Chapter 260 Alera's Unfortunate Fate
Chapter 260 Alera's Unfortunate Fate
Pyris looked at intently not knowing what it's next action will be. It's eyes burned calculatively.
From his observations alone, he had confirmed what he had heard from his mother, this was the only things that had worried her the most when she and Mira told him to create Void Pockets in the labyrinth after getting past the guardian.
"Beware of the guardian when you reach it, although it may seem otherwise but all guardian are intelligent as a normal being but above all... They sometimes use their elements better than us awakeneds do!"
As the words echoed in his mind, the air grew heavy with tension, the oppressive aura of the guardian filling every crevice of the cavernous chamber.
Alera stood before the colossal beast, her petite figure contrasting sharply with its overwhelming presence. Despite the odds, she didn't flinch. Her violet eyes glowed faintly, burning with defiance as shadows coiled protectively around her like living armor.
Her generals hovered behind her in silent vigil, their forms radiating with shadowy power.
Every moment in this fight was a trial, a test of will and strength. The guardian shifted slightly, its hulking form creating tremors in the ground with each subtle motion. Its sword, as massive as it was menacing, hung loosely in its hand, the edge reflecting a faint malevolent gleam.
Then, without warning, it raised the blade and brought it down with a resounding clang as it struck the ground.
The sound reverberated through the chamber like a death knell.
Alera's shadow generals tensed, their forms blurring as if preparing to strike.
But instead of an attack, the guardian did something entirely unexpected. It dropped the sword completely, the massive blade landing with an earth-shaking crash that sent dust and debris flying into the air.
The beast straightened, curling its fists. The movement was so fluid, so deliberate, it was almost mesmerizing. Its aura surged, waves of raw power rolling off it in oppressive bursts, and its hooded face seemed to twist into a sinister smirk.
"This isn't going to be good," Seren whispered, her voice shaky. She instinctively gripped Lyra's arm, both girls taking a step back.
"Now!" Pyris barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Alera snapped to action, her shadows expanding outward in a dark wave before coalescing into a massive dome around her.
It pulsed with energy, layers of dense darkness fortified with necromantic energy reinforcing the barrier.
The guardian tilted its head as if appraising her work. Then, with a single step forward, it leaped into the air.
Its massive frame defied expectations, moving with a speed and agility that betrayed its size.
The chamber shook with the force of its ascent, and then it descended with its fists drawn back, delivering a triple-strike aimed directly at Alera's barrier.
The first punch struck with the force of an avalanche, a resounding boom that shook the very foundation of the chamber.
The dome around Alera rippled violently, its surface fracturing like glass under immense pressure. Alera herself staggered, her heels digging into the ground as she slid several feet back.
Her arms trembled as she braced against the attack, her shadows flickering erratically.
A grunt of pain escaped her lips, but she gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright.
The second punch came faster, stronger, its impact far more devastating. The barrier buckled under the force, cracks spreading across its surface as Alera was driven to her knees. Her hands pressed against the ground, her breathing ragged. Blood dripped from her mouth, pooling on the dirt below.
Her generals, bound by her commands, could only watch helplessly as their mistress bore the brunt of the attack. Pyris clenched his fists, his knuckles white. He could see her struggle, the strain etched into every line of her trembling form.
"Alera, hold on!" he shouted, though his voice barely registered over the roaring chaos.
The guardian loomed closer, its fists raised high for the final strike. Its presence was suffocating, a monstrous force that felt like it could crush worlds. Alera's vision blurred, her body screaming in protest as she pushed every ounce of energy she had into maintaining her barrier.
The final punch landed with cataclysmic force.
The dome shattered in an explosion of shadow and light of the punch's impact, fragments of shadow scattering like shards of glass.
Alera's body was hurled through the air like a ragdoll, her limp form crashing against the far wall near the gate they had entered through. She crumpled to the ground in a heap, unmoving.
The chamber fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of the guardian's heavy breathing. It lowered its fists, its hulking form standing tall and triumphant, like an executioner surveying its work.
Pyris didn't wait. He vanished in a flash of golden light, reappearing at Alera's side. Kneeling beside her, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his heart sinking as his fingers brushed against her cold, bloodied skin.
Her shadows, once vibrant and alive, were now faint wisps barely clinging to her form.
"Zara!" he shouted, his voice laced with urgency.
The witch was already moving, her hands glowing with emerald light as she rushed to join him.
Seren and Lyra stood frozen, their faces pale with shock. They couldn't bring themselves to move, the weight of the moment pressing down on them like a physical force.
When Zara reached them, she hesitated. Pyris shook his head, his expression grim. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire
"She's—" His words faltered, his throat tightening.
Zara's glowing hands hovered over Alera's chest, but even she seemed unsure of what to do. The silence was deafening, each second stretching into an eternity.
Then, without warning, the guardian took a single step forward.
The group froze, their attention snapping back to the massive beast. Its aura surged once more, darker and more menacing than before.
The guardian raised its head, and for the first time, its eyes burned with a sinister light, locking onto them with predatory intent.
The fight wasn't over yet the group had suffered a very great loss, Alera was...