Chapter 43. The Creature from the Abyss

  After Mirellis received her name, they continued their journey. Fields gave way to forests, and soon, looming dark mountain peaks rose before them—the place where the rift between worlds lay.

  The road was difficult, but they did not stop.

  One day, as they pushed through thick willow thickets, they heard screams. A group of refugees burst out from the forest, terror etched into their faces.

  — Help! — cried a woman clutching a child. — It’s chasing us!

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  — What? — Ethan demanded sharply, already reaching for his sword.

  — A monster! It’s not from this world! It… it only wants blood!

  Before they could react, a deep, guttural roar echoed in the distance. From behind the trees, the creature emerged.

  It was massive, black, its body covered in jagged spikes. Its eyes burned with an eerie glow, and its claws, as long as sword blades, slashed through the air.

  — This thing… belongs neither to the world of light nor the world of darkness, — Stan murmured.

  — It came from the rift, — Leonel added, gripping his sword hilt tightly. — We can’t let it go any further.

  The beast roared and charged forward. Leonel was the first to meet it, his sword flashing with a silver glow. He struck, but the creature’s claws deflected the blow, sending sparks flying.

  Stan clenched his fists, and icy spears began to form around him. He hurled them, aiming to pierce the creature’s armor.

  Ethan took position nearby, guarding their flanks.

  But it wasn’t enough.

  Mirellis watched the battle, her heart pounding. She didn’t know what to do…

  Then, suddenly, her fingers stretched forward.

  She felt something warm inside her—just like when she had stopped the arrow. Her palms ignited with golden light, and then…

  A burst of fire struck the monster, making it roar in agony.