Chương 22: CHAPTER 22: Echoes of the Abyss
Damian,Nerrisa and Linda emerges from the volcanic cavern, exhausted but aware that their victory against Mortivax is only ephemeral. The Philosopher's Stone continues to pulse rapidly, and Damian feels its corruptive influence creeping further into his body. Nerrisa suggests returning to the mansion to regroup and study the knowledge they've obtained from the Crucible, but their journey back is far from safe.
The volcanic terrain they traverse remains unstable, the ground begin to crack open as remnants of Mortivax's power destabilize the area. Lava streams block their path, and geysers of molten rock erupts , forcing them to navigate with extreme caution. Damian, drained and struggling with his connection to the Stone, nearly collapses when they encounter a massive volcanic beast, a Fireborne Titan, left behind as a sentinel by Mortivax.
This creature is a towering construct of molten rock and flame, with glowing, runic sigils carved into its chest. The Titan seems drawn to the Philosopher's Stone, and Damian realizes it will stop at nothing to take the Stone for itself.
Linda and Nerrisa take the lead in battling the Fireborne Titan, giving Damian time to recover and stabilize his connection to the Philosopher's Stone. Nerrisa uses her alchemical arrows, infused with volatile compounds, to target the sigils on the Titan's body. Her precision weakens the creature's defenses, but its overwhelming size and strength prove difficult to overcome. Damian stood aimlessly, watching this two brave women fight off the titan on his behalf. The titan, feeling distracted from his goal, turns aggressively towards Damian. He spits lava at Damian, trying to consume him in flames.
Linda, tapping into the Pendant of Aetherial Binding, summons a protective ward around Damian, shielding him from the Titan's destructive attacks. She uses an incantation from the Crucible's knowledge to call forth a spectral serpent of water and ice:
Spell: Frostbound Constriction
Incantation:
"Aquae glacialis, serpentem evocatum, ardorem constricte, hostem vincite!"
("Icy waters, summon the serpent, constrict the heat, defeat the foe!")
which coils around the Titan, hissing as it cools and hardens its molten body. Damian, regaining some strength, got up, joining in the fight against the titan. He channels the Philosopher's Stone to enhance Nerrisa's arrows, creating explosive alchemical bolts that pierce the Titan's core. The arrow pierces the core and the titans core exploded, filling the air with lava and ash. Together, they destroy the construct, but its destruction releases a burst of volcanic energy that nearly engulfs them.
After defeating the Titan, Damian collapses, using his left arm to squeeze against his other arm as the corruption spreads further. Nerrisa and Linda rush to his side, noticing the veins in his arm glowing a sinister black-red. Linda deduces that the Philosopher's Stone is reacting to Mortivax's lingering influence and warns that Damian's connection to the Stone may soon become irreversible if they don't find a way to purify it.
Nerrisa suggests returning to the mansion, where they can use the alchemical grimoire and other tools to study the Stone's instability. However, Damian hesitates, his heart and mind clouded by doubt due to Mortivax's haunting words. He questions if he is strong enough to continue bearing the Philosopher's Stone and whether his companions are safer without him.
Nerrisa confronts him directly: "You can't shoulder this alone. If the Stone is consuming you, we'll find a way to stop it,together. Don't let Mortivax's dose of fear tear us apart." Her words ignites his determination, though the fear of failure still remains.
As they make their way toward the safety of the mansion, the group is ambushed by a group of spectral harbingers, ghostly entities summoned by the residual energy of Mortivax. These beings are unlike the Volcanic Wraiths; they are silent, cloaked in shadow, and capable of phasing through physical barriers.
The harbingers surround the group, sensing that Damian was weak at the moment, they target Damian directly , ignoring the attack from Linda and Nerrisa. Linda realizes they are drawn to the Philosopher's Stone and attempts to divert their attention by creating illusions with her pendant. Nerrisa uses a special alchemical vial to create a barrier of radiant light, temporarily disrupting their movements. Damian, he couldn't bare to watch Nerrisa and Linda defend him any longer, he makes a very difficult decision.
Damian, despite his weakened state, channels the Philosopher's Stone's power to cast a banishment spell, driving the harbingers back into the abyss:
Spell: Radiant Exorcism
Incantation:
"Lux caelestis, tenebras fugate, hostes exorcizate!"
("Heavenly light, banish the shadows, exorcise the foes!")
The spell drives the harbingers, clearly wiping out their presence, but it drains Damian further, leaving him pale, his flesh became dry as he gasp for air. Linda and Nerrisa help him to his feet, their concern deepening as his condition worsens.
When the group finally reaches a safe clearing near the mansion, Linda reveals a weird discovery: the Philosopher's Stone contains an ancient seal, one that Mortivax and his forces are trying to break. If the seal is shattered, Mortivax's full power will be unleashed, and the Stone's corruption will spread beyond Damian, affecting the entire world.
Nerrisa suggests a bold plan, to forge a new protective seal using the alchemical knowledge in the grimoire. Damian agrees, though the process will require him to dig deeper into the Stone's power than ever before, having him to risk his own life and humanity in the process. As the group nears the mansion, Damian collapses again, his body trembling under the strain of the Philosopher's Stone. Nerrisa and Linda exchange worried glances as Damian, pale and resolute, declares, "If forging a new seal is our only hope, then I'll do it." Nerrisa grips his arm, her voice firm yet trembling: "Not alone. We'll face this together." They hurriedly carrys Damian, his eyes closes slowly as his sight slowly fades.The mansion looms ahead, shrouded i
n foreboding silence.
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