Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 17: The Battle for the Labyrinth

The first rays of dawn cast a dim, golden glow over the Verdant Labyrinth. The jungle seemed to hold its breath, its usual rustling replaced by an eerie stillness. Warriors lined the defensive positions, their expressions grim but resolute. The Wildbloods' beasts, massive creatures resembling armored panthers and swift lizards, prowled the perimeter, their low growls a constant reminder of the impending storm.

Eryth stood at the center of the stronghold, the shard pulsing faintly at their side. Beside them, Kael adjusted his bracers, flames licking at his fingertips, while Solas sharpened their blade with deliberate precision. Nyx crouched nearby, its golden eyes scanning the horizon.

"They're coming," Solas said quietly, their voice steady but tense.

Eryth nodded. "Let's make sure they regret it."

The First Wave

The attack began suddenly. The Sovereign's forces surged from the jungle like a dark tide, their ranks a mix of soldiers, beasts, and shadowy constructs. Their battle cries pierced the air as they charged toward the Wildbloods' defenses.

"Hold the line!" Kaelen's voice boomed, rallying his warriors.

The Wildbloods unleashed a barrage of attacks, their connection to the jungle evident in every move. Vines erupted from the ground, ensnaring enemy soldiers, while razor-sharp thorns shot through the air like arrows. Their beasts roared as they leapt into the fray, tearing into the invaders with savage precision.

Eryth and their team fought alongside them. Kael hurled fireballs, the flames illuminating the dense canopy above. Solas moved like a shadow, striking down enemies with swift, calculated blows.

Nyx was a blur of motion, its claws and teeth tearing through the Sovereign's ranks. The nightmare creature's presence alone seemed to unnerve the invaders, its golden eyes glowing like twin suns in the chaos.

The Ascendant Strikes

Amidst the battle, a familiar, chilling laugh echoed through the clearing. The Ascendant stepped into view, her dark armor gleaming with an unnatural light. The jagged crystal in her hand pulsed ominously, and with a wave of her hand, the battlefield shifted.

The jungle rebelled. Vines turned against the Wildbloods, lashing out at their own warriors. The beasts howled in confusion as roots erupted beneath them, throwing them off balance.

"She's controlling the jungle!" Kaelen shouted, his voice filled with fury.

Eryth gritted their teeth, the shard flaring in their hand. "Not for long."

They charged toward the Ascendant, the shard's light cutting through the chaos. Nyx followed, its growl low and menacing.

The Ascendant smirked as Eryth approached. "Ah, the little hero. Come to fail again?"

Eryth didn't respond. They swung the shard in a wide arc, the golden energy clashing with the Ascendant's blade. Sparks flew as their weapons met, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the clearing.

Nyx lunged at her, its claws aiming for her throat, but the Ascendant sidestepped with inhuman speed, slamming the nightmare creature into a nearby tree with a burst of dark energy.

"Nyx!" Eryth shouted, their focus wavering for a split second.

The Ascendant seized the moment, her blade slicing toward Eryth's side. They barely managed to deflect the strike, the shard's light dimming under the pressure.

A Turning Point

Kaelen and his warriors rallied, their fury reignited. The Wildblood leader raised his staff, channeling the jungle's power to wrest control back from the Ascendant.

"You will not take our home!" he roared, his voice echoing through the clearing.

The jungle responded. The vines that had turned against them now lashed out at the invaders, reclaiming their allegiance to the Wildbloods. Massive roots erupted from the ground, smashing through the Sovereign's constructs.

Kael and Solas joined Eryth, their combined attacks forcing the Ascendant to retreat a few steps.

"We have to break that crystal!" Solas shouted, their eyes locked on the glowing object in the Ascendant's hand.

Eryth nodded, their determination renewed. "Keep her distracted. I'll handle it."

The Shard's Power

Eryth focused on the shard, its light growing brighter with each passing second. The golden energy pulsed in rhythm with their heartbeat, resonating with the jungle itself.

The Ascendant noticed the shift and snarled. "You think that little trinket can stop me?"

Eryth didn't answer. They lunged forward, feinting to the left before pivoting to the right. The shard hummed with energy as they swung it toward the crystal in her hand.

The Ascendant raised her blade to block, but Kael's fireball struck her shoulder, throwing her off balance. Solas darted in, their blade slicing through the air to force her back.

Eryth seized the opening. They brought the shard down with all their strength, its golden light colliding with the crystal in a blinding explosion.

A Temporary Victory

The Ascendant screamed as the crystal shattered, its fragments scattering across the ground. The jungle seemed to sigh in relief, the chaos subsiding as the vines and roots returned to their natural state.

The Sovereign's forces hesitated, their momentum faltering without the Ascendant's control.

"This isn't over," the Ascendant hissed, clutching her wounded arm. "You've only delayed the inevitable."

With a final glare, she disappeared into the shadows, her remaining forces retreating with her.

Aftermath

The battlefield was eerily quiet. The Wildbloods began to regroup, tending to their injured and fortifying their defenses.

Kaelen approached Eryth, his expression unreadable. "You fought well," he said after a moment. "But this was only a skirmish. The Sovereign will return—with greater force."

Eryth nodded, their exhaustion evident. "Then we'll be ready."

Kaelen's gaze lingered on the shard at Eryth's side. "That weapon of yours… it's powerful. But it's dangerous, too. Be careful, or it may consume you."

Eryth didn't respond. Instead, they turned to Nyx, who was licking its wounds. "You okay?" they asked softly.

The nightmare creature huffed in response, nuzzling Eryth's hand.

As the sun rose higher, its light filtering through the canopy, Eryth couldn't shake the feeling that their victory had come at a cost. The shattered crystal, the Ascendant's words, and the growing tension among their allies all pointed to a single truth:

The real battle was still to come.