The relentless clanging of metal and guttural growls reverberated through the hollow cave beneath the Great Oak Tree. The dim glow of demonic energy painted the cavern walls in eerie hues, the air thick with the acrid stench of blood and magic. Leon and Amira fought valiantly, their every move a desperate attempt to survive the onslaught of demons pouring from the shadows.
"How long can we even hold out?" Leon shouted, his voice strained as he drove a dagger into the neck of a snarling demon. Its twisted, branch-like body writhed before crumbling to ash. Before he could catch his breath, another demon lunged at him from the side. With a quick pivot, he notched an arrow and fired, the projectile embedding itself in the creature's chest. It collapsed with a hiss.
Amira, sweat dripping down her temple, parried a vicious swing from another demon with her spear, the clash of their weapons sending sparks flying. "There's an opening on the right," she called out, her voice steady despite the chaos. "Let's grab Uncle and make our way through. It doesn't matter where it leads—we just need to get out of this damn cave."
Leon's breath came in ragged gasps as he glanced at the unconscious form of Rona. "What about Asuma?" he asked, the worry evident in his tone.
Amira didn't hesitate. "He'll be fine. He promised us." Her spear flashed as she skewered another demon that had gotten too close, its twisted form disintegrating into blackened vines.
"Alright," Leon said, gritting his teeth. "I'll clear a path." Drawing a deep breath, he focused his aura into his bow, the weapon glowing with a faint green light. "Wind Magic: Cyclone!" he shouted as he released the arrow. A powerful vortex erupted from the projectile, spiraling outward and tearing through the ranks of demons. Their bodies were shredded, the fragments scattering across the cavern floor.
"Move!" Leon commanded, throwing Rona over his shoulder and sprinting toward the opening Amira had pointed out. She followed close behind, her spear whirling in deadly arcs to cut down any demons that dared to pursue them.
Behind them, Larka stood amidst the carnage, his glowing lime-green eyes narrowing with amusement. He raised a hand, halting the remaining demons. "How amusing," he muttered, his voice dripping with malice. "Do they truly believe they can escape Mistress's altered reality?" His laugh echoed, low and menacing, as he turned and disappeared into the shadows.
The narrow tunnel stretched ahead, dimly lit by faint veins of glowing green energy coursing through the walls. The oppressive silence was broken only by the labored breathing of Leon and Amira, accompanied by the soft groans of the injured Rona. But something felt wrong.
Amira slowed, her brows furrowing. "Why did they stop chasing us?" she asked, gripping her spear tighter. The quiet felt unnatural, like the calm before a storm.
Leon came to an abrupt halt, his eyes darting ahead. A metallic scraping sound echoed from the darkness ahead, sharp and grating. The sound set his teeth on edge, sending a chill down his spine. "Something dangerous is coming!" he shouted, his voice tense.
Out of the gloom emerged a figure, its silhouette monstrous and unnerving. It was Larka, his twisted hands now elongated into gleaming metallic claws that scraped against the stone walls as he walked. Sparks flew with each dragging motion, the sound more horrifying than any growl.
"How the hell did this bastard get in front of us?" Leon exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief.
Amira didn't hesitate. "Leon, move!" she shouted, stepping in front of him as Larka lunged, his claws slicing through the air. She raised her spear just in time to deflect the blow, the force sending vibrations up her arms. With a fierce cry, she retaliated, thrusting at his chest. Larka twisted, dodging the attack effortlessly, and countered with a powerful kick to her side, sending her staggering back.
"Amira!" Leon shouted. He gently lowered Rona to the ground, leaning him against the wall, before drawing his daggers and charging at Larka. His movements were quick, his blades flashing in the dim light, but Larka was faster. With the ease of a seasoned warrior, the demon deflected every strike, twisting Leon's movements against him.
Larka sneered, delivering a brutal uppercut that sent Leon reeling. Before Leon could recover, Larka followed up with a barrage of punches to his stomach, the force of each blow driving the air from his lungs. Leon collapsed to his knees, coughing up blood.
Amira, her vision still spinning from the earlier kick, forced herself upright. She saw Larka towering over Leon, his claw raised to deliver a fatal strike. Vines surged from the walls, wrapping around her arms and legs, but she gritted her teeth, channeling her magic.
"Lightning Magic: Thunderstrike!" she screamed, her spear glowing with crackling energy. A surge of lightning erupted, shattering the vines restraining her and lancing toward Larka. The bolt struck him in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall with a thunderous crack.
The impact left a jagged crater, and Larka's body was engulfed in searing electricity, his screams echoing through the cavern. Amira didn't relent, pouring more power into the attack until the air smelled of burning wood and flesh.
"Die, you piece of shit!" Amira spat, her voice shaking with fury. The lightning subsided, leaving Larka's smoldering form slumped against the wall.
Amira rushed to Leon's side, kneeling beside him. "Leon, are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and worried.
Leon groaned, wiping blood from his mouth. "I'm fine," he muttered with a weak smile. "Just a little scratch."
She helped him to his feet, her hands lingering for a moment to steady him. "We need to move. Can you carry Rona?"
Leon nodded, his determination outweighing his pain. He hefted Rona onto his back once more, his steps steady despite his injuries. "Let's go."
Amira nodded, taking the lead this time. "Stay close. We can't stop now."
Making their way to the end of the tunnel, they were surprised to see that it had led them to a large chamber underground. The air in the underground chamber felt suffocating as the scent of decay and poison wafted from the rotted garden surrounding them. The miniature oak tree, gnarled and twisted, stood as a grotesque mockery of its above-ground counterpart, its bark oozing with black sap.
"Ah, you've stumbled upon my sanctuary," Larka sneered as he stepped into the clearing, his eyes glinting with sadistic delight. His voice echoed ominously through the cavern, sending chills down Leon and Amira's spines.
"What?!" Leon gasped, his voice tinged with disbelief. "How are you still alive?"
Larka chuckled darkly, the sound sharp and grating. "Alive? You poor, deluded human. What you fought earlier was merely a clone, a fragile puppet crafted from vines and branches.
"A clone," Amira whispered, realization dawning on her. Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her grip on her spear. "Then that means we haven't even scratched the real you."
Larka's smirk widened, his hand drawing a wicked, curved sword from his side. The blade gleamed with a sickly green hue, its edge dripping a thick, viscous substance that hissed as it hit the ground. "Indeed. And now you face the true Disciple of Poison. Prepare yourselves, humans. There will be no escape this time."
Amira and Leon's envision spells flickered, displaying the rank hovering ominously over Larka's form: 4 Stars.
"Amira…" Leon's voice wavered as he read the rank, his heart racing. "This guy… he's strong."
"I know," Amira replied through gritted teeth. Despite the fear twisting in her chest, her resolve was unshaken. "But we don't have a choice. If we don't stop him here, we're as good as dead." She raised her spear, its tip crackling with arcs of lightning magic.
"Right." Leon set Rona down carefully and drew his bow. "Just don't get hit by that sword. I've got your back."
Amira nodded, determination hardening her gaze. "Got it."
"Come at me, humans!" Larka taunted, spreading his arms wide as if inviting their attack. "Show me if you're worth killing personally!"
Amira bolted forward, her spear sparking with lightning as she moved with blinding speed. In response, vines erupted from the rotting ground, whipping toward her with lethal intent. Before they could reach her, Leon unleashed a volley of arrows, each one striking true and severing the vines mid-air.
"Focus, Amira!" Leon shouted as he knocked another arrow. "I'll clear your path!"
Amira dashed through the opening he created, leaping high into the air as she reached Larka. With a battle cry, she brought her spear down in a powerful, electrified strike aimed at his chest.
Larka raised his poisoned blade with eerie precision, deflecting the attack with a resounding clang. Sparks of electricity scattered around him as he twisted his wrist, countering with a fluid slash. Vines surged past him, striking toward Amira, but Leon's arrows rained down, intercepting the attacks before they could reach her.
"Poison Magic: Hemlock Slash!" Larka roared, swinging his sword in a wide arc. A crescent wave of green energy tore through the garden, cutting a swath of destruction as it barreled toward Amira.
The attack was too fast to evade. Amira braced herself, but before the poison could reach her, Leon lunged forward, grabbing her and pulling her aside just in time. The attack exploded behind them, the sheer force sending shards of rotten wood and earth flying.
"I told you not to get hit by that!" Leon snapped, his voice tinged with both worry and anger.
"I know! It was too fast—I couldn't dodge it!" Amira shot back, her voice filled with frustration.
Leon helped her back to her feet, glancing warily at Larka, who was already preparing another attack. "His strikes are too fast. There's no opening. If this keeps up, he'll overwhelm us in no time."
Amira wiped the sweat from her brow, her mind racing. "All demons below rank 5 have a core—a concentrated point of their magic. If we can find and destroy his core, he'll be finished."
Leon nodded, his expression grim. "Fine. But getting close enough to do that isn't going to be easy."
"We'll have to take him on together," Amira said, electricity crackling around her spear once more. "Close quarters. No hesitation."
Leon pulled a pair of daggers from his waist, their blades gleaming faintly with a protective enchantment. "Let's end this."
Amira launched herself forward, lightning coursing through her body as she moved at lightning speed. Larka sneered, raising his blade to meet her head-on. Their weapons clashed in a violent burst of sparks, the force of the impact shaking the cavern.
Leon flanked him, darting in low and striking at his legs with his daggers. Larka growled as he parried one strike and sidestepped another, but Leon's relentless attacks kept him distracted.
"You call this teamwork?" Larka spat, vines whipping out from the ground and forcing Leon to retreat. "You'll have to do better than—"
"Lightning Magic: Flash Pierce!" Amira shouted, surging forward and driving her spear into Larka's side. The lightning-infused strike sent a jolt of electricity through his body, causing him to stagger.
"Now, Leon!" Amira yelled.
Leon saw his chance. He leaped forward, his daggers glowing as he aimed for Larka's chest. But before he could strike, Larka let out a guttural roar, unleashing a burst of poisonous energy that sent both of them flying back.
Panting, Amira, and Leon struggled to their feet. Larka stood tall, his armor cracked but his aura was still overwhelming. "Impressive," he admitted, though his voice was laced with mockery. "You've done more damage than I expected. But it won't be enough."
Leon clenched his fists. "We just need one more shot. Amira, if we can break his focus—"
Suddenly, Amira's eyes widened as she spotted a faint green glow emanating from Larka's chest. The core. "There!" she shouted. "His core—it's exposed!"
Leon nodded, steeling himself. "Then let's finish this."
The two launched their final assault, their combined determination igniting as they fought to destroy the one thing keeping Larka alive.