outward, colliding with the Wraith's attack.
The clash was deafening, a thunderous explosion that sent shockwaves through the air. The ground beneath their feet cracked and splintered, but the barrier held—just barely.
The Wraith recoiled for a moment, its body flickering and distorting as if it were struggling against the light. But then, with a roar, it lunged forward, crashing against the barrier with a force that nearly sent Hikaru and the others flying.
"Focus!" Hikaru shouted, urging the mages to reinforce the barrier. "We can't let it break through!"
System Alert: Entity "Wraith of the Abyss" is Adapting
➤ Entity has absorbed light energy
➤ Warning: Entity has Gained Resistance to Light-Based Attacks
➤ Incoming: Secondary Attack
"No!" Hikaru growled, his eyes widening as the System's notification flashed before him. The Wraith had adapted to their light magic, its body absorbing the energy and turning it against them.
With a deafening screech, the Wraith reached into the sky, summoning a massive wave of shadow energy that cascaded down like a waterfall. The ground cracked open, and dark tendrils reached up from the depths, dragging the earth itself into the abyss.
The mages struggled to maintain the barrier, their faces contorted with effort. Kora was the first to break through the barrier, charging toward the Wraith with a fierce battle cry. She swung her sword, the blade glowing with a faint light as she cut through the shadows. But her attacks were ineffective. The Wraith absorbed everything she threw at it, its form shifting and twisting like smoke.
Hikaru wasn't about to let this creature destroy everything they had fought for.
"Everyone, fall back to the outpost!" Hikaru shouted. "Regroup and get ready to make a stand. We're not losing this fight!"
The group reluctantly retreated, their formation breaking as they moved toward the safety of the outpost. But the Wraith followed, its form stretching and twisting through the air, closing the distance with terrifying speed.
Hikaru turned to face the oncoming threat, his mind racing for a solution. The Wraith was powerful, more than anything they had faced before. But if it had a weakness, Hikaru was determined to find it.
He stepped forward, his sword raised, his voice steady. "We'll fight to the last breath. We have no choice."
System Alert: New Entity Weakness Detected
➤ Entity "Wraith of the Abyss" has a Vulnerability to Energy Disruption
➤ Warning: Requires Large-Scale Energy Attack
➤ Suggestion: Coordinate Attack with All Available Resources
Hikaru's heart skipped a beat as the System revealed the Wraith's weakness. Energy Disruption. It was the key to defeating the creature—but it wasn't going to be easy. He had to act quickly before the Wraith grew even stronger.
"Everyone, listen up!" Hikaru shouted. "We have one chance to stop this thing. I need everyone to concentrate all their energy into one massive attack. Mages, use your most powerful spells. Scouts, support us with everything you have. We strike together, or we don't survive."
Kora gripped her sword, her eyes blazing with determination. "For the village!" she cried.
"For the village!" the others echoed.
Hikaru took a deep breath, his mind focused on the energy he needed to summon. This was their last stand.
And they would give everything to survive.