Sun slowly rised, it wasn't really visible from the dense snow though. Sion was asleep while Santiago was spinning his dagger in his hand. Considering it didn't make any screams, it must've been the other dagger.
Sion opened his eyes slowly and stretched; " wuaaAAAAAAAHHH~ "
" Oh Sion, you're awake, good let's go. " Santiago stood up and sheathed his dagger. Sion grabbed his foot; " I. Just. Woke. Up. ", he didn't want to go yet.
" I have a surprise for you 300 meters ahead of us, trust me you want to see that " Santiago said. Sion was thinking.. Sure, why not he thought. He stood up and stretched once more. Santiago waved his hand above the fire and it disappeared. Both of them continued.
[ WOOSH ]
Now that they weren't hidden by the rock, strong wind appeared again. Neither of them was cold anymore though, so they moved much faster. Considering they speed, it didn't take long for them to move 300 meters as Santiago mentioned and-...
Silence.
Strong wind and dense snow was no more. It was more of a gentle breeze with some snow.
" H-how? " he asked; " Didn't you say weather would get worse higher we go? "
" They will, don't bother with the wind and snow, they are absolutely irrelevant on this mountain. Now, pay attention to the real problem of this mountain, temperature. From this point upwards, moving just few meters, drops temperature noticeably. Embrace yourself,
in 50 meters you will feel cold again...
in 125 meters you will have hard time breathing..
in about 200 THINKING will be hard to do from pain...
and after 250 meters I will begin to feel cold as well, and you... you will either prevail and fight the monster on this dungeon along with me, or be frozen completely. " Santiago looked serious; " Don't die Sion ".
Sion gulped.. and started moving forward. His aura enveloped him, it was clearly visible now. Again, dark green aura was coating him. His eyes were glowing greenish as well. Both man were stepping forward.
after 30 meters, everything was okay, neither said anything. They were walking in silence.
And it was true, at 55 meters Sion started shaking again; " T-this fast?! This is insane! " he yelled.
As they crossed 100 meters, Sion started moving slower. His energy was freezing, causing his body to freeze faster. He sighed.
[ Ability Collection activated, Gilanndi dagger added ]
Santiago was confused; " What are you doing Sion? ". Sion crouched down... and started slashing around himself, we even dodged and parried occasionally. He was imitating a battle. He jumped over Santiago, slashed here and there.
" Trying to warm up your energy huh? " Santiago laughed and continued going.
Sion was following him while deeply focusing on the 'battle' he had. He felt it immediately, cold wasn't as severe as it was moments ago. Step by step, he followed Santiago upwards.
Sion got lost in time, he didn't know for how long he has been doing this. He didn't know how high they were he just fought his imaginary enemy. During one dash forward his lung started hurting. He felt his lung started freezing from the cold air, that must mean they crossed 125 meters. He once again focused on his dagger and slashed, slashed, slashed.
Santiago spoke a moment later; " We've just crossed 200 meters, keep going Sion "
Wait... 200 meters? Not 125 meters? Sion was confused. That means this method was much more effective than he expected. He could clearly still think on the combat and not the cold.
Sion smiled once, and immediately released a energy slash upwards, as if aiming for Balthazar all over again. He jumped and dashed, parried and dodged. As he turned around to dodge, he saw Santiago standing still. They were in front of a large cave, it was ridiculously massive. Sion stopped and looked at it.
" Sion NO! Don't stop so sudden-! "
" AAAAAAAH! AAH! " he screamed in pain, he gripped his chest in agony. Now that he stopped focusing on keeping warm, the freezing aura affected him immediately.
Santiago looked at him with a calm expression; " Battle it Sion.. if I help you now you will never get stronger. "
" AH! AAAAH!! " he was rolling on the ground from left to right. His screams were becoming quieter and quieter.
" You must survive Sion. This is the turning point of your life, this will show how dedicated you really are to your goal. " Santiago was calm.
" Aaah~! haaa~ " he was out of breath. He had no air in the lungs to yell anymore. He tried to crawl to Santiago's legs.
Sion grabbed his robe and fell on his stomach.
" haaa~... haaaa~ " he was desperately trying to catch some breath.
" Don't die Sion. You've really gotten here to die? " Santiago asked him.
" aaah~! "
" If you die now Sion, I might not be able to survive this fight, can't clear this mission without you " Santiago spoke.
" haa~ " Sion started to lose consciousness.
Sion's grip became weaker, and it just grew weaker with time. His screams became quieter.
Santiago turned his head aside and closed his eyes; " Focus Sion! FOCUS! Don't die here.. ".
He stopped gripping, his hand hit the ground. His eyes weren't moving, nor was he breathing....
It became silent.
Santiago wasn't moving, his head was turned away so he couldn't look at Sion.
Sion's breathing stopped completely, his heart beat dropped. It slowed down..
Bum.. bum..... bum.....
bum....
[ Runes voice: Giving up already? Nemma will be sad though, she really believed in you. ]
Huh?
[ Runes voice: Heavenly Empires will continue to spread their territory.. all that fall under them will suffer.. just like you did. ]
What is he talking about?
[ Runes voice: I think... it's too early for you Sion. How about-.. ]
About what?
[ Runes voice: How about you make Devil wait a little longer? ]
...
" haaa~ "
Santiago opened his eyes and looked at Sion. With both of his hands, Sion was trying to push himself off the ground.
Sion was shaking, his aura was still coating him, but it was faint. Through his teeth, Sion was concentrated on breathing.
Santiago smiled; " You airhead bastard... ".
" I-... can't die today.. " his chest no longer touched the ground. Sion's aura strengthened.
He kneeled on one leg. Slowly, but steadily.. he stood up.. he was still leaned forward a bit.
He catched a few breaths and looked up towards the cave. Santiago approached him and wrapped one of his arms around his neck to help him walk. They both walked up to the cave. Santiago layed him down near the entrance.
" It seems.. your aura adapted to the heat and started to heat up. Just in time. " Santiago explained
Sion just nodded, it was still little bit hard for him. He was sitting leaned on the cave behind him, he was focusing on heating up his energy. Truth be told, he didn't really know how to do so, but he tried his best.
" Even though you still don't understand basics about energy, you're gifted. Despite calling yourself the weakest, you man.. you are talented for combat and energy.. I can't wait to see what will become of you in few years. " he tapped Sion's shoulder few times.
They were on the very entrance of the cave. After few minutes, Santiago created flame in his hand and served as their torch. They started heading inside.
" Just how big is this place? "
" Hmm.. I would say 2, maybe 3 kilometres in diameter. About same size as Greyre I suppose. "
Cave was colder than outside was, even though Sion overcame the temperature outside, he was freezing now. Unlike him, Santiago looked pretty calm, all he felt was a slight chill.
" Well... in a way.. this can be considered a boss fight! " Sion yelled suddenly
" How so? " Santiago asked
" Well.. we fought some weaker monsters on the mountain, so this is a boss! "
Santiago sighed; " Only bosses this works has can be found in dungeons, this isn't one. "
Sion looked depressed that Santiago didn't agree with him. He was putting and walking slowly.
" Be aware, it could appear anytime. "
" Isn't there more information I should know about it? " Sion asked
Santiago stopped and looked at him; " We are facing an SS class monster. Thousands of Hunters tried to kill it and died. Like I said, it appears differently for anyone. Only thing that remains is it's cold aura and ice-based attacks. This ain't no trip, be prepared for anything. " he turned his back and continued walking.
" Asshole- " Sion whispered.
Deeper two of them went, more crystals appeared. Crystals were white in colour and radiated energy. They were shining brightly so Santiago extinguished the fire.
" I know you're a Hunter, but what are your powers? I know about your main two..
Santiago smirked; " Those are my main two abilities indeed. The monster had more energy than I do, so both were practically useless. My other abilities are mostly connected with black flames. Rest are Hunter abilities every Hunter posses.. I ain't got no secret awesome trump card if you wanted that. "
Sion pouted; " Bullshit.. ". Santiago laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
Two of them were talking about the crystals and Ravensborrow. They walked over puddles of water that melted ice created. Walls were made of stone and ice. Here and there, human bones could be found, claw marks on the walls weren't rare either.
" But tell me.. aren't there monsters that can change shapes? Wouldn't that explain everything? "
" Well.. Shapeshifters do exist, but their aura isn't remotely as powerful. They are A Class creatures, most powerful ones are low S Class but that's it. " Santiago explained.
" Ah.. but what if s-! "
[ ROOOOAAAR ]
Loud roar interrupted Sion. He stepped back, but his face didn't show fear. Both men looked at each other simultaneously and nodded, it was a signal to get prepared.
Santiago reached for his other dagger. It had red blade and long handle.
[ Ability Collection activated, Gilanndi dagger added ]
Both of them were ready. Roars were getting louder, the creature was approaching them. Around the corner shadow was visible, it was a shadow of a wyvern. Sion pointed his dagger at it and prepared to jump on the creature as soon as it peaked out.... but...
Shadow vanished.. Instead of a wyvern, human walked from around the corner. It was none other than Nemma.
Sion lowered his weapon; " W-what? ".
" I-I can explain.. please wait! " she yelled.
Santiago shook his shoulder; " FOCUS IT ISN'T HER! Can't you feel it's energy! "
But Sion was fooled. In his eyes, it was Nemma, his friend. She was walking towards him slowly with her arms spread. Sion lost the grip in his hand, his guard was completely down "
Santiago dashed forwards, as his dagger touched Nemma, he bounced and crashed into the wall.
Nemma turned her head at him; " Don't interrupted us ever again ", tens of ice spikes appeared on the ground and pierced Santiago.
He yelled in pain. One spike pierced his shoulder, few ran through his legs, and one pierced his ribs.
Sion looked at Santiago, and then back at Nemma; " W-why are you doing this? ".
Santiago's aura burst and spikes broke. He jumped upwards despite the pain. With one, powerful swing, he hit her head, but no damage was done. She punched upwards but Santiago dodged backwards. He attacked her from her back as he aimed to pierce her heart from behind with his red dagger. Moment before contact, elbow punched him in the face and he flies in the wall.
He pushed himself out and spit the blood out of his mouth; " Bastard.. show your true form! "
Nemma looked at him with a smile; " But this is my true form, I'm Nemma.. your friend Sion, you believe me right? " she looked sad now.
[ Runes voice: You're getting played Sion, don't trust a word she says. Nemma is in Greyre with Lori. ]
~I know that..
" Lori told me to get up here.. Monster from the cave attached on me so n-now I posses ice powers! "
Sion looked down at his dagger. He didn't believe her, that wasn't Nemma. Lori would never send her up her, nor would she be able to survive for so long up here.
" You're a bad liar " he said as he dashed forward with his dagger prepared. Nemma jumped up and dodged him. Santiago once again stood up and moved to attack. He was bloody and hurt. Sion turned around but-...
There were 2 Santiago's standing behind him, they looked indentical.
" What the-.. " Sion was confused.
Santiago on left was looking at Sion, right one was looking at other Santiago. Left Santiago started walking towards Sion, but Sion raised his dagger forward; " Stop right there! ".
[ Ability Justice Ground activated ]
Sion was now equal to whatever stood in front of him, coating themselves in aura to defend would be useless. Once Sion makes energy of his opponent equal, fight gets decided on speed and skills in combat, defending yourself with energy becomes useless.
" I am the REAL Santiago Sion! " said left Santiago, the one that was closer.
" Prove it! " Sion yelled with his dagger aimed at him.
" I was once a Royal! My brother betrayed me and took my powers away. We talked about everything yesterday! " he said.
Right one silently gasped while looking at the floor; " It can copy memories.. ", he said as he looked over at Sion.
Sion pointed at one Santiago, then at the other from confusion; " This is not the boss fight I imagined! "