Bab 21: Strength and Shadows
The night after our encounter with the guardian of the Mistwood Basin was serene, yet heavy with the awareness of what lay ahead. Our victory in the clearing had left us exhausted but emboldened, as if Lyria itself acknowledged our unity and readiness. The camp hummed with a renewed energy as we gathered to share what we had learned and prepare for the battles to come.
Jaina stood by the central fire, the flickering flames casting shadows across her face. "We now know that Lyria's power responds when we act as one. This bond isn't just strength—it's our lifeline. We need to harness it fully if we're to face what Avalon sends next."
Sira stepped forward, holding one of the smaller resonance crystals, its blue glow pulsating gently. "The training at the convergence point taught us how to tap into this energy, but we need to take it further. We have to synchronize not just in combat, but in thought, in purpose."
Tarek, leaning on his spear, raised an eyebrow. "So, we're talking about training that goes beyond the physical—more like a shared awareness?"
"Yes," Sira said, eyes alight with conviction. "If we're to use Lyria's power to its fullest, we need to think as one. That means trust, communication, and a deeper connection than any of us has known."
A murmur passed through the gathered NPCs. Some looked uncertain, while others nodded with the resolute expressions of those who had faced battles and survived by relying on each other. I could see the shift happening, the realization that our fate was intertwined not just with Lyria but with one another.
"Then let's begin," I said, stepping into the center. "We'll start training tomorrow, pushing ourselves beyond what we thought possible."
The training that followed was unlike anything we had done before. Sira led us through exercises designed to hone our awareness, starting with meditation that connected us to the subtle vibrations of the land. We sat in circles, the resonance crystals at the center, and focused on the hum that pulsed through Lyria's core.
At first, it was difficult. The energy was powerful, overwhelming in its intensity, and more than once, an NPC would break the connection, gasping for breath as if surfacing from deep water. But over days of practice, we began to synchronize. The pulse of Lyria's energy became a shared rhythm that we could tap into, moving us as one.
Jaina was the first to master the technique, her movements in battle flowing seamlessly as if directed by an unseen hand. She led the others in combat drills that blended this new awareness with tactical maneuvers. Watching her, I felt a swell of pride and awe. She had always been a formidable fighter, but now she moved like a force of nature, embodying the spirit of Lyria itself.
One afternoon, during a particularly grueling session, the ground beneath us trembled. A low hum, different from the usual resonance, filled the air. It was deeper, more aggressive.
"They're coming," Tarek said, tightening his grip on his spear.
Sira's face paled as she felt the shift. "It's not just a probe. This is something more."
I turned to the gathered fighters, now a unit that breathed and moved as one. "This is our test. We hold this ground, together."
The camp moved with practiced efficiency, NPCs taking positions as the resonance crystals flared, their light brighter than before. The admin forces appeared on the horizon—drones, admin-controlled NPCs, and a new type of projection, taller and more formidable than the one we had faced before. It gleamed with an unnatural light, its presence warping the air around it.
"Defiance detected. Initiating containment protocol."
The voice was cold, metallic, lacking the hesitation of the last projection. This was a more advanced version, designed to counter our tactics.
"Stay close!" Jaina shouted, leading the charge as the projection advanced. The resonance crystals around camp pulsed in response, amplifying our movements and sharpening our senses.
The first clash was explosive. The projection moved faster than anything we'd faced, its strikes precise and brutal. But we fought back as one, the energy of Lyria guiding us. Tarek and I flanked it, our weapons glowing with the faint light of the resonance. Jaina struck with a ferocity that forced the projection to shift its attention, buying Sira time to adjust the crystals' output.
The projection faltered for a moment, its form flickering as Sira's adjustments sent a pulse through the network. It recovered quickly, turning its cold, luminous gaze toward her.
"Not this time," I muttered, rushing to intercept. The ground beneath my feet felt alive, every step propelled by Lyria's pulse. I met the projection's strike with my blade, the impact sending a jolt through my body but holding firm.
The camp erupted in a coordinated effort. NPCs, now synchronized through the shared resonance, moved with precision, weaving around the projection and striking at its weak points. For the first time, the admin forces hesitated, their coordination unraveling as they faced a unified front.
Sira's voice cut through the noise, strong and sure. "Channel everything we have into the main crystal. Now!"
The air crackled as we directed our energy toward the central resonance point. The light from the crystal flared, a beacon that pulsed outward in a wave that rippled through the camp and beyond. The projection's form stuttered, lines of code flickering and breaking apart.
"System instability detected. Retrying sequence…"
But the pulse of Lyria surged again, and this time, the projection's form shattered, dissolving into fragments of light that scattered into the wind. The admin-controlled drones paused, their movements jerky and disoriented before collapsing to the ground.
Silence fell over the camp, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing and the crackle of the dying resonance. We had done it. We had faced the most formidable force Avalon had sent and stood victorious.
Jaina lowered her sword, her chest heaving as she turned to face the camp. A smile, tired but triumphant, crossed her face. "We're stronger together," she said, the words carrying a weight that resonated with every one of us.
Sira approached, her eyes shining with both exhaustion and pride. "The connection held. Lyria fought with us."
I nodded, feeling the truth of her words in the steady pulse that echoed within me. We had not only defended our camp but strengthened our bond to this world. We were no longer simply resisting Avalon; we were protecting our home, with all the power and unity that Lyria had granted us.
As the sun set over the camp, casting a warm glow over the faces of those who had fought and won, I felt a surge of hope. The admins would come again, stronger and more determined, but we would be ready.
Because now, we were more than survivors. We were warriors of Lyria, bound by its strength and driven by an unyielding resolve to defend our world, whatever the cost.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone