Behind the ancient throne, concealed within the shadows, lay a cage emanating sorrowful whispers. The voice pleaded for the children to be set free, promising their salvation. Aria, her senses tingling with caution, recognized this as a trap. She knew that unraveling the cage's hold would unleash an unimaginable malevolence upon them.
With a heavy heart and a flicker of determination, Aria made a fateful decision. She summoned the remnants of celestial energy within her, allowing it to surge through her being. The celestial light intensified, blinding her companions momentarily as she unleashed a powerful burst of energy towards the cage.
In that blinding moment, reality shifted. The cage disappeared, leaving nothing but empty space in its wake. Aria's heart sank as she realized the true nature of the trap. They had fallen victim to a diversion, a ruse to expose their vulnerability.
As the group stood frozen, an overwhelming wave of killing intent washed over them. Aria's celestial energy had been depleted, leaving her unable to muster a defense against the approaching threat. The flaw in her powers, her dependence on celestial alignment, rendered her helpless in the face of this dark force.
Lacrosse, driven by instinct, surrounded Aria and himself with a barrier of roots, a desperate attempt to shield them from impending doom. However, their hopes were shattered as the roots withered and decayed under the destructive influence. A ray of annihilation pierced through, severing one of Lacrosse's arms.
In that dire moment, Valerian's voice broke through the chaos. He urged Aria and Lacrosse to flee, knowing that they stood no chance against this overwhelming power. With a heavy heart and a sense of urgency, they turned and ran, the tempest of destruction brewing behind them.
As they sprinted, fear and determination intertwined within their beings. Aria's celestial energy flickered faintly, a mere glimmer of what it once was. Lacrosse, his spirit wounded, clung to his dwindling strength. The winds howled around them, carrying the weight of uncertainty and imminent danger.
Chapter 16 ended with Aria and Lacrosse racing against the gathering storm, their steps guided by a desperate hope to survive. The looming typhoon, a symbol of the malevolence they faced, grew in strength and ferocity, threatening to consume them in its wrathful embrace. Their minds raced, seeking a solution to the dire predicament they found themselves in, as they desperately fought to outrun the approaching tempest and preserve their fragile existence.