Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The Wraith's shriek echoed in the chamber as its dark, skeletal hand reached for Thalia, the malevolent energy crackling with lethal intent. Time seemed to slow as the deadly force closed in on her, the shadows growing darker and more oppressive.

Thalia's chanting faltered, her eyes flickering open to the imminent danger. But instead of fear, a fierce determination filled her gaze. "Just a little longer," she whispered to herself, her grip on the spear tightening as she continued her incantation, refusing to break her focus.

However, the Wraith was already upon her, its form distorted with rage as it hissed, "DIE!"

In that instant, just as the Wraith's attack was about to connect, a brilliant yellow light burst forth from Thalia's spear. A magic barrier, glowing with a radiant, golden hue, materialized around her, forming an unbreakable shield. The Wraith's claw slammed into the barrier, but instead of shattering it, the force was reflected back with devastating power.

"RAAAAR!"

The Wraith screamed in shock and agony as its own attack was hurled back at it. The force of the barrier's reflection was so immense that the Wraith's ethereal form was flung backward, its dark energy scattering like smoke in the wind. The impact sent ripples of golden light throughout the chamber, shaking the very ground beneath them.

"Damn!"

"GAAAR!"

The wave of energy didn't stop there. It surged outward, reaching both Adrian and the massive ghoul. Adrian, caught in the blast, stumbled back, his momentum disrupted by the sudden force. The ghoul, which had been preparing to strike again, was knocked back several steps, its massive frame swaying under the impact. The dark light in its eyes flickered, momentarily dimmed by the powerful shockwave.

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"Huff... Huff..."

Adrian quickly regained his footing, his eyes wide in surprise as he watched the Wraith struggle to regain its form. The yellow barrier around Thalia shimmered with an otherworldly glow, protecting her as she continued her chant, undeterred by the chaos around her.

'Where did that barrier come from?' Adrian wondered, his heart pounding in his chest. 'Is it perhaps her artifact's ability?'

But there was no time to ponder. The Wraith, though weakened, was still a threat, and the ghoul, though shaken, was far from defeated.

SWOOSH-!

The ghoul's strike landed on him once again.

Adrian's arms shook under the ghoul's relentless strength, but he didn't back down. 'Come on, there has to be something...' he thought, his mind racing. His eyes briefly darted to the mysterious white light that had enveloped him earlier, still faintly glowing around his body.

A sudden idea sparked in his mind—a desperate, reckless but the most common sense idea. 'What if I could channel this light into my sword?' He didn't know if it would work, but he had no other options.

Gritting his teeth, Adrian focused on the light, willing it to flow into his weapon. To his surprise, the white light responded, surging down his arm and into the blade. The sword began to glow with the same misty white aura, its edge now shimmering with an otherworldly energy.

'Let's see if this works,' he thought, his grip tightening on the hilt.

"Take this!"

With a fierce shout, Adrian used Phantom Step again, appearing right behind Wraith who was trying to break Thalia's barrier, and swung his sword at the monster, the blade now glowing with a brilliant white light.

"You can't touch me, hu-!" Wraith's words paused as it sensed a threat to its life.

To its shock, the sword didn't pass through its body—it connected.

The Wraith was a second late to react.

"AAAR!"

It let out a piercing shriek, its form flickering violently as the white light cut through its dark energy. Adrian's eyes widened in shock and relief as the Wraith recoiled, its malevolent grin twisting into a snarl of pain and anger.

"Y-You...!" the Wraith hissed, its voice filled with fury.

Adrian didn't let up. He pushed forward, slashing at the Wraith again and again, each strike imbued with the white light that seemed to weaken the creature's ethereal form. The Wraith's attacks faltered, its dark magic flickering and losing potency after each clash.

Meanwhile, the ghoul, sensing its master's distress, renewed its assault on Adrian with frenzied rage.

But Adrian was ready.

With newfound power, he parried the ghoul's blows, his movements sharper and more precise.

Behind him, Thalia's chanting reached a crescendo. The air around her crackled with raw magical energy, her spear now blazing like a miniature sun. "Adrian, get back!" she shouted, her voice resonating with power.

Adrian didn't need to be told twice. With a final, powerful swing, he sent the ghoul staggering back, then leaped away from Thalia using Phantom Step, giving her the space she needed.

"Now!" Thalia roared, thrusting her spear forward with all her might.

[Flame Spear Cannon!]

The spear, blazing with a brilliant, fiery light, shot forward like a comet, the intense heat and energy radiating from it enough to make the very air sizzle.

"N-NO-!!!"

The Wraith, realizing the danger, let out a final, desperate shriek, but it was too late.

Once again.

Swoosh-!

The spear pierced through the Wraith's form, the white and fiery energy exploding outward, consuming the Wraith in a blinding burst of light.

BANG-!

The ghoul, caught in the blast, disintegrated into ash, its form collapsing under the sheer power of the attack.

For a moment, the entire chamber was bathed in blinding light. Then, as quickly as it came, the light faded, leaving behind only silence.

Adrian, breathing heavily, slowly lowered his sword, his eyes scanning the room. The Wraith was gone—vanquished by Thalia's powerful spell. The massive ghoul was nothing more than a pile of smoldering ash.

Thalia, her spear now extinguished, stood in the center of the room, her body trembling from the effort. But her eyes were bright, filled with the satisfaction of victory.

Adrian walked over to her, a tired but relieved smile on his face. "Nice work," he said, offering her a hand.

"Captain."

Thalia took it, her grip firm despite her exhaustion. "Couldn't have done it without you," she replied, her voice soft but steady.

"Comrade."