i reincarnated in to my Novel

The oppressive air of the stronghold weighed heavily on the group as they ventured deeper into its labyrinthine corridors. The dark energy thrummed against their skin, an ominous pulse that grew stronger with every step. Dakota led the way, his fire-lit palm casting flickering shadows on the stone walls.

Lucas: (watching the flame in Dakota's hand) "You're really leaning into the fire thing lately. Trying to make a statement?"

Dakota: (not looking back) "It works. That's all that matters."

Henry: (grumbling) "Maybe if you focused less on theatrics and more on answers, we'd know why we're walking straight into a trap."

Ava: (snapping) "For someone who uses fire magic, you sure love throwing cold water on everything, Henry."

Henry: (igniting a flame in his hand, his eyes narrowing) "At least I know when to stop talking and start fighting."

Dakota: (sharply) "Enough. Both of you. If this place is what I think it is, we'll need every ounce of strength—and focus—to get out alive."

The group fell silent as they reached a large, circular chamber. The air was heavier here, the walls carved with intricate runes that glowed faintly. In the center of the room stood a black obelisk, its surface pulsating with shadowy energy.

Liam: (eyes narrowing, sparks flickering around his fingertips) "This doesn't feel right."

Jack: (placing a hand on Liam's shoulder, his own hand crackling with lightning) "It's a trap. We all know it."

Suddenly, the ground trembled, and the obelisk began to hum. The shadows around it swirled violently, coalescing into humanoid forms with glowing red eyes.

Dakota: (stepping forward, his flames flaring brighter) "We've been expected."

The shadowy creatures lunged, their movements unnaturally fast.

---

Dakota thrust his hand forward, a jet of fire erupting from his palm and consuming the first wave of creatures. They screeched as the flames devoured their forms, the light briefly pushing back the darkness.

Henry mirrored the move, his flames burning hotter and fiercer, carving a path through the shadows.

Henry: (grinning) "Looks like you're not the only one who can light up a room, Dakota."

Dakota: (igniting his sword) "Focus, Henry. This isn't a competition."

---

Lucas, standing toward the back, raised his hands, the air around him dropping sharply in temperature. With a sweep of his arms, he sent jagged shards of ice flying toward the creatures. The ice speared through their shadowy forms, freezing them in place before shattering them into mist.

Lucas: (gritting his teeth) "They don't stay down for long. Aim to destroy the core!"

---

Liam and Jack moved in tandem, lightning crackling around their bodies.

Liam: (calling out) "We'll cover the left flank. Jack, you ready?"

Jack: (nodding, arcs of electricity dancing between his fingers) "Let's light it up."

They unleashed twin bolts of lightning, the electricity ripping through the creatures and arcing from one to another. The room lit up with flashes of white and blue as they fought to contain the horde.

---

Near the obelisk, Mia and Amelia stood side by side.

Mia: (summoning a swirling torrent of water) "I'll keep them off your back. Just focus on the light!"

Amelia: (her light magic glowing brighter) "Got it. If we can disrupt the obelisk, the rest might fall apart!"

Mia sent the water crashing into the creatures, the force scattering them across the chamber. Meanwhile, Amelia raised her hands, a radiant beam of light striking the obelisk and carving into its surface.

The room trembled violently as the obelisk reacted, the runes along its surface glowing brighter and releasing bursts of dark energy.

Amelia: (shouting) "It's resisting! I need more time!"

---

Dakota joined her, his fiery blade slicing through a wave of creatures as he reached her side.

Dakota: "Then we'll buy you time."

He planted himself in front of the obelisk, a wall of fire erupting around him to shield Amelia as she focused her magic.

Henry: (joining Dakota) "Let's see who can burn brighter, shall we?"

Dakota: (smirking) "Just keep them off her, and try not to burn out."

The two unleashed torrents of flame, their combined fire magic incinerating the creatures that surged toward the obelisk. The heat in the room became almost unbearable, but the shadows showed no signs of slowing.

---

On the other side of the chamber, Lucas created a barrier of ice, halting a fresh wave of creatures.

Lucas: (panting) "I can't hold this forever!"

Ava: (stepping beside him, flames dancing in her hands) "Then stop holding and start burning."

She hurled a fireball into the mass of shadows, the explosion scattering them. Lucas used the opening to send another wave of ice shards, freezing the remnants.

Ava: (grinning) "Not bad for a guy who's always cool under pressure."

Lucas: (smirking) "Don't let it go to your head, firecracker."

---

Near the entrance, Liam and Jack were still holding the flanks, their combined lightning attacks wreaking havoc on the creatures.

Liam: "There's too many of them! We need to fall back!"

Jack: (shaking his head) "We fall back, we lose ground. Keep pushing!"

The two unleashed a coordinated strike, their lightning combining into a massive arc that tore through the horde, briefly clearing their side of the chamber.

---

Amelia's light magic reached a crescendo, the beam of energy piercing through the obelisk and cracking it down the center.

Amelia: (shouting) "It's breaking! Just a little more!"

Dakota: (to the group) "Focus everything on the obelisk! Now!"

The group turned their attacks toward the obelisk. Dakota and Henry's flames, Lucas's ice shards, Mia's crashing waves, Amelia's radiant light, and the twin lightning bolts from Liam and Jack all converged on the structure.

The obelisk let out a deafening screech as it shattered, releasing a shockwave that sent everyone sprawling. The creatures dissolved into mist, their connection to the dark magic severed.

---

Silence fell over the chamber as the dust settled. The obelisk lay in ruins, its energy gone. The group picked themselves up, bruised but victorious.

Ava: (leaning on a wall) "Next time, can we fight something that doesn't involve a creepy obelisk and a million shadows?"

Lucas: (smirking) "You mean a day off? Dream on."

Amelia: (approaching Dakota) "The obelisk is destroyed, but this stronghold feels... wrong. Like it's still alive."

Dakota: (nodding) "This was just the start. There's something deeper here. Something worse."

Henry: (crossing his arms) "Then we'd better be ready. No more secrets, Dakota. If we're walking into the heart of this, we need to know everything."

Dakota didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the ruins of the obelisk. Whatever lay ahead, it was clear the fight was far from over.