Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 30: Into the Shadows

The ruins came alive with chaos as the shadows surged forward, coiling and writhing like serpents eager to devour. They spilled from cracks in the stone, pouring across the ground in an inky tide. From the blackness, twisted figures began to emerge—nightmarish amalgamations of claw, sinew, and void.

Eryth barked orders, his voice rising above the cacophony. "Form up! Protect the weak points!"

The group scrambled into position. The ruins provided natural barriers, but they were crumbling, unstable. Each member pressed their back against stone or crouched behind debris, creating a defensive line.

Nyx moved to the front, its golden glow cutting through the encroaching darkness. The humanoid transformation had enhanced its agility and strength, but even now, Nyx could feel the pull of the shadows—a relentless hunger that sought to drag it under.

Eryth stood behind it, clutching his weapon tightly. His connection to Nyx burned brighter than ever, filling his chest with determination.

"We stand together," he muttered, almost as if reassuring himself.

The First Wave

The first creature lunged—a spindly monstrosity with elongated limbs and razor-sharp teeth. It screeched as it closed the distance, but Nyx was faster. It slashed upward with glowing claws, cleaving through the creature in one swift motion. The beast disintegrated into shadow, its remains scattering like ash.

More followed. The nightmarish horde came in waves, some climbing the crumbling walls, others rushing across the open ground. Nyx moved with precision, every motion a deadly dance. Its claws tore through the creatures like paper, golden light searing their forms.

The others fought with desperate determination. The young fighter from before shouted a warning as two creatures flanked them, but the armored woman struck them down with brutal efficiency.

Eryth, meanwhile, focused on the runes etched into the ruins. His mind raced, trying to decipher their meaning. He had seen symbols like these before, in fragmented visions from the relic. They were tied to power—ancient, buried power.

"Hold the line!" he shouted without looking up.

A Turning Point

Nyx landed a heavy blow against a hulking shadow-beast, sending it crashing into a pillar. The structure groaned and collapsed, crushing several more creatures beneath the rubble.

But the victory was short-lived. The shadows began to shift, their movements becoming more coordinated. From the center of the horde, a larger figure emerged.

It was taller than the others, with an almost humanoid form. Its body was composed of writhing shadows, and its eyes burned like red coals. A voice, deep and guttural, rumbled through the battlefield.

"You think you can resist us?" the figure growled. "You're nothing but embers waiting to be snuffed out."

Nyx snarled, stepping forward to challenge the figure. But before it could act, the ground beneath them began to quake.

Eryth's head snapped up, his eyes wide. The runes beneath his feet were glowing now, pulsing in time with the tremors.

"Everyone, fall back!" he shouted.

The group hesitated, unsure whether to obey.

"Now!" Eryth roared.

The Unleashing

The glowing runes flared, and a wave of energy erupted from the ground. It swept through the ruins, pushing back the shadows and leaving the horde in disarray.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, the runes began to shift. The stone beneath Eryth's feet cracked as the ancient symbols rearranged themselves, forming a massive circle.

From the center of the circle, a pillar of light shot into the sky, illuminating the battlefield. The shadowy figure snarled, shielding its eyes.

Eryth staggered back, his connection to the relic surging to life. He felt the power in the runes—raw, untamed, and dangerous.

"What is this?" the shadowy figure hissed.

Eryth didn't answer. He didn't know.

Nyx stepped beside him, its golden eyes locked on the pillar of light. The energy emanating from it was overwhelming, even for the creature.

Then, from within the light, a shape began to form. It was indistinct at first, a swirling mass of energy, but it quickly solidified into something humanoid.

The shadowy figure growled. "You've made a mistake. You've awakened something you cannot control."

Eryth clenched his fists. Whatever this power was, it was their only chance.

"Then we'll see who falls first," he said, his voice steady.

Nyx growled in agreement, stepping forward as the light began to fade, revealing the figure within.

Whatever was coming, they would face it together.