Semua Bab Luna's Revenge: Bab 81 - Bab 90

AilithI stood at the entrance to the ancient tunnel, my Emberfang fire casting dancing shadows along walls untouched for centuries. The passage stretched before us like the throat of some great stone beast, descending into the heart of the caldera. Ancient symbols adorned the archway, their silvery glow responding to my presence—recognizing the blood that flowed through my veins."These tunnels were built during the first containment," Sin explained, her voice hushed with reverence as she traced the weathered carvings. "When the Emberfangs and uncorrupted Shadow Wolves worked together to imprison the Bound Ones."I nodded, feeling the weight of history pressing down upon us. "And now we walk their path again."Gareth moved past us, his hunter's senses alert as he studied the descent. "The air is stale but breathable. No immediate signs of collapse.""We should move quickly," Fiona added, supporting Mira as the Shadow Wolf leaned heavily against her. Though recovering from her exertio

The tunnel swallowed us once more, its ancient darkness a shield against pursuit. Sin resealed the hidden entrance behind us, her hands moving in practiced motions over the stone as she murmured words in the old Emberfang tongue. The sounds of battle faded, replaced by our labored breathing and the distant, persistent rhythm of the Shadow Wolf drums."We need to keep moving," Gareth urged, supporting Mira who had collapsed from exhaustion after our escape. "They'll find the entrance eventually."I nodded, though every muscle in my body protested. The ritual had drained me more thoroughly than I'd anticipated, leaving a hollow sensation where part of my power had once resided. It wasn't just physical fatigue—it was the awareness of something fundamental now missing, sacrificed to reinforce the seal."This way," Sin directed, leading us deeper into the tunnel network. "There's a junction ahead that connects to the main passage. We can use it to reach the next seal."As we moved through

AilithI woke to the persistent rhythm of drums, their cadence changed—faster now, more urgent as the blood moon climbed higher in the night sky. Even deep within the tunnel network, I could feel its influence pressing down, thinning the barriers between worlds with each passing minute.Garrick sat beside me, his vigilant gaze softening as he noticed my stirring. "How do you feel?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me where our bodies touched."Hollow," I admitted, placing a hand over my heart where the absence of what I'd sacrificed felt most acute. "But stronger than before." It wasn't a lie—my body had recovered somewhat during the brief rest, though the emptiness left by the rituals remained.Around us, our companions were preparing to move again. Sin studied the crude map she had drawn in the dirt, her finger tracing possible routes to the Northern Seal. Gareth and Thorne conferred in low voices near one of the tunnel entrances, while Fiona tended to Mira, wh

The tunnel widened suddenly, opening into a chamber I recognized from our earlier journey—one of the junction points in the ancient Emberfang network. Relief washed through me at this confirmation that we had found our way back to familiar territory."We're in the eastern quadrant," I said, recognizing the symbols etched into the chamber walls. "Not far from where Sin planned to meet us."Garrick nodded, his senses alert as he scanned the multiple passages branching from the chamber. "Someone's coming," he warned, positioning himself protectively in front of me.I summoned what remained of my fire, a small flame flickering weakly above my palm. The effort cost me more than it should have, another reminder of how much the rituals had taken.Footsteps echoed from the leftmost tunnel, growing louder as they approached. Then Sin emerged from the darkness, followed by Fiona and the others. Their expressions shifted from wariness to relief when they recognized us."You made it," Sin said, h

I reached the seal's platform, my legs finally giving out as I collapsed at the base of the ancient stone pillar. Up close, its deterioration was even more apparent—cracks running through its surface, the carvings distorted almost beyond recognition, its light flickering like a candle in a strong wind.Placing my hands on the stone, I felt immediate resistance—not the violent opposition of the Northern Seal, but something more insidious. A slipperiness, as if the seal's energy was too unstable to grasp properly."Please," I whispered, desperation lending strength to my voice. "Hold together. Just a little longer."I began the ritual incantation, the ancient Emberfang words flowing from my lips with practiced familiarity now. The markings on my skin flared weakly in response, their glow dim and unsteady as they attempted to establish the necessary connection with the seal.But something was wrong. The circuit of energy that had formed so readily with the previous seals struggled to esta