Bab 46: A lurking danger in a shadow
The heroes awoke to the sound of rustling leaves and the gentle murmur of the river. Dawn's light filtered through the dense foliage, casting a golden hue over their camp. Elara was the first to rise, her senses still tingling from the previous night's unease. She moved quietly, her eyes scanning the perimeter for any signs of the presence she had felt.
As the others stirred, we gathered around the remnants of our campfire, sharing a quick breakfast and discussing our plans for the day. The Realm of Echoes awaited, but Elara's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was lurking nearby.
"We need to stay sharp," she said, her voice carrying an edge of urgency. "I felt something last night. We're being watched."
I frowned, my hand instinctively moving to the hilt of my sword. "Do you think it's a threat?"
Elara nodded. "I can't be sure, but we should be prepared for anything."
With our resolve steeled, we broke camp and set off once more. The landscape shifted as we journeyed, the tranquil river giving way to dense, shadowy woods. The air grew cooler, and an eerie silence settled over us, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and distant calls of unseen creatures.
As we moved deeper into the forest, the shadows seemed to grow darker, the trees closing in around us. A sense of foreboding filled the air, and we instinctively drew closer together, our senses on high alert.
It was Elara who first spotted the figure—a dark silhouette standing motionless among the trees. She froze, her eyes narrowing as she tried to discern its features. The figure stepped forward, its movements unnaturally fluid, almost as if it were gliding.
"Who goes there?" Elwen called out, her voice steady but firm.
The figure stepped into the light, revealing itself to be a tall, slender man cloaked in black. His eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and a sinister smile curled on his lips. "So, you've made it this far," he said, his voice a chilling whisper that sent shivers down our spines.
"Who are you?" Kizuno demanded, her hand ready on her weapon.
The man chuckled, a low, haunting sound. "I am the Nightstalker, and your journey ends here."
Before we could react, the Nightstalker raised his hand, and the shadows around us came alive. Dark shapes emerged from the forest, their eyes glowing with a predatory hunger. Vampires. Dozens of them, surrounding us, their fangs bared and claws ready to strike.
"Stand ready!" I shouted, drawing my sword. The others followed suit, forming a tight circle with their backs to each other, their weapons at the ready.
The Nightstalker watched with a twisted smile, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Let the hunt begin."
The vampires lunged, a chaotic flurry of fangs and claws. We fought with fierce determination, our weapons flashing in the dim light as we cut down the oncoming horde. Elwen's sword glowed with a brilliant light, each strike banishing the darkness. Kizuno moved with lethal precision, her blades slicing through the air. Tatsu and Mikazuki fought back-to-back, their coordinated attacks creating a deadly dance of steel.
Elara channeled her magic, casting protective barriers and sending blasts of energy at our foes. Aethos summoned flames to ward off the attackers, his spells lighting up the night. I, a whirlwind of strength and fury, cut down vampire after vampire, my resolve unyielding.
But the Nightstalker was not idle. He moved through the battlefield like a shadow, striking at us with deadly accuracy. His presence seemed to sap the light from the air, filling the forest with an oppressive darkness.
In the midst of the chaos, I saw the Nightstalker heading towards Elwen, his eyes locked on her. I shouted a warning, but it was too late. The Nightstalker struck with blinding speed, his clawed hand reaching for Elwen's throat.
Elwen barely managed to deflect the blow, but the force sent her sprawling. The Nightstalker loomed over her, his smile widening. "You cannot escape the darkness," he hissed.
As Elwen struggled to her feet, I felt a surge of protective anger. I couldn't let this monster harm her or anyone else. Channeling my energy, I prepared to unleash my most powerful technique.
"Kairos, cover me!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the chaos.
Kairos nodded, his grip on his sword tightening. "Leave this fight to me!"
With a flash, he transformed, his body cloaked in dark energy. His form shifted, becoming the Black Reaper, wielding Zabimitsu, the death scythe. The scythe's blade gleamed wickedly, thirsting for blood.
Kairos moved with incredible speed, his scythe cleaving through the vampires with ease. The Nightstalker turned his attention to him, a look of twisted amusement on his face. "Ah, the Black Reaper. I've heard of you."
Kairos didn't respond, his focus entirely on the fight. He swung Zabimitsu with deadly precision, each strike cutting down the Nightstalker's minions. But the Nightstalker was a cunning adversary. He feigned weakness, pretending to be overwhelmed by Kairos's assault.
Then, with a sudden, vicious move, the Nightstalker struck. He dodged Kairos's scythe and lunged at me, his claws aimed at my throat. I barely had time to react, my blades coming up to parry his attack. But his strength was overwhelming, and I felt myself being pushed back.
"You're mine," he snarled, his eyes burning with malice.
Just as his claws were about to pierce my skin, a burst of magical energy struck him, halting his movement. He froze, his body locked in place. I looked up to see Elara, her hands glowing with arcane power.
"Where did you learn that?" Kairos asked, his voice filled with awe and shock.
Elara stepped forward, her expression determined. "It's an ancient magic, lost to time. I've been secretly learning it."
Mikazuki and Tatsu exchanged surprised glances. "Time stop magic… it's been lost for centuries," Mikazuki said, his voice filled with amazement.
The Nightstalker struggled against the spell, his eyes filled with fury. "This isn't over," he growled. "You cannot escape the darkness."
With a final, malevolent glare, he vanished into the shadows, his presence dissipating like smoke. The remaining vampires fled, disappearing into the forest.
We stood in the aftermath, panting and bruised but victorious. The light from Aethos's staff faded, and he lowered it with a weary sigh.
"Is everyone alright?" Elwen asked, her voice shaky but relieved.
"We're fine," I replied, my grip on Zabimitsu relaxing. "Thanks to all of you."
Elara nodded, her heart still racing from the encounter. "The Nightstalker… he was unlike any enemy we've faced. We need to be on our guard."
Elwen placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll face him together. No matter what comes, we'll stand united."
As we regrouped and tended to our wounds, we knew that our journey was far from over. The Nightstalker's presence was a dark shadow looming over us, a reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.
But our resolve was stronger than ever. We would not be deterred. With two Chrono Shards in our possession and our bond unbreakable, we set off once more, ready to face the trials that awaited in the Realm of Echoes.
And in the darkness, the Nightstalker watched, his eyes glowing with a sinister light. The hunt had only just begun.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone