Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 58: Crisis In The Night [2]

As Aurelia's words hung in the air, the group turned to her in surprise.

"You can sense them too?" Ren asked, his brow furrowed with confusion. "But how?"

Aurelia hesitated, unsure how to explain. "I... I'm not sure. It's like I can feel their presence, their darkness, in my mind. It's hard to explain."

Aurelius furrowed his brow, his mind racing with possibilities. "Could it be...?"

But before he could finish his thought, Lyra spoke up, her voice soft but determined. "I think I know what's happening. It's possible maybe because both Aurelius and Aurelia have the rare light affinity."

"The light affinity?" Ren repeated, his expression puzzled.

Lyra nodded. "Yes, the light affinity is said to be the opposite of darkness, which means those with the light affinity can often sense dark entities and creatures. As for why Aurelius can see them as well is because..."

"Because of my darkness affinity..." Aurelius's eyes widened in realization. "That... that would explain why I can see these creatures when others can't."

"Exactly," Lyra confirmed. "And if my theory is correct, then Aurelius and Aurelia should be able to affect these creatures with light-based attacks."

Aurelia supported her idea. "Y-Yes, that's possible."

"Then, what are you waiting for, quickly do something, there are other two who already fainted." Emeric chimed in frustrated, his expression fed up as he pointed to two of their group members who had collapsed from exhaustion.

Aurelius nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew they had to act fast to protect their group from the mysterious creatures lurking in the darkness.

"Aurelia, can you create a barrier of light around the camp," Aurelius asked his voice firm with determination.

"I'll try my best." Aurelia nodded, her expression determined. She closed her eyes and focused, channeling her aether into a protective barrier that surrounded the campsite. A soft, golden glow emanated from her hands as the barrier took shape, shimmering with ethereal light.

Meanwhile, Aurelius turned his attention to the fallen members of their group.

"Ren, Emeric, and Lyra, please use any defensive artifacts you have, healers try to see if anything is wrong with those who fainted." He said. "I will try attacking them with a light-based attack."

Then, Aurelius quickly focused his energy, summoning his aether to form arrows of light in his hands. With each arrow, he infused them with his own light affinity, as the arrows took shape, Aurelius let them loose, sending them soaring through the air towards the shadowy creatures that lurked just beyond the barrier of light.

The creatures, sensing the approaching attack, hissed and recoiled, their forms flickering in the ethereal glow of Aurelia's barrier. But Aurelius's arrows found their mark, piercing through the darkness and dispersing the creatures with bursts of radiant energy.

As the bursts of radiant energy dispersed some of the shadowy creatures, Aurelius realized the gravity of their situation. There were far more of these creatures than they had anticipated, and he couldn't handle them alone.

Looking around at his companions, Aurelius could see the strain on their faces as they struggled to maintain the defensive barrier and tend to the fallen members of their group. Despite their efforts, the barrier was starting to flicker, its light dimming as the creatures pressed against it with increasing force.

"We can't hold them off for long at this rate, we need to come up with a good strategy," Ren called out, his voice strained with exertion as he reinforced the barrier alongside Aurelia. Thankfully, they could support it with their aether alone even if they didn't have the light affinity. The caster wasn't them after all.

Aurelius nodded in agreement as he also knew that their current strategy wasn't sustainable. They needed more people with light affinity to stand a chance against the horde of creatures. And even then, there was no guarantee they would be able to repel them completely.

Suddenly, a loud uncomfortable screech pierced the air, signaling the creatures' imminent attack.

"Get ready for an attack!" Aurelius warned others as he saw what was happening.

With a collective gasp, the group braced themselves as the creatures surged forward, their dark forms converging on the weakened barrier with ferocious intent.

Aurelius gritted his teeth, summoning more arrows of light and firing them at the oncoming horde, but it was like trying to hold back a tide with a broom. The creatures swarmed over the barrier, clawing and snarling as they fought to break through.

"We need reinforcements!" Ren shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. "All of you help Aurelia to maintain the barrier!"

"Damn it! Where is that damned arrogant prick? Did he flee or still sleeping?" Emeric grumbled as he struggled to reinforce the barrier. His frustration only grew as he could only see the trembling barrier and his mind started to get foggy. "Damn you monsters."

'R-Right! Where is Adrian? He should be able to help us!' Aurelius glanced around desperately, searching for any sign of Adrian, but he was nowhere to be found. Panic gnawed at him as he realized they were facing an overwhelming force without his assistance.

'Darn it...' He cursed inwardly while increasing his attack speed. But the worst

had yet to come. As the creatures continued their relentless assault, the barrier began to crack and falter under immense pressure, the golden light dimming with each passing moment.

Aurelius could feel his strength waning as he struggled to maintain the barrage of light arrows, his mind racing for a solution. But before he could find a solution, the barrier finally shattered under the relentless assault of the creatures. With a deafening crack, the golden light dissipated, leaving the group exposed and vulnerable to the invisible attackers.

Aurelius's heart sank as he watched the creatures converge on them, their dark forms swirling with malevolent energy. One by one, they launched mental assaults on the group members, targeting their minds with illusions and nightmares.

The group members cried out in agony as they fell to their knees, clutching their heads in pain. Some screamed as they were overcome by terrifying visions, while others simply collapsed, their minds overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the creatures' attacks.

"Aurelius, help us!" Students shouted, their voices strained with desperation as they struggled to maintain their composure.

Aurelius gritted his teeth, his own mind starting to fog with the onslaught of mental assaults. But he knew he had to stay focused if they were to have any chance of surviving this ordeal.

"E-Everyone, stay strong!" Aurelius called out, trying to rally his companions.

But his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as the group members continued to writhe in agony, their cries echoing through the forest.

Aurelius felt a surge of frustration and helplessness welling up inside him. He knew he had to do something, but what?

Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a voice echoed in Aurelius's mind, cutting through the haze of confusion and fear. "A-Aurelius... You can do it..."

"!" Aurelius turned to his right side as he recognized the owner of the voice. His eyes widened in shock as he saw a scene he thought he would never see. "A-Aurelia?"