After leaving the altar, Lucas and Darlene set foot on the way back. The dark crack had closed, and the embers of the Soul Lamp were floating in the air. Everything seemed to have returned to calm. However, the alertness in Lucas's heart had never subsided.
The mountain path was winding, and the silence around was unsettling. Even the wind seemed to be holding its breath. Darlene walked beside Lucas and asked softly, "You keep looking back... What do you feel?"
Lucas stopped in his tracks, frowned, and stared at the mountain path behind them. It was already pitch - black, and only their footprints were gradually being covered.
"The crack closed too quickly," Lucas said in a low voice. "It seems to be deliberate, as if... something has escaped."
Darlene's face changed slightly. The staff in her hand glowed faintly, and there was a hint of unease in her tone. "The Soul Ferryman has already burned his soul. The Nightmare Spirit should have completely disappeared..."
Lucas didn't respond and just continued walking forward, his steps a little faster than before.
—Until a strange voice echoed in the darkness.
"Are you looking for me?"
Lucas instantly drew his sword. The cold light sliced through the night, and his sharp eyes swept towards the direction where the voice came from. Darlene also immediately took a step back, raised her staff, and was fully on guard. At the end of the mountain path, there stood a blurred figure. The figure was wearing a tattered black robe, with a faint black mist lingering around it. Only those scarlet eyes were burning like will - o' - the - wisps in the darkness.
"The Lamp Keeper?" Darlene exclaimed in a low voice, surprised.
"No," Lucas gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his gaze icy cold. "The Lamp Keeper disappeared in the previous battle."
The man in the black robe smiled faintly, his voice cold and familiar. "What you eliminated was just the remnant shadow I left behind, and I... have finally returned."
"The Nightmare Spirit!" Darlene took a sudden step back, her face turning pale instantly.
The man in the black robe slowly stepped forward. His steps were light yet full of oppressive force, as if he had merged with the darkness, and the shadows spread continuously with his movement.
Lucas stared coldly at the other party. "You shouldn't still exist."
The Nightmare Spirit tilted his head slightly, his gaze wandering between Lucas and Darlene, with a half - smile expression. "The Soul Ferryman was indeed powerful. Unfortunately, he underestimated the value of his own soul. The moment he burned his soul, I parasitized in his memories and was able to be reborn with the help of the flame of his Soul Lamp."
Darlene's eyes widened. "You... parasitized on the Soul Ferryman?"
The Nightmare Spirit shrugged, his tone casual. "It's a simple trick, isn't it? However, he will never know."
Lucas gritted his teeth and asked coldly, "What do you want to do?"
The Nightmare Spirit stopped in his tracks and looked down at them. "You have already helped me open the crack. I just need a little time to re - condense my complete form."
"By then, the entire world will become my vessel."
Lucas's heart tightened, and without hesitation, he rushed forward with his sword in hand, the tip of the sword pointing straight at the Nightmare Spirit's chest.
"Don't even think about leaving here alive!"
The sword light flashed, and the figure of the Nightmare Spirit dispersed like smoke. Lucas's sword stabbed into the void, completely missing.
"Too slow," the voice of the Nightmare Spirit sounded behind Lucas, whispering close to his ear. "You can't stop me."
Darlene immediately cast a barrier, protecting Lucas within it. A golden light shield emerged, separating the Nightmare Spirit from them. However, the Nightmare Spirit just stood there, his eyes staring straight at them through the light shield, without the slightest fear.
"This barrier can't stop me," the Nightmare Spirit slowly raised his finger and tapped the void lightly. The light shield actually began to show black cracks and gradually disintegrate.
Darlene's face turned pale. She tried her best to maintain the magic array, but the darkness was eroding like a venomous snake, devouring her magic power.
"This is impossible..." Her voice trembled, and cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
Lucas said in a deep voice, "Don't panic. He still can't fully control this space."
Darlene gritted her teeth and nodded, trying to steady her mind.
However, the Nightmare Spirit just stood there quietly, looking at them indifferently. "I'm not in a hurry. You can try to escape... but every moment you stay, the crack will reopen."
"By then, you will witness with your own eyes how this world is devoured by darkness."
Lucas narrowed his eyes and quickly thought of a way to get out of the situation in his heart.
They couldn't fight head - on. Although the Nightmare Spirit was weak at the moment, it was still not to be underestimated. Acting rashly would only make the situation more unfavorable.
Suddenly, Darlene said in a low voice, "We still have a glimmer of hope."
Lucas quickly looked sideways. "What method?"
Darlene looked at the gradually restoring complete crack, and a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes. "The embers of the Soul Lamp haven't completely dissipated. If we can re - ignite the
embers before the crack is completely opened, we may be able to seal the Nightmare Spirit again."
"But the Soul Ferryman is already..." Lucas's words stopped abruptly, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "The embers! We can also use our own souls to ignite it."
Darlene nodded, her tone firm. "This is the only way."
"Don't think about escaping," the Nightmare Spirit stared at them coldly, and the shadows approached again.
Lucas didn't hesitate any longer. He held his long sword and faced the darkness. "You won't succeed."
The two looked at each other and rushed towards the crack at the same time, while the laughter of the Nightmare Spirit echoed continuously in the darkness...