The Mytho Chronicles: Eclipse Of Faith

Chapter 96: The fall of the strongest sorcerer

As the last light of day slipped beneath the horizon, the encampment of the Luminaries buzzed with nervous energy. The sun had barely vanished, but shadows stretched long and ominous across the ground, hinting at the darkness that would soon envelop them.

Ren was running through the battlegrounds, punching shadow soilders out of existence with his Astral Fist. Nothing was stopping him. He needs to find Ryota.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Aiko and Yumi dashed across the battlefield, weaving through the relentless clash of energies as they searched for their allies—Ryohei, Kaida, and the others. The air buzzed with Mytho energy, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of countless clashes.

Kaida was holding her own against a group of soldiers, her Shattered Perception ability giving her a decisive advantage. With a wave of her hand, she ensnared the soldiers in a web of illusions, distorting their senses and causing them to attack shadows instead of her. She shifted effortlessly between her Genta form and base form, conserving her Mytho energy and unleashing precise bursts of power when needed.

As Aiko and Yumi rushed toward her, they nearly collided. Kaida spun around, her gaze landing on them with a mixture of surprise and concern. "Aiko? Yumi? What are you two doing here?" she asked, planting her hands on her hips.

"We just came to see if anyone needed backup," Yumi replied, her tone steady but her eyes darting around the battlefield.

Kaida's expression softened, though a hint of worry crept into her voice. "I think you should go help Nika. I can sense her Mytho energy surging, and that's unusual for someone as composed as she is. Something's not right."

Aiko exchanged a glance with Yumi, his jaw setting in determination. "You're probably right. Let's go."

Without hesitation, Aiko wrapped an arm around Yumi's waist and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Before she could protest, he channeled his Nature's Nexus, manipulating the air around them. The winds responded to his command, swirling with vibrant green energy as they teleported in a sudden burst.

"A-Aiko! What do you think you're doing?!" Yumi exclaimed, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as the world blurred around them.

"Just a little heroic move, that's all. Hold on tight," Aiko replied, a confident grin spreading across his face despite the hint of a blush that crept up his neck.

The wind roared in their ears, carrying them swiftly toward Nika as the battle raged on, their path cutting through the chaos like a blade.

On the far side of the battlefield, Ryota struggled against Yona's lieutenants, their relentless assault pushing him to his limits. Despite being in his Genta form, he could feel himself losing ground as their Mytho energy surged higher and higher.

"What are these guys?" he thought, frustration twisting in his chest. "How can they be increasing their energy so fast? At this rate, their overall Mytho output will burn out, but their potency—it's rising too quickly!"

Desperation edged into his mind as he activated Mass Flux, attempting to manipulate the mass of the lieutenants and destabilize their forms. Green light poured from his hands, matching the intense glow of his Eagle Eyes as he tried to tip the balance in his favor. But then... nothing.

His power had no effect.

The lieutenants remained unshaken, their energies raging with a ferocity Ryota had never encountered. "No... this can't be happening," he thought, disbelief flashing across his face. The realization sank in, chilling his blood. "My attacks... they're useless."

One of the lieutenants chuckled, his voice dripping with derision. "You seem confused," he taunted. "The answer is simple. Our Mytho energy control has surpassed yours."

A sickening chill crept into Ryota's spine, his confidence shaken. "No... How can this be?" His voice faltered as doubt gripped him, his hands trembling with the weight of his inadequacy.

"You're disappointing," came a voice, smooth and venomous. Yona emerged from the shadows, her malevolent gaze piercing him. "You don't deserve to be called the strongest."

Before Ryota could react, Yona vanished in a blur of motion, appearing before him in an instant. His Eagle Eyes had failed to detect her approach. "What's the matter? Can't see clearly with those baby eyes?" she sneered, raising a sword shimmering with dark power. "Let me help you fix that."

With a swift, brutal slash, the blade tore across Ryota's left eye, sending a searing pain coursing through his skull. His scream echoed through the battlefield, raw and guttural, as blood poured down his face.

From a distance, Nika froze in the midst of her own battle, sensing the anguish radiating from her Best friend. Tears welled in her glowing green eyes. "No... it can't be..."

Ryota collapsed to his knees, clutching his bloodied eye as the world spun around him. "So, did that help?" Yona taunted, her voice a mockery of concern. "Or shall I try again?" She lifted her sword, preparing to strike once more.

But just as she began to move, a blur streaked through the air. Ren appeared in a flash, his fist connecting with Yona's face in a devastating blow that sent her hurtling back. Without hesitation, he summoned the power of his Astral Fist, the Phantom Strike lashing out to obliterate the lieutenants in a single, decisive moment.

Ryota could hardly believe what he saw. His greatest student, Ren Nakamura, standing tall before him. A flood of guilt surged through Ryota's heart as he struggled to hold himself together, his hand still covering his ruined eye.

"I'm supposed to be the strongest sorcerer of our time," he whispered, his voice choked with shame. "I was a prodigy... and here I am, brought low. I've failed. I'm not the sensei you deserve, Ren. I'm sorry... please, forgive me."

Ren knelt beside his fallen mentor and pulled him into a firm embrace, his voice steady and unwavering. "Sensei, don't break now. We still have a chance. You're not a failure. You've never been."

As he released his mentor and stood, Ren's resolve hardened like steel. "I promise you, I will defeat Yona. Once and for all."

With a final, reassuring glance back at Ryota, Ren's eyes flashed with determination. He gave a slight nod, then vanished, teleporting away to face their enemy head-on. The battle was far from over, but a glimmer of hope burned once more on the battlefield.

Now with the strongest sorcerer defeated, What will our heroes do?