"They're definitely up to something. Don't let their attacks disrupt our rhythm! Maintain the defensive formation!" Dean Bruce shouted. The team coordinated their efforts, barely managing to fend off the black-robed figures' relentless assault. However, the black vines grew more numerous, steadily enclosing them in an increasingly dire situation.
An idea flashed through Dean Bruce's mind. He recalled how he had used an artifact during the school's examination to neutralize the black vortex. Perhaps the artifact could work against these vines as well.
He retrieved the artifact and waved it toward the encroaching vines. A radiant light emanated from the artifact, and wherever the light touched, the vines began to wither and collapse.
"Follow me! We'll use the artifact's power to break through!" Dean Bruce commanded.
The team quickly rallied behind him. Using the artifact's light, they carved a path through the tangle of vines and finally broke free from the encirclement. The black-robed figures, stunned by the sight, hesitated briefly but soon resumed their pursuit, refusing to let the group escape.
Dean Bruce led the team onward toward the Duchy of Tanya. They knew that only by venturing deeper into the duchy could they hope to locate Nozer Hawthorne and uncover the mysteries that plagued the region.
The relentless pursuit by the black-robed figures reinforced their understanding that this mission was far more perilous than they had anticipated.
When they finally crossed into the Duchy of Tanya's territory, they were greeted by an eerie silence. The towns lay in desolation, with empty streets and buildings left in ruins. It was as if a devastating war had swept through, leaving nothing but despair in its wake.
A sense of foreboding filled Dean Bruce's heart. "What happened here? Everyone, split up and search for survivors. Be cautious." The team divided into smaller groups and began combing the abandoned town for any signs of life.
Before long, one of the groups reported back. They had discovered strange magical symbols inside a church. These symbols appeared to convey some sort of message.
Dean Bruce hurried to the church. As he examined the symbols, he fell into deep thought. The markings bore a resemblance to the artifact runes he had studied in the library. Could this place also be connected to the artifact?
Just then, a massive surge of magical energy erupted outside the town. It felt like a fierce battle was taking place. Dean Bruce quickly rallied his team and ran toward the source of the disturbance. At the edge of the town, they stumbled upon a chaotic scene: a group of knights clad in silver armor were locked in battle with massive black creatures.
The monsters, towering and grotesque, spewed black flames from their mouths. Despite the knights' bravery, they were clearly struggling to hold their ground.
"We have to help them!" Dean Bruce shouted.
Without hesitation, the team joined the fray. Dean Bruce unleashed powerful spells, directing them at the monstrous creatures. The battle for the duchy's salvation had only just begun.
Dean Bruce flipped through the pages, uncovering the history of the castle. It revealed that beneath the castle lay a vast source of dark magic, which had been sealed for generations. Recently, however, someone had deliberately unsealed it.
"Could this be the cause of the duchy's turmoil? Someone trying to exploit the dark magic source?" a team member speculated.
Dean Bruce nodded gravely. "It's very likely. We need to find the entrance to the underground chamber and stop their plan." After an exhaustive search, they located the entrance to the castle's basement, where more black-robed figures stood guard.
"Prepare for combat," Dean Bruce whispered. The team moved in stealthily, launching a surprise attack. A fierce battle ensued. Although the black-robed figures were numerous, Dean Bruce's team had superior strength and skill, and they soon overpowered the guards. Descending into the basement, they found themselves face-to-face with a massive dark magic circle at the chamber's center. Black energy pulsed and swirled within it, as though something monstrous was about to emerge.
"This isn't good. It looks like they're performing some sort of dreadful ritual," Dean Bruce said, his expression darkening.
At that moment, a familiar voice called out, "Dean, you've finally made it." The group turned to see Nozer Hawthorne trapped inside a magical cage. He looked frail and exhausted. "Vice President, we're here to rescue you!" Dean Bruce shouted.
"Be careful!" Nozer warned. "Their leader is nearby—and he's incredibly powerful."
No sooner had Nozer Hawthorne spoken than a figure in a black robe emerged from the shadows. "You've arrived just in time—to become sacrifices for my grand ritual," the black-robed leader sneered. Dean Bruce stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "Who are you? Why are you doing this?" The leader chuckled darkly. "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that you'll all bear witness to the dawn of a new era of darkness." As he finished speaking, he raised his wand, ready to attack. Dean Bruce and his team braced themselves for the inevitable battle. The tension in the air was electric—a life-and-death confrontation was about to begin.
Just as the two sides were preparing to clash, Dean Bruce's eyes caught a peculiar mark etched onto the leader's wand. The mark bore a striking resemblance to the symbols worn by the black-robed figures they had encountered earlier at the school. His mind raced. Could this be part of a larger, more sinister plot? The thought flickered briefly in his mind before he refocused on the fight ahead. He knew that defeating this enemy was the first step to uncovering the truth.
"Everyone, be on guard! His attacks might carry some special effects," Dean Bruce warned his team. The black-robed leader waved his wand, unleashing a barrage of dark magical beams. The beams crackled with ominous energy, radiating a force that seemed capable of corroding the very soul.
Dean Bruce cast a powerful defensive spell and turned to one of his teammates, an expert in purification magic. "Try using purification magic to weaken his attacks," he instructed.
The teammate nodded, weaving a purification spell that merged with Dean Bruce's defenses. Together, their magic successfully neutralized the black-robed leader's attack.
"Hmph, impressive," the leader scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. He increased his magical output, and the attacks grew even more ferocious. Dean Bruce realized that staying on the defensive wouldn't work for long. He gave his team a signal, and they quickly dispersed, launching coordinated attacks from multiple directions.
The leader remained calm, summoning a black shield that enveloped him entirely. Every attack was absorbed harmlessly into the dark barrier.
"This isn't working. We need to find a way to break his shield," Dean Bruce muttered, his brows furrowing in thought. Observing the shield closely, he noticed faint currents of magic flowing toward specific points on its surface. "Those nodes," he called out, pointing at the glowing spots. "Target them! They might be the shield's weak points."
The team adjusted their strategy, focusing their attacks on the nodes Dean Bruce had identified. The concentrated assault began to take effect. Cracks formed on the shield, and the leader's previously calm expression darkened.