บท 18: Shadows in the Mist
The dense forest that enveloped Arya and her group seemed endless. The air was cold, and the wet scent of leaves mixed with soil filled their senses. After the battle with the shadow soldiers, their steps had become more cautious. Every sound of a twig breaking or rustling leaves made them alert.
"Arya, are you sure this is the way?" Mahendra asked in a whisper, breaking the silence.
Arya nodded as she checked the old map in her hand. "This path takes us closer to the valley. If we make it through this mist, we will reach the enemy's attack point."
However, Laksmi who had rejoined them after the camp was cornered, looked uneasy. "Something is wrong here. This mist is not just a natural phenomenon. I can feel dark energy enveloping this place."
Arya turned her head, looking at Laksmi seriously. "We have no other choice. This is the only quickest way. If we are late, the fort will be completely surrounded."
Mahendra pulled his fur coat closer. "Then let's keep going. But make sure everyone stays close. This mist could separate us."
The fog grew thicker as they advanced. The view was only a few meters ahead. The sounds of nature, such as birds or insects, suddenly disappeared. All that remained was an oppressive silence.
Laksmi stopped suddenly, raising her hand to signal the others. "Wait. Do you hear that?"
Arya focused, but heard nothing but their own breathing. However, soon, faint sounds like whispers began to be heard, as if coming from all directions.
"Who's there?" Arya asked in a firm voice, even though her heart was pounding.
The whispers turned into small laughter that echoed through the trees. The fog began to move, like a living creature enveloping them.
From the fog, shadows began to appear. They looked like human figures, but without faces. Their movements floated, with empty eyes that emitted a faint blue light.
Laksmi gripped her staff tightly. "They are the guardians of the mist. These creatures cannot be harmed with ordinary weapons. We must get out of here immediately."
Arya raised her hand, asking everyone to remain calm. "How do we fight them?"
Laksmi shook her head. "We're not fighting them. We have to find the source of this mist. As long as it's here, they won't leave."
"Fine," Arya decided. "We'll split into two groups. One will protect the other, while I find the source."
Laksmi immediately refused. "You can't go alone! If anything happens "
"I'll be fine," Arya interrupted. "This is my responsibility. I brought you here, and I'll make sure you get out alive."
Laksmi had no choice but to obey, though her face was full of worry. "Be careful, Arya. Don't let this mist take over your mind."
Arya stepped deeper into the mist, leaving the others behind. The deeper he went, the heavier his steps became, as if the mist was sucking his strength away.
Along the way, voices in his head began to appear. They called his name, blaming him for all his failures.
"You're not a hero. You're just a foolish young man playing around with powers that aren't yours," the voice whispered coldly.
Arya stopped, catching his breath. "This isn't real. I know who I am."
However, the fog grew thicker, and the voice grew louder, resembling the voice of his deceased father. "Arya, you have abandoned your destiny. You are pursuing something that should not be your responsibility."
Arya closed his eyes, remembering Mahesa's teachings. "The truth does not come from outside. The truth is within you."
He opened his eyes, finding a large tree in front of him. The roots of the tree emitted the same blue light as the eyes of the mist creatures.
"This is the source," Arya murmured.
He placed his hand on the tree trunk, feeling the dark energy flowing. With the strength he had, Arya concentrated the chakra in his hand, letting the blue light energy fight the darkness.
The tree began to tremble, and the fog slowly faded. The whispering voices disappeared, and the atmosphere became lighter.
When he returned to his group, everyone greeted him with smiles of relief. Mahendra patted his shoulder. "You made it."
However, deep in Arya's heart, he knew this was only the beginning of a greater darkness.
As the mist began to fade, the forest felt alive again. Birds chirped in the distance, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. However, Arya felt something was still amiss. Although the tree had stopped emitting dark energy, he knew the darkness in this place had not completely disappeared.
"Do you feel anything strange?" Arya asked Laksmi after returning to his group.
Laksmi nodded slowly, her face tense. "Yes. The mist has lessened, but the dark energy is still there. This is not just about the tree. There is something bigger behind all of this."
Mahendra, who had been silent until now, looked around warily. "Then, we must get out of this forest immediately before something worse happens."
Arya shook his head. "No. We must investigate further. If we leave this now, this threat could attack the villages around here. We cannot let it happen."
Mahendra opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but seeing the determination in Arya's eyes, he chose not to say anything.
The group continued their journey carefully, following the trail of energy that was still faintly felt. Laksmi led the way with her staff, casting protective spells to keep them safe.
Their steps led them to a cave hidden in the thick undergrowth. The entrance to the cave was decorated with ancient carvings that looked like divine symbols, but something was wrong. The carvings were covered in cracks, and most of the symbols looked upside down.
"These are… ancient carvings of the gatekeepers," Laksmi whispered. "But someone has defiled them."
Arya felt a chill run down her spine as she approached the cave entrance. "Is this where the dark energy is?"
Laksmi nodded. "Most likely. But we must be very careful. If these carvings are damaged, it means the original guardians of this place are no longer there. Whatever is inside may be far more dangerous."
Arya took a deep breath and looked at her group. "We must enter. If this is truly the source of the darkness, then it is our responsibility to stop it."
They stepped into the cave cautiously. Inside, it grew increasingly dark, though the dim blue light from the cave walls helped them see their way.
"Look at that," Mahendra whispered, pointing to a large altar in the middle of the cave.
On top of the altar, there was a crystal ball that emitted the same blue light as the fog. However, around it, there were shadows moving, like living creatures watching their every move.
Laksmi held her breath. "That's the core of the dark energy. But there's something guarding it."
Suddenly, one of the shadows jumped out of the darkness, attacking Arya with incredible speed. Arya managed to dodge in time, but the attack triggered a chain reaction. Other shadows began to attack their group relentlessly.
"Hold on!" Arya shouted, raising her chakra to create a protective shield.
Laksmi began to chant a mantra to strengthen their protection, while Mahendra used his sword to repel the shadow attacks.
The battle was fierce, but Arya knew that they would not be able to hold out for long. "We have to destroy the crystal ball!"
However, the crystal ball was protected by a strong layer of energy. Every attack they launched was bounced off without leaving a trace.
Arya closed her eyes, trying to feel the flow of energy in the cave. He realized that the crystal ball was not only a source of darkness, but also a prison for something greater.
"This is not just an energy core. It is a seal. There is something trapped inside," Arya said in a firm tone.
Laksmi stared at him with wide eyes. "Then destroying it could free whatever is inside."
Arya gritted his teeth. He was faced with a difficult choice. If they did not destroy the ball, the dark energy would continue to spread and destroy everything. But if they did destroy it, they might face a much greater threat.
"There is no time. We must decide now," Mahendra demanded, his voice filled with panic.
Arya stared at the crystal ball, feeling the weight of incredible responsibility on his shoulders.
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Oyex_Sabiansyah
Oyex_Sabiansyah This chapter brings Arya and her group to a difficult choice that tests their courage and wisdom. The decision Arya makes will drastically change the plot, taking the suspense and mystery to new heights. Thank you for sticking with us on this journey!
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