Chapter 39 - Chapter 39 Battle Against the Abyssal Abomination

The air in the ancient temple crackled with malevolent energy as Selene, now a writhing mass of darkness, loomed over Jack and his allies. Her form undulated and shifted, tendrils of shadow lashing out like whips, shattering the ancient pillars and sending debris flying in all directions. The chanting of the hooded figures, though silenced, seemed to echo in the very stones of the temple, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.​Jack gritted his teeth, his knuckles white from gripping his bronze sword. The Chaos Orb within him burned hot, responding to the overwhelming dark power before him. "We can't let her get any closer to the Gate of Oblivion!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the howling of the dark energy.​The Keeper, her face etched with determination, nodded. She twirled her short sword, ice - blue energy coalescing into a spinning shield. "I'll try to hold her off. You find a way to use those symbols to seal this place off for good!" With that, she charged forward, her shield intercepting a lash of shadow that would have otherwise struck Jack.​The Mysterious Yin Alliance disciples, though shaken by Selene's transformation, rallied. They launched a coordinated attack, their weapons glowing with various elemental powers. Arrows of light, bolts of lightning, and gusts of wind flew towards Selene, but they merely dissipated upon contact with her shadowy form.​Selene let out a laugh that sent chills down everyone's spines. "Foolish insects! Your puny attacks are meaningless against the power of the abyss!" She waved her hand, and a wave of dark energy rolled out, knocking the disciples off their feet.​Jack took advantage of the momentary distraction. He focused intently on the symbols on the wall, the power of the Chaos Orb surging through him. The symbols glowed brighter, and he could feel the ancient magic of the temple responding. But as he tried to channel the energy to seal the temple, Selene turned her attention towards him.​A tendril of shadow shot towards Jack at incredible speed. He barely had time to react, dodging to the side just in time. The tendril embedded itself in the wall, shattering the stone. "You think you can stop me?" Selene hissed. "I am the herald of the abyss, and you will all be consumed!"​Just then, a thought flashed through Jack's mind. The Chaos Orb was a balance of light and dark. What if instead of just countering the dark energy, he could use the Orb to create a harmony between the two? It was a risky move, but they were running out of options.​He closed his eyes and delved deep within himself, reaching for the core of the Chaos Orb's power. When he opened his eyes, the Orb's energy had transformed. Instead of a wild, chaotic force, it now pulsed with a steady, rhythmic light - dark - light - dark. Jack raised his sword, channeling this new - found energy.​The blade of his bronze sword glowed with a strange, iridescent light. He charged towards Selene, his sword swinging in an arc. The energy from his sword collided with Selene's shadowy form, and for the first time, she seemed to feel pain. She let out a scream, and her form wavered.​The Keeper and the disciples, seeing Jack's success, renewed their attacks. Their combined efforts began to push Selene back, but she was far from defeated. With a final, desperate act, she let out a deafening screech, and a massive explosion of dark energy erupted from her body.​The blast sent everyone flying. Jack crashed into a wall, his vision blurring. Blood trickled from his mouth, and he could feel his strength waning. But through the haze, he saw Selene's form approaching the altar, where the faint outline of the Gate of Oblivion was beginning to materialize.​With a final burst of determination, Jack pushed himself to his feet. He couldn't let her succeed. He stumbled forward, his eyes fixed on Selene and the emerging gate, ready to face whatever came next.