The members of Spectrum reformed their ranks with a worrying speed. Their bodies materialized in swirls of violet mana. They raised their hands together and launched a wave of dark demonic energy that crossed the courtyard.

Julian dodged with a step to the side. The wave passed a few centimeters from him without touching him. He counterattacked immediately.

< Elemental Magic: Breath of the Eternal Frost >

A new gust of absolute cold swept the front line. About ten enemies froze in place, covered in frost. Julian advanced and shattered them with a wide sword strike. The frozen pieces fell to the ground before transforming into violet smoke.

Nox laughed as he intervened again and raised both hands.

< Arcs of Oblivion >

Red lightning struck the center of the enemy mass. The bodies exploded in a spray of black blood and torn flesh. Heads rolled on the basalt. Yet, less than a minute later, the same fighters reappeared a little further away, their eyes still shining with that fanatical glow.

Jasper drew his bow and fired three arrows. The projectiles flew at high speed, bounced off the walls and hit several targets right in the head. Each impact was precise. The bodies collapsed, but the resurrection process began again almost immediately.

Klein observed everything with his Eye of Perception. He saw the flow of demonic mana circulating in the air like a thick river. Each death released particles that returned toward an invisible central point before reforming the enemies.

A group of Spectrum charged directly toward him. They hurled dark fireballs that left burning trails in the air. Klein activated his aura attraction. The attackers were pulled toward him against their will. They collided violently. He then reversed the polarity.

< Aura Repulsion >

The shockwave sent them flying in all directions. Several crashed against the pillars with the sound of broken bones. Others hit the ground so hard that their bodies burst. The area around Klein remained clear for a few seconds.

Nox projected another blood singularity in the middle of the courtyard. The scarlet sphere sucked in everything in its path: stones, bodies and mana. Several members of Spectrum disappeared into the void. The resurrection process slowed down again for a short moment.

Jasper moved to the side to keep his distance. He used his bow as a melee weapon against an enemy who had gotten too close. A sharp blow broke the man’s arm. Jasper’s dagger then slashed the exposed throat. The black blood spurted, but Jasper retreated cleanly and avoided the splashes.

"Kaiser, do you see anything with your eye?" asked Jasper while nocking new arrows.

Klein narrowed his eyes. He concentrated his aura in his vision. The flow of demonic mana seemed to come from a deeper point in the Bastion, behind the courtyard. The particles formed a constant loop that fueled the resurrections.

"There is a larger source," replied Klein. "It is not just these guys. Something connects them all. As long as we do not cut that, they will keep coming back."

"So let’s find that source and end this," said Julian as he transformed into frosted mist and crossed the attacks without damage. He reappeared behind a group and slashed several backs with a wide movement. The enemies fell to their knees before dissolving.

Nox jumped over a crack in the ground and launched a series of rapid lightning bolts. Each strike hit its target and pulverized a body. The remains disappeared in the usual violet smoke. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Jasper fired arrow after arrow. His rhythm was steady and precise. Each projectile found a weakness: an eye, a joint, a heart. He moved little, but each action was effective.

Klein stayed in the center. He alternated attraction and repulsion to control the enemies’ movements. A wave of attackers flew into the air and crashed against a distant wall. Their bodies shattered on impact.

"We cannot stay here forever," said Julian as he rejoined the others after a new series of strikes.

"I agree, if this continues we will only exhaust ourselves," added Nox. He rubbed his hands together. The red lightning around his fingers was a little less intense than at the beginning.

The members of Spectrum reformed their lines once more. This time, they were even more numerous. The courtyard seemed to fill endlessly. Their black tunics undulated like a dark sea. Their veins pulsed with demonic energy.

Klein disappeared to reappear behind a group before delivering a downward strike with his katana, eliminating five members in one blow. Julian took advantage of the cover to charge on the flank. His frosted blade cut down several enemies in a single pass.

"They do not touch us, but we are not advancing either," growled Nox. He projected a singularity larger than the previous ones. The suction was powerful. About twenty bodies disappeared into the void. Yet, the violet particles began to gather again almost immediately.

Jasper fired a volley of arrows that multiplied in the air. The swarm struck with precision. Dozens of enemies collapsed, their throat or chest pierced. They disappeared, then reappeared a few meters further away.

Klein observed the flow again. He noticed that the particles took a little longer to reform after each of Nox’s singularities.

"Keep doing that, Nox," he said. "Your attacks seem to disrupt the cycle more than ours. Julian, protect him while he charges a bigger one. Jasper, cover our backs."

The three nodded. Julian positioned himself in front of Nox and used his mist form to intercept several enemy spells. Nox joined his hands and concentrated his energy. The air around him became heavy and dark red.

The members of Spectrum sensed the danger. They charged with more rage. Their cries filled the courtyard. Blades imbued with darkness struck into the empty space where Julian had stood a second earlier.

< Art of Babylon: Superior Blood Singularity >

The black and red sphere flew to the center of the courtyard. It grew rapidly and sucked in everything in a wider radius. Dozens of bodies, stones and a large quantity of demonic mana disappeared into the nothingness. The violet flow in the air dispersed violently this time. Several seconds passed without anyone reappearing.

"It’s working better," noted Klein with satisfaction. He saw the particles struggling to gather.

But the courtyard was not empty yet. Other members of Spectrum continued to materialize at the extremities.