Nakamura studied the stone work of the looming tower. His senses pierced the thick stone, feeling something interesting and familiar within its hardy walls.
His instincts screamed he should be wary and to stay away from something dangerous. A feeling anyone would listen to, and promptly leave. This thought did not sit right with the third prince, his tightened grip on his sword paleing his knuckles.
'I will have to face this presence that chills my spine, and stops my stomach from turning. Anything that could make me this anxious must be confronted with due respect. I fear we will not leave here with any answers if this riddle is not solved. Already one of us has gone missing, faded from the others memory with ease, and fuzzy in my own mental fortress. I must not take this enemy lightly and handle this as quickly as possible; another trial I must complete alone.'
He fought against the unease that rose inside his core, using the breathing techniques his master taught him to practice daily. His stress subsided as his muscles relaxed, his decision solidified in his mind.
'My will on this earth is absolute! When I have decided something, no one will sway me. I will show this thing the folly of bareing it's teeth at this young tiger.'
Nakamura closed his eyes, gathering large amounts of mana to his feet in swirling waves. Condensing the violent storms at key points with efficiency, his feet became like min
The others watched curiously at his eastern abilities he showcased, aided him whenever he needed them. When he displayed these powers he would say nothing. Placing one mana infused sandle on the white brick of the tower, then another until he stood horizontal to the wall and begain ascending.
His steps quickened up the top of the tower going ahead of the others who stood marveled. His elavated run, propelled by his mana, allowed his nimble body to reach the top and quickly peer over its collapsed roof.
Curiously and cautiously the remaining team gathered around to plan a way to follow Nakamura. As he went up and over, they discussed matters, allowing him time to scout the towers innards.
Nakamura tested the battered and worn floor by lightly steeping around the weaker parts quickly. Any truly bad spots he marked It for the others. The top floor was littered with dust and debris from the collapsed roof and months of dead leaves, leaving nothing to be desired for this level.
'The vines are wrapped around the walls, thoughtfully, keeping this place from falling to complete ruin. I've marked a safe path for the others. Now I'll find a way down and greet the owner of this aura.'
Green unbloomed pods dotted every other foot of each vine, creating large stepping stones down through the crumbling roof and floor of the tower. Their thick shells lead down deep into the tower, a suprising trail Nakamura could follow.
"What do you see up there? It's not like we can follow you easily." Kai yelled. His voice was nearly to far to hear for anyone else. Nakamuras honed senses picked up on the gist of what he wanted.
"There is nothing of note here. I must travel deeper! I'll scout ahead." He replied with a confident tone. His silhouette disappeared further in.
Nakamura's downward steps were light as he jumped of thge pods and into the main section of tge tower. His sharp eyes scanned the area cautiously, while the area was dark with little light, his sight adjusted immediately through channeling his mana. Placing his hand on his sword, he sent his mana throughout the area, stretching his senses around areas he was to far from.
The walls were weaved in vines, nearly every inch was vines or buds. The floor was covered in a thick liquid and the parts that weren't were covered in vines.
The ground rumbled as Nakamura's got close. The rumbling kicked a storm of dust around him, blasting past him. The commotion did not shake his stance or move him. The dust stopped its assault, swirling around and settled in the black pool.
The unbloomed pods around him slowly opened with the sand storms agitation. The blooms had huge bright yellow insides that resembled cat eyes with a line of black ocore spilling out.
The aroma of blood spread through the tower like a curtain of dust from an old blanket. The blooms trembled, releasing its pores around the inside of the tower, coating almost everything in the black Icor.
Nakamura remained steadfast just above the floor. Slashing the stem of the bloom he was standing on. Using his aura, he created a 3 meter field free of the Icore and spores, allowing him breathing room.
"Come out! Free yourself from this insistent hiding. Anything with your your level of strength, has no need to cower." He spread his senses around, feeling lts leering eyes on him from somewhere in the spacious room.
A shimmering of displaced air near the edge of the Icor, cascaded around a single point. The flood of liquid formed a bulky and heavy creature. It had a thick carapace covering its back, resembling a ladybugs shell. Black and green markings etching it's back wings, camaflouged large vines emerged from them like weaved wings. Its large black head held two thick armored eyes, while a flower similar to the ones on the vines grew from its head.
Three flashes of light cut through the air towards the creature. A strong aura of coldness radiated from each stroke of energy. The attacks crashed into its armor like a gleam of light being swallowed up, crashing and breaking apart on impact.
Nakamura gripped his weapon tighter. 'A hard shell on top and below. Both of my attacks failed, meaning he may have near perfect defense. Tgus occasion brings me back to my training with Uncle in those blasted mountains. Master would say if it draws breath, then it can not have a perfect defense. I just need to find its weak point.'
The creature spread its massive shell in an aggressive display. Revealing its colorful back, while bending it's massive legs down in preparation for a charge.
When at full strength it rushed towards Nakamura with a thundering roar and more jarring footfalls. It's speed grew incredibly fast for its size, and with every quickened stomp a tremendous rumble rang throughout the tower.
Nakamura used the mana he accumalated in his soles to quickly jump and attach to the walls that were not covered in vines. Spreading his mana to neutralize the small patches of icor that trailed downward.
'Its speed and defense is surely a marvel. If it were smarter, it would be a unimaginable threat to humanity. Unfortunately for it, it's weakness is me. It's moves are simple, those attacks will grind bones and paste flesh. So a longer distance should do perfectly.'
The creature turned and charged at Nakamura, sending more tremors out. The brick under its thick legs shattering from It's massive frame. Adding to its power and ferocity as it pushed itself to end the trespasser with one blow.
Nakamura held no fear of the creatures attacks,as it slammed below. Unable to climb vertically for its prey, it resorted to using its thick head to try to loosen Nakamura's magical grip.
'Its strength.. surpasses mine. It's defense is staggering, and its attacks feel as if im hitting steel. My current power is not enough to pierce its armor or wound it significantly. I would prefer not to use that Martial Art. However, with the chances that this thing escapes and makes it to my friends is unthinkable. Though my Cleansing Aura technique is keeping it away, the others are not that gifted. My only option is to end this beast swiftly before they get curious.'
Nakamura struck thrice into his body releasing a powerful pulse of aura from his abdomen. Barriers and sacred seals within his body, holding a strange power back, weakened.
Nakamira features changed almost immediately, his face glowed with the ferocity of fire compacted within the dark calmness of ice. A destructive elegance hiding a power unbridled within its icy appearance. He truly looked a demonic lord residing over a frail lamb at its alter.
His aura seared and froze the space around him, a slight blue glow from his right side, and a dim red from his left. The force of heat and cold sent his powerful aura throughout the area.
Nakamura stumbled standing up from his post on the wall, starring down at the beast with a wild look. The brick under him cracked with the vines shriveled or shattered from the intense forces around him.
"Even after all that training, the little cub still needs help? How entertaining!" A deep and rich voice spoke around Nakamura.
"Help is a strong word. As prince, your power is mine to command. I will fight this cre...warrior seriously, and you shall obey."