Shadow slave:The Forgotten Spawn

Volume 2: Shards of Unity

Chapter 44: The Breaking Point

The six figures moved with precision, their weapons gleaming faintly under the dim sky. Eryth immediately recognized their stance—they were experienced fighters, not the sort to stumble upon them by chance.

Nyx crouched low, baring its teeth.

The lead figure stepped forward, raising a hand in what seemed like a gesture of peace. "We mean no harm," they said, their voice muffled behind their mask. "But we couldn't help noticing your fight back there."

"And you just happened to be in the area?" the armored woman replied, her sword halfway out of its sheath. "Forgive me if I'm not convinced."

The figure tilted their head. "Understandable, but we're not your enemies. In fact, we might share a common goal."

Eryth's grip tightened around the shards in his pouch. "And what goal would that be?"

The figure pulled off their mask, revealing a scarred face and piercing green eyes. "Stopping the rift. You're not the only ones who've noticed its corruption spreading."

Allies or Threats?

The woman stepped closer to Eryth, whispering, "This feels like a trap."

Eryth nodded but kept his focus on the leader. "If that's true, why didn't you help us against the Herald?"

The leader gestured to their group. "We would've, but the Herald isn't our primary concern. We've been tracking something bigger—a force tied to the rift's very core. And from what we've seen, you're holding part of the key to stopping it." Their eyes flicked to Eryth's pouch.

Nyx growled, stepping protectively in front of Eryth.

"You're not getting these," Eryth said firmly.

The leader raised their hands. "We're not here to take anything. But those shards won't be enough on their own. You'll need help, whether you like it or not."

The armored woman snorted. "And I suppose you're just offering to help out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Hardly," the leader admitted. "We have our own reasons, but our paths align for now. Work with us, and we might all survive what's coming."

The Rift's Advance

Eryth hesitated. He didn't trust them, but they weren't wrong—they needed more strength. The last battle had nearly broken them, and the shard's unstable power couldn't be relied on indefinitely.

Before he could decide, the ground trembled violently. Everyone staggered as a deafening roar echoed across the plains.

"What now?" the armored woman growled, drawing her sword.

In the distance, the sky began to darken unnaturally, the horizon consumed by an ominous black storm. The wind carried an unnatural chill, and faint screams seemed to echo from within the approaching darkness.

The leader of the strangers cursed under their breath. "It's here sooner than we thought."

"What's here?" Eryth demanded.

"The Riftborn," the leader said grimly. "Creatures born from the heart of the rift. If we don't stop them here, they'll destroy everything in their path."

The Final Stand

The group didn't have time to argue. The storm surged closer, and from its depths emerged monstrous shapes—hulking beasts with jagged, shadowy bodies and glowing red eyes. They moved with terrifying speed, their guttural growls reverberating across the plains.

"Form up!" the leader shouted, rallying their group.

Eryth, the woman, and Nyx joined them, forming a shaky alliance in the face of the overwhelming threat.

The battle was chaos. The Riftborn struck with brutal force, their claws tearing through the ground and their bodies absorbing most attacks. Eryth channeled the shards' power, sending bursts of light to hold them back, but it wasn't enough.

One of the strangers fell, their scream cut short as a Riftborn's claws ripped through their chest. Another was dragged into the storm, their cries fading into the void.

Nyx fought fiercely, its claws glowing as it tore into the Riftborn, but even it struggled to keep up with their numbers.

"We're being overwhelmed!" the woman shouted, slashing at a Riftborn's leg.

Eryth gritted his teeth, the shards in his hands glowing brighter as he poured more of his will into them. The light expanded, pushing the Riftborn back, but the strain was unbearable.

"Eryth, don't!" the woman yelled, realizing what he was doing.

A Risky Gamble

Eryth ignored her, focusing all his energy into the shards. "We don't have a choice!" he shouted. The shards flared, their light growing blindingly bright.

The Riftborn recoiled, their forms breaking apart under the intense light. But the shards began to crack, their energy spiraling out of control.

"Eryth, stop!" the woman screamed, running toward him.

With a final surge, the shards released a massive wave of energy, obliterating the remaining Riftborn and tearing through the storm. The darkness dissipated, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.

Eryth collapsed to the ground, the shards in his hands reduced to fragments.

The Aftermath

The survivors regrouped, their numbers halved. The leader of the strangers approached Eryth, who was barely conscious.

"You've bought us time," they said, their voice heavy. "But the rift isn't done. It'll only grow stronger from here."

Eryth nodded weakly, his vision swimming. "Then we'll stop it. Somehow."

The leader glanced at the remaining shard fragments. "We'll need more than just hope."

End of Volume 2

The group stood amidst the ruins of their battlefield, their fragile alliance forged in blood and desperation. The rift's power loomed larger than ever, its influence spreading faster than they could keep up.

But somewhere deep within the storm, a figure watched. A familiar face from a different path.

The story was far from over.