NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The Shadow’s Wrath
Chapter 11: The Shadow's Wrath
Kael's POV
The clearing exploded with raw energy as the cloaked figure unleashed their dark magic. The wave of power tore through the air, uprooting trees and sending debris flying. I barely had time to throw up Arcane Shield, the glowing barrier crackling under the force of the attack.
"Hold your ground!" Erza shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. She charged at the figure, her sword gleaming as she swung it in a perfect arc.
The figure raised their hand, deflecting the strike with a barrier of their own. "Fools," they growled, their voice distorted. "You can't stop what's already begun."
"Watch us!" Natsu roared, his fists blazing as he launched himself at the figure. Flames erupted around him, colliding with the figure's barrier in a fiery explosion.
I dropped my shield, focusing on the crystal. My Arcane Chains were still holding, but the crystal pulsed with a defiant energy, resisting my spell. The system chimed with a new notification.
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[Critical Update: Crystal Stabilizing]
Objective: Amplify Arcane Chains with Arcane Surge.]
Reward: +500 System Points.]
---
"Arcane Surge?" I muttered, flipping to the new spell. Energy surged through my body as I channeled the power, the chains glowing brighter and tightening around the crystal. The pulsing slowed, but I could feel the strain building.
"Kael, hurry!" Lucy shouted, summoning Virgo to deal with a group of corrupted mages. "We can't hold them off forever!"
"I'm working on it!" I shouted back, sweat dripping down my face. The crystal's energy was fighting me every step of the way, but I wasn't about to let it win.
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The Figure Unleashed
Meanwhile, Erza and Natsu were locked in a brutal battle with the cloaked figure. Erza's strikes were relentless, her sword clashing against the figure's barrier with a deafening ring. Natsu's flames scorched the air, forcing the figure to split their focus between the two.
"You're strong," the figure admitted, their voice echoing ominously. "But strength alone won't save you."
They raised their hands, and the shadows around them coalesced into a massive, swirling vortex. The energy lashed out like tendrils, forcing Erza and Natsu back.
Gray stepped forward, his hands glowing with icy magic. "Not so fast!" he shouted, freezing the tendrils mid-air. "You're not the only one with tricks."
The figure turned their attention to him, their red eyes narrowing. "Bold. But futile."
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Breaking the Crystal
My system chimed again, urging me forward.
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[Urgent: Use Arcane Strike to Shatter the Crystal.]
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"Got it," I muttered, channeling the energy into my hands. The glowing runes in my tome shifted, the spell forming in my mind. "Alright, let's end this."
I unleashed Arcane Strike, the concentrated beam of energy slamming into the crystal. The impact sent shockwaves through the clearing, the crystal cracking and dimming as its energy dissipated.
The cloaked figure froze, their gaze snapping toward me. "No!"
The crystal shattered, the corrupted mages collapsing like puppets with their strings cut. The shadows dissolved, leaving nothing but silence.
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The Cloaked Figure's Escape
The figure glared at me, their red eyes burning with fury. "You'll regret this," they said, their voice low and venomous.
Before anyone could stop them, they disappeared into the shadows, their presence vanishing as if they were never there.
Natsu punched the ground in frustration. "They got away!"
Erza sheathed her sword, her expression grim. "This isn't over. They'll strike again."
"Let them," I said, trying to catch my breath. "We'll be ready."
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Aftermath
As we made our way back to Magnolia, the mood was somber. We'd stopped the crystal, but the cloaked figure's escape left a bitter taste in our mouths.
"We're getting closer," Erza said, breaking the silence. "Whoever they are, they're losing ground."
"Yeah, but for how long?" Lucy asked, her voice tinged with worry.
I didn't say anything, but the question lingered in my mind. The system had been helpful so far, but even it didn't have all the answers. Whoever this figure was, they were playing a long game—and we were just getting started.
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Back at the Guild
The guild welcomed us back with open arms, their cheers and laughter a much-needed reminder of why we fought. Mirajane set out food and drinks, her smile warm as ever.
"You all look like you've been through a lot," she said, handing me a glass. "Take a moment to breathe."
"Thanks," I said, sinking into a chair. My body ached, my mind raced, but for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax.
Natsu and Gray were already arguing about who did the most damage, while Lucy sat at the bar, flipping through her keys. Erza stood by the mission board, her focus unshaken.
Despite the chaos, I felt a sense of belonging—a feeling that, no matter what came next, I wasn't alone.
The system chimed one last time, a new quest appearing.
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[New Quest: The Shadow's True Identity]
Objective: Uncover the identity of the cloaked figure and their connection to Zeref.]
Reward: +2,000 System Points, Unlock: Arcane Rift Spell.]
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"Great," I muttered, finishing my drink. "Guess the adventure's just getting started."
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End of Chapter 11