NOVEL WEB Chapter 102: Chapter 102 Eclipsed
The shadowy figure loomed over Jack, its form a writhing mass of inky darkness that seemed to absorb the meager light in the passageway. Jack's sword trembled in his grip, the once - vibrant multicolored glow now a weak flicker. His chest heaved with each ragged breath, the pain from his numerous wounds a constant reminder of the uphill battle they faced. But his eyes, those unyielding pools of determination, never wavered from the enemy before him.
"Is this all you've got?" Jack taunted, his voice echoing through the otherwise silent passageway. He knew that provoking the creature was a risky move, but he needed to buy time for Elder Li and Elias to decipher the ancient symbols on the wall. Deep down, he was terrified. The shadowy figure exuded an otherworldly power that made his skin crawl, but he refused to let his fear show. He was the leader, and his companions were counting on him to stay strong.
Lyra, her dagger at the ready, fought off the skeletal horde that surrounded them. Each swing of her weapon was accompanied by a grunt of effort, her muscles straining from the continuous onslaught. "Jack, we can't hold them off much longer!" she shouted, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and desperation. She stole a quick glance at her friend, her heart pounding in her chest. She had seen Jack in countless battles, but this time, the odds seemed insurmountable.
The Keeper, her crystal shard now shattered, relied on her raw magic to fend off the attackers. Frost spread from her fingertips, encasing the skeletal warriors in a brittle prison of ice. But they shattered the ice with ease, their glowing green eyes fixed on their prey. "This is futile," she muttered under her breath, her face pale with exhaustion. She knew that they needed a miracle to get out of this alive.
Elder Li and Elias huddled over the symbols, their foreheads wrinkled in concentration. The old man's hands trembled as he traced the ancient inscriptions, his staff, now nothing more than a charred stick, leaning against the wall. "The symbols... they're changing," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's as if the shadowy figure's power is corrupting them."
Elias nodded, his face etched with worry. "We need to find a new pattern, and fast," he replied. "But how? These symbols are unlike anything I've ever seen before." He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, his mind racing to find a solution.
Jack charged at the shadowy figure, his sword held high. The creature let out a deafening roar and lashed out with its massive claws. Jack barely managed to dodge, the claws grazing his arm and leaving a deep, searing wound. He gritted his teeth against the pain and counterattacked, his sword striking the creature's torso. But the shadowy figure absorbed the blow, its form rippling like water.
As the battle raged on, Jack could feel his strength waning. The merged orb in his chest pulsed erratically, its power drained from the continuous fighting. He knew that he needed to come up with a plan, and fast. "Lyra, Keeper, focus your attacks on its legs!" he shouted. "We might be able to slow it down!"
Lyra and the Keeper nodded and launched themselves at the shadowy figure. Lyra's dagger stabbed at the creature's legs, while the Keeper summoned a gust of icy wind. The creature stumbled slightly, but it quickly regained its balance and retaliated with a blast of dark energy.
Jack was thrown back by the blast, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud. He coughed up blood, his vision blurring. But he refused to give up. He pushed himself up, his legs shaking beneath him. "I won't let you win," he growled, his voice filled with a fierce determination.
Just then, Elder Li and Elias let out a cry of triumph. "We've got it!" Elias shouted. "The new sequence is based on the inverse of the original rhythm!"
Jack's eyes widened with hope. "Activate the symbols!" he ordered, his voice hoarse but filled with urgency. He knew that this was their last chance. If they failed, all would be lost.
As Elder Li and Elias placed their hands on the symbols, the air crackled with energy. A bright, blinding light filled the passageway, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. The shadowy figure let out a scream of rage and turned towards the wall, its attention now focused on the two men.
Jack knew what he had to do. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, he charged at the creature, his sword held out in front of him. "You'll have to go through me first!" he roared, his voice echoing through the passageway. His selflessness was a core part of his character, and he was willing to sacrifice himself if it meant saving his friends and stopping the shadowy figure.
The battle reached its climax as the shadowy figure and Jack clashed once again. The creature's claws and Jack's sword met in a shower of sparks, the force of their blows sending shockwaves through the passageway. Meanwhile, Elder Li and Elias continued to activate the symbols, their hands shaking with the effort.
Would they be able to complete the sequence in time? And if they did, would it be enough to defeat the shadowy figure and save themselves from the impending