April 27, 2021:
uh... well then...I think I made a mistake...
I could swear that this week was the one that I should post the next chapter, but to my surprise, it was supposed to be LAST week. I guess time flies.
Sorry about that.
This is next chapter. It's a light one, compared to the last ones of complete fight and action. I hope you like it.
No music for today... no, wait, there IS music:
-The Fire Temple (The Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of Time Soundtrack)-
-Friends of my Heart (Kingdom Hearts II Soundtrack)-
Anyway, hope you like it :3
Chapter 57: What is a Hero?
-Music: The Fire Temple (The Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of Time Soundtrack)-
The Fire Temple…
After so many weeks, so many events, traveling across the sea into a new continent…they were finally in there.
The group, consisting on Alan, Duncan, Kristal, Steve, Kuarzo, Karoita, Kainita, Krysopa, Spintas, Vianto and Iridia, step inside the Temple of Fire, just at the skirts of a volcano. They can already feel the heat of it.
"We are finally here." Said Steve. "Man, it felt like it's been a year since we were in the Water Temple."
"What are you talking about?" asked Kristal. "We were in the Water Temple almost two months ago, at most."
"Two and a half for me." Alan commented, as he looked inside the temple. "This is…different…but similar."
Unlike the Wind and Water Temples, that were large temples similar the ones in Greece, this one was build inside the volcano, although the interior looked similar to the ones he saw before, meaning they were built by the same people. The only similarity to the other temples from the outside is the entrance.
However, it was WAY bigger.
And that is the reason why there were 4 corridors in front of them.
"Escamut told us this was like a dungeon." Commented Duncan. "I suppose one of these paths will guide us to the Fire Crystal."
"No." said Vianto, taking a step forward. "All of them will take us to the chamber of the Fire Crystal, but the path between them is different. Some are really short, while others are very long."
"So…one is a straight line, the rest could round the whole mountain, eh?" asked Karoita, the GaGaGa Girl. "Great…just great. How do we know what path to take?"
"You know the way, Vianto?" Asked Duncan.
"No, I do not." Answered the Elemental Hero. "For what I understand, there are 4 paths, but they can change between them. We need to risk it and take all paths."
"So…who goes with who?"
Before they anyone could answer, something happened: the door of the entrance of the Fire Temple closed behind them, causing them all to be on guard.
Suddently, a large magician circle formed below their feet, and soon, they all began to float in the air against their will.
"What the? I can't move!" Exclaimed Iridia. "What kind of magic is this?"
"This darkness..." Duncan started, having fought against the one who has that power. "Exia!"
Then, another magical circle, this one on the door, appeared and unleashed a powerful gust of wind towards the group, who were floating and immobilized. The wind impacted them, and everyone was pushed back…and into the corridors. They were scrambled into the four paths, which then closed behind them.
She was slowly opening her eyes, getting used to the lack of light in there. The Dark Magician Girl, Kristal, raised to her knees, as she looked all around her. Her head hurt, as she tried to remember what just happened.
"You are awake?"
Her eyes focused on her left, where she saw a fellow magician, Master Spintas, the Cybernetic Magician, who was helping Krysopa, the Card Ejector Magician, to stand up.
"Master Spintas…" Kristal said, as she stood up, still shaking her head a little. "What happened?"
"Seems like we activated a trap." Commented the blond magician, looking all around him.
"A trap?" Kristal asked, before she started to remember what happened before. "Those spells…"
"Yes, it seems like a powerful mage put them on the entrance to surprise us."
"I recognized that energy: it was Exia, one of Exus' generals."
"Exia?"
"Yes. She was the one who attacked the Wind and Water Temples and destroyed the crystals. She is VERY powerful, and I recognized that energy."
"I see, so it was that woman."
"But why?" asked Krysopa, looking around her. "Why that trap?... Wait, were are the other ones?"
"That is your answer, Krysopa." Spintas said. "Seems that Sorceress used those spells to separate us from the rest of the group. We are in one of the 4 hallways we saw at the entrance."
"What?! Then we have to come back!"
"No, the Crystal is more important. Besides, the entrance is closed with a powerful spell. We can't open it."
"Damn it." Said Kristal with anger. "So that witch divided us. But you are right, Master. We have to continue."
"Yes, we have to." Spintas commented, as he looked forward, deep into the rest of the hallway. "We need to continue, girls."
"But…" started Krysopa. "What about the rest? My sisters? Alan-kun?"
"Don't worry, I'm sure they will continue too on their way. We will meet them at the chamber of the Crystal."
"But-!" Krysopa stated, but she was stopped when Kristal placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, sis." The blondie magician started. "I'm sure our sisters will be ok. And Alan too. He is stronger than what he looks. I mean, you just saw him before, right?"
"Yeah! He was so cool that he went against that dragon! We were scared but he went and face him head on! He is so cool!" Krysopa exclaimed, as she began to fantasize. Kristal just laugh nervously.
'I mean…he himself said he was scared but had to act, so it's not like he was fearless.' Kristal though, before she began to think a little. '…he was so cool, though…'
"Girls." Master Spintas called them out. "We need to go."
"Oh, right!" Krysopa exclaimed. "Let's go, onee-san!"
"Right." Kristal said, as she and Krysopa began to follow Master Spintas. "I just…hope the rest are doing ok."
"DON'T SHOVE YOUR FAT ASS ON MY FACE, WOMAN!"
"ME?! IT'S YOU WHO FELL ON IT AND KEEPS GRABBING IT, YOU IDIOT!"
"BITCH!"
"IMBECILE!"
The Elemental Hero Vianto had many ideas of what he would experience today. From facing and dying to heartless, to saving his woman.
…but he didn't expect that he will be hearing the screaming's of two mage teenagers while inside a mountain.
The wind spell made by Exia send Kuarzo, Steve and Vianto into one of the hallways, but the one where they were send had a cliff at the end of it, and they fell into it, almost crashing into the bottom, full of rocks. Before they fell on it, Kuarzo tried to float so she didn't die on impact.
However, as she deaccelerated first, Steve came crashing into her…with his face hitting her butt, causing her to lost her concentration and they all ended falling into the rocks, alive and unhurt, but in a very precarious pose, with Kuarzo's hip lifted in the air, and Steve's face on her butt, as both were entangled in a group of rocks they just barely managed to evade hitting, being stuck in between them. As he tried to move from her, he keep grabbing her, and that was causing her to move in anger, causing him to lose his balance and fall on her butt again.
Vianto, who knows how to fly, was just descending, looking at the young teens trying to move away.
"STOP MOVING!" Steve exclaimed. "YOU ARE MAKING ME FALL ON YOUR ASS AGAIN!"
"THEN MOVE AWAY!" Kuarzo exclaimed, angrily. Sure, she LIKES when others look at her body, and when her special one, like Alan, touch her when she offers herself…but the key is that: when SHE WANTS to.
"I can't! I'm stuck in these rocks! Can't move from here! So stay still as I try to move!"
"I would if you STOP TOUCHING MY BUTT!"
"IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! I need to use to support to get out of here!"
"But don't grab it!"
"Like I want to grab your fat ass…"
"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"
Vianto just sighed in frustration.
"Kids, kids." Said the Elemental Hero. "If I may."
From his wings, the Elemental Hero unleashed a great number of Feathers that flew towards the mages who were trapped in the rocks. The feathers hit the rocks and they crumbled apart, freeing both teens, who immediately stood up and looked away from each other. They mumbled some obscenities at each other, but Vianto just sighed again.
"Alright, so here is the situation." Vianto started. "We have been blown out by a trap, so we are separated from the rest of the group, which I suppose are in one of the other hallways we say."
"Yeah, it was a trap set by Exia." Commented Steve. "I could feel her energies when that spell activated."
"Yes, I fought the witch too. I think she did this not only to separate us, but also to face us separately, either in the hallways, or on the Chamber of the Crystal."
"Why do you think that?" asked Kuarzo with confusion.
"The hallways are all of different length. Some are shorter than others. If we all go at the same pace, we will reach the chamber at different times. If so…we could be in trouble."
"So…they could pick us apart, right?"
"Exactly. We need to be vigilant. As students of Duncan and Strum, I expect you to be on guard."
"Don't worry, we will be!" Exclaimed Kuarzo, before she looked at Steve with some malice. "As long as SOMEONE is not being a pervert."
"Like I WANT to do pervert stuff with you!" Exclaimed Steve in anger.
"Hey!"
Vianto sighed again. This will be a harder day than what he expected.
Walking across a bridge over a pool of magma, the magicians Duncan, Karoita and Kainita were on their way to the Chamber of the Crystal. They make sure to not fall into the lava. Sure, they have magic, but they all were really low on magic energy, so they better not use it as much. They were slowly recovering as they were walking, but if Exia was at the end of the hallway, they will need every ounce of it. So, after crossing the bridge, the three of them stopped to rest a little.
"I can feel the energies of the crystal. We must be close." Commented Duncan, as he was in front of the group. "We must be careful to not use much magic."
Karoita, just behind Duncan, nodded in agreement, but was curious as she didn't hear her sister said anything, so she turned to look behind her. She noticed that her sister, the Silent Magician Kainita, was fumbling around with her uniform, especially in her chest area.
"What are you doing, sis?" the GaGaGa Girl asked, causing the silver haired mage to jump in surprise.
"Ah! N-Nothing!" exclaimed Kainita, as she placed her hands over her breasts, blushing madly. This caused Kainita to raise an eyebrow.
"What are you hiding?"
"N-Nothing, sis! I s-swear its n-nothing!"
"Oh please, I know something is up. I'm your sister, so tell me…or I will force you to tell me."
Kainita just blushed more, as she tried to find a way to escape…but it was no use. Sighing, she just removed her hands, revealing what she was hiding.
Kainita's mage uniform had two large slashes across her chest and stomach, which actually showed a very large portion of the magician's cleavage and midriff. Kainita arched an eyebrow again.
"What happened to your uniform?" asked the GaGaGa Girl.
"Uh… it was damaged…when the dragon Escamut attacked me." Said Kainita, looking away.
Karoita began to remember. It was when Kainita attacked Escamut in the face, and he answered by hitting her with his claw in retaliation. She didn't noticed it…but then again, they were fighting for their lives, and in that moment they had an idea of how to beat the dragon.
"I-I didn't noticed it." Said Kainita, covering her chest again with her hands. "I was walking and running all this time with this opening. I-I can't believe it! I was exposing myself all this time!"
"You are exaggerating, sis." Karoita said, waving her hand as if showing this was of no importance. "Kristal and Kuarzo show more cleavage in their own outfits than you with that opening, and if you haven't noticed, I show some side boob with these clothes. You are just showing a little bit in comparison."
"B-But I…"
"Besides, no one saw it, or else Steve and Marcus would be ogling you when they did. I mean, we were facing death against the dragon, so a little of cleavage wouldn't register."
"I-I understand that…but…I am not worried about that. I am worried about what they will do when they realize it. That is why I try to cover it but…"
"It's no use, you have to use magic."
"Yeah, but… we can't, so…"
"Just don't think about it." Karoita said. "I mean, we are STILL in danger, so until we fix the crystal, I don't think anyone will notice it."
"But…"
"Just relax, sis. Besides, what would happen if someone sees you? The worst it would happen is that Steve or Marcus stare at you. Just let it pass."
"…"
"The only other guy who would notice is that human, and for what I have seen, he wouldn't react like that…even though he is a pervert too."
"Y-yeah…" Kainita said, looking away.
"Just don't think about it. Wait until we fix the crystal and then you can fix your clothes, alright? Besides, the more you try to cover, the more people will notice it, so just don't do anything."
Kainita just sighed and stop fumbling with her clothes. She really wasn't comfortable with it, but she can't do anything. She could TRY and fix it but…that is like one or two spells worth of magic, and she right now needs ALL of it. Seems like the hole in her chest and stomach will have to wait.
Meanwhile, Duncan, who was just in front of them, just sighed in frustration.
'Why do I think that, since Alan joined us, more of these kinds of talking have been happening?' he though, as he cleared his throat. "Girls, we have rested enough. We need to continue."
"Yes, Master." Expressed the two girls, as they stood up.
"Master..." Kainita started. "You think the rest are-"
"I'm sure they are fine." Said Duncan. "They are all capable on their own right. I'm sure we will see them on the Crystal Chamber. Let's go."
"Right."
And so, the 3 mages continued walking, as they get deeper into the mountain.
The Silent Paladin, Iridia, walked, mostly annoyed, across a small bridge of stone, as the human Alan walked behind her.
"Just my luck to be stuck with you." Iridia said in disdain. "Of ALL the people in our group, it HAD to be you, and just YOU alone."
"H-Hey, I didn't plan this, you know?" Alan tried to defend himself, but he was a little flustered, so he didn't put much attention on her.
"That still doesn't make it right… hey, are you hearing me?!"
"Eh? Oh, sorry, was thinking about other things…" Alan said, before Iridia turned back to look at him and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Really? About what?" Asked the blondie swordfighter, looking at the human with annoyance.
Alan stopped walking and tried to say something, but his eyes were drawn towards Iridia's chest for a second, and so he looked away.
"Uh…nothing…" He said, causing her to look at him more annoyed.
"Whatever." She said, as she turned away and continued walking.
Alan sighed again, as he continued walking too, following her. His mind was in another way, and had to do with his companion's chest.
A few minutes ago, Alan was walking up after being pushed by that strange spell. He remembers hitting his head and blacked out. However, now that he was regaining consciousness, he felt his face and hands were in something…soft. After a few seconds, and a couple of movements of his hands, he realized where he was, and when he looked up, he realized he was in trouble. He had landed on Iridia's breasts, and the young woman was also knocked out, although because of Alan's hands, she was moaning slightly.
He immediately jumped away, believing he was going to get hit, but then he realized she was still knocked out, so she wasn't aware of what just happened.
He remembered he was starting at her for a few more seconds, before she too began to wake up. She looked WAY different and more relaxed when she was sleeping, so he couldn't stop staring at her.
'I mean…she is a beautiful girl too…' Alan though for himself, as he looked at his right hand. '…and she is quite busty, almost Kristal size, maybe? I didn't noticed them before because of her vest-armor thing. Man, I wish at least that she wouldn't be this agress-'
He didn't finish his train of thought, as he noticed at last second that she stopped when they crossed the bridge. If he didn't stop on time, he could have crash on her back, and he didn't want to make her angry.
"H-hey! Say when you are going to stop!" Alan exclaimed as he regained his composure, taking a step back to not be THAT close to her.
"Human, I want to ask you something." Said Iridia, still with her back facing him. This change of tone made Alan realize something was up.
"Uh? What is it?" Alan asked, now confused of what she wanted to know.
"How did you do it?"
"Eh? How I did what?"
"How did you managed to attack the dragon Escamut when he was about to kill the White Dragon?"
"Ah? What do you mean? I just…attacked it, using my spells that I-"
"That is NOT what I mean, you idiot!"
"…then specify what you mean!"
"Weren't you afraid?!"
-Music: Friends of my Heart (Kingdom Hearts II Soundtrack)-
Alan blinked in confusion, not understanding the question.
"…what?" He asked, looking at Iridia intensely.
"Weren't you afraid of the dragon?" she asked, this time being more specific.
"Well OF COURSE I was afraid. It's a freaking dragon! Who wouldn't be afraid of that thing? Specially by how powerful and overwhelming his aura was."
"Then how?!" Iridia asked again, this time more forcefully. "How did you overcame your fear? We all were so afraid of him that we couldn't move! Even I…Even I couldn't! So how do you, a weak HUMAN, overcame his fear of dead to attack him!"
"…because I HAD too… or else he would have killed Dinara."
Iridia looked at Alan with intrigue after he said that.
"I too was afraid, and wanted to run away." Alan said, as he looked at the ground, while he rested on the rock wall behind him. "But, the moment I saw that he was going to kill Dinara, something on me switched on, and that fear changed to desperation and the urge to do something. Because of that, I knew I had no choice: I HAD to attack the dragon face on, of he would have killed her."
"That dragon girl…is someone important to you?" Iridia asked, now more interested in his answer.
"I…I have known Dinara for such a short time, probably a couple of weeks at most. But in that time, she became a close friend of mine, and yeah, she is an important person to me."
"I se-"
"Besides, she is in love with me." Alan said, sighing as he smiled a little. "She have told me that, and while I haven't answered her because of…other reasons, I have received her feelings. Because of that, I am in the obligation to protect her. Because of that, I couldn't let my own fears to stop me from trying to save her. If I let my fears get the better of me, and she was killed in front of me, I would have regret that moment for the rest of my life, no matter if I end up saving the world and be loved by all of you. I would always remember the day I let her die."
"She is in love with you? Like those other mage girls? Wait…then why does she call you 'Master'? Or you are forcing her to call you like that?"
"Don't look at me! SHE started to call me Master. Something about she being a dragon and having to form a bond with someone else or something. I really don't know, but I don't mind."
"Sure, you don't mind being called 'Master' by a girl…right?"
"…that is not what I mean."
"Whatever." Iridia said. "So…you acted because she is in love with you?"
"I acted because she is important to me. And not only that, but because she wants to live. She was in danger, and so I had to act, no matter how scared I was."
"Then tell me: why were you crying later?"
"What do you mean?"
"When we were running towards the dragon to use that spell, you were crying. Why? Were you afraid of dying?"
"…you don't know?"
"No, I don't. Why were you crying? Were you afrai-"
"Because I felt powerless."
Iridia blinked in confusion.
"What? Powerless? About what?" she asked. "You managed to defeat the drago-"
"Because of all the people who gave up their lives for me to reach and attack Escamut." Alan answered. "You were right besides me. Don't you remember all the people who jumped infront of me to block attacks from Escamut? I was helpless as they gave up their lives to save me." He said, as he looked at his hands, who were starting to shake. "I was powerless to do ANYTHING to save them. I was…too weak. THAT is why I was crying, not because I was afraid."
Iridia continued looking it at Alan, as he keeps looking down, especially now that he was looking at his own hands.
"I have trained and become stronger." Alan said to himself. "But even now that I have more power, I see people dying in front of me. I want to…save people, now that I have the power."
"Why?"
"Because that is what heroes do."
Iridia raised an eyebrow.
"Heroes fight to defeat foes." She said.
"Heroes fight to save others." Alan answered. "Fighting foes is because they are a treat to innocents. A hero does NOT want to fight…but they feel they HAD to fight, or else no one else will."
"Are you saying I am not a hero?" asked Iridia with some anger.
"…you are close, but…you lack something." Alan said, causing Iridia to look at him with confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"You have all the characteristics of a hero, so I am sure your heart is in the right place. However, for what I have seen, and don't take it personally, but I think you don't… trust in others. You do things alone, and don't let others help you. You don't trust them-"
"No…I don't want them to be hurt."
Now it was Alan's turn to look at Iridia, who crossed her arms over her chest and rest on the other rock wall.
"I DO want to save people." Iridia continued. "And because of that, I refuse their help. They can be hurt if they help me, so I don't risk their lives. I have to do this…alone."
"But you can't." Alan answered. "No one can. We are not gods or omnipotent beings. We are mortals, and we will ALWAYS have our limits."
"Then I will BREAK those limits and save everyone."
"You know? Both of our way of thinking are right?"
"What do you mean?"
"I ALSO don't want others to suffer, and that is why I want to be stronger. But…I know my limits, and think of the future. If something is impossible for me to do alone, I will not try it unless it's really important."
"So...you will run away?"
"No… but I also think that, if I die in there, a useless death, no one will be able to protect the others. So it's good to know your limits."
"Then why did you fought the dragon? He was WAY out of your league."
"I know…and that is why I acted: I was hoping I inspired others to act too, or else it will be our end, not only from us, but from the whole world. If we die, everyone will follow."
Iridia looked at Alan, deep in though, as she had another question in mind.
"Tell me, human." She started. "What is a hero to you?"
Alan gave it a though. She stood silent for a few seconds, before he had his answer.
"I think… a hero is not the strongest, or fastest, or most intelligent or the one with the most spells." Alan commented. "I think…a hero is someone who tries to do the right thing, and the one who inspires and motivates others to do the same. They will give all of their best to try and face each adversity, and break their limits for overcame their enemies. At the same time, they know what they are capable to do, and because of that, they are not afraid to ask the help of others, as maybe they excel in certain things that they themselves do not. That is why teams exists. A hero is willing to give up their lives…if they save others, or inspire others to continue fighting."
"That is…a big definition, human." Iridia commented. "Can you be more specific?"
"I guess I over explained myself." Alan said, as he scratched the back of his head. "I…think a hero can be many things, but I think I can resume it all in one characteristic."
"And what is that?"
Alan smiled, as he looked at iridia.
"A hero…is one who gives people hope."
This last thing caused Iridia to look at Alan in a different way. It was like she was exposed to something she didn't though before.
"…Hope?" she asked.
"Yes." Alan answered, completely sure of his response. "Over all things, a true Hero is one who gives hope to others. Hope to continue the effort. Hope to continue living. Hope to continue fighting, even when the adversities are too big to face on our own. A Hero gives hope to the people…to break their own limits."
Iridia looked at Alan in surprise, and released a sigh she didn't knew she was holding. She gave it a though, as she began thinking of what he has said. She had many people in her life who she look up too, not only her father, but other great warriors, and now that she thought of it, she realized the same thing.
They all gave her hope…to follow her own way to become a hero. They were all her inspiration.
"…hope…" she said it again, more to herself than anything.
"It may sound cliché, I know, but that is what I believe." Alan say, laughing nervously. "Sorry if that is not the answer you were expecti-"
"It seems I misjudged you, human."
Alan looked at Iridia, who seems to be smiling at him, as she began to walk towards him.
'This is new…' He though with curiosity.
"Well, I guess… we shall start this over again." Iridia said, as she extended her right hand. "My name is Iridia A. Lyndon, Silent Paladin from BusterHorn."
Alan blinked in surprise, before he smiled and shook her hand.
"It's an honor to meet you, Iridia." He answered. "My name is Alan D. Hernandez, human from Monterrey, a city on Earth."
"…what does the 'D.' stand for?" Iridia asked in confusion.
Alan couldn't help but snicker and laugh a little, confusing her more.
"What?" she asked.
"Sorry, it's just that it seems to be a joke in here." Alan answered, still laughing a little.
"What? I just asked what the D stand fo-" Iridia stopped when she realized the meaning, and she blushed madly. "YOU PERVERT!"
"What? It's not MY fault you people keep asking the same thing when I say my name! This didn't happen back on Earth. Then again, back on Earth I spoke Spanish so…"
"What…is Spanish?"
"A language of my world, mostly on the region I come from. Come to think about it, it SEEMS like English IS the universal language or something, as I AM speaking with you without problems in English."
"Anyway…what does the D in your name stands for?" asked Iridia again, still recovering a little of her last outburst.
"Oh, it stands for 'Domingo'. It's the name of my father, and how we call the names of the week."
"Eh? So it stands for the name of your father? … seems we are not so different after all, human."
"What do you mean?"
"The 'A' in my name stands for 'Amalie'. It was my late mother's name."
"Oh, I see. Sorry to hear that."
"It's ok, it's been so many years already. To be fair, you are the first person who has a name after their parents. Seems we have something in common."
"Seems like it."
"Is that normal for you humans? That you are named after your parents?"
"It happens. Not exactly normal, but I can't say it's rare. So something in between. In my case, I think it's is. My grandpa is called 'Salvador', but think he had a cousin named Domingo. And his father was also named Domingo, so I think at least one male of the family is called like that."
"Oh, I understand. Seems like I misjudge you, human-"
"Call me Alan, if you want."
"Ok, Alan. Seems I misjudge you. You are a competent fighter. I hope we can work together."
"So do I."
With that being said, both teens began to walk again, deep into the hallway and deep into the mountain. As they did, Alan looked at Iridia from the side, happy that she at least don't hate his guts THAT much.
"She will probably fall for you too in a few days, Alan." Said the Earth spirit inside his head.
'Please no.' Alan though. 'She is cute and has big breasts but…I don't think I can manage all the girls that fell for me. I am NOT used to this!'
"Something tells me…you will have to…"
'…I don't know if be ecstatic or afraid of that…'
"Well, the point of all life is to reproduce so…the more girls get close to you, the more girls you can have se-"
'STOP IT!'
"Humans are still weird…"
Alan just sighed in frustration.
-Music End-
For the next few minutes to almost an hour, the four groups continue their way to the Crystal Chamber. They were walking, as that is how they recover some of their lost energy, because they knew at the end of the corridor was Exia and her soldiers. They need all the energy they could get.
Soon, one group managed to reach the Crystal Chamber, and that was the group of Kristal, Krysopa and Master Spintas. The three of them step inside the Chamber and were in awe of it.
The Chamber was like the ones in the Wind and Water Temples, although many of the pillars had a 'flame like' pattern on them. In the middle, on top of a small pyramidal platform, rested the Fire Crystal, who was pulsing with energy. However, one could see the Crystal had better days.
"The Fire Crystal is weak." Commented Kristal, as she closed her eyes and began to sense the pulses of the Crystal from far away. "But is still holding. I guess one more week before it completely collapses."
"Then we are on time." Said Spintas, as he looked around them. "Now…where are they?"
"Oneesan!"
Looking to their right, the three mages saw that, from another of the hallways, emerged other three figures: Kuarzo, Steve and Vianto. Soon, the 2 groups joined again.
"Good to see you, sisters!" exclaimed Kuarzo, as she hugged both Kristal and Krysopa.
"I say the same to you." Kristal said. "Glad that you are ok, sis."
"Yey!" Exclaimed Krysopa. "The Mahoro Sisters reunited again! ... except for Kainita and Karoita oneesans."
"They will be here soon, don't worry about it."
As the three sisters greeted each other, the 3 men looked around.
"So…we are the first ones?" asked Steve.
"Seems we had the shorter path to the Chamber." Commented Vianto. "But…where are they?"
"You mean Exia and the rest?" asked Spintas, as he looked around. "I was asking the same question. They were supposed to be in front of us…but they are not?"
"Maybe they took one of the longer paths!" Exclaimed Steve with optimism. "Then we are lucky!"
"Impossible." Vianto expressed, shooting down that idea. "Beatrix, the Fire Sage, is with them. That means she can FEEL which path is the shortest one. There is no way they choose the wrong one."
"Then…what do you think?"
Spintas didn't said anything, and just began to walk. He didn't approach the Crystal, and just looked at it. The 3 female mages looked at this and approached him.
"Something wrong, Master?" asked Krysopa, as she looked at her teacher.
"Yes, something is wrong…" Spintas answered, as he looked around. "Something is very wrong with this place… it looks like this is…"
Suddently, Spintas eyes widen, as he extended his left hand.
"DISPEL!"
A wave of energy emerged from his hand and traveled around the room. Suddently, a large crack formed on an 'invisible wall' in front of them, in front of the crystal, and then, it shattered, like a glass window shattered after impact.
And behind them, they saw a huge number of baseball-sized orbs of darkness, floating in the air… with Exia floating behind them.
"What the-?!" Exclaimed Steve.
"MOVE!"
Vianto's warning came at the exact moment Exia unleashed the orbs of darkness towards the group. The mages opted to jump, as they did NOT want to use their own magic. They evaded the orbs as much as they could, although a couple did manage to hit them, causing some injury. After a few seconds, the onslaught ended, and the group could recover a little.
"Well, well, you DID manage to evade them all without using your magic. Impressive." Exia commented, as she slowly descended to the ground. "As you are all still tired of facing that Dark Dragon, you must be holding all the magic energy you can in case you need it, right? You are in disadvantage."
The group recovered from the attack, and looked to the newly revealed chamber. It was mostly the same, but now in there were more enemies: the remaining Archfiends, looking at them menacingly.
…plus, close to the Fire Crystal, who had more cracks on its surface than before, was a woman in red uniform, how as slowly sucking the energy of the Fire Crystal.
That woman…was the Fire Sage…
"Beatrix!" Vianto exclaimed, having recognized who that woman was.
"Good to see you again, my love." Expressed the Burstinatrix, looking at the Hero with malice. "Especially since you 'failed' in saving me."
"No…" he said, understanding what was happening. "Don't tell me it's true. You have…"
"That is right: I have seen the light. The truth that Lord Exus speaks. I have decided to follow his will, his plan, for a brilliant future."
"Nonsense! He is controlling your mind, like he do to all who opposes him! There is no light in the path Exus has, only darkness and doom for us all!"
"You fool! You don't know what Lord Exus has planned! But don't worry: once I finish with the Crystal, I will make sure that you will come with me, and see the light of Lord Exus."
Vianto raised up in anger, and he powered his aura.
"Exus will PAY for what he did to you! I swear it!" Exclaimed the Elemental Hero in anger.
Beatrix laughed a little, and she stopped consuming the energy of the Fire Crystal, and began to walk towards him.
"What are you doing?" asked Exia.
"Seems like my mate is clouded by ignorance, so I can't stay and do nothing." Said the Fire Sage. "Miss Exia, I will fight him. The Crystal is about to explode anyway, any minute now. I left it with so little energy, that maybe a random blast could destroy it."
"Oh? That sounds interesting. Very well, you can fight him." Exia commented, before looking at the rest of the group. "And you. I wonder how much you will last. Archfiends! Present yourselves!"
The 4 Archfiends disappeared and reappeared in front of Exia, causing the group to be on guard.
"So you are the ones who oppose Lord Exus' plans, eh? I must say, I am not amused." Expressed one of the Archfiends.
"And who are you, demon?" asked Spintas.
"My name is Kaozor, Terrorking Archfiend, leader of the Archfiends under Lord Exus command."
"My name is Malakar, Bishop of the Archfiends."
"I am Hellezar, Queen Archfiend."
"And I am Vorder, Shadowknight of the Archfiends. We will be your opponents."
Spintas looked at the situation in front of him and knew they were at a disadvantage. Sure, they were 5 mages and one elemental hero, against 4 archfiends, one elemental hero and one spellcaster…but they were REALLY tired. Probably he could face one of the Archfiends, but the young ones will have to work in pairs to fight against one of them. They had almost no options left.
"We won't give up!" Kristal exclaimed, as she took a step forward. "We have to complete our mission!"
"Can you do it?" asked Exia with malice. "I can simply turn and hit the Crystal with a low spell and it will shatter, but I prefer to see how you TRY to fight with all your strength and fail. You are extremely tired. You won't be able to beat us. Give up!"
"Never!" Kristal exclaimed. "We will not give up!"
"We will protect our world from you!" Kuarzo expressed. "We sisters will protect each other, and we will defeat you!"
"We are 6 versus 6!" Krysopa expressed with determination, as she stood up. "We will not fail!"
"Ah yes, your sister bonds, right?" Exia asked. "You sisters will do anything to protect yourselves, right?"
"Exactly!" Kristal exclaimed. "You will not be able to break our family bond!"
"We'll see about that." Exia commented again. "Besides, you are wrong about one thing."
"And what is that?" asked Kuarzo.
"You are not facing six: You are facing seven."
"What? What do you me-"
"DARK BURNING!"
"What the-?!"
Suddently, an orb of dark energy came out of nowhere towards the 3 sisters, who managed to jump back in time to evade it, but the explosion pushed them back. They managed to recover, and stood their ground, as they looked forward, wondering where that came out.
Then, besides Exia, a dark portal opened, and from there, emerged a new figure. It was a woman, with long silver hair and somewhat dark skin, with red eyes that could send shivers to anyone who looked at her. She looked at the group specially at the sisters, with malice.
Everyone looked at the girl in shock, not because she was a newcomer, but because of her appearance.
… the woman…was a Dark Magician Girl…
…a RED Dark Magician Girl…
…and she was an exact copy of Kristal.
"W-what?!" asked Kuarzo with surprise.
"No…it can't be!" Krysopa expressed, recognizing that appearance.
Kristal stood there, only seeing the woman in front of her. Her appearance, similar to her own, told her everything she needed to know. She knew that woman…and seeing here in there shock her.
…and hearing her…shock her even more.
"Good to see you again…sisters."
The lost sister…
"S-Sister Koralia…"
End of Chapter 57
Chapter 58 Preview:
Kristal: Hello! Kristal here! Why? Why is our sister Koralia in here? Where have she been all this time?!
Koralia: Sister Kristal... I came back from hell to kill you...and save you!
Kuarzo: That doesn't make any sense!
Koralia: Don't worry...I will save you all...
Don't miss the next chapter of The N-Warriors: Shadow Realm Saga: The Fallen Sister.
Kuarzo: No... no you didn't...
Koralia: What if I DID?
Kristal: Koralia! I will save you!
Author Notes:
AND DONE!
Well, what do you think?
Like I said, it was a lighter chapter, no much to say as it was only a transition. Still we get to see a little more about some of them, like Kuarzo, who while she likes to be the center of attention, it's only when SHE WANTS IT.
Also, now Iridia doesn't hate Alan as much, as she have learned more of his views, and she is starting to respect him more as a Warrior. She had a poor view of Humans, but he is showing her the other side of that.
And oh boy, another sister? And she is EVIL? I have been planning the whole Koralia thing since last year. For anyone who doesn't know, there is a fan version of the Dark Magician Girl known as "Dark Magician Girl: Arkana", as it was inspired in the Red Dark Magician that was used by Arkana, a spellcaster speciallist, in his duel with Yugi back in the original series. Since then, people have been expecting a red version of the Dark Magician Girl, but there has been none from Konami. I hope one day it happens. the 'Arkana' Dark Magician Girl uses the same clothes as the Dark Magician Girl, only her hair is white/pink, darker skin, and her clothes are red, silver and black.
How can they face her?
See ya next time!
-SaiyanX logged off!-