THUD! THUD!
A powerful golden hoof crashed onto the snowy ground, leaving a deep imprint in the frost-covered earth. With each heavy step forward, the landscape began to shift. Snow gave way to mud, grass peeked through the thawing earth, and the jagged rocks felt rough underfoot.
Raphael's hooves finally came to a halt. He took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings with Shao Jin's senses which were amplified by the newly absorbed blood energy from the knights and Balphazar's remnants. It was truly magnificent!
"So, this is Yama Yaguai, otherwise known as Beast Land…?"
It had taken him days of relentless flight, dodging Bloodthorne patrols, and pushing his newfound shadow teleportation to its limits, but he had finally reached his destination.
Yama Yaguai was a realm of untamed wilderness. Towering mountain peaks pierced the storm-wracked sky, the air thick with the scent of fire and wild essence. The land was riddled with steaming Fire Pools. This was a haven for ancient and powerful beasts – a dangerous and chaotic place, perfect for hiding, and even more perfect for his situation, an unexpected blessing.
But there was something even more comforting about this wild place that reverberated through his stolen memories:
No rules! No Bloodthorne laws to abide by, and those damned princesses…? Well, that wasn't his problem anymore.
Taking a bold step across the invisible boundary that separated this place from the outside, Raphael entered Yama Yaguai, feeling a tremor course up his legs. This feeling was new and a little terrifying at first, but the apprehension quickly faded as he passed a group of creatures who growled with malice until they met his blood-red gaze.
"Hmm, forgive this lowly one, Master."
Those eyes radiated pure fear as their bodies hunched lower, almost pressing to the mud. They wouldn't dare challenge his authority, his lineage, for they were aware of the Golden Bull Thork's might! It seems even as a fugitive, he was at the very top of the food chain!
Who could complain? Especially, not those weak bastards.
"This… this is the respect I deserve." Raphael chuckled, feeling a thrill of arrogance course through him.
He straightened his back and continued onward, reveling in this newfound dominance and respect. His steps were slow and hesitant at first. After a while, they grew bolder, his hooves smashing through scrub and his head held high.
In the past, he'd wet his pants in terror from the mere glimpse of one of those disgusting things, however, the fear now resided in their heart! What an accomplishment, he thought to himself with satisfaction!
"Perhaps I might come to like this place." He inhaled deeply, enjoying the clean scent of raw essence and burnt leaves. It certainly beat the stench of blood, ice, and those damned perfumes Tajmani carried by the bucketload.
He continued deeper into the heart of Yama Yaguai. The path he followed led him through valleys and across treacherous cliffs. He marveled at the sheer variety of this dangerous and mysterious landscape that was teeming with possibilities.
At one point, Raphael was admiring a flock of butterflies that carried tiny, iridescent, fairy-like creatures on their wings toward the jagged peaks. In his trance-like fascination, he almost stepped directly into a muddy patch that smelled particularly foul. He quickly sidestepped. But his massive flank ended up bumping against the trunk of what he thought was an ordinary tree, until…
"You oversized fool! Can't you watch where you are going?! My leaves are ruined now!"
The voice of a grumpy old man pierced his ears, leaving him more surprised than those Shadow Bats of earlier.
"What the hell…"
His hooves stumbled back as his eyes adjusted to discover the face of the "tree" staring down at him in disapproval.
"Sorry… I didn't realize… you were sentient." Those golden hooves of his shuffled nervously.
It grunted. "Well, you should! Keep your oversized backside in your lane and be on your way!"
It took a bit more time, dodging weird creatures, admiring those colorful flowers and rocks before finally reaching his destination which was much more dazzling than expected, a place where powerful entities resided in truce, or died trying.
Ahead lay a lake of fire.
It dwarfed the one back in the Blood Forest by several folds. Glowing tendrils of heat snaked skyward, the air was heavy with a sulfurous, intoxicating aroma. Its surface roiled and bubbled ominously.
Raphael felt a thirst unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. The Fire Pool's essence called to him like a beacon. He saw multiple large beasts drinking from the lake and thought:
"Those beasts… they're ingesting that fire… If those freaks can do it… then…"
"Wait, I'm Shao Jin now, a Golden Bull Thork. I should also…"
Ignoring all thoughts about health concerns and logic, he strolled toward the nearest edge and leaned down cautiously, before taking a tentative sip…
"WHOA!"
The liquid fire flowed into him, revitalizing him in ways even the Blood Replenishing Potions hadn't. He felt a rush of power that he had never known before. It tasted divine, metallic and a little smoky but with a tinge of that sulfur which didn't bother him, for his monstrous digestive system could swallow even diamonds, if need be!
"I need more, much more. If only…"
And as if the very Fires of Yama Yaguai heard his hungry call…
An idea came.
He took the plunge, diving headfirst into the molten lake.
As he submerged beneath the surface of the Fire Pool and allowed its energies to wash over him, the beast around who were taking in this hot water in their own peaceful manner froze.
Their peaceful morning was ruined!
"That…idiot. What is it doing?" One of them said as it backed away as if the fires would leap off that damned bull's body and devour everything in its path, which might actually happen if he provoked them.
And provoke… oh, provoke he did!
But before this realization was complete, a truly terrifying beast came emerging from the depths of that Fire Pool which caused everyone else to retreat like helpless pups with wet fur seeking mama's comfort, which wouldn't help today.
SPLASH!
It was an enormous, serpentine creature of immense power. The monster rose, letting out a bone-rattling roar as the molten energy from the Fire Pool dripped like golden tears.
Its scales radiated with dark ruby luminescence just like fires beneath. It resembled a brown dragon in form, but its face had long trunk and floppy ears like an elephant.
"Hellphet! It's Hellphet! And he doesn't look happy."
"Someone… someone provoked the Lord of Fire?"
"It's that idiot who just dove in. They're dead meat! I saw a giant ape, bigger than a mountain get turned to dust for just grazing that beast's trunk with its toe."
They couldn't even blame him now for his stupidity! Hellphet's might was that horrifying!
Who dives into a guarded territory's pool, especially without even inquiring first? Only a fool, or perhaps someone oblivious to what it meant to disrespect another powerful creature's territory.
Unfortunately, both were about to learn a lesson about who is king in Yama Yaguai the hard way!
At first, Raphael, blissfully unaware of the surrounding fear that had permeated the atmosphere due to his action, simply floated in the molten liquid. His hooves waved about like a drunken child as Shao Jin's instinct took over completely and relished in this pool's rich essence! It was heavenly!
"Man, I'm strong. Even stronger now! This essence… it's far potent and… Whoa… the view…"
But those foolish thoughts came to an abrupt halt as his enhanced sense picked up those fearful whispers of impending doom coupled with the stench of putrid ego and smoke from a pissed off creature!
"Why are they looking at me like that, am I doing something strange?" But before he could formulate any theory about what was going to happen next…
"Which lowlife dares bathes in my Fire Pool without my permission?!"
"???"
Raphael was a little confused as those eyes adjusted to gaze upon an enormous, majestic beast! It was bigger than himself. Lava was dripping off its brown scales.
This was scary, but there was no backing out now, so he decided to stay afloat and let those fear instincts of his kick into overdrive.
"Hey! Stinking bull, I'm talking to you!" Hellphet's menacing words shattered those optimistic bubbles in Raphael's mind.
"Did you not hear me?" Its tone changed now from being slightly surprised and irritated to murderous intent fueled by injured pride.
WHOOSH!
Hellphet extend his massive draconic-elephant head downwards while staring at that golden idiot floating blissfully in those fiery depths below as its trunk swayed menacingly back and forth, which he, Raphael mistook for a welcoming greeting.
But before he could say a word...
"Hm… You've violated the law of my domain. You have bathed in my Fire Pool without my permission! For that transgression you shall pay the ultimate price! Prepare to be annihilated, little bull!"
"Gulp! Is this really happening to me now?" This was indeed worse than his previous situation! How unfortunate.
But unlike earlier, when faced with danger, Shao Jin's memories surfaced, fueling his primal desire to fight, conquer, and most importantly live, not die.
"Hey big guy. Look. I- I had no idea it was yours… I… It's just…"
"DIE!"
RUMBLE!
But the words died before they even escaped his lips as Hellphet coiled upwards like serpent, sending another shock wave across that landscape, then a large ball of crimson energy infused with fiery essence began charging up above his maw.
"Damn, this feels familiar." His earlier thoughts of explaining and apologizing was dismissed entirely upon witnessing this chaotic energy brewing in that dark crimson ball above. He knew If that touches him, even with this stolen powerful body, those chances of surviving such a direct hit was low, very low.
And in desperation, as he resurfaced with a frantic splash…
BOOOM! BOOOM!
Something ancient, terrifying, powerful, yet familiar activated deep within Raphael's core. His instincts to defend, survive and conquer kicked in with an efficiency that left even Raphael in awe of this body's power and those possibilities it held.
"Hm! How dare he challenge my authority?!" Raphael slammed his hooves onto that fire surface in retaliation, "I won't lose to some fire-breathing lizard again!"
WHOOSH!
Vertical fire streams from the Fire Pool erupted upwards as if commanded! They were targeting the falling ball of crimson doom above. The screams from those fleeing beast faded into the sound of explosions.
RUMBLE!
Hellphet watched in disbelief as his attack, which would usually kill those wanna be emperors in a blink was dispersed by those flames below. Was that… It couldn't be!
"How…? But those fires belong to my domain. They shouldn't… shouldn't be responding to another entity's command! Who…? Could this beast be…"
A terrifying answer came to mind as he witnessed the creature below starting to release potent energies around its golden horns as Shao Jin's will manifested in Raphael's consciousness.
"Helios Sphere!"
That's all he needed to scream mentally to charge those attacks, but he didn't intend to release it just yet. He needed confirmation that his observation was accurate, his intuition proven.
That beast… that Hellphet that lorded over all those pathetic insects who worshiped his fire power. He was afraid!
"What kind of essence and potent Solar Consciousness is this? Why is my spine shaking…? Wait… Those crimson eyes… That oppressive golden glow! Could it be… A CALAMITY! Not only… This damn bull is a NIGHTMARE CALAMITY?! A true… Golden Bull Thork?! Oh, God!"
As his terrifying realizations were coming to the forefront of his exhausted and defeated mind, his elongated snout slammed hard against those fires, before annihilation took place.
"Master Calamity, please, spare me! My old eyes, they were not working well today, and I… I failed to recognize your majestic presence! You may bathe in my Fire Pool if you must. Just please spare me."
Hellphet's pathetic begging came in sobs mixed with fire snot as he attempted to wipe those tears away with his massive legs. It wasn't a sight of courage or power, it was the fear of the unknown, death by another and stronger Calamity!
The humiliation didn't bother him. At least, not as much as a quick death!
That display of terror, it had the opposite effect! Instead of stomping those floppy ears into the ground as Shao Jin's voice screaming 'KILL!' deep inside wanted, a primal instinct within Raphael pushed against that desire, leaving only curiosity.
Why was that beast so terrified, weren't they both a Calamity?
"Hm…"
Canceling his attack to see this new form of entertainment from this Calamity who now was begging for mercy, Raphael let out a snort that echoed across that fiery landscape, shaking the ground, and splattering embers all over those fear stricken faces and muddy furs that had the misfortune of being spectators this day.
Then the most shocking words that silenced those buzzing insects were spoken with an arrogance he felt, he knew, it wasn't his!
"It's wise of you to finally realize who is superior in this desolate world we both inhabit. And as such. You have my permission to breathe today." His hooves were now flexing!
Raphael continued his "act" by adding an insult fueled by Shao Jin's memories and memories from those assholes he had served in his human life:
"Now then. Get out of my sight! I haven't finished appreciating the divine properties of this delicious molten bath your disgusting lineage has failed to conquer with respect, unlike yours truly."
"Y-Yes, Master Calamity!" Hellphet hurriedly dove back into his Fire Pool depths and remained silent for the rest of Raphael's visit. It was truly humiliating! However, humiliation sometimes saved those scaly hides, and they all knew this!
The other surrounding creatures had borne witness to this display.
Hellphet subdued without even a fight! A Golden Bull Thork! Such a sight. They now gazed at Raphael with a mixture of fear and awe. This was the pecking order of power that they all understand.
A powerful Calamity had arrived in their midst, and his presence would certainly alter the fragile balance of Yama Yaguai, but that didn't concern Raphael one bit, after all, he only desired survival for as long as it last.