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Kalki continued his journey, the image of the colossal creature from the previous night lingering in his mind. "What could that beast possibly be?" he wondered. The thought of a creature the size of Mount Everest fascinated and terrified him, and he knew there was still so much about this world he had yet to uncover.
As Kalki approached the intermediate shrine, he caught sight of a familiar figure. It was the same red-clad girl he had seen during the volcano eruption. Her appearance was striking: her black hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of red, sparkled like rubies. She was adorned with red jewels that complemented her beautiful red dress, creating an aura of elegance and power.
Nearby, a boy with the same red pupils and hair, bearing a strikingly handsome face, stood alongside a girl with brown hair. They were engaged in a fierce battle against a colossal beast that stood at a towering height of 60 feet. The beast's sheer size and power were daunting, and it was clear that this fight was unlike any Kalki had witnessed before.
"Hey, Yaksha," Kalki whispered, "Do you think that beast could be related to the one from last night?"
"Unless last night's beast had a cousin in town, I doubt it," Yaksha replied dryly.
Kalki observed the scene intently, using his wind affinity to catch snippets of their conversation.
"We need to keep its attention on us! If it breaks through here, the shrine will collapse!" shouted the red-clad girl, her voice both commanding and concerned. She moved with a fierce grace, her black hair flowing like a dark river, and her red pupils glowing with intensity, matching the jewels on her beautiful red dress.
"I'm trying, but this thing is relentless," grunted the boy with matching red hair and pupils. His tone carried an edge of overconfidence, barely masking a hint of jealousy. "Leslie, keep the smaller beasts off us!"
The brown-haired girl, Leslie, nodded, her shyness evident even in the heat of combat. "Got it. Just focus on the big one!" she called out, her voice steady despite her usual reserved nature.
The adult man, who was clearly the most powerful among them, was battling the epic-tier beast with sheer determination. "Ember, Flint, stay sharp! Leslie, don't let any of those smaller beasts get through!" he commanded, his deep voice resonating with authority.
"Ember, focus on its weak points! Don't let your guard down!" the man continued, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Flint, despite his overconfidence, struggled to keep up. "I know, I know! Just don't boss me around!" he snapped back, though his actions showed he was following her lead.
Leslie moved with precision, her skills in combat sharp and effective, proving that despite her quiet demeanor, she was a formidable fighter. "I'm on it, Gyro! Just hang in there!" she replied, her voice carrying a rare hint of assertiveness.
Gyro, his third-order cultivation evident in the sheer power of his attacks, battled the epic-tier beast with relentless force. "Ember, Flint, stay sharp! This isn't over yet!" he shouted, his protective instincts driving him to push beyond his limits.
Ember, ever the dominator and skilled warrior, engaged in combat with a rare-tier beast, her movements a blur of grace and lethal precision. "Flint, this isn't a game! Focus on its weak points and don't let your guard down!" she ordered, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Flint, despite his overconfidence, struggled to keep up. "I know, I know! Just don't boss me around!" he snapped back, though his actions showed he was following her lead.
Leslie, meanwhile, used her agility to outmaneuver the common-tier beasts, her shy nature replaced by a fierce resolve. "I'm on it, Gyro! Just hang in there!" she replied, her voice carrying a rare hint of assertiveness.
Gyro, his third-order cultivation evident in the sheer power of his attacks, battled the epic-tier beast with relentless force. "Ember, Flint, stay sharp! This isn't over yet!" he shouted, his protective instincts driving him to push beyond his limits.
Kalki watched as Ember dispatched a rare-tier beast with a swift, deadly strike, her red eyes burning with intensity. "We can't let up now! Keep pushing!" she urged, her voice a rallying cry for her companions.
Flint, his face set in a determined scowl, followed her lead. "I won't let it through! Let's finish this!" he yelled, his attacks growing more precise.
Gyro, his powerful form a beacon of strength, nodded approvingly. "Good work, all of you. Now, let's bring this beast down!" he bellowed, his voice filled with resolve.
As Kalki continued to watch from afar, he felt a mix of admiration and resolve. He knew that he needed to approach with caution, avoiding detection by both the human group and the beast. With Seraph by his side, Kalki prepared to make his move, determined to enter the intermediate shrine and uncover the mysteries that lay within.
Kalki noted the desperation and determination in their voices. The epic-tier beast roared, its voice echoing through the shrine. The adult man, Gyro, a formidable warrior, fought with all his might, his every strike shaking the ground. The shrine seemed to tremble under the force of their battle, the very foundations threatening to collapse. The red-clad girl and Leslie, meanwhile, focused on eliminating the numerous rare-tier and common-tier beasts that swarmed around them, trying to support the man in any way they could.
Yaksha, not one to miss an opportunity for sarcasm, quipped, "Looks like they could use some help. Too bad you're busy spectating."
Kalki shot back, "Yeah, because jumping into a fight with an epic-tier beast sounds like a fantastic idea. Maybe I'll just wave my hand and make everything better."
Yaksha smirked, "Well, if you want to be useful, I suggest not getting squished while you're at it."
Kalki watched in awe as the battle unfolded. The beast's movements were powerful and swift, but the man's skill and determination were equally impressive. Every clash of their weapons sent shockwaves through the air, altering the surroundings and making the shrine a dangerous place to be.
As Kalki observed the beast, his system panel displayed detailed information about it. He noted with surprise that the beast was of epic tier. The realization that this beast seemed less formidable than the epic beast he had encountered in the Wind Segment intrigued him. Yaksha, ever attentive, provided an explanation.
**Name:** Magma Golem
**Affinity:** Fire, Earth
**Tier:** Epic
**Attributes:**
- **Attack:** 235
- **Agility:** 180
- **Endurance:** 269
**Skills:**
1. **Molten Strike:** Delivers a powerful punch infused with molten lava, causing severe burn damage over time.
2. **Earthquake Stomp:** Slams the ground with immense force, creating shockwaves that can destabilize and damage enemies within a wide radius.
3. **Lava Shield:** Forms a protective barrier of flowing magma around itself, reducing incoming damage and burning any enemies that come into contact.
4. **Seismic Roar:** Emits a deafening roar that causes tremors in the ground, disorienting opponents and reducing their agility temporarily........
**Special Trait:**
- **Volcanic Regeneration:** The Magma Golem can regenerate its health by absorbing heat from the environment or any fire-based attacks, making it incredibly difficult to defeat in volcanic or fiery terrains.
"That epic beast you faced in the Wind Segment was a ruler of its domain," Yaksha said. "Rulers of the outer regions have skin that can match even upper-tier beasts. There's a significant gap between normal epic-tier and rulers beasts. The rulers are exceptionally powerful, capable of destroying mountains, while typical epic-tier beasts can only do a kilometer's range effective attacks."
Kalki absorbed this information, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. "So, not all epic-tier beasts are insurmountable. Even with my new skills, I might just stand a chance to normal epic tier beasts," he thought, his confidence bolstered.
Determined to avoid attracting the attention of both the human group and the beast, Kalki began to devise a plan to enter the intermediate shrine unnoticed. He knew that stealth and strategy would be essential in this precarious situation.
Kalki, realizing the need for stealth, took Seraph back into the bond dimension, ensuring no one could notice his presence. The magical connection between them made Seraph vanish seamlessly, leaving Kalki alone to navigate the battlefield.
He carefully observed the ongoing battle, waiting for the right moment. With precise timing, he slipped through the shadows, moving silently and quickly. His agility, enhanced by his wind affinity, allowed him to glide over the ground with minimal sound. He kept low, using the natural cover provided by the rocky terrain and scattered debris.
As he approached the shrine, Kalki stayed close to the walls, blending into the surroundings. His senses were on high alert, making sure to avoid any sudden movements that could draw attention. The chaos of the fight provided the perfect distraction, allowing him to inch closer to the shrine's entrance.
Just as he was about to step inside, Ember, in the midst of combat, felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was as if something or someone had brushed past her awareness, leaving a faint ripple in her senses. She paused for a moment, her red eyes scanning the area, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shaking off the feeling, she dismissed it as a fleeting distraction and refocused on the battle.
Kalki, having sensed Ember's momentary hesitation, froze, blending even more into the shadows. When she resumed fighting, he took a deep breath and swiftly entered the shrine, his heart pounding with the thrill of having successfully evaded detection. Inside, he marveled at the ancient architecture, knowing he had made it without anyone noticing his presence.
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The Intermediate Shrine stood as a majestic relic of ancient craftsmanship, surrounded by a landscape of rugged beauty. The shrine's exterior was adorned with intricate carvings and statues of legendary fire beasts, each figure seemingly alive with the fiery essence they represented. The statues, sculpted from black obsidian and crimson marble, depicted creatures such as the Pyro Serpent and the Inferno Phoenix, their forms capturing the raw power and grace of these mythical beings.
The shrine's surroundings were equally breathtaking, with lush, flame-resistant flora adding a splash of verdant green against the fiery backdrop. The air shimmered with heat, creating an almost ethereal glow around the building. However, the ongoing battle outside had begun to take its toll on this serene setting. Trees were scorched, and the ground was littered with debris from the fierce combat. The shrine itself bore scars of the conflict, with cracks appearing in its stone walls and some statues bearing fresh marks from near misses and shockwaves.
At the shrine's entrance, two massive statues of fire lions stood guard, their eyes gleaming with an inner light. Kalki moved cautiously past them, keenly aware of the possibility of triggering defensive mechanisms. The central courtyard housed the most impressive statue—a Western-style dragon, its form coiled gracefully around a central pedestal. This dragon, carved from ruby-hued stone, had a fierce yet noble expression, its eyes set on a red marble at its heart. This marble contained a floating fire sigil, pulsing with latent power.
As Kalki stepped inside, he was greeted by the interior's magnificent splendor. The walls were lined with more statues and reliefs, each telling stories of ancient battles and legendary heroes. The floor was a mosaic of fiery colors, depicting a grand battle scene with mythical beasts. Overhead, the ceiling arched high, painted with constellations and mythical creatures in a dance of flame and shadow. The air inside was cooler, a stark contrast to the heat outside, but it still carried a sense of immense power.
The battle outside sent occasional tremors through the shrine, causing dust to fall from the ceiling and making the statues vibrate. Despite the chaos, the interior remained largely intact, its ancient enchantments holding strong against the external assault. Kalki moved with great care, avoiding any sudden movements that might activate traps or alarms. He marveled at the beauty and history around him, every step bringing him deeper into the heart of the shrine and closer to its secrets.
Kalki in his excitement, can obtain the other essence to fulfill his quest requirement?