Sky Star

Chapter 25: Crisis Lurking in the Shadows

The night sky was like an impenetrable black silk shroud, pressing heavily upon the Celestial Domain, sealing the camp in an oppressive darkness. Several campfires flickered stubbornly, their flames dancing like restless spirits struggling in vain to drive back the ink-like gloom. Instead of dispelling the eerie atmosphere, the dim glow only deepened the tension, weaving unease into the hearts of everyone present.

The group sat around the fire, exhaustion and vigilance etched onto their faces. The harrowing battle against the colossal beast the night before felt like a lingering nightmare. It had left wounds not only on their bodies but also carved indelible marks upon their souls. Fear, confusion, and anxiety gnawed at them like venomous serpents, coiling around their hearts.

Xiao Chen sat alone on a massive rock, as still as a statue deep in thought. His gaze remained locked on the direction where the mysterious imprint had vanished, as though he could pierce the endless darkness to uncover the hidden truth. His mind was entangled with countless threads of thought, fragments of past clues converging in a chaotic mess, trapping him in a deep contemplation. His brow furrowed, and the tension in his face made his muscles twitch involuntarily, as though he was engaged in a life-or-death game of chess, searching desperately for the decisive move. “What is the true intent behind this mysterious force? And why did that beast appear without warning?” he murmured, his voice hoarse as if worn down by sandpaper. Though spoken softly, his words fell like heavy stones, sinking into the hearts of those around him.

Yun Yi paced anxiously around the camp, his steps hurried and disordered, resembling a beast trapped in a cage, desperate to find an escape. His eyes frequently darted to the night sky, but the stars and moon were veiled behind thick clouds, mirroring the uncertainty of their path ahead—no glimmer of hope, only an abyss of darkness and the unknown. “If this mysterious force is an enemy rather than an ally, we must prepare in advance. But with no clues at hand, what should we do? Are we to sit idly by and watch as danger encroaches upon us?” He gritted his teeth, his voice squeezing through clenched jaws, thick with frustration and helplessness. The air around him grew heavier, suffocating those who listened.

Ling Xue, like a gentle guardian, moved among the team, offering soft words of reassurance. Her warm smile, akin to a spring breeze, soothed the unease in their hearts. Yet, the slight tremble of her hands betrayed her own apprehension. “Do not panic. As long as we stand together, we will overcome this ordeal.” Though she spoke with unwavering resolve, her gaze frequently drifted towards Xiao Chen and the vanished imprint, filled with silent worry and concern. It was as though an invisible thread bound her heart to the enigma before them, impossible to sever.

Just as the suffocating pressure threatened to consume the camp entirely, a sudden rustling emerged from the forest beyond. The sound, like something massive slithering through the undergrowth, was amplified by the stillness of the night, sending a shudder through the group. The patrol members immediately tightened their grips on their weapons, swiftly forming a defensive stance, their eyes locked onto the source of the disturbance. Their expressions reflected a mix of fear and steely determination, like hedgehogs bristling their quills at the first sign of danger.

Xiao Chen’s eyes gleamed sharply like twin stars piercing the void. In a flash, he shot towards the edge of the forest like a black streak of lightning. Yun Yi and Ling Xue followed without hesitation, their footsteps in perfect synchrony, knowing that even a second’s delay might cost them the key to the mystery.

As they neared, they saw an enormous beast emerge from the trees, its entire body glowing with an eerie blue light. The luminescence bore an uncanny resemblance to the mysterious imprint, as though they shared a common origin. Each of its heavy steps sent tremors through the ground, shaking the surrounding trees and sending leaves cascading like a mournful rain, adding a chilling solemnity to the already tense scene.

“What… what is that creature?” a team member whispered in horror, his voice trembling as if torn apart by the cold wind. The beast’s head loomed like a towering hill, its blood-red eyes burning like smouldering embers as they fixed upon the camp with chilling hostility. It exuded a murderous aura, as if every person before it was an irreconcilable enemy. It opened its cavernous maw, exhaling a black miasma laced with the stench of decay, thick and nauseating enough to churn the stomachs of even the most battle-hardened warriors.

Without hesitation, Xiao Chen surged forward, exuding the presence of an unstoppable war god. The starlit energy within him roared like a raging river, converging into his fists as he charged at the beast. “No matter what you are, since you dare trespass into my camp, today will be your end!” His voice boomed like a war drum, reverberating through the air, attempting to shake the monster into submission.

The beast, provoked to fury, unleashed a deafening roar, its voice akin to an avalanche crashing down a mountain. The soundwaves were like invisible blades, slicing through the air, making everyone’s ears ring with excruciating pain. It raised a massive claw, thick as an ancient tree trunk, and swung it down like a siege hammer. Xiao Chen’s reflexes were razor-sharp; he sidestepped the strike effortlessly, but the ground beneath him caved in like a crater struck by a meteor, sending debris flying.

Yun Yi reacted swiftly, forming intricate hand seals with his fingers, his aura surging like an enigmatic sorcerer weaving an arcane spell. Threads of energy wove into an invisible net, seeking to ensnare the beast. Yet, with a burst of sheer brute force, the creature tore through the bindings as if snapping spider silk. It retaliated by spewing forth a torrent of azure flames, fire that crackled with an eerie resonance, scorching the air with a searing hiss.

Ling Xue’s hands moved in a blur, summoning shards of ice and razor-sharp wind blades that hurtled towards the beast’s vital spots. Yet, its thick hide proved nearly impervious—her attacks left only faint marks upon its scales, like a mere breeze stirring the surface of a lake.

Seeing the dire turn of events, the remaining fighters joined the fray, their swords and spears flashing under the night sky like a desperate yet dazzling display of fireworks. However, the beast’s overwhelming strength crushed their attacks with ease. The battlefield descended into chaos—shouts and cries of pain interwove into a tragic melody of struggle and despair.

Xiao Chen’s forehead was drenched in sweat, beads of it trickling down like broken pearls. He knew that if they failed to find the beast’s weakness soon, their defeat would be inevitable, and the Celestial Domain would face utter ruin. Suddenly, his sharp eyes caught sight of a faintly glowing scale on the creature’s neck, pulsing in the same rhythm as the mysterious imprint’s blue light. A spark of realisation ignited in his mind. With unwavering resolve, he shouted, “Attack the glowing scale on its neck!” His voice cut through the battlefield like a piercing arrow, filled with urgency and authority.

Yun Yi and Ling Xue exchanged glances, their instincts aligning in an instant. Without hesitation, they adjusted their tactics, focusing their strikes on the weak point. The beast sensed the danger and twisted its massive form in a frantic attempt to shield itself, but the trio coordinated seamlessly, giving it no respite. Under their relentless assault, the scale finally cracked, dimming the ominous blue light.

With a final, agonised roar, the beast collapsed, kicking up a cloud of dust like a dying storm. Its colossal frame twitched briefly before falling still, its eerie glow extinguished. The camp, once on the brink of disaster, was momentarily reclaimed from the abyss.

Exhausted but relieved, the survivors gasped for air, their bodies battered but spirits unbroken. Yet, Xiao Chen knew this victory was merely a prelude to an even greater storm. The enigmatic imprint, the unnatural beast, and the unseen force lurking in the shadows—the true battle was only just beginning.