Crimson Overlord-Chapter 397: Ruin of Tenebris 1

The crimson sky of the Demon Realm cast an eerie glow over the ancient ruins that stretched before them. Towering stone pillars, weathered by time and magic, jutted from the earth like the skeletal remains of a forgotten civilization. Dark vines slithered across broken archways, their thorny tendrils pulsing with latent energy. The air hummed with a sense of foreboding, as if the very land itself remembered the battles and bloodshed that had once stained its soil.

Orpheus stood atop a crumbling ledge, his arms crossed as he watched Luna stretch, preparing herself for the challenge ahead. His crimson eyes gleamed with intrigue. This was more than just a test of strength—it was a test of her instincts, adaptability, and control over her abilities.

Luna rolled her shoulders and exhaled, excitement flickering in her eyes.

"So, no help from you?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder.

Orpheus smirked. "None. You conquer this ruin alone. I’ll simply observe."

A playful grin tugged at Luna’s lips. "Then I’ll make sure to put on a good show."

With that, she stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the ruins of Tenebris. The moment she did, the ground trembled slightly, as if acknowledging her presence. A deep, guttural growl echoed through the empty corridors. Luna’s fingers twitched, magic thrumming at her fingertips.

The first chamber was vast, lined with towering statues of long-forgotten warriors. Each one had hollow eyes that seemed to follow her every movement. She moved cautiously, her boots barely making a sound against the cracked stone floor.

Then, without warning—

CLANG!

A set of metal doors slammed shut behind her, sealing her inside.

Luna smirked. "Of course." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

A low hiss slithered through the chamber as the statues began to move. Their stone limbs cracked, ancient magic forcing them to life. Their weapons glowed with dark energy, and in unison, they turned toward Luna.

The first one lunged, swinging its massive sword downward. Luna sidestepped gracefully, the blade smashing into the floor where she had stood just moments before. Without missing a beat, she spun, summoning a blade of pure light in her hand, and slashed across the statue’s chest. A sharp crack split the air as the stone warrior staggered back, its form crumbling from the impact.

Another rushed at her from behind, spear aimed straight for her back.

Swoosh!

Luna ducked just in time, flipping over the creature and landing smoothly behind it. Her magic flared, and a whip of golden light coiled around her arm before she lashed it forward. The energy whip sliced clean through the statue, shattering it into dust.

Above, Orpheus watched from the shadows, nodding in approval.

"My harsh trainings weren’t wasted."

Her movements were fluid, precise. She wasn’t just relying on brute force—she was analyzing her opponents, predicting their attacks, and countering with minimal effort.

The remaining statues charged in unison, but Luna was faster. She flickered like a shadow, darting between them with breathtaking agility. Every movement was a dance—lethal and mesmerizing.

Bam!

She struck down the last of the statues with a final, glowing arc of her blade, the energy dissipating as the battle came to an end.

Breathing slightly heavier, she turned her gaze toward the next passage.

"Is that all?" she called out, knowing Orpheus could hear her.

A deep chuckle echoed from above. "Not even close. Don’t let your guard down little girl."

As if responding to his words, the floor beneath Luna gave way, and she plummeted into darkness.

If it was her previous self she would have started to panic but not anymore. All those times spent together and the trainings did wonders, she was not the same anymore. She had elvolved but there was still a lot of work to do.

´I shall focus on my current situation.’

Luna landed gracefully, her knees bending to absorb the impact. She found herself in a massive underground labyrinth, the walls pulsing with strange runes that emitted an eerie violet glow. The air was thick with origin(magic), and a strange presence slithered through the shadows.

She could feel it watching her.

A shuffling sound echoed in the distance. Luna clenched her fists, her magic flaring in response. The shadows moved, forming into grotesque creatures with elongated limbs and hollow, glowing eyes. They whispered in distorted voices, their words unintelligible yet laced with dark intent.

One lunged. Luna pivoted, slamming her palm against its chest, sending a burst of holy energy through its body. The creature shrieked, disintegrating into black mist.

Another lashed out from the side, its claws aiming for her throat. She twisted, dodging at the last second before conjuring twin daggers, slicing through the creature in a fluid motion.

The whispers grew louder. More shadows emerged.

Luna narrowed her eyes. "Tch. Endless waves, huh?"

Up above, Orpheus observed with a knowing smile. He had chosen this ruin for a reason—it would push her, force her to go beyond her limits.

And so far, she was doing exceptionally well.

But the true test had yet to come.

As Luna cut down another shadow beast, the ground beneath her glowed with arcane symbols. A deep rumbling filled the chamber as an ancient door at the far end of the labyrinth slowly creaked open.

A presence unlike any other seeped through the air.

Luna’s muscles tensed.

From the darkness of the now-open chamber, a towering figure stepped forward. Unlike the previous enemies, this one radiated pure malice. Its form was humanoid, but its skin was obsidian-like, covered in glowing crimson veins of raw magic. Two curved horns protruded from its head, and its blackened eyes burned with hunger.

A Warden of Tenebris—a guardian that only appeared in the deepest parts of the ruin.

Luna exhaled sharply, tightening her grip on her weapon. "Now we’re talking."

Above, Orpheus smirked. "Let’s see how you handle this one, my love."

With a deafening roar, the Warden charged, shaking the entire labyrinth. Luna met its attack head-on, her blade clashing against its monstrous claws. Sparks erupted between them, the sheer force of impact sending shockwaves through the ruins.

This was it—the true battle had begun.