February 03, 2020:

Author notes:

Hello there! I hope you are doing great!

So a new chapter is here, and hope you also like it.

Last time, our heroes arrived at the Water Temple, after Alan crashed on Sapphire, the Maiden of the Water. However, now Exia is in the Temple, and wants to destroy the Crystal. She came with some allies, and one of them is none other than Reed. What will Alan do?

Also, I'm on the idea of suggesting some music in several scenes, like in battle specially. Not sure if I will do it, but in the past version of the fic it gave it an interesting feel. Not sure if I will do it, but I'll think about it.

Also this story is rated M for a reason, so watch out for some swearing and cuts and guts.

Anyway, hope you liked this one :D

Chapter 13: Battle at the Water Temple.

-Location: Water Temple-

At the bottom of the lake, inside the temple of Water, a battle between light and darkness was about to start.

Exia, the Sorceress of Darkness, wanted to destroy the Water Crystal, and to that, summoned several companions around her.

But to Alan, only one of those companions mattered, because that one was… his cousin.

"Hello, cousin…"

"…Reed."

After hearing that, Alan's companions looked at him, before looking at the man in front of them.

"Wait… so he is your cousin?" asked Steve with confusion.

"Yes… yes he is…" said Alan, still in shock, before shaking his head and looking at him with confusion and… anger. "Reed! Where have you been? And why are you with her?!"

"Why, you ask?" Questioned the young man, smiling… although Alan noted something was wrong with his smile. "Well… she saved my life."

"What?!"

"Yes. I was saved by her after that fire demon toss me into the abyss. And because of that, she presented me with her boss, Master Exus."

"Master?! What are you talking about?!"

"And now…" started Exia with malice, putting a hand in his shoulders. "He is Exus new apprentice."

"Exactly!" Said Reed, holding his Gunblade firmly. "And I will work for him now… as his new champion! To save this world!"

Alan blinked a few times at this answer, trying to understand it. After a few seconds, he only came to one conclusion.

"Oh my god, you have turned EVIL!"

"From my point of view, you guys ARE evil!" Exclaimed Reed, pointing at Alan's companions. Alan's eye just twitched.

"Oh, don't go full Anakin with me!" Exclaimed Alan, pointing at the woman to his side. "You may don't know her, but she is EVIL!"

"Alan… you are so deluded." Expressed Reed, getting on guard with his Gunblade. "And I will show you the truth!"

"Damn it, Reed!" Exclaimed Alan, holding the Keyblade with both hands.

"Well, well, seems like we are ready." Expressed Exia with malice. "So… shall we dance?"

Duncan got ready, and so all of his companions, as the warriors of Exus started walking towards them.

"Get ready, everyone!" Exclaimed Duncan. "Remember your training, and you will survive!"

"Yes!" exclaimed everyone.

"That is interesting." Said Exia with malice. "THEN LET'S BEGIN! ATTACK!"

And with that, the warriors of darkness rushed towards the other warriors.

Reed INMEDIATELY clashed swords with Alan and both began to fight, getting away from the large hall, and entering one of the small corridors that leave them to another rooms inside the temple.

The Amphibean Beast Letav, using his larger size, immediately threw a punch and impacted the ground where the 3 women of the team were. Each girl evaded the attack as they could, and prepared to attack. Before Letav could answer, Sapphire created a large bubble of water and toss it at large speeds at him. The beast was engulfed by the large bubble of water and was pushed into another corridor in the room, leaving to another room, being followed by Kristal, Vivian and Sapphire, to continue their fight there.

The rest of the creatures began chasing Steve and the Kuriboh, who were running away from them, and entered another corridor, reaching another different room.

That left Exia with Duncan, who stayed in the Crystal Room.

"So… it's just the two of us." Said Exia mischievously, approaching the mage. "You are on my way of the Crystal… move."

"Make me." Answered Duncan, his face completely serious.

"Gladly…DARK FIRAGA!" Exia summoned a large orb of dark fire and toss it at Duncan at large speeds, but the Dark Magician was ready.

"TRIPLE BLIZZAGA!"

Duncan released 3 shots of ice magic from his staff, impacting the orb of dark flames in succession. The first 2 debilitated the flames, with the third one piercing through them and flying towards Exia. However, the Sorceress only smiled and surrounded her right hand with dark energy, before swatting the final shard of ice with ease. After that, she just smiled.

"Haha! I will enjoy this more than I should!" Exclaimed Exia, her face full of excitement… and craziness. "Show me a good time, Dark Magician!"

Duncan just prepared another spell to fight, as Exia started to levitate and summoning more Dark Firagas around her. He knew this wasn't going to be an easy fight.

Location: Water Temple, West Hall

"THUNDAGA!"

Kristal's lightning spell impacted the back of the Amphibean Beast Letav, making him release Vivian, who he had in his grasp. The beast screamed in agony, before being impacted in the stomach by Vivian's Aerora spell, sending him back and crashing into a wall. The three girls regroup and got next to each other after this, watching patiently to see if he was still concious.

However, before they could react, the water below their feet began to move, and like serpents, ensnared the three girls and lifted them from the ground. From the debris, Letav stood up, and the three women saw that all the water serpents came from below his feet.

"You girls are so weak." Expressed the Amphibean Beast with malice. "I didn't even felt that lighting attack. With my absolute control over water, I will crush you!"

He made a movement with his right hand, like grasping the air, and immediately the girls felt that the serpents began to crush their bodies, as more water pressure was put in them. Kristal and Vivian tried to use some spell, but they couldn't concentrate… but Sapphire… she was more relaxed.

"Absolute control over water?" Expressed Sapphire, struggling a little. "That remains to be seen!"

"Oh? And why is that?" Asked Letav with curiosity.

"I am the Sage of Water Sapphire! And I won't let you use this element for evil!"

Sapphire aura began to glow, and she used her trident to touch the water serpent that ensnared her. The water serpent began to glow and then it exploded like a water balloon, releasing Sapphire, who recollected the water of the serpent to create her own sphere of water.

"WATERGA!"

Sapphire released a large sphere of water directly towards Letav. He just smirked and raised his hand to stop the sphere of water. However, he learned too late that… he couldn't control it.

"What?!" He asked, just when the water spell hit him and surrounded him in a small whirlpool.

Sapphire's spell didn't hurt him at all. After all, his element was water too, so he was resistant to it. However, Sapphire's spell was strong enough that it forced Letav to lose concentration, and this canceled the water serpents that ensnared both Kristal and Vivian, and now that they were free, they could attack. The moment Kristal's feet touched the ground, she dashed towards her enemy, while she concentrated lightning spells on her fists. Letav didn't saw her until she was practically over him.

"Feel this! THUNDAGA PUNCH!"

Kristal's right fist impacted in Letav's stomach. Since Kristal was physically strong, the strike was VERY powerful, so much that Letav almost lost consciousness because of it, puking some bluish blood in the process. The lightning in her fist only increased the damage, as it dispersed into his body, shocking every muscle he had.

But Kristal's left fist was STILL surrounded by lightning, so she used it to do a 'Shoryuken' like movement and hit Letav's chin, sending the Amphibean Beast crashing into the roof of the temple. As he was falling, another blondie was flying up, as Vivian meet him in his descend, and passed besides him… with a ball of wind energy between her arms.

"TORNADO!"

Vivian then crashed the ball of wind into Letav's back, and it created a tornado of green energy that send the Soldier of Exus crashing into the ground like a meteor, creating a large cloud of dust.

Kristal fall back on her feet after her attacks, while Vivian stayed in the air. Both of them and Sapphire were surrounding the Amphibean Beast, very sure he wasn't dead.

And he wasn't, as he was slowly getting on his feet, but he was very hurt by the attacks, as bluish blood emerged from his cuts, mouth and nose.

And he was VERY angry.

"You whores!" Exclaimed the beasts of the water, finally standing up, looking at them in rage. "If you think you won with that, you are MISTAKEN!"

Then, he began to increase his aura, as it was now visible around his body. Soon, all the water in the room began to flow towards him, and he created a sphere of water around him. His aura was increasing considerable, higher than even before.

"Be careful!" Exclaimed Kristal, summoning her staff again. "His aura is increasing!"

"Yeah, I can feel it, Miss Kristal." Commented Sapphire, holding her trident, and increasing her aura too.

All the water on the room was in the sphere that surrounded Letav, and it was spinning faster and faster. Then, after a few more seconds, they also saw… that it was heating up, as it was bubbling...faster and faster.

"Watch out, everyone!" Exclaimed Vivian.

"Die!" Expressed Letav, extending his arms to his sides. "AQUA WAVE EXPLOSION!"

From the sphere of water, hundreds of smaller, baseball-size water spheres exploded in all directions. Sapphire and Vivian created barriers of water and wind respectfully, while Kristal used the Reflega spell to protect herself. The water bullets impacted their shields with so much power, as the girls feel the power those bullets had, seeing they were able to easily break the pillars and the walls of the temple, so they used all of their energy to empower their shields. But the impacts became faster and faster, as the girls saw they concentrated now only into them, and before they knew, their shields were overwhelmed and destroyed, and the girls were hit by the rest of the water bullets, sending them crashing to the walls.

After the attack ended, Letav saw the 3 women trying to get up, but saw that they were injured by his attack, and had trouble standing up.

"This is where your story ends."

Kristal, Vivian and Sapphire were breathing hard, knowing that if they get hit again, they wouldn't be able to survive. He was VERY strong...

However, they had a plan…

Location: Water Temple, East Hall

Meanwhile, Steve and the Kuriboh were in another of the rooms. They were surrounded by six sea creatures, the ones summoned by Letav. The spellcaster and the furball warrior were back to back, looking at the enemies in front of them.

"Well, we're outnumber 3 to 1." Said Steve, before looking at his back to the Kuriboh. "Or worse."

"Bah, these are small fries!" expressed the Kuriboh, wielding his sword and shield, provoking one of the monsters.

"Heh, well, I'm intrigued to see you fight. I mean, you didn't fight when we were attacked by Heartless outside the Temple."

"It wasn't necessary. You guys could have taken them, and I need to keep my energy. But now, you will need my help."

"You really think you can fight?"

"Ha! Watch me, newbie! HYAA!"

Suddently, the Kuriboh jumped and attacked one of the beasts: the DeepSea Shark (technically a floating purple shark with a red belly and a blue gem in its forehead), who tried to bite the furball. However, the Kuriboh blocked it with its shield, and then used its sword to stab the shark in his neck, immediately killing it. The other monster near him, the Terrorking Salmon (a mutated salmon), tried to tackle it, but the Kuriboh just jumped over it and stabbed his sword on the fish's forehead, immediately killing it. Both dead monsters then began to dissipate in purple smoke and water.

Steve's eyes were large after seeing this.

"Wow… I didn't though you had it in you." Commented the Spellcaster with complete surprise... especially since a Terrorking Salmon was almost as strong as a normal Dark Magician.

"You just strike them in their weak spot… also you better watch out, you buffoon!"

"Wha-?"

When he turned back, Steve saw that the other of the DeepSea Shark was just in front of him, and he couldn't block it as the shark slammed its head in Steve's stomach. Then, the other Terrorking Salmon slammed his tail HARD in Steve's face, sending the spellcaster flying into the wall, crashing on it and then falling into the ground.

"…you are really useless, you buffoon." Said the Kuriboh, belittling Steve, but knowing that it was an impact from a monster that was stronger than the magician, he'll probably be out of commission. "Oh well, seems like I have to deal with the four of them…"

"Oh, no, not at all!"

Kuriboh looked back and saw how Steve got up, as easy as if nothing have happened. Heck, it doesn't look like he suffered any damage. Now it was the Kuriboh that was surprised.

"Oh? I was certain that strike should have let you out of commission." Commented the Kuriboh with some surprise.

"Haha! You must be kidding me!" Answered Steve back, just removing the dust from his robes. "I have been punched by the enormous strength of Kristal since we were 13 years old. Compared to her's, these are baby punches! My body is made of IRON!"

The two monsters that attacked Steve, the DeepSea Shark and the Terrorking Salmon, attacked him again. The first one tackle him in the stomach, while the second one struck him with a powerful tail swipe on the top of his head. But they were shocked to see that, this time, Steve didn't move. The Terrorking Salmon hit him several times with his powerful tail, but look in horror as Steve didn't seem to feel anything.

"Told ya." Scoffed the Spellcaster. The two sea beast 'step' back, before launching again, this time to bite him, but Steve didn't give them that honor. "Thundaga."

Lightning struck both sea monsters and that stopped them for good. As the electricity passed, they fell on the ground, completely cooked up.

"Well, we have cooked fish for dinner!" Expressed Steve, before seeing the monsters dissipated in black smoke and water. "Never mind…"

"Ah, very nice work. Seems like you are not a buffoon at all… for now." Said the Kuriboh… before turning to the other two remaining monsters with malice. "So… shall we finish this?"

"Oh yes… yes we should." Answered Steve, looking maliciously at his enemy.

The other two remaining monsters, two 7-Colored Fish (Technically an eel with two tusk besides its mouth and scales that have seven colors), looked at the Spellcaster and the furball Warrior with complete fear. They knew their destiny was sealed…

…and this was not a destiny that will change…

Location: Water Temple, North Hall

In another room, the sounds of metal clashing could be heard.

The Keyblade and Gunblade clashed once again, as both warriors, both humans, tried to overwhelm the other with their strength, but knew it was useless.

"Damn it, Reed!" Exclaimed Alan with anger. "I was always wondering where you have been after we separated in that tunnel of darkness, and it results that you turned Sith on me?!"

"Well, you know me, Alan: the Sith are WAY more fun."

Both jumped back, creating a separation between them, but this didn't last, as Reed jumped in the air and raised his Gunblade, ready to strike Alan. But Alan rolled to his side and evaded the strike of the blade, before having to block the blade with his key. The clash between metals continued for a couple of minutes, before both once again separated, however, Reed extended his hand, and Alan saw… that it caught fire.

"FIRE!"

From Reed's hand, a fireball was created and launched at Alan who, looking at it, had to evade it before it burned him. Just as he evaded it, Alan raised his own left hand, and concentrated ice wind in it.

"BLIZZARD!"

And now it was his turn, as a ball of ice energy flew from his hand towards Reed. However, the other human created another Fire spell and both clashed in the middle, creating a small explosion. Alan was on guard, expecting Reed to appear… and he did, as he emerged from the cloud and clashed with Alan's Keyblade once more, forcing the other human to take a few steps back to contain the strike. Eventually, both stayed again in a sword clash, trying to overpower each other.

"We REALLY are different, right, Alan?" Asked Reed. "I always liked summer, while you liked winter. I like red and black, you like blue and white. I like dragons, you like magicians. And now, I know fire spells, while you know ice spells. We were always different."

"Reed, why are you doing this?" Asked Alan back. "Why are you on their side?"

"Well… didn't I told you that the dark side is always cooler."

"Damn it, Reed!"

Alan pushed Reed with all his strength, forcing him to jump back a few meters. Landing on his feet, Reed looked at Alan with some malice, while Alan looked back with anger.

"This is no joke, man!" asked Alan, pointing at his cousin. "We don't have to fight!"

"Of course we don't." Said Reed, now more serious. "You just need to stand down, Alan. Let Exia explain herself to you."

"That woman is EVIL! She and Exus try to destroy the Elemental Crystals, and will turn this world into darkness! They will destroy this world!"

"Says the one who has a god of chaos inside him!"

"…what?"

"Yeah, Exia told me: that fire demon that kidnapped us and toss me into the abyss is INSIDE you, meaning that it is influencing you right now and you don't even know about it."

"What? That is stupid! I know what is happening right now!"

"Are you? Alan, you have a god of Chaos inside you. He is influencing you in ways that you don't even know! Are you aware of what you have been doing?!"

"What do you mean? I have been traveling with Duncan, Kristal, Steve, Vivian and Sapphire, and that stupid Kuriboh. We are trying to protect the Elemental Crystals!"

"And don't you find it VERY strange that the first person you saw after that god of Chaos enter in your mind, was a Dark Magician Girl?"

Alan's anger suddently dropped in intensity, being replaced with confusion at what his cousin was telling him.

"What are you talking about?" Asked Alan in confusion.

"Alan… that God of Chaos is making you see things that are not in there."

The room turned silent. They could only hear the few droplets of water that fell from the ceiling into the water that covered all the floor.

Alan was surprised, as he tried to process what his cousin was saying.

"I am…being lied?" Asked Alan, even more confused. "What do you mea-"

"You love the Dark Magician Girl, Alan. That is something I know so much." Continued Reed, looking at his cousin. "So… this god of Chaos is showing her to you, and use her to convince you, so you follow his words. He knows you like her… and is using her against you."

"You are lying. Why would you think of that?!"

"Because the Elemental Crystals are actually his power source."

"What?!"

"Yes. Those elemental Crystals are actually what he uses to increase his powers. He needs to control you completely, so he will regain his power. That is why he attacked us back in Monterrey: to take over you. But… you did something to stop that, and so now he tries to get inside your mind completely… and to convince you, he is showing you the image of a Dark Magician Girl and a Dark Magician."

"If that is true, then who are the people I am talking with?"

"You don't see it, Alan… but those are actually demons…"

Another silence filled the room for a few seconds. Alan blinked several times, and shook his head, before looking at his cousin with surprise.

"What?!"

"They are actually demons." Reaffirmed Reed. "We can see it, but you don't, because Chaos is warping your senses. They are soldiers of Chaos, who want to destroy this world. Exia and Master Exus are trying to stop him."

"Are you saying they are good people and I am being possessed by Chaos?"

"Just think about it! Meeting a Dark Magician Girl, saying you are a hero, that their quest is just and that they need your help. Logically, it makes no sense."

"And WHY am I understanding YOU? If you say Chaos is warping my senses, why can I understand you?"

"Because we have a family bond, Alan." Said Reed, putting his left hand on his chest. "I'm the only one that you can see as it is. We have some history behind us… and he can't warp the bonds we as a family have. The bonds that we have… he will NEVER be able to warp."

Alan though what his cousin was saying. Was it true? Was this a lie? I mean, yeah, this adventure was too good to be true but… he WASN'T in his world… also a fire demon/god/whatever appeared in front of him so… anything is possible… right?

"Alan… this is not our world…" said Reed. "We shouldn't be here…"

Alan closed his eyes for a few seconds, thinking of it. All the weeks he has passed with Kristal, Vivian, Duncan, Steve, and now Sapphire and the Kuriboh… Was it really a lie? Using logic, it kind of makes sense… but at the same time, Chaos is a god… and who know how he can warp his mind.

"It is true: this is nor our world, nor our battles." Commented Alan, his grip on his Keyblade loosening. "And these guys are probably using me…"

"See? Are you convinced?" Asked Reed, lowering his guard. "We humans are supposed to be logical. This doesn't make sense, for you to suddently meet the girl of your dreams, and your ace card, and embark on an adventure to save the world… as you wanted."

"…but…" Continued Alan, the grip on his Keyblade increasing again. "The same could be said about you."

"What?" asked Reed with confusion, looking as Alan was pointing his Keyblade to him.

"You just told me how you meet Exia during our battle. Are you telling me that you find it logical that you woke up in an island of darkness, with this sexy and voluptuous woman, and she explained to you that they are the good guys and that I am being mind-controlled, so you have to fight for on their side to 'rescue' me? And that they gave you a Gunblade, your favorite weapon, to do so? I'm sorry, but that is also doesn't sound logical?"

"What is your point, Alan?"

"Reed… one of us is being lied to..." Said Alan with complete seriousness, looking intensely at his cousin. "…And I don't think I am being lied."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because, Reed… if Chaos tried to control me… showing me the Dark Magician Girl would be the second best choice."

"What?"

"Reed… who is my favorite character?"

Reed started to think, remembering Alan's childhood and all of the series he has seen. Soon, an image of a blue armored champion appeared in his mind.

"No…" started Reed, knowing exactly which character Alan was thinking. "…are you implying that…if this god of Chaos is influencing you he should have showed you…"

"...Megaman X."

Another silence, but this one was shorter, as Alan just smiled and continued.

"Megaman X is my absolutely most favorite character." Continued Alan, smiling to himself. "More than Son Goku, more than Pegasus Seiya, even more than the Dark Magician Girl, Megaman X is my one and true hero. Heck, my online nickname, 'SaiyanX', the 'X' in it is BECAUSE of Megaman X! If Chaos wanted to convince me from the beginning to follow his plan, Megaman X was the one he should have showed me."

Reed though about it. Indeed, Megaman X is Alan's most favorite hero, and it would make more sense for the god of Chaos to use him as his avatar to convince him.

…however, Reed also though about ANTOHER thing Alan liked… and he just smiled to himself.

"Don't you find a little flaw in your logic, Alan?" Asked Reed, kind of smug.

"What do you mean?" Questioned Alan in confusion.

"There is something that the Dark Magician Girl has that Megaman X doesn't."

"And that is…?"

"Large breasts."

Blinking several times, Alan tried to process what his cousin said to him.

"Wha-?"

"Oh come on, Alan. I know you love women with large breasts. Even if Megaman X is your most absolute hero, Chaos, knowing you also love large boobs, would probably make him choose a Dark Magician Girl as the avatar to try to influence you."

"You are saying a god of Chaos is using large boobs to convince me to do his EVIL plans?"

"Are you going to deny that would be a possibility of you saying yes to a busty girl?"

Alan open his mouth to talk... but stopped, and though for himself for a few seconds… before dropping his arms in defeat.

"No, I can't deny it." Said Alan.

"See? Chaos in influencing you." Said Reed. "Please, Alan. Just come with us."

"…no, I can't do that."

"Why?"

"My heart… or more logically, my instincts, is telling me that this is not an illusion. I feel that I am on the right."

"Then we must disagree again, Alan, because my own instincts are saying that I am in the correct path." Saying this, Reed got on guard again. He wielded his gunblade with one hand (KH Riku Style), and looked at Alan firmly. "If you are not with me, then I will have to take you by force, Alan!"

Alan just chuckled.

"Only a Sith deals in absolute, Reed."

"Well, told ya the dark side is more fun."

"Well, you are more than welcome to try." Said Alan, getting on guard, also holding the Keyblade with one hand (KH Terra style). "Let's go, Reed!"

And so, both metals clashed once more, as their fight continued. This time, it was to prove who was being lied… and who was right…

Location: Water Temple, Crystal Hall

"SHADOW FLARE!"

"WATERGA!"

Two powerful spells clashed in the middle of the crystal room, as both the Dark Magician Duncan and the Sorceress of Dark Magic Exia fought against each other. Both were floating in the air, with several elemental orbs orbiting around them, as they used several spells at the same time to be ready and use them in the moment they need. It looked like the battle was equal…

…however, that wasn't the case…

They were fighting for 30 minutes, and Duncan was starting to feel tired. He was panting, his mana pool was depleting, and the number of spell orbs around him was less numerous than the ones around Exia. Meanwhile, the voluptuous sorcerer, while tired, was not panting like Duncan, but just sweating a little. Her mana pool was probably on the middle, and had more to summon more spells. In every way, shape or form, Exia was on top.

"What's the problem, Mage? Are you getting tired?" Asked Exia with malice. "I though you would last longer than this. Seems you are not man enough for me!"

"Your provocations won't work with me, witch." Commented Duncan, elevating his aura. "I won't let you destroy the crystal!"

"Ha! I would like to see you try! DARK THUNDAGA!"

"STONEGA!"

A shadow lighting shoot from a sphere near Exia, but it clashed against the stone pillars created by Duncan's spell sphere, and both created another explosion. Duncan tried to look behind the smoke created by both clashes, only to see darts of darkness flying directly at him, so he used a Reflega, creating a shield of magic to protect himself. The darts impacted the shield, that managed to resist, but it was starting to break. Still, Duncan used all of his magic on the shield so it didn't break… but Exia, who jumped and had 2 spells in her hands, had other plans.

"COMETEOR!"

Exia released two orbs that immediately transformed into comets, that immediately descended into Duncan and his shield. Knowing the shield wont resist, he canceled it, and used another spell: a pair of cylinders… best known as...

"MAGIC CYLINDERS!"

One of the cylinders began absorbing both of the comets into it, before releasing them from the other cylinder, this time back at Exia. The witch was surprised, but immediately her body turned into darkness and evaded both comets, before returning back to the floor, where she began, still in her shadowy form, dashing towards Duncan, who was ready for her with a spell.

"SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT!"

Several swords of green light appeared from the ceiling and rain down in front of Duncan, trying to catch the shadow figure of Exia, but she evaded the swords and was getting closer to him.

However, one of the swords managed to stuck in her shadow, and she was immediately paralyzed, as she returned to normal, and the rest of the swords stuck around her, stopping her movements completely.

"Damn it!" Exclaimed Exia, trying to use her aura to escape, but the Swords of Revealing Light was one of the strongest spells in this world, so she won't be able to do so.

"You are at my mercy." Expressed Duncan, looking at Exia with complete indifference.

"Oh? and what are you planning to do?" Asked the Sorceress with malice. "You think you can contain me in here?"

"No… but only the necessary time… to get rid of you."

"Oh? And how? A bigger spell? Your signature attack doesn't have enough power to do so!"

Duncan didn't answer, and instead only raised his staff over his head, pointing towards the ceiling.

"That is right: my signature attack doesn't have enough power to do it… and that is why… I made another one."

Suddently, the magician's circle appeared below his feet, as ethereal energy emanated from it. Exia saw how all the spells that Duncan still had begun to concentrate on an orb of darkness that started to appear on top of Duncan's staff. It looked like his normal Dark Magic Attack… but this was WAY more concentrated and powerful.

"…I evolved my normal Dark Magic Attack to absorb the energies from the surroundings and my own mana. Now, witch, you will be the first one I will use this attack against."

The energies began to concentrate even more, as the orb of darkness started to release dark lightning, that hit everything in the room… even the shield of the Crystal, although it did nothing to it.

"I don't know what the destructive power of this attack will be, but there is something that I am sure." Said Duncan, his face becoming even more serious. "You will die here."

Exia clenched her teeth, as she tried to escape from the swords of light, but their spell was absolute, and she could only see the orb getting even bigger and bigger. He was ready…

"TAKE THIS, WITCH!" Exclaimed Duncan, taking a step forward with his left leg, ready to shot. "DARK PLASMA BLAST!"

Pushing his mage staff forward, Duncan released a powerful blast of shadow energy, bigger than everything he had done before, directly towards Exia, who could do nothing but see as the big orb of Darkness approaching her.

And the moment it hit her, it engulfed her, and push her towards the entrance of the room… and when it hit the wall, it exploded, creating one of the largest explosion ever created by a single spell. It shook the whole temple, as walls and the ceiling began to collapse, and the fire of the explosion reached Duncan, turning everything white.

Location: Water Temple, East Hall

As the two remained enemies disappear in ashes of darkness, Steve and the Kuriboh were breathing hard. Not because the battle was difficult, but because they beat those 7-Colored Fishes really hard. After a few seconds, they recovered their breath.

"Nice job, buffon!" Expressed the Kuriboh, looking at the mage.

"Same to you, furball!" Answered Steve back, rising a thumbs. "They were no match for us."

"We could do a great team. With your super resistance and my intellect, we could rule the world!"

"Are you turning evil?"

"Oh no, but I though it will be fun."

They were going to continue, but then suddently felt a powerful energy, before the whole Temple began to shake madly, forcing Steve on his knees for a moment.

"What was that?" Asked the Kuriboh, looking at all the dust coming from the corridor that connects the room they were with the crystal room.

"Oh no…" said Steve, recognizing something. "That energy… Master Duncan must have used his ultimate technique."

"Ultimate Technique?"

"Yes, a powerful spell that destroys everything in its path. That sexy witch must be pressing Master so much for him to use that spell. Damn it!"

"What's wrong?"

"If that spell didn't work, Master's aura will be almost depleted! We need to go back!"

"Sure! Let's go back!"

And so, the two returned to the Crystal room, trying to see if Duncan was ok.

Location: Water Temple, Crystal Hall

After the dust began to settle, the shield around Duncan disappeared, and he look at the place of the explosion: the wall was destroyed, as almost everything that connected the Crystal Room to the entrance of the Temple. He could also see that the final wall was showing some fissures, and that water was pouring from them, indicating that wall was all that stands between the temple and the lake that surrounds them.

"So… nothing remains…" Commented Duncan, while a pillar in the room ends crashing down on the floor. "Seems like even I am becoming stronger…"

Suddently, Duncan fell on his knees, and began to breath hard, trying to recover some of his energy.

"I used almost all of my Magic Aura in that attack. I don't think I have much left… I need to recover."

After a minute or so, he tried to absorb on the energies around him, specially the Crystal's, and concentrated on recovering his magic. After a few more seconds, he felt some of his energy back, at least enough to stand up.

"Now, to help my other frien-"

"SWORDS OF CONCEALING LIGHT!"

Suddently, dark swords appeared in the ceiling and rained towards Duncan, impacting everything around him, and stopping his movements.

"What?! Who did-"

"Oh silly boy… you though you had me?"

Looking to his side, he could see a figure emerging from the shadows behind the pillars. His eyes didn't lie to him: it was the dark sorceress.

"Exia…"

Walking seductively towards him, the Dark Sorceress had a mischievous smile in her face. However, Duncan managed to see that her large shoulder pads, cape and part of her gauntlets were gone, leaving her with only her boots and that one-piece suit that reached the area of her breasts, revealing her neck. She also had some bruises, but other than that, she was ok.

"How?" Asked Duncan with confusion. "How did you managed to escape from the attack when you were immobilized?"

"Oh, don't you forget a little spell that I know?" Asked Exia, pointing a finger towards Duncan, and spelling the name of the spell. "Sacred. Barrier. Mirror. Force."

Duncan's eyes open in shock. He didn't even though she still had the energy to use that spell. No wonder she survived… but why didn't her spell rebounded his?

"Although, I do have to admit your technique was REALLY powerful." Said Exia, crossing her arms over her chest. "The mirror wall couldn't reflect your attack and was only able to contain it. If it was a little stronger, it would have destroyed the Mirror Wall and hit me… but it gave me enough time to evade it. I was… lucky…"

Duncan clenched his fists in frustration. He knew he had lost. He has no more magic energy in his body to resist… so he could only do one thing.

"…I lost…" he said as he looked to the floor.

"Yes, yes you did." Said Exia with malice. "It was fun, Dark Magician. You gave me a good battle with your spells, and even destroyed part of my clothes. But… this is the end for you."

"… I have nothing to do… kill me then… I am at your mercy…"

"Oh yes, I will… in a second, because I will destroy the Crystal first."

"What?!" Exclaimed Duncan, rising his head to see that the Sorceress was walking towards the Crystal.

"I know what you were trying, mage. You were trying to gain some time so your friends will come to save you, or at least fight me in my weakened state, right?" Asked Exia, while still walking towards the Crystal. "No, not happening. Especially since I feel one of your students and that furball getting closer. No… I will destroy this."

Exia climbed the stairs of the Crystal's pedestal, and touched the Crystal. As she did, she began pouring more and more darkness inside the cracks. It was in that moment that Steve and the Kuriboh reached the Crystal Room... but they were too late.

Soon, more and more cracks began to appear, as the Crystal start pulsing erratically.

It was dying.

"No! Stop!" Exclaimed Duncan in desperation.

"Be gone, Water Crystal!"

With a final burst of power, the Water Crystal shattered completely, exploding and sending shards in all directions, creating a burst of light energy, and shaking the whole Temple once more.

Duncan, Steve and the Kuriboh could only see in horror as the shards fell in all places, before turning into water and evaporate.

"Haha! Four out, only two more to go!" Exclaimed Exia, as the remains of the Water energy began to fade.

…The Water Crystal… is no more….

End of Chapter 13

Chapter 14 Preview:

Alan: Hello! I'm Alan! With the Water Crystal gone, this place isnt safe anymore. We have to flee!

Steve: Uh... are we forgeting something? Hey, why do the mountains look like covered in darkne- Oh, Heartless!

Don't miss the next chapter of The N-Warriors: Shadow Realm Saga: Surrounded by Darkness

Alan: I need... to try it... again... the power of the gods!

Author Notes:

Well then, a new chapter was done!

So, some new things in this chapter:

Reed is planting SOME seeds in Alan's mind. Is he being controlled? Is he not? I will see the truth or he ALREADY knows it? Questions for later.

And the battle of the others, specially the one with Exia/Duncan, showing how stronger is the Sorceress against the Dark Magician. I also gave him a new spell, as his Dark Magic Attack is mostly his common attack. I needed a charged one, so I invented that one.

And welp, the Crystal is gone... how will everyone act now that they are only TWO remaining? Well, you'll see it soon.

Anyway, hope you all liked this chapter. See ya in the next one!

-SaiyanX logged off!-