Chapter 127: The First Sigil
During combat operations fighters faced moving surfaces connected to shadowy conditions. The Shadow Guardians moved in a terrifying manner like malicious monsters while keeping their empty black eyes on Natasha and her team.
Alison just avoided death when a Shadow Guardian slashed through the air where his throat would have been previously. He rolled over broken stone while his sword cut at the hostile creature's breast area. His sword entered the this creature as if it were nothing but mist.
No effect.
"Damn it! His voice turned to a low growl when he rose from the position as he told his companions "Physical attacks aren't effective against these creatures."
Eldric had already determined the effectiveness of magic at that moment. "We need magic! Someone should act quick to save us from their overwhelming numbers!
"I'm on it!" Ira expressed quick anger through her voice using urgent tones when she lifted both hands. The golden elemental magic emanating from her fingers struck the Shadow Guardian present in front of her.
A loud wailing noise escaped from the creature whose body shuddered between smoke and instability before it disappeared. The effect was clear.
A strange musical tone resonated throughout the fighting zone.
System Notification:
The discovery proved that enchanted attacks represent a weakness against Shadow Guardians.
The goal has been changed to locating Ritual Sigils where magic will be used for purification.
The time has reached ten minutes until the petrification of Dren becomes an irreparable state.
A rapid beating throbbed through her heart. Ten minutes. That was barely enough time.
She nervously inspected the battlefield before her eyes found the ritual sigil in its hidden location.
Moving toward one end of the ruined arena the weak light from an enigmatic sigil revealed itself through a toppled structure.
The act of standing watch demanded something distinct from the other duties.
An enormous armored figure stood before the sigil showing a solid form different from the transparent Guardians. The ancient beast-like creature was hidden under thick black steel layers that protected its body. The giant knight held up a jagged sword that released the same curse power which imprisoned Dren.
Alison clenched his fists. "That thing… It's not like the others."
Ira's eyes flickered with recognition. "It's a Sigil Guardian. The Sigil Guardian stands much more powerful than ordinary shadows.
The Forsaken Lord stayed still by the distant end of the arena with a slight tilt of its creepy mask looking on.
Waiting.
The actual challenge lay ahead in the upcoming task.
---
The leader Eldric advanced toward the opponent gripping his sword. "We need a plan. If we waste time, Dren—"
"We don't have time!" Natasha cut in. The problem already occupied her mind. Eldric along with Alison should manage to maintain the thing's attention while Ira concentrates on solving the sigil. Your task is to cleanse the sigil immediately by reaching it.
Alison nodded, shifting his stance. "Got it."
Eldric exhaled sharply. "We'll hold the line."
The Sigil Guardian moved.
A powerful tremor shook through the air after the creature took its first step which caused massive ground fractures because of its immense bulk. A deep mechanical noise drifted from the inside of the armoured form like the metal itself possessed living properties.
Then it charged.
----
The Guardian's monster sword collided with Eldric as he blocked it with his blade. The battle erupted when the collision produced enduring strong electrical flashes which propagated through the battlefield. The strength of the impact made Eldric clench his teeth while fighting the unworldly power.
The Guardian's speed was too much for Alison to handle as he rushed around to get behind its unprotected part. The enchanted energy gleamed in his twin daggers when he attacked the armor joints. The Guardian showed more speed than anyone expected during its attack.
An abnormal and swift motion allowed the Guardian to deliver a powerful backhand smack that sent Alison flying toward the edge of the platform.
CRACK.
Alison managed to stabilize himself just before the drop-off would have let him fall over the edge.
"Damn, this thing is tough!" he spat.
The Guardian lifted its sword. A dark energy pulsed from the blade.
Natasha's eyes widened. An enormous power awaited its release.
"Move!" she shouted.
Too late.
The Guardian used its sword to strike the earth which released a surge of black energy that broke platforms while pushing Natasha through the air.
Ira barely managed to roll away as she panted heavily. "That was not normal!"
Her mind raced as she managed to raise herself from the ground. The guardian demonstrated learning abilities after each of their assaults.
---
As Ira sprinted towards the sigil she managed to avoid the flying debris while dodging. "Keep it distracted! I need to take sufficient time for cleansing this device.
Blood pooled at the side of his mouth when Alison moved to clean it with a sleeve. "We're trying!" Running into the dark shadows he avoided a heavy strike then attacked the Guardian in the back.
Natasha called out, "Try targeting the joints—slow it down!"
Eldric nodded. "On it."
They changed tactics.
The team directed their attacks at vulnerable areas to distract the Guardian. Together with Eldric she attacked the knees of the Guardian before the knight used his sword to strike down its armored elbows. The blades from Alison's hands pierced through the spaces where the Guardian's armor touched each other.
The Guardian staggered.
This minimal progress satisfied them both as much as it could.
---
Ira reached the sigil.
Her palms applied pressure to the surface and she watched the runes glowing beneath them. "Come on, come on…"
Use a soft vocal tone as she whispered the words which irradiated power into the engravings. The runes flickered, resisting.
Something was wrong.
Ira felt something hidden under the sigil's magic because a new protective enchantment existed beneath its surface layers. A trap.
An improper timing with the undoing of the sigil would result in its total destruction.
"Ira!" Natasha called out. "How much longer?"
With trembling hands Ira pushed extra energy through the runes. "Almost there—just hold it off a little longer!"
The Guardian roared.
A violet flash appeared from its deep crimson eyes. Around the armor pieces scattered fragments which flew upward to materialize into a form even darker than the previous incarnation.
Alison paled. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me."
---
The Guardian entered its second step in the battle.
It accelerated its speed together with stronger swinging motions. The Guardian's blow struck Eldric's shoulder which made him stumble but he managed to stop the next incoming attack.
The perspiration ran across Ira's forehead. The sigil remained only seconds away from completion despite being almost finished.
Then the Forsaken Lord laughed.
"Foolish mortals. The Forsaken Lord mocked the mortals by saying "Do you believe that you can avoid your fate?"
The battlefield trembled.
The Forsaken Lord unleashed three forces against Ira when he sent curling dark energies toward her position using his fingers.
Natasha moved without thinking.
Without any hesitation she launched her body directly before the attacking tendrils.
Her arms became the target of the dark tendrils that burned her like fire and ice at the same time.
Ira gasped. "Natasha!"
But it was too late.
The Forsaken Lord took its first move.
---
Ira finished the cleansing spell as the last possible attempt.
Through a blinding flash the sign emitted a pulse which destroyed both the Shadow Guardians while lowering to the ground the Sigil Guardian.
The first sigil was cleansed.
But Natasha didn't move.
The shock caused Ira to dash toward her companion while her hands trembled. "Natasha?"
The extreme pain caused Natasha to bite her teeth together. Her eyesight went hazy while the shadows encroached along the periphery.
A sinister laughter streamed from the Forsaken Lord's throat.
"Interesting… The Forsaken Lord seemed to have a sinister plan of breaking me beforehand.
The trial was far from over.