Lord Of The Lost

William squinted into the inky blackness that enveloped the corridor, trying to make sense of the grotesque shape looming before him. But as soon as the transformation began, the lights seemed to snuff out, plunging the area into a suffocating darkness.

The air grew thick with tension, and an ominous silence hung like a heavy fog.

Then, with a fierce resolve, Alex leaped into action. "Get down!" he shouted, his voice a sharp crack in the stillness. He lunged forward, positioning himself between an unseen threat and a trembling figure behind him.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

His movements were a blur, a deadly dance as he wielded his dagger with precision. Each swing was like a note in a frantic symphony, the sound echoing off the cold stone walls, rapid and urgent as he fought to fend off the encroaching darkness.

Suddenly, a burst of divine light erupted from William's lantern, illuminating the shadows like a miniature sun breaking through a stormy sky. The brightness pushed back the darkness, revealing a grotesque tableau of monsters creeping closer; creatures with obsidian skin, glowing scarlet eyes, and long, menacing claws.

"What in the world…" someone gasped as the reality of their situation sank in. The corridor was no longer empty; the original two maids had morphed into horrific forms, and in the blink of an eye, the numbers swelled; four, five, six, seven dark figures flitting in and out of the light's reach.

William's heart raced. He couldn't fathom how they had multiplied so quickly. He felt eyes upon him from every direction, even the painted portraits lining the walls seemed to come alive, their faces twisted in wicked grins that promised nothing but malice.

A chill ran down his spine. But the light from the lantern formed a protective barrier, repelling the monsters that skittered just beyond its glow. They shrank back in fear, instinctively recoiling from the radiant warmth of the lantern's light.

As he watched the spiritual oil inside the lantern sputter and sizzle, William realized with alarm that it was burning through its reserves faster than he had ever seen; much quicker than when he had faced the werewolf.

"Go!" he urged, adrenaline surging through his veins. He dashed forward, the flickering light casting long shadows behind them. The others scrambled to keep pace, hearts pounding in unison as they navigated the corridor toward the atrium, the escape route Metatron had meticulously planned.

But the dark monsters followed, gliding through the gloom like sinister phantoms. William felt the chill of their presence close in, a constant reminder that time was running out.

"No, we can't leave anyone behind. Someone has to hold them off!" he insisted through gritted teeth, the urgency palpable in his voice. The darkness pressed in around them, thickening as more monsters emerged from the shadows, their numbers growing ominously.

With every step, the oppressive weight of the dark forces pressed against the lantern's light, threatening to snuff it out entirely. William's heart sank; they were still deep inside the castle, and at this rate, they would be overwhelmed before they could find a way out.

"Stay close!" he shouted, scanning the darkened corners, aware of the lurking menace on all sides. There were monsters before them, behind them, and even the walls seemed to close in, shadows creeping from below.

In a moment of clarity, William made a decision. He turned to Metatron, his resolve firm. "Take the lantern," he instructed, passing it over. "I'll cover you. You all need to keep running!"

Metatron nodded, understanding the weight of his words. William was their strongest fighter; he could hold off the encroaching darkness, buying precious moments for the others to escape and slowing the lantern's draining power.

With a final glance at his companions, William braced himself, determination igniting within him as he prepared to face the gathering storm of shadows. The fight was far from over, but he would not let the light be extinguished.

Metatron shook his head firmly, his eyes narrowing with determination. "No, William. You need to lead us through. We'll let the gambler cover us!"

William's voice was edged with frustration. "He can't handle it! You don't understand his limits."

The gambler, known for his unique talent [Gambler's Dice] had the ability to amplify his physical attributes based on his rolls. If he rolled a six, his strength would double. But at level eight, even with his physical power reaching an impressive sixteen points, William knew it wasn't enough for the battle they faced.

"Physical strength isn't everything in combat," William argued. "If it comes to blows between us, I could easily take him down. His mental defenses are weak, and even with [Thorne Armor], he wouldn't last long against my [Mental Confusion]."

The gambler listened quietly, his brow furrowed as he considered the implications of their situation. William's skills, particularly his [Piercing Attack], were specifically designed to penetrate defenses, rendering the gambler's advantages nearly useless in this dire moment.

"Look," William continued, his voice rising in urgency, "the difference between 1,600 kilograms of force and 1,400 isn't as significant as you think. The gambler's physical fitness won't protect him in this fight."

The gambler sighed, a hint of resignation in his tone. "Brother Wallace, I appreciate your concern, but losing you would cost us far more than if I fall. If I die, it's a lighter price to pay. The penalties for dying at my level are far less severe."

William's eyes blazed with anger. "There are over twenty monsters on our tails! How many can you realistically hold back? Even if you manage to double your strength, it won't matter!"

The gambler's resolve was unyielding. "I'm not obligated to sacrifice myself for you all, but I can't just stand by. If I can delay them for even a moment, that could change everything!"

William's frustration was palpable. He wasn't someone who took lightly the idea of pointless sacrifice. "If you can only buy us a second or two, what good is that? We're surrounded by wolves; we need heavy hitters, not distractions!"

The gambler ran a hand through his slightly weathered hair, looking past William into the encroaching darkness. "I'm tired of running, hiding, and feeling powerless. When will this end? What's the point of fleeing if we're just prolonging the inevitable?"

William stared in disbelief as the gambler suddenly halted, resolute. The light from William's lantern flickered, illuminating the shadows that loomed ever closer. In that fleeting moment, William caught sight of the gambler as he faced the darkness, his expression shifting from one of resignation to fierce determination.

With a swift motion, the gambler tossed the three dice in his hand. "Brother Wallace, when did I ever say my dice were six-sided?"

"What?" William's voice faltered as he tried to comprehend the gamble the man was about to take.

The gambler's tone turned serious. "Honestly, I don't really want to throw a high score. It's exhausting…"

A powerful aura began to emanate from him, cutting through the darkness like a beacon.

Then, a cacophony of battle erupted around them. The shift in momentum was palpable, a surge of energy that William had never witnessed before. The gambler's aura radiated strength beyond what his level suggested, eclipsing even the best he'd seen from those who had rolled maximum scores.

William's heart raced as he realized the true power of the gambler's ability. As the sounds of combat filled the air, William steeled himself, ready to face whatever came next. Together, they would break through, or they would fall fighting.

In an instant, the number of dark monsters trailing them was slashed by more than half. William felt a rush of adrenaline, but there was no time to celebrate.

"Wallace!" Metatron's voice rang out, urgent and commanding. "Take a shortcut! We don't have time for detours; we'll die if you do! Don't hesitate, just push straight through!"

William snapped back to reality, realizing Metatron must be perceiving their plight with a clarity that transcended the chaos of the moment. Clenching his spear tightly, he nodded.

"Give me the lantern!" he called out, determination fueling his words.

The Forum Master, already attuned to the lantern's effects, stepped forward and handed it over, his expression focused. He understood the burden of wielding such power, and he took it with a steady resolve, shielding William from the weight of its light.

William felt a surge of confidence. With the lantern illuminating their path, he knew he could unleash his full combat potential. But he also recognized the toll it had taken on him. Typically, he could execute his skills over twenty times at full strength before exhausting himself, but that ideal was far from reality now. During their treasure-hunting escapade, he had pushed himself to his limits, straining his body beyond its capacity in a relentless series of attacks.

With renewed focus, William gripped the knight's spear with both hands, summoning every ounce of energy within him. He felt his body ignite as if lit by an internal flame; his blood surged with raw power.

"Here goes nothing!" he roared, abandoning all restraint as he charged forward.

Like a wild stallion breaking free from its reins, he burst forth at full speed, leaving the safety of the lantern's glow. The dark monsters, sensing his movement, lunged toward him, but they were no match for his ferocity.

Tear!

The first creature was obliterated in an instant, shattering against the force of his momentum as he barreled deeper into the dark corridor.

With the protective energy swirling around him. William surged forward, smashing through obstacles with each powerful stride.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sounds of destruction echoed like the popping of balloons, a symphony of chaos as he plowed through barriers. In that moment, he didn't count how many walls he shattered; all he felt was a wild, exhilarating freedom.

For reasons he couldn't quite grasp, William found his movements flowing with an ease he hadn't anticipated. The castle's walls were imbued with magic, resistant to ordinary destruction, yet they could not hold him back.

As the cool night wind whipped against his skin, fatigue began to creep in, a sudden reminder of his physical limits. But just as he felt himself start to falter, he burst into the courtyard of the castle, gasping for breath.

Looking back, William saw the path he had carved through the fortress: a series of gaping holes in the walls, leading back to where his companions were.

"Quick!" he shouted, urgency rising in his voice as he spotted Metatron and Alex following closely behind, lantern held high.

Yet as he surveyed the castle ahead, an unsettling sensation washed over him. The walls seemed to pulse, vibrating as if something monstrous within them was awakening.

"No…" William whispered, eyes wide with dread. The darkness surrounding the castle felt alive, a creeping malevolence that twisted and shifted like a beast stretching its limbs.

"Maybe the darkness is the true enemy here," he thought, realization dawning as he prepared for whatever horror might emerge from the shadows.

William watched in disbelief as the ancient castle before him began to fade, not in a typical manner, but as if it were dissolving into pure darkness. It felt surreal, as if the very essence of the castle was merging with the shadows that surrounded them.

"Are we… running through darkness instead of the castle?" he thought, glancing at Metatron and the Forum Master, both of whom wore expressions of urgency mixed with confusion. The sky overhead was choked with thick, dark clouds, obscuring any hint of sunlight. The towering structure that had once loomed with ominous grandeur was now indistinguishable from the encroaching void. It was like watching water blend seamlessly into more water, leaving him unable to tell where one began and the other ended.

Only the area illuminated by the lantern's glow offered any semblance of reality; a wall with a gaping hole, bricks scattered across the ground, tangible remnants of the castle's existence. But from the depths of the darkness came a chilling roar, the gambler's voice echoing in desperation.

"Maybe this is it for him," William thought grimly. The delay had only bought them mere seconds. "Gambler, no!"

As they neared the exit, the Forum Master noticed the lantern's light beginning to flicker, a telltale sign that the spiritual oil was nearly depleted. Panic set in.

"William, we have to go now!" he urged.

Alex, encased in his [Hidden Suit], reacted quickly. "I won't leave him behind!" he shouted, pivoting to intercept the dark creatures that surged from the shadows. The clash of metal on metal rang out like a grim symphony, the sound of weapons colliding filling the air.

"Just a few seconds!" William urged, heart racing. "We need just a little more time!"

But seconds ticked by, and the sound of tearing fabric and flesh pierced the air. "Alex!" William shouted, anguish gripping him.

With the lantern flickering one final time, the Forum Master and Metatron burst through the castle's entrance, and William felt a surge of desperation. A long spear infused with potent energy shot forth from him, his [Piercing Attack].

"Get back!" he yelled, pushing through the remaining darkness as the silver-white spear cleaved through the shadows, striking something solid with a satisfying 'thunk'.

In that moment, William felt a shift within himself, a whisper from the system indicating that he still had untapped reserves of strength. But there was no time to contemplate. They had to escape.

"Come on!" he shouted, grabbing the Forum Master and Metatron, and together they raced toward the gate of Shadow Castle.

As they sprinted, dark hands emerged from the shadows, grasping at their heels, desperate to pull them back into the abyss. But then, a deafening hiss echoed through the void, reminiscent of the power that had once descended upon the castle, like thunder shaking the very ground.

That power; wielded by a legendary knight centuries ago, had reduced the castle to ruins, only for it to be inexplicably rebuilt. Now, it seemed, that ancient strength was once again rising, determined to reclaim its own.

As they broke free from the castle's grip, William felt a chill race down his spine. In the thick, impenetrable darkness, a pair of crimson eyes snapped open, the eyes of the vampire lord, watching them from the castle's highest point, hidden within the depths of its foundation.

Two more pairs of equally wild, scarlet eyes joined the first, fixating on William as he fled. An eerie, bone-chilling laughter began to ripple through the castle, filling the air with a sense of foreboding.

"You will return here," the voice echoed, ominous and taunting. "The followers of darkness always return to eternal darkness…"

William's heart raced as he pressed forward, vowing that no matter the threat, he would not allow darkness to claim him or his friends. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that the castle was waiting, plotting its revenge, and the vampire lord's words haunted him like a shadow, lingering in the back of his mind.