Chapter 19: The Battle Begins
The corrupted forest was a nightmare come to life. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the ground trembled under the weight of Malakar's dark magic. Kai, Lina, Aelara, and the elven scouts moved cautiously, their senses on high alert. The undead were everywhere—skeletal warriors, rotting beasts, and shadowy wraiths that seemed to materialize out of thin air.
As they approached the heart of the corruption, a massive clearing came into view. At its center stood Malakar, his gaunt figure cloaked in tattered robes. His eyes glowed with malevolent energy, and in his hand, he held the **Shard of Umbra**, its dark aura pulsating like a heartbeat.
"So, the elves have sent their champions," Malakar sneered, his voice echoing with unnatural power. "How quaint. But you are too late. The forest is mine, and soon, the world will follow."
Kai stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light. "We're not here to negotiate, Malakar. We're here to stop you."
Malakar laughed, a sound that sent shivers down their spines. "Then come, little hero. Let us see what you are made of."
---
As the battle began, Newton's voice echoed in Kai's mind.
**[Unique Skill: Newton has detected high-level magical attacks. Initiating skill acquisition.]**
Before Kai could respond, a wave of dark energy surged toward him. He raised his shield, but the force of the attack sent him skidding backward. As he regained his footing, he felt a strange warmth spreading through his body.
**[Common Skill Acquired: Fire Magic. The ability to manipulate fire, creating flames, blasts of heat, and even fireballs.]**
Kai's eyes widened as flames flickered at his fingertips. He didn't have time to question it—another attack was already coming. This time, Malakar summoned a torrent of water, its surface black and oily.
Kai dodged the attack, and once again, Newton's voice rang out.
**[Common Skill Acquired: Water Magic. The ability to manipulate water, creating waves, ice, and even water blasts.]**
The pattern continued as the battle raged. Malakar unleashed a whirlwind of razor-sharp air, and Kai felt the power of **Wind Magic** flow through him. The necromancer summoned spikes of earth from the ground, and Kai gained **Earth Magic**. Even the undead's unnatural resilience granted him **Healing Magic** and **Support Magic**.
---
With his newfound abilities, Kai became a whirlwind of elemental power. He hurled fireballs at the undead, froze wraiths with ice, and created barriers of earth to protect his allies. Lina and Aelara fought beside him, their own skills complementing his.
"Kai, you're… glowing!" Lina shouted, her voice filled with awe.
"It's a new skill!" Kai replied, his voice strained as he summoned a gust of wind to deflect a wave of dark energy.
Aelara's eyes widened. "Then we might actually have a chance!"
The battle was chaotic, the air filled with the clash of steel, the roar of flames, and the screams of the undead. Malakar's power was immense, but Kai's adaptability and Newton's relentless skill acquisition kept them in the fight.
---
As the battle raged on, Aelara found herself fighting side by side with Kai. Her admiration for him had grown into something deeper, and the sight of him wielding such power only strengthened her feelings.
"Kai!" she called, her voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to get closer to Malakar! The shard is the source of his power!"
Kai nodded, his expression grim. "Then let's finish this."
Together, they pushed through the horde of undead, their combined skills clearing a path. Lina covered their flank, her arrows finding their marks with deadly precision.
---
Despite their efforts, the battle showed no signs of ending. Malakar's power seemed limitless, and the undead kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. Kai's body ached, his stamina pushed to its limits, but he refused to give up.
"We can't keep this up forever!" Lina shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.
"We don't have to," Kai replied, his eyes locked on Malakar. "We just need to get to the shard."
As if sensing their plan, Malakar unleashed a massive wave of dark energy, forcing them to retreat. The ground cracked and split, and the air grew heavy with the stench of death.
---
Kai turned to Aelara, his expression determined. "We need to distract him. If we can keep him occupied, maybe I can get close enough to destroy the shard."
Aelara nodded, her eyes filled with resolve. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Lina stepped forward, her bow at the ready. "I'll cover you. Just give the word."
Kai took a deep breath, his mind racing. This was their best chance—and possibly their only one.