My friends are gods

Chapter 18: The Glowing Threat

The ground beneath Han Li trembled as the strange, glowing light approached. It grew brighter with each passing second, illuminating the dense forest with an eerie, otherworldly radiance. Han Li and Lian stood side by side, their weapons ready, hearts pounding in anticipation.

"What is that?" Lian whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the approaching energy.

Han Li squinted at the glow, trying to make sense of the shape forming within it. "No idea, but I've got a bad feeling about this."

Suddenly, the light stopped moving and hovered a few feet off the ground. It pulsed rhythmically, like a heartbeat. Then, without warning, the glow burst outward, revealing its source—a humanoid figure clad in armor that shimmered like molten gold. Its eyes glowed with intense blue energy, and a faint aura of power radiated from it.

"An automaton?" Lian said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "But those were supposed to be extinct centuries ago."

Han Li tightened his grip on the Blade of Eternal Flame. "Extinct or not, it looks like it's not here to make friends."

The automaton raised one hand, and a low hum filled the air. From its palm, a sphere of blue light formed, crackling with energy. Without hesitation, it hurled the sphere toward them.

---

Dodging Death

"Move!" Han Li shouted, grabbing Lian and diving to the side. The energy sphere struck the ground where they had been standing moments earlier, exploding with a deafening boom. The impact sent dirt and debris flying, and a shockwave knocked them both off their feet.

Han Li groaned, shaking his head to clear the ringing in his ears. "Okay, that's definitely not friendly."

The automaton advanced, its movements eerily smooth and calculated. It raised its other hand, and a blade of pure energy materialized from its forearm.

"Any bright ideas?" Han Li asked, scrambling to his feet.

Lian gritted her teeth. "We can't outrun it, and fighting it head-on is suicide. But...I might be able to distract it long enough for you to strike."

Han Li frowned. "That sounds like a terrible plan."

"Got a better one?"

He didn't. With a reluctant nod, he said, "Fine. Just don't get yourself killed."

---

A Coordinated Attack

Lian dashed to the left, her staff glowing with green energy. She hurled a series of energy bolts at the automaton, each one exploding against its shimmering armor. The attacks seemed to have little effect, but they drew the automaton's attention.

Han Li circled around, using the distraction to position himself behind the automaton. His Blade of Eternal Flame flared to life, its chaotic purple flames flickering with intensity.

"Alright, big guy," he muttered. "Let's see how tough you really are."

With a burst of speed, Han Li charged at the automaton, aiming for the joints in its armor. His blade struck true, slicing into the back of its knee. Sparks flew as the metal gave way, and the automaton stumbled, its movements momentarily faltering.

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Han Li shouted, readying another strike.

But the automaton was far from defeated. It spun around with unnatural speed, its energy blade slashing toward Han Li. He barely managed to parry the attack, the impact sending a jolt up his arm.

"Okay, this thing's stronger than it looks," he muttered, gritting his teeth.

---

A Godly Assist

As the automaton pressed its attack, Han Li felt a familiar presence in his mind. This time, it was Borin, the god of flames.

"Need a little help, kid?" Borin's voice rumbled like a distant volcano.

"Not the time for gloating!" Han Li snapped mentally. "Do you have a plan, or are you just here to watch me get sliced in half?"

Borin chuckled. "Relax. I'm sending you a little surprise."

Before Han Li could respond, the Blade of Eternal Flame began to glow even brighter. The chaotic purple flames were replaced by an intense, fiery orange, and the air around the sword crackled with heat.

"Let's see how it handles a real inferno," Borin said.

With renewed confidence, Han Li lunged at the automaton. This time, his strikes were faster and more powerful, the enhanced flames burning through the automaton's armor like paper. The creature staggered, its movements growing slower and more erratic.

---

Victory and Revelation

Lian seized the opportunity, channeling a massive surge of energy into her staff. With a shout, she unleashed a concentrated beam of green light, striking the automaton square in the chest. The force of the attack sent the creature crashing to the ground, its glowing eyes flickering before dimming entirely.

Han Li approached cautiously, his sword still raised. The automaton lay motionless, its once-glowing armor now dull and lifeless.

"Is it...dead?" he asked.

Lian nodded, though she looked uneasy. "If you can call it that. But this is bad, Han Li. Automata like this were created by ancient civilizations—ones that shouldn't exist anymore. If it's here, that means something very dangerous is happening in Humu."

Han Li sighed, sheathing his sword. "Great. Just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse."

As they inspected the remains of the automaton, a small compartment in its chest opened, revealing a glowing crystal. Lian's eyes widened.

"That's a Core of Ascension," she said, her voice filled with awe. "These are incredibly rare—and incredibly powerful."

Han Li picked up the crystal, feeling its warmth in his hand. "What's it for?"

"It's a power source," Lian explained. "But more than that, it's a key. A key to ancient ruins, powerful artifacts, and maybe even forbidden knowledge."

Han Li stared at the crystal, his mind racing. This was no ordinary realm, and he was no ordinary traveler. The gods had sent him here for a reason, and he was starting to realize just how big that reason might be.

---

Suspenseful Ending

As they packed up and prepared to move, the forest grew eerily quiet. Then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes appeared, followed by another...and another.

Lian froze. "Han Li...we're not alone."

Han Li turned, his hand going to his sword. "What now?"

The glow intensified, revealing a group of shadowy figures. They were humanoid, but their features were obscured by cloaks and masks. Each one carried a weapon, and their stances were anything but friendly.

"Well, this just keeps getting better," Han Li muttered, drawing his blade.

One of the figures stepped forward, their voice cold and mechanical. "Hand over the core, outsider. Or die."

Han Li smirked, despite the odds. "You'll have to do better than that."

To Be Continued…