*Chapter 37: Broken But Unbowed*
The old cathedral loomed like a beast's ribcage, dark columns arching overhead. Guided by Xiulan's magic thread, Nightwatch slipped inside, splitting into pairs just as the first set of traps fell: blades whirled from the shadows, crimson sigils flashed with bone-crushing force.
Jin Ming and Bao Yu ducked flying daggers, but a blade caught Jin's arm—blood flowed, staining his sleeve as he kept moving. Mei Fen and Yan faced enchanted golems; Mei Fen took a heavy punch to the chest and Yan's shoulder dislocated, but with grit and teamwork, they blasted past. Rui and Xiulan, leading with shaky courage, ran into a wall of hexed fire—Rui shielding Xiulan with his jacket, skin blistered, Xiulan coughing on smoke but refusing to back down.
Bruised, bleeding, coughing, the team crashed through the last door together—even as wounds slowed them, even as hope flickered. Ahead, pillared in cold light, Li Wei hung in crimson chains, the Phantom's machine humming a death-rattle. The Phantom and his minions blocked the way, faces masked and eyes merciless.
For a heartbeat, battered heroes and monstrous foes locked eyes—then Xiulan's voice, broken but fierce, echoed in the chamber: "We're here, Li Wei—just hold on!"
The final and deadliest fight is all that stands between hope and despair.