A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 540 Shadows

?The girls stood not far from Archer, who had transformed into something different. A mass of shadow shot around the chamber.

When Llynierl saw this, she got excited. ''He's so strong, but why is he using these creepy shadows?'' ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ N(o)vᴇl(ꜰ)ire.nᴇt

''He needs to use all different things to survive. Sometimes, he won't be able to use his dragon form or magic, so he has to use other ways to fight.'' Nala replied as she studied their surroundings.

The two turned to Archer, who started cackling that bounced off the walls, and they saw the ghouls take a step back, but it was already too late.

They saw the shadows spread like a tsunami of death, and when the ghouls saw this, they panicked.

That's when the ghouls charged forward, their hideous figures emerging from the darkness while screeching.

Archer extended his long, shadowy claws, each a lethal extension of his new form. The air crackled with dark energy as he tapped into the very essence of the dark.

Shadows surged forward instantly, manifesting into tendrils that snaked through the air like vengeful spirits.

The ghouls, caught off guard by this unexpected assault, faltered as the shadows coiled around them.

Archer decapitated every creature his shadows touched before eating their heart and flinging the bodies at the still-charging ones.

He could move all over the chamber, thanks to his shadows, while the ghouls chased his afterimages. Archer stopped moving around, appeared in the center of the chamber, and unleashed a maniacal cackle that echoed through the air.

The two girls saw hundreds of violet eyes gleaming with an unsettling light while looking all over the chamber. His shadowy claws danced through the swarm of ghouls, tearing through them with a creepy ease.

Archer's laughter blended with the slicing of claws, creating a sinister symphony amid the unfolding carnage.

Each cackle seemed to resonate with the thrill of the battle, and with each swipe, more ghouls were torn apart and their hearts eaten by a shadowy mouth full of teeth.

Archer reveled in the dark ecstasy of the moment, his laughter weaving into the shadows surrounding him.

He killed thousands of the creatures without batting an eyelid. Archer was a killing machine, but he soon noticed a bunch of ghouls circling the girl's shield.

When he saw this, he became angry and vanished to appear behind them. Using his shadow tendrils, he finished them off by impaling their heads. Their lifeless bodies disintegrated into mist as the shadows consumed them.

The chamber became a realm of darkness. The ghouls struggled to attack and only swiped at shadows, only to be swallowed up by them to be used as a cannonball against the others.

Archer moved like a shadowy wraith, striking with precision and speed. The air hummed with his power as the darkness swirled around him, an extension of his will.

With each swipe of his claws, Nala and Llyniel watched in awe as he immediately dispatched multiple ghouls.

He moved with destructive grace, showcasing his mastery over the shadows in an impressive display.

Archer went on a rampage, ripping off their heads and sending blood splattering everywhere. He showed no mercy to the ghouls, tearing them apart with brutal force.

The chamber fell silent as all the creatures were defeated, and the girls stood there in shock at what they had just seen.

Nala and Llyniel gazed at Archer with a mix of awe and unease.?The aftermath of his onslaught left a deep impression on them, and weariness crept into their expressions.

Archer caught sight of the frightened and weary looks on their faces when he saw that he got angry with himself. In a frustrated tone, he spoke in a voice full of guilt. "I'll deal with the mess in the tunnel. Follow when you're ready."

With those words, he vanished into the darkness. To ensure Nala and Llyniel's safety, he summoned several Shadowspawns to guard them.

The dark entities formed a protective barrier surrounding the two girls as Archer entered the shadows to confront the remaining threats.

As the realization dawned on Nala regarding her fearful expression while looking at Archer, a pang of remorse filled her.

She shifted her gaze to Llyniel, only to find a similar horrified look mirrored on the wood elf's face.

In a moment of realization, Nala spoke to the wood elf. "He noticed how we looked at him like a monster when he smiled."

Llyniel got a horrified look on her face before the two rushed down the tunnel that Archer went down.

They walked in the silent darkness, and as it got even darker, Llyniel raised her hand, casting a light spell. It showed the aftermath of Archer's battle with the ghouls.

As they walked deeper, a chilling sight awaited them. The tunnel walls were painted with splatters of ghoul blood.

Limbs and torn bodies were scattered like hideous decorations, evidence of Archer's ruthlessness.

They inhaled the air thick with the metallic aroma of blood, and the girls shared wide-eyed glances, their senses inundated by the horrifying aftermath.

The Shadowspawns, silent guardians trailing behind, making sure they were safe. When they approached a crossroads not far from them.

Llyniel felt something approaching them, so she turned to Nala and spoke. ''Some are coming toward us!''

The lion girl got ready to fight, but their guards reacted quicker and materialized from the shadows. They quickly killed the ghouls, who were sunk into the shadows.

Nala's grip tightened on her sword, and Llyniel, usually composed, couldn't help but gasp at the horror before them.

They noticed that the walls seemed to close in as they navigated through the gruesome scene. Archer's cackling laughter from moments ago now resonated in their memories.

Flickering light cast shadows that danced over the gory spectacle. Unease settled in the pit of their stomachs as they pressed forward, accompanied by the Shadowspawns.

Their journey through the tunnel descended into a nightmarish gallery, with each step revealing more mutilated ghouls.

The two girls headed down the tunnel while stepping over bloodied body parts.The atmosphere gradually shifted as they emerged into a serene forest bathed in moonlight.

In the clearing, they spotted Archer standing near the edge of a tranquil lake, his silhouette illuminated by the soft glow.

The quiet rustle of leaves and the distant sounds of beasts surrounded them. As Nala caught sight of Archer, a mix of emotions rose. Without hesitation, she rushed toward him.

The echoes of his laughter still lingered in her mind, but the peaceful surroundings of the forest seemed to soften the memory.

Llyniel followed a few steps behind, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution. Archer, seemingly lost in thought as he gazed into the water, turned slightly as he sensed her.

His violet eyes met hers, holding a depth of emotions that she struggled to decipher. Without a word, she closed the distance between them.

The lion girl's heart thudded loudly as she reached Archer. She hesitated momentarily, then boldly wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Archer," she murmured, a mix of apology and vulnerability. "I'm sorry. We were scared, but I know you won't hurt us. I know you're protecting us, and I... I should have trusted you."

The forest seemed to hold its breath as Nala clung to Archer. She could feel the tension in his form, but as seconds passed, she sensed him starting to relax.

Llyniel, still looking at the scene, approached cautiously, giving them a moment but ready to intervene if needed.

With a mix of guilt and understanding, Archer gently hugged her tighter,providing a comforting shelter for the lioness.

Feeling the tension in the air, Llyniel approached. Without breaking the embrace with Nala, he extended a hand toward the elf, motioning her to come closer.

Archer's other arm enveloped her in a hug when she stepped closer. When he did that, Llyniel got out a happy sound and smiled.

The forest seemed to hush its whispers, and Archer spoke to the two girls. "I'm sorry if I frightened you both. The shadows can be unsettling, I know. But I want you to understand, I would never hurt you. I'm here to protect you, even if it means delving into the darker side."

Still holding onto Archer, Nala looked up at him, her blue eyes reflecting a mix of relief and gratitude.

Llyniel, nestled in the protective embrace, listened intently, finding solace and peace in Archer's words and arms.

Afterward, the trio split up, and the girls wore smiles. However, Nala surprised the others with an unexpected declaration, "I can smell Teuila and Sera, Archie!"

Excitement sparkled in Archer's eyes as he beamed with a big smile, and in a thrilled tone, he eagerly asked, "Where are they?"

Nala sniffed the air before looking southwards and pointed. ''They are in that direction. It's thanks to the wind I picked up their scent.''

Archer nodded before the three of them headed toward the girls, who were close to being overwhelmed.

The three traveled through the mist-covered forest while keep their guards up.

[If there are any mistakes, point them out, and I'll edit it. Thanks]