Chapter 79: The Evil Within
As Simon and his companions stood amidst the grisly remains of the fallen students, a sinister presence emerged from the shadows of the chamber. The air grew thick with malevolence as a figure stepped into the flickering torchlight—a mage, cloaked in darkness and wielding magic of a twisted and malignant nature.
Simon's heart clenched with fear as he beheld the mage, his senses tingling with foreboding at the sight of the dark aura that surrounded him. He could feel the oppressive weight of the mage's power bearing down upon him, a suffocating force that threatened to overwhelm his own magic.
Thaddeus gripped his sword tightly, his eyes narrowed with suspicion as he studied their adversary. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice ringing out in the silence of the chamber.
The mage's lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes gleaming with malice as he raised a hand, tendrils of dark energy coalescing around his fingertips. "I am but a humble servant of the darkness," he replied, his voice dripping with venom. "And you, intruders, have trespassed upon sacred ground."
Simon's muscles tensed as he prepared to defend himself, his mind racing as he searched for a way to counter the mage's dark magic. But before he could act, the mage unleashed a torrent of shadowy energy, sending tendrils of darkness snaking towards them with deadly intent.
With a cry of alarm, Alaric raised his shield, the dark tendrils clashing against its surface with a resounding clang. But the force of the mage's attack was relentless, the shadowy tendrils twisting and writhing as they sought to overwhelm them.
Simon summoned forth his flames, tendrils of fire erupting from his fingertips as he fought to push back the encroaching darkness. But even as he unleashed his magic, he could feel the mage's power pressing down upon him, a suffocating weight that threatened to smother his flames.
Desperate, Simon conjured a barrier of flame around himself and his companions, the heat of the flames warding off the mage's dark magic as they fought to hold their ground. But the mage's power was relentless, his attacks growing more ferocious with each passing moment.
And then, with a malevolent grin, the mage raised his hands and unleashed a swirling cloud of poisonous mist, the toxic vapors filling the chamber with a sickly green haze. Simon choked and gasped for breath as the noxious fumes seeped into his lungs, his vision swimming as he struggled to maintain his focus.
Thaddeus staggered, his strength waning as the poison cloud sapped his vitality, his sword arm growing heavy as he fought to stay upright. Alaric fared no better, his shield wavering as he strained against the mage's relentless assault.
With a surge of desperation, Simon gathered his remaining strength and unleashed a wave of fire, the flames roaring to life as they engulfed the mage in a blazing inferno. But even as the flames consumed their adversary, the mage's dark laughter echoed through the chamber, his form flickering and distorting as he vanished into the shadows.
Gasping for breath, Simon collapsed to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion as he struggled to regain his composure. His companions gathered around him, their faces drawn with weariness as they surveyed the aftermath of their battle.
"We have to keep going," Thaddeus said, his voice hoarse with determination. "We can't let that mage get away with what he's done."
Alaric nodded in agreement, his eyes flashing with resolve. "We'll find him," he vowed. "And we'll make him pay for his crimes."
With a silent nod of agreement, Simon pushed himself to his feet, his heart heavy with the weight of their task. The darkness that lurked within the magic academy was formidable, but they would not falter—not while there was still hope of uncovering the truth behind its sinister secrets. And as they prepared to press on, their resolve hardened, their determination burning brighter than ever before. For they knew that their journey was far from over, and that the greatest challenges still lay ahead.