Chapter 26: The Blighted Valley

The group’s path led them out of the forest and into a barren valley. The landscape was stark and desolate, the ground cracked and lifeless. In the distance, the next spire loomed—a jagged, crystalline structure that glowed faintly with a sickly green light.

“This one feels worse,” Zeryn muttered, her stomach twisting at the sight.

“The corruption is stronger here,” the leader said. “This spire has been active for longer than the last one.”

As they descended into the valley, the air grew heavier, carrying a faint, acrid smell. Shadows flickered at the edges of their vision, but when they turned to look, nothing was there.

“Is it just me, or does this place feel… alive?” the green-eyed figure asked.

“It’s not just you,” Zeryn replied, her voice low.

When they reached the base of the spire, the ground beneath them cracked, and tendrils of green energy erupted from the earth. They twisted and coiled, forming into humanoid shapes with glowing, empty eyes.

“Great,” the green-eyed figure said, drawing their weapon. “More friends to play with.”

The figures moved in unison, their movements unnaturally smooth and coordinated. The leader raised his blade, his expression tense.

“Stay focused. These aren’t like the shadows we fought before.”

Zeryn summoned her darkness, but as her tendrils clashed with the green energy, she felt a strange resistance. The two forces seemed to repel each other, creating bursts of crackling energy.

“They’re not just shadows,” she said. “They’re something else.”

The battle was chaotic and grueling. The green-eyed figure fought with their usual flair, but even they struggled to land hits on the elusive figures. The leader’s precise strikes held them at bay, but it was clear the creatures were testing their limits.

Zeryn’s shadows surged forward, slamming into one of the creatures. It shattered into green shards, but the effort left her breathless.

“We can’t keep this up,” she said, her voice strained.

“We don’t have to,” the leader replied. “We just need to reach the spire. Destroy it, and they’ll fall.”