The squad moved cautiously through the desolate, abandoned city. Silence enveloped the ruins, broken only by the crunch of debris beneath their feet.
"This city was once home to a magical cave," Cherrystone explained, her voice carrying a somber tone. "It's where we can perform the ritual to fuse the gems we've collected."
Yaxoc glanced at the crumbled buildings around them, their skeletal remains standing as grim reminders of a past catastrophe. "What happened here?" he asked, unease creeping into his voice.
Cherrystone sighed. "This city was obliterated by nuclear bombs long ago. That's why it's considered highly radioactive. Thankfully, we're immune to radiation, so we can traverse it safely."
As they continued, Yaxoc's eyes scanned the ground, littered with skeletal remains glowing faintly green from radiation. He shuddered. "This place gives me the creeps."
Yaxocara rolled her eyes. "Oh, grow up. They're just dead bodies."
After minutes of silent trekking, they reached the entrance to the magical cave, only to find their path blocked by a shimmering, pulsing force field.
"Huh. A barrier," Yaxoc muttered, inspecting the glowing obstruction.
Cherrystone frowned. "It's a force field left by magicians in 1993. They sealed this cave because of its immense danger. They didn't want the public knowing what lies within."
"Great. Just our luck," Yaxoc said with a groan.
Yaxocara stepped closer, her eyes narrowing at the force field. "No... this isn't just any barrier. This is demon magic."
Cherrystone blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Yaxocara turned to her, her voice firm. "Demons have the ability to shapeshift and disguise themselves as magicians. This barrier reeks of their handiwork. They must've sealed the cave to prevent anyone from performing the ritual."
Moonlight crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "So, how do we break it?"
Without hesitation, Yaxocara unsheathed her blade, the air around it shimmering faintly. She raised it high and chanted, "Artificial Magic: Light Slash!" With a swift, precise swing, a radiant arc of energy slashed through the force field, shattering it like glass.
"Their barriers are no match for light-based magic," Yaxocara said, a smirk tugging at her lips.
The force field dissolved, revealing the dark, foreboding entrance to the cave.
"Let's go," she added confidently, stepping forward.
The squad followed her lead, venturing into the cave's mysterious depths, their footsteps echoing in the silent void.
The cave shimmered with an enchanted glow, its walls adorned with gently floating gems that seemed to dance in slow, rhythmic patterns. Overhead, clusters of bats clung to the ceiling, undisturbed in their slumber.
The squad moved cautiously, the soft glow of the cave casting ethereal light around them.
"So, what does the ritual setup look like?" Yaxoc asked, his curiosity breaking the quiet.
Cherrystone explained, "It's a mechanism resembling a slot—a place designed to fit something precisely the size of the gem. The ritual itself is complex, especially since we're dealing with the Gem of Wisdom. We'll need to figure out its purpose."
Luna gazed around in awe at the shimmering gems and glowing stalactites, while Moonlight and Yaxocara remained alert, their eyes scanning the shadows for any threats.
After some time, they arrived at the cave's center, where the path split into two.
"This is the heart of the cave," Cherrystone said, gesturing to the left. "That path leads to an exit." She then pointed to the right. "And that one takes us to the ritual chamber."
Yaxoc rolled his eyes. "So we just head to the ritual room? Easy enough."
Cherrystone shot him a glance. "Don't be so careless, Yaxoc. This cave lacks any active protections. That means any entity lurking here could strike at any moment. Stay sharp."
The group pressed on, the tension thick in the air.
Suddenly, a shadow darted from the darkness. A demon lunged at Luna with a feral growl, its claws poised to strike.
"Luna, watch out!" Yaxoc shouted, stepping in to block the attack with a quick move.
"You don't have to baby me, you know!" Luna snapped, crossing her arms.
Yaxoc smirked. "Oh, I'm sure you've got it all handled."
Before the demon could regroup, Yaxoc countered with a powerful kick, sending it crashing against the wall. He followed up with a barrage of light slashes, the radiant energy tearing through the creature until it dissolved into nothingness.
"Well, that was... unexpected," Cherrystone admitted, her tone uneasy.
Moonlight nodded, her eyes scanning the shadows again. "Let's keep moving. This place is far from safe."
The squad continued down the path toward the ritual chamber, their steps more cautious than before. The faint hum of magic grew louder, mingling with the sound of their breathing as the cave's mysteries deepened.
The squad cautiously entered the ritual chamber, only to be met with a menacing presence. Standing tall and exuding an oppressive aura was a Type 4 demon.
"Well, well, well," the demon hissed, its deep, grating voice filling the room. "If it isn't the saviors. I've been waiting for you."
Yaxoc's scanner flickered to life, identifying the figure. "His name... is Blaze the Hellish Emperor," he announced.
Blaze smirked, his fiery eyes narrowing. "That's right. And you've come far, saviors. But I'm afraid this is where your journey ends. I need that fox girl for something... special."
Moonlight and Luna immediately stepped in front of Cherrystone, shielding her from Blaze's gaze.
"For what purpose?" Moonlight demanded, her voice calm but firm.
Blaze's grin widened. "Her ruby—it's essential. With it, I'll bind her as my eternal servant."
"And if she refuses?" Luna challenged, her fists clenched.
Blaze's tone turned icy. "Then I'll shatter that ruby and burn it to ash. Either way, I'll have my way."
"Not happening!" Yaxocara snapped, stepping forward, her blade drawn. "You're delusional if you think you can take her without a fight."
Yaxoc cracked his knuckles, his voice laced with mockery. "Yeah, back off before I douse your flaming butt with some water."
Blaze threw his head back, laughing. "Water? You think that's my weakness? Foolish child. I am fire incarnate—water is nothing to me."
With a sudden stomp, Blaze roared, "Fire Magic: Awakened Flaming Breath—Nuclear Flare!"
The cave erupted in a fiery explosion, the sheer force obliterating the surrounding mountain and city in an instant. The squad was flung through the air like ragdolls, crashing hard onto the scorched ground outside.
"Agh!" Yaxoc groaned, pushing himself up slowly. "What the hell is this guy's deal!?"
Yaxocara staggered to her feet, her vision spinning. "I don't know, but his power is off the charts."
Moonlight and Luna scrambled to their feet, their faces pale with panic.
"Guys! Cherry's gone!" Luna shouted, scanning the rubble frantically.
"Dammit!" Moonlight yelled, her voice filled with frustration. "She was just here!"
Yaxoc looked up and froze. "There!" he shouted, pointing at the sky. Blaze hovered above, holding Cherrystone by the neck like a trophy.
Blaze sneered. "Looking for this little gem?"
Cherrystone struggled in his grasp, her eyes filled with pain.
"That's not all," Yaxocara said urgently. "She has all the gems! We can't let him keep her!"
Yaxoc's expression hardened. "Let's go. Angelic Essence—activate!"
The duo charged at Blaze, their bodies glowing with divine power. Yaxoc reached him first, delivering a brutal punch to Blaze's face, forcing him to release Cherrystone.
"Agh!" Blaze grunted, reeling from the hit.
Yaxocara followed up with a whirlwind kick, slamming Blaze into the ground with a thunderous crash. The two saviors teleported to his position, standing over him like twin forces of nature.
Blaze snarled, swiping at Yaxoc with his claws. But Yaxoc teleported behind him, his eyes darkened with resolve. "Imagination Magic: Serious Blow!"
The strike connected with devastating force, sending Blaze hurtling through the forest, shattering trees in his wake.
Yaxocara appeared above him, her blade glowing. "Artificial Magic: Light Slash!" she chanted, bringing her sword down in a deadly arc.
Blaze countered with a swift kick, throwing her off balance before slamming her into a nearby tree.
"You're strong," Blaze admitted with a cruel smirk. "Perhaps strong enough to be my servant. Ogamak would be pleased."
Blaze began to teleport with Yaxocara, but his spell was interrupted by a sharp slash across his back. He turned to see Yaxoc, his anger flaring.
"Not so fast!" Yaxoc roared. "Let her go!"
Blaze sighed, tossing Yaxocara aside like a ragdoll. "Moron," he muttered, striding toward Moonlight and Luna.
"Well, what do we have here? Sisters, is it?" Blaze taunted.
Luna glared at him. "You!"
"Stay calm, Luna," Moonlight warned. "We need to think this through."
Cherrystone groaned as she stood, her body battered but her determination unshaken.
"Cherry!" Luna called out. "Don't do anything reckless!"
Cherrystone handed Luna a small scroll. "Read this. It's the instructions for the ritual. You'll need it."
"What are you doing?" Moonlight demanded, fear lacing her voice.
"Something I should've done long ago," Cherrystone replied with a bittersweet smile. "This ends here."
Blaze scoffed. "You think a little fox like you can stop me? How amusing."
Without warning, Cherrystone unleashed a barrage of ruby blasts, each one striking Blaze with precision.
She followed up with a powerful kick, launching him into the sky. Yaxoc leapt after him, slamming Blaze back down with a devastating hammer blow.
As Blaze crashed into the ground, Cherrystone's body began to glow with an intense red aura.
"It's over for you, Blaze," she declared, taking a battle stance.
Blaze wiped the blood from his lips, his grin never fading. "You'll regret those words, little fox."
The battle erupted in a flurry of movement. Blaze launched a series of fiery attacks, but Cherrystone blocked them with shimmering ruby walls. She retaliated with devastating blasts, though Blaze evaded many of them with ease.
"Pathetic!" Blaze roared, landing a heavy kick that sent Cherrystone tumbling.
She recovered quickly, lunging at him again. But Blaze revealed a hidden blade from his wrist, slashing her across the neck in a swift, brutal motion.
Cherrystone froze, her eyes wide in shock.
"No..." she whispered, blood dripping from her wound.
The squad stared in horror.
"A hidden blade?" Yaxoc gasped. "No way!"
Cherrystone clutched her neck, glaring at Blaze through the pain.
"What's wrong?" Blaze mocked. "Weren't you going to finish me?"
Cherrystone clenched her fists tightly, her resolve burning brighter than ever.
"This ends now!" she shouted, propelling herself toward Blaze with a burst of speed. Her kick sent him hurtling into the sky, and she teleported after him, gripping him tightly. "Self-Destruction!"
The squad's eyes widened in horror as the realization of her words sank in.
"No!" Moonlight screamed, desperation filling her voice.
A brilliant, red explosion tore through the air, consuming both Cherrystone and Blaze in a fiery mist. The sky turned crimson as the aftermath lingered, the only remnants falling to the ground: shattered gems and Cherrystone's precious ruby.
Luna stood frozen, trembling as she stared at the ruby. Silent tears streamed down her face.
Moonlight fell to her knees. "She's… gone," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Barely a week… and now she's…" Her words trailed off, swallowed by sorrow.
Yaxoc, his expression grim, knelt to gather the scattered gems, his hands tightening around them. "We can't let her sacrifice be in vain. We need to keep moving."
Luna slowly nodded, though her gaze remained on the ruby. "I… I have the instructions," she managed, her voice barely audible.
"Then let's go. We've got work to do," Yaxoc said, urging the group forward. He glanced back, a flicker of guilt crossing his face before he sprinted ahead.
Yaxocara, cradling the ruby, followed closely, murmuring, "Her power… it's gone. This shouldn't have happened."
Moonlight and Luna shared a lingering glance before forcing themselves to move, their grief propelling them forward.
Meanwhile, amidst the scorched earth and lingering red mist, Blaze emerged, staggering. His body was battered, his breathing labored, but his defiance remained.
"I can't believe she… actually blew herself up…" he muttered, wiping blood from his mouth. "How pathetic."
A shadow loomed over him. Blaze turned to see Sukorian, his expression calm yet unnervingly cold.
"A demon, I see," Sukorian said, his voice laced with disdain.
Blaze's weakened gaze sharpened. "You… the anomaly Ogamak warned me about." He summoned the last vestiges of his strength, his fiery aura reigniting. "No matter. I'll kill you here and now!"
Sukorian smirked. "Kill me? Bold of you to assume you'd get the chance."
Blaze lunged with a roar, swinging his scythe with all his might. Sukorian sidestepped effortlessly, retaliating with a swift kick to Blaze's midsection that sent him crashing into a tree.
Before Blaze could recover, Sukorian appeared behind him, chanting, "White Flash!" A brilliant bolt of lightning surged from his fist, striking Blaze's back and sending him sprawling into the dirt.
Blaze groaned, struggling to rise, his eyes blazing with fury. "You'll regret that!" He thrust his hands forward, summoning countless fiery arrows that rained down faster than the eye could follow.
Sukorian dodged with inhuman precision, the arrows grazing him but leaving him unfazed. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted, his tone dripping with disdain.
Blaze's frustration boiled over. "You think you're untouchable?!" His roar echoed as he unleashed a colossal wave of fire.
Sukorian stood firm, forming a hand symbol. "Domain Expansion." A black orb enveloped them both, and within moments, a massive temple materialized, lightning crackling ominously above it.
Blaze stumbled, disoriented. "What is this place?"
"Your end," Sukorian replied coolly. "This domain's lightning strikes—Malevolent Strikes—are far deadlier than anything you've faced."
The temple's lightning lashed out, striking Blaze repeatedly. He screamed in pain, his body convulsing under the relentless assault.
But Blaze's will refused to break. With a primal roar, his fiery aura erupted outward, shattering the domain in an instant.
Sukorian shielded himself from the shockwave, his expression one of mild surprise. "Impressive. Breaking my domain… not many can do that." His gaze hardened. "But it changes nothing."
Blaze charged, his hidden blade flashing as he aimed for Sukorian's throat. Sukorian ducked, countering with a backflip kick that sent Blaze hurtling into the ground.
Sukorian raised his hand, chanting solemnly, "Spaceless, Ripper of Humanity, Pinnacle of Disasters." He swung his fingers in a wide arc. "Dimensional Slashes!"
Two colossal, shimmering slashes tore through the air, distorting time and space as they converged on Blaze. He barely had time to react before one of the slashes struck, cleaving his body in two.
Blaze's upper half hit the ground with a sickening thud, his fiery aura extinguished.
Sukorian took a deep breath, brushing dust off his shoulders. "Persistent bastard," he muttered. "You were stronger than I expected."
Without another word, Sukorian vanished, leaving Blaze's broken form in the desolate aftermath.