Bab 28: Chapter 28: The Island’s Heart
Chapter 28: The Island's Heart
The jungle was dense, the air humid and oppressive as Adam led the team deeper into the heart of the island. Towering trees with sprawling roots lined their path, their thick canopies blotting out the sky. The occasional call of unseen birds broke the otherwise eerie silence.
"Why do I feel like we're being watched?" Stiles muttered, gripping his flashlight tighter.
"Because we probably are," Josh replied, swatting at a vine that had wrapped around his arm. "Creepy jungle on a magical island? Yeah, something's definitely out there."
Adam's system chimed softly, overlaying a faint glowing path on his vision that led through the foliage.
<SYSTEM ALERT>
Proximity to Convergence Nexus: 3.2 kilometers
Hostile Entities Detected: 4
Threat Level: Moderate
"Stay alert," Adam said, his voice low. "We're close, and we're not alone."
The team pressed on, their senses sharp as the jungle seemed to grow darker and thicker with each step. The hum of leyline energy became more pronounced, a low vibration that thrummed in their chests and made the hairs on the backs of their necks stand on end.
Josh stopped suddenly, holding up a hand. "Hear that?"
The group froze, straining to listen. From somewhere ahead came the faint sound of chanting, the words indistinct but rhythmic, like a dark hymn carried on the wind.
"Great," Stiles whispered. "Creepy chanting. That's never a good sign."
Adam nodded. "Let's move, but keep it quiet. We don't want to tip them off."
The jungle opened into a wide clearing, and the source of the chanting became clear. At the center stood a massive stone altar, its surface etched with glowing runes. Above it swirled a crackling vortex of energy, and at its heart floated the next keystone—a jagged crystal pulsing with ominous light.
Surrounding the altar were four robed figures, their voices rising and falling in an eerie cadence.
Stiles peeked out from behind a tree, his expression a mix of awe and dread. "How do we want to play this? Sneak in and smash the crystal? Or charge in screaming like action heroes?"
Adam activated his system, scanning the scene.
<SYSTEM ALERT>
Nexus Stabilization: 55%
Time to Activation: 16 Hours
Keystone Defense: Active
"Sneaking isn't an option," Adam said grimly. "That vortex is already stabilizing. We need to disrupt it—fast."
Josh smirked, gripping the enchanted staff they'd brought from the Himalayas. "Disrupting stuff is kind of our thing."
Scene: The Battle at the Clearing
The team moved quickly, fanning out as they approached the clearing. Adam directed Stiles to dismantle the leyline anchors, while Josh provided cover with blasts from the staff. Davina stayed near Adam, her magic rippling faintly as she prepared to unleash her spells.
As Adam stepped into the clearing, the chanting stopped. The robed figures turned in unison, their faces obscured by dark masks.
"You dare interfere again?" one of them snarled, their voice echoing unnaturally. "Your meddling ends here!"
The air shimmered, and shadowy creatures began to emerge from the vortex, their glowing eyes fixed on the intruders.
"Shadow monsters," Stiles groaned. "Why is it always shadow monsters?"
Josh raised the staff, a blast of energy shooting out and striking one of the robed figures. "Not a fan, huh? You're missing out—they're like stress balls you can punch!"
The battle erupted into chaos. Adam charged toward the altar, his hands glowing as he activated his system.
<SYSTEM ALERT>
Effect: Disrupt leyline energy flow and weaken keystone defenses
Duration: 4 Minutes
The runes on the altar flickered and dimmed as Adam's energy surged through the nexus. The shadow creatures faltered, their forms rippling as the energy destabilized.
"Stiles, now!" Adam shouted.
Stiles darted toward one of the leyline anchors, smashing it with a rock. The anchor shattered, sending a ripple of energy through the clearing.
"One down, three to go!" Stiles called, narrowly dodging a swipe from a shadow creature.
Nearby, Davina raised her hands, her blue flames flaring as she sent a wave of fire crashing into the creatures. "Stay clear!" she yelled, her magic surging with intensity. The fire morphed into fiery chains, binding two shadow creatures and incinerating them on contact.
Josh fought off two of the robed figures, using the staff to deflect their spells. "These guys are tougher than the last batch!"
"Just keep them busy!" Adam replied, pouring more energy into the altar.
Davina moved to one of the leyline anchors, her flames shifting into delicate threads of light as she unraveled its connection to the vortex. "That's two down!" she shouted.
The masked leader stepped forward, dark energy crackling around their hands. "You cannot stop the Convergence!" they bellowed, unleashing a blast of power that sent Adam stumbling back.
Josh countered with the staff, a burst of golden light colliding with the dark energy midair. "You talk too much!" he shouted, pushing forward with a grin. "Let's see how tough you are without your buddies!"
With one final surge of energy, Adam severed the remaining leyline connections. The vortex above the altar crackled violently, the keystone's glow dimming as the stabilization process ground to a halt.
The masked leader screamed in fury, their form flickering before vanishing into the shadows. The remaining robed figures fled, their chants fading into silence.
The keystone dropped to the altar with a heavy thud, its light extinguished.
"Is it over?" Stiles asked, panting as he leaned on his knees.
"For now," Adam replied, picking up the keystone. "But this was too close. We need to stay ahead of them."
Scene: Aftermath and Regrouping
As the group regrouped, the oppressive weight in the jungle seemed to lift slightly. Davina's flames flickered out as she wiped her forehead, her expression a mix of exhaustion and pride.
"That's three down," Josh said, slinging the staff over his shoulder. "Two more to go."
"And probably twice the trouble waiting for us," Stiles muttered, giving the shattered leyline anchor a half-hearted kick.
Adam tightened his grip on the keystone, his voice steady. "We'll handle it. They won't win—not while we're still fighting."
The team turned back toward the jungle path, the hum of leyline energy fading behind them.
The battle was won, but the war was far from over. The Convergence loomed larger with every step they took, and Adam knew that the next fight would push them to their limits once again.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone