Disclaimer: I do not own Elsword or the characters in the game.

A/N: Thank you again, Tiffany, for editing my work! Two updates in a week? I guess it's to make up for the week I missed. Also I may or may not be busy the following week so an update may or may not come next week. (I'm on a week vacation so I'll be doing non-writing related stuff) I've also been thinking about naming the chapters since just giving them a number is kinda boring... I dunno. I might, I might not. Anyways here you are! Hope you like the chapter.

Four out of ten, Chung counted. Four out of the original ten cars survived the trip. Their platoon of forty men and women had been reduced to a mere ten in just under an hour. One of the surviving birds was bleeding and ready to collapse from exhaustion while the remaining three had been slaughtered upon entering the waterway. They made it, at least. They had reached their goal and now they just had to wait for reinforcements.

Chung stared up at the red smoke trail, the smoke getting washed away in the heavy rain. Would they see it? He thought as he watched the trail reach its peak. Would they even send help with the bridge destroyed? Was it even possible at this point? Frankly, a black smoke signal would have made more sense but given the situation it might have been harder to spot.

The growls of hundreds of demons surrounding them were too much for Chung to ignore now. He and the remaining soldiers: Noah, her one guard, Leo, Mud, Roger, and a handful of velder men and women stood back to back against a horde of hell spawns. Each one towered over the average man. Each one a beast covered in spines and thick jet black scales that gleamed in the flashes of lightning.

A deep, guttural laugh came from the inner gates of the waterway and the large stone gates slowly groaned open. A demon, taller than any Chung had ever seen stood behind the horde of smaller demons. His grey-scaled body was thick with muscles to the point that he looked like he was built out of pure stone. Short but powerful legs carried a large belly and large, trunk-like arms. His body was covered in scars. Spines that hung around his shoulders and knuckles were blunted or broken. The demon had no eyes yet Chung could feel the beast's gaze on all of them through the thick plated helm he wore. And when he smiled, he bore the most sadistic grin through a row of sharp teeth.

"Well, what do we have here?" he said in a heavy voice, "More challengers for Victor's Pit? Hopefully better than the ones stationed here. I was beginning to grow bored of them and was thinking of paying Resiam a visit after I kill the last of them but… it would seem I can't do that now."

"Where are they?" Noah screamed over the other demons, catching the large one's attention.

The smile faded from Victor and he pushed his way through the smaller demons, literally smacking them aside like a lion would to a mouse as he approached the circle of soldiers.

"Where are who, my pretty little Ice Princess?"

"My Royal Guard! Where are you keeping them?" she kept her staff pointed at him, the tip glowing with freezing magic.

"Royal Guard? Is that what she is? Why, she's waiting for her turn in the ring. We were just about to get started when we heard a loud bang just outside. And I come up here to find you, my dear."

"She?" Noah asked confused.

"Sure," Victor said matter-of-factly.

"The others?" Noah held her ground, threatening to hit him with an ice spell. Victor merely laughed that low guttural laugh of his.

"I'm afraid they've expired, my dear. All four hundred and sixty two of them. I'm sure not all of them were of the 'esteemed' Royal Guard but yes they've fought valiantly in the ring and died 'for the captain' as they all said."

Hearing this, Noah fell to her knees, staff dropping to the ground. "They're… all dead?"

"Not all," Victor corrected. He turned his back to them, returning to the inner sanctum of the ancient waterway. The huge demon motioned for them to follow as he reached the gate. "There's still one more. But please, don't drop your weapon. You'll need it in the ring."


"Where the hell are they taking us?" Roger whispered to Chung as five demons escorted the remaining platoon down a giant elevator shaft with Victor standing over all of them. Limestone surrounded them as the large circular platform descended into the depths of the waterway's sanctum which eventually opened up to a large chamber surrounded by a complex water system that turned and powered old, but still functioning, turbines.

"This is the inner waterway's main flow chamber," Chung whispered back. "I've never actually been in here but I heard that this is where most of the water filtering and power comes from."

"Great. So we're in the sewers then," Roger mumbled.

"Mud is… Scared," Mud said to Roger and grabbing him by the forearm, "Many bad people hurt our friends."

"If you don't pipe down they'll hurt you, too," Roger said, raising a hand to him and causing the square soldier to whimper.

"We'll get out of this," Chung reassured him, "We just need to think of a way out."

"The way out is through me," Victor said with his arms crossed. The rest of the platoon looked up as he spoke.

"What do you mean?" Chung asked.

"It is the same deal I offered the weaklings who hid in this waterway: beat me in the ring and you and your kind will be set free. It's as simple as that."

"And by beat you, you mean kill you?" Roger asked.

"Of course," Victor replied.

"And how can we be so sure your demon friends here won't maul us to death the second you croak."

"I am one of the demon lieutenants. To my subordinates, my word is law and they will carry it out until they have a new master. And even if I was lying, you have no choice but to take my word for it. Like it or not, you're all going to fight me one on one and you are all going to die."

One of the platoon members drew his blade. "I say screw waiting for the one on one! We all kill him now-"

Victor snapped his fingers and immediately two of the five escorting demons rushed the outspoken soldier. Their large arms pummeled the man violently to the ground before he even had a chance to react. He screamed for help but the remaining three escorts pushed the crowd away. The screaming ceased yet the beatings continued until there was nothing left of the man but a puddle of blood and flesh.

The elevator rumbled to a stop as they reached the bottom floor and the whole crowd stared, horrified at the brutality.

"Now, we can either do this my way, or his way. You're free to choose," Victor said as he motioned towards the pile of meat on the hard stone floor. Nobody said anything. "No one? Good. Take them to the pen."

The demons closed in and shoved the remaining nine soldiers towards the outer edge of the platform to a large pen held together by inward pointing spears and wooden barricades. It was large enough to hold maybe a hundred men but within its confines, a single person dressed in plated armor and blue cape sat on the ground with their knees pulled to their chest and back turned to the entrance of the pen.

The sound of approaching footsteps caught the guard's attention and they turned their head.

"C-Captain?" a female voice echoed inside the thick plated helmet. The guard stumbled to her feet and shuffled weakly towards them as they were all pushed into the pen. "C-captain, please tell me that's really you…"

"I recognize that voice… Lyra… oh gods is that you?" Noah ran to the guard, throwing herself onto the other and causing Lyra to fall over. The helmet fell off her head, revealing a short-haired brunette with skin hugging the cheekbones and deep sunken eyes. She clearly hadn't eaten for some time.

"It is! It is, captain! I… I can't believe it. You're really here, aren't you? I'm not hallucinating again, am I?"

"I'm really here, my sister. I'm really here," they held each other, Lyra a fit of tears as she held her captain as tightly as she could.

"By the gods… my prayers have been answered… I'm finally going to be saved…"

"Not yet... That monster Victor… he's-"

Lyra's smile quickly faded at the sound of his name. "Victor… he's… he's captured you hasn't he?"

Noah nodded, causing the starving guard to drop her hold as she turned her head with a pained sigh. "There really is no way out, then…"

"No, Lyra. You're wrong. We can escape. We just have to-"

"Beat him?" Lyra finished. The guard gave a small, sad smile, "My captain, we tried. We tried our best. Yet all three hundred of your finest… were killed- no, slaughtered by him. There's really nothing we can do now that you're captured."

A chorus of drumming could be heard echoing in the large stone chamber. Its rhythm a slow and steady like a heartbeat. Looking about, Chung saw the source came from a number of the demons pounding their chests.

"Oh no…" Lyra mumbled shakily, sitting up as she looked to the gate.

"What's going on?" Noah sat up as well. One of the larger demons stood at the entrance of the pen waiting expectantly as the tempo increased.

"Bring on the next fighter!" Victor's guttural voice boomed throughout the main chamber.

"Already? But we just got here!" Roger shouted.

"He waits for nobody… In one month he fought and defeated all four hundred of the men stationed here," Lyra said. She stared at the demon standing at the gates. "And now… it's my turn to die at the ring."

"Lyra, no..."

"I've watched every one of our brothers and sisters die by his hand. If anyone is best suited for fighting him, it's me. I know how he fights. I can at least try to use that to my advantage," the female guard struggled to lift herself up to her feet but her strength wouldn't allow her.

"You're in no shape to fight. You can't even stand, Lyra," Noah said, "If anything. I should fight him-"

"Captain, I urge you to stay safe here. You will be killed just like the rest. I can't live knowing I've failed to protect you," the woman willed herself up on her feet. However, her strength left her legs bringing her to the ground yet again.

Even as she struggled, the slow heartbeat rhythm of drums had picked up to a feverish pace. Like an approaching stampede, the drums were a symbol of Victor's impatience. "Bring in another fighter!" He called again, anger in his voice.

Chung couldn't bear to watch Lyra fight at such a state. If she even managed to get to the ring, what chance would she even have facing Victor. She'd be throwing her life away for nothing. The prince looked over the faces of the remaining platoon. Each one, just as afraid for their life as the next. Roger, Mud, and Leo… there was no way he would want them to fight in her place. He had to protect them. Chung quickly climbed to his feet.

"I'll go," everyone turned to Noah's only other Royal Guard. He stood there, shield in one hand and mace in the other. Fresh blood continued to flow from the arrow that struck him earlier and he was clearly in no shape to fight as he looked as if he could barely lift his weapon.

"Julius?" Chung mumbled, "No. I'll go-"

"Your majesty," Julius said, turning his back to him, "No offense directed to you, but I'd rather die than let a Hamelian fight in my stead."

"Julius!" Noah called to him but the Royal Guard simply gave her a nod before being taken away by the demon. Noah scrambled to her feet and ran after the guard. The gates shut before her and she threw herself on it, trying to force the door open.

"Julius you come back here, that's an order!" she cried only to be ignored as he was escorted back to the platform. "Julius! I will not allow another to die under my command! Julius!" Noah was in tears now as she called to him again and again.

The prince approached Noah, putting a hand on her shoulder. The battlemage wept, falling to her knees. Chung could do nothing but watch as the Royal Guard stood before a demon who towered over him like a two-story building. The drumming came to a stop as the fighters sized each other up.

"What did he mean he'd rather die than let a Hamelian fight for him?" Chung whispered, hand gripping the gates.

"Remember when we talked about the war over Ereda Island?" Noah said through her tears, "Julius fought in that war. He was part of the chapter of Velder Knights that pushed the last of the Hamelians out of the island. I was too young at that time but I heard that the fighting on that island was brutal. As close as I am to him, I never asked him directly about it. Still, I know Julius lost a lot of close friends during his deployment. I can see it in his eyes… Even now, I know he's thinking about them."

It never occurred to the prince that someone other than a demon could inwardly hate the kingdom of Senace. Yet he was here fighting on the soil of a country he disliked. He wondered if anyone else felt the same about Senace-if the veterans still fighting here felt the same way Noah's Royal Guard did. If so, why were they doing so much to reclaim a lost country?

Chung watched as the fight began. Julius raised his shield as Victor clapped his hands together and lowered his stance.

"Come, little human. It's been awhile since I've fought someone strong enough to hold their shield up," Victor laughed.

"I shall be your last," the guard said as El flowed to his arm. Strength seemed to return to it as the heavy mace he carried looked to be gripped as effortlessly as a wooden sword.

"There isn't much left of you Royal Guard anyways. So please make this last fight at least worth my time," the demon sneered.

Julius inched ever closer, taking it step by step as he did his best to remain just out of range of the demon's reach. It appeared that both were waiting for the first move. Julius was the more patient as Victor suddenly lunged forward, left fist raised high as he brought it down on the guard with a thundering smash.

Blue El flowed to his legs as the guard, despite his heavy plate, narrowly dodged the blow. He sidestepped the follow up from the right fist, immediately moving under the demon, aiming for the legs. With the magically powered mace, he struck the demon at the back of his knee with such force it caused Victor to fall forward.

The demon cried out in pain as he fell to his knees and no sooner had he done so, a skull cracking blow struck him at the back of the head. Julius, with the power of El at his legs, yet again, had used it to leap high over the monster and immediately went for the killing blow.

Victor's head snapped forward as the strike was loud enough to echo through the chamber.

"How does he do that?" Chung asked, amazed as Julius landed before the demon who lay face first on the ground. "Is he using El to make himself stronger?"

"Not quite," Noah said, watching the fight from where she sat, "He harnesses the power of El and uses it to awaken his inner fire."

"Awaken his inner fire?" Chung had never heard of this before.

"It's that rush of adrenaline you get in the heat of battle. It's the will to push your body past its limits made manifest with El. His arm may have been torn by the arrow but he wills his energy to carry his body for him. In a sense, it's not him moving his body. It's his El."

Despite the blow to the head, Victor stirred. Pushing himself up with a pained groan. A deep guttural laugh escaped his lips. "Ah. I had nearly forgotten what it was like fighting a true warrior!"

As he pushed himself up, Victor backhanded the guard, the strike sending Julius flying quite a distance before he hit the ground rolling.

"Again, warrior! Show me your fighting spirit!"

Julius slowly rolled on his belly, planting the shield on the ground as he used it to help himself up. Thundering footsteps came to him and he turned only to see a right uppercut coming right for him.

El filled his left arm and he met the strike with a shield bash in an attempt to parry the blow. The shockwave of air was so powerful that the pen itself rattled from the blast. Julius countered, throwing himself at the demon's plated head and two handing the mace as he threw his entire being into the strike.

An earth shattering boom echoed as mace met plate. So strong was the blow that Victor's head snapped back and he was sent tumbling backwards.

The crowd watching in the pens gasped at the display of might as Julius landed, the El faded from his arms and legs and the shield dropped at his side, twisting unnaturally as it hung from a limp arm.

The chamber was silent as if the whole room held their breath. Victor lay motionless, a deep groove in his faceplate where the Royal Guard struck.

"Did he… win?" Chung whispered afraid any sound would break this victory.

"No," Lyra responded. As she spoke, the demon stirred, sitting up with a groan. "Victor is a juggernaut of a beast. Had it been this simple, we would have stopped the waterway siege on day one. Julius… is going to die."

"Magnificent," Victor growled, "Your power… how I have longed for an opponent of your caliber." The demon stood on his feet and pounded his chest loudly. "Again! This time… I will not hold back."

El once again filled Julius's limbs and he struggled to hold in the pain of his broken arms as they twisted to the correct angle. Victor charged, letting out a powerful roar as he moved on him at a much faster speed with both arms ready to grab from either side.

Julius leapt over the demon's hands and brought his mace back for an over the head strike. The mace hit nothing but air, however as the demon's narrowly dodged the blow. "You've become predictable," the demon said as he quickly snatched the man from the air.

Julius struggled in the iron grip and was flung across the ring, his body slamming against the limestone wall. Letting out a pained gasp, his body fell limp on the ground, arms and legs twitching as every bone in his body had been broken.

"Get up!" Victor taunted, "Get up and face my true strength!"

"Julius!" Noah cried, hand over her mouth as she tried her best to keep it together.

Faint blue light filled the man's body and, despite his broken form, he managed to push himself back up to a kneeling position.

"Yes!" Victor laughed.

"Julius! No! Stop!"

Every breath was a pained heave. Every bone in his body rattled and creaked as El pushed his broken body up to a standing position yet again. Julius raised his shield and the demon approached him, his guard no longer up as he smiled at the broken man.

"How would you like to die?" Victor asked, hands on his hips as he towered over him.

Julius heaved. Pausing as he looked up at the demon standing before him. Blood trickled down his chin and neck as every breath carried blood. "With your wife and daughter in my bed chambers, if you even have them," Julius coughed.

Victor snatched the man where he stood and stared at him. He squeezed. Julius relented at first but tighter and tighter the demon gripped until the man could bear the pain no longer. Louder and louder he screamed as Victor held the squirming man at this prolonged state of torture. Minutes went by. Every time the pain would numb, the demon would squeeze harder still, renewing the agony. So long the torture lasted that demon eventually hit a point where his cries turned to nothing more but ragged squeak before his opponent's head fell forward as death finally took him.

With nothing but a lifeless body, Victor gripped it with both hands and twisted, tearing the body in half and tossing the remains behind him.

Again the drums began their slow, heartbeat rhythm. Victor took in a deep breath, arms spread as he reveled in the blood of his recent kill. "Bring on the next fighter!"

Noah stood there, hands over her mouth and eyes flowing with tears. Clearly unable to speak she turned away, shutting her eyes tight as one of her last comrades was torn apart in front of her.

As if time had past in a blur, Chung found himself staring up at the gatekeeper who was waiting for the next challenger to step up. The drums were already at a fever pitch.

Chung already knew what to do. He wasn't about to let another one lose their life if he had a say in it. The prince stepped forward and the gatekeeper regarded him for a moment before stepping aside to let him through.

"Chung!" he heard Mud call and he turned to see the square soldier looking at him, lower lip trembling as he struggled to find the words. "Make him dead!"

The prince nodded, giving him a thumbs up as he stepped on to the large circular platform. It wasn't until now that Chung realized how much taller Victor was compared to him. He stared up at the demon whose face plate held a deep dent from Julius' previous strike.

The entire time the rhythm drummed, Chung thought not of his own mortality. He didn't think about how his death would mean the loss of the rest of the platoon. Instead, he thought about Julius and the amount of strength required to cause such damage. He thought about whether he could surpass it. He figured he could.

The beat stopped and Chung unslung the cannon on his shoulder. If he learned anything about Julius' fight, it was that Victor had large broadcasting swings. They were fast for his size but still predictable if Chung wasted no time in avoiding his attacks. A single hit could be fatal if he wasn't on top of his game.

"A Hamelian destroyer?" Victor asked, "I haven't seen one since I single-handedly crushed the king's elite guard. Who are you, boy?"

Chung stood his ground. There was no way a single demon could take out his father's elite knights. "I am Chung. Chung Seiker. Prince of Hamel and son of the White Colossus, Helputt. I've come to reclaim what's rightfully mine!"

"Oh?" Victor gave a deep chuckle, "So you're the prince of Hamel? My how you've grown! And here I thought you were but a stain under my foot after we destroyed your home so many years ago."

Whatever he was hoping to accomplish from that comment, Chung only stood, waiting for the demon to make his first move. Seeing as his words had no reaction, Victor took the initiative and threw a left hook at the young prince.

As Chung guessed, his swings were wide and had a huge broadcast. He quickly rolled backwards, avoiding the swing and entering a siege stance as he exited his roll. Pulling the lever and loading a fresh set of rounds, he fired three shots at the demon that burst in a bright blue light. The dust had no time to settle, though as Victor came rushing through the smoke, arms up in a guard as the only sign of damage were burn marks where he was struck.

He was coming right for him! Slinging the cannon back onto his shoulder, he jumped backwards, drawing his revolvers and emptying a hail of magical bullets, the force of the recoil sending him just beyond Victor's reach as the demon tried to grab the prince.

Chung quickly found himself with his back against the wall, however, and he looked around for any option to avoid getting within range of the fast approaching demon. With the cannon still strapped to his shoulder, the prince fired a cannon round at his feet. The sheer force of the blast was strong enough to propel the prince high along the wall and he changed direction by pushing off the limestone up and over Victor. The prince continued this deadly game of keepaway, taking no risk in avoiding the demon and using his range to his advantage.

Victor was very clearly growing frustrated as the magic bullets pinged off his thick hide like water on pavement. "You think this is funny you little pest? The way I see it, you're going to die eventually. It's only a matter of how long you can last."

He was right. Chung knew his range did little to the demon and he had to get in close if he really wanted to deal damage. There was, of course, the other option of using the heavy rail gun. The way the slug bore a hole big enough for a cart to fit through the thick stone walls was definitely an option. But the recoil of the weapon was insanely powerful. Not only that, he only really had one shot before the cannon would overheat. Without the use of the cannon he'd have no way of getting around the demon if he found himself with his back towards the wall again.

Chung flew over Victor once more, but this time the demon had had enough. With one mighty leap, the demon rose to meet the airborne prince and, with both hands pulled back for an overhead smash, the prince could do nothing but use his cannon as a shield.

The young man was sent plummeting to the ground. The impact of his landing shattered his ribcage and broke his left leg and right arm when he tried to buffer his fall. He let out a cry of pain as he found it near impossible to breath.

As Chung lay on his stomach, the demon landed over him with a deafening crash. His low, guttural laugh filled his head as the demon stood over him, waiting for him to stand. Chung needed to move. But how?

His inner fire! Just like how Julius did. He had to control his El so it would move his body for him! But all he has ever used his El for was to power his weapons. Never had he used it for himself, before. Was that even possible for him?

"Fight, prince of Hamel," Victor said as he stood over him, "It'd be a shame if your return to Hamel ended before your reunion."

"Reunion?" Chung coughed as he did his best to ignore the pain and focus on bringing out the energy inside him.

"Your father," Victor said with a knowing grin, "He's been waiting for you, prince."

"W-what? What do you mean he's been waiting?"

"It's as I say. He is alive, boy. For five years he has waited for his son's return. And here his son is, bleeding in the sewers of his destroyed home. How heartbroken your father would be knowing that you died at his doorstep without even seeing him. Now, are you going to stand and fight? Or are you going to die on the floor like the rat you are?"

Victor is lying! Isn't he? Chung thought as the El was pooled into his mind. Despite what he was saying, Chung wanted it to be true. He wanted to know where his father has been all this time. And if Victor was telling the truth… then the prince couldn't die here. Not now.

Chung took in a pained breath, focusing not on the revolvers in his hands but on his body. This was so strange to him. Is El naturally flowed to his hands but he had to will its direction to his broken arm and leg instead. When it reached its desired point, he had to figure out how to will it to move his body for him.

Victor laughed, "What is this? Are you trying to copy your friend's technique? You're clearly in need of more practice. Stand, prince. Or I will finish you where you lay."

The entire chamber rumbled, catching the attention of everyone inside. Chung continued to struggle with his energy while Victor turned his head upward. There wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that they were imagining things as the entire foundation shook from that rumble.

"An earthquake?" Victor said, looking about, waiting for the rumble to return. It did, louder and much stronger this time. Its source clearly coming from above ground. The entire chamber paused again and this time the sounds of explosions were clear and numerous.

"N-no…" Chung heaved as he struggled to stand, "reinforcements."

Victor grunted and turned to his subordinates.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Victor said to the lesser demons, "Get out there and find out what's going on!"

Hearing this, nearly all the dark beasts fanned out through the many tunnels, making their way back to the surface as quickly as possible. A single gatekeeper guarded the pens.

"Now… to finish you-" Victor turned his attention to the prince but found nothing but a small puddle of blood.

"Over here!" Chung shouted as he suddenly came flying towards the demon's head, with cannon pulled back. A blue, flame-like aura enveloped his body as his El carried the cannon in his hands. The weapon connected with the side of Victor's head with an impact that sounded much like the explosions going off above ground.

The demon lieutenant was sent tumbling to the side as a visible mark of the cannon's muzzle was planted on the plate and scales on the side of his face.

Chung landed before the demon, aura burning around him as he struggled to keep the flow of El flowing through his body. The sensation was amazing. Agonizingly painful for his broken bones, but amazing nonetheless. The weight of his cannon no longer existed for him and as Victor slowly got up, the prince's heightened senses were quick to pick up on the feint the demon was playing.

Reacting to the sudden change in the demon's speed as Victor attempted to crush him under his palm, Chung sidestepped the strike. He countered, bringing the weight of the cannon down on the demon's arm with enough force to break his bones before the prince turned and swung the cannon upward, connecting with the demon's chin and fracturing Victor's teeth.

Victor reeled back as he shielded his jaw with his unbroken arm. "You little runt! Don't think you've won. I've sustained greater injuries before."

Chung pulled the lever, dumping enough El into the chamber to form a slug as he entered a siege stance. He had one shot at this and he made sure to train the barrel at the demon's chest.

"Where is my father?" Chung shouted.

Victor saw this and smiled through his broken teeth. He spread his arms wide, "Again with the ranged? Come, then. Shoot me!"

"Not until you tell me where my father is!"

"Then you'd be dead long before I speak," Victor laughed, "Shoot me. I want to see the look in your face the moment you realize your efforts are meaningless."

Not this time, the prince thought, hefting the loaded rail shot.

As soon as he squeezed the trigger, he felt an immense pain in his arm as the weight of the cannon threatened to rip his arm off. His body crumpled as his broken leg was forced to carry his weight again and his awakening aura dissipated from his body like a snuffed candle.

Chung fell to his knees, the weight of his equipment too much for him to carry with his broken body.

"What's wrong, boy? Out of fuel already? I was wondering how long you'd last with that much magical energy pouring out of you. Apparently not long enough." Victor began making his way to the prince, taking his sweet time as he watched the human panic as he drew closer.

Chung leaned against his cannon as he tried to think of a way to use his only shot. He needed both his arms to hold the cannon steady and he also needed to stand to use it. He had never run out of El before nor had he ever felt so helpless in his life. If only the reinforcements knew where they were.

Chung blinked and turned his head upward at the limestone ceiling high above him. With his one good arm he lifted the cannon, positioning it upright as he gripped the handle and trigger. The prince fired, the boom from the cannon rattling the foundation as the slug sailed upwards and plowed through the thick limestone ceiling far above.

Victor watched as the blue streak of light cut through the layer of stone like butter and continued higher still until it vanished behind the black storm clouds. The demon looked back down at the prince, smile gone as he raised a hand at the prince.

"Are you sure… you could've taken that?" Chung said through heavy breaths. The cannon at his side burned a hot red and the look on Victor's eyeless face was all the answer Chung needed.

Victor backhanded the prince, sending his broken body sliding against the stone floor until his body was stopped by the distant wall at the other end of the room. Victor picked up the cannon and tossed it over his shoulder, separating the weapon from its user.

"It matters not, little prince. You're out of options and I've grown bored of this fight. Your feeble attempts to survive proved meaningless and I must say I was rather disappointed by your fighting ability. You have much to learn, prince. Not that you'll have time in the future."

Chung rolled on his back, rain from high above matting his face as he tried to breath through the pain. Victor appeared in his peripheral. He stood over him, probably figuring out how he would go about killing him.

The prince shut his eyes, turning his head away as he waited for his end. He knew he was going to die here but he held no regrets. This was where he wanted to be. This was where he was supposed to fall.

A rain of gunfire could be heard high above. Like hail striking a metal roof the sound was loud and continuous as shouting came from the hole in the roof. Chung's eyes slowly opened as he saw a black airship hovering over the hole high above. A number of ropes were slung down the elevator shaft and numerous mercenaries wearing black gas masks rapidly descended down the hole with guns blazing.

Was this… our reinforcements? Chung thought as the first wave of mercenaries touched down and began peppering the demon with gunfire.

"You think you can harm me?!" the beast roared as he barreled towards the nearest mercenary, crushing him with a single blow. "Weaklings!"

Another wave, this time it was red-garbed knights. Their runed blades ignited in a bright display of flame as they threw themselves at the demon lieutenant. Chung recognized their garb immediately. These were Penensio's Red Knights. Victor whipped his arms about, knocking aside mercenary after mercenary as the knights piled on him, trying to find a weak point in his thick hide.

The demon roared, angrily as he began pulling knight after knight off of his back. Each one was crushed in his grip and tossed to the side like a ragdoll. More and more Red Knights and mercenaries poured in from above and more and more quickly met their end as Victor crushed, mauled, and tore through the growing pile of bodies.

"It's no use…" Chung muttered, "You need… stronger weapons." Strength was leaving him. With no El to help him join the fight, the prince could do nothing but watch helplessly as wave after wave of reinforcements met their end by the demon's hands.

He couldn't watch. Chung closed his eyes, waiting for unconsciousness to take him as he listened to the screams of mercenary and knight alike.

"Binding circle! He's all yours!" A young woman yelled.

"Panzer Buster!" said a male. The heat of a laser could be felt where Chung lay. Victor roared in pain and for a moment the only sound Chung could hear was the haggard, guttural breath.

"Waiting on you, my queen," the same male voice said as the light sound of heels against limestone could be heard echoing in the chamber.

"Junk break," a female said as the sound of a giant machine could be heard followed by Victor being slammed against the wall. Grinding followed, and with it the guttural cry of a demon lieutenant.

The cries continued until nothing was left but the sound of metal on stone. Before long the grinding stopped as well, leaving the chamber silent as the entire room seemed to breath a giant sigh of relief.

"Is everyone okay?" another female voice echoed in the hall. Her voice was like the wind. A cage was unlocked in the distance.

"Seiker!" Noah could be heard shouting, "Seiker's in trouble! You have to help him!"

"Who?" the same female asked.

Footsteps. Someone was standing over him.

"She means him," the voice of a young man yelled back.

Chung knew this voice all too well. The prince turned his head and slowly opened his eyes. Cyan eyes met bright red ones as he looked up at that familiar award winning grin.

"Hey," Elsword said, kneeling down to pick up his old friend, "Small world, huh?"