Chapter 37 - 37: Soul Gem Array Formation

Thick dark clouds shroud the starless, moonless sky. The night is bringing in a chilly, biting cold atmosphere.

Seven years have passed. This once peaceful Ever Forest experience attacks and skirmishes from unknown assailants. The Oracle Clan has struggled to keep up defending their territory.

Meanwhile hidden in the shadows, a person in a gray cloak and white mask is patiently waiting for the events to unfold.

It seems time itself, is in a standstill. No creature has dared to make noise that night as if an indication of calmness before the storm.

Not long, the Shadows shattered the deafening silence. Their eerie growls echo throughout the once solemn Ever Forest as they try to breach the Oracles' barriers.

Swarm of shadows appeared in overwhelming numbers. Thankfully, the heavy fortification of the Village has easily broken their advancements.

The sound of gong has alerted every Oracle in the Village. Everyone gathered in the Cardinal Hall while the Casters assemble the Soul Gem Formation.

They have mastered this defensive formation for seven years. Its efficiency is outstanding thanks to Elder Levi and Little Eu's continuous enhancements.

Grand Elder Enoch stands at the center. The Supports are the Elders, and the Main Casters are the younger, gifted Oracles among their ranks.

Elder Levi is in charge of supervising everyone. He ensures everything is in order while hoping that they will manage to surpass this predicament once and for all.

The High Council silently observes them and commends their efforts. They don't truly support using this formation, but they can't deny its effectiveness.

One can't handle the burden, and everyone must work together to surpass this threat. All they have to do is to cooperate and make this work.

Meanwhile, outside the Village, a man in gray cloak smiles as he watches the formation takes form. He carefully observes each wall rise, take shape, and being fortified by its builders.

This Soul Gem Formation is indeed astonishing and brilliant. He is amazed by the carefully, interwoven spells cast by the builders. Watching it from afar is simply a marvel.

The Main Casters has built a magnificent layer of defense while the Elders enhances it. Grand Elder Enoch ensures the spell is cast correctly to prevent any mishaps.

Not long, the Shadows have breached their first line of defense. They continue to advance into the newly built Soul Gem Formation and fall into the enchantment.

As they enter the first layer, they find themselves in a treacherous labyrinth. The Shadows quickly depletes in numbers. They slowly disintegrated as they got lost inside the enchantment.

Meanwhile, the man in black garbs stops and raises his hand. He noticed their numbers are not enough to subdue their enemies. He decided to change his strategy as he calls forth a much terrifying force than this shadow army.

There was silence once again until the rampaging beasts have broken the quiet night. They are charging in overwhelming numbers and in hoards together with the shadow army.

The most ferocious group of creatures they can imagine starts attacking the barriers. Their raw and immense power is simply terrifying. The Oracles highly doubt they will survive this onslaught once they manage to breakthrough.

Their sharp claws create a shrieking sound as they scratch barrier. Their sharp teeth can almost penetrate and tear it apart.

The Oracles didn't completely anticipate this kind of assault. Elder Levi quickly switches out the Main Casters and adjusts to their circ.u.mstances.

The newly appointed builders created another layer to entrap the beasts and obliterate them. They use sheer force, different from the shadows, who uses another set of skills.

Meanwhile, their leader is amused. Despite their declining numbers, he can't help commend their efforts to obstruct him and his men.

He wasn't expecting to witness such complex and elaborate formation. He can only guess that a single caster can't possibly do all the fortifications.

"I can't believe I underestimated you once again. I commend such tenacity facing me like this." he chuckles.

His lips curve into a much more sinister smile as his golden-amber eyes glimmer into the darkness. The shadows and beasts became more aggressive as they continue to overwhelm the formation.

The Oracle Clan Village is enveloped in darkness and barely holds its ground. The assailant decided to attack them in every direction as they slowly lose focus.

"Focus! They are trying to intimidate us." Grand Elder Enoch shouted, breaking the silence.

His powerful voice resonated in the room. The enemy's numbers are overwhelming, but they can't just surrender without even trying to fight back.

He doesn't want all their efforts to end up in vain. He won't accept defeat so easily as well.

Much to everyone's surprise, the High Council cast a spell. They are powerful casters, and they prove their presence is beneficial.

Bright light quickly obliterated the darkness that overwhelms them. Still, more shadows and beasts continue their assault, even how futile their efforts might have seemed.

"How many more of these beasts are there? We can't possibly last forever trying to fend off these creatures." One of the Elders asked.

"Shall we switch to offensive?" One inquired.

"It's not yet time. We need to hold on more." Another said as he fortifies the spell.

The High Council remained silent as they continue to observe everyone. They agree that there is no reason to rush and be on the offensive. The enemy is still testing waters with them.

The Soul Gem has acc.u.mulated enough power to start their counterattack. Oracles are not good in offensive magic, but thanks to the gem, their magic is amplified.

Bright light emerges engulfing their enemies on sight. Before they knew it, they are all disintegrated. The attack halted and gave them time to breathe.

Still, everyone starts becoming weary of the situation. There is no end to the shadows and beasts' attack while the casters are starting to feel exhausted.

"Switch!" Elder Levi ordered a new set of casters to take over.

Despite how many times they attack, they continue to come and retaliate. It seems there is no end to this assault.

Later, Oracles proficient in medicine are busy tending to their weakened allies. They can see the toll it has cause everyone else as they hand over fatigue medicine and apply first aid to their ailing bodies.

Shadows attacks once again. Their plan to exhaust the Oracles are starting to take effect. Even the well laid formation is beginning to reach its limits.

"Elder Levi, we can barely hold on our positions..." One of the young Oracle voiced out his concern.

"Do you want to concede? Our very lives depend on this, and you already wanted to give up?" Elder Levi looked at him, quite disappointed.

He expects everyone to do their very best and use their abilities until the bitter end. Giving up was never an option.

There was silence once again, while the assault completely halted. The Oracles found it more terrifying as they envision a much devastating retaliation will commence.

Not long, swarming creatures brought pitch-black darkness. It started to advance and envelop the Oracle barrier once again.

They can feel the pressure slowly crushing them to their knees. They can only assume this is no longer a shadow or beast assaulting them.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The loud crash resonates within the Forest. A powerful entity has finally joined the attack to eradicate them.

The Shadows continue to barrage the Soul Gem Formation. It may have the capability to withstand their assault, but their numbers are too overwhelming.

Not to mention, their Master's powers are not to be trifle with.

Meanwhile hidden in the shadows, the man in gray cloak curve his lips in a satisfied, smug smile. He has been patiently waiting for this person's emergence and make his move.

"Finally..." he murmured.

At the same time, the Oracle Clan members are in a panic. This man is crushing their already weakened barrier from the continuous assaults. They can only assume this is the man behind all their dilemma.

The High Council cast another spell to support the crumbling formation. It will be devastating if their last line of defense will fail as everyone starts to contribute with their small little ways.

The enemy attempted to strike one last time. Unfortunately, his plans were hindered by a much powerful force.

The Oracles' barrier stabilizes.

While someone emerges from the thick, cloud of darkness—a man in a black mask is covering half of his face. Only his glowering, fierce amber eyes glaring at the man who disrupted him is visible.

This man in black garbs glares at the mysterious man in a gray hooded cloak. He wears a pale white expressionless mask while he hides his identity. His eyes are crystal blue with specks of a violet hue.

Not long, they engage in an intense duel.

The gray, hooded man is standing his ground as he effortlessly blocks his attacks. He continues to look at him in mockery as a smile forms behind his expressionless mask.

Meanwhile, the man in black garb snorts as he rolled his eyes and moves for another blow. He can't believe anyone can surpass his swordsmanship.

The other man remains calm and collected while receiving every blow with his sword. He counters them from time to time, predicting his every move. His swordsmanship is also impeccable— his movements are astounding, graceful, and skillful.

His enemy's movements are getting predictable. It may bore more power than the gray hooded man's well-executed actions, but his well-planned counters return those attacks.

He is using the black garb man's power against him. He can't help noticing the gray hooded man's trick and grits his teeth. Despite the fact of knowing, he can't do anything about it. He is being overwhelmed with his own power.

"Done?" his crystal clear low voice has a tone of mockery as it spoke his first word.

He is asking the back garb man who has stopped attacking after receiving the counterattack. It seems like he has taken a significant toll from it.

"Tsssshhh…" he hisses as he starts attacking again.

He attacks more aggressively than the last. His eyes continue to flash with killing intent as he glares at the small man in front of him. He can't believe he is being overpowered like that.

Their clash has resonated across the Inner Realms, as bright flashes of light forms every time their blades cross. Captain Jairu is startled by the disturbance it has created as he assembled his men.