SWNOVELXO Chapter 10: Chapter 10 – The Claim of Veil
The team reached the edge of Cliffstone Cave by dusk. The mouth of the cave yawned open like the entrance to another world — jagged stone cliffs rising around it like the ribs of a buried titan.
Inside, it was unnaturally silent. Only the sound of their boots echoed through the smooth crystal walls.
Then, they saw it — a towering gate made of pure mana-crystal, sealed with ancient runes.
Chris:
> "This is the threshold. The mana pulse is just beyond."
As they approached, the runes suddenly pulsed red.
A tremor ran through the cave floor.
> CRACK—CRACK—
From either side of the gate, two enormous Crystal Golems emerged from the walls, their bodies glowing with raw mana, fists the size of shields.
Karen:
> "This was too easy… I knew it!"
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⚔️ Battle – The Crystal Guardians
The golems charged.
Chris summoned a wall of stone to block one's swing.
Karen used her attract magic to redirect its attention away from Show.
Hibiki flipped overhead, slicing with wind-forged blades.
But the golems were resistant. Every blow barely scratched their glowing armor.
Show, his fists blazing, shouted:
> "Then we'll melt them down!"
He launched a flame uppercut that cracked a golem's chest, but it regenerated.
Chris growled:
> "We need to strike the core—look! The center of their chests!"
Working together, the four launched a coordinated strike:
Chris pinned one down with stone chains.
Karen froze it in place with her psychic pulse.
Hibiki slashed away its arms with wind blades.
Show ignited a concentrated fire burst—BOOM!
The crystal cracked—shattered—and fell.
The second golem roared and charged, but this time they were ready.
Another combined effort—and it, too, crumbled into glowing dust.
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🔓 The Mana Stone Revealed
The crystal gate trembled, then slowly slid open.
Inside, the cavern sparkled like the inside of a prism — and at the center of it all, floating above a crystal pedestal, was the Mana Stone.
It glowed a brilliant blue and gold, pulsing gently — as if breathing.
And then… the pulse surged.
Show stumbled back.
His chest burned. The flame within him reacted.
> Karen: "It's… calling you again…"
But before anyone could step forward—
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🕶️ Enter: Veil
A gust of wind swept in from above — and with it, a figure descended.
He wore a long cloak with slashed sleeves, glowing markings across his chest and gloves. His face was partly masked, but his smirk was unmistakable.
He walked straight past them and reached out toward the Mana Stone.
> "This belongs to me now."
Show:
> "Hold it! Who the hell are you?"
The figure turned slowly, his eyes glowing faintly violet.
> "I am Veil. And unlike you… I know what this stone truly is."
He clenched his hand, and the mana around the stone began to surge.
Show, stepping forward, his flames flaring wildly:
> "Then let's see if you're strong enough to keep it."
> Show challenges Veil for the Mana Stone.
TO BE CONTINUED
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