CHAPTER 5: THE FIRST CRYSTAL BATTLE PART 2

CHAPTER 5: THE FIRST CRYSTAL BATTLE PART 2

"Anne, we need more power!" Howard shouted.

Anne played the harp more intensely; the notes she played were not only healing but also providing Loren and Howard with additional strength. It was Crescendo. The soft light from the harp began to envelop them, making Loren's every move faster and stronger.

Anfalen cast Blinding Light once more, summoning three small, dazzling fairies to confuse the enemy. But this time, Loren was ready. With flashes of memories becoming clearer in his mind, he closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the direction of the attack with his intuition. As Anfalen tried to attack with his summons, Loren nimbly leaped toward the fairies, slashing them before they could cripple his team.

Nelaeryn fired another Ensnare Arrow, trying to trap them in a net. However, Loren, with his enhanced reflexes, dodged the attack with a quick jump, turning the tables to confront Nelaeryn.

Vy, seeing her partner in danger, immediately cast Conceal on Nelaeryn, making her temporarily invisible.

Seeing that, Loren turned around and ran toward Vy with full force. Vy prepared herself, blocking Loren's attack with all her might.

Howard, meanwhile, cast a stronger defensive spell. 

"We have to separate them!" he shouted. He created a barrier between Vy and her two partners, forcing Vy to fight alone against Loren while Nelaeryn and Anfalen were isolated. 

"Barrier!" he shouted.

With the shield, Loren could now focus on Vy. 

"This time, I won't lose," he said with determination.

"Just try." Vy smiled sarcastically. 

The fight between Loren and Vy intensified. Loren began to master more advanced fighting techniques, thanks to his flashes of memory. He could now read every quick movement of Vy little by little. Loren realized that the power, previously hidden, was awakening with every swing of his sword.

On the other hand, Howard and Anne struggled to overcome Nelaeryn and Anfalen. Nelaeryn used magical arrows to attack Howard from a distance, while Anfalen continued to cast spells to summon magical creatures surrounding them.

"Anne, we have to stop that summoner!" Howard shouted as he tried to shield Anne from the incoming arrows.

Anne played a stronger melody, attempting to weaken Anfalen's magical power. A melodious and powerful sound wave radiated from Anne's harp, spreading across the battlefield. The summons created by Anfalen began to lose their power, as if Anne's voice was severing their connection to their summoner.

Seeing this, Anfalen became even angrier. 

"You can't stop my magic like that, you weak girl!" he shouted angrily.

However, Anne was undeterred. She continued to play her harp, increasing Loren's and Howard's power while weakening the enemy. Nelaeryn, whose arrows kept missing because of Howard's shield, began to grow frustrated.

The battle grew more intense, with each side using their best strength. Despite the pressure, Loren began to find his rhythm in the battle with Vy. He recalled flashes of memories from before, combining them with new techniques he had learned on this battlefield.

Finally, with one swift and unexpected slash, Loren managed to wound Vy in the shoulder. Blood flowed, and for the first time, the Elven assassin looked surprised.

"You... are stronger than I thought," Vy said with a cold glare.

But before Vy could launch a counterattack, Howard broke through the barrier and attacked with a powerful fire spell, forcing Vy to retreat. Seeing the situation worsen, Nelaeryn and Anfalen decided to withdraw, avoiding total defeat.

"We will meet again," Vy said with a cold smile before disappearing with her companion.

Loren panted but stood his ground. 

"This is just the beginning," he said firmly.

Loren’s heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the dazzling crystal before him. The air around it crackled with a strange energy, almost as if the world itself was holding its breath. This was the moment the first crystal, the key to unimaginable power, had fallen into human hands. His hands. 

With a trembling touch, Loren’s fingers grazed the surface of the glowing shard. The instant he made contact, a surge of energy shot through his body like wildfire. His vision blurred as the ground beneath him seemed to pulse with the same energy. He gasped, caught between awe and fear, his mind swirling with the weight of what he had just done.

"The human race has obtained the first crystal." The system's voice broke the silence of the night after the battle ended.

"We succeeded this time, but the real fight will be long." Howard patted Loren's shoulder. 

"Let's rest for a while." Anne smiled tiredly but with determination. 

Loren sheathed his sword, his body still shaking from the battle against Vy, Nelaeryn, and Anfalen. The power that had emerged within him during the fight left him with many questions. He looked up at the starry night sky, but his mind was still focused on the mysterious power that was beginning to flow through him. Howard approached Loren, noticing his new friend's unease.

"Loren, the power you showed earlier was incredible, but I can see that you're still confused about what happened."

“Yes… Every time I use this sword, I see flashes of memories that aren’t mine. Battles, strange places, creatures I don’t even recognize. It’s like there’s something inside me that wants to awaken, but I can’t control it yet.” Loren nodded slowly. 

“That sword… isn’t just a weapon. It’s a Sacred Relic passed down to me by my friend, Eleanor. It has a special bond with its owner, and only a chosen one can unleash its power. The flashes you saw may have been part of the memories of the sword’s previous owners those who fought in the Holy Combat before you.” Howard pondered for a moment. “

“Perhaps we can learn more about the sword elsewhere. There’s an ancient shrine near this village where warriors used to seek guidance in the holy combat. Maybe we can find the answer there," Anne said.

"I want to find the answer about this sword, but more than that, I have to make sure that the crystal doesn't fall into the wrong hands." Loren looked at his two friends and said firmly.

"We all have the same goal here. I'm fighting not only to protect my village but also to stop greater destruction. I'm sure, together we can face it." Anne smiled. 

Howard chuckled. 

"You're right, Anne. This fight isn't just about physical strength or magic. It's about our hearts and determination. For tonight, we focus on resting first; tomorrow, when the sun rises, we leave for the ancient temple," Howard continued.

The three of them rested for a while in Anne's hut, enjoying the silence of the night that now felt calm after the chaos of the battle.

"So the first crystal has been owned by that weak human race, huh?" A deep, hoarse voice came from Zharok, an undead mage. His body was thin and hideous, with bones visible beneath his pale greenish skin. A worn black robe adorned with skulls covered his body, while rusty iron chains hung from his shoulders. Zharok's eyes shone with an eerie green light, reflecting immeasurable darkness. On his head, a rusty crown circled a partially peeled skull.

His face was scarred from magic that had surpassed the lifespan of ordinary humans. His flesh had peeled off in some places, revealing the horrifying bones beneath. Sharp teeth protruded from his mouth, giving the impression that he had once been something far more terrifying than an ordinary human. A long magic staff made of bones extended from his left hand; above it, a black crystal gleamed at the tip of the staff, glowing dimly like a nearly extinguished fire.

In front of Zharok, a large purplish crystal ball radiated the image of the battle that had taken place in the village of Heilen. Zharok's eyes narrowed as he watched Loren, Howard, and Anne defeat the ogre and elf forces and defend the first crystal. 

"That human..." Zharok muttered as he stroked the surface of the crystal ball, which emitted strange vibrations.