Denizens of the Labyrinth

Book 7 Chapter Sixteen; Where the Corruption Seeps in II



DING!

FLAG OF THE WAR COMMANDER RAISED!

RALLYING OF THE TROOPS!

ALL ALLIES ARE ENHANCED!

Jazmel felt enhanced, buffed by the flag and he watched as Mary raised it high and swung it.

DING!

FLAG OF THE WAR COMMANDER HAS BEEN RAISED!

THE BUFF HAS STRENGTHENED YOU!

YOUR MANA RECOVERY TIME WILL BE HALVED!

Jazmel felt the change immediately. It was as if a surge of energy had flooded every fibre of his being, filling him with renewed vigour. His muscles, weary from battle, felt lighter, his movements quicker. The rain no longer seemed cold or heavy it felt almost refreshing, invigorating. The flow of his mana, which had slowed from his previous exertions, now moved through him like a rushing river, faster and smoother than ever. The storm raging above and the chaos around him seemed distant for a moment, as if the world itself had bent to acknowledge the sheer force of Mary's command.

He looked toward her, standing tall amid the downpour, the Flag of the War Commander raised high. Its golden fabric shimmered even in the dim light, glowing faintly with the power imbued within it. Mary swung the flag with precision and defiance, each movement sending waves of radiant energy rippling outward. Allies nearby, from seasoned rankers to fresh recruits, stood straighter, their weapons glowing faintly as the buff coursed through them.

Jazmel clenched his fists, feeling his mana pulse with an intensity that made his heart race. Half the recovery time... I'll barely need to stop. A sharp grin spread across his face as the possibilities unfolded in his mind. Every technique, every skill he had mastered, could now be unleashed with far greater frequency. His foes wouldn't have the luxury of time to counter him there would be no pauses, no weakness to exploit.

He unsheathed Yoru no Tsubasa, its blade humming in anticipation, the dark edge gleaming with the amplified mana surging through him. Even the weapon itself felt more alive, more responsive, as though it, too, had been affected by the rallying cry of the flag.

Turning his attention back to the battlefield, Jazmel felt his confidence soar. The sky still fractured with lightning and rifts, monstrous forms still swarming through the city, but now the odds seemed more balanced. His allies were reinvigorated, and with the flag's power lifting their spirits and their strength, even the most formidable foes looked a little less daunting.

He glanced over at Mary once more, her face a mask of focus and determination, and gave her a quick nod of gratitude. She had given them more than just a buff she had given them hope. With the flag raised and the enemy swarming, Jazmel knew one thing for certain: "This battle just became ours to win."

And with that, he charged back into the fray, his blade slicing through the storm, ready to unleash his full might on the corrupted horde.

Jazmel leapt from building to building, his movements fluid and almost impossible to follow in the downpour. His feet barely touched the rain-slicked rooftops, each bound propelling him higher, faster, as if he were flying in all but name. The wind howled around him, but it was nothing compared to the energy gathering in the skies above.

He could feel it, the storm crackling with a fury that matched his own. Sadé had called it, had gathered the storm with a power that rivalled the very heavens. With a fist clenched tight, her presence was an anchor, drawing the thunder to her will.

Stormfall!

The cry echoed through the streets, the air thickening with anticipation. In that instant, the sky itself seemed to split open, unleashing the full might of nature. A massive bolt of lightning struck from the darkened heavens, illuminating the entire battlefield with a blinding flash. The ground trembled beneath the strike, and the air hummed with the pure force of nature's wrath. The crash of thunder that followed was deafening, a primal roar that shook the very bones of the city.

It was always so beautiful, Jazmel thought. Beautiful in a disastrous way. The sight of the storm's power was awe-inspiring, its destructive potential clear in every crackling flash of lightning. Yet, in that beauty, there was an undeniable sense of danger, of chaos waiting to be unleashed. The sheer rawness of it the power of the elements unleashed at Sadé's command reminded him of why they fought, why they did not run from such chaos but stood firm against it.

Jazmel watched the chaos unfold beneath the storm. The dark, twisted creatures that had poured from the rift were reeling from the lightning strikes, their forms writhing and twitching as the electric force coursed through them. Sadé's control was nothing short of perfect. Every strike, every crack of thunder, seemed to hit with precise, deadly intent, taking down dozens of the smaller creatures at a time.

Jazmel grinned as he landed on another rooftop, catching his breath for a brief moment. This is how it's done. He didn't need to look back to know that the rest of the Black Wing Faction was pushing forward, empowered by the storm above and the rallying flag of the War Commander. Every strike of lightning, every bolt of thunder, was a message sent to their enemies: this was their city, their fight, and they would stop at nothing to reclaim it.

He bounded to the next rooftop, a leap so high it carried him above the storm's edge for a moment, feeling the wind whip around him, his mana surging in response to the heightened atmosphere. The power of the storm was feeding him now, amplifying his already intense focus, and he smiled as he glanced down below, where enemies scattered in panic, their plans faltering beneath the weight of the storm.

Sadé's wrath had only just begun.

Jazmel cut through the swarm with the grace of a predator, his movements swift and deadly as he fluttered between enemies with the precision of a strike. His feet barely touched the ground as he propelled himself through the chaos, soaring above the fray, the storm's fury, and the clash of combat fading into the background.

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Flaming Evisceration, the air around him igniting in a burst of orange-red heat. His sword, Yoru no Tsubasa, became a blinding line of fire, its edge glowing with intensity. The swath of flame it left in its wake licked at the monstrous forms around him, the searing heat cutting through the corrupted beasts like butter. Each strike left a trail of charred bodies, the creatures writhing as they were reduced to ashes, their own twisted forms unable to withstand the overwhelming force of Jazmel's blade.

The feeling of the fire, of the heat, of the destruction there was something intoxicating about it. Yet it was more than that. It was a perfect marriage of destruction and control. Jazmel was in his element, his mind sharp and focused, every strike deliberate and decisive. He could feel his mana surging, amplified by the storm and by the flag's aura, making him feel unstoppable.

As he flowed through the carnage, his form almost ghost-like in its fluidity.

Shadowing Wraith!

Cloaking himself in shadow and darkness. He blurred, becoming less of a physical form and more of an eerie apparition. The shadows wrapped around him, distorting his outline, making him harder to perceive, his presence almost ethereal. He weaved in and out of the swarm like a wraith, his sword slashing through the air, cutting down the monsters around him before they even knew he was there.

The creatures tried to strike, swiping, and clawing at the air where Jazmel had been moments before, but he was already behind them, his blade cleaving through their ranks, his form flickering like smoke in the wind. They couldn't track him he was a shadow in the storm, an extension of the very chaos that raged around him.

Flaming evisceration!

Flashes of flame, streaks of shadow he was everywhere and nowhere at once, leaving a wake of destruction in his path. His strikes were fluid and relentless, moving with an almost meditative precision. The monsters that tried to overwhelm him were simply swept aside, their ranks thinning with each of his passing moments.

He felt a surge of exhilaration as the swarm around him began to dwindle, their presence faltering in the face of his onslaught. His connection to the storm, the flag's power, and his own raw strength combined into something greater than himself. He was more than a man fighting on the front lines he was an unstoppable force, a whirlwind of fire and shadow cutting through the heart of the enemy.

DING!

YOU HAVE KILLED A TIER IV CORRUPTED BEETLE!

EXP ACCRUED!

DING!

YOU HAVE KILLED A TIER IV CORRUPTED BEETLE!

EXP ACCRUED!

DING!

YOU HAVE KILLED A TIER IV CORRUPTED BEETLE!

EXP ACCRUED!

The sky above continued to crack and heave as if it were a wound that refused to heal. The rift that had torn open was massive, a jagged scar stretching across the heavens, the edges glowing with a strange, unnatural light. The darkness within was not pure night but something far more ominous an abyss that pulsed with energy, crackling like the very fabric of the universe was being shredded apart. From the heart of the tear, distant flashes of light and shadow darted, shapes too large to comprehend flickering in and out of existence.

The wind howled as it rushed through the opening, pulling at the world beneath it, carrying with it an eerie hum, as though something was being drawn through the rift from another realm. It was no longer just a tear in the sky; it felt like a gateway, a doorway between worlds, and something Jazmel could sense it was still waiting to pour through. The monsters that had already emerged were nothing more than the heralds, the opening salvos of what was to come. The sound of distant thunder rumbled, echoing from within the rift, a reminder that the battle had just begun.

Jazmel stood tall, his eyes narrowing as he studied the ever-expanding wound in the sky. The tension in the air was palpable, crackling with the energy of the rift. He could feel the storm around him intensify, as though the heavens themselves were holding their breath. The flag of the War Commander fluttered beside him, a beacon of strength and rallying, but even its power couldn't quell the unease that churned in his chest.

Is this it? he wondered, his gaze fixed on the opening, the maelstrom swirling within. Or is this only the beginning?

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The question lingered in his mind, unanswered, as he surveyed the battle unfolding below. His people were strong, emboldened by the rallying flag, but something about that rift the unnatural rift pulled at him. He could feel the weight of it in his bones, the understanding that the fight they were engaged in could be a mere prelude to something far darker, far more devastating.

As the wind howled again, the rift pulsed once more, and Jazmel's instincts flared. He could feel the air thickening with the promise of more horrors, more monsters, more destruction. The sky above seemed to shudder with anticipation.

DING!

BEWARE!

THE CORRUPTION IS FORMING UP!!

WARNING!!

A TIER VII CREATURE IS APPEARING!

The creature that emerged from the tear was an imposing figure, though smaller than the massive silhouette Jazmel had initially feared. It stood roughly eight feet tall, its form lithe but menacing, cloaked in a layer of sleek, jet-black chitinous armour. The shell covered its limbs and torso in angular, overlapping plates, each one sharp and jagged, designed for both defence and offense. Its head was the most unsettling feature, a grotesque blend of insectoid and monstrous traits, with multifaceted black eyes that gleamed with intelligence far beyond anything Jazmel had ever encountered. A long, curved mandible protruded from its mouth, clicking with each slow, calculated movement, as if savouring the moment before it struck. The creature's back was adorned with spiny protrusions, a ridge that ran from the top of its head down to the base of its spine, where a segmented tail lashed back and forth like a whip, exuding an aura of malice.

Jazmel's mana eyes immediately locked onto the creature, feeling the oppressive weight of its energy. He could see the mana swirling around it, a dense, turbulent current that was far greater than his own double, maybe even triple the amount. Each pulse of energy that emanated from the creature was like a thunderclap in the air, vibrating through his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

The pressure it exuded was suffocating, like a monolith pressing down on the very air itself. The very atmosphere felt like it was distorting, the temperature dropping sharply as the creature's presence warped the space around it. Jazmel could feel his pulse quicken, and despite his own immense strength, he knew he was standing before something far more dangerous than anything he had faced before.

"Is this what a Tier VII creature is like?" Bolen's voice was low, his words almost lost beneath the crushing pressure of the beast's mana. Jazmel's thoughts mirrored the question. This… this is something else entirely. The creature's presence was far beyond the ranks of anything he had fought before, and it was clear that whatever came through the rift wasn't just another swarm of monsters it was an invasion, a force from a realm of unimaginable power.

The creature's eyes shifted, locking onto Jazmel for a brief moment. There was a knowing look in those black orbs, as if it were aware of his strength, his position in the battle, and it seemed to almost… relish the confrontation. The energy around it crackled with intent, a silent promise of devastation.

Jazmel's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword. His mana flared, pushing back against the oppressive aura, but he could feel the weight of the creature's presence bearing down on him. He was ready for a fight, but this… this was a different scale of battle.

DING!

TIER VII THE ANT KING APPEARS!

The creature that emerged from the tear was a terrifying embodiment of raw power and menace. It stood tall and imposing, its form shrouded in a sleek, jet-black exoskeleton that gleamed faintly against the ambient glow of the fractured sky. Its armour was angular and jagged, with sharp, segmented plates that suggested both impenetrable defence and devastating offense. The torso was broad and defined, exuding an air of calculated strength, while its elongated arms ended in monstrous, claw-like hands that seemed capable of rending steel.

The head was a nightmarish visage, a helmet-like structure with glowing red eyes that pierced through the swirling mist and chaos. The eyes burned with an eerie, malevolent intelligence, their crimson hue sharp and unforgiving. From its shoulders and back, sharp spines jutted outward, enhancing its silhouette with a predatory, almost regal aura. Its movements were unnervingly smooth, each step deliberate, as though it was already calculating the demise of its prey.

The air around the creature seemed heavier, distorted by the sheer intensity of its presence. Mist and fog coiled around it, as though drawn to its dark energy, and faint tendrils of crimson mana emanated from its body, crackling like flames in a storm. Its aura was oppressive, almost tangible, pressing down on Jazmel and his companions with an overwhelming sense of dread. The creature's form radiated power that felt ancient and unrelenting, the kind of strength that had no equal on this battlefield. It wasn't just a beast it was an apex predator that knew its place atop the food chain.

Jazmel's mana eyes immediately locked onto the creature, feeling the oppressive weight of its energy. He could see the mana swirling around it, a dense, turbulent current that was far greater than his own double, maybe even triple the amount. Each pulse of energy that emanated from the creature was like a thunderclap in the air, vibrating through his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

The pressure it exuded was suffocating, like a monolith pressing down on the very air itself. The very atmosphere felt like it was distorting, the temperature dropping sharply as the creature's presence warped the space around it. Jazmel could feel his pulse quicken, and despite his own immense strength, he knew he was standing before something far more dangerous than anything he had faced before.

"Is this what a Tier VII creature is like?" Bolen's voice was low, his words almost lost beneath the crushing pressure of the beast's mana. Jazmel's thoughts mirrored the question. This… this is something else entirely. The creature's presence was far beyond the ranks of anything he had fought before, and it was clear that whatever came through the rift wasn't just another swarm of monsters it was an invasion, a force from a realm of unimaginable power.

The creature's eyes shifted, locking onto Jazmel for a brief moment. There was a knowing look in those black orbs, as if it were aware of his strength, his position in the battle, and it seemed to almost… relish the confrontation. The energy around it crackled with intent, a silent promise of devastation.

Jazmel's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword. His mana flared, pushing back against the oppressive aura, but he could feel the weight of the creature's presence bearing down on him. He was ready for a fight, but this… this was a different scale of battle. Every instinct screamed that this was just the beginning, that more were to come, and the true nature of the rift was about to unfold in its full, terrifying form.

The Ant King cackled, its eerie laugh echoing through the battlefield, the sound a grotesque blend of clicking mandibles and a deep, guttural resonance that shook the air. Its crimson eyes flared brighter, their glow illuminating the twisted fog that poured from the sky. With a violent clack of its mandibles, the Ant King spurred the horde forward. The smaller insects, an endless swarm of skittering legs and chittering cries, surged with renewed fervour, emboldened by their ruler's command.

Jazmel, however, had no concern for the scuttling masses. His focus was locked solely on the Ant King, the creature's imposing presence drowning out the chaos around them. The aura it exuded wasn't just oppressive it was suffocating, a palpable force that bore down on him with the weight of a thousand storms.

Charme stepped forward; her expression set in steely resolve. Jazmel felt the shift in the air as her mana surged outward, a vibrant dark energy that rippled and wrapped itself around her like a living shroud. The power bolstered her form, sharpening her edges with an almost predatory grace. The Ant King's glowing eyes shifted immediately to her, its head tilting slightly in recognition of her challenge.

Jazmel almost felt fear as the Ant King's gaze locked onto Charme. It wasn't just the raw power that terrified him it was the intelligence behind those crimson eyes. It saw her as a threat, and in that instant, the battlefield seemed to still, the sheer tension between the two-rippling outward like a shockwave.

"Charme…" Jazmel muttered under his breath, unsure if he should intervene or trust in her strength. The Ant King crouched, its limbs tensing, the sharp points of its exoskeleton glinting ominously. It was ready to strike, and Jazmel could feel the storm brewing between them.

Charme stepped forward, her mana surging once more as she called upon her abilities. She raised her hand, and the air around her darkened as she unleashed her skill.

Dark Axis

A spinning torrent of shadow that spiralled outward, creating a vortex of pure energy. The ground beneath the Ant King cracked and split as the vortex threatened to pull him in, but the creature remained steady, its aura pushing back the force of the attack.

Cardinal Charge!

Her figure blurred, moving with such speed that it seemed as though she was coming from all directions at once, dark arcs of energy slashing at the Ant King. Yet, to her frustration, its glowing red eyes tracked her every movement, and its chitinous body remained unscathed.

"Take this!" she yelled, bringing her final move to bear.

Cardinal Tyrant!

The shadows around her condensed into the shape of a massive tyrannical beast, its maw snapping shut on the Ant King with a thunderous crash. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the battlefield, forcing even Jazmel to steady himself. But when the shadows dispersed, the Ant King stood unshaken, its crimson eyes glowing brighter, its aura so potent it seemed to have nullified the force of her attack.

Bolen, seeing Charme falter, leapt into the fray. His golden eye gleamed, and his mana surged with radiant intensity as he moved with action.

Golden Horizon!

A wave of shimmering golden light expanded outward, bathing the battlefield in a dazzling glow. The light burned away the weaker insects in its path, but the Ant King barely acknowledged it, its towering form unmoved by the radiant power.

Undeterred, Bolen pulled his sword from his ring, a brilliant long sword. it was an exceptional blade, while Jazmel preferred the use of long swords. he could see the quality in a strong straight sword. which Bolen was holding.

Brilliant Axle!

The weapon glowed white-hot, its spinning momentum creating a spiral of destructive light that shot toward the Ant King. But with a fluid motion, the creature sidestepped the strike, its speed defying its massive frame.

"Fine, try dodging this!" Bolen roared as he unleashed another skill.

Bright Arc

His sword erupted with energy, releasing a crescent-shaped blast of golden light that surged toward the Ant King. The attack was fast and precise, cutting through the air like a blade, but the Ant King twisted its body unnaturally, evading the strike with a mocking ease.

Jazmel watched it all unfold, his hands tightening around the hilt of Yoru no Tsubasa. The Ant King was playing with them, its effortless dodges and unshaken demeanour a testament to the sheer gap in their power. Even as Charme and Bolen gave it their all, the creature's oppressive aura made it clear it wasn't just strong; it was untouchable.

Sadé raised her hand to the skies, her clenched fist pulling the storm clouds into a swirling frenzy above. With a sharp downward motion, she unleashed Stormfall.

The heavens roared in response as a deluge of lightning bolts rained down, each one striking with devastating force. The storm illuminated the battlefield in violent flashes, tearing through the ranks of the lesser insects, but even the concentrated bolts barely seemed to faze the Ant King. Its aura deflected most of the strikes, and it stood tall, challenging them with its unyielding power.

Jazmel saw the opening the storm provided and gripped Yoru no Tsubasa tightly. His mana surged, flowing into the blade as he channelled his strength into his first move.

Great Rumbling Dragon!

Jazmel leapt into the air, his katana slicing downward with such ferocity that it tore through the air itself. A spectral dragon, formed of raw energy, roared to life, and surged forward with the slash, its massive jaws aimed directly at the Ant King. The ground quaked under the sheer force of the attack, but the creature met it with its armoured forearms, holding back the energy dragon with sheer brute strength.

Jazmel followed up with another skill of his.

Voided Reave!

He disappeared into the shadows, reappearing behind the Ant King in an instant. His katana moved faster than the eye could follow, delivering a series of precise, cutting strikes imbued with void energy. Each slash seemed to carve through the very fabric of space, leaving trails of distorted mana in its wake. Yet, even as the void energy lashed out, the Ant King's chitinous armour shimmered, absorbing much of the attack.

"You're not invincible," Jazmel growled as he leapt back and focused his energy into a final strike.

Black Dragon Talon!

A violent attack, and he poured everything into it. A black aura engulfed Yoru no Tsubasa, the shape of a dragon's claw forming around the blade. Jazmel swung the katana in a wide arc, releasing a devastating slash that tore through the air with a sound like a thunderclap. The black dragon's claw raced toward the Ant King, its power enough to crush buildings, and this time it forced the creature to leap back to avoid the strike.

Though Jazmel's attacks had pushed the Ant King to move, it still stood tall, its glowing red eyes locked on him. The oppressive aura hadn't lessened it had only grown stronger, and the realization weighed heavily on Jazmel's shoulders. Yet, as he landed back on the ground, he readied his katana again, his gaze steeled. If the Ant King thought this battle was over, it was gravely mistaken.

The Ant King let out a guttural, cackling roar that reverberated through the battlefield, a dark and ominous sound that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest warriors. Its massive, clawed hand slashed downward with terrifying speed, aiming directly for Charme.

Charme reacted immediately, her Dark Axis manifesting as a shield of spiralling energy that she raised to block the blow. The Ant King's claws crashed into the barrier, the sheer force sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. Charme gritted her teeth, straining to hold her footing as her barrier cracked under the pressure. Before she could retaliate, the Ant King twisted its arm and struck her with a backhand swipe, bypassing her guard entirely. The impact was catastrophic Charme was sent hurtling through the air, crashing into a nearby building with enough force to crumble the wall around her.

"Charme!" Bolen roared, his golden aura flaring to life as he charged forward. His hammer glowed brilliantly with mana as he swung it upward in a massive arc, Brilliant Axle radiating with energy as it sought to counter the Ant King's overwhelming might. The hammer struck the creature's forearm, but instead of flinching, the Ant King laughed a low, menacing sound.

Its other hand shot out like a blur, slamming into Bolen's chest with a sickening crunch. The golden light surrounding Bolen shattered like glass as his defences collapsed under the force of the strike. The Ant King's claws followed through, gripping his armour, and tearing it apart like paper before delivering a final blow a massive punch that sent Bolen flying backward. He landed hard, skidding across the rain-soaked ground, gasping for air as his shattered armour fell away in pieces.

Jazmel stepped forward, his katana already drawn, his eyes locked on the Ant King. The creature turned its glowing red gaze on him, and for a moment, the air seemed to grow heavier, thicker, as if the Ant King's very presence warped the battlefield.

It moved faster than expected, its clawed hands swiping with precision and fury. Jazmel raised Yoru no Tsubasa just in time, the blade ringing out with each impact as it deflected the strikes. Sparks flew as claw met steel, the sheer force of the attacks pushing Jazmel back with every parry.

The Ant King's strikes were relentless, its claws tearing through the air with a speed that made it nearly impossible to follow. Jazmel pivoted and sidestepped, his katana dancing between each blow as he deflected strike after strike. One particularly vicious slash skimmed past his shoulder, the air itself seeming to rend apart from the power of the attack.

Sweat dripped down Jazmel's brow as he adjusted his grip on Yoru no Tsubasa, the weight of the Ant King's oppressive aura bearing down on him. Each strike he blocked sent a jolt through his arms, but he held firm, his resolve unshaken. The Ant King let out another cackling roar, pressing its assault, its claws a blur of death.

Jazmel gritted his teeth, his focus razor-sharp. "Not yet," he muttered under his breath, bracing himself for the next onslaught. He wouldn't fall here not to this creature, not while his allies needed him to stand.


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