Multiversal Legends: Hope Mikaelson, Malia Tate, Ciri, and Beyond

Chapter 5: The Hollow Strikes

The Mikaelson compound seemed to come alive with the encroaching presence of the Hollow. Shadows danced unnaturally along the walls, and a chill seeped into the air, making the ancient structure feel more like a tomb than a home.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Warning! Spiritual attack from the Hollow imminent. Prepare defenses. Recommended actions: Protect Hope Mikaelson and maintain proximity. Absorption progress: 15%. >

Adam glanced at Hope, who stood beside him with her jaw clenched, a faint glow of magic sparking at her fingertips. "Stay close," he said, his tone calm but firm.

"What exactly are we up against?" Hope asked, her voice steady despite the unease in her eyes.

Adam scanned the room, his system already working to analyze the incoming threat.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: The Hollow's manifestation detected. Strength: SS-Class. Strategy: Use spiritual resistance abilities or artifacts to weaken its influence. >

"Something big, nasty, and eager to tear us apart," Adam said. "But don't worry, I've got this."

Hope gave him a skeptical look but didn't argue.

The first attack came as a sudden surge of dark energy. Spectral tendrils shot from the shadows, aiming straight for Hope. Adam reacted instantly, activating his Gluttony ability.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Activating Gluttony. Absorbing hostile energy… Success. Energy converted into usable magic. Stored in inventory as 'Dark Energy Orb x1.' >

The tendrils disintegrated, leaving a faint trace of shimmering energy in their wake. Adam grinned, flexing his fingers. "Not bad, huh?"

Hope stared, her brows furrowing. "What did you just do?"

"I'll explain later," Adam replied. "Right now, we've got company."

The room darkened further as the Hollow's spiritual form began to materialize. A swirling vortex of black mist took shape, its core glowing with an eerie blue light. The temperature dropped sharply, and an oppressive weight settled over them.

From the mist, a voice echoed, low and menacing. "You dare to challenge me? Foolish mortal."

Adam appraised the entity, the system feeding him vital information.

< Subject: The Hollow (Manifestation)

Strength: SS-Class (Weakened due to partial containment). Abilities: Spiritual corruption, possession, dark magic. Weaknesses: Limited physical presence, requires proximity to anchor to hosts. Appraisal Note: Its power will escalate the longer the battle lasts. Neutralize quickly. >

"Nice voice," Adam quipped, his tone light despite the tension. "You practice that in front of a mirror?"

The Hollow lashed out, a wave of dark energy sweeping across the room. Adam grabbed Hope, pulling her behind him as he activated his Adaptive Evolution.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Adaptive Evolution activated. Developing resistance to dark energy… Success! Damage reduced by 90%. >

The wave struck him, but he barely flinched. Hope, protected by Adam's proximity, remained unharmed.

"Stick with me," Adam said, stepping forward.

Freya burst into the room, her hands glowing with magic. "Hope! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Hope said quickly. "Adam's handling it."

Freya shot him a skeptical glance. "Handling it? This is the Hollow we're talking about."

Adam smirked, raising his hand to summon the dark energy he had absorbed earlier. The orb materialized, pulsating with raw power. "Watch and learn."

He hurled the orb at the Hollow's core, the impact causing a ripple of disruption. The vortex trembled, its edges fraying as the entity recoiled.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hollow's manifestation weakened. Remaining strength: 75%. Continue offensive actions. >

Freya's eyes widened. "How did you—"

"No time for questions," Adam interrupted. "I'll keep it busy. You two work on reinforcing the wards."

The battle raged on, Adam using a combination of Gluttony and Adaptive Evolution to counter the Hollow's attacks. Every strike he absorbed added to his strength, turning the entity's own power against it.

Hope and Freya worked together, chanting a spell to strengthen the compound's defenses. Their voices harmonized, the magic weaving into a glowing barrier that pushed back the Hollow's influence.

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Absorption progress: 20%. Hollow's resistance diminishing. Duration until full absorption: 6 days, 18 hours. >

Finally, with one last surge of effort, the Hollow's manifestation began to collapse. Its voice echoed, a mix of anger and frustration. "This is not over…"

The vortex dissipated, leaving the room silent once more.

Adam exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he turned to face the two women. "Well, that was fun. Everyone okay?"

Freya studied him, her expression a mix of awe and suspicion. "What are you?"

"Just a guy who's really good at improvising," Adam said with a wink.

Hope stepped forward, her gaze searching his. "You're more than that. You're… something else. I don't know if I trust you yet, but I believe you're here to help."

< SYSTEM MESSAGE: Hope Mikaelson's trust progress: 50%. Freya Mikaelson's trust progress: 30%. >

Adam smiled softly. "That's all I'm asking for."

To Be Continued...

PS. THIS FANFIC IS PARTIALLY CREATED BUY AI