Ice bloomed in the void; the figure rode on the spiraling ice and jumped off, escaping the trap. The ice shattered back to nothingness before anyone could follow. Staring at the ground far underneath surrounded by lava, he smiled. "What an interesting group you've found yourself, little brother," he said before disappearing from the mountain.
Many could only stare in envy and hatred; no one could do that.
A radiant light flashed out. Kleid frowned, spiraling upward. "How do you intend to do that?" Liviam stepped forward. He knew what he had to do. He could escape alone, but as the future heir of Lowe and the entire Lower Elysium, how could he flee alone?
"Kleid thinks he can't be tricked, and we are going to use it against him. That's the only way we can win," Mist said, touching Amarok's shoulder.
Amarok stared at her faint smile. Blood trailed down her body with several bloodstains, but she was still smiling. His heart squeezed, feeling a sword was pierced through it.
Liviam stepped forward, as if triggered by him, everyone sprang into action. Runes bloomed; fire runes shot forth, clashing with the falling lava. Water runes danced around them, recovering their bodies. Suddenly, a chubby figure stepped out with his chaplet in hand. His figure looked insignificant before the falling lava. Many were a little shocked when the first of the eight beads began pulsating with energy. It had strange symbols written on it. It shone so bright it was difficult to look. Could it be the sacred beads of light? It couldn't be possible. Many had questions but for another time. The lava was furiously fighting the light, trying to bury them alive.
Liviam's body shimmered with energy; he dashed forward. Kleid looked at him emotionally. His hand was still bleeding; the bastard had cut it off earlier.
He flapped his wings forward. Liviam painted the void with both hands. The familiar shield with the lion insignia sprang to life. He raised his hand; Kleid huffed. "Not going to work twice," he said to himself. He dived down towards Liviam.
Liviam struck the shield with his palm; the lion insignia opened its mouth. Kleid spiraled but was shocked; nothing came out. After he moved, Liviam smirked and struck again. This time, a radiant light blasted forward.
Kleid waved his wings, and they vanished; he fell down abruptly, avoiding the radiant light. He could hear a whooshing sound above his head. The winds cried as his wings reappeared almost instantly, bolting toward Liviam. "You can't trick me; it's useless. Die," he had a wicked smile as he said.
His sword descended towards Liviam, but Liviam suddenly curved in mid-air. Kleid frowned; the golden light zipped past him, his sword slicing the air. Exactly at that time, the air quaked; a lightning arrow bolted from above. He danced with his winds, evading the arrows.
His eyes flickered; he flapped his wind wings upward. The arrows were blown away, returning to smoke that dissipated in the void, forming a deep screen of smoke.
His heart skipped a beat; he spun his sword backward, his sword colliding with water lances. Exactly at the same time, Lyra released her bow; Thunderquiver shook, an arrow pulsating with thunder divided the cloud of smoke, piercing through his shoulder with his already cut arm.
He swayed in the air, crashing down; his body rolled uncontrollably. His wings were now blurry as if threatening to disappear.
"Little bitch, you just wait... I can't lose, I can't. I am stronger," Kleid cried out, his voice sweeping the smoke away.
Amarok was already dashing towards him. His sword covered in a moon blue luster struck out. Amarok jumped forward; the rune of his weapon bloomed to life. He struck down, like water crashing on the shore. It looked like a water wave came crashing; the platform split. Kleid flung backward, his body shooting like a cannonball.
"You...couldn't kill me," Kleid said, spitting blood, his body tumbling back uncontrollably. ".. wait...one is missing; where is she?" Kleid spat out, but suddenly his body froze.
"Behind you... like your past," Mist murmured, her sword impaling his body, going through his back to his chest.
Kleid cried out, falling forward but refusing to kneel.
Mist stepped back, blood spilling everywhere. Kleid's eyes were wide open; his wings dissipated. His rune weapon dimmed to return into a normal sword.
Amarok dragged his battered body in front of Kleid. "You want to laugh at me? It wouldn't change anything; I am used to it. Each day of my life was miserable. We were so poor I couldn't eat for days. Insulted and rejected, I made it to the top. But you..." Kleid raised his bloody hands forward. His eyes were teary and red with blood.
"Your life wasn't miserable. What's miserable is you couldn't accept someone that is against you."
"I hate you... I hate you. Die, die, die," Kleid's eyes began bleeding blood as he stepped forward.
Amarok waved his sword. Blood painted the void. Everyone was shaken. Kleid's body hammered the ground. Amarok stared at the blood on his sword. An unlocking sound echoed in his mind. "Finally," a voice echoed.
Mist's eyes were teary, staring at the lonely figure.
The ruby was nowhere to be found, might be buried in the lava. Manx sighed in pity, but no one dared to linger and look for it. They all began working to reach back to the surface. At the surface, they were baffled.
The earth was splitting at a visible rate. Lava splashed several meters in the sky. Everything disintegrated under its might. The earth shook and trembled under their might.
"If you come to Lowe one day, pass by," Liviam said before rushing down. Everyone did the same, started running from where they came.
"Let me help you," Lyra proposed. Mist stared at her a little hesitantly but eventually nodded.
Lyra carried Mist on her back. Amarok, Kinty, moved ahead. Silvia followed behind with wisdom. They all rushed down. They were all directed; they hadn't found what they came looking for.
Louan and Mia helped each other as they followed closely behind.