NOVEL NEXT The Shadow Escape
With determination pulsing through her, Amalthea focused her magical energy, sensing the power of the artifact that now belonged to her. With a swift gesture, she cast a beam of light against the cell door, and the ancient wood trembled under the force of the magic. To her surprise, the door opened with a loud crack, and the chains that bound it fell away as if they had never been there.
“I’m free!” she whispered, adrenaline coursing through her veins. But she had no time to waste. The real challenge still awaited her.
She quickly made her way to the chest that held her belongings, a worn wooden object that had been left to one side. With a flick of her hand, she channeled her magic into the chest’s latch. The runes glowed beneath her touch, and with a snap, the chest swung open. Inside, the artifact glowed, emanating a soft, almost inviting light. Amalthea reached out her hand, feeling the magical warmth emanating from it.
— Finally, you're mine! — he murmured, holding the artifact tightly.
But at that very moment, the ground beneath his feet shook. The cell door shattered into pieces, revealing the indescribable creature, a colossal shadow covered in scaly skin and glowing eyes that reflected an insatiable desire. He had sensed the artifact’s power, and now his only intention was to capture it.
Amalthea felt fear grip her, but she had no time to hesitate. The creature advanced, and the room filled with a menacing roar, a sound that made the walls vibrate. With an instinctive movement, Amalthea raised the artifact in front of her and, concentrating all the magic she had learned, released a dazzling beam of light.
Magical energy erupted from the artifact, a flash so bright it briefly blinded the creature. The impact was powerful; the light cut through the darkness and struck the creature full on, forcing it to recoil, its eyes filled with confusion and anger. Amalthea felt magic surge through her as never before, a surge of power that pulsed in tune with her determination.
“I won’t let you stop me!” she shouted, even more confident. With a quick gesture, she channeled more magic, forming a shield of light around her, protecting herself from the creature’s fury. The light cut through the air, and the creature, temporarily disoriented, hesitated.
The moment was precious. Amalthea, realizing she had the upper hand, decided to move forward. With one last thrust, she focused her energy into the artifact and launched a final attack, a blast of light that swept across the room. The creature screamed, the sound reverberating off the walls as the light enveloped it, rendering it powerless to resist.
Finally, as the glow began to fade, Amalthea saw the creature pushed away, its distorted form disappearing into the shadows. Heart pounding and adrenaline still pumping, she knew she had defeated the threat, at least for now.
Wasting no time, Amalthea turned and ran for the exit. The palace door was in sight, and freedom was calling her name. With the artifact firmly in her hands, she darted out, crossing the threshold of safety and darkness.
The palace was in chaos, but Amalthea didn't care. Magic now coursed through her veins, and the adventure that awaited her was only the beginning. The city of Velaris, with its secrets and mysteries, was about to experience the true power of a goblin who dared to defy the shadows.
And so, with the artifact glowing brightly, Amalthea fled, destiny awaiting her, full of challenges and revelations. What more could the artifact offer? And what creatures, even darker, awaited her in the darkness?
The hunt was just beginning.