Chapter 39 (Part 11 )
The air shook as the fused Sectrep advanced, its war-axe dragging sparks across the stone floor. Each step sounded like thunder, echoing through the chamber.
Rihan raised his sword, his knuckles white. "That thing… it's stronger than anything we've fought yet."
Serina positioned herself at Alok's flank, her blade glowing faintly. "We can't outrun it. We end it here."
The monstrous soldier's eyes blazed crimson, smoke seeping from its armor. The fused Sectrep swung its colossal axe in a wide arc. The ground split open, shockwaves hurling rubble across the hall.
The Clash
Alok's chains lashed out, wrapping around the axe mid-swing. The force nearly tore his arms from their sockets, but he held firm, gritting his teeth as the chain glowed with blue light.
"Now!" he roared.
Ceya fired a volley of glowing arrows into the exposed joints of the armor. Lielle and Serina darted forward, blades slicing through weak points, sparks flying as steel met steel.
The beast staggered, but only for a moment. It slammed its massive fist into the ground, sending a shockwave that blasted everyone back.
Namea screamed, barely managing to shield herself with fire, but her barrier cracked instantly.
The Cost of Power
Alok stumbled, blood dripping down his arm from earlier wounds. The pendant pulsed again, more violently this time.
Whispers echoed in his skull, louder than before:
"Bleed more. Break more. Bind more."
His vision blurred, but the chains moved with unnatural precision, striking faster, sharper almost as if they were fighting on their own.
Rihan noticed, his eyes narrowing. "Alok… those chains… they're starting to control you."
Alok shook his head violently, sweat dripping from his brow. "No. I control them. I have to."
But even as he spoke, the chain wrapped tighter around his arm, digging into his flesh. Blue sparks bled from the wounds.
Desperation
The fused Sectrep swung again, this time aiming directly for Alok. He raised the chain in desperation, blocking the massive axe head-on. The impact shook the hall, stone pillars collapsing from the force.
Alok's knees buckled. His vision darkened.
Just before the axe could crush him, Rihan charged in, slamming his blade into the beast's side with all his strength. "I told you I'm not letting you die here!"
The strike barely pierced the armor, but it forced the monster to stumble.
"Everyone, now!" Ceya shouted.
Lielle and Serina rushed forward again, cutting deep into the weakened spot Rihan exposed. The fused Sectrep roared, stumbling back as Namea's flames engulfed its body.
The Chain's Wrath
The pendant burned against Alok's chest. He felt his chains pulse, surging with more power than ever before.
"Finish it… bearer of chains…"
The chains shot forward like living serpents, piercing through the beast's armor, wrapping around its limbs, binding it to the cracked floor.
Alok screamed as the blue light surged through him and into the Sectrep. The monster convulsed violently, the black flames burning away as if devoured by the chains.
With one final pull, the chains shattered the fused armor into shards of black glass. The war-beast collapsed, its body dissolving into smoke that sank into the floor.
The Aftermath
Silence fell. The chamber reeked of ash and blood. Everyone gasped for air, trembling from exhaustion.
Rihan leaned on his sword, sweat pouring down his face. "That… that wasn't just a soldier. That thing was meant to kill us."
Alok fell to one knee, his chains retracting slowly, glowing faintly. The pendant still pulsed, but weaker now, as if satisfied.
Ceya crouched beside him, touching his shoulder. "Alok… that power. It's getting more dangerous the more you use it."
Alok's gaze lifted to the far end of the hall. The Extera still sat upon its throne, unmoving, its glowing eyes locked on him.
It spoke again, voice dripping with cold amusement:
"Good… very good. You bleed, you bind, and yet… you hesitate. How long before the chains consume you, bearer?"
The chamber trembled, shadows spreading across the walls as more Sectreps stirred in the distance.
Alok clenched his fist, his chest tightening. If this is only the beginning… then what's waiting at the end?