Chapter 129: The Final Blow
The battlefield was chaos.
The massive stone body of the Sigil Guardian started to wobble because of the multiple cracks appearing on its surface. The core inside the chest produced irregular pulses which switched between fading crimson and healing golden light from Ira. The purification method of magic shown signs of effectiveness through the process.
Their time was rapidly diminishing.
System Alert:
Sigil Cleansing Progress: 70%
The Sigil Guardian activated its Berserk Phase according to its warning system.
The newly unlocked Devourer's Rift ability would swallow any person who enters its detection zone through void energy consumption.
They experienced a ground-shaking tremor followed by a gravitational force that tugged them toward the Guardian's core which proved the air itself was now hostile. The Devourer's Rift emerged as a final attempt by the Sigil Guardian to devour everyone present before its sigil cleansing completed.
Natasha secured her sword with greater force to fight against the dangerous pull. This had to end now.
"We end this now!" she shouted, steeling herself against the unnatural pull.
Alison used his might to keep his feet firm under the tremendous pressure. Natasha finish the mission while I maintain this position.
Above the wild struggle Eldric shouted to be heard. "We'll cover you—GO!"
With quick motion Natasha evaded both debris and the gravitational surges which attempted to pull at her limbs. The Guardian lifted its big axe with a frightening sweep intending to split Natasha before she got close to its center.
The profound weariness from her trembling hands failed to stop Ira who forced herself to break through her physical boundaries. The climbing blade generated a radiant barrier of light which caused cracking sparks in the glowing defense before it blocked the axe.
"NOW!" Her voice desperate from exhaustion Ira screamed during that moment.
Natasha seized the moment. She launched herself into the air with her sword pointed toward the sky as the Guardian's core radiated a pulsing glow around her body.
Time slowed.
The gravitational force strengthened and sought to consume her before she could fulfill her strike. The Guardian tried to absorb the girl before she could finalize her blow by expanding its chest.
She screamed against resistance as every fiber of her body became filled with intense resolve.
She twisted while flying through the air and thrust her blade directly into the Guardian's internal core while white flames burned along her sword.
The planet descended into absolute brightness.
___
A devastating shockwave ripped across the battlefield because of the impact. The Guardian's body entered abrupt seizure while its arms danced violently because the core split open.
A loud scream of pain broke through the jungle ruins while the enormous creature crumbled into pieces.
An immediate loss of gravity forcefully threw Natasha through the air because of the sudden pressure departure. Eldric performed a desperate drop catch and moved her through the littered ground before he placed her down.
The area stood vacant without any noise for that brief instant.
Then...
A deafening explosion.
The Sigil Guardian collapsed into itself while its stone structure turned to ash due to the wind effect. The corrupted energies inside it collapsed into a tornado of darkness which the golden purification magic wiped out from existence.
System Notification:
Sigil Cleansed.
Corruption Purified: 100%.
One more powerful earthquake struck the ground and ceased that moment. No living creatures disturbed the jungle which had maintained utter stillness for an uncountable number of hours.
The heavy breath she released triggered loud screaming from her exhausted muscles. They had done it.
When the dust cleared a strange movement was starting to emerge from the destroyed site.
A deep rumbling came from beneath the ground which was followed by the audible grind of shifting rocks.
Eldric tensed. "That's… not normal."
Alison removed sweat droplets from his forehead while his eyes became more focused. We have just succeeded in breaking down a Guardian robot. What else could possibly..."
As he finished speaking a part of the battlefield descended into the ground revealing a buried passage beneath the decaying structures.
Ira managed to stand up while panting with astonishment at what she saw. The Guardian had more power than protecting the sigil alone.
The gloom in front of the newly exposed doorway greeted Natasha as she entered the crossroads. The light emitting from deep within the passage flickered gently which hinted at another concealed secret beneath the jungle canopy.
Alison put his sword away as he quickened his breath. "Guess we're not done yet."
Natasha tightened her hold on the weapon as she acknowledged his proposal. Coming so far rendered their possibility of return impossible.
She took slow steps while leading the team until she disappeared into the hidden abyss.