NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Showdown with the Hollow
Chapter 8: Showdown with the Hollow
The courtyard was shrouded in darkness as the Hollow's presence grew stronger. Tendrils of shadow lashed out, curling around pillars and creeping toward the Mikaelson family like living serpents. Adam stood at the center, his hands glowing with energy absorbed during the last encounter.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hollow's manifestation strength: SSS-Class.
< Objective: Protect the Mikaelson family and weaken the Hollow's presence. Absorption progress: 35%. Time remaining: 5 days, 15 hours.** >
Adam's heart raced, but he kept his voice steady. "Everyone, stay behind me. This thing's going to come hard, and it's not holding back this time."
Klaus sneered but stepped forward, his hybrid nature surging to the surface. "I don't take orders, especially not from someone I barely trust."
Adam turned, his gaze hard. "Fine. Then fight with me. But don't get in my way."
The Hollow roared, its form twisting into a monstrous, humanoid shape with glowing blue eyes. Magic radiated from its body, crackling in the air like a storm. Without warning, it lunged, a massive wave of dark energy crashing toward the group.
"Barrier up!" Adam shouted, raising his hand.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Activating Adaptive Evolution. Developing counter-magic barrier… Success. Damage reduced by 80%. >
A shimmering shield of energy surrounded the group, deflecting the brunt of the attack. The courtyard trembled, but the barrier held.
Freya joined in, her hands glowing as she chanted a spell. "We need to weaken it before it breaks through!"
"On it," Adam said. He summoned one of the Dark Energy Orbs from his inventory, hurling it at the Hollow's chest. The impact caused the entity to stagger, but it recovered quickly, lashing out with another tendril.
The fight became a blur of movement and magic. Klaus and Elijah fought with supernatural speed and strength, tearing through the Hollow's weaker manifestations. Freya worked tirelessly to reinforce the wards, her spells weaving into the fabric of the compound's defenses.
Rebekah stayed close to Hayley and Hope, ready to intervene if the Hollow targeted them.
Adam, meanwhile, focused on absorbing the Hollow's attacks, converting its energy into power he could use against it.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hollow's strength reduced by 20%. Absorption progress: 40%. Current status: Stable. >
The entity's form flickered, its edges becoming unstable.
"You're weakening!" Adam taunted, his voice steady despite the strain.
"You think this will stop me?" the Hollow roared, its voice shaking the ground. "I will consume you all!"
The Hollow suddenly shifted its focus, tendrils streaking toward Hope. She stood frozen for a moment, her magic sparking in defense, but the attack was too fast.
Adam reacted instantly, teleporting in front of her with a burst of absorbed energy.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Emergency teleport activated. 10% of stored energy consumed. >
The tendrils struck him instead, the impact sending him skidding back. Pain flared through his body, but his Adaptive Evolution quickly kicked in.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Adaptive Evolution activated. Developing resistance to Hollow corruption… Success. Damage reduced by 90%. >
Adam gritted his teeth, standing tall. "You're going to have to try harder than that."
Hope stared at him, her expression a mix of shock and gratitude. "You didn't have to do that…"
"Of course I did," Adam said with a grin. "What's the point of having all this power if I can't protect the people I care about?"
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hope Mikaelson's trust progress: 90%. >
As the battle raged on, Adam noticed the Hollow's form becoming increasingly unstable. It was losing cohesion, its strength draining rapidly.
Freya's voice rang out over the chaos. "We're almost there! One more strong attack should do it!"
Adam smirked, summoning all the absorbed energy he had accumulated. "Alright, time to wrap this up."
He formed a massive orb of energy in his hands, its surface crackling with raw power.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Maximum energy output reached. Finalizing attack… Success. >
"Hey, Hollow!" Adam shouted. "Catch!"
He hurled the orb straight at the entity's core. The impact was catastrophic, a blinding explosion of light and energy that shook the entire compound. The Hollow's roar of rage echoed before fading into silence.
When the light cleared, the courtyard was still. The Hollow's manifestation was gone, leaving only a faint trace of its presence in the air.
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hollow manifestation defeated. Current absorption progress: 50%. Time remaining: 5 days, 10 hours. >
Adam exhaled heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Well, that was a workout."
Klaus approached, his expression unreadable. "You've proven yourself useful," he admitted grudgingly. "But don't think for a moment that I've forgotten who you are—or what you want."
Adam smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Klaus."
Freya stepped forward, her gaze softening. "Whatever you are, whatever brought you here, you saved us. That counts for something."
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Freya Mikaelson's trust progress: 70%. Klaus Mikaelson's trust progress: 70%. >
Hope stood nearby, her expression filled with newfound respect. "You keep surprising me," she said quietly.
Adam smiled. "Stick around, Hope. I've got plenty more surprises up my sleeve."
< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hope Mikaelson's trust progress: 100%. Companion Objective Complete. Hope Mikaelson is now willing to join your journey. >
To Be Continued...
PS. THIS FANFIC IS PARTIALLY CREATED BUY AI