"Wow, this place is spooky." Jenna stated, after Ivan casted Reveal into
the cavern. "It feels like purgatory or even Hell itself. . ."
"This place gives me the creeps." Garet muttered.
"I don't like this place one bit." Triad stated, unwrapping himself from his black cape. "Well, it does get us out of that wind. . . I guess it has one redeeming quality."
"Triad, will you quit complaining about the weather?!" Dargon snapped.
"Calm yourself, Dargon. You can't let this atmosphere get you on edge." Felix stated to him. "Let's just get the Anubis Orb and destroy it."
"Why should we destroy it? Wouldn't that cause some kind of reaction or something?" Jenna asked. "I mean, if the thing has the power to steal spirits, destroying it could unleash a lot of bad things into the world."
"Then what do you suggest we do to it?" Felix asked.
"I don't know, I was just thinking out loud." Jenna sighed.
"Quiet, guys. Let's just take a look around." Isaac stated, drawing his Gaia Blade quietly. "Be on your guard. We don't know what might be lurking in the shadows." Isaac led forward into the inky black cave, with Ivan and Mia close behind. Garet, Sheba, and Jenna followed them, while Triad, Dargon, and Felix watched the rear. Ivan occasionally casted Reveal to keep the pathways ahead clear, but the cave was more of a long passageway than a cave in the truest sense of the word.
"This is a strange cave." Sheba said. "Most caves have several paths and corridors, but this place is more like a Great Hall or something."
"Well, they say this cave is supposed to have the gates of Hell in it." Dargon replied, keeping his kite shield raised and his sword in ready position.
"I doubt that, Dargon. It's just a superstition." Felix replied.
"What if it isn't?"
"Then we'll be burning in fire and brimstone. Shut up, Dargon." Felix muttered.
"Hey, I see something ahead." Ivan stated, pointing his staff in front of him. "It looks like a huge ceremonial chamber." After Ivan finished, Isaac moved forward, ready to fight whatever may decide to jump out at him. Instead, there was a large room, with stone tiles and torches; it really did look like a ceremonial chamber with a huge stone statue of the Grim Reaper and two Anubial Statues on each of his flanks.
"I know I don't like this place." Mia shuddered. "It feels of death, reeks of death, and looks of death." She stepped closer to Isaac, whom was quick to console.
"Spread out and be careful. Watch for traps of any kind, and don't touch ANYTHING!" The others nodded, but as soon as Dargon, whom was in the back of the pack, entered the room, a huge stone slab slammed down in front of the door, blocking any escape at all. "Damn it! I told you not to touch anything!"
"I didn't touch anything." Dargon stated, turning toward Isaac, who had Mia in one of his arms. Dargon wasn't surprised in the least, but turned at the sight of a green glow behind Isaac. "Isaac, behind you!" The Venus Adept spun and saw the same eerie light crack through the stones in the floor, and he could feel a tremendous evil preparing to emerge from the floor.
"Run!" Isaac shouted. He and Mia retreated as far away as they could, and thankfully so. The floor tiles exploded upward violently, and a huge creature appeared from the green glow. The figure was enormous, dwarfing even Garet in size. The creature had a black hide, with two high and pointy ears, but it wore a suit of dark plate mail and carried a long spear in its left hand. On its back was a scabbard with a rather vicious looking sword. The creature's facial features resembled that of a dog's, but was much fiercer and much scarier, with its eyes glowing a horrible blood red.
"What the hell is that thing?!" Garet shouted, drawing his Swift Sword.
"That must be the Guardian Anubis. . . I've heard legends, but I never knew it was true." Felix stated, almost in shock. "That creature is charged with guarding the Anubis Orb, and it is very good at what it does. Legend had it that the Guardian was so powerful, he dared to challenge the god of war to a duel; he lost in the end, but put up a fight unlike any the god had ever faced. Because the Anubis lost, the god of war gave him this charge to fulfill, along with eternal life."
"What?! So we're fighting a demigod here?!"
"Basically."
"We're screwed." Dargon sighed, standing defensively. "So this thing's immortal?"
"No, it'll just live forever. It can be killed." Felix stated. "Isaac, do you have a plan?"
"Not this time. Let's let him make the first move." Isaac said, focusing on the Anubis, whom had not moved a muscle this whole time. Tense moments passed, as both sides awaited the other to make a move, but not so much was a grain of dust disturbed. It was clear that whatever the creature was planning meant he had to be on the defensive. Eventually, Isaac called to the creature. "Guardian Anubis, what do you want with us?"
The creature turned, and focused his glowering eyes onto Isaac. It took a long time before the creature replied in a voice barely more audible than a low growl. "What do you want from me?"
"We come seeking to destroy the Anubis Orb."
"I can't let you do that." It snarled. "Whether you intend to use it or not, it is my job to guard it."
"I understand, Anubis, but if we do not destroy it, two evil people will use it for evil purposes."
"I must guard the Orb. If you wish to have it, you must take it." It growled, lowly. "Now, prepare yourselves!" The Anubis raised his spear and lunged at Isaac, who barely had time to dodge away. Knowing he would have to pull out all the stops, Isaac's Psynergy began overflowing as he summoned the Ragnarok. The Anubis was struck dead-on, but he was little more than scratched by the powerful Venus skill. Following up, the Anubis was picked up by a Tornado attack by Ivan, and then blasted by Shine Plasma from Sheba. The creature was now mad, though his rage only fueled his combative abilities. Garet was barely able to raise his sword in defense before the point of the Anubis's spear was upon him. The muscles and sinews in Garet's arms strained as he tried to force the warrior back, but even his girth was not enough to muscle such a veteran. Garet's arms succumbed to the strength of the warrior, and as he was about to be impaled, the creature was blasted by huge ice particles and a blast of fire. Mia and Jenna had casted Glacier and Flare Storm at the same time, actually knocking the creature back. Felix was quick to seize the opportunity and leapt forward with his Assassin Blade, attempting to bring the enemy's life to a premature and abrupt end. However, the Blade did little against the hide of the monster, save but a scratch. Dargon was next to try his luck with a powerful charging attack, that pushed the Anubis two feet away from Garet, giving them both enough room to escape.
The Anubis, now knowing the strengths of all but one of his opponents, knew what had to be done. He raised his spear into the air, and a blast of Eruption caught Felix and Ivan and sent them flying across the chamber, both badly burned. They stood, injured, but not incapacitated, and readied their weapons for another go-around. Felix decided to retaliate first, and his blade began glowing with an awesome red power, and he leapt into the air. The image of the Grim Reaper appeared to everyone in the room, and after the initial dark flash, Felix leapt away from a now slightly injured Anubis Warrior. Garet and Isaac didn't want to miss a chance, so they both attacked at the same time, bolstered by the speed-boosting powers of Zephyr, who had been summoned by Sheba. Their speed made them next to impossible to hit, so the Anubis instead casted Flare Wall into the party's ranks. Jenna, Sheba, and Triad were blasted by the wave of fire, but none were critically hurt. Triad now leapt forward to attack, only to be swatted away by the creature's spear pole, which had struck the inventor squarely in the face before he could strike. Surprised by catching the inventor in mid-attack, the creature leapt in an attempt to finish him, but was thwarted by Ivan and a blast of Plasma. Dargon dove in for a low strike with his sword, and managed to cleave a wound into the devil-dog's hide. The creature howled in pain, and it began to glow red as it prepared its next attack. Before it could, its bright burning aura was extinguished by a shot of Ice Missile, courtesy of the neighborhood Mercury Adept. The creature now appeared weakened, but it attacked Isaac anyway. Unable to avoid it, Isaac found he had a new addition to his right shoulder in the following moments, but he soon realized it left, along with a great deal of his own blood. Everything whirled black for the Venus Adept as the ground met his back, but before he could faint, he could feel a warm, blue aura restoring his power. Mia kneeled beside him, worry in her eyes, but concern turned to glee when his eyes re-opened.
Standing back up, his flesh anew, he grabbed his dropped Gaia Blade and lunged forward with the gold-glowing blade. A flash of Titan Blade showered down from the heavens above, evidence of their observation of the battle. The powerful force shattered the plate mail armor of the Anubis, but he was still far from finished. Sheba now sought to finish what Isaac started, so she let loose the fury of a Storm Ray, electrocuting the demon dog. Jenna now wanted to show her talents, and so she blasted the creature with a blast of Cataclysm, depleting her own power, but deathly weakening the creature.
The creature stood now, clad only in its padded armor it wore beneath its plate mail. His spear was little more than ashes in his palms now, so he switched to his trusty sword and sturdy shield. He leapt into attack, striking at Dargon with his massive broadsword. Dargon's armor took most of the punishment, merely winding the steel-clad warrior. Quick to reply with steel of his own, Dargon returned the blow with a couple of quick sword strokes that the Anubis, now free of his heavy armor, could dodge. The creature crossed swords with Dargon once more and sparks from their blades flew everywhere, illuminating the battle. No other Adept stepped into the fight, they merely awaited the outcome of the duel. Finally, Dargon managed to get inside of an attack and stab the creature in the side with his sword. The Anubis gasped for air, as it slid back off of Dargon's sword, wounded and incapacitated.
"Never in hundreds of years have I encountered warriors of your caliber." The creature announced to all.
"Are you okay?" Isaac asked, sheathing his weapon and walking over to the creature.
"I'm fine. . . I am impressed by your honorable and chivalrous ways, young warrior. What is your name?"
"Isaac."
"Very well then, Isaac. You and your companions have more than proved yourselves worthy of the Anubis Orb. In your fighting, I sensed purity; something I have not felt since I battled the god of war for bragging rights. You and your friends are truly blessed persons, fighting not for your own ambition, but for the welfare of those around you. Yes, I sensed all of this from you and your companions when I fought with you."
"Hold still, please." Mia said to the creature, attempting to cast Ply on his wound.
"Thank you, young healer. Your kindness is unusual; most fighters would've finished me off during that fight. . . your restraint in doing so proves my point. More than anyone, you deserve to keep the power of this sacred relic." He said, pulling a small green crystal ball from beneath his padded armor. It was attached to an amulet, but it popped right off and into the creature's hand. "Take it, young Isaac." As the Venus Adept reached for the orb, the creature made a strange sound. Isaac looked at the creature, realizing an arrow was now placed between the two formerly glowing eyes. The Anubis fell limp next to him, and before he could take the gem away from it, Isaac and Mia were blasted away from the creature's limp form by a Fireball barrage.
"Ah, I see you did the hard work for us again, Isaac." Saturos smiled, dashing in and grabbing the small stone. "I admire your handiwork, but your follow-through needs some serious work, Adept."
"Saturos!" Several of the benevolent Adepts gasped.
"Menardi, Edward, look. We got what we came for." He smiled, holding up the orb to his companions. "I say we go test it out on the nearest town."
"No!" Isaac shouted, lunging forward, his Gaia Blade leading the way.
"You can't stop us!" Edward shouted, firing an arrow from his longbow at Isaac. The Venus Adept was forced to dodge out of the way, giving Saturos adequate time to make distance and return to his group. "Make haste, Saturos. I'll hold them off."
"Very well, Edward, just make it quick." Saturos replied, Menardi following him back down through the tunnels they had entered in. The stone slab that had sealed them in was in a thousand pieces on the floor because of an enraged attack by the male Mars Adept. Edward now turned to the group of nine that was preparing to counter-attack, so he formulated his plan. He drew an arrow from his quiver, and knocked it quickly into the bowstring. The arrowhead began glowing white, and Edward Giles launched it into the pack of the Adepts. The arrowhead exploded into pure, white, blinding light. Each of the heroes' vision was blocked and clouded, and when sight returned to their eyes, there was no sign of Edward Giles anywhere in the whole cave.
"Damn him!" Dargon shouted, sheathing his sword and banging his armored fist into the wall next to him. "I'm personally going to eviscerate his intestines from his abdomen when I get hold of him! Then, I think I'll. . ."
"Dargon, please. . ." Mia pleaded. "Don't think that way. We have other things to be concerned about."
"Mia's right. We have to get back to Titanus; there's no doubt that their idea of testing is to steal the souls of everyone in the town. Let's go!" Isaac responded, charging down the corridor for the exit. Everyone else followed quickly, but even at full speed, it took awhile to get out of the cave.
"How far to the town?"
"It'll take us about fifteen minutes to get back at full speed." Ivan replied.
"Damn! By that time Saturos and Menardi would've already gotten there and started wreaking havoc!" Garet swore. "Let's not waste any more time. Move it." Again, the favored pace was taken up down the beaten path to Titanus. Ivan's estimation was correct, and when they arrived, the town was already thrown into utter chaos. People ran away left and right, flooding the streets. Ignoring the masses, the Adepts pushed through the crowd, eventually reaching the source of the chaos: The Blue Anchor Inn. Menardi and Edward stood perched on the roof of the inn, but made no motion to halt the new arrivals. Saturos stood on the ground, green orb in one hand, the innkeeper in the other. The innkeeper was struggling to get away.
"Help me! Let me go, you bastard!" He called.
"I'm tired of your lip, weakling." Saturos smirked. "Watch well, Isaac." He slammed the orb against the chest of the innkeeper, who began glowing green ferociously. The man screamed out loudly as the very essence of his spirit drained from its mortal shell and into the orb. Everything happened in two mere seconds, and it followed with a flash of green energy. The innkeeper now lay face down on the ground, with the orb glowing brightly in Saturos's hand. "Ah, the true source of power; what comes from within. I can't wait to use this to further bolster our power. . ."
"Let him go, now!" Isaac shouted, summoning the Ragnarok on his adversary. Saturos leapt from the trajectory of the attack and up onto the roof with his companions. The Mars Adept smiled evilly, as he gazed back at the enraged Venus Adept below.
"You're all talk, Isaac. It's pathetic."
"Come down here and say that, coward!"
"Fine." Saturos replied, leaping down to the ground four yards from Isaac. "You're pathetic." Saturos drew his bastard sword and defended against Isaac's sword thrust. "Predictable." Saturos lead back with a Heat Slash, which Isaac deflected himself. Isaac and his adversary began fencing ferociously with one another, with the others watching tensely.
"Saturos, stop playing around! We have work to do!" Menardi shouted down to her companion.
"Aww, I was just having some fun, Menardi." Saturos whined, blocking an attack by Isaac. "All right. I'll stop messing with Isaac." Saturos said, using his speed to dash away from the Venus Adept and toward the group. "How about one of them, then?" Before anyone could respond, Saturos picked his target and lunged at it with the Anubis Orb in his left hand. The target was struck square in the torso, and the green energy began to flow from the orb again. The others gasped in horror as one of their own had suffered the same fate as the innkeeper. Finally, Saturos withdrew his arm when he was sure the orb's work was finished. Smiling, he leapt back onto the roof, slipping the orb within a small bag on his side. Mia rushed over to the fallen comrade, checking vitals.
"What happened?" Jenna asked, in disbelief.
"Is he going to be okay?" Sheba continued.
"I don't know, Sheba." Mia said.
"Damn you, Saturos!" Garet shouted up to him.
"I've already been there once, Garet." The Mars Adept responded.
"Garet, calm yourself. Anger will lead to mistakes." Felix stated. "Though you deserved to be damned for your sins, fiend."
"Come down here and try that again, damn you!" Dargon shouted.
"Triad, speak to me, buddy!" Ivan said, pushing the inventor's limp shoulder. Turning his head toward the roof, he glared at the evildoers. "You'll pay dearly for this!"
"Well, considering you seem to miss that nitwit quite a bit, I have a proposition for you. Bring the Mars Star to the Aerie of the Mars Lighthouse and we'll talk about releasing Triad's spirit back into his body. Meet us there soon. We hate to be left waiting, you know. Come Menardi, Edward." The three of them were then incased by a thick fog which was produced by a Smoke Bomb pitched by Edward.
"Will Triad be okay, Mia?" Jenna asked the Mercury Adept.
"He's basically dead, Jenna. . . He has his vitals, but he has no spirit at all. Triad's just a shell until we can get figure out what to do next."
"I know what you must do." A voice sounded out. They turned their heads to see a cloaked figure walking close to them.
"Hey, Triad and I saved you last night!"
"That's right, and I said your kindness would be rewarded; I will give you information." The cloaked figure's face was yet to be seen at all, and the person had no intention of revealing it. "The Anubis Orb's spiritual powers can be used in the way the controller desires. If you can take the orb and wish for the souls held within to be returned, you can release Triad's soul back into his mortal body. What most don't know is that the orb itself has a mind of its own. If it so wishes, it can take the powers of others on its own and use it for its own purposes. The artifact is evil itself, and in time it may actually destroy Saturos and the others on its own. However, this is time we cannot afford to waste. If you do not get Triad's spirit back in twelve hours, his mortal body will cease to function."
"So, what are we going to do when we get there? We can't hand over the Mars Star to Saturos!"
"We'll fight him instead. We beat him before, we'll do it again!" Garet exclaimed, raising his Swift Sword into the sky.
"Wait. It's not that simple, warrior. Saturos could easily use the spirits of the innkeeper and Triad to bolster his own power, and then they'd be gone for good. You must walk into this situation with both eyes open. Now, you have precious little time. One of you should stay back and keep an eye on Triad and the innkeeper.
"I'll stay." Sheba stated. "I'd only get in the way up there. Get going, all of you. I'll take them into the inn." Sheba said, casting Carry on both bodies. She walked inside, with both bodies floating behind her. Isaac and the others shot off at a dead run toward the Mars Lighthouse to the north, but not before Mia stopped to have a quick word with the mystery figure.
"Thank you, whoever you are."
"You're welcome. Be careful up there." The figure stated, watching Mia run off to catch up with the others. The figure stood silent for a few moments before finally speaking a few words to himself. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more, Jenna. . . and I'm sorry for what I did to you, Mia."
"Hey! There you are!" A man shouted, rushing up to the figure. He was of average height and build, but was obviously a sailor. "Jeez, I'm glad I found you. We're shoving off in ten minutes. By the way, why are you wearing that hood?"
"It was cold here." The figure stated, walking down the path to the docks.
"Jeez, that's funny. Coming from where you were born, I thought you'd think this was summertime, Alex. Take off that damned hood." "Fine." Alex replied, removing his hood to reveal his head to the world. "Are you satisfied now, Abram? Let's go now." The Mercury Adept ordered, pushing the ship captain ahead of him and onto the boat.
"This place gives me the creeps." Garet muttered.
"I don't like this place one bit." Triad stated, unwrapping himself from his black cape. "Well, it does get us out of that wind. . . I guess it has one redeeming quality."
"Triad, will you quit complaining about the weather?!" Dargon snapped.
"Calm yourself, Dargon. You can't let this atmosphere get you on edge." Felix stated to him. "Let's just get the Anubis Orb and destroy it."
"Why should we destroy it? Wouldn't that cause some kind of reaction or something?" Jenna asked. "I mean, if the thing has the power to steal spirits, destroying it could unleash a lot of bad things into the world."
"Then what do you suggest we do to it?" Felix asked.
"I don't know, I was just thinking out loud." Jenna sighed.
"Quiet, guys. Let's just take a look around." Isaac stated, drawing his Gaia Blade quietly. "Be on your guard. We don't know what might be lurking in the shadows." Isaac led forward into the inky black cave, with Ivan and Mia close behind. Garet, Sheba, and Jenna followed them, while Triad, Dargon, and Felix watched the rear. Ivan occasionally casted Reveal to keep the pathways ahead clear, but the cave was more of a long passageway than a cave in the truest sense of the word.
"This is a strange cave." Sheba said. "Most caves have several paths and corridors, but this place is more like a Great Hall or something."
"Well, they say this cave is supposed to have the gates of Hell in it." Dargon replied, keeping his kite shield raised and his sword in ready position.
"I doubt that, Dargon. It's just a superstition." Felix replied.
"What if it isn't?"
"Then we'll be burning in fire and brimstone. Shut up, Dargon." Felix muttered.
"Hey, I see something ahead." Ivan stated, pointing his staff in front of him. "It looks like a huge ceremonial chamber." After Ivan finished, Isaac moved forward, ready to fight whatever may decide to jump out at him. Instead, there was a large room, with stone tiles and torches; it really did look like a ceremonial chamber with a huge stone statue of the Grim Reaper and two Anubial Statues on each of his flanks.
"I know I don't like this place." Mia shuddered. "It feels of death, reeks of death, and looks of death." She stepped closer to Isaac, whom was quick to console.
"Spread out and be careful. Watch for traps of any kind, and don't touch ANYTHING!" The others nodded, but as soon as Dargon, whom was in the back of the pack, entered the room, a huge stone slab slammed down in front of the door, blocking any escape at all. "Damn it! I told you not to touch anything!"
"I didn't touch anything." Dargon stated, turning toward Isaac, who had Mia in one of his arms. Dargon wasn't surprised in the least, but turned at the sight of a green glow behind Isaac. "Isaac, behind you!" The Venus Adept spun and saw the same eerie light crack through the stones in the floor, and he could feel a tremendous evil preparing to emerge from the floor.
"Run!" Isaac shouted. He and Mia retreated as far away as they could, and thankfully so. The floor tiles exploded upward violently, and a huge creature appeared from the green glow. The figure was enormous, dwarfing even Garet in size. The creature had a black hide, with two high and pointy ears, but it wore a suit of dark plate mail and carried a long spear in its left hand. On its back was a scabbard with a rather vicious looking sword. The creature's facial features resembled that of a dog's, but was much fiercer and much scarier, with its eyes glowing a horrible blood red.
"What the hell is that thing?!" Garet shouted, drawing his Swift Sword.
"That must be the Guardian Anubis. . . I've heard legends, but I never knew it was true." Felix stated, almost in shock. "That creature is charged with guarding the Anubis Orb, and it is very good at what it does. Legend had it that the Guardian was so powerful, he dared to challenge the god of war to a duel; he lost in the end, but put up a fight unlike any the god had ever faced. Because the Anubis lost, the god of war gave him this charge to fulfill, along with eternal life."
"What?! So we're fighting a demigod here?!"
"Basically."
"We're screwed." Dargon sighed, standing defensively. "So this thing's immortal?"
"No, it'll just live forever. It can be killed." Felix stated. "Isaac, do you have a plan?"
"Not this time. Let's let him make the first move." Isaac said, focusing on the Anubis, whom had not moved a muscle this whole time. Tense moments passed, as both sides awaited the other to make a move, but not so much was a grain of dust disturbed. It was clear that whatever the creature was planning meant he had to be on the defensive. Eventually, Isaac called to the creature. "Guardian Anubis, what do you want with us?"
The creature turned, and focused his glowering eyes onto Isaac. It took a long time before the creature replied in a voice barely more audible than a low growl. "What do you want from me?"
"We come seeking to destroy the Anubis Orb."
"I can't let you do that." It snarled. "Whether you intend to use it or not, it is my job to guard it."
"I understand, Anubis, but if we do not destroy it, two evil people will use it for evil purposes."
"I must guard the Orb. If you wish to have it, you must take it." It growled, lowly. "Now, prepare yourselves!" The Anubis raised his spear and lunged at Isaac, who barely had time to dodge away. Knowing he would have to pull out all the stops, Isaac's Psynergy began overflowing as he summoned the Ragnarok. The Anubis was struck dead-on, but he was little more than scratched by the powerful Venus skill. Following up, the Anubis was picked up by a Tornado attack by Ivan, and then blasted by Shine Plasma from Sheba. The creature was now mad, though his rage only fueled his combative abilities. Garet was barely able to raise his sword in defense before the point of the Anubis's spear was upon him. The muscles and sinews in Garet's arms strained as he tried to force the warrior back, but even his girth was not enough to muscle such a veteran. Garet's arms succumbed to the strength of the warrior, and as he was about to be impaled, the creature was blasted by huge ice particles and a blast of fire. Mia and Jenna had casted Glacier and Flare Storm at the same time, actually knocking the creature back. Felix was quick to seize the opportunity and leapt forward with his Assassin Blade, attempting to bring the enemy's life to a premature and abrupt end. However, the Blade did little against the hide of the monster, save but a scratch. Dargon was next to try his luck with a powerful charging attack, that pushed the Anubis two feet away from Garet, giving them both enough room to escape.
The Anubis, now knowing the strengths of all but one of his opponents, knew what had to be done. He raised his spear into the air, and a blast of Eruption caught Felix and Ivan and sent them flying across the chamber, both badly burned. They stood, injured, but not incapacitated, and readied their weapons for another go-around. Felix decided to retaliate first, and his blade began glowing with an awesome red power, and he leapt into the air. The image of the Grim Reaper appeared to everyone in the room, and after the initial dark flash, Felix leapt away from a now slightly injured Anubis Warrior. Garet and Isaac didn't want to miss a chance, so they both attacked at the same time, bolstered by the speed-boosting powers of Zephyr, who had been summoned by Sheba. Their speed made them next to impossible to hit, so the Anubis instead casted Flare Wall into the party's ranks. Jenna, Sheba, and Triad were blasted by the wave of fire, but none were critically hurt. Triad now leapt forward to attack, only to be swatted away by the creature's spear pole, which had struck the inventor squarely in the face before he could strike. Surprised by catching the inventor in mid-attack, the creature leapt in an attempt to finish him, but was thwarted by Ivan and a blast of Plasma. Dargon dove in for a low strike with his sword, and managed to cleave a wound into the devil-dog's hide. The creature howled in pain, and it began to glow red as it prepared its next attack. Before it could, its bright burning aura was extinguished by a shot of Ice Missile, courtesy of the neighborhood Mercury Adept. The creature now appeared weakened, but it attacked Isaac anyway. Unable to avoid it, Isaac found he had a new addition to his right shoulder in the following moments, but he soon realized it left, along with a great deal of his own blood. Everything whirled black for the Venus Adept as the ground met his back, but before he could faint, he could feel a warm, blue aura restoring his power. Mia kneeled beside him, worry in her eyes, but concern turned to glee when his eyes re-opened.
Standing back up, his flesh anew, he grabbed his dropped Gaia Blade and lunged forward with the gold-glowing blade. A flash of Titan Blade showered down from the heavens above, evidence of their observation of the battle. The powerful force shattered the plate mail armor of the Anubis, but he was still far from finished. Sheba now sought to finish what Isaac started, so she let loose the fury of a Storm Ray, electrocuting the demon dog. Jenna now wanted to show her talents, and so she blasted the creature with a blast of Cataclysm, depleting her own power, but deathly weakening the creature.
The creature stood now, clad only in its padded armor it wore beneath its plate mail. His spear was little more than ashes in his palms now, so he switched to his trusty sword and sturdy shield. He leapt into attack, striking at Dargon with his massive broadsword. Dargon's armor took most of the punishment, merely winding the steel-clad warrior. Quick to reply with steel of his own, Dargon returned the blow with a couple of quick sword strokes that the Anubis, now free of his heavy armor, could dodge. The creature crossed swords with Dargon once more and sparks from their blades flew everywhere, illuminating the battle. No other Adept stepped into the fight, they merely awaited the outcome of the duel. Finally, Dargon managed to get inside of an attack and stab the creature in the side with his sword. The Anubis gasped for air, as it slid back off of Dargon's sword, wounded and incapacitated.
"Never in hundreds of years have I encountered warriors of your caliber." The creature announced to all.
"Are you okay?" Isaac asked, sheathing his weapon and walking over to the creature.
"I'm fine. . . I am impressed by your honorable and chivalrous ways, young warrior. What is your name?"
"Isaac."
"Very well then, Isaac. You and your companions have more than proved yourselves worthy of the Anubis Orb. In your fighting, I sensed purity; something I have not felt since I battled the god of war for bragging rights. You and your friends are truly blessed persons, fighting not for your own ambition, but for the welfare of those around you. Yes, I sensed all of this from you and your companions when I fought with you."
"Hold still, please." Mia said to the creature, attempting to cast Ply on his wound.
"Thank you, young healer. Your kindness is unusual; most fighters would've finished me off during that fight. . . your restraint in doing so proves my point. More than anyone, you deserve to keep the power of this sacred relic." He said, pulling a small green crystal ball from beneath his padded armor. It was attached to an amulet, but it popped right off and into the creature's hand. "Take it, young Isaac." As the Venus Adept reached for the orb, the creature made a strange sound. Isaac looked at the creature, realizing an arrow was now placed between the two formerly glowing eyes. The Anubis fell limp next to him, and before he could take the gem away from it, Isaac and Mia were blasted away from the creature's limp form by a Fireball barrage.
"Ah, I see you did the hard work for us again, Isaac." Saturos smiled, dashing in and grabbing the small stone. "I admire your handiwork, but your follow-through needs some serious work, Adept."
"Saturos!" Several of the benevolent Adepts gasped.
"Menardi, Edward, look. We got what we came for." He smiled, holding up the orb to his companions. "I say we go test it out on the nearest town."
"No!" Isaac shouted, lunging forward, his Gaia Blade leading the way.
"You can't stop us!" Edward shouted, firing an arrow from his longbow at Isaac. The Venus Adept was forced to dodge out of the way, giving Saturos adequate time to make distance and return to his group. "Make haste, Saturos. I'll hold them off."
"Very well, Edward, just make it quick." Saturos replied, Menardi following him back down through the tunnels they had entered in. The stone slab that had sealed them in was in a thousand pieces on the floor because of an enraged attack by the male Mars Adept. Edward now turned to the group of nine that was preparing to counter-attack, so he formulated his plan. He drew an arrow from his quiver, and knocked it quickly into the bowstring. The arrowhead began glowing white, and Edward Giles launched it into the pack of the Adepts. The arrowhead exploded into pure, white, blinding light. Each of the heroes' vision was blocked and clouded, and when sight returned to their eyes, there was no sign of Edward Giles anywhere in the whole cave.
"Damn him!" Dargon shouted, sheathing his sword and banging his armored fist into the wall next to him. "I'm personally going to eviscerate his intestines from his abdomen when I get hold of him! Then, I think I'll. . ."
"Dargon, please. . ." Mia pleaded. "Don't think that way. We have other things to be concerned about."
"Mia's right. We have to get back to Titanus; there's no doubt that their idea of testing is to steal the souls of everyone in the town. Let's go!" Isaac responded, charging down the corridor for the exit. Everyone else followed quickly, but even at full speed, it took awhile to get out of the cave.
"How far to the town?"
"It'll take us about fifteen minutes to get back at full speed." Ivan replied.
"Damn! By that time Saturos and Menardi would've already gotten there and started wreaking havoc!" Garet swore. "Let's not waste any more time. Move it." Again, the favored pace was taken up down the beaten path to Titanus. Ivan's estimation was correct, and when they arrived, the town was already thrown into utter chaos. People ran away left and right, flooding the streets. Ignoring the masses, the Adepts pushed through the crowd, eventually reaching the source of the chaos: The Blue Anchor Inn. Menardi and Edward stood perched on the roof of the inn, but made no motion to halt the new arrivals. Saturos stood on the ground, green orb in one hand, the innkeeper in the other. The innkeeper was struggling to get away.
"Help me! Let me go, you bastard!" He called.
"I'm tired of your lip, weakling." Saturos smirked. "Watch well, Isaac." He slammed the orb against the chest of the innkeeper, who began glowing green ferociously. The man screamed out loudly as the very essence of his spirit drained from its mortal shell and into the orb. Everything happened in two mere seconds, and it followed with a flash of green energy. The innkeeper now lay face down on the ground, with the orb glowing brightly in Saturos's hand. "Ah, the true source of power; what comes from within. I can't wait to use this to further bolster our power. . ."
"Let him go, now!" Isaac shouted, summoning the Ragnarok on his adversary. Saturos leapt from the trajectory of the attack and up onto the roof with his companions. The Mars Adept smiled evilly, as he gazed back at the enraged Venus Adept below.
"You're all talk, Isaac. It's pathetic."
"Come down here and say that, coward!"
"Fine." Saturos replied, leaping down to the ground four yards from Isaac. "You're pathetic." Saturos drew his bastard sword and defended against Isaac's sword thrust. "Predictable." Saturos lead back with a Heat Slash, which Isaac deflected himself. Isaac and his adversary began fencing ferociously with one another, with the others watching tensely.
"Saturos, stop playing around! We have work to do!" Menardi shouted down to her companion.
"Aww, I was just having some fun, Menardi." Saturos whined, blocking an attack by Isaac. "All right. I'll stop messing with Isaac." Saturos said, using his speed to dash away from the Venus Adept and toward the group. "How about one of them, then?" Before anyone could respond, Saturos picked his target and lunged at it with the Anubis Orb in his left hand. The target was struck square in the torso, and the green energy began to flow from the orb again. The others gasped in horror as one of their own had suffered the same fate as the innkeeper. Finally, Saturos withdrew his arm when he was sure the orb's work was finished. Smiling, he leapt back onto the roof, slipping the orb within a small bag on his side. Mia rushed over to the fallen comrade, checking vitals.
"What happened?" Jenna asked, in disbelief.
"Is he going to be okay?" Sheba continued.
"I don't know, Sheba." Mia said.
"Damn you, Saturos!" Garet shouted up to him.
"I've already been there once, Garet." The Mars Adept responded.
"Garet, calm yourself. Anger will lead to mistakes." Felix stated. "Though you deserved to be damned for your sins, fiend."
"Come down here and try that again, damn you!" Dargon shouted.
"Triad, speak to me, buddy!" Ivan said, pushing the inventor's limp shoulder. Turning his head toward the roof, he glared at the evildoers. "You'll pay dearly for this!"
"Well, considering you seem to miss that nitwit quite a bit, I have a proposition for you. Bring the Mars Star to the Aerie of the Mars Lighthouse and we'll talk about releasing Triad's spirit back into his body. Meet us there soon. We hate to be left waiting, you know. Come Menardi, Edward." The three of them were then incased by a thick fog which was produced by a Smoke Bomb pitched by Edward.
"Will Triad be okay, Mia?" Jenna asked the Mercury Adept.
"He's basically dead, Jenna. . . He has his vitals, but he has no spirit at all. Triad's just a shell until we can get figure out what to do next."
"I know what you must do." A voice sounded out. They turned their heads to see a cloaked figure walking close to them.
"Hey, Triad and I saved you last night!"
"That's right, and I said your kindness would be rewarded; I will give you information." The cloaked figure's face was yet to be seen at all, and the person had no intention of revealing it. "The Anubis Orb's spiritual powers can be used in the way the controller desires. If you can take the orb and wish for the souls held within to be returned, you can release Triad's soul back into his mortal body. What most don't know is that the orb itself has a mind of its own. If it so wishes, it can take the powers of others on its own and use it for its own purposes. The artifact is evil itself, and in time it may actually destroy Saturos and the others on its own. However, this is time we cannot afford to waste. If you do not get Triad's spirit back in twelve hours, his mortal body will cease to function."
"So, what are we going to do when we get there? We can't hand over the Mars Star to Saturos!"
"We'll fight him instead. We beat him before, we'll do it again!" Garet exclaimed, raising his Swift Sword into the sky.
"Wait. It's not that simple, warrior. Saturos could easily use the spirits of the innkeeper and Triad to bolster his own power, and then they'd be gone for good. You must walk into this situation with both eyes open. Now, you have precious little time. One of you should stay back and keep an eye on Triad and the innkeeper.
"I'll stay." Sheba stated. "I'd only get in the way up there. Get going, all of you. I'll take them into the inn." Sheba said, casting Carry on both bodies. She walked inside, with both bodies floating behind her. Isaac and the others shot off at a dead run toward the Mars Lighthouse to the north, but not before Mia stopped to have a quick word with the mystery figure.
"Thank you, whoever you are."
"You're welcome. Be careful up there." The figure stated, watching Mia run off to catch up with the others. The figure stood silent for a few moments before finally speaking a few words to himself. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more, Jenna. . . and I'm sorry for what I did to you, Mia."
"Hey! There you are!" A man shouted, rushing up to the figure. He was of average height and build, but was obviously a sailor. "Jeez, I'm glad I found you. We're shoving off in ten minutes. By the way, why are you wearing that hood?"
"It was cold here." The figure stated, walking down the path to the docks.
"Jeez, that's funny. Coming from where you were born, I thought you'd think this was summertime, Alex. Take off that damned hood." "Fine." Alex replied, removing his hood to reveal his head to the world. "Are you satisfied now, Abram? Let's go now." The Mercury Adept ordered, pushing the ship captain ahead of him and onto the boat.