Laid nodded, his hands gripping the greatsword trembling slightly with determination. "Whatever awaits us ahead, we will fight to the very end!" His voice was firm and powerful, like an unyielding fortress.

Aresa gently grasped Chen Ge's hand, her eyes filled with determination and trust. "Light will eventually illuminate the darkness. With you by my side, there is nothing we cannot overcome."

Carlos patted Mary on the shoulder. "Little Mary, you did a great job. Keep up the good work."

Mary's eyes shone with excitement and gratitude. "I will work even harder to help everyone!"

Just then, the shadow creatures that had just been suppressed by the elven power suddenly let out a low growl, becoming agitated again, and an uneasy atmosphere filled the air. "It seems this is far from over," Tom said, frowning.

Lyra waved her staff, trying to calm the monsters that had relapsed into their berserk state: "What's going on? The forces of nature should be able to control them better..." Her expression grew serious. But then soldiers began to move toward the center for protection.

A newly recruited soldier, who looked particularly inexperienced, pointed to a spot in the distance where dark energy was gathering and becoming increasingly dense, and shouted, "Look over there! Another dark figure has appeared! It's even stronger than Allen's before!"

Everyone turned to look and saw a pitch-black energy vortex spinning rapidly, constantly attracting and devouring all the light around it.

Wright gritted his teeth and said, "Is it brewing its final trump card? We can't let the plan fall apart here." With that, he prepared to charge forward, wanting to cut through the threat directly.

Chen Ge stopped him, shaking her head. "Wait. We can't act rashly. The most important thing now is to maintain formation and ensure everyone is in the safest position." She then looked at the ancient book in Lia's hand. "Perhaps there's a way to counter them hidden within. Keep searching for clues, little girl!"

After hearing this, Leah became even more focused on reading each page of text. "This contains some very powerful protective spells... If cast correctly, they might be able to withstand this impact."

At this time, more and more ordinary people came to watch and cheer for these brave fighters: "Hold on, heroes!" "Protect our homeland! You can do it!"

One of the older villagers looked at the scene with deep emotion: "I haven't seen such a magnificent and brutal battle in a long time. The young people have indeed grown into true strongmen... I just hope that no one else will lose their lives because of this."

However, just as the atmosphere reached its peak of tension, the entire battlefield suddenly seemed to fall silent, with only the ever-expanding black vortex emanating a terrifyingly powerful pressure.

"Are we ready to face the fiercest storm?" Chen Ge asked his companions.

Wright nodded slightly, indicating he was ready for the challenge; Aretha quickly chanted more blessings to increase shield effects for herself and others; Carlos and Tom led the remaining warriors into the optimal formation, ready to respond to any unforeseen circumstances...

As the last second passed—countless dark matter attacks erupted from the pitch-black opening, sweeping outwards in all directions. At the same time, Leah finally completed the final incantation: "Radiant power, manifest!" Instantly, an extremely dazzling white light burst forth, rapidly forming a massive sphere of light that repelled and neutralized all the incoming attacks!

Applause and cheers erupted from all around, with many exclaiming in amazement: "That's incredible...it's unbelievable!" and "They did it! They actually withstood such a devastating attack!"

However, Lyra quickly realized the situation wasn't entirely resolved: "Don't let your guard down... Look at the sky... It looks like a new enemy is approaching..."

A massive, blurry figure appeared in the sky, accompanied by a deep, icy voice: "A brilliant performance... but I've only just warmed up. The next battle... will be the true end."

Chen Ge looked up at the gradually emerging new opponent, a resolute smile appearing on his face: "In that case... let's continue until dawn."

Lett nodded in agreement: "That's right. No matter how treacherous and bumpy the road ahead may be, we will face it together without fear."

The two exchanged a smile, then turned to face the impending, even greater crisis, preparing to confront it.

As Chen Ge and Wright finished speaking, the atmosphere on the battlefield tensed up once again. The surrounding soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, preparing for the next, even more intense challenge.

**Layla looked up at the sky, her voice tinged with unease, and said, "Everyone, pay attention to the sky above; the enemy could appear at any moment."**

"They're here! They're here!" a young guard exclaimed, pointing to the sky.

The massive, blurry figure gradually became clearer, revealing a tall creature clad entirely in black armor. Its eyes gleamed like burning rubies, and a dark aura surrounded it.

"Is this our new adversary? It's quite frightening." Mary's voice trembled slightly.

Carlos immediately stepped forward and stood in front of her. "Don't worry, I will protect you and everyone else."

Suddenly, a powerful pressure emanated from the black-armored creature, causing many people to collapse to the ground because they could not withstand it.

“What…what kind of power is this?! It’s unbelievable,” a villager said, trembling, and the others echoed his sentiments.

Just then, a deep and extremely cold voice floated down from the sky: "Mortals, you have already witnessed the edge of death. Now, I will let you truly understand the meaning of fear."

Aresa gripped her staff tightly, her voice calm yet powerful: "Don't be intimidated. Remember why we fight. Unity is strength. Let's defeat him together."

The group was greatly encouraged and adjusted their posture to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Wright was the first to step forward: "Who are you, this uninvited guest? How dare you barge in and threaten all of us?"

The other party sneered a few times: "I am Cerestos, a general of the Dark Realm. Now, let me show you what the consequences of opposing me will be!"

Having said that, Cerestos spread his arms as if to summon something. Soon, countless dark shadows began to emerge from the ground, gradually coalescing into form and rushing towards the crowd.

Seeing this, Tom shouted, "Attention everyone! Proceed according to plan! Don't give them a chance to breathe!"

The soldiers immediately dispersed and launched counterattacks at their respective targets. Even so, many civilians were thrown into panic and fled in all directions.

At this moment, Leah quickly flipped through the ancient book in her hands, searching for a way to counteract the attack. "Wait... maybe I can try this spell..."

Just as everyone was completely focused on the battle before them, Lia loudly recited a series of mysterious words: "Ancient power, awaken! Dispel all gloom!"

Instantly, all the light in the surrounding air seemed to converge at her fingertips, forming an incomparably dazzling beam of light that shot directly towards the shadowy army that was about to attack. In an instant, countless enemies were dissolved and vanished, leaving only a faint black mist remaining in the air.

A gasp of surprise immediately erupted from the crowd:

"Incredible! It's a truly miraculous transformation!"

"So this is the true power of magic... It's magnificent!"

"Thank you, Lia. We can only continue to survive because of you."

But the joy didn't last long, for Cerestos revealed an even more sinister grin: "A mere trick, far from enough to defeat me!"

Immediately afterwards, an even more terrifying and powerful energy wave rushed directly towards the direction where Leah was.

Just as the attack was about to strike, a golden shield suddenly appeared in front of Leah, followed by a loud bang.

"Don't worry, you won't be harmed with me here." Chen Ge stood steadily in front, supporting the golden barrier with both hands, her gaze fixed firmly on the enormous threat approaching from not far away.

“It seems we must go all out to get through this. Are you ready for the final battle, friends?” Wright asked, his eyes gleaming with courage and determination.

The heroes responded in unison:

-\"no problem!\"

"For our homeland, we will win!"

"Let's fight together until the very last moment!"

-...

However, just as everyone was preparing for the battle, another sudden voice interrupted the scene:

"Wait! Let me join you and fight against the enemy!" The words had barely left his lips when a lithe figure leaped into the center of the battlefield…

"Who are you?" Aresa asked warily.

The mysterious visitor smiled confidently and replied, "You can call me Rex, a traveler yearning for justice and peace. I hope my joining will increase our chances of victory."

At this moment, everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to the man who called himself "Rex"...

The story ends here for now, but the battle is far from over. Rex's arrival adds new variables to the future plot. Is he friend or foe? Can he bring a new turning point to this struggle? All the mysteries await to be revealed.