Capítulo 36: Chapter 36: Petra's Silent Ruins
Chapter 36: Petra's Silent Ruins
The ancient city of Petra rose from the sands like a relic frozen in time. Carved into the red rock cliffs, its towering facades glowed golden under the light of dawn, a stark contrast to the tension gripping the team. The narrow Siq canyon loomed ahead, its winding path the only entrance to the ruins' heart.
"This place is incredible," Stiles said, his voice tinged with awe as his gaze lingered on the intricate carvings. "Too bad we're here to break stuff instead of sightseeing."
Adam's system chimed softly, pulling his attention back to the task at hand. The glowing leyline map revealed a massive convergence of energy buried beneath Petra, the disturbance stronger than any they'd encountered so far.
Proximity to Leyline Disturbance: 2.4 kilometers
Status: Highly Unstable
Hostile Presence Detected: Significant
"The energy here is spiking faster than it did at Cahokia," Adam said, frowning. "We don't have much time."
Caroline tightened her grip on her gear, her expression hardening. "Then let's get to it."
The Siq was a labyrinth of towering sandstone walls that narrowed and twisted, blocking out most of the sunlight. Shadows danced across the canyon floor as the team moved cautiously, the hum of leyline energy growing stronger with every step.
Elijah walked at the front of the group, his movements composed but alert. "Petra was once a hub of trade and culture," he said, his voice low. "Its strategic importance likely explains why it's become a focal point for leyline activity."
"Great history lesson," Josh quipped, the enchanted staff slung over his shoulder. "But I'm more interested in what's waiting to ambush us."
"Probably more shadow monsters," Stiles muttered. "Because that's just our luck these days."
As the canyon opened into Petra's heart, the team froze. Before them lay a massive circle of glowing runes etched into the ground near the Treasury, the energy pulsating erratically. At its center stood a stone obelisk—taller, more ornate, and far more menacing than the one at Cahokia.
A group of robed figures chanted in unison around the obelisk, their haunting voices echoing through the ruins. Behind them, dark figures loomed—Nexus Guardians, their forms flickering like distorted shadows.
"Found them," Stefan said grimly, his eyes narrowing.
Adam's system flared to life, providing new intel.
Energy Stabilization: 82%
Hostile Presence: 10 Ritualists, 8 Nexus Guardians
"They're further along than they were at Cahokia," Adam said, his voice tight. "If they stabilize this nexus, the Veil could fracture again."
"Then we don't let them," Caroline said, already moving toward the ritual site.
The battle erupted in a blur of motion and light. Caroline and Stefan struck first, their vampiric speed allowing them to dispatch two of the ritualists before they could react. Elijah advanced on the Guardians, his movements fluid and precise as he engaged the shadowy figures.
Josh fired bursts of golden energy from the enchanted staff, forcing the Guardians to retreat momentarily. "They're tougher this time!" he shouted, gritting his teeth as he deflected an incoming attack.
Stiles darted around the perimeter, targeting the leyline anchors scattered near the obelisk. "Why do I always get anchor duty?" he yelled, smashing one with his crowbar.
"Because you're good at it!" Josh called back, grinning even as he blasted another Guardian.
At the center of the ritual, Adam focused on the obelisk. His hands glowed as he channeled his energy into the structure, his system guiding his every move.
Effect: Severs Leyline Connections to Core Artifacts
The runes on the obelisk flickered as cracks formed along its surface. The chanting ritualists faltered, their connection to the leyline energy weakening.
One of the ritualists turned toward Adam, their voice rising in anger. "You will not interfere!" they shouted, unleashing a wave of dark energy that sent Adam stumbling back.
"Oh, come on," Josh muttered, firing a burst from the staff that knocked the ritualist off balance. "That's our line!"
The impact disrupted the spell, giving Adam enough time to recover. He pushed forward, pouring more energy into the obelisk. The cracks deepened, and the pulsing runes dimmed further.
"Almost there!" Adam shouted, his focus unbroken despite the sweat dripping down his face.
Caroline and Stefan eliminated the last of the ritualists, while Elijah dispatched the remaining Guardians with a decisive strike.
The obelisk began to pulse violently, its glow intensifying as it neared collapse.
"Everyone, clear out!" Adam yelled.
The team retreated just as the obelisk shattered, the explosion of light flooding the ruins and sending shockwaves through the ground. The glowing runes faded, and the hum of leyline energy fell silent.
The silence that followed was almost oppressive. The once-pulsing energy was gone, leaving the ruins eerily still.
"It's done," Adam said, his voice barely audible as he surveyed the now-dormant site.
"For now," Elijah replied, his tone grave. "But this disturbance was orchestrated. Their plans haven't ended—they're escalating."
Adam's system chimed, its soft tone breaking the silence.
Global Leyline Stabilization: 99.5%
Warning: Energy Spike Detected in Greece
Location: Ancient City of Pylas
"They're not stopping," Stefan said, his expression dark. "They're just moving faster."
"Then so will we," Caroline said, her determination unwavering.
As the team left Petra, the first rays of sunlight bathed the ruins, casting long shadows across the red cliffs. Though the battle was won, the war loomed larger than ever.
Adam stared at the glowing map on his tablet, the energy signature in Greece pulsing with an urgency he couldn't ignore.
"We're running out of time," he said quietly.
Caroline stepped beside him, her voice steady. "Then let's make it count."
The shadows in Greece awaited, and the team pressed on, ready for whatever came next.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder