Chapter 51: The Heart of the Cult

The room was filled with the twisted shadows of the cultist's dark magic, a pulsating mass of shadowy creatures closing in on Ryuto and his companions. The cultist's laughter echoed through the chamber, taunting them, reverberating off the ancient stone walls. Ryuto's heart hammered as he watched the mist around them pulse in rhythm with the shadow creatures, sensing that each heartbeat of dark energy made their enemy stronger.

"Keep up the light!" Celeste's voice rang out, her staff still glowing as she fended off the creatures. "It's weakening their form."

Roland stepped forward, his shield blazing with radiant energy as he swung it in a wide arc. The shadows hissed, retreating from the powerful light, only to reform and strike again. "They just keep coming! It's like we're fighting the mist itself," he said through gritted teeth.