2024-09-16 19:07:31
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Celestial Heist Chapter 201: The Rising Tension
The dawn broke quietly over the valley, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the entrance of the cave and casting long shadows across the stone floor. The Celestial Marauders stirred from their uneasy rest, the weight of the previous day’s battle still heavy on their minds. The air outside was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the storm that had raged only hours before.Kael was the first to rise, stretching his muscles as he shook off the remnants of sleep. The calm of the morning was deceptive; he knew it was only a temporary lull before the next wave of challenges. The Celestials were still out there, regrouping, planning their next move. And the Marauders had to stay one step ahead if they were going to protect the balance and gather the remaining fragments.Vira was already awake, sitting near the cave entrance and looking out at the valley below. Her usual radiant glow was subdued, her expression thoughtful as she watched the sun slowly climb above the horizon. "It’s h
The Celestial Heist Chapter 202: The Abyss Below
Darkness engulfed Kael as he plummeted into the chasm, the roar of the collapsing ground echoing around him. His stomach lurched as he tumbled through the air, desperately trying to orient himself in the pitch-black void. The sensation of falling seemed to stretch on forever, time losing all meaning as he fought to regain control.Suddenly, with a bone-jarring thud, Kael hit solid ground. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and for a few terrifying moments, all he could do was lie there, gasping for breath. The world around him was still and silent, the only sound his ragged breathing echoing in the vast, unseen space.Kael groaned as he pushed himself up onto his elbows, wincing at the pain that shot through his body. Every muscle ached from the fall, but he forced himself to focus, to take stock of his surroundings. The darkness was absolute, so thick that he couldn’t see his own hand in front of his face."Naya?" he called out, his voice hoarse. "Naya, are you there?"For a few
The Celestial Heist Chapter 203: Echoes of the Abyss
The chamber trembled as the dark energy surged toward Kael and Naya, the force of it powerful enough to warp the air and send shockwaves through the stone floor. Kael’s heart pounded in his chest, but he stood firm, raising his sword to meet the oncoming attack. The fragment in his hand blazed with light, its energy pulsing in time with his heartbeat.Naya, her own energy flaring with determination, stepped beside him. Together, they focused on the fragment, channeling its power to form a shield of light that spread out before them. The dark energy collided with the shield, sending ripples of force through the chamber, but the light held strong, pushing back against the darkness.The shadowy figure sneered, its voice dripping with contempt. "You think you can resist me? You are nothing but pawns in a game far beyond your understanding. The balance is already lost."Kael gritted his teeth, his gaze locked on the figure. "You’re wrong. The balance isn’t something you can own or control.
The Celestial Heist Chapter 204: The Gathering Shadows
Kael and Naya moved swiftly through the twisting passageways of the cavern, the fragment’s light casting long shadows on the rough stone walls. The victory over the Celestial figure in the chamber had given them a brief moment of relief, but they both knew that their journey was far from over. The oppressive atmosphere of the underground labyrinth still pressed down on them, and the knowledge that the other Marauders were out there, potentially in danger, drove them to keep moving.The path ahead began to slope upward, and Kael could feel the air growing less stifling, a hint that they were getting closer to the surface. The fragment’s light pulsed steadily in his hand, its warmth a comforting reminder of the power they wielded—a power that had saved them time and again.Naya kept pace beside him, her expression focused but tense. "We need to find the others as quickly as possible. The Celestials will strike again, and we’re stronger together."Kael nodded, his eyes scanning the passa
The Celestial Heist Chapter 205: The Struggle Within
The chamber echoed with the violent clash of energies, each impact sending shockwaves through the air and stirring the heavy silence of the underground cavern. Kael’s heart raced as he dodged another blast of dark energy from Arion, his mind struggling to reconcile the friend he knew with the twisted figure attacking him now. The fragment’s light in Kael’s hand flared brighter, a beacon of hope in the suffocating darkness, but it was small comfort as he faced the grim reality before him.Arion’s attacks were relentless, each strike filled with a cold precision that Kael had never seen in him before. It was as if the man he knew had been replaced by a being of pure malice, driven by the dark energy of the archway that loomed ominously in the center of the chamber. Kael deflected the attacks as best he could, his sword flashing with the light of the fragment, but the power behind Arion’s strikes was overwhelming."Arion, this isn’t you!" Kael shouted, hoping to break through the hold th
The Celestial Heist Chapter 206: The Road to Recovery
The cavern was eerily silent as Kael, Naya, and the still-unconscious Arion made their way back through the winding tunnels, the fragment’s soft glow illuminating their path. The battle in the chamber had taken its toll on all of them, but the weight on Kael’s shoulders felt especially heavy. Arion’s near-loss had shaken him more deeply than he cared to admit, and the exhaustion from the relentless struggle against the Celestials was beginning to creep into his bones.Naya walked beside him, her hand resting gently on Arion’s arm as they supported him between them. Her face was pale, drawn tight with worry, but her eyes were filled with a quiet determination. She glanced at Kael, her voice soft but steady. "We did what we had to, Kael. We saved him. That’s what matters."Kael nodded, his gaze focused ahead as he navigated the rough terrain. "I know. But it doesn’t feel like a victory—not yet. The Celestials will be back, and we can’t afford to let our guard down. We were lucky this ti
The Celestial Heist Chapter 207: The Shelter of the Grove
The sun was low on the horizon as Kael and the others made their way toward the distant copse of trees. The exhaustion of their recent battles weighed heavily on them, each step a reminder of the toll the fight against the Celestials had taken. Yet, there was a quiet determination in the group as they moved forward, united by the common goal of finding a place to rest and regroup.Arion was still unconscious, his body limp as Korrin and Kael supported him between them. Despite his condition, there was a sense of peace on his face that hadn’t been there before, a sign that the darkness that had gripped him was finally fading. Kael clung to that hope, even as the weight of responsibility pressed down on him. He knew that they couldn’t afford to lose another member of their team, not when the battle ahead promised to be even fiercer.Naya walked slightly ahead of the group, her eyes scanning the landscape as they approached the grove. The trees stood tall and ancient, their thick trunks
The Celestial Heist Chapter 208: Stirring the Embers
The grove had grown quiet under the night sky, the fire’s gentle crackling the only sound breaking the silence. The Celestial Marauders sat around the flickering flames, their bodies weary but their spirits momentarily at peace. It was a rare reprieve from the relentless pursuit of the Celestials, and each member of the group took advantage of it in their own way.Vira, her soft light radiating a comforting glow, continued to hum her song, a tune filled with hope and resilience that seemed to ease the tension lingering in the air. Kael watched her for a moment, grateful for the calming effect her presence had on the group. He could feel the fatigue in his bones, but he knew they needed to stay vigilant, even in this sanctuary.Korrin stood at the edge of the grove, his wings folded back as he scanned the perimeter. His fiery aura had dimmed slightly as he kept watch, but his ever-watchful gaze was still sharp, ready to act if any threat appeared. He didn’t speak much, but Kael could s
Latest Chapter
Chapter 267: Veins of Darkness
The forest opened onto a valley shrouded in mist, its edges lined with jagged rocks that looked like the bones of some ancient beast. The silence hung thickly around them, interrupted only by the occasional whisper of the wind. The group paused at the edge of the valley, taking in the sight before them. Here, Lyra’s device picked up a strong concentration of dark energy—far stronger than any reading they’d encountered before.Kael surveyed the landscape, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “This place… it’s like it’s been swallowed by darkness.”Korrin nodded, his wings twitching as he scanned the area from above. “This isn’t just darkness. It’s more like a... wound in the land, something festering and spreading.”Naya closed her eyes briefly, focusing on the storm’s energy within her. It pulsed with a familiar rhythm, steady and calm, contrasting with the restless dark energy that permeated the valley. She could feel the storm’s presence lending her strength, helping her resis
Chapter 266: Secrets in Shadows
The forest thickened around them as they pressed forward, following the faint traces of energy that lingered like footprints in the damp soil. Every so often, Lyra would pause, her device humming as it captured the residual magic left by their mysterious adversary. It was clear now that the storm’s power had only been a fraction of the threat looming over them.Kael led the way, his movements silent but purposeful. He scanned the trees, alert to the shadows and any movement that could signify an ambush. Vira stayed close to him, her bow nocked with an arrow, her gaze sharp and unyielding. Behind them, Naya and Korrin walked side by side, the storm’s energy still pulsing faintly within Naya as a steady, grounding force.Lyra’s device gave a quiet beep, signaling a stronger trace. She stopped, glancing around cautiously before looking back at the group. “The energy’s getting stronger,” she whispered. “We’re close.”Kael nodded. “Stay sharp. If they’re as powerful as we’ve seen, they’ll
Chapter 265: Ripples of Power
The next morning dawned with a soft, golden light filtering through the trees, casting a gentle glow across their camp. For the first time in weeks, the group awoke feeling truly rested. The air was crisp and clear, the oppressive weight of the storm's presence no longer clinging to them. Naya breathed in deeply, feeling a calm she hadn’t felt in ages.As they gathered their things, Kael kept a vigilant eye on the tree line, his hand resting instinctively on his sword. The memory of the storm's followers still lingered in his mind, a quiet reminder that their journey was far from over."Do you think they're watching us?" Korrin asked, noticing Kael’s sharp gaze.Kael nodded. "Someone is always watching, especially now that we've disrupted their plans. They'll know what we did, and they'll be looking for a way to reclaim the storm's power."Lyra, who was securing her gear, glanced up. “Then let them watch,” she said, her voice steady. “Whatever they’re planning next, we’ll be ready.”A
Chapter 264: Echoes of Liberation
The air felt lighter as the group stood around the Shattered Spire, the storm’s energy now dissipated, leaving a profound silence that filled the forest. The oppressive weight that had followed them for days had lifted, and for the first time, Naya felt something close to peace. She lowered her staff, her shoulders relaxing as she absorbed the magnitude of what they had just accomplished.Kael sheathed his sword, his gaze softening as he looked at Naya. “You did it, Naya,” he said, his voice filled with a quiet pride that resonated with everyone around him. “You freed the storm.”Naya smiled, but it was a tired smile, weighed down by the journey she’d taken within herself. “We freed it,” she corrected gently, looking at each of them in turn. “I couldn’t have done it alone.”Vira rested her bow, letting out a long breath. “So... what happens now? If the storm is no longer under control, does that mean our fight is over?”Lyra, who had been watching her device for any lingering traces o
Chapter 263: A Gathering Storm
The morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting fragmented patterns across the forest floor as the group pressed on, their resolve hardening with each step. The weight of their mission was evident in every silent exchange, every cautious glance, and each moment they kept their weapons at the ready. The storm’s energy still lingered within Naya, steady but subdued, as if waiting for the right moment to surge once more.Lyra walked beside Naya, her scanner blinking softly as it mapped the forest’s energy. “If what you felt was true,” Lyra began, glancing over at her friend, “then this storm… it’s more than just a force. It has intentions, needs—almost like a living creature.”Naya nodded, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. “It’s bound, Lyra. It’s trapped, and I think whoever’s been summoning these storms is using that to their advantage.” She took a steadying breath. “It’s almost like it’s been manipulated for so long, it can’t remember freedom.”Kael walked slightly ahea
Chapter 262: Bound by the Storm
The group pressed onward through the forest, the night stretching on with a heavy stillness. Though they had repelled the storm's followers, a sense of impending danger lingered like the weight of an unseen shadow. Each step through the dense underbrush felt as though they were drawing closer to an unseen edge, a point of no return.Kael led the way, sword in hand, his expression hardened with purpose. Vira followed closely, her bow ready, her sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings. Korrin hovered above, his wings nearly silent as he kept watch, while Lyra studied the faint signals on her device, ever vigilant for more signs of storm energy. Naya walked in the center, her staff glowing faintly, its magic a quiet comfort against the storm’s incessant whispers.But tonight, the whispers felt different. Instead of calling her toward power, they murmured with an almost plaintive tone, as if the storm itself had something it needed her to understand.“Do you hear that?” she asked suddenly, b
Chapter 261: Shadows of Resolve
As the broken pieces of the obelisk lay scattered across the chamber, the oppressive silence of the storm’s dissipated energy settled around them. Kael lowered his sword and took in a deep breath, the tension finally easing from his shoulders. Each member of the group looked worn, their expressions marked with exhaustion and relief. The storm’s power was broken here, but they knew its echoes would follow them still.Vira was the first to break the silence, examining the fallen remnants of the obelisk with wary eyes. “We may have won this round, but it’s a temporary reprieve. That thing—the storm—it’s not finished with us.”Lyra nodded, her device still scanning faint pulses of energy lingering around the broken stone. “The storm is wounded, but it’s only pulled back. Like a beast waiting in the shadows, biding its time.”Kael turned to Naya, who was standing a few steps back, clutching her staff. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a new calm in her stance, a hard-won peace t
Chapter 260: The Brink of Darkness
The forest grew denser as the group moved forward, the thick canopy above blocking out the moonlight, leaving them in near-darkness. Shadows shifted around them, cast by the faint glow of Lyra’s device as she scanned for the next surge of storm energy. Their silence was heavy, punctuated only by their footsteps and the soft hum of residual magic lingering in the air.Kael led the way, his jaw clenched with a focus that kept the fatigue from showing. Naya walked close behind him, gripping her staff tightly, her eyes alert for any movement. The struggle against the storm’s whispers still lingered in her mind, but she felt a newfound resilience building within her. For the first time, she felt she could resist—not alone, but because her companions were beside her.Korrin swooped down from above, landing quietly beside them. “Path’s clear for now, but I don’t trust this silence. It feels like we’re walking straight into a trap.”Vira nodded, her bow ready. “It’s too quiet. The storm’s hol
Chapter 259: The Storm We Carry
The group pressed deeper into the forest, the tension between them crackling like the remnants of a thunderstorm. Each step forward felt heavier, as if the shadows clinging to the trees were feeding off their doubts and fears. The encounter with the storm-bound woman lingered in their minds—a warning, a threat, and a promise of what lay ahead.Kael’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the familiar weight grounding him. He cast a glance over his shoulder toward Naya, who walked just behind him, her gaze distant. The storm inside her was growing, and every moment they delayed felt like an invitation for it to take over.“You doing okay?” Kael asked quietly, falling back to walk beside her.Naya gave a quick nod, though the dark circles under her eyes told another story. “I’m fine. Just... tired.”“We’re all tired,” Korrin said from above, wings fluttering as he hovered near them. “But this storm won’t wait for us to catch our breath.”Kael frowned. “If you need a break—”“No,” Naya i
