image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]
"What in the name of the heavenly father is that?" questioned a guard, his voice filled with awe and fear, as a malevolent dark entity, emanating shadows, approached their position.
Yarine's eyes locked onto the approaching darkness, which took on a shape reminiscent of herself but composed entirely of pure, swirling shadows. Sinister red eyes glowed within its form, exuding an aura of malice.
"That," Yarine replied, her voice laced with trepidation, "is an enemy of creation, a vile offspring born from the very heart of darkness itself, driven by an insatiable hunger to consume all that is pure."
The guards turned to her, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern, urging her to explain further.
"In simpler terms," Yarine continued, her voice steady, "that is an eldritch reflection—a creature brought forth by a forbidden incantation that bewildered the very heavens. Its existence was shrouded in secrecy by our order to prevent magic wielders from delving into its dark arts."
Curiosity tinged with worry painted the face of one guard, who spoke up, "What precisely is an eldritch reflection?"
"There is no time for me to explain." Yarine responded, urgency creeping into her words. "But know this: an eldritch reflection is an abomination, a distortion of reality that mirrors our world through a prism of malevolence. It harnesses arcane forces that defy comprehension, threatening to unravel the very fabric of our existence."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the guards nodded, their trust in Yarine's knowledge and abilities evident. They turned on their heels, quickly retreating to the safety of the nearby caravan.
With their confidence in Yarine's unwavering resolve, the guards swiftly returned to the safety of the caravan. Meanwhile, Yarine began intoning a powerful chant, summoning forth the heavens themselves to aid her.
"Heavenly father, ever-watchful guardian, shield us with your divine providence. Let not your messengers falter in the face of this looming evil."
In an eerie mimicry of her actions, the eldritch reflection reached out and seized the dark cross swinging around its own neck. Its voice, carrying a haunting darkness, resonated through the air as it chanted the antithesis of Yarine's words.
"Oh, Demonic father, bringer of chaos, grant me, your devoted servant, the gift of your divine darkness. Empower me to annihilate those who oppose you."
Well, after a speech like that, I have no other choice...
A ray of impenetrable darkness descended upon the eldritch reflection from the darkened skies above. Chaotic energies surged through the ominous beam, empowering the reflection with a fraction of my own powers.
Yarine's eyes widened in both awe and despair as she witnessed the unfolding events.
"Holy Father above! Why do you turn a deaf ear to our pleas in this hour of dire need? We implore you for your divine intervention!" she cried out, her voice a mix of desperation and frustration.
However, the heavens remained silent, their response withheld. A malevolent grin spread across the reflection's face, basking in the triumph of denied prayers. With a surge of unholy determination, it lunged forward, wielding a blade eerily siMilar to Yarine's, but forged entirely from pure darkness.
In a blur of motion, the reflection swiftly slashed down one of the guards who had attempted to flee, leaving the onlookers bewildered and paralyzed by fear. Its movements defied the natural order, causing unease to ripple through the hearts of all who beheld it.
Yarine's fury erupted in an enraged cry, her voice carrying a resolute power.
"I AM THE SWORD OF MICHAEL, AND I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO BRING FURTHER HARM!"
Yarine, mirroring the motion of her nefarious counterpart, propelled herself forward. The air crackled with her furious strikes as her blade sliced through the empty space before her. In a clash of light and darkness, her weapon met the form of the eldritch reflection, unleashing a surge of energy upon impact.
But as the blade connected with the darkened being, a peculiar twist occurred. The reflection dissolved into the very shadows it emanated, reappearing a distance away from Yarine, as if mocking her efforts.
Undeterred by this unexpected turn, Yarine narrowed her eyes, her resolve unshaken. She knew the battle against this enigmatic adversary would not be easily won.
With caution, Yarine slowly backed away, her gaze fixed upon the shadowy figure that loomed before her. As she retreated, she approached the fallen guard's lifeless form, crouching down to inspect him. Her fingers sought his pulse, only to confirm the grim truth.
"He's gone..." Yarine murmured. "May the lord of light bring you peace, child of heaven..."
The eldritch horror, seemingly relishing in its macabre victory, licked its blade in anticipation of the next onslaught. With the other guards now fallen, Yarine stood alone, the last barrier between the encroaching darkness and the hope of salvation.
Straightening her posture, Yarine surveyed her surroundings, her mind racing with the weight of the moment. She knew that if she were to falter, all would be lost.
"If I die, this will be the end of us... I can't allow my mission to end here..."
A surge of resolve coursed through her veins as she pressed her lips against the cross hanging from her neck. Raising her sword high into the sky, she called upon her unwavering faith, her words resounding with unyielding conviction across the battlefield.
"God is by my side! No matter the clouds that obscure His presence, I summon you, Michael! Answer my plea!"
Yet, the heavens remained silent, their response elusive. A sense of desperation etched itself onto Yarine's face, but she refused to let despair overcome her. The ultimate test of her faith and fortitude had just begun.
This is pitiful... I feel almost compelled to bestow her my favor...
With a ferocious lunge, the shadowy figure closed the distance between them, and their blades clashed in a tumultuous collision. Yarine found herself forced into a defensive stance, struggling to match the uncontrolled fury unleashed upon her by her own reflection. Each strike reverberated through her arms, causing them to recoil, while her adversary seemed to draw strength from the chaos, growing even more relentless.
In the depths of Yarine's eyes, alongside the flames of fury, burned an intense hatred, a sentiment directed towards an unknown target. As an observer, I felt a pang of curiosity, yearning to understand the origin of such animosity, but I knew it was not yet my place to intervene.
"I will not give into the likes of you! Horrible SHADOW!"
Creating distance between herself and the shadowy fiend, Yarine tapped into her reservoir of elemental spells. She conjured forth her power, transforming the air surrounding her adversary into highly pressurized water, attempting to hinder its movements. Yet, the slickened form of the shadowy figure seemed unaffected, effortlessly evading each assault.
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"Blades and magic have no effect... What am I to do against something like this?" Yarine pondered aloud, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and doubt.
"God, please, guide my blade to its righteous path, and if I should fail, bring solace to my spirit for I will die in your name."
With renewed vigor, the shadowy entity lunged forward once more, its attacks escalating in intensity. Each strike landed with precision, throwing Yarine off balance and further testing her martial prowess. The surrounding guards, aware of her exceptional skills, wisely refrained from intervening, understanding that she had encountered a foe that matched her abilities, if not surpassed them.
This horror in specific, grows in power the more anger and frustration its opponent feels, slowly leaching its target, it's a perfect enemy for her, I really don't see any hope for her to defeat it...
As long as she maintains her unwavering faith, her belief in her justice, she will not be capable of defeating it.
And yet, should I let her perish here... I could leap in and stop the fiend, and if I do, I might be able to get close with their organization...
I really can't lose in any scenario here... But I think I should help.
As the two locked in a fierce deadlock, a sudden presence emerged with a swift and unexpected intervention. I, wielding my scythe, lunged forward, my blade descending upon the eldritch entity before Yarine and me. Her eyes widened with a mix of shock and relief as she realized I had joined the fray, my presence previously unnoticed.
"You're alive!" she exclaimed, a glimmer of hope lighting up her expression.
I turned my gaze towards her, a faint smile playing on my lips. "Of course I'm alive. Did you doubt me?"
Yarine nodded, her attention returning to the formidable enemy before us. The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air.
"It's strong," she murmured, her voice tinged with concern.
"But I'm stronger," I mused, my gaze fixed upon the shadowy fiend. Despite its confusion, it recognized the threat we posed.
Yarine looked puzzled, unsure of my confidence. "How do you hope to defeat it? Your blade won't cut it, just like mine."
I arched an eyebrow, a knowing glint in my eyes. "Won't it?" I questioned, the hint of a smirk gracing my face.
Yarine's confusion deepened, but I was well aware of the power coursing through my scythe. Crafted in the depths of hellfire, it possessed the ability to sear the very essence of a soul upon contact. Against a creature such as this, a summon of the sixth tier, it would prove to be an unstoppable force.
But then again, if I do everything for her then there wouldn't be a point to this now would it...
"Yarine, your faith in your God has gone unanswered. Perhaps it's time to devote yourself to one more worthy," I suggested, my attention shifting back to the shadowy fiend before us. "Steady yourself for I will grant you the opportunity to fight your adversary on equal footing."
Raising my hand halfway, I focused my energy, invoking a powerful spell.
"Greater Weakening!" I proclaimed, unleashing the incantation upon our adversary.
image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]
Seventh Tier Spell: Greater Weakening
Effects: Through the formidable art of weakening spells, adversaries witness a profound exponential decline in their strength. The pinnacle of this arcane mastery lies within the advanced variant known as 'Greater Weakening,' wherein the enemy's powers steadily dwindle over time. Commencing with a base strength reduction of 20%, it culminates at an astounding 70%. This spell casts its transformative influence upon every aspect of the foe's abilities, and only succumbs to the powers of magical nullification at the awe-inspiring 9th tier. However, it is worth noting that the spell's efficacy upon elves is somewhat diminished.
Mana Cost: 50 mana per second, lasts 10 minutes at most.
Requirements: Arcane Knowledge, Mastery of Dark Arts
image [https://i.imgur.com/lhqCDcB.png]
As a red pentagram materialized around me, its intricate design pulsating with dark energy, Yarine's gaze shifted towards me, her features etched with confusion and concern. It was evident that the magic I had cast fell into the realm of dark arts, a realm she was familiar with but approached with caution and wariness.
Yarine's eyes darted between the pentagram and the shadowy fiend, torn between her trust in me and her unease regarding the source of my power. Questions swirled in her mind, the conflict of emotions visible in her furrowed brow.
As the pentagram's crimson glow intensified, I met Yarine's gaze, seeking to assuage her concerns with a reassuring expression.
"You have to hurry up... I can't sustain this spell for much longer... You have to trust me on this!"
As the Weakening spell took hold, its potent effects began to diminish the strength of our formidable foe. With the advanced version of Greater Weakening at my command, the enemy's powers began to wane.
The shadowy fiend writhed in response to the onslaught of weakening energy, its movements becoming sluggish, its strikes losing their former ferocity. A sense of hope rekindled within Yarine's eyes as she observed the enemy's declining power.
In a climactic clash between the two combatants, Yarine summoned all her remaining strength and brought her sword down upon her enemy. To her astonishment, the blade successfully breached the foe's defenses, piercing through the shadowy veil that had previously seemed impenetrable. Disbelief mingled with triumph in her eyes as she realized the tide had shifted in her favor.
Through my detection magic, I discerned the stark difference in health between the two adversaries. Yarine stood at approximately 300 health points, a testament to her resilience. In contrast, her opponent boasted a formidable 500 health points. However, due to my spell's influence, the enemy suffered increased damage, rendering it vulnerable.
Driven by a potent rage and the reassurance that she could now have a fair fight, Yarine unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes upon her foe. Each slash carried the weight of her fury, transforming her fighting style into something far removed from her angelic nature. There was no trace of grace or elegance in her movements. Her stance faltered, seemingly chaotic, yet imbued with a raw power that defied convention.
She fights as a demon...
Blow after blow landed upon her adversary, and with each strike, the enemy's dark form faltered, its essence flickering like a dying flame. Yarine's relentless assault fueled by her wrath brought her closer to victory, her determination carving a path through the shadows that threatened to engulf them all.
As the shadowy fiend's health dwindled to just below halfway, a chilling scream of sinister rage echoed through the air. In a desperate bid for survival, the darkness that enveloped it surged forth, manifesting as a cloak of malevolent energy. Drawing from its own life force, the fiend harnessed the power of dark magic to enhance its physical abilities, bolstering its strikes with newfound strength.
However, the spell I was channeling had severely limited the fiend's true power, capping its abilities at a mere 60% of its potential. Furthermore, the lingering effects of the spell continued to diminish its strength with each passing moment. Sensing the opportune moment to strike, Yarine summoned her remaining reserves of strength, determined to bring an end to the fight.
Underneath her breath, Yarine muttered. "God, protect me... protect us from the onslaught of this monster before me."
Drawing upon the depths of my own magical powers, I channeled and amplified the energy within me. The circles of power surrounding me expanded, their ethereal glow growing brighter and more vibrant. Within the crimson pentagram, runic symbols of ancient demonic origin swirled, lending an otherworldly aura to the scene.
With a resolute command, I unleashed a surge of negative energy that permeated the battlefield. The eldritch horror, caught in the grip of this malevolent force, found its resistances utterly shattered. Its defenses crumbled, leaving it vulnerable and exposed.
Yarine, seizing the opportunity, capitalized on the weakened state of her adversary. She swiftly closed the distance, her movements guided by an unyielding purpose. With each strike, her sword found its mark, cutting through the shadows with righteous determination. The fiend, once formidable, now faltered under the onslaught, unable to mount a meaningful defense.
The clash was swift and decisive. Yarine's blade, filled with the fury of it's user, sliced through the shadowy fiend. The fiend, with it's resistances against physical attacks completely nullified by my spell, unable to withstand the onslaught of her attacks, dissipated into nothingness, vanquished before her.
Silence descended upon the battlefield as the remnants of the shadowy fiend dissipated into the air. Yarine stood victorious, her breath heavy with exhaustion, yet her spirit ablaze with triumph. The threat had been vanquished, and her unwavering faith had guided her to victory.
Yarine's body trembled with a mix of emotions as she sank to her knees, her gaze fixed upon the fallen guard. The weight of loss and guilt bore heavily upon her heart, tears streaming down her cheeks, mingling with the dust of the battlefield.
She had fought valiantly, but the cost had been dear. Her trusted companion, someone she considered family, now lay lifeless before her. The bitter truth of their sacrifice gnawed at her soul, threatening to consume her with despair.
And then there was me, the one who had wielded the forbidden powers of dark magic to aid her. The very existence of my magic clashed with the teachings of the church she held dear. It was a burden she carried, knowing that without my assistance, the battle would have been lost and more lives would have been forfeit.
image [https://i.imgur.com/Qj0qq7o.png]