The corridors of Blood-Tide City seemed to grow more oppressive as they ventured deeper, the weight of centuries of secrets pressing down on Lin Ze's shoulders. The remnants of ancient magic still lingered in the air, thick with the remnants of forgotten spells and long-dormant power. Despite the victory over the shadowy figure, Lin Ze knew that their journey was far from over. In fact, it had only just begun.
Yue Qing'er moved beside him, her steps quiet but purposeful. Her gaze was constantly shifting, ever-watchful of their surroundings. The encounter with the creature had rattled her, but Lin Ze could tell she was determined not to show weakness. They were in this together, and whatever lay ahead, they would face it as one.
"We need to keep moving," Lin Ze said, his voice low but steady. "The further we go, the closer we get to the truth. I can feel it."
Yue Qing'er nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "But what truth? What exactly are we looking for?"
Lin Ze paused for a moment, considering her question. "The Forgotten Ones. Whatever pact they made, whatever power they sought to control, it's all tied to this city. The seals were meant to keep them in check, but now that they're broken, those forces are starting to awaken. And I'm betting that whoever's behind this—whoever summoned the Void Dragon—knows exactly what they're doing."
Yue Qing'er shivered slightly, her eyes narrowed in thought. "I don't like this. There's something off about all of it. This isn't just about controlling power. It's more than that. It's about awakening something… something that should never be disturbed."
Lin Ze could feel the tension between them, the weight of the unknown pressing on both of them. But he also knew that there was no turning back now. He had come too far. The stakes were too high.
Ahead, the narrow corridor opened into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in shadow. At the center of the room, a massive stone altar stood, covered in layers of dust and grime. It was ancient, the edges worn smooth by time, but there was a strange energy emanating from it—dark and twisted.
Lin Ze stepped forward cautiously, his senses on high alert. "This is it," he muttered under his breath. "Whatever they were hiding… it's here."
Yue Qing'er moved to stand beside him, her dagger ready in her hand. "What do you think this altar is?"
Lin Ze didn't answer right away. His fingers brushed against the stone, and a shiver ran down his spine. The moment he made contact, the air in the room seemed to shift, as though something long dormant had been stirred.
A deep, guttural voice echoed through the chamber, its words unintelligible but filled with ancient power. The altar seemed to pulse with dark energy, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.
"Is that…?" Yue Qing'er began, her voice tight with fear.
"It's them," Lin Ze replied. "The Forgotten Ones. This is the source."
Before they could react, the stone altar cracked, and the darkness in the room seemed to swirl. The floor beneath them shattered, and from the depths of the earth, monstrous figures began to emerge—beings made of shadow and dark energy, their forms shifting and flickering with an unholy light. Their eyes glowed red, and their very presence seemed to drain the light from the room.
The creatures were tall, humanoid, but with elongated limbs and faces twisted in a grotesque mockery of human features. The moment they appeared, the temperature in the room plummeted, and the air became thick with malice.
Lin Ze's heart raced as he drew his sword. The Void Dragon Technique was still within him, but this… this was something else. These weren't just monsters. They were something ancient, something far more dangerous.
Yue Qing'er stepped back, her eyes wide. "Lin Ze, we're outmatched. We need to get out of here."
But Lin Ze wasn't listening. His eyes were fixed on the leader of the creatures—taller than the rest, its form radiating a suffocating aura of power. Its eyes met Lin Ze's, and the creature's mouth curled into a twisted smile.
"You awaken the seal," the leader rasped, its voice a horrible mixture of pain and hunger. "You unleash us, mortal. But you cannot control what you have set in motion."
Lin Ze gritted his teeth. "I'm not afraid of you. I won't let you take this city."
The creature's smile deepened, and it stepped forward, its shadowy form twisting like smoke. "Foolish human. You do not understand. The city is ours, and so are you. You were always meant to serve us."
Before Lin Ze could react, the creature extended its hand, and a wave of dark energy shot toward him, faster than he could track. He raised his sword in defense, but the energy crashed into him with a force that sent him flying backward, crashing into the far wall.
Pain shot through his body, and for a moment, the world seemed to spin. His vision blurred, and his breath came in ragged gasps. The creature's power was overwhelming.
"Lin Ze!" Yue Qing'er shouted, rushing to his side.
But before she could reach him, the creature advanced, its red eyes glowing with an unsettling hunger. It reached out toward her, its claws sharp and ready to tear her apart.
"No!" Lin Ze forced himself to his feet, his sword still in his hand. His body screamed in protest, but he couldn't let Yue Qing'er be hurt. He couldn't fail her.
Summoning every ounce of strength, he channeled the Void Dragon Technique once again. This time, the energy he summoned was even more potent, more volatile. It crackled around him, the flames from his sword flaring to life as the power of the Void Dragon surged through him.
With a roar, Lin Ze thrust his sword forward, releasing a devastating blast of fire and energy. The wave of power collided with the creature, sending it stumbling back. The room shook with the force of the attack, and the creatures surrounding them hissed in pain.
The leader of the Forgotten Ones snarled, its form flickering as it absorbed the energy. "You think you can stop us? You are nothing but a child playing with powers you cannot comprehend."
But Lin Ze wasn't listening. His vision was red with fury, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't care what this creature was. He didn't care about the forgotten pact or the ancient forces that had been disturbed. He cared about one thing—protecting those he cared about.
"I won't let you take her!" he shouted, charging forward.
Yue Qing'er was barely able to dodge the next strike from the creature, its claws ripping through the air. But she didn't hesitate. She pulled a hidden vial from her waist, a drop of liquid that gleamed with a strange, silver light. She hurled it at the creature, and the vial shattered on impact.
The moment the liquid touched the creature's skin, it let out a terrible screech, its body writhing in agony. The shadowy figure recoiled, its form flickering and twisting violently as the liquid burned into it.
Lin Ze seized the opportunity. With a roar, he leaped forward, his sword raised high. In a single, fluid motion, he drove the blade deep into the creature's chest, the flames erupting once again as the power of the Void Dragon consumed the dark entity.
The creature let out one final, blood-curdling scream before it was consumed by the flames, disintegrating into nothingness.
The chamber fell silent, the darkness retreating as the other creatures scattered, their leader vanquished. Lin Ze stood panting, his body trembling from the exertion. But they had won. For now.
Yue Qing'er approached him slowly, her face pale but determined. "That was too close," she said quietly. "We can't keep doing this, Lin Ze. There's only so much we can handle."
Lin Ze nodded, his heart still racing. "I know. But we're getting closer to the truth. We have to finish what we started."
She gave him a long look, her eyes filled with uncertainty, but also with trust. "Then let's make sure we're ready for whatever comes next."
End of Chapter 14