CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34 – LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Chapter 34 – Light At The End Of The Tunnel

The sizzling lightning charged up gradually as it sucked more and more Aether. Jack could feel the pool within him drying up rapidly. Even though he had way above-average Aether, he still felt worried that the attack might take it all.

But luckily, it stopped quickly as the charging completed, and Jack’s hand turned into a bright light from the sheer intensity of the lightning — to the point where even the air around him grew subtly warmer. And yet... Jack didn’t feel any pain or discomfort having it wrapped around his arm.

It was as if the lightning knew not to harm him, only everything around him. Something that fascinated him even more.

Then, the boy took a deep breath and aimed his hand at the monster in the far distance. ’It should be able to reach it.’

Without wasting any time, Jack suddenly raised his hand higher and then swung it down with all his power. The swing, as simple as it was... changed everything. The red lightning sizzled loudly before it vanished from his arm.

Before Jack could even look up, he saw the sky above them turn red for a split second. Then, through the clouds, a red bolt descended into the ground instantly. It was faster than any eye could see. Its aim was the heart of the horde, cutting through the air with ease.

BOOOOOM

The explosion sent shockwaves in every direction as many monsters fell back from the shock. A bright red light blinded everyone for a moment as they heard the roar of the monster. The large Undead groaned in pain as it fell back, its entire body sizzling from the attack. It spasmed and shook violently before the lightning dissipated, leaving behind rising smoke and burnt skin.

"What the hell?!"

"Oh my god..."

"..."

The group watched the scene in sheer shock.

"What the hell was that?!"

"Did he just use lightning?!"

"I-It came from the sky!"

Alex, Emi, and Evan were unable to understand what they had witnessed. For them, it appeared as if some divine lightning had descended from the skies above. Yet from Jack’s hand gesture... they realized it was his doing.

Luna stared silently at the scene, her face marked by a deep frown. Nobody knew what was going through her head at that moment.

"Oh my..." The red light reflected in Liliana’s eyes as she whispered. Then, a small, strange smile appeared on her face that nobody could understand.

"RAAAAAAAA!!!" The creature roared again as it stood up and looked around, its eyes filled with great anger and distress. Even though it looked completely bestial, one could notice a subtle, deliberate control in its movements, indicating that it was smarter than the Undead around it, who continued clawing at the wall as if nothing had happened.

Eventually, the monster’s eyes locked on Jack, who stared back at it. Then, without wasting time, the monster started moving toward him, rapidly increasing its speed.

’Good, it locked on me.’ Jack nodded as he started moving back slowly, making sure the monster left the horde and approached him.

As the monster got closer, Jack looked up at the group and nodded his head before he started running, dragging the monster away from the horde.

"Jack is moving away!" Alex exclaimed.

"Is he really going to be fine fighting that thing...? It looks terrifying..."

"We need to focus. The plan starts now," Luna said as she stepped forward and climbed the rails. "We will take down as many as we can."

As she said that, Luna slowly moved her arms, forming a rather unique gesture. It was as if she were holding a bow in her hands with its string pulled back. Slowly, the Aether channeling through her body started forming a shape in her hands.

A bright blue, yet translucent, bow appeared there magically. It was pulsating with raw energy.

Luna’s eyes turned sharp as she aimed the bow at the hordes below. Then, a blue arrow formed in the bow, pulled back, and was ready to be launched at top speed.

"Die." She muttered, then released her fingers, and the arrow launched downward at shocking speed.

Cutting through the air, it slammed into the horde, exploding violently. A small cloud of energy formed for a few seconds, incinerating everything within it. The monsters scurried around instinctively, trying to get out of the impact zone.

Luna stared at the chaos as she exhaled. ’It’s working, although it didn’t kill that many.’

"Wow..."

"Luna!! That’s so cool!" Emi exclaimed. "What is that ability?!"

"Aether Arrows," she replied. "I can manifest a bow and arrows from energy and use them."

’It’s strong, but it consumes a lot of energy.’ She mused.

Even though she had only used one arrow, she already felt a bit exhausted. However, Luna still shook her head and summoned another arrow.

’I need to shoot as many as possible before they realize our location.’ With intense determination, Luna focused on her target.

In her head, one thought remained:

’I will help Jack with everything I can.’

The arrow blasted into the horde, leaving a deep mark behind. Then Luna summoned another one, and another one after that, as the arrows rained down on the clueless monsters.

Her fingers rapidly grew familiar with the motion, growing faster and faster with each arrow launched. Her aim also improved as she understood how it worked. Aiming for the front of the horde, she kept trying to push the monsters back.

The blasts, as small as they were, created several gaps in the monsters’ lines and slowly reduced the pressure on the walls by a small margin.

At the same time, inside the base—

"Sir!!! It’s an emergency!"

Inside the building, a soldier ran in a hurry to the general.

"What is it?"

"S-Something is attacking the hordes!"

"What? Are they reinforcements?" he asked.

"No... I... You have to come see for yourself!"

Frowning deeply, the man looked back at his men before he nodded and then rushed after his soldier. The two emerged outside, only to be met with a magnificent sight. Rains of blue arrows came down from the sky onto the monsters.

Each arrow blasted several of them into small pieces with ease.

"What in God’s..." The man reached over the edge and watched with sheer horror and fascination.

"We don’t know what’s happening, sir! The arrows are coming from above!"

"..."

The man didn’t reply as he watched silently for a few moments. "Is this... Is this divine intervention... Are we being saved?"

"W-What should we do, sir?!"

"..."

"Sir!"

"Call for all the soldiers to take their positions! There is hope in the distance!" he replied as he put his hat back on. "There is still hope to fight!"

His eyes flared with determination again. After seeing everything crumble before his eyes and hope dissipate, these arrows had given them a new chance to defend themselves.

"Gather the soldiers. Pick up your weapons!"

In a hurry, all the soldiers were summoned outside as they picked up their guns. Seeing the situation, many were confused, and some thought God had finally answered their prayers.

But all of them shared one thing... they saw a light at the end of the tunnel.