Chapter 126: Breaking the Chains of Fate
The battlefield was falling apart.
Although solid rocks cracked they quickly turned at sharp angles and collapsed through the empty space underneath.
The Forsaken Lord maintained a non moving position right in the middle of the destructive chaos as his powerful form spread a heavy dominant energy. The malformed mask of the beast moved revealing a wicked smile from its carved mouth.
"Struggle all you want... but in the end, all will turn to dust."
Dren turned into a solid gray rock statue while staying in the punching formation and showing his fighting face.
When the Forsaken Lord cast his curse it generated supernatural properties unique in its kind. Exercise to prove complete domination over all power.
The more time passed increased Dren's risk of becoming reviled forever.
Natasha clenched her fists. This was bad.
All her senses told her they were fighting against a rising deadline.
The way Alison eyed the changing battlefield confirmed his strong-minded approach. The monster shows consistent ways to target its victims.
With her violet magic Ira studied the dark power around Dren that remained invisible to most observers. Her brows furrowed in concern.
"This isn't just petrification." She exhaled sharply. The curse holds Dren trapped permanently unless we solve it rapidly.
A fresh system message appeared before their eyes.
---
System Notification
Researchers identified a dormant feature called the Curse of the Forsaken Lord.
Your mission is to find all Ritual Sigils that you need to recover the curse.
Be careful since each ritual sigil needs protection from Shadow Guards.
Time Limit: Unknown
---
Eldric clenched his sword handle with extra force. "Then we split up. We don't have a choice."
The Forsaken Lord began to lift his arm but Natasha had no time to react yet.
A jet of power pushed away from its starting point.
Her instincts screamed.
MOVE!
She jumped just before the platform collapsed and reached the edge of a floating stone with her last strength. She steadied herself on the stone surface even when her fingers hurt on the rough rock but refused to let go.
Dark shapes stirred above them.
The Shadow Guardians had awakened.
Dark shapes floated down while their eyes showed death's light. Each guardian held a weapon made from shadow that took the shape of flowing black smoke.
And then—
They attacked.
___
The Shadow Guardian took a swipe at Natasha when she fastened her footing and targeted its incoming blade.
CLANG!
The blow hit her weapon so hard it shuddered all through her arms.
The impact from her attack forced her toward the edge of her platform.
Too strong.
The approaching Shadow Guardian battled and moved like her.
No—it was faster.
A second attack came.
She ducked—twisted—countered.
Her sword interacted with the Guardian multiple times as it danced between real and unseen forms. Her blade easily penetrated the imaginary hit without any contact.
Her eyes narrowed. Physical attacks won't work.
---
Across the battlefield—
Alison avoided the strike as the spear passed through the space he had occupied moments ago. His attack fired back in one smooth motion using his sword.
Just as the Guardian moved the attacker reacted instantly with his own blade hit.
Their weapons met in perfectly mirrored attacks that showed his own fighting style.
His jaw tightened.
It's copying me.
When he charged without careful consideration he would end up being the person who miscalculated.
---
Ira threw out her magical energy as light blue chains attacked the opponent.
The window's screen changed to darkness as the Guardian shifted position then reappeared next to her.
Too fast!
Before the Guardian could strike she cast up a shield but it failed as though made from weakened paper.
A small blade wound formed on her cheek.
She gritted her teeth.
After traveling through an attack they need to emerge again to use their weapons.
There was a pattern.
A way to turn the fight.
---
Eldric saw the first mark first.
The hidden rune stands out faintly on the stone surface.
One of the Ritual Sigils.
His heart raced.
Found one.
But before he could reach it—
A guardian apparition revealed itself before him.
This one was different.
Stronger.
The shifting black metal greatsword emitted destructive power that radiated from its structure.
Eldric exhaled.
He had no choice.
He charged forward.
The Guardian rushed forward to slash its greatsword.
Eldric met it head-on.
The whole station platform trembled from the collision.
A test of strength.
Eldric previously figured every element of the blade weight distribution.
And at the last moment—
He let go.
The Guardian struck the stone with its blade despite Eldric being able to defend against it
But now, its guard was open.
Eldric's dagger flashed.
He sliced through the sigil—
And the Guardian instantly vanished
---
One sigil down.
Three more to go.
After watching Eldric succeed Natasha chose to modify her attack plan.
She let the Guardian start the action before engaging him herself.
She led the Guardian's movements until it stood in the desired position.
At that instant when the weapon lowered from position he went into action.
She passed the Guardian and thrust her sword into the hidden sigil behind it.
The Guardian disintegrated into smoke.
---
Multiple teams replicated this tactic as they fought on different points of the battlefield.
Alison misdirected her opponent to make him attack before she moved out of range to destroy the sigil.
Through magic Ira interrupted the Guardian's shape so she could stab at its sigil.
One by one—the bindings broke.
And then—
Dren's statue form cracked.
The curse was lifting.
The Forsaken Lord's eyes narrowed.
"Impossible—"
A final seismic event occurred as all remaining sigils dissolved.
Dren lost his stone form as his body emitted light before letting out a sudden scream.
He was free.
And he was furious.
"My turn."
He jumped toward the Forsaken Lord to hit his chest.
And this time—
The monster staggered
Natasha's breath came fast.
They had done it.
Together they shattered their destined existence.
Even though they succeeded they did not reach the end of their struggle.
Because now—
The Forsaken Lord was angry.
The real nature of the enemy was ready to appear.