Jack’s gaze flicked rapidly over his friends, his mind racing. Anger and determination surged within him, pushing him forward. He knew he had to act quickly. He raised his hands, summoning the remnants of his mana. The cavern was suffused with the Nocturne’s aura of dread, the oppressive energy of its Night’s Embrace draining the warmth and hope from the air.
Jack sent an Ice Dagger at the creature. He watched in frustration as it passed harmlessly through the Nocturne, the icy blue light dissipating without leaving a mark. The Nocturne seemed unaffected, its swirling form continuing its relentless assault on his friends.
Undeterred, Jack tried another spell, this time conjuring a fiery burst of flame. He aimed directly at the Nocturne’s core, hoping to disrupt its form and weaken its grip. The fire roared to life, swirling and crackling as they raced towards the shadowy mass. But the fire was no more effective than the ice had been. The creature remained resolute, its dark tendrils tightening further around Lyla, Cael, Monsoon, and Goldeyes.
Jack’s frustration mounted. He knew he couldn’t rely solely on magic. He shifted to physical attacks, pulling out his blade and charging forward with a battle cry. He slashed at the Nocturne’s tendrils, aiming to cut through the darkness. However, his blade passed through the shadowy forms as if they were nothing more than mist. Each strike seemed to have no effect, the tendrils continuing their cruel embrace with unrelenting force.
Desperation fueled his actions. He tried to use his physical strength to break through the Nocturne’s tendrils. His muscles strained as he pulled and pushed against the dark, amorphous mass, but it was like trying to fight smoke. The Nocturne’s form was intangible, slipping through his grip and reforming effortlessly. His efforts to physically confront the creature were failing, each attempt proving just as futile as the last. He even tried to use Lifeleech but the Skill required him to strike the creature, something he was apparently incapable of doing.
Goldeyes howls had become whimpers as the life was slowly crushed out of him. To make matters worse the Nocturne had apparently gotten tired of his antics because it began to send shadowy tendrils his way. As they prepared to ensnare him, Jack’s mind raced through the options available to him. He thought back to the Spearsouls Class description, recalling that it mentioned the ability to harm incorporeal creatures.
There was no time for hesitation or doubt. His friends were dying. Jack mentally accepted the Spearsoul Class Advancement. Jack ignored the notifications that burst into being. All except two.
[Your Warrior Class Skills have been upgraded in accordance with your Class Advancement]
[Piercing Flurry has become Phantom Soul Strike]
[Phantom Soul Strike
Requirements: Spear Mastery, Soul-based Class, Spear
Type: Active
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Stamina Cost: 60 Soul Points
Effect: Executes a powerful thrust that channels the warrior’s spirit into the spear, bypassing armor and inflicting substantial damage to both physical and spiritual defenses. Extends the spear’s range, enabling long-range attacks and strikes from unexpected angles.
Duration:10 Seconds
Description: Channel the full force of your spirit into a devastating thrust with your spear. The Phantom Soul Strike ignores physical armor and spiritual barriers, dealing immense damage to a target's soul. The spear’s range is extended beyond its normal limitations, allowing for long-range attacks and the ability to strike from unforeseen angles. The effectiveness of the attack is proportional to your Spear Mastery and Soul.]
Jack instinctively understood how to wield the new power granted by his Class Advancement. He could feel the raw energy of his spirit merging with the spear in his hand, the weapon vibrating with a newfound intensity. With a focused breath and a surge of determination, Jack aligned himself, ready to confront the Nocturne.
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He thrust the spear, its length seemingly stretching beyond its physical form as if imbued with the essence of his very soul. The weapon blazed with a spectral white light, momentarily piercing the dark aura of the cavern with the searing brilliance of his new attack. An extension of that light erupted from the spear's tip, extending its reach by nearly a full foot.
Jack planted his feet firmly, channeling all his willpower into the thrust. The Phantom Soul Strike was more than a mere attack—it was a manifestation of his soul, a fusion of physical prowess and mystical energy. The spear cut through the darkness with a luminous trail, extending with an ethereal grace that defied natural limitations.
As the spear's point neared the Nocturne, the dark creature seemed to writhe in anticipation. The Phantom Soul Strike hit its mark with a resonant clash, piercing the Nocturne’s shadowy form. For a brief moment, the darkness coiled and roared, its malevolent core exposed and vulnerable. The impact sent shockwaves through the cavern, causing the dark tendrils binding Jack’s friends to writhe and falter.
Lyla, Cael, and Monsoon gasped in relief as the pressure on them momentarily eased. The Nocturne’s tendrils slackened, giving them a crucial reprieve. Goldeyes’ howls of agony turned into a choked, relieved whimper as the crushing force around him lessened. Jack could see the hope flickering in their eyes, the knowledge that he had not abandoned them giving them the strength to hold on.
Jack did not hesitate he aimed his elongated weapon at the Nocturne’s core, the point of his spear glowing with an intense, purifying light. He thrust forward, the spear extending with a ghostly shimmer as it penetrated the heart of the Nocturne’s shadowy form.
The Nocturne writhed in agony, its once-mighty form now splintering and unraveling under the relentless assault of Jack’s spectral weapon. The oppressive darkness began to dissipate, the cavern slowly regaining its normal shadows as the creature’s grip on the physical realm weakened. The dark tendrils that had ensnared Jack’s friends disintegrated, freeing them from their torturous hold.
In desperation the creature became fully corporeal, perhaps hoping that Jacks weapon would not affect it if it was solid. That was a mistake on its part. Monsoon sensed that his former captor was now vulnerable, and he turned on the creature, his pointed teeth shining a frosty blue.
Monsoon’s attack was ferocious and deadly. With a powerful surge, he lunged at the Nocturne, his jaws snapping shut with bone-crushing force. Each bite was a violent, brutal strike, his icy teeth sinking into the shadowy flesh. The Nocturne’s form shuddered violently, dark tendrils recoiling as Monsoon’s frosty bite seared through its substance.
Jack, seeing Monsoon’s attack as the opportunity he needed, continued his relentless assault. With the Nocturne now partially solid, the spectral light of his Phantom Soul Strike cut through the darkness with even greater efficacy. As the description said, the Skill targeted the body and soul. The creature couldn’t escape it by becoming corporeal, it just meant that its body as well as its soul were damaged by the attack. Each thrust of the spear was met with a resounding crackle, the dark form of the Nocturne shimmering and fragmenting with every strike. The shadowy being splintered further, tendrils of darkness flailing wildly, struggling to maintain cohesion against the onslaught.
As the pressure on them eased, Lyla's face flushed with relief. Gritting her teeth, she snatched her staff from the ground, her hands trembling slightly. She closed her eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath as her staff’s light began to shimmer with renewed vigor. Channeling her energy, she cast a powerful healing spell, a gentle wave of light washing over her friends, replenishing some of their lost health. Her heart pounded with hope as she then unleashed a torrent of water toward the Nocturne, a look of fierce determination in her eyes.
Cael struggled to his feet as he clenched his daggers with shaking hands, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Despite his pain, he focused intently on the dark tendrils, his eyes darting around for any opening. His movements were tense, each swipe of his daggers aimed with desperate precision.
Goldeyes, still in agony but now able to move, staggered to his feet. His brilliant eyes, though dimmed, burned with a fierce determination. With an outraged roar, he lunged at the Nocturne, his powerful jaws swiping through the shadows, tearing away at the remnants of the creature’s form.
The Nocturne’s struggle became frantic as it fought to hold its shape, the spectral light of Jack’s spear and the combined efforts of his allies pushing it to its limits. The creature’s dark tendrils snapped wildly, but their movements became more erratic and less coordinated.
Finally, with one last, desperate thrust of his spear, Jack drove the Phantom Soul Strike deep into the heart of the Nocturne. The weapon blazed with a radiant light, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the cavern. The Nocturne’s form shattered into a thousand fragments of darkness, the oppressive shadow dissipating like smoke in the wind.
As the last remnants of the Nocturne faded into nothingness, the cavern was left in a somber silence. The oppressive darkness lifted, revealing the cavern’s natural stone features once more. The air felt lighter, and the sense of dread that had hung over them was gone.