"Is that so? Then let this contest be the prologue to a legend." The source of that dark power was a mysterious figure draped in black robes, his face hidden in the shadows, revealing only a pair of eyes that gleamed with an ominous light.
Back in the Hero Squad, they gathered around the Heart of Ice, each pondering the meaning of the words they had just heard. A solemn and sacred atmosphere filled the air.
"No matter how treacherous the road ahead, now that we've come this far, there's no reason to turn back." The farmer clenched his fist, his simple words revealing an indomitable determination.
"But how should we use the Heart of Ice to seal the evil spirit? Has the Sage of Aurora given any instructions?" The noble youth raised the most crucial question, and everyone fell silent, turning their gazes to the young girl.
The young girl closed her eyes and pondered for a moment, then opened them, her expression now filled with determination: "We need a ritual, a ritual that unites the spiritual power of all of us. Aurora once said that only those with pure hearts and strong wills can pass the test, and I think this is our common test."
"So, how do we begin this ceremony?" the burly man asked eagerly, his eyes burning with a thirst for battle.
“The Heart of Ice will guide us.” The young girl said as she walked toward the Heart of Ice, gently touching its surface with both hands. Instantly, the Heart of Ice shone brightly, and the entire hall was enveloped in a soft blue light. Ancient and mysterious melodies echoed in the air, as if chanting ancient incantations.
“Follow my heart, sing along,” the young girl whispered, her voice clear and pure, like melting snow in early spring, flowing into everyone’s hearts. Everyone in the group involuntarily closed their eyes, and guided by her, the power of their hearts began to gather, forming an invisible bond that tightly connected them.
At this moment, the wind and snow outside seemed to sense the fluctuation of this force, and the storm intensified, as if nature itself was witnessing this moment. In the distant town, people looked up at the sky, where the clouds seemed to be torn apart by an invisible force, revealing the brightest star in the night sky.
“Look, that’s…” The two children pointed to the sky, their eyes filled with wonder.
"It is a ray of hope, our heroes will surely succeed!" The young man who was once skeptical has now become the most steadfast supporter, his words filled with pride and confidence.
Deep within the labyrinth, the heroes' chant reached its climax, and the Heart of Ice released an unprecedented light. A seal pattern made of light slowly condensed in the air, eventually transforming into a pillar of light that shot into the sky, pointing directly at the evil land to the north.
"We did it!" the burly man cheered, his excitement overflowing.
However, a hint of worry flashed across the young girl's face: "This is just the beginning. The evil spirit will not give up easily. We must head north immediately and seal it completely while the sealing power is at its strongest."
"No matter what lies ahead, we will stand together." The noble youth's words resonated with everyone.
They composed themselves, leaving the hall with hearts of ice, their spirits high, yet filled with anticipation for the future and fearlessness in the face of the unknown. As they embarked on their journey home, every corner of the town was filled with anticipation for their return, as if the whole world was cheering them on.
As the sun set, the group's shadows stretched long. They were no longer ordinary people, but heroes carrying a mission, about to write their own legend.
"We will prove that light can always penetrate darkness, and as long as there is love in our hearts, hope will never die." The young girl looked at the distant horizon and said softly. This was not only an encouragement to her companions, but also a promise to everyone.
Just as the hero team was preparing to embark on their journey north, a commotion suddenly broke out on the edge of the town. People scattered and fled, their cries of terror echoing throughout the town.
"What's going on?!" The burly man turned around abruptly, looking warily in the direction from which the chaos was coming from.
An elderly man with a pale face staggered up to them, panting, and said, "Evil...evil spirits' messengers! They somehow sensed your movements in advance and are now heading this way!"
The farmer frowned, his tone firm: "We cannot let the innocent people of the town be implicated."
“But we are not prepared to face a direct attack from the evil spirits,” the young nobleman said worriedly, his gaze shifting among his teammates as he searched for a solution.
Just then, a child's voice rang out: "Big brother and big sister, my mom said that brave people never run away from difficulties; they face them head-on and protect everyone!"
Everyone looked down and saw a little girl with pigtails, holding a bunch of wildflowers, her eyes shining with a determination that rivaled any soldier's.
The young girl knelt down and gently stroked the little girl's head: "You're right, we will protect everyone. Now, please hide quickly with the people in town, we will handle it."
The little girl nodded vigorously, ran towards the crowd, and shouted back as she ran, "I believe in you!"
The hero squad quickly discussed countermeasures and decided to split into two groups: the strong man would lead a group to reinforce the town's defenses, while the young girl, the noble youth, and the farmer would go to confront the messenger of the evil spirit, trying to buy time and wait for the sealing power of the Heart of Ice to reach its peak.
In the wind and snow, three heroes stood on the wasteland outside the town, awaiting the unknown challenge. Soon, a cloud of black mist rose from the horizon, accompanied by a low roar, and the messenger of the evil spirit gradually appeared—a huge monster with several eyes, each eye like a bottomless abyss, inspiring fear in all who beheld it.
"Ha ha, foolish mortals, how dare you challenge the authority of us evil spirits!" The monster let out a deafening laugh.
The farmer stepped forward, chest out, without fear: "We may be small, but our determination to protect our home is heavier than a mountain!"
"Commendable courage, but do you think you can stop us with such insignificant power?" the monster mocked.
At this tense standoff, a deep and authoritative voice came from the direction of the town: "Evil spirit, don't forget, light is always accompanied by darkness. No matter how strong you are, you cannot extinguish the flame in your heart!"
Everyone turned around and saw the burly man leading the town's residents, each holding a lit torch, forming a winding fire dragon that illuminated the dark night in the wind and snow.
"Look, this is not just our battle, it is everyone's yearning for the light!" the noble youth shouted.
The young girl smiled, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and gathered everyone's faith and strength: "Let our hearts be connected again, and let us spread this light to the world!"
As she finished speaking, an unprecedented burst of light erupted from her body, quickly spreading to everyone's torches, and the flames suddenly intensified, as if even the sky was illuminated.
The monster roared in agony amidst the sudden light, its form gradually blurring: "Impossible... such intense light..."
In a dazzling light, the messenger of the evil spirit was finally driven back and disappeared into the vast night. The town returned to peace, but everyone knew in their hearts that the real battle had just begun.
"It seems the prologue to this legend is far more tumultuous than we imagined," the farmer said with a smile, wiping the sweat from his brow.
The young nobleman looked at the young girl, his eyes shining with admiration: "No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, as long as we are together, nothing is impossible."
“Yes,” the young girl gazed into the distance, “but next, we will face the core of the evil land, which will be a true test. Are we ready?”
"Always be prepared!" the burly man and the others answered in unison, their voices echoing through the wind and snow, firm and powerful.
As the sun set, the group's shadows stretched longer as they embarked on their journey north, carrying hope and light, forging ahead towards unknown challenges. Behind them, the townspeople watched the heroes' departing figures, their hearts filled with anticipation and longing for the future.
"May the light guide your path until final victory," the old man whispered his blessing, watching them until they disappeared on the horizon, leaving the town with an eternal silhouette and an unfinished vow:
"We will eventually create a legend."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com