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Chapter 15

The cloaked figure's laugh echoed through the cavern, a haunting sound that reverberated off the stone walls. The serpent behind them loomed larger, its scales shimmering with dark energy, each shift of its massive body shaking the ground.

Furina raised her sword, its water decorations glowing faintly in the dim light. "You've hidden long enough behind shadows and symbols. Time to face the light."

The figure's staff struck the ground, sending waves of dark energy rippling outward. "Fools. You dare challenge the harbinger of a new age?"

The serpent lunged, its jaws snapping inches from Neuvillette, who narrowly dodged and retaliated with a torrent of water that crashed into the beast's side.

"Keep it occupied!" Neuvillette called, summoning another wave.

Yoshika darted forward, her spear glinting in the eerie light as she drove it into the serpent's scaled hide. The creature roared, its tail whipping toward her, but she twisted gracefully out of its path.

Furina joined the fray, her strikes a blur as she slashed at the serpent, water swirling around her blade. "Neuvillette, what's the plan?"

"The serpent is bound to the figure!" Neuvillette shouted. "Take them down, and the beast will fall."

Arlecchino wasted no time. Her scythe glowed crimson as she charged at the cloaked figure, her strikes relentless. The figure blocked her attacks with their staff, their movements unnaturally fast.

"You'll regret underestimating me," the figure hissed, their dark energy forming tendrils that lashed out at Arlecchino.

But Arlecchino was unfazed. She deflected the tendrils and pressed on, her scythe cutting through the darkness. "Your theatrics don't scare me," she growled.

Xiao appeared from the shadows, his polearm striking the figure from the side. The combined assault forced the figure back, their hood slipping to reveal pale, angular features and eyes that glowed with malevolent power.

"You're persistent," the figure spat, raising their staff. "But persistence won't save you."

A blast of dark energy surged toward the group. Furina leapt forward, her sword absorbing the brunt of the attack as water surged around her in a protective barrier.

"You'll have to try harder than that," she said with a smirk, her confidence unshaken.

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As the battle raged on, the serpent grew more frenzied, its attacks becoming erratic. Yoshika saw an opening and charged, her spear glowing with a golden-pink light. With a powerful thrust, she drove her weapon into the serpent's eye, causing it to thrash wildly.

"Now!" she shouted.

Neuvillette raised both hands, summoning a colossal wave that crashed into the serpent, pinning it against the cavern wall.

Furina and Xiao seized the moment, their combined attacks forcing the cloaked figure to their knees. Arlecchino's scythe struck the ground beside them, her voice cold. "End this now."

The figure's eyes burned with defiance. "You think you've won? This is only the beginning. The darkness cannot be stopped."

With a final surge of energy, the figure vanished, leaving behind a fading shadow and the serpent, which crumbled into nothingness.

The cavern fell silent, the oppressive energy dissipating.

"We'll find them again," Furina said, her voice steady. "And next time, they won't escape."

Neuvillette nodded. "We've learned much, but there's still more to uncover. We should return to Liyue Harbor and regroup."

Yoshika retrieved her spear, her expression unreadable. "This fight isn't over."

Arlecchino glanced at Yoshika, her tone softer than usual. "It never is. But we'll be ready."

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𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝖾: 𝖻𝗋𝗈 𝗂 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗓𝖾𝖽 𝗂 𝖺𝗆 𝗌𝗈 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝗍𝖺 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇 𝗂𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋🙏