The underground prison trembled continuously as cracks spread wider across the black sphere.
Dark crimson light leaked from within the seal like blood through shattered stone. The monstrous creature trapped inside pushed harder against its prison, and every movement sent shockwaves through the chamber.
The second claw gripped the fractured sphere completely now.
It was trying to tear the prison apart with brute force.
Around the chamber, corrupted undead guardians attacked relentlessly while twisted beasts poured from the lower tunnels. The Bureau defensive lines were slowly collapsing under pressure.
And in the center of the chaos..
Krishak prepared to descend deeper.
Rudra stepped directly in front of him.
"You are not going alone.
Krishak met the Headmaster's gaze calmly.
"The suppression chamber requires precise activation. Too many people will interfere."
"That doesn't change the danger, Rudra replied sharply.
The Headmaster rarely showed emotion so openly.
Which revealed how serious the situation truly was.
Ananya stepped closer immediately.
"Then at least let someone support you.
Dev slammed the base of his spear against the ground.
"I'm coming too."
Raghav nodded firmly while Skyrend circled overhead.
"We're a team."
Even Ishita spoke without hesitation.
"If there are ancient formations below, you may need help stabilizing them."
For several seconds, Krishak remained silent.
In his previous life, he had long grown accustomed to carrying burdens alone.
But this life was different.
These people trusted him completely.
And perhaps
He no longer needed to stand alone every time danger appeared.
Finally, he nodded once.
"Then we move together.
Dev grinned instantly.
"Good answer."
Krishak quickly explained the plan.
The underground prison consisted of multiple layered formations.
The main chamber above acted as the visible seal, while the true suppression array operated beneath it through ancient energy channels.
If they could reactivate the lower array, the remaining seal strength would temporarily stabilize.
Not permanently.
But enough to prevent immediate disaster.
"The problem," Krishak explained while drawing formation lines across the cracked floor with spiritual energy, "is that the lower chamber will be much closer to the creature itself."
Dev sighed dramatically.
"You really enjoy saying comforting things."
Krishak ignored him completely.
Ishita studied the formation diagram carefully.
"These pathways they resemble the Stellar Hall observatory formations."
"They were created by the same civilization," Krishak confirmed.
Professor Devika looked toward the growing cracks in the sphere.
"Hurry. We're running out of time.
A hidden stairway opened beneath the central formation after Krishak inserted the seventh core into a concealed slot.
Ancient mechanisms rumbled beneath the chamber floor.
Dust and black mist erupted upward as the stone passage slowly revealed itself.
Immediately, a horrifying wave of corruption surged from below.
Lunafang growled sharply.
Even the silver wolf looked disturbed now.
The lower chamber contained far denser corrupted energy than the prison above.
Krishak turned toward the others.
"Rudra and the Bureau forces will hold the upper chamber."
The Headmaster nodded once.
"We'll buy you as much time as possible."
Another massive impact shook the prison sphere overhead.
One enormous crimson eye became visible through the widening cracks.
The creature was watching them.
Without further delay, Krishak led the descent.
Dev followed closely with spear in hand.
Ananya, Ishita, and Raghav came behind while Lunafang moved silently at Krishak's side.
The staircase spiraled deep beneath the prison chamber.
Unlike the upper ruins, the walls here were covered almost entirely in ancient runes glowing faintly silver beneath layers of corruption.
The deeper they traveled
The colder the air became.
Not natural cold.
A spiritual chill that seemed to seep directly into the soul.
Ananya shivered slightly.
"I can feel its aura even down here."
Krishak nodded.
"The creature's consciousness extends throughout the prison."
As if responding to his words
The ancient voice echoed once more inside their minds.
"Children of a dying world.."
The corridor darkened briefly.
"Why struggle against inevitability?"
Dev grimaced.
"I officially hate the creepy voice."
Surprisingly, Lunafang snarled directly into the darkness.
Moonlight flared around the silver wolf's body.
The pressure in the corridor weakened slightly.
Raghav blinked.
"Did Lunafang just intimidate an ancient monster?"
Krishak allowed himself the faintest smile.
Moonstar bloodlines naturally opposed corruption.
And Lunafang's will was far stronger than most spirit beasts.
Eventually, the staircase opened into another massive underground chamber.
Everyone stopped immediately
The suppression chamber was breathtaking.
Thousands of glowing silver runes covered the walls, ceiling, and floor in interconnected patterns resembling constellations.
At the center floated a gigantic crystalline pillar surrounded by seven empty circular sockets.
Six had already darkened completely.
Only one still glowed faintly silver.
The final core slot.
But surrounding the pillar
Black corruption spread like living vines.
The suppression array was dying.
Ishita stared in amazement.
"This formation it's enormous.
"
Krishak stepped forward carefully.
"The entire prison draws power from this chamber."
Suddenly, movement appeared within the corruption surrounding the pillar.
Dark humanoid figures slowly emerged.
Unlike the undead guardians above, these entities lacked physical armor or flesh.
They were shadows.
Distorted spiritual remnants created entirely from corruption.
And their numbers continued increasing.
Dev exhaled slowly.
"Of course there are more enemies."
The shadow creatures lifted glowing crimson eyes toward the group simultaneously.
Then they attacked.
The battle inside the suppression chamber erupted instantly.
Shadow entities moved unnaturally fast, gliding across the ground like liquid darkness.
Dev's spear tore through one creature
Only for the shadow to reform seconds later.
"They regenerate!"
Ishita quickly activated formation barriers while Ananya supported from behind.
Raghav and Skyrend fought defensively, trying to hold back the growing swarm.
Meanwhile, Krishak moved directly toward the central pillar.
He placed the seventh core into the final socket.
The moment it connected-
The entire suppression chamber exploded with silver light.
Ancient runes ignited across every surface.
The gigantic crystal pillar awakened.
And far above them
The prison sphere stopped cracking.
For one brief moment
The seal stabilized.
Then a furious roar shook the entire underground world.