ebookland Chapter 1184: The Protection
Chapter 1184: The Protection
Suddenly, the dockyard shook violently and debris started collapsing into the sea!
Survivors stumbled, grabbing onto railings and crates for support. The Tridents also braced themselves, as their stabilizers locked them into place.
Then, from the heart of the island, a dark aura emerged.
It spread like a wave, rolling across the land and sea, and it even started chilling the air.
Soon, even the sky darkened as thick shadows spread throughout the whole island...
Furthermore, these shadows didn’t seem natural... They felt like they were alive!
After a few moments, the survivors felt the oppressive weight of something ancient awakening.
"What the hell is that?" Lyn whispered with her mech’s sensors blaring warnings.
Amon also frowned as he held his controls tightly. "Not good. This isn’t just zombies. Something else is here."
The survivors froze as the aura spread, the once‑quiet island now filled with malevolent energy. The laboratory Akame suspected might indeed be here... but whatever was inside had just announced its presence.
The Trident Mechs stood firm at the dockyard, their pilots ready to intercept any enemies...
In the meantime, the ships were docked, and the survivors prepared to disembark after the earthquake stopped.
But as the island had revealed its true danger, they first sent out the Warden Units to secure the perimeter.
The battle for this place was only beginning.
Whatever entity that was, Shane and the others didn’t plan to back down just yet...
***
As the tremors finally subsided, they could still feel the oppressive aura lingering like a fog.
For some time, the survivors steadied themselves as they waited for enemies to come out.
They readied with their weapons, prepared to fight back at any time.
However, even after some time, nothing appeared.
Their eyes looked nervously across the ruined dockyard, but no sea creatures burst out of it.
"It’s clear..." Amon muttered as the Trident Mechs remained locked in place. All the pilots didn’t stop scanning for threats, while the Warden Units spread out to secure the perimeter.
But there weren’t any enemies around.
Soon, Shane emerged from the cabin and although he looked serious, he wasn’t worried at all.
His senses already confirmed that there wasn’t a threat nearby.
For now, he carried out several crates filled with the newly‑crafted Oceansteel tokens.
The polished infused items looked normal at first but if observed closely, they were emitting some faint traces of energy.
Listen up," Shane called as he looked at the crew members of the ship and his fighters...
"These tokens can help you. Get one each! They’re for protection, suppression, offense... I’ve made enough for everyone to carry at least one. Use them wisely."
Indeed, Shane already sent some items to Fiona but he still had other tokens with him.
Just like that, he began distributing the tokens, handing out Oceansteel Protection Tokens to frontline defenders, Arcane Emblems to spellcasters, and Phantom Hound Tokens to scouts and agile fighters. Finally, he gave the newly‑forged Soulblade Tokens to the elite warriors.
The survivors’ reactions were immediate.
One of the Super Soldiers turned the Soulblade Token over in his hand, eyes widening as he learned how to use it.
"This feels like I’m holding a real sword..." he muttered.
An elf from Mystra’s unit also appraised the Arcane Emblem, and with her knowledge, she immediately realized what it could do...
She even tried it out after confirming it...
Bzzt!
Suddenly, lightning crackled across the dockyard, stunning a few stray zombies that had wandered too close.
"Incredible," she whispered, awe in her voice.
Even Travis looked impressed as he saw how effortless it was to cast a powerful lightning attack.
The tokens were definitely useful, especially when fighting against a horde.
Just like that, after everyone learned how to use their weapons, Shane allowed himself a faint smile. "Good. Now let’s move."
At this time, he had already worn his favourite set, the Calamity Set.
The mask concealed his features, the mantle draped across his shoulders, and the plate armor made him feel really safe with its passive effect that returns the damage...
Furthermore, the greaves, gauntlet, and belt added protection, giving him both the 3-Piece and the 5-Piece Set Effect.
The 3-Piece Set effect was already awesome with the boost in agility and passive effect that helps him with his flight, but the 5-Piece Set effect was actually the best, as it granted him both Passive and Active Skills!
[ 5-Piece Bonus Effect:
Active Skill:
Winged Descent: Leap high into the air and slam into the ground with explosive force, dealing wide area damage.
Passive Skill:
Ashen Domain: Enemies within 10m suffer reduced healing, –10% armor, and are more vulnerable to burn and fear effects. ]
Shane flexed his fingers and took a deep breath... "You guys, follow me."
The team assembled quickly...
Shinja was followed by Chaloem, the monk.
Tundra, Travis’ Clone, Natalie, and Lysandra were also crucial for the team.
Still, Shane decided to bring more. They were the ten Super Soldiers led by Asta and ten of the Elite Elves led by Mystra.
It was a formidable strike force.
Meanwhile, defense of the dockyard was left to Layla, Elsa, Lily, the two dragons, the Trident Mechs, and the Warden Units. They would hold the ships while Shane’s team advanced inland.
"Move out," Shane ordered.
The group left the dockyard, with their weapons ready and tokens secured.
Soon, the oppressive aura thickened as they advanced towards the center of the island.
Of course, at this time, their progress was cautious. They had no idea what to expect here anyway.
Soon, they encountered their first horde of enemies... mid‑tier zombies.
It was no longer just stray zombies but true hordes.
Jumpers leapt from broken walls and stones, followed by Crushers that moved forward with their massive fists, smashing into the ground.
It didn’t end there... Screamers started appearing and used their shrieks, disorienting the survivors with piercing cries!
Screeeechh~
Thankfully, everyone here had skills to protect themselves from petty tricks.
"Incoming Brutes! Careful!" Shane warned that one of their skills was a short burst of speed, allowing them to get closer to their target.
Indeed, Brutes charged recklessly as the Super Soldiers blocked them with their own Armored Dash!
But at the same time, Crypt Crawlers slithered across the terrain... They were about to surround the Super Soldiers, but then, Mystra and the elite elves made their move.
"Perfect."
The team responded really well, and Shane couldn’t help but feel proud.
Shinja cleaved through Brutes with his massive blade..
Chaloem used his devastating palm strikes.
Tundra threw explosives, obliterating clusters of Crawlers.
Travis’ Clone fought in the front lines with the Super Soldiers...
Even Natalie raised her Holy Grail, creating a radiant light that burst forth to counter the Screamers’ cries.
Lysandra also adapted instantly, coordinating the Super Soldiers and Elves...
Wave after wave of mid‑tier zombies fell before them. Soon, the ground was littered with corpses...
But then, the darkness deepened.
"Something’s wrong... This shadow... This darkness... It’s different." Mystra immediately warned.
Even the Elves started getting concerned about the darkness!
They actually spread thicker than before, swallowing the ruined structures, blotting out even the faint light of the sky.
It was weird!
The survivors felt the weight of it pressing down... It started to feel suffocating and oppressive. Shane’s instincts screamed at him... this was no ordinary aura.
Something was manipulating the shadows.
He glanced at Natalie. "Now."
"On it!"
Natalie raised the Holy Grail high as she gathered her Spirit Points.
Soon, a surge of radiant light erupted, cutting through the darkness like a blade!
The shadows immediately recoiled. They just backed away from the radiance that Natalie had created using the Holy Grail!
Just like that, the survivors felt the pressure ease. The oppressive weight weakened even if it wasn’t completely gone.
Shane exhaled, relief washing over him. "Good work."
But even as the light pushed back the darkness, the ground trembled again.
From deeper within the island, a deafening roar echoed, shaking the ruins. The survivors froze!
Whatever awaited them in the heart of the island was far stronger than the zombies they had faced before.
Then, the shadows thickened... It started rolling in like a tide of pure malice!
This time, Natalie’s Holy Grail released more radiant light, but this light sputtered against the overwhelming darkness!
The shadow swallowed the glow! It was smothering it as if mocking their efforts.
"Damn it... It’s not working!" Natalie gasped, clutching the relic tighter.
The survivors braced themselves.
They weren’t sure how to fight a shadow!
That was darkness. It was something they couldn’t cut in half and it was threatening to consume them whole.
Shane’s instincts screamed... this was no ordinary darkness. He had to do something about it... For now, he could try using his lightning...
But just as despair began to creep in, something unexpected happened.
A pale mist seeped into the battlefield, curling around the survivors like a protective curtain!
The gray fog appeared suddenly!
"What?! Gray fog?"
Its presence was familiar yet mysterious. It spread outward, colliding with the advancing shadows...
The clash happened quickly... the fog resisted the darkness, protecting their team!