Akiol was momentarily surprised. Mira had just used Spirit! It took only a moment of rational thought for this outcome to be acceptable. After all Mira was an Origin Hydra, such a powerful creature should no doubt have an equally strong Spirit.
'Perhaps I should ask Wrock to help tutor.'
The unrefined Spirit was lacking in all forms but strength. It seemed like Mira wasn't quite sure how exactly he used the power either, for the outcome left him with a face of shock.
The beast returned to its full form, flame still burning bright. A Hidden Boss's vitality is not to be underestimated. However with the Party's powerful and unrelenting attacks it didn't have a moment to counterattack.
Terwin watched the battle amused, "Not a scary Hidden Boss after all."
Hank shook his head, "The initial attack got even me by surprise. I don't know how that Defender was able to react so quickly."
"Well if they show off so much I won't be able to gauge their abilities."
"You've seen the Warden fight, when they fight him then you will gain a proper idea."
"I am aware."
The beast shrunk and roared. The dungeon vibrated and loose stones fell to the ground. Then, everything seemed to freeze.
Clank-clank-clank.
A pair of footsteps could be heard. Sounding like metal greaves clicking against the cobblestone floor.
A player shouted, "The Warden is here!!"
Terwin frowned, "Already? But we aren't even close to his location-!"
The Warden was donned in full plate. An armor thick enough to the point where you could not see an inch of skin. A helmet with a plume rest on top his head.
The Warden spoke with a commanding tone, "Move."
"The System doesn't recognize this guy as an enemy!"
Terwin pondered for just a moment before ordering, "Move aside! Let him pass!"
The players immediately moved. Corolla asked, "Father?"
"I feel like we're going to see something interesting."
The Warden walked by calmly. Approaching the beast. The party allowed him to approach, due to the orders of Terwin.
The Warden gripped the beast, the flame leaping to his arm. With a grunt he commanded, "Foul beast, obey me!"
Tilia raised a finger and surrounded the Warden and Flame Beast with her War Sight. An explosion of flame occurred inside, blinding them from seeing what was happening.
She paused for a moment before removing her War Sight, "This might be troublesome."
<
The flames flickered out to reveal the Warden. Flames danced around around his armor, reflecting off the metal. The plume turned into pure flame yet maintained its shape.
The Warden lifted a flail, spinning it slowly. A wheel of flame formed at their side, "Prisoners, who dared free themselves. Criminals, who unleashed that foul beast. I, the Warden of this Prison, shall put ye back in the cells. Surrender now, this is my only warning."
Dwong~
Tilia felt the heat rise despite the Formation on the ground. Her tower shield pulsated from blocking a blow.
With her War Sight and it's additional effects, Tilia was the best Defender anyone would find!
Stepping forward Tilia pushed the Warden back. Spinning the flail the Warden swung it forward, "Your shield is not enough!"
"Done!"
Kan'na snapped her fingers and three magic circles formed. One of the circles threw forward ropes of mana. They quickly wrapped around the Warden and restrained his movements. The other two acted a moment after. Working together they fired two large needle-like projectiles. They stabbed into the back of the Warden and flickered.
The flames flickered and slowly dimmed.
"Pitiful Prisoners, your struggle is pointless!"
Snapping free of his restraints the Warden released a wave of flame, the attacks Kan'na had worked hard to create were swiftly burned. Givale fired off three arrows, the warden spun his flail and slapped them midair. The flames quickly consumed the arrows and made them disappear.
Akiol mentored, "Look for an opening Givale! This guy can counter magic with his flame! Aim carefully!"
"Got it!"
Wrock hovered about for a moment before deciding to not join. This was valuable training for the two young ones.
His eye was particularly drawn to Mira. When he first met Mira he swore he sensed a powerful source of Spirit residing within them. Now that he was aware of who Mira was, it only became far more obvious.
Problem was, Mira's Spirit was far more chaotic than his. Wrock's was like a controlled fire in a pit. As long as he was careful it wouldn't become too dangerous. Mira's was like a chained starving animal. It could be catastrophic again, Wrock believed that the Spirit going rampant was the catalyst for the Hydra to awaken. Usually strong emotions would stimulate Spirit, and that wasn't what they needed.
Confident that Akiol was aware of this, Wrock never spoke about it. He was also sure that his sense of Spirit was more finely tuned. If Akiol was okay with it, Wrock didn't mind teaching Mira more about the power he was cursed with.
As for Givale. . . Wrock wasn't an archer.
The Warden slammed his flail into Tilia's shield. Rather, Tilia had successfully blocked one of his attacks. Flames splashed forth, as if made of liquid. Burning at her armor, but she didn't falter.
Mira jumped and spun with his axe. The Warden's eye gleamed as he turned and swung his flail towards Mira's axe. The two weapons collided, a burst of flame and red energy spread across the room.
Terwin shielded his eyes, "That kid, who is he?"
Corolla shook her head, "Despite all the information we dug up, that kid is unknown to us."
"Even you struggled to clash with the Warden Hank, for that kid to clash against him—when he turned into the hidden version no less—is impressive is it not?"
Hank nodded solemnly, "The strength needed is something even our top Berserker cannot reach."
A magic arrow shot across the field and exploded upon contact. A large chunk of the Warden was erased in an instant. Givale watched this with squinted eyes.
Akiol praised, "Excellent job Givale! Mira use your strength to your advantage! Remember you no longer have to hold back!"
"Yes Akiol-Sensei!"
Woom-!
The Warden stepped back as his flail was pushed out of the way. Mira landed and held his axe with both hands, red energy swirling around him. This energy began to morph and turn into a blood-like form. A gleam formed in Mira's eyes, one of a crimson light.
The Warden stomped the ground, forming an explosion of flame. Tilia lifted a hand to protect, but caught a signal from Akiol and stopped. Chaotic flames ate at Mira, his skin and flesh was being scorched. Still he stood, the blood-like essence swirled around him faster and faster.
The Warden began to spin his flail. The speed caused a cyclone of wind and flame, "Prisoner, you posses some skill. How amusing!"
The ground cracked beneath the two, two twisters of flame and blood slammed against each other. Energy slammed into the walls, causing them to crumble.
"Hmm, this might be more troublesome in closed space. Tilia could you?", Akiol asked.
"No problem."
Tilia protected the Players with her War Sight. The semi-translucent bronze mountain seeming sturdier than ever. Akiol coughed, "Erm, I think you forgot us too."
"Hm? Oh I'm sure you'll be fine."
"But- Tilia you can feel that right? I'd have to use Aura to protect myself and I would like to save that as much as possible."
"I'm aware."
Akiol squinted, "Did I offend you recently?"
WHOOOM-!
The walls began to fall down, revealing a space much larger than the hallway originally provided. Flame and blood clashing in a brilliant display of color.
Wrock's brow twitched.
A singular Hydra head arose from the whirlpool of blood, it roared in defiance. Mira then swung his axe, a huge slash of red energy carved through the dungeon. Cutting through the fire cyclone and the Warden Mira let out a breath. Everything seemed to calm for a moment before the damage from the attack revealed itself. A crevice spread across the dungeon.
Coughing blood the Warden placed a hand on his chest. His armor had been slashed through completely and a deep wound was revealed, "Ha!"
Mira found his body wasn't responding after the slash, nothing he did made him move. The Warden seemed to notice this too and swung his flail forward.
Givale appeared above and behind him. A massive arrow was primed, small twinkling bits of light hovered around it.
Twoom~!
Space seemed to warp behind the arrow's path as Givale released it. Flying extremely quickly it pierced the Warden's head and exploded. Magic erasing whatever it came into contact with, erasing the upper half of the Warden's body.
"Enough!", the voice of the Warden called.
A pillar of flame engulfed the Warden. It vanished a moment later, revealing that his wounds had been healed completely. Givale landed on Mira's shoulders and jumped, simultaneously moving forward while knocking the immobile Mira backwards. She flipped forward, "I knew it!"
Shooting three arrows forward she watched as the Warden smacked them midair. His flame consuming them completely. Landing she dashed sideways and shot several arrows. Their path cut short by the Warden's skillful swings.
With a grin she claimed, "Let's see just how much you can possibly eat!"