Dimension System: SSS Rank Talent Awakening

Chapter 198: Journey to the Sanctum

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The air was thick with an uneasy stillness as the group regrouped near the shattered Rift Gate. The ground beneath them was scorched, the energy of the Core still lingering faintly.

"We’ve dealt with the Shadow Agents for now," Raghnall said, his warhammer resting heavily on his shoulder. "But they’re only the first wave. The Council won’t let this stand."

Calvin’s glowing green eyes scanned the horizon, narrowing as they focused on the distant figure Dabi had spotted. "They know what we’ve done. That was a scout."

Loira, still catching her breath, pulled herself upright with her staff. "If they were watching, why didn’t they attack? What are they waiting for?"

Dabi gritted his teeth. "They’re probably gathering reinforcements. We’re sitting ducks out here."

"Then we move," Raghnall declared. He turned to Calvin. "How long until the Core stabilizes enough for the next use?"

"Not long," Calvin replied, examining the orb. "But the closer we get to the next gate, the more volatile it’ll become. We’ll need to be faster this time— no stopping for rest."

"Great," Zen muttered, sheathing his twin swords. "Because we haven’t had enough near- death experiences lately."

Jeni shot him a tired smile. "Think of it as practice."

The group set off into the desolate wilderness, the oppressive heat of the wasteland replaced by a cold wind that seemed to cut straight to the bone.

Dabi led the way, his sword drawn and senses sharp. Raghnall stayed close behind, ever watchful, while Calvin and Loira focused on maintaining the Core’s stability. Zen and Jeni brought up the rear, their weapons ready for any sudden attack.

The hours passed in tense silence, broken only by the distant echo of howls and the faint rustle of unseen creatures.

"We’re being followed," Jeni whispered to Zen, her eyes scanning the shadows.

"Obviously," he replied, his grip tightening on his swords. "The real question is, how close are they?"

As if in answer, a low, guttural growl echoed from the cliffs above.

The group entered a narrow ravine, its towering walls casting long, jagged shadows in the fading light. The oppressive silence returned, more suffocating than before.

"We shouldn’t have come this way," Dabi muttered.

"Agreed," Raghnall said, his eyes scanning the cliffs. "Stay sharp."

Without warning, a swarm of Shadow Agents descended from the cliffs, their black robes billowing like wings. They moved with terrifying precision, striking from all sides.

(Shadow agent are raise from childhood to follow every command. They don’t have any felling. They are facing saint’s but they don’t fear. They are trained in a way that only their mission is important. They must complete it no matter the odds and cost.)

"Defensive formation!" Raghnall roared, his warhammer swinging in a wide arc to drive back the first wave.

Dabi leapt into action, his sword slicing through the air with lethal efficiency. "Loira! Calvin! Protect the Core!"

Loira raised her staff, conjuring a shimmering barrier around herself and Calvin. Spells erupted from her hands, striking down any Shadow Agent that ventured too close.

Zen and Jeni fought back- to- back, their movements synchronized as they fended off the relentless assault.

"These guys just don’t quit!" Zen grunted, deflecting a blow aimed at Jeni.

"Focus!" she snapped, her daggers flashing as she struck down another foe.

Amid the chaos, the Core began to glow once more, its light growing brighter with each pulse.

"Calvin!" Loira shouted, panic rising in her voice. "The Core— something’s wrong!"

Calvin’s hands trembled as he tried to stabilize the artifact. "It’s reacting to the Rift energy nearby! If we don’t get out of here now, it’ll destabilize again!"

"Dabi!" Raghnall bellowed, his hammer smashing into the ground to send a shockwave through the enemy ranks. "We have to break through!"

Dabi’s gaze locked onto a narrow path at the end of the ravine. "There’s our exit! Cover me!"

The group surged forward, cutting through the Shadow Agents with renewed determination. Loira and Calvin followed closely, the Core’s light growing dangerously intense.

As they neared the exit, the leader of the Shadow Agents appeared, their mask glowing with a sinister light. They raised a hand, and the ravine trembled as dark tendrils erupted from the ground, blocking the group’s path.

"You cannot escape," the leader intoned, their voice cold and mechanical. "The Core belongs to the Council."

Dabi stepped forward, his sword blazing with energy. "Over my dead body."

The battle reached its peak as Dabi faced off against the Shadow Agent leader. Their blades clashed with explosive force, sending shockwaves through the ravine.

Meanwhile, the others fought desperately to keep the remaining Agents at bay.

"Calvin, can you stabilize the Core?" Loira shouted, her spells burning through the enemy ranks.

"I’m trying!" he yelled back, his hands glowing as he worked. "Just hold them off a little longer!"

Raghnall charged into the fray, his warhammer glowing with divine energy. "Hold the line! We’re almost through!"

With a final, devastating strike, Dabi shattered the leader’s blade and drove his own sword through their chest. The leader staggered, their mask cracking as they collapsed to the ground.

The remaining Shadow Agents hesitated, their coordination faltering.

"Now’s our chance!" Zen shouted.

The group surged forward, breaking through the tendrils blocking their path and escaping the ravine just as the Core released a surge of energy that collapsed the walls behind them.

They stumbled into an open plain, their breaths ragged and their bodies battered.

"That... was too close," Jeni panted, collapsing onto the ground.

Loira nodded, her face pale. "We need to keep moving. They’ll come after us again."

Calvin examined the Core, his expression grim. "The sanctum is close. If we can reach it, we can stabilize the Core and close another gate."

Raghnall placed a hand on Dabi’s shoulder. "You fought well. But the hardest battles are still ahead."

Dabi sheathed his sword, his gaze hard and determined. "Then we’ll face them. One gate at a time."

As the group prepared to move, a faint glow appeared on the horizon —the sanctum, beckoning them forward.

But even as they marched toward their goal, the shadows behind them began to stir once more.

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