The descent into the underground ruins of Vie de Marli was eerily silent. Unlike the dense jungles or the dilapidated clock tower, this place had an aura of complete stillness, as though the very air was holding its breath. The stone walls were covered in ancient runes, their meanings lost to time, though some looked familiar to Hadrian from his studies with Sirius.
"The Arcana Calice is down here somewhere," Lucia murmured, her voice a soft echo in the dimly lit cavern. She glanced at Hadrian, her eyes intense. "This place… it's where I used to train. The Protectors would come down here to test their skills against summoned demons."
Hadrian nodded, gripping Kanshou and Bakuya tighter. "Sounds like a cheerful spot for childhood memories."
Lucia gave him a slight smirk. "You get used to it. Ready?"
He returned the smirk with a confident grin. "Always."
As they ventured deeper, they reached a vast chamber, its high ceilings arching above them in an architectural marvel of demonic and human craftsmanship. In the center of the room, bathed in a faint, otherworldly glow, rested the Arcana Calice—a magnificent chalice engraved with intricate designs that seemed to pulse with a soft light.
But as they approached, the ground trembled beneath their feet, and a low, rumbling growl echoed through the chamber. From the shadows at the far end, a massive figure emerged—Plutonian, the hulking, two-headed guardian of the Arcana Calice. Its massive flails gleamed in the dim light, and its two heads regarded them with a predatory hunger.
"Intruders… you dare defile this sacred ground," one head growled, while the other sneered, "You will not leave alive."
Lucia took a step forward, her stance low and ready. "Guess we'll have to change that narrative."
Hadrian exchanged a quick glance with Lucia. "Ready to take him down together?"
"Let's do it," she replied, her voice steady.
The Battle with Plutonian
Plutonian roared, swinging one of its massive flails in a deadly arc toward them. Hadrian ducked under the swing, the spiked ball narrowly missing him as it smashed into the stone floor, sending shards flying in every direction.
Lucia dashed forward, her twin swords Cutlaseer flashing as she closed the distance. She leaped, spinning in the air, and slashed across one of Plutonian's arms, leaving a trail of blood. The demon barely flinched, its second head swiveling to focus on her.
"Watch out!" Hadrian called, seeing the second flail coming towards her.
With an agility honed through years of training, Lucia flipped backward, avoiding the flail's deadly reach. Hadrian seized the opening, charging in from the side, his swords cutting deep into Plutonian's flank. Black ichor sprayed from the wounds, and the demon let out a pained roar.
But Plutonian wasn't going down easily. It slammed one of its massive flails into the ground, causing the entire chamber to shake. Massive, electric beams shot from the walls, arcing toward Hadrian and Lucia in a deadly barrage.
"Move!" Lucia shouted, darting to the side as one of the beams struck the ground where she'd been standing a moment before.
Hadrian rolled, dodging another beam, but the relentless assault was forcing them on the defensive. He glanced over at Lucia, an idea forming in his mind.
"Can you keep him distracted for a few seconds?"
Lucia nodded a fierce determination in her eyes. "Just watch me."
As Hadrian moved into position, Lucia ran forward, her movements a blur as she darted around Plutonian, striking quick, precise blows at its legs and torso. The demon roared, swinging its flails in a wild attempt to catch her, but her agility kept her just out of reach.
"Hey, ugly!" she taunted, dodging another swing. "You're gonna have to do better than that!"
With Plutonian focused on Lucia, Hadrian seized his chance. He closed his eyes for a moment, channeling energy through Kanshou and Bakuya. The blades began to glow with a fierce, dark light, pulsing in time with his heartbeat.
He opened his eyes, a fierce resolve shining in them. "Let's end this."
Dashing forward, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each blow carving deep into Plutonian's body. The demon's heads howled in pain as Hadrian's blades cut through muscle and bone, severing one of its arms completely.
Enraged, Plutonian turned both heads towards him, dark energy gathering in its mouths as it prepared to unleash a devastating attack. But before it could, Lucia leaped onto its back, driving her blades deep into one of its heads.
The demon staggered, its attack faltering as it roared in agony. Hadrian saw his chance and lunged forward, his blades piercing the demon's remaining head in a final, decisive strike.
With a final, ear-splitting roar, Plutonian collapsed, its massive body crashing to the ground in a heap of flesh and metal. The dark energy surrounding it dissipated, leaving the chamber silent once more.
Retrieving the Arcana Calice
Breathing heavily, Hadrian and Lucia exchanged a nod, a silent acknowledgment of their teamwork and victory.
"Nice work," Lucia said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Hadrian grinned. "Couldn't have done it without you."
They approached the Arcana Calice, and Hadrian carefully lifted the relic from its pedestal. A surge of energy pulsed through him as he held it, a strange but powerful sensation.
"That's two down," he said, securing the chalice. "Only two more to go."
Lucia nodded, her expression determined. "We can't let Arius get his hands on these. He's already too close to releasing Argosax."
Hadrian glanced at her, noting the shadows in her eyes. "Hey, we'll stop him. Together."
She met his gaze, a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes before she nodded. "Yeah. Together."
As they made their way back to Matier and the others, Hadrian couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was only going to get more dangerous. But he also felt a strange sense of belonging—of purpose. For the first time, he was truly part of something bigger than himself, a legacy that he was determined to uphold.
And with allies like Lucia, Dante, and Sirius by his side, he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.