The Secret of the Idol

by PokeMaster64

Wes Ravenfield, an Umbreon who wishes to become the world's greatest treasure hunter, has been failing in trying to find anything to prove his worth. But, upon discovering a sacred idol that could bring about chaos on the world, he will journey throughout Mysto with his brother and ex-girlfriend, along with new friends along the way. As they get closer, secrets will unfold.

39. Flame and Fury 12

Ch.39: Flames of Hatred Burn! Fire Mage vs. Blood Moon Rogue!

Seraphina and Griffin glared each other down as they mentally prepared themselves for battle, with only the sound of lava bursts echoing around the volcanic cavern. Griffin drummed his fingers against his hilt, while digging his hind claws into the ground. Seraphina kept a proper stance with her arms folded inside her sleeves. Her calm expression contrasted against Griffin's vicious glare.

Team Ravenfield watched from afar, unable to intervene with the Fire Guardians standing guard. Taking them on together would prove effective, but they were essentially countless in numbers. With the exception of Tony, they all had old, but clear memories of their earthly counterparts. Guardians weren't anything to sneeze at.

Wes gritted his teeth with vast amounts of concern. Was it his competitive nature to fight his own battles, his own greed, or his conflicting doubts about Griffin that were frustrating him? He wanted to take Ella's word for it that he wasn't evil, but that still left possibilities up in the air. Bounty hunters aren't always reliable if they're not full-fledged allies.

He gulped, then said, "I can't believe we're just standing here and letting fate decide what happens."

Ella nodded. "I know what you mean, but I have full confidence in Griffin. So do his friends." She glanced at him. "We need to have trust in him. Nightmare is a lying snake. Griffin wouldn't take orders from some freak."

Flint grumbled. "Even so, how can we be so sure Griffin will win? Sure, he fought all of us just fine, but we're not sure how this mage fights."

Gwyn patted his back. "We just need to accept it as it is."

Tony cracked his knuckles. "Still, if he tries to pull an escape, I'll make sure to take that key from him."

Flint rolled his eyes and groaned. "Ugh, the one time I'm actually okay with you being a pickpocketing thief." He narrowed his eyes at the two fighters as they continued staring each other down. "What are they doing, anyway? They've been like that for a while."

"Warrior mentality, I'd imagine," Ella explained. She raised her paw with a scholarly air. "Some warriors go charging into battle with all their strength. Some analyze for months before planning a battle. These two? They're observing each other based on body language, instincts, and, above all else, their magic aura. A typical scenario you see among warriors who hold great respect for one another. Shows they wish to understand their opponent before they fight."

Gwyn tilted her head. "Only for warriors they show respect towards?"

Wes crossed his forelegs. "So, these two have been chatting while we were running over."

Tony grinned. "Ooh, I'm expecting some interesting tension out of this."

Flint's ears perked up upon hearing noise coming from the temple entrance. He turned to it. "What the…?" Two figures ran out of the entrance and towards the steps.

It was Holly and Mack, slightly catching their breaths from running so far. Mack held his chest and exhaled dramatically. "Dear Arceus! Who designed this temple?! First a maze, then a war zone! Pick a layout!" He darted his eyes down to the group, then smiled. "Oh, hey guys!"

Tony smirked. "Hey, you two made it. Did you take care of big, bad, and scary?"

Holly crossed her arms. "We've promptly executed him. Gathered a lot of unnecessary attention, but we managed." She and Mack walked down to their level, then glared at the Fire Guardians. "What's going on?"

Wes pointed at the battlefield. "That," he answered.

The two bounty hunters followed his digit and spotted their friend out on the seared rock. "Griffin?!"

Griffin quickly took his eyes off Seraphina to acknowledge the two. He gave them a slight nod, then turned back to his opponent.

Mack grinned menacingly. "Ooh boy! I smell a battle brewing!" He patted his sides. "Darn, and me without any popcorn!"

Holly narrowed her eyes, then glanced at Team Ravenfield. "I think we deserve an explanation."

Wes looked to his friends for their approval. They silently conversed with each other, nothing more than subtle facial expressions, then nodded at their leader. He nodded back, then turned to the two bounty hunters. "That mage is protecting a key that leads to a powerful relic, the one the shadows forced Griffin to obtain for them. If they collect all ten keys, they'll find the secret dimension that houses the relic."

Mack held his chin, chuckling impishly. "Ooh, sounds dangerous~! I like it!"

"However, the mage won't take survivors," Ella warned. "She'll fight at her fullest to protect that key, hoping the victor who claims it is worthy."

Holly glared. "So, Griffin's fighting for his life for the sake of this key?" She chuckled to herself. "Oh Griffin, you've gotten yourself mixed up with some crazy folks."

Mack raised his fists. "Come on, Griffin! Show that magic lady who you are! Let that rage of yours explode!"

Griffin didn't look back at them, but he listened to their cheers. He gripped his sword tightly. Seraphina chuckled with devious eyes. "Your friends are loyal to you."

Griffin scoffed lightly. "I told you, we've been traveling for a long time. Our trust is strong."

Seraphina closed her eyes. "Yes…I can tell. It's an admirable quality for any team to have." She opened her eyes into a narrow-eyed, determined stare. "You're not completely tempted by the darkness."

Griffin scowled. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Show me your talk isn't cheap mind games. I wish to see what makes you so worthy to protect a powerful object."

Seraphina laughed under her breath, admiring his tenacity to fight. "A driven mind, focused for battle. Very well." She took a battle position, raising her arms up. Heat crackled between her fingers, vibrating the air around them. "I think we've had enough talk now, don't you?"

Griffin's steely gaze dipped further down, ever so slightly. He slowly raised his blade. "You took the words right out of my-!"

His alertness sharpened immediately as Seraphina kicked off the ground with remarkable speed and swung her arm at him. Instinctively, he raised his sword and blocked her strike. A loud clang echoed off, followed by a strong book. Griffin narrowed his eyes when Seraphina's sleeve drooped. She wielded a dagger in her hand, coated in her magical flames.

Seraphina smirked. "I'm much more than a mage, dear bounty hunter."

Griffin growled, then shoved the mage off. He rushed her and swung his sword with immense force. She barely countered with her dagger, but the force threw her off her feet. She flew towards a wall, but stopped herself in an instant with flames surrounding her. She stepped onto a swirling platform of flames, then stared down her opponent with a condescending grin. She waggled her finger in a beckoning manner.

Annoyed, Griffin raced to the walls. He sent Endless Regret away and leaped to the walls, digging his claws in. He glared over his shoulder, then ran up the volcanic rock. Each step left an impression of his foot deep in the surface. He climbed as high as the ceiling until he was directly above her. Without slowing down, he kicked off straight down to her.

Seraphina raised her fingers and snapped them, conjuring two Fire Guardians. They threw a volley of fireballs at him. Griffin sneered, then pulled out Twin Storms. He spun his body and wrapped himself in a cloak of wind. As expected, the fireballs were smashed to embers from the wind's violent speed.

Seraphina raised her dagger and blocked against the drilling wind speed. The twister, unable to push down, split in two down the middle and circled the mage from both sides. Seraphina narrowed her eyes cautiously at the winds as they enclosed around her.

She waved her hands, wrapping them in fire. "Estuans Drive!" Rings of superheated energy surrounded her, then expanded outward. It destroyed both twisters, knocking Griffin out of the one on her left. Seraphina reached into her sleeve, pulled out her signature stick, and fired crimson flames his way.

Griffin caught himself on his hands and feet, then immediately darted to his right to avoid the scorching flames. She fired a consecutive stream of fireballs, tracking his intended path. Griffin kept his eyes on the fireballs before rolling out of the way and channeling energy through his hand.

"Exosus Release!" He aimed his hand and fired a wild, blazing beam of energy far more unstable than when using his sword. Seraphina's Fire Guardians got in front of it and blasted flames into it, pushing the unstable energy back. Griffin gripped Twin Storms in one hand and traded them out for Echo Chamber. He ended Exosus Release and sprinted under Seraphina, banging the sword against the ground.

The blades crackled with the trapped frequency, sparking with white electricity. The Fire Guardians lobbed fireballs at him, to which he slashed through them with his weapon. Once the blades were vibrating at top speed, he stopped and spun on his heel. "Sonic Driver!" He thrusted the sword and fired a narrow beam of sound waves.

The impact collided with a Fire Guardian's chest and disrupted its form into flickers of ember. Griffin clanged Echo Chamber again and leaped in the air. He slashed at the Fire Guardian, but its fiery form let the blade pass through. It grabbed the bounty hunter by the face and threw him to the ground. Griffin flipped repeatedly and landed on his feet, sinking the ground, then dashed off, clanging Echo Chamber repeatedly.

Seraphina crossed her arms. "Not much practice fighting an airborne open, Everfall?" She aimed her palm and fired a consecutive stream of fireballs.

Griffin weaved through the flaming projectiles. "There's more than one way to bring you down." He ran up the wall, threw Echo Chamber up, then kicked it back by the hilt. The vibrating weapon went straight for Seraphina.

Seraphina didn't flinch as her Fire Guardian caught the weapon inches from hitting her. She glared at the vibrating blades. "What is this?"

Griffin kicked off the wall and soared towards Seraphina. "My counterattack!"

Seraphina quickly reacted and gripped Echo Chamber just as Griffin pulled out Infinity Breaker. She held the weapon up and blocked the magically extending polearm, pushing her through the air. She caught the blade in between Echo Chamber, but the friction from the vibrating blades caused sparks. She twisted her wrist and redirected Infinity Breaker, flying past her face and striking the wall.

Griffin perched on the polearm and ran across it. Seraphina fired fireballs, but Griffin punched his way through them before drawing Endless Regret to block the rest. He swung his prized weapon and slammed it against Echo Chamber, adding more kinetic energy to the blades.

"You're handy with a blade!" Griffin complimented through his teeth as he pushed against the weapon. The two weapons sparked through contact.

Seraphina smiled with her eyes narrowed dangerously calm. "Your own skills prove to be just as grand as you say. Even so…" She shoved him back, nearly knocking him off Infinity Breaker. "Only one of us shall claim victory." She slashed the sword and sent a sonic wave his way.

Griffin leaped over the sonic wave and swung his sword down on Echo Chamber again. This time, he grabbed the weapon by the guard and deposited it back to his personal arsenal. Endless Regret nearly slashed Seraphina, but she flew out of the way in time. She conjured magic circles in the air that spewed twisters of flame. Griffin deposited Infinity Breaker and blocked the flames with his sword, smashing him into the walls.

Seraphina flew at high speed and thrusted her dagger at him. Griffin reached out of the flames and grabbed the dagger by its blade, stopping Seraphina in her tracks. He pulled his sword out, channeling his magic through it. "Exosus Release!" He swung and released a violent flash of blood red energy. The beam reached as far as the other side of the cavern, drilling a hole into it.

Griffin flipped through the air and landed on his feet gently. His eyes darted around with speedy alert, then dodged another series of fireballs coming his way. Seraphina floated out of the smoke and raised her arms.

"You make bold and rash plays in your battles. I respect your approach to fighting. However, I'm not as direct as you." Orange embers appeared behind her, an entire curtain of embers. She thrusted her palm out. "Scatter Cinder!" The embers fired at Griffin like miniature arrows of heat.

Griffin quickly pulled out Quicksilver and unsheathed the weapon. His senses and reflexes heightened as he slashed through the piercing embers. He ran through the embers to get in close with Seraphina. He sheathed the sword once he was out of it firing path, then leaped up to her. He traded Quicksilver for his rapier.

Wes smiled. He remembered seeing the rapier in his previous battle with Griffin. "Hey, cool! That's the Justice Flyer!"

Griffin thrusted the weapon and rocketed himself for the fire fox. Seraphina waved her hand and formed a barrier of flame that pushed Justice Flyer's attack out of the way. Seraphina pulled down the flame shield and fired a blank point, crimson fireball that send him across the cavern.

The Grovyle came close to hitting the ground, but he used Justice Flyer to rocket him just over the ground before thrusting it back at Seraphina and flying towards her. He traded Justice Flyer and pulled out two of the Exiled Souls. The blades glowed red. "Flash Needle!" He swiped the air and released a wave of glowing needles.

Seraphina flipped her dagger into a reverse grip and slashed down all the explosive needles. She then blocked Griffin's incoming strike, with the force shoving her back. She pushed against it, but had to continuously block as Griffin brought out the rest of Exiled Souls and clashed furiously against her measly dagger.

Despite being forced onto the defensive, and being pushed towards the ground, she remained calm, only offering a smirk. "Hmm, just as I thought. You show remarkable tenacity. You have the heart of a warrior." She glared. "But what about the mind?"

Griffin growled. "Just shut up and fall!" He raised his leg and swung down. Seraphina blocked with her arms, but misjudged the force of the downward kick. It knocked her through her fire platform and sent her straight for the ground. Thankfully, she was quickly to catch herself and avoid serious damage. She immediately rolled out of the way, evading a downward stab by Griffin.

He spun on his back and threw the Exiled Souls at her. She swiped six times and sent the daggers spinning through the air. However, this was nothing more than a distraction as Griffin tacked her with his side. He threw his fist into her stomach and knocked her off her feet.

Seraphina was surprised by the move, but smiled afterwards. She landed on her feet in a floaty manner, as if gravity ignored her for a moment. She dusted her robes clean, slightly scuffed from the punch. "Hmm, so you don't just fight with weapons."

Griffin picked up the Exiled Souls and deposited them back to his arsenal. He glared. "Hatred Anima focuses entirely on strength and power. My magic increases my physical abilities tenfold." He crouched and crossed his arms, clenching his fists. "And that's only a lowballing my magical potential."

Seraphina chuckled. She spun her twig between her fingers. "Well then, Everfall, please enlighten me. Give me a demonstration."

Griffin's aura intensified. "Let's skip the elucidation and get on with the show." His aura pressure crumbled the ground around him, while also raising loose fragments of rock. His eyes sharpened with focus. "Exosus Cloak!" His body erupted in blood red energy, masking his appearance. He got on his hands, then took off in an untraceable blur.

Seraphina barely had time to keep up with the rapid change in speed as Griffin was exploding across the cavern, triggering quakes with only the stomp of his feet with the ground. She darted her head around quickly, taking in her rapidly shifting surroundings, then raised her arms defensively as a strong blow made impact. The shockwave flew off her and smashed up the ground and wall behind her.

She glanced at the wreckage curiously, then smirked at the silhouetted Grovyle as his red eyes pierced through the magic cloak. He pushed off, then threw a flurry of punches. Seraphina weaved through the punches and slapped her hand against his chest.

"Nova Quasso!" Her palm glowed, then released an explosive, fiery wave that shoved Griffin through the ground wrapped in fire. Seraphina formed two fireballs, molded them together, and created a fire large windmill shuriken of fire.

Wes gasped. "Oh crud!"

Seraphina threw the fire construct. Griffin reacted in time and leaped over it, but Seraphina's affinity for fire allowed her to manipulate the construct from a distance. It turned in the air and came straight back for Griffin. The Grovyle growled, then crossed his arms.

"Exosus Release: Maelstrom!" He released a wide range burst of spiteful energy that destroyed the flaming weapon. He leaped off his hand and spun in the air before aiming his palm. "Exosus Release!" He fired the unstable blaze.

Seraphina created a fire barrier and blocked the attack. Griffin pulled out Twin Storms and spun, rocketing himself forward wrapped in winds. Seraphina prepared to fire, but Griffin broke out of his wind cloak and traded his weapons out for Cekvar's Might. He gripped the massive sword's hilt and swung it down. Seraphina cushioned the blow with her fire shield, but still went flying down. Griffin spun in the air and threw Cekvar's Might at her.

Seraphina flew back from the sword as it impaled the ground and triggered an earthquake that shook the cavern. Griffin leaped off the giant sword and soared towards Seraphina. He reached into his arsenal and pulled out the dull sword. He swiped the air and created five light constructs of the sword around him. "Five Sword Strike!" The swords flew forward.

Seraphina stopped herself, then raised her arms, commanding a wall of fire to rise in front of her. The light swords shattered against it. She dropped the wall, then stretched her arms out. "Scatter Cinder: Ashes to Ashes!" She fired the curtain of embers with the additional incant. The spell attacked roughly the same, but with an additional burst that formed a smoldering cloud of smoke and heat to wrap around the cavern.

Team Ravenfield and the bounties hunters held their breath as the smoke reached them. Wes tried to glare through the smoke, but it stung at his eyes. "Can't…breathe…"

Gwyn reached into her bag and held some seeds out in her hand. She threw one into her mouth and bit down on it, releasing air into her lung. "Everyone, take some of these!" She handed them out. Everyone bit on the seeds and felt a rush of air fill them.

Tony smirked. "Heh, I remember these. Nice thinking, Gwyn."

Flint glared. "Still doesn't help us see the battle. What's going on?" They were only offered the sounds of flame and exploding rock.

Holly narrowed her eyes. "Griffin's going to have a tough time fighting like this."

Mack smirked and snickered through his teeth. "Hopefully he has breath control under his belt."

Griffin ran through the smoldering cloud of ash. He desperately wanted to rub his irritated eyes, but that would only further the discomfort. He dodged fireballs flying out of nowhere. Sensing their magic made locating easier, but Seraphina was spreading fire out from all directions. It made it difficult to pinpoint her exact location.

He stopped in place and leaped in the air, preparing to pull out Twin Storms. However, a Fire Guardian leapt out from behind and hooked its arms under his, locking him down. "HEY!" Griffin growled, then coughed as his lungs filled with ash.

A palm slapped against his chest. His eyes widened as he got a glimpse at the fiery aura burning from the Fire Mage's eyes. "Nova Quasso!" Griffin flew away in a fiery explosion. Seraphina landed on her feet, then raised her finger. She channeled heat energy and formed a crackling ball of erratic, superheated magic. "Soul Combustum." She flicked her finger forward and launched the crackling ball.

Griffin caught himself and immediately rushed forward, but barely had time to react to the arriving projectile. He rolled under as it went off, but the oncoming explosion caught him and scorched his body in blazing magic. Griffin cried out in agony. He could feel the flames burning not just his physical form, but his magic, too.

Seraphina smirked. "Fire is a lovely element. Many symbolize it as a destructive element, but I see more to its potential than that. Fire brings knowledge and wisdom. Fire brings comfort on dastardly cold nights. Fire…" She chuckled. "Fire could even cleanse the soul." She created a fireball in her hand. "A flame that attacks the physical form and the magical form. Once someone learns to wield it, they can do a plethora of spells."

Griffin stumbled out of the superheated explosion, but quickly recovered. The blast didn't do anything to slow him down as he was barreling towards Seraphina at top speed. "Then let me show you some spells I have up my sleeve!" He cupped his left hand over his fist.

He channeled a current of magic down his right arm. A red ring of energy surged down and wrapped around his wrist, then a second ring came and fused into the first. His arm pulsed with strength with each ring that traveled through his arm.

Seraphina could see the muscles in his arm tightening with each ring. Being an offensive specialist, it'd be best to avoid such an attack at all costs. Seraphina made signs with her hands, then thrusted her palms out. "Flame Transmutation!" She emitted a stream of flames from her palms. The flames branched off into spears, then solidified into volcanic rock.

Griffin couldn't focus on smashing through the attack, so he lowered his head and tanked the flying spires. Some jabbed into his skin, but he forced them off with his aura pressure. The fire mage had to admit, his endurance and willpower were greater than she imagined.

Griffin kicked off the ground and pulled his charged fist back, having powered it with five rings. "Take a gander at this! Ira Dei: Five Destructive Fists!" He swung his fist.

Seraphina blocked the punch with both hands, but soon realized the error in judgment. The punch was, for one, much stronger than she anticipated. She flew back, digging her heels into the rock, as a red vapor energy shaped like Griffin's punch continued to propel against her. The second error came with an explanation for those rings.

She felt a second strike nail her, stacking onto the first blow. Then a third blow stacking over that one. When she slammed into the cavern wall, the fourth and fifth strikes nailed her, too. The blows smashed a crater into the wall right through her.

Seraphina panted lightly. Despite the odds, she held out against the punch. Her hands smoked from the burning force. That attack mixed with his rage. Its power was incredible. It even managed to knock away most of the smoldering ash, just enough to where their audience wasn't suffering from it.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes. Ira Dei. I see. It's a spell that stacks his blows. Even after the first hit, it carries over the kinetic energy and multiplies the strength of his punch by five, or depending on how long he charges it. The punch discharges a kinetic strike the carries over equal to one punch, but the combine blows would increase its destructive power. She smiled, clearly impressed. The Grim Ash Clan's reputation is well deserved.

Griffin clutched his wrist as it smoked. That attack clearly exhausted his arm. His expression hardened, trying to keep his nerves in line. I need to practice with this spell more. Hatred Anima may increase my strength unnaturally, but too much magic placed in without training will rip my muscles apart.

He gripped his shoulder and rubbed it before giving it a good crack. He cracked his neck, crouched down onto all fours, then took off again.

Seraphina glared, then threw her palms out. "Emerald Coruscare!" Emerald colored flames projected from her and fired outward.

Griffin treated them like other fireballs and slashed through them with Exiled Souls. However, when he slashed through the first two fireballs, the flames suddenly turned into emerald shards and scattered across the ground. Griffin dodged the others while examining his weapons. Emerald shards were attached to the blades. He broke them off with a quick pressure wave, then glared at Seraphina.

Seraphina smirked. "Flame control, shaping, alchemy…I can do a lot of things with fire, Everfall. I've been taught by the best." She lit the tip of her finger up in Emerald Coruscare. "This is the type of fighting one should expect against the shadows. High tier magic and skill. I wonder if you can handle their forces."

Griffin growled. "Shut the hell up and fight!" He twirled Exiled Souls into a reverse grip, then dashed for her.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, then swiped her finger with a wave of Emerald Coruscare. Griffin slashed through it, coating his daggers in emerald once more. Some of the flames got on his hands and encased them in emerald. He leaped over a larger stream of the emerald flames and landed behind Seraphina before throwing a strong punch for her back.

The punch connected, shattering the emerald around his fist. However, the punch didn't hit as hard as he thought. Seraphina barely budged forward, much less reacted to it. It's almost like her back was reinforced with metal.

Seraphina spun around and slashed with her dagger. Griffin evaded the blade as it glided over his cheek. He sent Exiled Souls away, then punched his fists together to shatter the rest of the emerald on them. He crossed his arms. "Exosus Cloak!" He wrapped himself in the blood red aura and sprung forward.

Seraphina glared, then conjured more Emerald Coruscare. She slammed her hands down and raised a thick emerald wall in front of her. Griffin bashed his fists against the wall and broke through it in only a few hits. He threw his hand forward to grab Seraphina when the fire mage suddenly appeared above him with her own palm facing out.

"Nova Quasso!"

Not wanting to fall for the same trick, Griffin pulled out Endless Regret and blocked the resulting explosion. The magical energy absorbed in the blade. He leaped back and aimed his sword. "Exosus Release!" He fired the concentrated hate beam.

Seraphina folded her arms and glared down the beam before widening her eyes. "Phasma Flame!" A blast of fire conjured just in front of Exosus Release and consumed it in whitish-purple flame.

Griffin threw Endless Regret straight into the air, then ran towards Cekvar's Might. He ran up the blade, grabbed the hilt, and dislodged it from the ground with his momentum. He swung it around and threw it right for the Fire Mage.

Seraphina snapped her fingers and commanded four Fire Guardians to fly at the sword and stop it. They grabbed it by the blade and slowed its flight.

However, just as they caught it, Griffin leaped off the wall and caught his descending sword. He channeled his magic through it and fired a slash variation of Exosus Release that consumed Cekvar's Might and eliminated the Fire Guardians. Before the massive sword collided with the ground, Griffin gave it a quick tap and transported it back to his arsenal.

Griffin rolled upon landing, then immediately sprung at Seraphina, consuming his blade in his magic. "Exosus Release!"

Seraphina waited for him to get closer, then widened her eyes. "Phasma Flame!"

Griffin swung and released his attack just as it collided with the ghostly, out-of-nowhere flames. The spells exploded violently against each other, bringing up a wall of smoke around them.

The shockwave collided with the bystanders, who crossed their arms/hindlegs against the rushing wind. "They're incredible!" Holly shouted over the rushing wind.

Flint squinted through the rushing wind. "Griffin's getting much more serious than our fight with him! I knew the mage would be tough, but I didn't expect her to be pushing him so hard!"

Wes smirked gleefully. "Oh, he would make a GREAT sparring partner!"

"You're still on that?!"

They regained focus on the battle as flames and blood red magic exploded within the smoke, building it up more and more. The ground crumbled and quaked with each fierce blow. If it wasn't hot enough in the volcanic cavern, the heat Seraphina was expelling surely did the job.

A final explosion went off in the smoke, this time blasting Griffin right out. He tumbled across the ground with no drastic change in his momentum. He was flying towards the bubbling lake of lava around them.

Thinking fast, Griffin threw Endless Regret down his path. With his precise throw, it lodged into the ground. Griffin slammed his feet against the blade, using it as an anchor against the ground to slow himself down. The blade stopped a few feet away from the lava.

Griffin narrowed his eyes, then stood on top of the sword as he leered at the smoke. It parted and showed Seraphina still standing. However, the traded blow reduced her robes to nothing but burnt fabric scattered across the ground or sinking into the lava.

The attire under the robe was a surprising contrast. Battle armor complete with a chest plate, adorning the symbol of Reshiram on the front. Under the chest plate was a beige, long sleeve shirt with protective mesh over her torso, closely resembling chainmail. She wore arm bracers going up to her elbows, made up of red metal. Around her waist was some sort of battle skirt that went down to her ankles, resembling a collection of thin, broadsword blades.

Seraphina rubbed her wrists. She still looked ready to brawl. She closed her eyes and smiled, briefly noticing Griffin's, as well as their audience's, surprised stares. "What? I am much more than a simple mage." She held her hand over his heart. "Seraphina the Righteous, knight to the Brimstone Kingdom."

Gwyn glanced at Flint. "There's a kingdom here?"

He held his chin. "Most of the zones have isolated kingdoms, staying out of the affairs of their own homeland unless it directly affects them. They operate as a monarchy of sorts, different to how things are handled in the zones. A bunch of the kingdoms are located in different dimensions accessible only by magic tunnels. You need special permission just to enter their borders."

Gwyn's eyes sparkled. "Really?! I want to visit a kingdom!"

Flint faltered back with an awkward grin and nervous chuckle. He scratched his cheek as a drop of sweat slid down his face. "Asking for too much there…"

Griffin folded his arms together and glared. "You were a knight, huh?"

Seraphina nodded. "I served the Brimstone Kingdom well. However, I took an interest in magic and developed my skills in fire." She pulled her signature stick out and waved it in circles, casting rings of fire. "I was chosen by the previous protector of the Key of Fire because of my skills." She blew the ring of fire out, then put her stick away. She smiled with judging eyes. "I have my own life figured out. What say you?"

Griffin sneered. "Why don't you see for yourself?"

Seraphina smirked, then held her hand out. Flames extended out before she clutched it, transforming the fire into a broadsword. It resembled the very flames she used to make it. She spun it around skillfully, then glided her finger against the face. "With pleasure." She sprung forward, much faster than before.

Griffin flipped back off his sword, pulled it out, then met the Fire Mage halfway. They clashed swords, sending sparks flying. They pushed back, then traded sword strikes. Seraphina swiped at the head, but Griffin ducked and launched himself over with his hands. He swung down, to which Seraphina countered. She shoved him away, then fired fireballs from her palm. Griffin spun his sword and scattered the flaming projectiles into embers. He slashed across the ground and sent a wave of Exosus Release.

Seraphina spun her sword, then delivered a counterattack with a fire wave across the ground. The spells crashed and exploded upwards, slamming against the ceiling. The ceiling rumble, then rock began to fall down.

Seraphina and Griffin swerved through the rock while Team Ravenfield and the bounty hunters kept their heads covered. A large chunk went straight for them, to which Holly pulled out her fan and reduced it to dust with a single shot.

Griffin leaped across the falling rock, climbing them into the air. He deposited Endless Regret, then slammed his fists together. "Malignitas Force!" His fists wrapped it blood red magic, steaming with heat. He leaped off the rocks and pulled his fists back. "Take this!" He punched the air rapidly. Each thrown punch made a rippled in the air that sent booming shockwaves from afar.

Seraphina flew up to the air as the ground exploded with controlled air pressure. She moved her head a bit as a pressure strike flew past her cheek, lightly nicking it. She soared through the air in a tornado of flame and darted towards Griffin.

Griffin canceled the spell, then clapped his hand. "Twin Inferos Buster!" Magic wrapped around his hands and took the shape of snake heads. He clenched his fists and went for the Fire Mage.

She swung her sword, but Griffin punched it away and threw another punch straight for her. She dodged, but quickly saw through her mystical vision that the snake heads slashed through her magical aura and burned it away. She dodged a flurry of these punches, with the occasional hit burning her magic away.

An offensive spell specifically used to tear magic apart? Incredible! She narrowed her eyes. But I can't have any more of that. "Phasma Flame!"

Griffin went for the punch, but was blown away by the ghostly flames. He smashed into the ground, then his spell canceled. He picked himself up and rubbed his aching head.

"Flame Transmutation!" Fire shot out from the ground around him and shaped into a dome before transforming into volcanic rock. "Emerald Coruscare!" She bathed the dome in emerald flames, which coated it in a thick layer of emerald soon after. She flew back and folded her arms. She glared. "Why do you continue to fight? Are you still confident you're ready to take on your village's killer?"

Wes and Flint's eyes widened. "What is she talking about?" Wes asked aloud.

Mack narrowed his eyes. "It's kind of a long story…"

Seraphina continued to speak to the trapped Grovyle. "You let your emotions fly too readily." She conjured fire in her hand. "A true warrior must learn to balance rationality with their hatred. Only then will you be ready to face greater threats. Flame Transmutation!" She fired the flames down, which then traveled across the ground before swirling the dome and impaling it with volcanic spikes.

There was no immediate response, only a pause of silence. A moment after, the dome shook and rumbled before Griffin sprung out, wrapped in his Exosus Cloak. He landed in front of the dome and dispelled Exosus Cloak. He glared at Seraphina.

"You're saying I can't beat you?"

She glared. "That depends on you. Can you balance your hatred enough to defeat me?"

He sneered. "I told you before, I'm not weak. I know I can overcome the impossible." He reached into his personal arsenal. "And I know I can defeat him. I grow stronger every day. I cannot lose."

Seraphina narrowed her eyes dryly. "That overconfidence of yours speaks volumes."

"If you still wish to play psychoanalyst with me, then let's get serious." He pulled out a new weapon: a studded kanabo, also known as a two handed warclub. It is made from a strong looking wood with metal studs around the club. He clutched the weapon tightly, then held it up with a glare.

Wes gasped. "Oh man! He has No Peace!"

"No Peace?" Tony questioned with a head scratch.

Flint deadpanned. "I feel like that name is more than just for intimidation…"

Griffin threw himself forward and sprinted towards Seraphina. She clapped her hands together. "Flame Transmutation!" Flames rose from the ground and created thick walls of volcanic rock around the mage.

Griffin spun the club and leaped towards the center. The air around the club distorted. He pulled it back, then slammed it against the wall. The volcanic rock shook before cracking it one hit. A vibration spread from the epicenter of the impact and shattered the rock barrier to pieces. Griffin pulled back as the tower of rock crumbled before him.

Seraphina crossed her arms over her head as rock rained down, banging against her bracers. What a frighteningly strong weapon!

"How did he…?!" Flint began to shout, then Mack covered his mouth.

"It's called No Peace, a war club specifically designed to break down defenses. That thing could topple a castle wall in one blow," he explained casually. "Not fun to take a hit by, let me tell you."

Seraphina glared up as Griffin came down with the club at the ready. Seraphina raised her sword and clashed with the weapon. Her sword cracked from the impact and shattered into pieces, which retook the properties of fire. She smirked. A purely offensive weapon. She pushed Griffin's head down and knocked him away. But clearly not meant for defense.

Griffin attempted to swing around and bash her with the club, but he got a wave of Phasma Flame and went crashing into the ground. He deposited No Peace and pulled out Justice Flyer before soaring back into action.

Seraphina raised her arms and called upon Scatter Cinder, firing the superheated light. Griffin pulled Justice Flyer back and unleashed a swift flurry of sword thrusts. Each thrust destroyed incoming cinder shots and left a path open for the Fire Mage.

Seraphina conjured a large ball of fire and threw it at the Grovyle. He weaved around it, but the Fire Mage snapped her fingers and made the fireball exploded, knocking him off course. She flew in and slapped her hand against his back. "Nova Quasso!" One fiery explosion later, Griffin was thrown back to the ground. Seraphina raised her hands and conjured violet colored flames. "Incendium Tracker!" She threw the fireballs, which streaked across the air like comets.

Griffin rolled to his feet and dashed away. However, the fireballs turned and followed him closely behind. He made quick maneuvers to avoid them, but they kept tailing him. He glared. They must be tracking my heat signature!

Griffin spun on his heel and traded Justice Flyer for his dull sword. He pressed his fingers against the blade's face, then swiped them forward, firing a light sword. It pierced through one of the fireballs and destroyed it, then fired another at the other flame.

Griffin spun the sword, then noticed a surge of magic flying behind him. He turned and saw four more Incendium Trackers flying towards him. He slashed furiously, firing off light swords at the tracking fireballs. However, more and more popped up around him and had him surrounded.

The Grovyle covered himself as they collided and exploded into a rising pillar of violet fire. Griffin collapsed forward onto his knees and panted from the blast. He sent the sword back to his arsenal, then glared at the Fire Mage as she descended to the ground. "Can you still fight?"

He wiped his lip of some blood. "With all my rage."

The bystanders watched on, with Holly growing worried. "Griffin's fighting hard out there. I'm concerned he may resort to breaking his limiter."

Mack smirked. "Oh, that'll be a treat." Holly bonked the Sudowoodo on the head. "YOW!"

Wes held his chin. "There seems to be more personal weight to this battle. What were they talking about before we got here?"

Holly narrowed her eyes. "If I had to guess, I say something about Griffin's hatred."

"How so?" Tony asked.

"I told you before, Griffin can be a hothead at times. Mack and I, while the scars are still there, have gotten over the massacre done on our village." She sighed sadly. "Griffin never let go of the pain. Sometimes I worry it's affecting his health. Or his mentality."

Flint narrowed his eyes. "So, the Fire Mage is trying to figure out what makes him tick?"

"It appears so. I'm not sure if I approve of it in this manner, but…" She sighed. "I hope she knows what she's doing."

Seraphina lit her finger on fire. "Hmm…how much of that rage do you have control of?"

Griffin growled. "Oh, I'll show you!" He pulled Endless Regret out and set it ablaze with Exosus Release. He dashed towards Seraphina and swung furiously, sending slashed of blood red magic her way.

"Emerald Coruscare!" She blasted the field with emerald flames and trapped the slashes inside. She leaped over the wall of emerald and transmuted two streaks of flame into broadswords. She clashed against Griffin's sword, delivering hits that sprayed a shower of sparks. "Do you let the hate control you? Does it guide your actions?"

Griffin scowled. "I am the master of my own hatred!" He pushed back and bashed violently against the fox mage's sword, pushing her onto the defensive.

She kept her composure as she blocked his strikes. "Yet you continue to fight purely with power." She crossed her swords and caught the blade in between them. "Strategy in combat may come naturally to you, but you'll lose your way if you don't learn to fight with that hatred fighting with you, not against you!" She redirected his sword, then bashed the hilt of her sword against his cheek.

Griffin slid back, then flipped backwards to get some distance. He rubbed his cheek and sneered. "What do you know?!"

"Plenty, young bounty hunter." She glared. "Your magic is meant to be offensive, correct? Is there more to your magic than just throwing strong blows? Powered up punches?" She crossed her blades. "I know there's more to your magic than just amplifying up your physical strikes and raw magic blasts." Flames wrapped around her swords. "You're holding yourself back because you want to focus on hitting harder."

Griffin growled through his teeth as he channeled magic through his sword. The blood red aura blazed like a crackling wildfire.

Gwyn looked at Holly and Mack. "Is that true?"

Mack nodded. "Yeah, Hatred Anima does have access to other spells than just power strikes. Griffin, however, doesn't really train too much with them."

Holly narrowed her eyes. "Repello is arguably more defensive, yet it's a strategic spell used to gain distance without changing your own position. Some of his offensive spells can be supportive. He just…doesn't focus on them as much."

Seraphina studied Griffin's angry scowl, then sighed. "You act like a savage beast purely on instinct. You fight, and you fight. You're a strategic mind, yet you throw rationale out the window when you abandon self-control." She narrowed her eyes. "I watch over this city very closely. Don't think I'm not aware of what happened in your earlier battle."

Griffin narrowed his eyes. "…of course you knew about that."

"If I recall, the Grim Ash Clan have natural born limiters placed on their magic to prevent all that excess power from getting loose." She raised her brow. "You activated yours…and were more than willing to break it for your own benefit, even though you have the potential to wipe Scorch Grave out in one stroke."

"What are you getting at?!"

Seraphina glared. "What I've been trying to teach you. Your actions, your goal, your purpose, were all driven by an unyielding hatred towards one man. You're feeding that festering hate without stepping back and taking a moment to think. Your hate gives you strength, but it will be your undoing should you let it drive your actions." She crossed her swords. "If you can't learn self-control, then you will not survive after today."

Griffin growled angrily. His irises glowed red as the beginning signs of his limiter began to show, seeping from the edge of his eyes.

Holly narrowed her eyes. "Griffin…"

Griffin kicked off the ground and furiously dashed towards Seraphina. The fox mage swung her swords and clashed against the magically charged sword. Griffin's Exosus Release flew outward, raining across the field like a meteor shower. He pushed against her blades, but the Fire Mage held her ground.

She mumbled a small command, then summoned Fire Guardians behind Griffin. They grabbed him by the shoulders, pulled him back, then slammed their palms against his chest. He flew away like a streaking comet.

Seraphina lodged her swords into the ground, then threw her palms out gently. "Phosphorous Light Field." Her hands glowed white, then released tiny white pellets of light that scattered across the cavern.

Griffin supported himself against his sword and held his chest. The blast left a nasty scorch mark on his shirt. He growled, then glared ahead before gasping at the thousands of lights surrounding him. He held his sword up as the lights circled him. "What is this?"

"I dare not make any sudden movements, Everfall," Seraphina warned. "Should my Phosphorous Light Field be disturbed in any way, they will explode." Griffin narrowed his eyes. "An offensive specialist can't do much without setting off a minefield of explosions." She glared. "Maybe now you'll have time to reflect."

Griffin gripped his sword tightly, growling through his teeth. "You think I like being angry all the time? It's not a lifestyle I'm comfortable with. Thirteen years and I still can't shake how uncomfortable it is." He inhaled deeply, then sighed. "I want to be stronger than him. Stronger than that…monster who dares call himself a warrior. I focus exclusively on boosting my own physical strength for the purpose of defeating him. I want to erase him out of existence. I want him to feel the pain he inflicted on my fellow villagers. My friends. My family.

"I can't let the hate die out in me. Not even for a moment. I want it to burn brighter than the sun, so I can show him the mistake of leaving me to live. I wish to fulfill his request of making myself stronger…so I can kill him with every ounce of suffering I can inflict before he dies. I wish to reflect that same terror he left on my home.

"I'll burn his soul…that is his fate."

Team Ravenfield was stunned by his expression of hatred. Living his entire life, remind himself of the hate he must forever burn to take revenge…what has he been doing to himself? It sounded like self-inflicted torture.

Seraphina crossed her arms. "But can you truly fight like a warrior if you only rely on strength alone?" Griffin lowered his sword cautiously. "I grow tired of this." She held her hand out, pressing her fingers together. "You'll slip up against a powerful foe because you do not learn to control your hate. It is an extension of your soul. Do not treat it as a tool. Not as a weapon. Not as motivation. Treat it as your emotions, a reflection of yourself. If you can learn to mold that anger and how to apply it, you will find the strength you desire."

She clicked her fingers, releasing a flying spark. "Pinpoint Combust."

The spark flew through the field of glowing light, not disturbing them. Griffin could barely make out the spark with how tiny it was. However, once it got up, to his face, it lit up and exploded directly into his eyes.

"AAAAGH!" Griffin howled. He dropped his sword and covered his smoking eyes, stumbling back in pain. His shoulder grazed against one of the Phosphorous Light Field lights, then shined brightly.

It exploded next to him, sending a shockwave that triggered a bunch more. What followed next was a quick paced series of explosions that violently threw Griffin around. He hurled into the air as the explosions carried him skyward. The light field was position in a way that, once they all detonated, threw him at Seraphina.

Seraphina raised her arms. "Scatter Cinder: Ashes to Ashes!" She fired the superheated projectiles, blasting him into the ground while filling the cavern with smoldering, black smoke once more. The others held their breath as the smoke washed over them.

They coughed through the smoke, so they popped another one of Gwyn's oxygen seeds into their mouths. Mack glared through the smoke. "Griffin?!"

"Don't tell me he's actually down!" Ella shouted.

Holly narrowed her eyes. "I don't think so. He still has some fight in him."

Deep within the smoke, Griffin pushed himself up and supported himself on one knee, while holding himself up on one hand. He held his breath as he tried to get himself under control. He could feel his heart pounding with adrenaline. His mind swirled with aggression and hostility. The Hatred Anima around him spiked with power, demanding that he give in to his primal urges and let his rage out.

Blinded and lacking oxygen, he wanted to let loose his rage. He couldn't lose now. He needed to let out his full power and…and…

Griffin dug his claws into the rock floor. Then what? Prove that he was a hostile, uncontrollable monster solely acting on aggression? Every time he has to face a strong opponent, that rage building up in him persuaded him to cut loose. It told him to let go and fight with blinding power. He had the strength to do so, yet…was it worth it?

Griffin narrowed his closed eyes, thinking back long ago…

*Flashback*

Griffin danced around the kitchen happily. He was ready to step up in his training and learn the secrets and techniques to his Hatred Anima. He's never been more excited in his entire life.

"Woohoo! Isn't this great, Mom?" he cheered as he danced on the table.

The Dragonair wrapped her tail around him and pulled him off. "Honey, I know you're excited, but no dancing on the table."

Also in the kitchen with them was a Sceptile, wearing green robes. He laughed and rubbed Griffin's head. "Oh, come on, Ramona. The boy's just excited. I wasn't too different when I was his age."

Ramona raised a brow. "Somehow, I believe that." She sighed, then chuckled. "Just feels weird that my son is advancing in some high-level training I still barely understand."

The Sceptile waved it off. "Don't worry, I'll be teaching him the ropes. You'll have nothing to worry about."

She turned away with a smirk. "With you, Camus, I worry about everything. How are your injuries holding up, by the way?"

Camus folded his arms over his chest and chuckled. "Oh, haha. It was just a friendly duel with the village warrior, nothing major."

"You came home with a dislocated shoulder…which I had to reset."

He rolled his eyes. "Details, details." He grinned at Griffin. "You and I are going to have loads of fun, buddy." He picked him up and set him down on his knee. "I'll make you one of the strongest of our clan! You'll be strong, right?"

Griffin punched his fists together. "Don't undermine me, Father."

"Haha! That's my boy!" He raised his finger. His expression turned serious. "However, you must learn control when fighting."

Griffin blinked. "How so?"

"Anyone can simply cast a spell. Our magic is heavily tied to our emotions, which can be a good thing…or a bad thing. In my case, the more I feel great rejection towards someone, like say their moral beliefs, the stronger my powers become. In your case, your power is tied to the hate in your heart."

Griffin tilted his head. "So…being angry makes me strong?"

"It's the type of rage I'm talking about." He held Griffin's shoulders. "Listen buddy, our powers are complicated. There are different ways to express one type of emotion. Each have the positive sides, then their negatives. I can't remain utterly disgusted by the world…and you can't let your hate get out of hand. Anger is a powerful emotion. How it's applied in battle depends on how you're feeling. You can use that anger for revenge…or you can use it to motivate yourself.

"The best way to use our abilities…"

*Flashback Ends*

"…is to tie that emotion with something we desire." Griffin stood up. "Right now, my anger isn't driven by vengeance." He raised his fists and concentrated on the dark world around him. "I can't lose my way…"

"So, you're finally understanding what I've been saying?" Seraphina's voice echoed. Griffin focused with his magical aura. He could detect Seraphina's magic all around him. He kept still as he narrowed through the vast amounts of magic. "Put that anger to good use and fight me at your best."

Griffin narrowed his closed eyes. "Don't worry…I will."

"Then let's put an end to this, shall we?!" Griffin sensed flaming projectiles around him. He jumped out of the way, but the magical fire turned in flight and chased after him. Griffin deduced they were Incendium Tracker. He needed to clean his eyes and find Endless Regret.

"Exosus Release: Maelstrom!" He exerted the blast of energy and destroyed the tracking fireballs. Griffin pulled out Twins Storms and spun in place, pulling in all the smoldering ash in the air.

Seraphina flew around the tornado and lit fireballs in her hand. "Soul Combustum!" She formed two crackling balls of superheated energy and threw them into the tornado.

Griffin sensed the flying magic, then ceased his rotation. He spun the blades and created a forcefield of wind that blocked the exploding fireballs. He traded the two weapons for Justice Flyer and flung himself towards Seraphina. The Fire Mage raised her arms.

"Scatter Cinder!" Griffin pushed through the array of destructive heat strikes, but was caught in an explosion that stopped his flight. Seraphina flew towards him with flame swords wielded. "Do not disappoint him, Everfall! Show me your true strength!" She swung her swords.

"Exosus Counter!"

The flaming swords slashed Griffin, but the Fire Mage immediately took a retaliation attack of stronger force, in the form of a blood red explosion. Seraphina flew back as her weapons smoked from the explosion. She watched the Grovyle land on the ground, then glared up at her.

He rubbed the ash from his eyes, then opened them. His irises flashed red. "Come and get me."

Seraphina smirked. "Hmm, very well." She flew down to him at high speeds.

Griffin quickly darted his eyes around before spotting Endless Regret laying near the lava lake. He glared back at Seraphina, then pulled out Echo Chamber, blocking her strikes. He swiftly blocked her attacks as he backed himself towards his signature sword.

Seraphina took noticed and blasted a fireball from her sword, knocking Endless Regret into the wall. Griffin glared, then twisted Echo Chamber to trap her swords between the two, vibrating blades. He pulled them down, then swiped up, releasing a powerful sonic wave into the Fire Mage's face. Griffin flipped backwards over the lava lake, deposited Echo Chamber, then landed on his sword before pulling it out of the wall.

Seraphina folded her ears down to avoid deafness, then threw her palms out. "Phosphorous Light Field!" She spread the explosive lights across the cavern.

Griffin examined the lights, then smirked. "Think you can trap me a second time?" He rushed through the field this time. His arm grazed a light, which reacted to the disturbance. However, he was more than prepared for it. He raised his hand. "Clades Cutter!" Energy wrapped around his hand and took the shape of a blade.

As he ran through the field of soon-to-explode lights, he slashed through all of them, triggering their explosion phase. However, when they did explode, the blast was severely repressed. The ones he didn't cut through exploded like normal, but the path of potential explosions he crossed did nothing more than a slight pop.

Seraphina glared. An offensive spell that cuts through damage? How unique.

Griffin leaped forward in a spinning maneuver and slammed his sword down on Seraphina's crossed blades. The Fire Mage pushed him back and slashed downward. Griffin rolled out of the way, leaped off his hand, and kicked Seraphina in the back of the neck. The fox mage threw her sword at him, to which he ran across it and threw a kick, which she blocked with her other sword.

Seraphina conjured another sword and flew forward. Griffin pulled Endless Regret back and channeled his magic through it. He aimed it. "Exosus Release!" The blood red beam tore through the ground with its immense pressure.

Seraphina crossed her swords. "Emerald Coruscare!" The blades wrapped in the emerald flames. She slashed through the Exosus Release, scattering emerald shards across the ground. She thrusted the blades at Griffin, who blocked it with his sword. The magic negating metal of his blade absorbed the emerald flames and nullified them. Seraphina pulled back and slashed the ground forward, casting a wave of emerald flames.

Griffin threw his palm out. "Repello!" When the flames reached his palm, he delivered a kinetic burst that scattered the flames into emerald pieces.

Seraphina glared, then coated her blades in Incendium Tracker. She slashed the air and fired off slashes of the tracking fire. The Grovyle narrowed his eyes, then pulled out the dull, multiplying sword.

He crossed the two weapons together and channeled their energy together. "Endless Regret and One For All…Multi-Sword Exosus Strike!" He slashed the weapons in an 'X' formation and fired off a scattershot of blood red, light swords. They pierced through the flames and went directly for Seraphina.

Seraphina widened her eyes. "Phasma Flame!" The blades were blasted with an untraceable, spectral flames burst. Seraphina launched herself forward, staying low to the ground. She dragged her swords through the ground, then slashed them up with a trail of sparks following. Griffin blocked with both his weapons.

The impact of the collision destroyed the ground beneath them. The Grovyle clenched his teeth as he pushed against the former knight. Seraphina smirked. "You've reeled in your anger faster than I anticipated! I'm impressed!" Her blades wrapped in heat. "You're showing improvement in your emotions!"

Griffin narrowed his eyes into an annoyed glare. "Don't…commend me for anything. It's not easy…holding back my aggression!"

Seraphina chuckled as she pushed harder down on his weapons. "Aggression is the key to victory. I told you, anger isn't bad, nor is it necessarily good. It's how you use it. Our aggression, our passion, is the key to striving for excellence."

"Is that a fact?" Griffin lowered his head, then smirked. "Okay, you want to see what controlled hatred looks like?" His eyes flashed red. "Here you go!"

He shoved Seraphina back forcibly, throwing her across the cavern. Griffin threw his head back and roared as he unleashed his aura to new heights. The pressure he released crumbled the ground around him. The pressure wave even reached the group and knocked them onto their backs.

Gwyn held her arm over her face and gasped. "W-Whoa! That's a lot of magic!"

Flint stared at the Grovyle in disbelief. "I can't believe this was the guy we fought earlier…"

Wes smiled brightly. "So…AWESOME!"

Griffin slammed his foot down and got into position. "Exosus Cloak!" Wrapping himself in the magical cloak, he launched off the ground and bolted towards Seraphina.

The Fire Mage quickly pulled herself together and pressed her swords against the strong impact that met her. Griffin's Endless Regret, powered by the strength granted through Exosus Cloak, cut through her swords in a matter of seconds. Seraphina barely dodged the sword as it effortlessly cut through the wall. She flipped onto her feet and jumped into the air.

She slammed her hands together and formed a radiating ball of flame that resembled the sun. "Rite of Fire: Ra's Collapse!" She threw her hands up and expanded the sun spell over her head. The heat it expelled melted through nearby stone and crushed the rest with its absurd pressure.

The group were thrown off their feet once more and slammed into the wall. Ella glared through her forelegs. "That looks powerful!"

Tony laughed uneasily. "Sister, you're not seeing what I'm seeing! The magic it's exuding is insane!"

Mack struggled as he pulled himself up. He laughed out loud. "Come on, Griffin! A miniature sun doesn't scare you!"

Griffin faced the powerful, sun like spell, then crossed his swords. "A little overkill, don't you think?!"

Seraphina smiled calmly with a hint of impishness in her eyes. "My duty is to protect the key at all costs, Everfall." She glared. "If you wish to claim in, then fight off this monster of an attack! Show me your hatred!" She flung the sun forward, barreling towards the Grovyle.

Griffin's eyes widened in momentary shock, before glaring unwaveringly. He deposited One For All, then held Endless Regret up. He braced himself for he knew he'll get himself killed should he slip up.

He tensed his muscles up as the sun spell slammed down on him, projecting its monstrous pressure down on him. Griffin pressed his hand against Endless Regret's blade and wielded it like a shield to absorb the magic. He could feel the intense heat hitting his skin while the pressure crumbled the ground and pushed him deeper into the volcano.

Seraphina floated over the sun attack, arms folded behind her back. "Control your power, Griffin Everfall! Embrace who you are and let your rage soar!"

Griffin clenched his teeth, sweating from the heat. He stomped his foot down and got his footing. At the rate he was going, Endless Regret won't be able to absorb all the magic in the attack before it pushes him into the deeper parts of the volcano. Clades Cutter could take away most of the damage, but the spell was too big to effectively lessen the output.

Griffin gripped Endless Regret's hilt tightly, then sneered at the sun like spell. His irises glowed red as the blood red stripes seeped from his eyes. However, rather than being an unconscious instinct, he was supplying just enough energy to boost his overall power. The stripes ended at his cheeks.

"Exosus…CLOAK!" His body erupted with magic. He stopped pushing against Ra's Collapse and flicker vanished out of the crater.

Seraphina's eyes darted around speedily as before blocking a surprise strike from Griffin. The force of his strike came off harder than before knocked her towards Ra's Collapse. She stopped herself and glared, then fired volleys of fireballs. Griffin pulled out Quicksilver and slashed through all of them before trading it out for Infinity Breaker. He extended it towards Seraphina, who dodged it. However, it pierced through the sun spell and into the crater it formed. He retracted the polearm, throwing himself into Seraphina and pushing her into her own spell along with himself.

Ella cupped her cupped around her eyes when she saw the two disappear into the spell. "Is he crazy?!"

The two warriors caught fire in the attack, but ignored it as they clashed weapons with each other. The longer they stayed inside Ra's Collapse, the more energy Endless Regret could nullify. Griffin left it suspended in the air to absorb magic as he punched his fists together. "Twin Inferos Busters!" The energy snake heads wrapped around his fists as he threw punches that cut through the magic.

Seraphina blocked them with her swords, but they were purely constructed by magic. Each punch tore away at the durability of the blades. Griffin ended up punching through the sword and socked the mage in the face. She flew back and held her cheek. She glared, then fired off Phasma Flame. Griffin got behind Endless Regret and let the sword eat away at the flames.

Seraphina, surrounded in flames, sprayed abundant waves of fire that engulfed around Griffin. He continued to hide behind Endless Regret to get his thoughts in order, before leaping out from behind. "Clades Cutter!" Energy blades surrounded his hands. He slashed through the attacks and reduced their damage against him significantly.

Seraphina went for a Scatter Cinder, but Griffin grabbed her by the arms and locked them down. He glared directly into her eyes. "I let my hatred get the better of me for too long. If I wish to grow stronger, I need to harness its true power and master it." He closed his eyes. "On that note, thank you…now time to surrender!" He flipped over her head and drop kicked her straight to the bottom of the Ra's Collapse. He flew over to his sword, then swam upwards to the top of the sun spell.

He jumped out from the top, high into the air, then swung Endless Regret over his shoulder with a tight grip over the hilt. The sword erupted with his magic as he narrowed his focus at the direct center.

"Exosus…RELEASE!"

He thrusted the blade and fired a widespread beam that cut through the Ra's Collapse. The fiery sun glowed with blood red magic, while bubbling with instability. The energy build up ruptured the sun spell, exposing a blinding red light across the cavern before exploding.

The blast wave crossed the cavern and headed towards the others. Flint gasped, then threw his paws up in panic. "Blockade Reflector!" The crystal shield appeared before him and protected the group from the blast wave. Everyone ducked their heads as the cavern shook violently from the explosion.

The walls split open and crumbled while the ground shattered to pieces, scattering rock debris across the air before crumbling to ash form the heat. Flint did his best to focus his magic into the shield, worried it would cracked from the pressure. Thankfully, he held out in the end once the blast died down.

He dropped the shield, then collapsed onto his stomach, panting heavily. "You're…welcome," he breathed in exhaustion.

Everyone stood open and got their bearings in order before observing the damage. The explosion destroyed the field and left a deep crater in the center, with lava pouring in from the sides. Dust from the reduced rock scattered around the air, leading to a couple coughs in response.

Mack held his head and groaned. "Talk about a wild party…" He looked around. "Where's Griffin and that mage?"

Holly looked around carefully, then pointed ahead. "There."

The dust cleared around the center and showed Griffin on one knee with his sword holding him up. He had some burn marks crossing his body, but didn't look worse for wear. He sighed, then heaved himself up. He stumbled forward a bit, but got his balance in check after a second.

"That…was tough…" he admitted to himself. It wasn't something he normally admitted out loud, but that had to be the toughest fight he has ever endured. He rubbed his face. "Ugh, I need a drink…" He dropped his hand and glared ahead as some dust cleared in front of him.

Seraphina kneeled on her hands and knees, coughing from the blast she took. She pressed her hand against the ground and attempted to pick herself up, but she couldn't bring herself to. The adrenaline was wearing off. All the damage she sustained became too much to bear anymore.

She breathed a few times, then looked ahead. She met with the view of Griffin's blade directed at her face. The Grovyle glared down at her, but his glare was neutral. He wasn't looking down at an enemy. He was looking down at a worthy opponent.

Seraphina looked at him in awe, then lowered her head and chuckled dryly. "…I lost."

Griffin stared for a bit longer, then sent his sword back into his arsenal. He held his hand out as a show of sportsmanship. "The battle was well fought."

Seraphina smiled, then took his hand as he helped her up. "You surprise me, Griffin Everfall. The strength you display is not to be underestimated."

Griffin took a step back and bowed. "You live up to your abilities. It was an honor to battle you." Seraphina smiled at his show of respect. Despite his hotheadedness, he was a well-mannered warrior.

"Haha! Griffin!" They looked over, then, much to the Grovyle's discomfort, Holly threw her arms around him and gave him a playful noogie. "I knew you could defeat her! Showing off that Grim Ash pride!"

Mack laughed and punched Griffin in the arm. "Nice going out there, champ!"

Griffin shot them both a deadpan glare. "Guys…I have burns over my body. Personal. Space." They pulled away, but still laughed. The Grovyle rolled his eyes, then smiled off to the side, grateful for their support.

Team Ravenfield made their way over, with Wes looking towards the Fire Mage. "So, Miss…Seraphina, was it?" She nodded. "Griffin won. That means…he gets the key?" Griffin turned to the fox mage, almost forgetting about his reward for winning.

Seraphina nodded. "Yes, of course." She held her hand out and snapped her fingers. An eruption of fire extended out from her palm, then revealed the item in question. A glasslike key with red energy glowing inside. The fires it came from surrounded the magical item. "Take good care of it."

Griffin took the key and examined it in his hand. "…I will." He wrapped his fingers around it, then sighed. "I can't believe this is linked to the Idol of Origin…"

"Yeah…it is…" Griffin faced Wes, who was tugging on his hat awkwardly. "Sssooo, uh…we got word you struck a deal with the shadows and…came here to take the key for yourself."

Griffin looked at the key again, then nodded. "That's…why I came down here."

Ella narrowed her eyes. "Well, are you?" she asked.

He looked at the Espeon in the eye. He twirled the key around in his fingers. "Well…"

"Of course he is!" Everyone turned to the entrance and saw a pitch-black figure rising out from the ground. It shaped into Nightmare, presenting his cunning smirk. "After all, he can't obtain the power he truly desires without handing it over to us."

"Nightmare!" Wes growled.

"I thought we got rid of you!" Flint shouted.

Nightmare laughed. "It'll take much more than that to end my life, mortal scum." He snapped his fingers and a wave of shadows swarmed the cavern, laughing maliciously.

Gwyn bit on her nails worriedly, then turned to Seraphina. "Can't you do something?!"

She held her stomach and groaned. "I'm afraid I've exhausted myself in the fight."

Tony gripped his scalchops. "Give me a break! How many of these things are there?!"

Nightmare floated down to their level, then extended two shadows out to knock everyone out of the way, save for Griffin. The Grovyle looked at the two fallen groups in surprised concern, then shot a glare at the boss shadow.

He held his hand out to the Grovyle. "Now, be a good little errand boy and hand me that key. After that, you'll get everything you ever wanted."

Griffin deepened his glare as he twirled the key between his fingers. "What did I say about harming them?"

"I only made that promise about the Espeon and that I wouldn't kill her." He looked around at the Pokémon. "However, seeing as they'll be nuisances in the future, they'll have to be exterminated." He lowered his head and glared back at the Grovyle. "Now…hand over the key."

Griffin looked between the boss shadow and the key in his hand. This entire day has been one jumbled mess of questions for his head. Fighting left and right, hearing overwhelming historical secrets, and now this. Honestly, he could've very well taken up this deal without a second thought and be done with it.

Now…Now he had a different perspective. It had to be beaten into him to get across, but he still had much to learn about controlling his abilities. He focused too much on gaining power rather than focusing on controlling it. He never said it out loud, but he doubts he could take Holly or Mack on in a serious fight. Despite being weaker than him, their abilities outclassed his because they had more time to adapt and control their abilities.

This promise of gaining more power sounded tempting at first. Now it just sounded…hollow. There was no weight to obtaining it. It was pointless.

It didn't help this arrogant shadow before him just referred to him as an errand boy. Frankly, he's had a long day and is through with all the shit he had to put up with to get this far.

So, as he tightened his fingers around the key, he glared back at the looming shadow with a straight face and said:

"…no."