Chapter 22: DANCE OF THE SHADOW BLADES
Chapter 22: Dance of the Shadow Blades
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A Distant Sound
The path ahead twisted and turned like a serpent, the mist swirling around their feet. The oppressive atmosphere of the Realm of Echoes made every step feel heavier than the last. The trio walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts.
Suddenly, a faint sound reached their ears—metal striking metal, rhythmic and precise.
"Do you hear that?" Kaida asked, her hand instinctively moving to her sword.
"Great, more danger," Yuki muttered, gripping the orb tightly. "Can't we find something normal for once, like a friendly puppy or a magic picnic?"
"It's coming from up ahead," Aria said, ignoring Yuki's complaint. "Let's stay on guard."
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The Shadow Duelists
As they rounded a corner, they came upon a strange sight. In the clearing stood two figures, both clad in dark armor, their weapons clashing in a graceful yet brutal dance. Their movements were fluid, almost hypnotic, as if they were part of a rehearsed performance.
"What are they doing?" Yuki whispered.
"Practicing," Kaida said grimly. "These are shadow duelists—warriors of the Void. They train endlessly to perfect their skills."
"Perfect for what?" Yuki asked.
"To kill anything that stands in their way," Kaida replied.
The duelists stopped suddenly, as if sensing the group's presence. Slowly, they turned their heads, their hollow eyes locking onto Yuki and his companions.
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A Challenge Issued
One of the duelists stepped forward, raising a sleek, black blade that shimmered with Void energy. "You trespass in the domain of the Shadow Lords," the duelist said, their voice a haunting echo. "Prove your worth, or perish."
Kaida stepped forward, drawing her sword. "We don't have time for this. Get out of our way."
The duelist tilted their head. "You misunderstand. This is not a request."
With that, both duelists charged, their movements so fast they seemed to blur.
"Great, now they're attacking!" Yuki yelped, stumbling back.
"Focus, Yuki!" Kaida shouted as she engaged one of the duelists.
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The Clash Begins
Kaida's sword met the duelist's blade with a resounding clang. She moved with precision, her strikes calculated, but the duelist was relentless, countering her every move.
Aria stayed back, weaving protective spells around herself and Yuki. "I'll cover you! Kaida, watch your left!"
Kaida ducked just in time to avoid a sweeping strike. "I noticed!"
Meanwhile, the second duelist set their sights on Yuki.
"Oh no, nope, not me," Yuki stammered, holding up the orb like a shield. To his surprise, a burst of light shot out, forcing the duelist to retreat momentarily.
"Hey, this thing is actually useful!" Yuki exclaimed, fumbling to aim the orb again.
"Don't get cocky!" Kaida snapped, deflecting another strike.
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Yuki's Improvised Combat
The second duelist lunged at Yuki again, their blade slicing through the air. Panicking, Yuki tripped and fell, narrowly avoiding the attack. As he hit the ground, the orb rolled out of his grasp.
"Not again!" he groaned, scrambling to retrieve it.
The duelist loomed over him, their blade poised to strike. Just as they brought it down, Yuki instinctively threw a nearby rock. To everyone's astonishment, the rock struck the duelist's helmet, sending them stumbling back.
"Did… did I just win with a rock?" Yuki asked, stunned.
"No, you bought yourself time!" Kaida shouted, still locked in combat with her opponent.
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Aria's Intervention
Seeing Yuki in trouble, Aria extended her staff and unleashed a wave of energy. The second duelist was caught in the blast, their armor cracking as they were pushed back.
"Stay close to me, Yuki!" Aria called. "I can't keep bailing you out if you wander off!"
"Noted!" Yuki replied, clutching the orb as he stood.
Kaida, meanwhile, delivered a powerful strike that disarmed her opponent. With a swift kick, she sent the duelist sprawling.
"Got one!" she said, turning to help with the other.
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The Duelists' Last Stand
The remaining duelist regrouped with their fallen comrade. Instead of retreating, they crossed their blades, and a surge of dark energy erupted around them.
"What are they doing?" Yuki asked.
"They're fusing their power," Aria said, her tone urgent. "If we don't stop them, they'll be unstoppable!"
Kaida didn't hesitate. She charged forward, her sword glowing with energy as she aimed for the center of the fusion.
"Yuki, use the orb!" Aria shouted.
Yuki looked down at the glowing artifact. "Uh, right! How?"
"Just point it and think of stopping them!"
Yuki raised the orb, focusing as hard as he could. A beam of light shot out, striking the fusion and destabilizing it.
Kaida took the opportunity to strike, her blade cutting through the energy. The duelists let out a final, echoing cry before dissolving into shadows.
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Aftermath
The clearing grew silent once more, the oppressive energy lifting slightly.
"Well, that was terrifying," Yuki said, collapsing onto the ground.
"You did well," Aria said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "The orb responds to your will. Learn to control it, and it will be your greatest weapon."
Kaida sheathed her sword, her expression stern. "But don't get cocky. We were lucky this time. Next time, we might not be."
Yuki nodded. "Got it. Less rock-throwing, more orb-shooting."
Aria smiled faintly. "We've still got a long way to go. Let's keep moving."
As they resumed their journey, Yuki couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. For once, he hadn't been completely useless. Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to grow into his role.
But as the shadows shifted around them, he knew the Void wasn't done with them yet.
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End of Chapter 22