Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 18: The Sovereign's Wrath

The jungle was silent, but it was the kind of silence that carried a sense of dread. The Wildbloods and Eryth's group had spent the day fortifying their positions, mending their wounds, and preparing for what they all knew was inevitable.

Despite their earlier victory, no one felt safe. The shattered crystal had only bought them time, and the Ascendant's retreat was a calculated move—not defeat.

Eryth stood atop one of the defensive platforms, scanning the jungle. Nyx perched beside them, its golden eyes glowing faintly. The bond they shared had grown stronger, a silent understanding that they'd face whatever came next together.

"Do you feel it?" Kael's voice came from behind, low and tense.

Eryth nodded. "They're coming."

The Sovereign's Tactics

The Sovereign's forces attacked as night fell, their approach masked by the dense jungle. Unlike the chaotic assault before, this was precise, calculated, and relentless.

The first strike came from the shadows. Explosions of dark energy shattered the Wildbloods' outer defenses, sending splinters and debris flying. Screeches of shadowy constructs echoed through the air as they tore through the underbrush, their movements unnaturally swift.

"Hold the line!" Kaelen roared, his voice carrying above the din.

Wildblood warriors charged to meet the invaders, their beasts leading the way. Vines and roots erupted from the ground, lashing out at the shadowy constructs. But the Sovereign's forces were prepared. They wielded fire and poison, burning through the jungle's defenses and cutting down the Wildbloods' beasts with ruthless efficiency.

Eryth, Kael, and Solas joined the fray, their presence rallying the defenders.

Kael unleashed torrents of flame, incinerating anything in his path. Solas darted between enemies, their blade flashing as they struck with deadly precision. Eryth wielded the shard, its golden light carving through the darkness like a beacon.

Nyx moved like a shadow, its claws ripping apart anything that came too close to Eryth. The nightmare creature's ferocity was unmatched, but even it couldn't be everywhere at once.

The Ascendant's Return

The Ascendant emerged from the chaos, her dark armor glowing faintly in the moonlight. Though the crystal had been destroyed, she radiated power, her presence alone enough to send a wave of fear through the defenders.

"Did you think breaking the crystal would stop me?" she taunted, her voice carrying over the battlefield. "That was a fraction of what I'm capable of."

Kael threw a fireball at her, but she deflected it with a flick of her wrist. Solas lunged, their blade aimed for her throat, but she sidestepped effortlessly, slamming them into a tree with a blast of dark energy.

Eryth stepped forward, the shard glowing brightly in their hand. "You're not invincible."

The Ascendant smirked. "No, but I'm close enough."

Their battle was brutal. The shard's golden light clashed with her dark energy, the shockwaves tearing through the jungle. Eryth fought with everything they had, but the Ascendant was faster, stronger, and more experienced.

Nyx leapt into the fray, aiming for her back, but she anticipated the move, catching the creature mid-air and slamming it into the ground.

"You're predictable," she sneered, raising her blade for the killing blow.

But before she could strike, a deafening roar shook the jungle.

The Wildbloods' Secret Weapon

A massive beast emerged from the shadows, its form shrouded in vines and glowing with the jungle's energy. It was one of the Wildbloods' ancient guardians, a creature bound to their strongest warriors.

Kaelen stood atop the creature, his staff glowing brightly as he directed its movements. "You dare defile our home? Let the jungle devour you!"

The guardian charged at the Ascendant, its massive claws tearing through the ground. She leapt back, avoiding the strike, but the creature was relentless. Its attacks forced her to retreat, giving the defenders a chance to regroup.

"Fall back!" Eryth shouted, rallying the Wildbloods. "Regain the upper ground!"

A Desperate Stand

The defenders retreated to the stronghold, using the jungle's natural barriers to slow the Sovereign's forces. The guardian held the line, its massive form an imposing barrier against the Ascendant and her army.

But it was clear the tide was turning. The Sovereign's forces were endless, their tactics ruthless. For every construct destroyed, two more took its place. The Wildbloods' warriors were exhausted, their beasts wounded, and even the jungle seemed to weaken under the assault.

Eryth glanced at the shard in their hand, its light dimming. They felt the weight of their allies' lives pressing on their shoulders.

"We can't hold them off forever," Solas said, their voice strained. "We need a plan."

Kaelen approached, his expression grim. "There's a way to end this, but it's risky."

"What is it?" Eryth asked.

Kaelen hesitated. "Deep in the heart of the jungle lies an ancient relic, one that predates even the Sovereign. It's said to contain the power to turn the tide of any battle. But it's guarded by something… worse than the Ascendant."

Eryth met his gaze. "We don't have a choice."

Kaelen nodded. "Then we move at first light."

Foreshadowing the End

As the defenders prepared for their final stand, Eryth couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Sovereign's forces were relentless, and the Ascendant was far from defeated.

But if the relic could truly shift the balance of power, it might be their only hope.

Nyx pressed against Eryth, its golden eyes filled with silent determination. Together, they would face whatever lay ahead—even if it meant confronting a force they couldn't comprehend.

The battle for the jungle was far from over, and the Sovereign's wrath had only just begun.