LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 25: The Path to the Citadel
The Path to the Citadel
The group departed at dawn, the air thick with tension as they crossed the boundaries of the village. The Elder's blessing had created a faint aura of light around them, a fragile shield that flickered with each step closer to the shadow realm.
Zephyr led the way, his movements precise and deliberate. The crystal he carried pulsed faintly, guiding them toward the Obsidian Citadel. Behind him, Ryu remained on edge, his claws glinting as he scanned the darkened path. Kierra followed closely, her daggers ready in case of an ambush.
"I still can't believe Ardent just… left," Ryu muttered, breaking the silence. "He was supposed to have our backs, not join forces with the enemy."
"People do strange things when they're desperate," Zephyr replied, his tone neutral. "Maybe he saw something we didn't. Or maybe the shadows have already taken hold of him."
"That's not helping," Kierra said sharply. She glanced at Ryu, her expression softening. "We'll get him back. We have to."
Ryu didn't respond, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
Shadows on the Horizon
As they ventured deeper into the shadow-infested terrain, the light around them dimmed. The air grew colder, and faint whispers seemed to emanate from the darkness, tugging at their minds.
"Stay close," Zephyr warned, his voice steady. "The shadows will try to separate us. Don't listen to them."
The group pressed on, their steps echoing unnaturally in the silence. Suddenly, the crystal flared brightly, and Zephyr froze.
"What is it?" Ryu asked, his claws instinctively extending.
"Wraiths," Zephyr said grimly. "They're close."
As if on cue, the shadows around them began to writhe and shift. Humanoid figures emerged, their glowing eyes filled with malice. Unlike the wraiths they had faced before, these were larger, more defined—and far more aggressive.
"They're stronger here," Kierra muttered, spinning her daggers in preparation.
"And there's no Elder to warn us this time," Ryu added, stepping into a defensive stance.
The wraiths attacked in unison, their movements fluid and unnaturally fast. Ryu met them head-on, his claws slashing through their smoky forms. Kierra darted around the battlefield, her daggers carving arcs of silver light as she took down one wraith after another.
Zephyr stayed back, the crystal glowing brighter as he channeled energy into it. A barrier of light formed around him, repelling the wraiths that dared to approach.
"They just keep coming!" Ryu shouted, his voice strained.
Kierra gritted her teeth as a wraith's claws grazed her arm. "We need to push through. Zephyr, can the crystal do anything to stop them?"
Zephyr nodded, though his expression was tense. "Hold them off for a little longer. I'll handle this."
The Crystal's Power
As the battle raged on, Zephyr knelt and pressed the crystal to the ground. He began chanting in a low, steady voice, the words resonating with a strange, ancient energy. The crystal's glow intensified, and the ground beneath them trembled.
"Whatever you're doing, make it fast!" Ryu called, slashing through another wraith.
The crystal released a blinding pulse of light, and the wraiths shrieked as they dissolved into nothingness. The light lingered for a moment before fading, leaving the group in a heavy silence.
"That… was intense," Kierra said, panting.
Zephyr stood, tucking the crystal back into its pouch. "The shadows will return soon. We need to keep moving."
The Obsidian Citadel
Hours later, the group reached the edge of a massive canyon. Across the expanse stood the Obsidian Citadel, its towering spires shrouded in swirling darkness. The air here was oppressive, each breath heavy with the weight of the shadow master's presence.
"There it is," Zephyr said quietly. "The heart of the shadows."
Ryu's gaze hardened. "And somewhere in there, Ardent is waiting for us."
Kierra placed a hand on his arm. "We'll find him. But we need a plan. Charging in blindly isn't going to work here."
Zephyr nodded. "The crystal can guide us to the inner sanctum, but it won't protect us from everything. We'll need to be smart—and fast."
As they prepared to descend into the canyon, a low, mocking laugh echoed from behind them.
"Going somewhere?"
The group spun around to see Daegan leaning against a jagged rock, his chains glinting faintly in the dim light.
"You again," Ryu growled, his claws extending. "What do you want?"
Daegan smirked. "Oh, I'm just here to watch. The master doesn't need me to stop you—he's already won. But if you're so eager to meet your doom, who am I to stop you?"
Zephyr stepped forward, his hand on the crystal. "What do you mean, 'he's already won'?"
Daegan's smile widened. "You'll see soon enough. The shadow master doesn't play fair. But go ahead—keep chasing your lost friend. It's amusing to watch you struggle."
Before anyone could respond, Daegan dissolved into the shadows, his laughter fading with him.
Ryu clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "Let's move. The longer we wait, the stronger the shadows grow."
The group descended into the canyon, their resolve unshaken despite Daegan's taunts. The path ahead was dark and uncertain, but one thing was clear: they would face whatever lay within the Obsidian Citadel together.
And if the shadow master thought he had already won, he was about to learn the true strength of the light.