The fourth layer of Octomus's lair was an expansive battlefield, scorched and riddled with jagged cliffs and craters. The ground trembled slightly as Riser and his group arrived, a palpable sense of danger hanging in the air. It wasn't long before the hulking figure of Megahorn emerged from the shadows. Towering and monstrous, his bone-like armor gleamed under the dim light, and his dragon-skull-shaped shoulder pads exuded a raw, primal menace.
Riser stepped forward, his sharp gaze assessing the creature. "Megahorn. You must be the Terror of brute strength." He turned to his allies and gave a brief nod. "This one's for Nomu."
With a flick of his wrist, Riser summoned Nomu. The monstrous humanoid appeared in a swirl of flame, his exposed brain pulsing faintly as he cracked his neck and let out a guttural growl.
"Nomu," Riser commanded, pointing at Megahorn. "All your's"
Nomu's head tilted slightly, as if acknowledging , before he roared and charged toward Megahorn. Riser motioned for the rest of the group to go. "Move on. Clear the rest of the layer. Don't disappoint me."
Nomu sprinted toward Megahorn with astonishing speed for his size, his fists raised to strike. Megahorn stood his ground, his wings flaring wide as he lifted his massive dragon-tail sword.
"You send a beast to fight me?" Megahorn growled, his deep voice echoing. "I'll crush him beneath my claws."
Nomu's first punch landed squarely on Megahorn's chest, the impact resounding like a thunderclap. Megahorn staggered slightly but retaliated immediately, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The blade smashed into Nomu, sending him flying into a nearby rock formation, shattering it on impact.
Nomu rose quickly, his regenerative abilities already mending the gashes in his flesh. With a snarl, he launched himself back into the fray, his fists glowing faintly as he attacked Megahorn's armored torso with a series of rapid punches.
Megahorn took the hits with minimal reaction, his bone armor deflecting much of the force. "You're strong," he admitted, "but i am stonger."
The Terror extended his neck unnaturally, his head lunging forward like a striking snake. His jagged teeth clamped down on Nomu's shoulder, eliciting a pained roar. Nomu responded by grabbing Megahorn's elongated neck and slamming him into the ground with brute force.
Megahorn roared, releasing a flurry of energy balls from his hands. The black and purple orbs detonated around Nomu, engulfing him in smoke and flames. As the dust cleared, Nomu emerged, his body scorched but quickly healing.
"Persistent," Megahorn growled, lifting his sword high. He charged it with green energy before slamming it into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent Nomu sprawling.
Before Nomu could rise, Megahorn followed up with a devastating kick, sending the smaller monster crashing into another cliffside. The ground shook with the force of the impact.
Nomu struggled to his feet, his regeneration keeping him in the fight despite the punishment. He let out a guttural growl, his glowing eyes narrowing as he analyzed his opponent. Megahorn's sheer power was undeniable, but Nomu's survival instincts began to take over.
Nomu darted forward, this time weaving around Megahorn's powerful swings with surprising agility. He delivered a brutal uppercut to Megahorn's jaw, followed by a series of body blows that forced the Terror to step back.
"You're persistent," Megahorn snarled, his wings unfurling. With a powerful leap, he took to the air, raining down fireballs from his mouth. Nomu dodged and deflected as many as he could, using his surroundings for cover.
Megahorn landed heavily, the impact shaking the ground. He extended his neck again, this time firing a concentrated beam of yellow energy from his eyes. Nomu braced himself, the beam slamming into his chest and burning through his flesh. But as always, his regeneration kicked in, sealing the wounds within seconds.
Nomu used the opening to close the distance, grabbing one of Megahorn's wings and twisting it violently. The Terror roared in pain, slashing at Nomu with his claws. The two grappled, each trying to overpower the other.
Despite his resilience, Nomu was clearly being outmatched in terms of raw power. Each strike from Megahorn left deeper wounds, and even Nomu's regeneration couldn't keep up indefinitely. But as the fight dragged on, Nomu began to notice something: every time he struck Megahorn's back, the Terror flinched slightly, his movements faltering for a split second.
The weakness. The back of the neck.
Nomu roared, launching a feint attack at Megahorn's chest. As Megahorn raised his sword to block, Nomu darted around to his back, scaling the Terror's massive frame with brute strength.
"What are you—?!" Megahorn bellowed, thrashing wildly as Nomu clung to him.
Nomu dug his claws into the back of Megahorn's neck, tearing through the bone armor to expose the vulnerable flesh beneath. With a guttural snarl, Nomu sank his teeth into the weak spot, ripping through tendons and muscle.
Megahorn screamed, his movements becoming erratic as he tried to shake Nomu off. But Nomu held firm, delivering blow after blow to the exposed area until Megahorn's strength began to wane.
Summoning the last of his energy, Megahorn swung his sword in a wide arc, creating another shockwave. Nomu was thrown off, but he landed on his feet, ready for the final strike.
As Megahorn staggered, his movements slowed by the damage to his neck, Nomu charged forward. He leaped into the air, delivering a devastating punch to the weak spot. The impact shattered the remaining bone armor and sent Megahorn crashing to the ground.
Nomu didn't stop. He pounced on the fallen Terror, using his claws and teeth to tear through what was left of Megahorn's defenses. The Terror's roars grew weaker until, finally, they stopped altogether.
As the battlefield fell silent, Nomu stood over the lifeless body of Megahorn, his chest heaving. Without hesitation, he began to devour the Terror, tearing into the flesh with primal hunger.
The Aftermath
Riser see Nomu standing amidst the carnage, blood dripping from his claws and teeth. The remains of Megahorn lay in a broken heap behind him.
Riser smirked. "I see you've have your fill."
Nomu turned to face him, his glowing eyes filled with a savage satisfaction.
"Well done," Riser said, nodding approvingly. "You've earned your keep."
---
Koragg stepped forward, his armored form imposing as his crimson visor scanned the area. His grip tightened on his sword as he turned to the group.
"This one is mine," Koragg said, his voice steady and resolute. "Oculous is tricky, relying on deception and ambushes. I know his tactics well. Move on to the next layer. I'll catch up when this is done."
Tai Lung glanced at the swirling shadows ahead and smirked. "Good luck, Wolf Knight. Don't let him pull you into one of his traps."
Isabella nodded, her fists faintly glowing. "We'll clear the way ahead. Try not to take too long."
Yubellena gave a small, approving smile. "We'll hold you to that, Koragg."
The group moved on, leaving Koragg alone in the reflective labyrinth. He turned back toward the eerie battlefield, his grip tightening on his weapon.
Koragg stood at the threshold of the fifth layer, his crimson eyes narrowing as he surveyed the battlefield ahead. The terrain was an endless expanse of reflective glass and shimmering portals, each one distorting light and creating disorienting illusions. Oculous stood at the center, his massive sniper rifle resting against his shoulder. The Terror exuded an aura of cold arrogance, his single, glowing eye scanning the area with predatory precision.
"You dare to challenge me alone, Koragg?" Oculous sneered, his voice sharp and mocking. "A foolish choice. No one has escaped my sight and lived to tell the tale."
Koragg stepped forward, unsheathing his sword with a deliberate motion. "Spare me your arrogance, Oculous. You've been a shadow lurking behind Octomus for too long. Today, you fall."
Oculous let out a low, chilling laugh, raising his sniper rifle. "Bold words from a traitor. Let's see how long you last."
The Battle Begins
Oculous moved first, teleporting to a high vantage point with a flash of green light. From his elevated position, he aimed his sniper rifle and fired a series of red energy beams. Koragg responded immediately, raising his shield and deflecting the blasts with precision. Each impact reverberated through the battlefield, shattering some of the reflective surfaces and creating more fragmented illusions.
"You can block, but you cannot hide!" Oculous declared, firing a Bayonet Wave. The green energy slash tore through the ground, forcing Koragg to sidestep quickly.
Koragg's voice remained calm. "Your tricks won't save you. Face me directly."
Oculous smirked, teleporting again to evade Koragg's counterattack. This time, he opened a dimensional portal, stepping inside. Moments later, red energy blasts rained down from above, striking from multiple angles.
Koragg growled, his shield glowing as he spun it rapidly, creating a barrier to deflect the incoming fire. "Hiding in another dimension, Oculous? You call this honorable combat?"
The Terror's voice echoed from everywhere at once. "Honor is meaningless when your enemies are crushed!"
Koragg's patience wore thin. He slammed his sword into the ground, releasing a pulse of dark energy that shattered the nearest illusions. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, tracking the faint distortions in the air that revealed Oculous's movements.
When Oculous reappeared to fire another blast, Koragg surged forward, closing the distance in an instant. His sword clashed against the bayonet blade of Oculous's rifle, the impact creating a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield.
"You think brute force will save you?" Oculous snarled, pushing back with his rifle.
Koragg's voice was low and steady. "It's not brute force. It's skill."
He twisted his blade, disarming Oculous momentarily and forcing the Terror to retreat. But Oculous was quick, summoning a horde of Hidiacs and Styxoids to surround Koragg.
The warrior didn't flinch. "You rely on others because you fear me."
With a roar, Koragg charged into the fray, his sword cutting through the summoned minions with ruthless efficiency. His movements were calculated, each strike designed to clear a path toward Oculous.
Frustrated, Oculous opened another dimensional portal, stepping inside to regroup. This time, he emerged from his portal firing his Chest Energy Beam, a massive green blast aimed directly at Koragg.
Koragg braced himself, raising his shield. The beam slammed into the shield with immense force, pushing him back several meters. The heat and pressure were overwhelming, but Koragg held firm, his honor and determination refusing to let him yield.
As the beam subsided, Koragg lowered his shield, smoke rising from its surface. "You call that your strongest attack? It's nothing compared to my resolve."
Oculous hissed in anger. "You're insufferable, Koragg!"
Koragg watched closely as Oculous moved between portals, taking careful aim and timing his strikes. He noticed a pattern—each time Oculous emerged, he hesitated briefly before firing.
Using this knowledge, Koragg positioned himself deliberately, waiting for Oculous to reappear. When the Terror stepped out of a portal, Koragg threw his shield like a spinning disc. The shield struck Oculous's rifle, knocking it from his hands and pinning it to the ground.
Oculous's eye widened in shock. "Impossible!"
Koragg wasted no time. He charged forward, delivering a powerful slash to Oculous's chest. The Terror staggered, his movements faltering as Koragg's blade pierced his defenses.
"You're finished," Koragg growled, his tone cold and final.
Oculous attempted to teleport away, but Koragg anticipated the move, grabbing him by the arm and slamming him to the ground. The battlefield trembled as Koragg raised his sword high, its blade glowing with dark energy.
"This is the end, Oculous," Koragg said, his voice resolute. "Your arrogance has blinded you for too long."
With a final, decisive strike, Koragg drove his sword into Oculous's chest. The Terror let out a final, guttural cry as his body began to disintegrate into motes of dark energy.
Koragg stood over the fading remains of his opponent, his sword resting at his side. He breathed heavily but showed no sign of weakness.
----
Yubellena, Isabella, and Tai Lung arrived at the entrance to the sixth layer, a murky swamp shrouded in thick, green mist. The air was heavy with the stench of decay, and the ground squelched beneath their feet with every step. Flickers of glowing light danced in the distance, giving the area an eerie, dreamlike quality.
Isabella nudged Yubellena with her elbow, a smirk on her face. "So, Yubellena, when are you going to show us what you're really made of? I feel like you've been riding Riser's coattails this whole time."
Yubellena's eyes narrowed, a spark of annoyance flashing across her face. "Oh, please. I could take down one of these Terrors without breaking a sweat. You'll see soon enough."
Tai Lung chuckled, crossing his arms. "Big words. Let's see you back them up. I'm curious myself."
Yubellena's gaze flicked to the looming swamp ahead, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Fine. I'll take this one. You two move on. I'll join you once I'm done."
"Good luck," Isabella teased, giving her a mock salute. "Try not to get slimed."
Yubellena flipped her hair over her shoulder and strode confidently into the swamp, the mist closing in around her.
Deep in the swamp, Yubellena reached a clearing where the mist grew thicker, swirling unnaturally as if alive. The ground was littered with glowing green puddles, and the air vibrated with an ominous croak.
From the shadows emerged Hekatoid, his massive, frog-like body lumbering forward. His skin was covered in warts that oozed glowing slime, and his large, wheezing breaths filled the air. He carried a bizarre hammer that doubled as a trumpet, the instrument letting out a discordant note as he approached.
"Well, well," Hekatoid said, his voice deep and wheezy. "A little devil has wandered into my domain. You must have a death wish."
Yubellena rolled her eyes, her hands glowing faintly with magical energy. "If I wanted to listen to idle croaking, I'd visit a pond. Let's get this over with, shall we?"
Hekatoid let out a loud, rumbling laugh, his gelatinous body shaking. "Arrogant, aren't we? Don't worry, I'll fix that."
He slammed his hammer onto the ground, releasing a wave of blue soundwaves that surged toward Yubellena. She leaped into the air, flipping gracefully to avoid the attack, and retaliated with a bolt of lightning that struck Hekatoid's chest.
The Terror stumbled slightly, but his thick, slimy hide absorbed much of the impact. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted. "Pathetic!"
Hekatoid stretched his tongue, aiming to ensnare Yubellena, but she conjured a barrier of shimmering light that deflected the attack. She fired a volley of energy bolts, each one precise and deadly, but the Terror's elastic body allowed him to twist and contort, evading most of her strikes.
"You're slippery," Yubellena admitted, her tone sharp. "But I've dealt with worse."
Hekatoid responded by spewing a stream of black sludge from his mouth. Yubellena conjured another barrier, but the acidic nature of the slime began to eat away at it. She jumped back, summoning a gust of wind to scatter the sludge away from her.
Hekatoid grinned, taking advantage of the distraction. He leaped high into the air, his massive body creating a shadow over Yubellena as he came crashing down. The ground shook violently, nearly knocking her off her feet.
"You're slow," Yubellena said with a smirk, darting to the side. "And clumsy. This will be easier than I thought."
Hekatoid growled, slamming his hammer onto the ground and releasing a flurry of green energy blasts. Yubellena dodged with elegant precision, her movements fluid and calculated.
As the battle raged on, Yubellena began weaving her magic subtly, preparing a trap while keeping Hekatoid distracted. She conjured illusions to misdirect him, creating multiple copies of herself that moved in different directions.
"Where are you, little deviless?" Hekatoid croaked, swinging his hammer wildly at the illusions.
"Right here," Yubellena said, her voice echoing from multiple directions.
Frustrated, Hekatoid unleashed a massive spray of acidic slime, coating the area in a toxic, bubbling mess. Yubellena leaped gracefully between the puddles, leading the Terror further into the swamp.
Finally, when Hekatoid was positioned directly in the center of her trap, Yubellena's smirk widened. "Got you."
Yubellena raised her hands, the runes she had been inscribing throughout the fight glowing brightly. The air around Hekatoid shimmered as a massive magical sigil formed beneath him, its intricate patterns pulsing with energy.
"What is this?" Hekatoid croaked, his voice tinged with panic.
Yubellena snapped her fingers. "Your end."
The sigil activated, releasing a concentrated burst of energy that engulfed Hekatoid entirely. The Terror let out a guttural roar as the magic tore through his body, reducing him to ash within moments.
When the light faded, only a faint scorch mark remained where Hekatoid had stood.