"Energy source?" Dean Bruce furrowed his brow. "Where could it be?"
Leizor pointed deeper into the cave. "I think it's inside the cave. We'll need to be careful as we go in and find that energy source."
They cautiously approached the shield. Dean Bruce used his artifact to scan the energy flow of the shield, trying to locate the energy source connected to it. After some effort, he finally detected a faint energy fluctuation that seemed to be coming from the depths of the cave.
"I've found it! The energy source is inside the cave," Dean Bruce said, pointing toward the cave's interior.
They followed the direction of the energy fluctuation, moving carefully into the cave. Inside, the walls were covered with complex magical runes and devices, the light flickering, creating an aura of mystery.
"Be careful, everyone. There may be traps and mechanisms hidden here," Dean Bruce whispered, giving a warning.
They proceeded cautiously, step by step, until suddenly, ahead of them, a massive magical array appeared. In the center of the array floated a dazzling crystal ball, radiating intense energy waves.
"Looks like this is the energy source," Krupp said, staring at the crystal ball.
"Right, but how do we sever its connection to the shield?" Prolo Hawthorne asked, puzzled.
Dean Bruce frowned and thought for a moment. "I remember Prolo mentioning earlier that deactivating the shield requires a special magical rune. Leizor, you're the expert on runes—do you see anything here that matches?"
Leizor immediately began to examine the surrounding runes closely. He approached the magical array, studying each rune carefully, occasionally using his magical lamp to illuminate them for a clearer view.
"These runes are quite strange," Leizor muttered to himself. "They seem to combine elements of United and the five elements, but they also incorporate some logic from Arabic mathematical algorithms."
"United and the five elements? Arabic mathematical algorithms?" Both Dean Bruce and Krupp looked at Leizor with confusion.
"Yes," Leizor replied. "Look closely. These runes not only represent the symbols for metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, but they also contain strange numbers and symbols. They seem to be arranged in a specific pattern, forming a complex logical structure."
"That sounds too complicated," Prolo Hawthorne said anxiously. "What should we do?"
Dean Bruce thought for a moment. "It seems like we'll need to solve this rune puzzle to sever the connection between the energy source and the shield. Leizor, do you have any ideas?"
Leizor shook his head. "These runes are ancient and extremely complex. I'll need more time to study them. But with the situation being so urgent, we have to find a solution quickly."
At that moment, a deep rumbling sound suddenly echoed from the depths of the cave, and the entire cave seemed to tremble slightly.
"Not good! We must have triggered some kind of mechanism!" Krupp said, his voice tense.
They immediately became alert, scanning their surroundings for the source of the noise. Suddenly, a section of the cave wall slowly slid open, revealing a passage leading further into the depths.
"It looks like we'll need to go in and check it out," Dean Bruce said.
They cautiously entered the passage and found themselves in a massive underground laboratory, filled with a variety of strange instruments and devices. In the center of the lab stood a large control console, covered in intricate buttons and screens.
"This looks like the control center for the shield generator," Dean Bruce said, his gaze fixed on the console.
They approached the console, where a screen was flickering with strange symbols and numbers.
"These symbols and numbers seem similar to the runes outside," Leizor noted.
"Let's see if we can use these buttons to operate something," Krupp suggested.
The mysterious figure sneered. "Just gave him a little lesson. If you want to save him, then surrender."
Dean Bruce gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with fury. "We will never surrender! You can forget about threatening us!"
"If you don't surrender, do you think you can escape my magic circle?" the mysterious figure scoffed. "Do you even know who I am?"
"I don't care who you are!" Dean Bruce shouted back, his face darkening like a wild beast, ready to tear into his enemy. "Anyone who hurts my people will die by my hands!"
"You want to fight me?" The mysterious figure smirked coldly. "You're a bit amusing. But before you try, why don't you hear my name? I am Chikx Thomas."
"Chikx Thomas?" Dean Bruce froze for a moment. The name sounded somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had heard it before.
"Never heard of me?" Chikx Thomas asked.
Dean Bruce shook his head. "I haven't heard of most people. You're no different. I warn you, you'd better leave now, or you'll regret it."
"Ah..."
Just as Dean Bruce finished speaking, a cry of pain suddenly came from Leizor.
"Leizor!" Dean Bruce hurried to his side, crouching down to look at him. "Are you alright?"
"Dean, I'm sorry," Leizor said weakly. "I'm afraid I won't be able to join you in taking down the Black Hole organization. It looks like I won't be able to make it."
"You won't die," Dean Bruce reassured Leizor. "I won't let you die!"
No sooner had Dean Bruce spoken than Chikx Thomas let out a cold, mocking laugh.
"How touching," he taunted. "But do you really think you can save him?"
Dean Bruce stood up, his eyes flashing with determination. "I will!"
Chikx Thomas shook his head. "You're truly stubborn. Well, if that's how it is, let me show you just how strong I am!"
With that, Chikx Thomas swung his hands in a wide arc, and a powerful wave of dark energy erupted from his body, sweeping toward Dean Bruce and his companions.
"Be careful!" Krupp shouted, raising his sword to intercept the wave of darkness.
However, Chikx Thomas's power far exceeded their expectations. Krupp's blade barely made a dent in the dark force, which instantly consumed it.
"Krupp!" Dean Bruce cried, his heart filled with both fury and fear.
He could no longer afford to worry about anything else. Gripping the artifact tightly, his magical energy surged, and he charged toward Chikx Thomas.
"Barrier of Light!" Dean Bruce shouted, and the artifact blazed with brilliant light, forming a solid shield that blocked the dark energy pouring from Chikx Thomas.
Chikx Thomas's expression flickered for a moment. "Interesting. I didn't expect you to have a little fight in you."
Dean Bruce said nothing, his eyes locked onto Chikx Thomas as he searched for an opening to strike back.
At that moment, Prolo Hawthorne also charged forward. He cast his most powerful spell, hurling it at Chikx Thomas with all his might.