Chapter 756: Futility
Luke’s eyes widened as the demon finished his spell. He turned, jerking his hand toward me. "Run!"
I stood my ground, meeting his eyes, my gaze unwavering. His expression paled.
"No! Xiviyah, listen to me! You can’t face this one. It’ll crush your soul!" he cried.
Endless darkness poured out of the magic circles, washing against the dome erected by the isolation barrier. It was only a few inches deep, like mist on the ground, yet it rapidly began to rise, filling the barrier like water poured into a fishbowl. It was startling cold, sucking the warmth from my bones, but didn’t actually block vision. I gasped as it covered my chest and head, constricting my lungs with its chill.
"Damn it all, why are you so stubborn?" Luke growled, turning to face the demon lord.
Rash’alon gazed at us, red eyes seeming amused. "You act as if there’s anywhere to run. Unless you managed to defeat me, the slave will never escape this cage. And I’m afraid the opportunity to do that just ended."
The demon raised its hand again, fingers closing in a fist. Chains made of pure darkness erupted from the ground, lashing at us like whips. I bit my tongue, holding back a scream, as they caught my wrists, pulling them taught, bringing me to my knees. More chains caught me fast, securing my arms, legs, waist, and even neck. They were cold and hard, like unforgiving steel. My heart skipped a beat, my throat closing up as the one around my neck tightened like one of Lord Byron’s collars.
Luke shouted and raged as he resisted the chains that came for him, using his sword, fists, and even feet to tear them apart. But more came, an endless tide of dull black steel. The effect became apparent immediately, as Luke’s aura abruptly plummeted, falling an entire level.
The chains tightened their grip, starting to siphon the strength from my body and soul. I squirmed and took a shallow breath, drawing on Adaptive Resistance. An eighth-level curse, not something I’d ever overcome, nor something I should be able to. And yet, the power hummed in my chest, warm like the summer sun.
Rash’alon’s sword flashed, slicing into Luke. He twisted his body, screaming as the blade cut into his shoulder. The blood that spewed out was black.
"No," I whispered, drawing more and more starlight from my soul. "I won’t let you!"