Under the rising moon, with dawn only hours away, the group lay in uneasy slumber after the harrowing events of the night. Armis, still troubled by Adrian's condition, watched over him with restless eyes, struggling to cling to hope despite the lack of a solution. Frustration gnawed at him, and unable to find respite in sleep, he rose to his feet and slipped into the surrounding bushes.
Alan, keeping watch while the others slept, noticed Armis's agitation and decided to follow him. He observed as Armis, after venturing some distance from the camp, stood before a tree, his gaze fixed downward. With a sudden surge of emotion, Armis unleashed his frustration upon the tree, delivering a powerful blow that reverberated through the night air, nearly splintering the trunk in two.
Alan, feeling a mix of helplessness and concern for his friend, leaped down from the tree and approached Armis, asking, "How's that going to help?"
Armis remained silent for a moment, his frustration boiling over as he struck the tree once more, this time with enough force to send his fist straight through the trunk. Desperation and anguish colored his voice as he spoke. "Then what am I supposed to do?! I feel so useless right now. I... I don't know what to do, Alan!" Armis turned to face Alan, his eyes red and teary with helplessness. "I'm so useless. I can't even help my family. I'm—"
"That's enough, Armis!" Alan retorted firmly, pushing back against Armis's self-pity. He raised his voice, determined to snap Armis out of his reverie. "Do you honestly think that if someone else were in your place, they would have instantly found a solution to something that none of US even understand?!"
Armis gazed at Alan, trying to grasp the meaning behind his words. The overwhelming despair of witnessing Adrian, a father figure to him, in such a dire state— all because of his own care for Armis—filled Armis with self-condemnation. However, Alan, unwavering in his belief in his friend, stepped forward and placed both hands firmly on Armis's shoulders, attempting to infuse hope into his heart with his words.
"Listen, Armis," Alan began, his voice earnest. "You don't have to lose hope. We will find a cure for Adrian. There's still time. I promise you, we will do everything in our power to send Adrian back to Layla, safe and sound. But it can only happen if you remain strong. We need you. Adrian needs you. If you give up now, who will fulfill the promises you made to Layla? So please, for her, for Adrian, for all of us—stay strong."
As Alan released his grip on Armis, a glimmer of hope flickered in Armis's eyes, and he nodded in agreement. Without exchanging another word, they began their return to the camp. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a deafening roar, echoing through the night with the ferocity of a wild beast. Startled, Armis and Alan exchanged concerned glances before sprinting back to the camp.
Upon their arrival, they found everyone in a state of panic. Lyco struggled to stand, while Poduria tended to a gash on his arm with potion. Alan quickly surveyed their surroundings, noting the scattered rocks and ruined campsite. Relecta leaped into Alan's arms, seeking comfort, while Aurelia's frantic voice pierced the chaos.
"Where were you guys?!"
"Where is Adrian?!" - Before Alan could respond to Aurelia's questions, Armis's frustration boiled over, and he unleashed his anger on Aurelia.
Startled by Armis's outburst, Aurelia remained speechless, her expression reflecting both fear and confusion. Suddenly, Relecta, trembling with fear, spoke up, her voice quivering as she looked to Alan for guidance.
"He transformed... into a demon!" she exclaimed, her words laden with terror.
Perplexed by her cryptic revelation, Alan and Armis exchanged worried glances before turning their attention to Lyco and Poduria, who approached them. Sensing their urgency, Lyco wasted no time in providing an explanation.
"He reverted to his... his state of mind control," Lyco explained carefully, mindful of Armis's intense emotions.
"But this time, he was more vicious," Poduria interjected, her voice tense. She glanced towards the gate, her expression troubled.
"His eyes were emitting red smoke, even bleeding," Poduria continued, her words heavy with concern. "He became feral once again, charging towards the gate. When Lyco attempted to intervene, he tore through every barrier Lyco conjured, he even attacked him with his sword."
"He was exactly as those men described, like a demon," Aurelia added, her voice trembling with fear, as she approached Armis with desperate eyes, reaching out to hold his hand. However, Armis's fury only intensified at the mention of Adrian's transformation. Gritting his teeth, he tore off his coat and summoned his armor, charging towards the gate without waiting for anyone.
Concerned for their leader, the rest of the group followed in his wake, trailing behind Armis as he halted in front of the gate, his gaze burning with intensity. Alan and the others joined him, standing by his side with matching determination, preparing themselves for the impending battle ahead.
Without hesitation, Team Goliath charged into the lair of the next Lord of Monsters. As they entered, expecting an ambush from lurking creatures, they were met with shock and surprise: a labyrinthine hall greeted them, its passages overgrown with Trectora herb and grass sprouting from the stone floor below.
Recognizing the danger of the herb, Poduria sprang into action, swiftly gathering a bundle of clothes and distributing them to everyone. Urgently, she instructed, "Quick, cover your mouth and nose with these. We can't risk inhaling any spores from the herb."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, everyone complied without hesitation, securing the makeshift bandanas over their mouths and noses to protect themselves from the herb's effects.
"Adrian! Where are you? Come out, let us help you!" Armis's voice rang out through the foliage-covered walls, filled with concern, desperation, and a hint of frustration.
"Armis, don't lose your composure. Stay on guard. Even though we can't see it, it could strike from anywhere," Alan cautioned, his words cut short as a vine suddenly shot out, wrapping itself around his leg and yanking him off the ground.
Startled by the sudden attack, everyone's senses heightened as they turned to face the threat.
Their eyes widened in shock, and their jaws clenched in disgust as they beheld the sight before them: a colossal mushroom-like entity, reminiscent of an oversized Trectora herb, emerged from the wall. Grotesque green bulbs covered its body, oozing purple pus, while its vines stretched across the entire expanse of the wall. With Alan ensnared in its grip, the creature revealed its equally repulsive mouth, lined with sharp teeth and filled with the same pus-filled bulbs.
Reacting swiftly, Team Goliath sprang into action. Relecta, in a panic, hurled numerous vials of water from her belt to the ground. As they shattered, she manipulated the water, transforming it into darts that struck the monster, causing it to recoil.
Seizing the opportunity, Alan swiftly drew his blades, wreathed in green smoke, and sliced through the vines ensnaring him, freeing himself from the creature's grasp. Landing near Armis, they exchanged determined glances before leading the charge against the monstrous foe, the entire team rallying behind them.
The monster roared in agony, its rage fueling its attacks as it unleashed its vines and oozing bulbs towards the charging Armis and Alan. Undeterred, the duo pressed on, with Relecta and Poduria working in tandem to conjure a water shield that intercepted the grotesque assaults.
Alan, his movements fluid and precise, leaped into the air, blades spinning as he launched them towards the monster. With a scream of pain, the creature attempted to dislodge the blades, but Alan, moving with blinding speed, expertly entangled the chains of his weapons around the monster's body. Using the wall for leverage, Alan exerted all his strength, hoisting the monster upright.
Seizing the opportunity, Armis leaped into action, delivering a mighty hammer strike to the mushroom-like head of the monster. As its head jerked violently, Lyco sprang forward, manipulating the ground beneath the creature. With a swift motion, he sent a pillar of stone crashing into the monster's body, causing it to convulse in agony. Green pus burst from the bulbs on its body, spraying outward in a grotesque display of destruction.
As Alan and Armis stepped aside, making room for Aurelia, she acted swiftly. Before the monster could unleash its acidic attack, she grabbed a large boulder and hurled it over the creature's head, smashing it down upon its body. With a resounding splatter of the green, slimy liquid, the monster appeared lifeless, its mangled form barely clinging to the wall to which it had been attached.
As everyone exchanged anticipatory glances, Armis wasted no time in calling out to Adrian. However, his voice was drowned out by a deafening cry from the monster, which had conjured a tiny mouth from its shredded body. Horror and shock washed over the group as they watched the green, slimy blood of the monster begin to seep back inside it.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, Alan nodded at Armis, and together they charged at the monster once more.
Suddenly, Adrian sprang from out of nowhere, launching himself at Armis and kicking him away. Armis hit the ground with a stagger, gritting his teeth in frustration.
But his frustration turned to horror as he saw, just as Alan did, true to his friend's words, Adrian resembled some sort of demon, with red, pupil-less eyes, his hair standing on end, and his once-silver armor now stained crimson with blood seeping through its cracks.
With a feral rage burning in his eyes, Adrian growled menacingly at Armis, his teeth bared as if he were ready to tear him apart at any moment.
As Adrian lunged forward with his sword, Armis, struggling to maintain his composure, deftly dodged the strike. Rising to his feet, Armis braced himself for the unexpected battle that had begun.
The clash of Armis's armor against Adrian's sword echoed through the chamber as the two engaged in a fight that Armis had never imagined he would fight, even in his wildest dreams.
Alan tore his gaze away from the regenerating monster, to the unfolding battle between Armis and Adrian, he watched as Armis struggled against the frenzied attacks of Adrian, his emotions rendering him unable to strike back.
Feeling torn and frustrated, Alan gritted his teeth, unsure of what to do next. Before his inner turmoil could consume him entirely, Relecta stepped forward, her presence commanding attention. Gripping Alan's hand firmly, she radiated determination as she spoke on behalf of the group, her voice resolute and unwavering.
"Go, boss, and help Armis! Leave the gross mushroom monster to us," Relecta declared, her words infused with courage and resolve.
With her by his side and the rest of the team standing united, Alan felt a surge of determination wash over him. Setting his jaw with resolve, Alan nodded once, acknowledging Relecta's directive, before turning to join the fray and aid his friend in need.
Alan swiftly rushed to Armis's aid as the monster, now fully regenerated, launched itself towards them with renewed ferocity. Sensing the imminent danger, Lyco sprang into action, dashing ahead to intercept the charging creature.
As he reached a safe distance from the charging creature, he swiftly manipulated the walls, conjuring rock pillars that soared towards the monster, effectively trapping its path.
Without hesitation, Lyco created platforms on either side for Relecta and Poduria to leap onto. With synchronized precision, the two women propelled themselves into the air, channeling their combined energy to conjure a massive cannonball of water, spinning at extreme speed.
With a resounding battle cry, Relecta and Poduria unleashed the spiraling torrent of water, sending it hurtling towards the trapped monster. The powerful impact tore a large hole in its side, momentarily staggering the creature.
The monster let out a deafening shriek of agony as it unleashed a barrage of vines from the walls, aiming to ensnare its adversaries. However, Aurelia swiftly intervened, her whip dancing through the air with precision as she shredded the onslaughting vines to shreds, leaving the monster even more relentless and enraged.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the labyrinth, Alan joined the clash between Adrian and Armis. Moving with agility and precision, he struck Adrian's knee from behind, causing him to falter. Seizing the opportunity, Alan used Adrian as a platform and propelled himself into the air, delivering a powerful kick that sent Adrian hurtling away. As he landed near Armis, who was glaring at him for harming Adrian, Alan's voice rang out sharply.
"ARMIS!!! No!!" Alan yelled, his tone commanding attention. As Armis softened his gaze, Alan continued in a quieter but no less urgent voice, "Remember, Adrian needs you..."
In response to Alan's words, Armis nodded, his determination solidifying as he steeled his resolve. With a heavy stone in his heart, he and Alan charged at Adrian.
Adrian swiftly leaped from the ground, his movements fluid and swift as he aimed a mighty swing of his swords at Armis and Alan. Reacting with lightning reflexes, Armis and Alan dodged at the last possible moment, astonished by Adrian's speed. Without a word, they silently coordinated their plan.
Alan remained suspended in mid-air, executing a graceful vault as he landed atop Adrian's sword. Before Adrian could react, Armis slid near his leg, seizing it swiftly. With a fluid motion, Armis swung around, delivering a sweeping blow to Adrian's other leg, causing him to kneel.
With swift precision, Alan unleashed a spinning kick to Adrian's face, swiftly followed by Armis and Alan coordinating to deliver powerful kicks to Adrian's shoulders, forcing him to drop his sword. As they prepared to deliver another decisive kick, the smoke emanating from Adrian's eyes intensified. In a surprising counterattack, Adrian seized both of their legs and, with a swift movement, jumped to his feet.
Adrian spun rapidly, pulling both Armis and Alan toward him, and delivered a devastating elbow strike to their chins, sending them crashing to the ground. Before they could recover, Adrian seized Alan's leg and hurled him through the air like a ragdoll, slamming him onto Armis with a resounding thud. The impact elicited cries of pain from both of them.
Without pausing, Adrian swiftly grabbed Armis's leg and spun them both around before launching them into the air, sending them crashing into the nearby wall with tremendous force.
Struggling to catch his breath, Alan emerged from the wall, only to find Adrian's sword hurtling towards him.
With lightning reflexes, he dodged the lethal blade, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike. As the sword embedded itself in the wall behind him, Alan turned to face the charging Adrian, whose speed seemed unmatched. Alan barely had time to react as the enraged figure lunged at him with lightning speed.
Dodging the attack at the last moment, Alan watched as Adrian's momentum carried him crashing into the wall, leaving a gaping crater in its wake.
Grimacing from the impact, Alan knew they were up against a formidable opponent. Gritting his teeth, he mustered his strength and leaped into action, using Adrian's own sword as a makeshift springboard. With a fierce battle cry, he descended upon Adrian, spinning with incredible velocity before delivering a powerful kick to Adrian's face. The force of the blow sent Adrian hurtling backward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.
Alan rushed to Armis's side, extending a hand to help him out of the rubble. As Armis regained his balance, Alan spoke urgently, his voice tinged with determination.
"Armis, Adrian has become even stronger than before. We need to team up and incapacitate him down together so we can use the potion and we have to act fast."
With a heavy heart, Armis nodded at Alan's suggestion. As they turned to face Adrian, who charged at them with renewed ferocity, Armis felt a surge of determination. Believing in his friend's plan to save his uncle, Armis let out a fierce battle cry and lunged back at Adrian, ready to confront him head-on.
Once again, the monster's shrieks reverberated through the labyrinth as it regenerated its body, appearing even more menacing and grotesque this time. Covered in oozing green pus bulbs, its entire form seemed twisted and distorted. Instead of vines, it now sprayed acidic blasts at its foes.
Reacting quickly, Lyco, Poduria, Relecta, and Aurelia scattered in different directions. Relecta and Poduria formed water shields to protect Lyco and Aurelia from the acid onslaught.
Meanwhile, Lyco conjured numerous boulders from the ground and hurled them at the monster. Although the monster deflected Lyco's attacks with its acid sprays, it was caught off guard by Aurelia's bold move.
With a mighty swing of her whip, she launched a large boulder at the monster, smashing its head with a resounding crash before leaping back to safety.
Once again, shock and revulsion filled the air as the plant monster regrew its head, forming another giant bulb atop its twisted body. Frustrated and disgusted, Lyco exclaimed in a loud voice, "What the hell? No matter what we do to it, it keeps regenerating like fungus!"
"Sinita Potion!" Everyone turned toward Poduria as she spoke with a spark in her eyes. Retrieving a large vial of enhanced potion from Lyco's knapsack, she held it in her hand. "But it won't work from the outside. We have to inject the potion inside it. We d—"
Before she could finish her plan, the monster shot a large ball of acid at them. Lyco moved swiftly, conjuring a large boulder from the ground to shield them from the acid. Urgently, Lyco yelled, "Whatever you're going to do, do it now!"
Poduria and Aurelia pondered over their options, searching for a way to execute their plan.
Suddenly, Relecta stepped forward and whispered her idea into Poduria's ear. Poduria's eyes widened in realization as Aurelia looked on, puzzled. Trusting her friends, Aurelia charged forward to join Lyco, who was holding off the monster's attacks, buying them time to prepare.
With sweat beading on his forehead, Lyco deflected each assault by manipulating rocks and boulders, shielding them from the monster's deadly acid. Meanwhile, Aurelia lent her support by launching attacks at the monster from all angles.
"Lyco!"
Poduria's urgent call drew their attention, and Lyco turned to see Relecta charging toward the monster. With a nod from Poduria and Relecta's determination evident, Lyco swiftly created a platform in mid-air for Relecta to jump onto.
Utilizing the platform, Relecta propelled herself toward the monster with remarkable speed. As the monster noticed her approach and attempted to intercept her with an acid blast, Aurelia intervened just in time, deflecting the attack with a boulder hurled from her whip, clearing Relecta's path.
As Relecta closed in on the monster, Poduria grunted with effort and manipulated the water to form a rapidly spinning protective sphere around Relecta. With her momentum and the protective barrier, Relecta penetrated the monster's body. Once inside, she took control of the water sphere, breaking the vial of potion and using the water tendrils to administer it inside the monster's body, her focus unwavering despite the danger.
In an instant, the monster's body began to wither and dry out, sparking hope among the group for victory. However, in a final desperate attempt, the monster shot its vines toward Adrian.
Reacting instantly, Armis and Alan charged toward Adrian. With quick thinking, they split up, darting in opposite directions, which confused Adrian and momentarily halted his charge. Adrian looked around in bewilderment as Alan and Armis seemed to vanish. Startled, Adrian raised his guard in anticipation, but before he could react, Alan and Armis descended upon him from above.
Alan landed on Adrian's arms, forcefully pinning them down with his feet, while Armis delivered a powerful elbow strike to Adrian's armored back, causing blood to spurt out. The unexpected attack caught Adrian off guard and left him momentarily stunned.
Without hesitation, Alan executed a swift spin kick aimed at Adrian's face, nearly sending him tumbling backward. Seizing the opportunity, Armis swiftly grabbed Adrian's feet before he could recover from the blow, pulling him close. With precise timing, Armis delivered a powerful knee strike to Adrian's gut, causing him to emit a pained groan, blood trickling from his mouth.
Alan stepped back, creating some distance to prepare himself for the next move.
Meanwhile, Armis swiftly pushed Adrian away and then, using his legs, grabbed hold of him, spinning him around forcefully. With a powerful motion, Armis launched Adrian toward Alan. Alan remained calm and focused, waiting patiently as Adrian approached.
Just as Adrian drew near, Alan leaped into the air with incredible force, delivering a devastating slap kick directly to Adrian's head. The impact was so powerful that it drove Adrian into the ground with tremendous force, creating a deep crater upon impact, the sound echoing through the air.
As chaos settled around them, Alan and Armis approached the incapacitated Adrian. Armis, filled with concern and desperation, attempted to lift him up.
Suddenly, Alan pushed Armis aside as they both witnessed a large vine lunging toward Adrian, gorging through his neck and lifting him into the air. Adrian screamed in agony, futilely trying to scratch at the back of his head. Then, his eyes opened, emitting a dark green glow. As the vine began to pull Adrian higher, Armis leaped and grabbed onto his torso, shouting to Alan in shock and desperation.
"What's happening?!" Armis cried out.
Before Alan could respond, Poduria's voice echoed towards them.
"It's using Adrian as a power source to regenerate itself!" she exclaimed.
Upon hearing Poduria's revelation, Alan's gaze shifted to Relecta, ensnared within the monster's body, struggling against a water sphere as the creature regenerated, threatening to engulf her entirely. Alan swiftly redirected his attention to Armis, who was fervently attempting to rouse Adrian with desperate pleas.
"Adrian! Wake up, Adrian!" Armis cried out urgently. "You're stronger than this! Don't let it control you! Fight back! Think of Layla! She's waiting for you! You can't leave her like this! Think of her, Adrian, THINK OF LAYLA!"
Despite Armis's desperate efforts, Adrian remained unresponsive, his grip on Adrian's torso unyielding. Tears welled in Armis's eyes as he struggled to pull Adrian back, his strength faltering with each passing moment.
Meanwhile, Alan watched the scene unfold, torn between aiding Armis and rescuing Relecta, trapped in imminent danger within the monster's body.
In a burst of frustration and determination, Alan wielded his blades and began chopping at the vine with rapid strikes. However, to his dismay, the vine regenerated at a doubled pace, leaving Alan feeling helpless and overwhelmed, mirroring Armis's sense of desperation.
Armis held Adrian tightly, tears streaming down his face as he whispered Adrian's name, his concern for Layla evident in his trembling voice. Suddenly, Armis felt a slight movement as Adrian's hand brushed against his head. Surprised and hopeful, Armis looked into Adrian's eyes, urging him on.
"Adrian... Yes, you can do it," Armis said, his voice filled with hope. "Fight it! Fight, and then we can all go back to Layla—"
Before Armis could finish his plea, Adrian interjected with a strained voice, struggling against the pain and control imposed by the monster. "K... kiddo, it's time..."
"No... no!! Adrian, don't say that! W—," Armis interrupted, desperately trying to prevent Adrian from completing his sentence, knowing all too well what he was about to say. But despite Armis's resistance, Adrian attempted to calm him, gently brushing his hair with his hand as he spoke in the same broken, pained voice.
"N... No, Armis... You have to understand, I'm not myself anymore. I'm just a broken vessel, with your dear uncle's memories trapped inside. That thing killed me long ago... so please, don't let it kill me again, son... p—"
"No, no, no!! Don't say that. We'll find a cure, my friends are smart, they'll help me. We'll all work together to cure you. Please don't let go! Please don't go... Think of Layla, she'll be broken without you... Please, Adrian, don't do this to her... Please don't go... I don't want to lose my father again."
Tears streamed down Armis's cheeks, mirroring the pain in Adrian's eyes as he desperately clung to his fading father figure. Adrian's voice, strained and struggling, attempted a semblance of playfulness as he spoke, trying to infuse hope into Armis during his final moments.
"Well... look at that, you called me father... I just wish I could have heard that word sooner from you, but... I am okay... I am happy... my son." Adrian's voice wavered, his attempt at levity tinged with sorrow. "And Layla... tell her, her Adrian wanted to meet her... it was his last wish, but his stupidity couldn't allow him... tell her that she'll understand." Despite the overwhelming force from the monster, Adrian made a concerted effort to lock eyes with Armis, his own white eyes filled with tears as he continued, his voice trembling with emotion.
"And Armis... promise me you'll take care of her. Layla... she's a strong woman, she can fight through anything, but sometimes even she needs a shoulder to rest on... promise me you'll be that shoulder for her, huh, son?"
Broken by Adrian's words, Armis sobbed like a child, his gaze fixed on Adrian as he struggled to find his voice. With a heavy heart, he simply nodded in response to Adrian's request. Adrian, turning his head upward, attempted to mimic his former authoritative tone as he let out a resounding yell.
"Soldier!!!"
"Yes, sir!!!" Armis replied, playing along with Adrian's final attempt to uplift his spirits. Adrian pressed on, trying to impart strength to Armis in his last moments.
"Now, do your dear uncle a favor…" Adrian gritted his teeth, fighting back tears to avoid disheartening Armis further.
"Give him a warrior's death…"
Armis swallowed hard, his heart breaking as he watched Adrian accept his fate.
Alan watched the scene unfold, torn between the urgency of the situation and the risk to Armis. However, with Relecta's life hanging in the balance, he couldn't afford to hesitate.
"Armis, please hurry…whatever you decide..we are with you," Alan called out urgently to his friend.
Without wasting another moment, Alan charged at the monster, bracing himself for the onslaught of its vines. As the vines shot towards him, Aurelia leaped forward, using her whip to shred them before they could reach Alan. When the monster retaliated with its acid, Poduria swiftly intervened, creating a protective water barrier to shield them from harm.
Seeing his friends in action, Lyco joined Aurelia and Alan, exchanging nods with Alan before conjuring a platform for him to jump onto. Alan followed suit, propelling himself at the monster with incredible speed. With a burst of strength, he moved with lightning-fast precision, tearing the monster into pieces.
As Alan unleashed his attack, Relecta summoned all her strength, bursting open the water sphere around her and cutting the monster into pieces from the inside.
As Relecta was freed from the water sphere, Alan swiftly gathered her in his arms and gently placed her on the ground before turning his attention back to the rapidly regenerating monster.
Meanwhile, Armis, having heard Adrian's final wish, climbed onto his body and embraced him one last time, tears streaming down his face. With a heavy heart, Armis pulled away, closing his eyes as he gazed at Adrian's serene smile for the last time. With a determined yet sorrowful expression, Armis closed his eyes and, in one swift motion, thrust his hand through Adrian's chest, piercing his heart in his hand from the other side.
As Armis held Adrian close for the final time, he felt Adrian's body begin to fade away. With his last ounce of strength, Adrian leaned close to Armis's ear and whispered his final words in a fading voice, "I love you, son..."
Armis's anguished cry pierced through the air, reverberating off the labyrinth walls as the vine receded from Adrian's head. He cradled Adrian's fading form tightly, tears streaming down his face as he whispered brokenly, "I love you too... Father."
Standing there in the silence, Armis watched as Adrian's body gradually dissolved into a cascade of red specks of light, each one slowly being drawn into Armis's mark.
With each passing moment, Armis felt his grip on Adrian's form loosen until there was nothing left but the gentle glow fading into his chest. In that moment, Adrian's voice whispered in Armis's ear, "Don't worry, kiddo. I'll always be a part of you."
Armis sank to his knees in despair, his anguished cry reverberating through the labyrinth, momentarily overshadowed by the thunderous impact of Alan's assault on the monster. As the echoes faded, the shattered remains of the creature began to dissolve into a soft blue glow. The ethereal light flowed towards Relecta, enveloping her in a healing energy that surged through her body, revitalizing her with newfound strength.
But the joy of victory was overshadowed by the sorrow that engulfed the group.