Power of Runes

Chapter 72 - 72: Twin Calamity subjugation(2)

"Get ready," Aurora said, as she moved forward.

In the very next moment, Zerak vanished from his spot and appeared in front of Ray, his sudden disappearance and appearance without sound showed just how much control he had over his body.

His claw moved with terrifying precision, aiming straight for Ray's heart.

Shit—too fast!

Ray, who acted on instinct, intercepted the claw with his sword. But the force behind the strike was too much—his arms trembled as the shock travelled through his weapon, and before he could brace himself, the blow sent him flying across the hall.

What the hell...?

He crashed against the ground with a dull thud, sliding over the cold stone floor. He groaned, breath knocked from his chest, vision blurring as the ceiling above him twisted out of focus.

But before Zerak could follow through, two shadows closed in.

Ethan and Irvin.

Irvin roared, stone erupting beneath his feet as he burst forward. His fist, covered in jagged rocks, moved towards Zerak with force, every step causing the earth beneath him to quake. His body shimmered with faint earthen light, like a living force of nature.

"EAT THIS YOU BASTARD!!"

Meanwhile, Ethan neither roared nor spoke. He simply melted into the shadows—one moment there, the next beside Zerak, twin daggers coated in shadow. His strike was swift, a precise lunge aimed at Zerak's neck.

Zerak didn't turn. He didn't even flinch. He allowed them to attack him, he welcomed it, savoring the desperation in their movements. Let them come, he thought. Let them feel the difference between filthy bloods and demons., let them despair.

As the daggers and fist collided with his body, they felt like they hit an impenetrable wall. It was like attacking a solid rock. The shock of their strikes reverberated through them, but they achieved nothing.

This is impossible...

"H-How...?"

They were beyond shocked.

"Cute," Zerak said, his voice playful. "But you're just filthy bloods. No amount of attack can harm me."

But who was Ethan? The son of a prestigious family—he wouldn't back down after just one try.

Ethan didn't retreat. Instead, he pushed forward, running as he shifted into an arc around Zerak, lunging with his daggers aimed at the demon's eyes.

*I'm not strong enough for this. But I can't back down.

But Zerak caught Ethan's dagger mid-air with two fingers, twisting it effortlessly. Before Ethan could react, Zerak kicked him square in the chest.

THUD!!

Ethan flew back, blood spraying from his lips.

Irvin didn't back out either. With his feet anchored to the ground, he unleashed a rapid barrage of punches aimed at Zerak's lower region, each blow faster than the last.

"I'LL MAKE YOU A EUNUCH!"

But Zerak simply moved back slightly, dodging the punches with ease, then slapped Irvin across the face with a force that sent him tumbling.

BAAM!!!

Irvin hit the floor, blood spraying from his mouth, as he struggled to breathe.

Behind them, Miraak raised his hand, unfazed by the chaos unfolding before him.

"Curse of Blindness," he intoned, his voice carrying the weight of a tolling bell.

A wave of dark energy pulsed out, and the air seemed to thicken.

"Dodge!" Aurora's voice rang out, sharp and clear, a warning in the midst of the battle.

Some moved, Some didn't.

Three second years dropped to the floor, hands clutching their faces, screaming in agony.

"I can't see…"

"My vision.."

Lyra wasn't fast enough, exhaustion from previous curse weighed her down, and she gasped as another curse struck her. Her eyes went wide and unfocused, her fingers clawing at the air as her body stumbled, disoriented.

"Lyra!", Grace ran to her side, hands already glowing with warm light, but the curse wasn't like any wound.

"Damn it…" Grace whispered, casting [Purify Touch].

Meanwhile, Aurora stepped forward, the air around her shifting. Wind stirred, faint trails of starry mana orbiting her like distant comets. Her eyes glowed violet, her hair swept upward as if caught in an unseen breeze.

"I don't know who you are," she murmured, "but you need to die." She raised her hand.

"Stellar Blast."

The air above her shimmered, and then, with a crack that split the tension, a lance of starlight descended from the sky, shooting toward the demon.

Miraak raised his arm lazily. The starlight collided with a dark barrier, exploding into a cloud of flares. Smoke and sparks filled the air.

"You shine pretty, little star," Miraak said, his smile never wavering, "But stars fall too."

He raised both hands, twisting them in a circle. Black symbols spun around him like a cage—dark, intricate, and pulsing with power.

"Curse of Weakening."

His gaze locked onto Aurora. The curse was meant for her alone.

Aurora staggered, feeling her body weaken under the curse's weight.

But how... I'm covered in Star mana.

What is happening..??

Ash watched the curse sink into Aurora, Like I said, although Star and Moon mana can block curses and demonic energy, without proper guidance and experience, it is nothing but a dream.

His gaze shifted again,

Behind Aurora, Amelia dashed forward, spear in hand, her footsteps barely making a sound as she closed the distance.

Although this is my first fight... I can't back out now.

Her eyes locked onto Miraak's hands,

"Neither am I."

SWISSSSHHH!!!!!

Then suddenly their gazes were pulled sidewards—toward the swirling storm of demonic energy.

The small rift above shimmered like oil and lightning, spiraling faster with every passing second, tearing holes in space itself.

Zerak laughed, eyes glowing wild.

"HAHAHA! My little brother is calling the beasts to join the feast… Isn't this delightful?"

***