Extra's Magic

Chapter 194 The Storm

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Whoosh...

Beneath the shroud of the Shadow Storm, my determination burned brighter than ever. The memory of the Shadow Wyvern's gaze and the electrifying dance of dark lightning still etched in my mind, I pressed onward. Each step through the storm was a challenge, a test of my resolve and adaptability.

The wind howled, and the air was thick with an unsettling energy as I navigated the labyrinth of shifting shadows. I had to rely on more than just my instincts now; I had to trust my intuition. The landmarks that had guided me earlier were now obscured by the swirling darkness, but I refused to be deterred. The ruins were a part of me, etched into my memory like a map, and I followed the faint whispers of their echoes.

As I moved forward, I encountered strange shadows that roamed through the storm. They twisted and contorted, their forms morphing in unpredictable ways. I knew instinctively that these shadows were not like the creatures I had battled before. They were manifestations of the storm's energy, unpredictable and potentially dangerous. I had to be cautious, for each step carried the risk of stumbling into their path.

I pressed on, my steps deliberate and measured. The strange shadows seemed to have a rhythm of their own, and I watched their movements carefully, searching for patterns. It was as if they were a part of the storm's dance, their forms swaying and undulating in harmony with the crackling energy around them. The challenge was to find the gaps in their movements, the spaces where I could slip through unnoticed.

With each successful evasion, a surge of satisfaction fueled my determination. I relied on my Authority not just as a weapon, but as a tool of perception. The world around me was transformed by the storm, and I had to attune myself to its new rules. My inner thoughts were a constant stream of calculations and observations, a dialogue between my conscious mind and the primal instincts that had guided me through battles past.

The ruins seemed to stretch on endlessly, the storm distorting both time and space. The path ahead was uncertain, and yet, a flicker of anticipation burned within me. I had come to this enigmatic realm seeking answers, and the storm itself seemed to hold the key. The storm was a crucible of challenges, a testament to the forces that shaped this world, and I was determined to unravel its mysteries.

Tap... Tap...

With each step, I felt a strange resonance with the storm's energy, as if we were connected on some fundamental level. The air crackled and sparked around me, and I could feel the pulse of the storm echoing in my chest. It was as if I had become a part of the storm's rhythm, a participant in its grand symphony of darkness and power.

Hours could have passed, or perhaps only moments; time felt like a fluid concept in the heart of the storm.

And then, as I rounded a corner, the storm's intensity seemed to reach a crescendo. The spire loomed ahead, its silhouette cutting through the chaos like a beacon of power. The dark lightning that had once danced at its peak was now channeled into a swirling vortex that emanated from its core. It was a maelstrom of energy, a tempest that defied the very laws of reality.

The storm around me pulsed and surged as if responding to the spire's call. The strange shadows that had once haunted the ruins now converged, drawn to the vortex with an almost hypnotic attraction. The air crackled and sparked, and I could feel the storm's power coursing through my veins.

The closer I came to the spire, the stronger the energy became. The dark lightning arced and swirled around me, its touch sending shivers down my spine. I could feel the weight of the storm's history, its connection to the ancient forces that had shaped this world. The storm was a living entity, a manifestation of power and mystery that defied comprehension.

And then, with a final surge of determination, I stepped into the very heart of the vortex. The world around me spun and twisted, and for a moment, I was suspended in a void of darkness and energy. The storm's power enveloped me, and I could feel its resonance deep within my being.

And then, as the storm's energy subsided, I stood before the spire, its dark form now bathed in an otherworldly glow.

"I've done it..."

A small smile appeared on my face as I gazed at the spire that stretched towards the heavens.

I couldn't even see its summit, for it disappeared into the swirling clouds above.

My eyes then were drawn to the massive door that seemed to be almost engraved into the dark stone of the spire.

They were not normal, I could feel a massive amount of Mana oozing from their surface, pulsating with a mysterious and ancient power.

"..."

Approaching the doors, I looked up at the intricate carvings that adorned its surface.

It was like a tree, its branches spreading and intertwining, each bearing symbols and runes of ancient magic.

However, there was a strange symbol at the center, a palm reaching towards the sky, surrounded by a swirling spiral of energy.

Without hesitation, I drew my Authority and placed its blade against my palm.

Pluck...

I pressed its edge against my skin and watched as the droplets of blood trickled down to the ground.

I already knew what to do next, since this wasn't my first time entering this dungeon and the spire.

I had already cleared it countless times in the game and none of this was new.

Placing my bleeding palm against the symbol, I gritted my teeth and prepared for what was about to happen next.

Pluck...

Suddenly, needles shot out from the symbol, piercing my hand with a sharp sting. They were very long and some even, completely pierced through my palm, appearing on the other side with a glimmering shimmer.

It was painful.

I'm lying, it wasn't, it was barely a pinprick, more like a slight discomfort.

Well, I'm not normal after all.

For a few moments, the needles continued to emit a soft glow before retracting back into the symbol.

Were I to retrieve my hand while they were still present I would die.

It was one of the mistakes I've made while playing the game.

Creak...

Suddenly, the massive doors began to creak open, revealing a dimly lit passage beyond.

At the end of that tunnel stood a small pedestal with a small blue crystal placed upon it.

"..."

Gently, I stepped forward and approached the pedestal, my eyes fixated on the shimmering crystal.

I extended my arm and touched its surface, feeling a slight tingle of energy as my fingertips made contact.

Whoosh...

A surge of power coursed through my body as the crystal reacted to my touch, illuminating the entire room with its bright blue light.

I was being teleported to the first floor of the Shadow Spire.

***

Amidst the turbulent storm, a figure emerged from the shadows, his presence ominous and commanding. The demon bore a fierce countenance, his icy eyes gleaming with a chilling intensity that seemed to pierce through the darkness. His once-pristine form was marred by a wound on his side, but he held it with a casual air, as if such pain meant nothing to him.

As the demon drew closer to the towering spire, the horde of shadows that trailed behind him moved with predatory grace, their forms shifting and undulating as if in anticipation. The storm's energy seemed to bow to his presence, the air around him crackling with reverence for his dark power.

With measured steps, the demon reached the massive doors, his gaze unwavering as he took in the intricate carvings that adorned their surface. The symbols and runes seemed to resonate with his very being, a testament to the ancient magic that flowed through his veins.

His wounded side seemed inconsequential as he extended his hand, revealing fingers that bore the marks of countless battles. With a sense of certainty, he pressed his palm against the symbol, his touch unyielding even as the needles emerged, piercing his skin. But the demon's pain tolerance was beyond that of mortals, and he felt nothing more than a slight disturbance.

Creak...

The doors responded with a groan, creaking open as if acknowledging his authority over the ancient magic that bound them. The horde of shadows that had pursued him seemed to hesitate, their forms quivering as if uncertain whether to cross the threshold.

The demon, undeterred, slipped through the opening, his movements fluid despite the pain in his side.

Inside the spire, the air was heavy with an aura of mystery and power. The demon stumbled forward, his steps faltering as the energy of the place washed over him. The dimly lit passage stretched ahead, leading to a pedestal upon which rested a small blue crystal. Its glow was like a beacon, guiding him forward.

The wounded demon approached the crystal with a mixture of caution and determination. His icy eyes locked onto its shimmering surface, and as he reached out, his fingers brushed against the crystal. A surge of energy coursed through him, resonating with the storm's power that he had braved to reach this point. It was a connection, a bridge between his formidable essence and the mysteries of the spire.

As the crystal's brilliant blue light enveloped him, the wounded demon stood tall, his presence emanating a sense of defiance in the face of adversity. The storm raged on outside, and the shadows may have pursued him, but within the spire's embrace, he was now safe.

"I will make you bend..."

Looking at the shadows that were still trying to catch him, an eerie smile appeared on his face.