The valley narrowed as Martis and Rias continued their journey, the river winding between cliffs that loomed like ancient, weathered sentinels. Mist clung to the edges of the rock, shimmering faintly in the pale light. Martis couldn't help but feel the weight of the place, its air thick and heavy as if the valley itself was holding its breath. He adjusted his grip on his sword which was still awkward in his hand.
"Are we there yet?" Asked Martis kicking stones on the beaten path.
"You are such a whiner. Look above, that is the cave, the one that looks like a dragon's head! Have some patience." Said Rias as she rolled her eyes.
Before Martis could retort, a guttural screech echoed from above. He froze, scanning the cliffs. Shadows moved against the jagged rocks, their forms slinking closer.
"More monsters?" Martis groaned.
"Guardians of the cave," Rias said, her tone casual. "Is their instinct to protect the dragons crystal."
"Fantastic," Martis muttered.
"Try not to die," she said, leaning lazily against a nearby boulder. "Remember. I can't help you."
Martis sighed, raising his sword as the first creature lunged into view. It was a grotesque amalgamation of stone and sinew, its claws gleaming like obsidian.
"Well," Martis said, squaring his stance, "At least it's uglier than the last one."
The creature snarled and pounced. Martis swung his sword, but the blade was still sluggish, its weight dragging his movements. The monster's claws scraped against his shoulder, and he stumbled back.
"Try aiming for its weak points," Rias called.
"Gee, thanks for the tip!" Martis yelled, dodging another swipe. "Any chance you could be more specific?"
"Perhaps the glowing marks on its chest?" she suggested, smirking.
Martis glared at her but didn't argue. He shifted his focus, noticing faint, flickering lines of light etched into the creature's chest.
The monster lunged again, and this time, Martis sidestepped, swinging his sword with all the strength he could muster. The blade connected, slicing through one of the glowing marks. The creature screeched, its form flickering like a dying flame before collapsing into rubble.
"See! Not so hard! Is it?" Rias said, inspecting her nails.
"Speak for yourself," Martis panted, wiping sweat from his brow.
Another screech cut through the air, and two more creatures emerged from the shadows.
"Seriously?" Martis groaned.
"Think of it as practice," Rias said, gesturing toward the approaching monsters.
Martis didn't have time to reply. The first creature charged, and he met it head-on, his blade cutting through the air. The weight of the sword still fought against him, but his strikes were growing sharper, more deliberate.
He ducked under a swipe, driving his blade into the creature's chest. The second monster lunged from the side, its claws raking across his arm. Pain shot through him, but he gritted his teeth and swung again.
The fight dragged on, each strike testing his resolve. By the time the last creature crumbled to dust, Martis was gasping for breath, his arms trembling.
"You're improving," Rias remarked, stepping forward.
"So," he said, panting heavily, "this crystal we're after—what's so special about it?"
Rias strode ahead of him, her robes flowing behind her like liquid shadow and flame. "The crystal holds a fragment of the Celestial Dragon's power. When the dragon fell during its battle with the Demon King, It sprout life from his dying body. As this valley was created, the remaining of its life force has crystalized. If we can use it's power, we can become undefeated ."
"Undefeated, huh?" Martis muttered, glancing at the blade in his hand. "And what's the catch?"
She chuckled, her ember eyes glinting as she turned to face him. "The catch is survival. Few who seek it ever return, and those who do come back... Let's just say they come back in less pieces."
Martis frowned but didn't press further. He gulped as he thought of what might have Rias been through to have this knowledge. After all she is the Demon Lord. As he had these thoughts, his mind thought about the possibility of her having a connection with the Demon King who killed the dragon.
[....]
The source of the river revealed itself as they climbed higher along the valley's rocky incline. A massive cave loomed before them, its entrance carved by nature into the shape of a dragon's gaping maw. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed from the darkness.
Martis stared at it, a shiver running down his spine. "Let me guess—this is where the crystal is?"
Rias nodded, her gaze fixed on the cave. "In the depths of this cave is where the dragon's essence lingers. A power that can split the mountains, give life and take it. I wonder how was the Celestial Dragon when was alive."
As if on cue, a low growl rumbled from within the cave. The ground trembled, and from the shadows emerged a massive bear-like creature, its fur glowing like embers and its eyes molten pools of fire.
Martis instinctively stepped back, gripping his sword tighter. "That's a bear?"
"A fire bear," Rias corrected, watching it with faint interest. "If he touches yo... you will not feel comfortable."
"Great. Any chance you could break your once-a-day rule for this?"
She smirked but shook her head. "Rules are rules. Besides, you need the training, you are not ready to face the other contestants."
The bear roared, its claws digging into the rocky ground as it prepared to charge. Martis didn't wait—he dashed forward, his sword raised. The creature met him halfway, swiping with a massive paw. The force of the blow sent Martis flying into the cave wall, his body slamming against the rock with a sickening thud.
He crumpled to the ground his clothes on fire, gasping as pain radiated through him.
"Get up!" Rias shouted, her voice sharp.
Martis groaned, his limbs refusing to move. The bear turned its attention back to him, its molten eyes narrowing as it prepared to strike again.
"Rias! Help me!" he called, panic creeping into his voice.
"Stay back," she said, stepping between him and the bear. The creature hesitated, growling but not attacking. Its instincts recognized her divinity, but its molten gaze flickered back toward Martis.
"You're going to have to finish this," Rias said without looking back. "We need the crystal! Without it's power, we won't be able to fight against the others."
Martis tried to push himself up, but his arms trembled under his weight. The pain was overwhelming, but something deeper held him down—a memory clawing its way to the surface.
[...]
The summer sun was warm against Martis's back as he sprinted through the neighborhood, laughter bubbling in his chest. Ahead of him, a boy about his age ran just a little faster, glancing back with a mischievous grin.
"Wait up! Ren!" Martis called, his breath coming in bursts.
The boy didn't slow, darting across the street without looking. Martis followed, barely registering the sound of a woman's voice calling after him.
"Martis! Come back right now!"
Then, he felt a sharp pain as he fell to the ground. The sound of screeching tires stopped as a horn boomed hard.
"Martis! Martis!" The womans voice became louder and finally screaming. "Sweetie, are you ok? Oh no!"