Chương 35: Chapter 35: Shadows of Cahokia
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## **Chapter 35: Shadows of Cahokia**
The Cahokia Mounds sprawled across the Missouri landscape like silent sentinels of an ancient civilization. Their towering presence felt oppressive, the air heavy with a quiet foreboding. The wind whispered through the tall grass, carrying with it a faint hum of energy that vibrated in the team's bones.
At the edge of the site, the team stood in tense silence, their eyes fixed on Monks Mound, the largest of the earthen structures. Its sheer size was both awe-inspiring and ominous, a looming figure against the twilight sky.
"This place gives me the creeps," Stiles muttered, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "And I've seen a lot of creepy stuff lately."
"It's not just you," Caroline replied, her gaze sharp as she scanned the area. "The energy here feels... wrong."
Adam's system chimed, its glowing overlay displaying the leyline activity converging on the mound.
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### **<SYSTEM ALERT>**
**Proximity to Leyline Disturbance**: *1.2 kilometers*
**Nexus Status**: *Unstable*
**Hostile Presence Detected**: *Moderate*
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"It's strongest at the top of Monks Mound," Adam said, pointing toward the massive structure. "That's where we'll find the nexus."
Josh adjusted the enchanted staff resting on his shoulder, his tone light but edged with tension. "Of course it's at the top. Why would creepy magic ever be somewhere easy to reach?"
The team began their ascent, the ancient steps of Monks Mound worn smooth by centuries of wind and rain. The closer they got to the summit, the stronger the hum of energy grew, vibrating through the ground and making the air feel heavy and oppressive.
Elijah led the way, his movements calm and deliberate. "This site has long been associated with rituals of power. If the disturbance is tied to the Veil, its significance is no coincidence."
"Chosen by who, though?" Stefan asked, his tone grim. "We still don't know who's behind all of this."
"We'll figure it out," Adam said, his voice steady. "One step at a time."
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At the summit, the full scope of the disturbance became clear. A glowing circle of runes had been etched into the earth, pulsing with an eerie blue light. At its center stood a stone obelisk, its surface covered in intricate carvings that seemed to writhe when looked at too closely.
Surrounding the obelisk were six shadowy figures, their forms flickering like firelight as they moved in deliberate patterns. The air around them shimmered with residual leyline energy, the hum now deafening.
"Great," Stiles whispered, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "More shadow monsters. Because we definitely haven't seen enough of those."
"They're guardians," Adam said, his system scanning the area.
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### **<SYSTEM ALERT>**
**Energy Stabilization**: *68%*
**Hostile Presence**: *6 Guardians*
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Caroline glanced at Adam, her voice firm. "Plan?"
Adam's eyes didn't leave the glowing runes. "We take out the guardians first. Then I'll sever the leyline connections to the obelisk. Stiles, Josh—keep the area clear while I work."
Josh grinned, gripping the staff tightly. "I was hoping you'd say that."
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The battle erupted in a flash of motion. Caroline and Stefan moved as a synchronized unit, their vampiric speed giving them an edge as they tore through the shadowy figures. Their strikes were precise and devastating, each movement a calculated response to their enemies.
Elijah fought with his usual grace, his strikes elegant but lethal. His every motion dismantled the guardians with cold efficiency.
Josh unleashed bursts of golden energy from the enchanted staff, each blast scattering the shadowy forms into tendrils of darkness. "Come on!" he shouted, taunting the creatures as they surged toward him.
Stiles, armed with a crowbar, dodged and weaved between the fray, targeting the leyline anchors embedded in the ground. "Why is it always me and the crowbar?" he yelled, smashing another anchor with a grunt.
"Because you're good at it!" Josh called back, laughing despite the chaos.
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At the center of the circle, Adam faced the obelisk. His hands glowed with energy as he activated his system.
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### **<SYSTEM ALERT>**
**Effect**: *Disrupts Connections Between Leylines and Anchors*
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The runes on the obelisk flickered and dimmed as Adam's power surged through it. Cracks began to spread across its surface, and the blue light of the leyline circle dimmed with every passing second.
"Almost there!" Adam shouted, his voice strained as sweat dripped down his face.
The remaining guardians shrieked, their forms faltering as the leyline energy feeding them weakened. Caroline delivered the final blow to one, her fist shattering its shadowy chest as it dissolved into mist.
With a final surge, Adam unleashed a wave of energy into the obelisk. The stone structure shattered, the resulting shockwave rippling outward and knocking everyone to the ground.
The leyline disturbance faded instantly, the hum of energy replaced by an eerie silence.
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### **<SYSTEM ALERT>**
**Global Leyline Stabilization**: *99%*
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Adam pushed himself to his feet, his breathing heavy. "It's done."
"For now," Elijah said, his sharp gaze scanning the silent summit. "But this was deliberate. Someone orchestrated this disturbance—and they're not finished."
Adam's system chimed again, the sound cutting through the quiet.
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### **<SYSTEM ALERT>**
**New Energy Signature Detected**
**Location**: *Petra, Jordan*
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"They're moving faster," Stefan said, his voice tight. "They're trying to stay ahead of us."
"Then we move faster," Caroline said, her tone resolute. "We hit Petra next and shut them down for good."
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The team descended Monks Mound, their victory tempered by the knowledge of what lay ahead. As they loaded into their SUV and drove toward the airport, Adam stared at the system's map. The faint glow of the Petra disturbance pulsed rhythmically, like a heartbeat echoing across the Veil.
"We're running out of time," he said quietly.
Caroline, driving, glanced at him with determination in her eyes. "Then we make every second count."
The fight wasn't over. The shadows were growing deeper, but so was the team's resolve.
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