Crimson Overlord-Chapter 398: Ruins of Tenebris 2

The force of the Warden’s attack sent Luna skidding back, her boots scraping against the stone floor. A searing pain shot up her arm from the impact, but she gritted her teeth and pushed forward. There was no time to hesitate.

The Warden of Tenebris stood motionless for a moment, analyzing her. Its monstrous form towered over her, shoulders broad and wrapped in an aura of dark energy. The glowing veins on its obsidian skin pulsed like a beating heart, radiating raw power. Its claws, each as long as a blade, dripped with a thick, black miasma that sizzled as it hit the ground.

Luna knew this wasn’t an enemy she could defeat with speed alone. Strength, magic, and strategy would all be necessary to conquer this trial.

The Warden moved first.

It lunged forward, faster than something its size should have been capable of. Luna barely had time to raise her blade before it swung a massive claw at her. She dodged at the last second, rolling to the side, but the sheer force of its swing cracked the stone floor where she had just stood.

No room for error. One mistake, and she’d be crushed.

Luna’s magic flared, light surging through her veins. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured twin daggers, each glowing with radiant energy. She dashed forward, her movements swift and precise. The Warden swung again, but this time, she vaulted over its arm, twisting midair and slashing her daggers across its shoulder as she passed.

The blades barely scratched its thick hide.

Luna landed, her breath hitching. "Tough bastard," she muttered.

The Warden turned its head, its hollow eyes locking onto her. Then, for the first time, it spoke.

"Unworthy."

A wave of dark energy exploded outward. Luna barely had time to brace before she was thrown back, her body crashing against a nearby pillar. The impact sent pain rippling through her ribs, and she gasped for breath.

Boom! Bam!

Above, Orpheus watched silently, his gaze unreadable. He knew Luna was strong, but this trial wasn’t about power alone—it was about perseverance, adaptation, and finding the strength to overcome the impossible.

Luna coughed, pushing herself up despite the pain. Her vision blurred for a second, but she forced herself to focus. Get up. Move. Think.

The Warden advanced, slow and deliberate.

Luna took a deep breath, steadying herself. The first approach hadn’t worked—her weapons weren’t enough to break through its defenses. She needed another way.

Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she centered herself. The power within her pulsed, waiting to be called upon.

When she opened her eyes again, they glowed with radiant light.

She moved—this time faster, sharper. Instead of attacking head-on, she zigzagged around the Warden, forcing it to turn and track her movements. She conjured spears of light, launching them at its joints, targeting its knees, elbows, and neck. The projectiles struck, causing the Warden to falter slightly, its movements growing sluggish.

There!

Luna darted in, aiming for its exposed side. She gathered magic into her blade, reinforcing it with pure holy energy. With a sharp exhale, she slashed—this time, the blade cut deeper, golden sparks flickering from the wound.

The Warden growled, more in annoyance than pain, but it was progress.

Luna pressed her advantage, striking again and again, her attacks gaining momentum. She ducked under its wild swings, danced around its heavy footfalls, and struck at every weakness she could find.

But the Warden wasn’t done.

Suddenly, its body shuddered, and the glowing veins along its body pulsed violently. The dark energy surrounding it thickened, warping the air around them.

"Enough."

With one devastating sweep of its arm, it sent a shockwave of darkness surging toward Luna.

She tried to dodge—but it was too fast.

The impact sent her flying across the chamber, slamming her into another wall. Pain erupted through her body, her vision flashing white for a second.

Orpheus frowned slightly, his fingers twitching. He had no intention of interfering, but watching Luna struggle against the overwhelming force of the Warden ignited something deep within him. He wanted to see how far she could push herself.

Luna groaned, her body screaming in protest as she forced herself to stand. Blood trickled from a cut on her forehead, but she barely noticed. Her mind was racing, calculating.

She had to end this.

Taking a deep breath, she reached deeper into her origin core—farther than she ever had before.

Dark Golden flames erupted around her, the light radiating with demonic divine power. The entire chamber trembled in response. Luna’s body felt lighter, stronger, as the magic coursed through her veins.

The Warden, for the first time, hesitated.

Luna smirked. "Not so confident now, are you?"

With a burst of speed, she closed the distance, dodging its desperate swings with ease. She leapt high into the air, magic gathering at the tip of her blade. The light intensified, forming a massive crescent of energy.

"Divine Crescent!"

She swung downward, and the energy erupted forward, slamming into the Warden with full force. The impact shattered the air, sending a shockwave that rocked the entire ruin. The Warden let out a final, guttural roar before its body cracked apart, disintegrating into dust.

Silence fell over the chamber.

Luna landed gracefully, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths.

Above, Orpheus smirked. "Impressive."

Luna shot him a glare. "You knew that thing was this strong, didn’t you?"

He chuckled, leaping down from his vantage point. "Of course. But you handled it well."

She rolled her eyes, wiping the sweat from her brow. "You’re lucky I like you."

Orpheus tilted his head, his gaze darkening slightly. "Oh? And if you didn’t?"

Luna smirked. "Then I’d make you fight that thing instead."

Orpheus laughed, offering his hand. She took it, allowing him to pull her close. "You did more than just conquer the ruin," he murmured. "You grew stronger. That’s what matters."

Luna exhaled, nodding. Despite the exhaustion, a deep sense of accomplishment filled her.

The trial was over.

And she had won.