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Chapter 14

The group ascended the treacherous peaks of Jueyun Karst, the dense fog clinging to the jagged rocks like an ominous veil. Xiao moved ahead, his steps silent yet deliberate, his golden gaze scanning the path.

Furina tightened her grip on her sword, her voice breaking the tense silence. "So, adeptus, any idea what we're walking into?"

Xiao didn't look back. "The fog conceals more than just the landscape. It distorts reality, warps your senses, and lures you into traps. Stay close."

Yoshika's eyes flicked toward the shadows shifting within the mist. "Sounds like home," she murmured.

Arlecchino smirked at Yoshika's comment but said nothing, her scythe ready in her hands.

---

As they reached a clearing, the mist thickened, and the air grew cold. Dark symbols began to glow faintly on the ground, pulsing with an unsettling rhythm. Neuvillette knelt to examine them.

"These symbols... they match the ones from Fontaine and Mondstadt," he said. "They're part of a larger pattern, but their meaning remains unclear."

Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. Shadows erupted from the symbols, taking the form of monstrous creatures with hollow eyes and distorted limbs.

"Formations!" Neuvillette ordered, summoning a torrent of water to shield the group.

Furina stepped forward, her sword gleaming. "Finally, some action!" She charged, her strikes fluid and precise, each slash dissolving a shadowy foe.

Yoshika followed, her spear a blur of gold and pink as she danced through the battlefield, each thrust punctuated by bursts of energy that scattered the creatures.

Xiao moved like the wind, his polearm slicing through the shadows with effortless precision. Arlecchino's scythe cleaved through their ranks, her every swing calculated and deadly.

The battle raged on, the group fighting in perfect sync. But the shadows kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.

"We're wasting time," Arlecchino growled. "This is a distraction."

Neuvillette raised his hand, summoning a massive wave that swept the remaining shadows away. "Agreed. We need to find the source."

---

As they pressed forward, the fog began to clear slightly, revealing a massive stone gate carved into the mountain. Its surface was adorned with intricate symbols, glowing faintly with the same dark energy.

"This must be it," Furina said, her voice laced with both excitement and unease.

Xiao approached the gate, his expression grim. "This is a seal. Breaking it will unleash whatever lies beyond."

"Then let's break it," Furina said, raising her sword.

"Wait," Neuvillette cautioned. "We don't know what's on the other side."

Yoshika stepped forward, her spear pointed at the gate. "We didn't come this far to stop now."

Xiao hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. But be prepared for anything."

Together, the group unleashed their combined power on the gate, their attacks shattering the seal. The ground shook as the gate slowly opened, revealing a cavern bathed in an eerie, otherworldly light.

A chilling voice echoed from within. "You are bold to come this far. But your journey ends here."

From the shadows emerged the cloaked figure, their staff crackling with dark energy. Behind them, a massive, serpent-like entity coiled, its eyes glowing with malice.

Furina stepped forward, her blue eyes blazing. "We'll see about that."

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𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝖸𝖺𝗒 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋! 𝗂 𝗐𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗈𝖽𝖺𝗒 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖻𝗈𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗈𝗆 𝗆𝖺𝗇-_-