Chapter 54 – Dance of Shadows

  The creatures were approaching. Their forms wavered as if woven from pure darkness, and their eyes burned with an eerie, inhuman light. The shadows around them seemed to come alive, writhing and twisting like a sentient being.

  — Maybe they just want to talk? — Stan suggested hesitantly.

  One of the creatures let out a growl so deep that the air itself trembled.

  — No, they don’t, — Ethan concluded, raising his sword.

  — Get ready! — Leonel ordered, his blade igniting with fire.

  The first attack was aimed at him. A dark creature lunged forward, its clawed hand slicing through the air, but Leonel parried, sending a burst of flames lighting up the battlefield. Mirellis stepped forward, instinctively raising her hand, and at that moment, the darkness around her quivered as if recognizing her.

  The creature froze for a second… but then attacked with doubled ferocity.

  — Oh no… — Ethan muttered. — They definitely recognize her.

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  — Then they should explain themselves with words! — Mirellis snapped, dodging a strike.

  Reina swung her staff, and a burst of radiant magic flared up around them, forming a barrier. The creatures hissed and recoiled.

  — They fear the light! — Reina shouted.

  — Then let’s roast them! — Leonel swung his sword, sending a wave of fire forward.

  But one of the creatures was faster. It dove into the shadows, slipping past the flames, and suddenly emerged right behind Ethan.

  — AAH! — he screamed, flailing his arms.

  Ethan didn’t even have time to raise his sword—the creature’s claws were already descending upon him.

  — Oops… — Stan muttered and… yanked Ethan’s cloak.

  With a yelp, Ethan tumbled to the side, and the creature’s claws slammed into the ground with a thud.

  — I just saved your life! — Stan declared proudly.

  — You broke my back! — Ethan groaned, struggling to get up.

  — You can thank me later!

  But the battle was far from over.

  Leonel fought two shadows at once, his fiery blade severing their limbs, but they kept regenerating instantly.

  Reina held them back with her light, but her strength was waning.

  Mirellis felt a strange stirring inside her again. The darkness around her seemed to call to her.

  She clenched her fists.

  — Fine… If you want my darkness…

  She stepped forward and…

  The shadows froze.

  They hissed.

  And… knelt.

  — Umm… — Stan muttered. — Is this normal?

  — This is… interesting, — Reina murmured.

  Leonel gripped his sword tighter.

  Mirellis raised her hand… and one of the shadows stood as if awaiting her command.

  — They… obey me? — she asked in surprise.

  Leonel watched her warily.

  — Then order them to leave, — he said quietly.

  Mirellis took a deep breath.

  — Leave!

  The shadows hissed… but then vanished, dissolving into the darkness.

  Silence fell over the battlefield.

  — Well… That was… creepy, — Ethan exhaled.

  — That was impressive, — Reina corrected him.

  Leonel said nothing.

  He watched Mirellis, and in his eyes, there was concern.

  What if the darkness she controlled… one day controlled her?