Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! And this one…this one really took a while to think of how it could go, but it's finally here as we see more of Naruko's adventures in Chaotic. With her going on another mission from Van Bloot, one that's going to have very dire consequences as we see a new Creature appear. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Matsuri couldn't help but look at Sakura in concern, seeing how tense the pinkette was along with how she was constantly tapping the table and looking at her Scanner or the Transport Center. Having noticed it started after Naruko called them, saying she'd be heading to Perim for a while.
"Is everything alright, Sakura?" Matsuri asked, wondering what was wrong that had her on edge like this, seeing her suddenly blink as if remembering where she was.
"Huh? O-oh, y-ye-yeah…everything's fine Matsuri, I'm just…worried about Naruko right now." Said Sakura, looking at her Scanner again as if expecting a call from the whiskered blonde
"But…why? I mean I know Perim can be dangerous, but I don't think Naruko would worry much about it. She's already proven she can handle the danger." Said Matsuri in confusion, understanding that she would be worried about Naruko, but it seems like she's fully expecting her to return half-dead.
"It's not her being in Perim I'm worried about, it's what she's doing." Sakura stated, which only confused the brunette further.
"Going on a…Scan Quest?" Said Matsuri, but wasn't entirely sure that's what she meant.
With Sakura sighing before glancing around, making sure no one was close enough to listen to anything they were saying. Along with feeling around their table, wanting to be extra sure there wasn't anything on it, which really confused Matsuri at what she's doing.
"Uh, Sakura?" Matsuri said, glancing under the table to see if something was there.
"Sorry, I just want to make sure no one is eavesdropping or spying on us." Sakura replied quietly, now worrying Matsuri.
"Has someone been spying on you and Naruko?" Questioned Matsuri, assuming that's why she's so worried about Naruko alone in Perim, if someone was after them.
"No, we just can't risk anyone hearing what we say." Sakura said, leaning in close after doing another quick look around, with Matsuri leaning in as well.
"I'm worried because Naruko isn't going on a Scan Quest, she's going to meet Lord Van Bloot." Sakura whispered, now shocking the Mipedian Player.
"Lord Van Bloot?! Why would she be meeting him?!" Matsuri questioned quietly, not believing that's where Naruko was going of all places.
Having heard horror stories about what he does to Chaotic players that get on his bad side, you were lucky if you escaped Gothos Tower at all, let alone in one piece.
"Because she was recruited by Takinom to help spy on him to stop a coup." Revealed Sakura, causing Matsuri's eyes to widen in disbelief.
"What?! How did that happen?!" Matsuri exclaimed, now really shocked at what she just heard, wondering how Naruko could've gotten involved in helping stop a coup against the UnderWorld's second-in-command.
"Yeah. It started when I took her to get a scan of Aokua, we ran into some trouble with some Danians who came to get rid of him. Naruko wanted to help, so we got involved helping Aokua deal with them, along with grabbing some BattleGear which she took to Ulmar. But she ran into Krekk who stole them to bring to Van Bloot only to be stopped by Takinom, who's undercover as a spy in Van Bloot's ranks. Takinom took Naruko to Ulmar's Castle to give him the BattleGear, along with telling Naruko about her mission. And Naruko offered to help, in exchange for scans. Now she's working for Van Bloot as a spy to pass information to Takinom, who'll pass it on to Chaor. She told me everything after porting back to Earth, I…wasn't really thrilled at the danger she put herself in." Sakura explained, while fighting down a blush at remembering what happened after Naruko told her this.
With Matsuri being completely floored at this, having already been told about Naruko's first Scan Quests since getting her transport code, including Sakura taking her to scan Aokua. But not everything about what happened, leaving her really shocked.
Along with how compared to that, their own Scan Quest really wasn't a problem for Naruko compared to fighting Danians and spying on one of the most dangerous Creatures in Perim.
"That's…Kami, that's unbelievable. Does she know how dangerous Van Bloot is? What he'd do to her if he found out what she's doing?" Matsuri asked, making the pinkette sigh and nod in response.
"Yeah, I tried telling her how dangerous and reckless it is, but you can probably guess once Naruko decides something it's impossible to talk her out of it. The only thing I was able to get is her promising to be careful. But I'm still worried that something will happen whenever she goes to meet Van Bloot." Sakura replied, the brunette nodding in understanding.
"I don't blame you. But…it's not all bad, everyone that knows about Van Bloot's treachery also know how all his attempts to take over the UnderWorld have failed. So I'm sure Naruko will be fine. Especially if she has Takinom on her side, which will get her points with Chaor. And Van Bloot will be reminded who's in charge when he does try something." Said Matsuri trying to look on the bright side of things.
"Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact Van Bloot is an incredibly cunning Creature and Chaor's second-in-command. And I doubt Chaor would hand that title out to just anyone, not if they didn't have the power to back it up. There's also the fact that even with all of Van Bloot's past attempts to takeover, Chaor still keeps him around rather than replace him. Showing that he considers Van Bloot valuable enough to keep around, rather than to execute or exile him." Sakura said, knowing that while Van Bloot's previous plots to overthrow Chaor might have failed, the fact he's still second-in-command after all this time showed his own usefulness and strength.
"Right…" Matsuri muttered, deflating at the pinkette's words, knowing she's right.
"But like you said, Naruko does have Takinom on her side, so…it's at least better than her being alone." Sakura stated, preferring Naruko had a powerful Creature on her side rather than being alone, the Mipedian Player nodded in agreement.
Now they just had to hope the UnderWorld Player didn't end up doing anything too reckless.
*With Naruko*
"I feel like we're going to be here for a while." Naruko stated while looking around with wide eyes as she, Skithia and two of Lord Van Bloot's foot soldiers traversed the temple in Gigantempopolis.
Having been stunned at sheer size of the Location when they first arrived, not doubting that all of UnderWorld City would likely fit in just one of the buildings with room to spare. Even just climbing up the steps felt like they were climbing a mountain.
"Which makes it all the more important for us to find the BattleGear before anyone else arrives to take it." Skithia said, refusing to fail the task their master had given them.
Naruko nodded in agreement as she continued looking around, before looking behind them when she thought she saw something moving. Gulping slightly as she shined her Scanners flashlight around to see if there's anything else here.
"What is it?" Questioned Skithia when she saw Naruko stopped walking.
"J-just th-thought I saw something, b-but guess it was nothing." Naruko replied, unnerved at the chance of something or someone else being here, with how they could be hidden anywhere.
Frowning, Skithia held a blue flame up in her hand glancing around any sign of movement, while the soldiers held up their Cyclance and Liquilizer respectively, ready to attack if they were being followed. Only for none of them see anything or any sign of someone hiding.
"It's probably some pests scurrying around. Let's just focus on locating the BattleGear and returning to Gothos Tower." Skithia said, turning and continuing forward, the soldiers and Naruko following behind her.
None of them aware as a shadow moved across the walls, watching them with narrowed eyes before following after them.
'Hopefully whatever this BattleGear is, it's nothing actually useful.' Naruko thought, her mind drifting to when she ported to Gothos Tower to see if Van Bloot had another assignment for her.
*Flashback*
"How may I be of service, Lord Van Bloot?" Naruko asked, kneeling before the Lord of Gothos Tower, having ported in to see if he had another mission he needed completed.
"Your timing couldn't be better. My spies in UnderWorld City have reported that Drakness has recently returned from Gigantempopolis, where he's discovered an ancient UnderWorld BattleGear." Van Bloot said, getting Naruko's attention as she looked up intrigued.
"An ancient UnderWorld BattleGear? How does Drakness know it came from the UnderWorld?" Naruko asked, curious of what the BattleGear could be.
"The design of it is one that only an UnderWorlder could have created and, from what my spies learned, it was radiating pure power. The only reason Drakness hadn't simply brought to Chaor himself is because he had no way of knowing what it could do or if it was trapped. Which is where you come in, you can scan this BattleGear to find out what it can do. So, I'm sending you, Skithia and two of my soldiers to Gigantempopolis to retrieve the BattleGear and see it safely delivered to me." Explained Van Bloot while nodding to the blue-skinned Creature at his side, who couldn't help but smirk, please her master was trusting her with such an assignment.
"Of course, I'll do everything I can to retrieve the BattleGear and bring it to you. But unfortunately, I don't have a scan of Gigantempopolis, though I'm sure I can get someone to trade me a copy. Then I can simply port there ahead of Skithia and the soldiers to locate it, saving them some time in searching when they arrive." Naruko said, only for Van Bloot to shake his head.
"That won't be necessary, I've provided Skithia a Flux Bauble that will take all of you together to Gigantempopolis." Said Van Bloot, not wanting to risk the chance of Chaor sending an excavation team ahead of his own.
"Indeed. We also wouldn't want you getting hurt traveling alone in such a Location." Skithia said, stepping forward from her masters side, while twirling a Flux Bauble around her finger.
Naruko saw the female UnderWorlder also had a Ring of Na'arin on her finger and a Whepcrack strapped to her hip. Seeing Skithia is going prepared for the possibility of a battle, along with any other obstacles they'll encounter.
While Van Bloot motioned two soldiers to step forward, each of them indistinguishable with the same green skin, pointed ears, metal masks/helmets, metal pauldrons on their left shoulders with leather straps, bracers on their arms, greaves on their calves and armor around their waists. The only difference is one had a Cyclance and the other had a Liquilizer, with both of them have a Prism of Vacuity on their wrists.
"Yeah…that would be faster." Said Naruko while hiding her annoyance, having hoped to use the time she spent getting a scan of Gigantempopolis to also pass on the information to Takinom.
"Indeed. Chaor likely already knows of the BattleGear and is putting together an excavation team to retrieve it, as we speak. So there's no time to waste on traveling by foot, you must get to Gigantempopolis immediately to get the BattleGear before anyone else can arrive." Van Bloot said, making Naruko mentally frown but also nod in understanding.
"We'll see to it the mission is fulfilled master." Said Skithia, bowing to UnderWorld Conqueror.
"See that you do, and in the event you require assistance, here." Said Van Bloot, tossing a bag of Mugic to Skithia in case of an emergency.
"As for you three…" Van Bloot added, narrowing his eyes at Naruko and the soldiers.
"Skithia is in charge for this mission. I expect you to follow her orders as if they were my own, am I clear." Van Bloot said, the soldiers bowing their heads in acknowledgement with Naruko doing the same.
"Understood, My Lord. We'll obey Skithia without question and see that the BattleGear is brought to you as soon as possible." Said Naruko, all while mentally wondering what she's supposed to do.
*End Flashback*
'I hope I can think of something before we actually find the BattleGear.' Naruko thought, pointing her Scanners flashlight around for anything of interest while also grabbing a quick Location Scan, intending to come back at a later point to explore more of the city.
"Commander, were the spies able to learn of where Drakness found the BattleGear?" One of the soldiers asked, hoping they at least had an idea of where to go to locate the BattleGear.
"Not the exact location, but they did learn that Drakness found it within a large chamber on an elevated platform over a seemingly bottomless pit. Unfortunately, Drakness didn't reveal where exactly the chamber was located, having intended to lead the excavation team to it himself. We do, however, know the chamber is in this temple." Skithia said, knowing it'll take time even with that knowledge, given the sheer size the temple.
'That helps at least.' Naruko thought as it'd give her some extra time to come up with a plan.
"Should we try splitting up? It'd help us cover more ground." Naruko suggested, which would also give her the chance to quickly port to UnderWorld City to meet Takinom then port back to try and find the BattleGear first.
"No. Perhaps it might help us locate it faster, it could also just as easily leave us alone to be targeted or fall into any traps with no help in getting out of them." Replied Skithia, seeing that while splitting up could help, it could also be more of a hindrance in a Location like this.
The whiskered blonde mentally cursed at this, seeing it's unlikely she'll be getting a chance to slip away, leaving her just hoping she comes up with something and fast. Only to mentally sigh as she glanced at the female UnderWorlder.
'If this was any other situation, it'd be a dream coming true to work with Skithia.' Naruko thought, loving the chance to work with another one of her favorite Creatures, but in this situation she really needed to be careful.
Knowing this won't be like her mission with Matt. Who was just a glory hound, desperately trying to prove himself and stay in the good graces of his favorite Creature. But here, Naruko knew she wouldn't have the chance to just slip away and act freely, not unless she wanted to expose herself.
Skithia might not be the smartest Creature, but she is one of the smartest UnderWorlders, with some scans of her even having her Wisdom slightly higher than Van Bloot's own. While Naruko wasn't sure how well the stats of the cards translated to the actual Creatures, she could only guess it meant Skithia wasn't someone who was easily tricked.
'So no chance of me being able to sneak away or convince her to let me try searching alone. Then again…maybe this could give me another opportunity.' Naruko thought while glancing at Skithia.
Maybe she won't be able to do anything to stop them from reaching the BattleGear, but maybe she could do something better and sway Skithia to side with Chaor. Which would mean there'd be another spy, one Van Bloot would never expect, and another ally when the time comes to stop his plans.
Plus, Naruko wouldn't have to worry about needing to betray one of her favorite Creatures either, aware that once it's revealed she's a spy then she's going to be the bad side of Van Bloot and all his followers.
'But if I do try to get her to switch sides, I'm gonna need to play it really smart. Just one wrong word and she could figure out mine and Takinom's allegiance, which will definitely get back to Van Bloot.' Thought Naruko, knowing she'd need to play it very carefully if she had any chance of succeeding.
As they made their way deeper into the temple, Naruko moved to walk beside Skithia as they looked around for anything that might give them a clue of where the BattleGear was kept.
"So…what do you know about Gigantempopolis?" Naruko asked, looking at the UnderWorlder, curious to learn more about a Location like this.
She might be more knowledgeable about the other Tribes compared to most UnderWorld Players, but the Uzumaki still didn't know much about OverWorld lore.
"What I've heard is that Gigantempopolis was built hundreds, maybe thousands, of solons ago by a race of giant Creatures. What's known about them is they were incredibly territorial and protective of the treasures they kept here, setting deadly traps for anyone foolish enough to dare trespass." Skithia replied, surprising Naruko but not much.
"Giant Creatures? What happened to them?" Questioned Naruko, figuring that whoever built this place had to be much, much bigger than any other Creature, but she didn't think there was an entire race of giant Creatures.
"No one knows, only that one day they simply vanished without a trace. The ruins of Gigantempopolis were discovered by the OverWorlder Laarina, while traveling through the Forest of Life. She's made the temple her base to explore and discover the secrets sealed within, becoming a guide for any OverWorlders that seek to find any of the treasures or Mugicians that have been found here." Explained Skithia, with the UnderWorld Player now being worried.
"Laarina and the OverWorlders come here a lot then?" Naruko asked, knowing that'll definitely mean trouble.
"Indeed, but no worries, Ulmar and Khybon have both come here often to study the giants' BattleGear and are working to recreate it, they have yet to encounter trouble. But it is another reason why we must hurry, if Drakness has located this new BattleGear then it won't be long before the OverWorlders do as well." Skithia said, Naruko nodded in agreement at this.
"Right. Though now…would it be alright if I asked a more…personal question?" Naruko said, with Skithia now glancing at her.
"For what reason?" Questioned Skithia looking forward again.
"Curiosity, I want to get to know one of my favorite Creatures better. What you like, what you dislike, any hobbies, goals or ambitions. Just stuff that friends share with each other." Replied Naruko, which made the demoness-looking UnderWorlder pause midstep for a moment.
"…Friends?" Skithia said, not expecting her to say that.
"Yeah, I like to think of you as a friend, and I hope you'll think of me as the same too, eventually." Naruko said, smiling at the bluenette Creature.
"Hmm…very well then I suppose. Ask what you wish to." Said Skithia, shaking off her surprise and continued walking.
"Thanks. So, what I want to ask is, why did you join Lord Van Bloot? I mean Krekk is loyal to whoever he's scared of more, Takinom realized he'd be the better ruler, Matt wants to be on the good side of his favorite Creature and I want to make sure the UnderWorld is the best it can be. But what about you, what's your reason?" Naruko asked, choosing her words carefully to avoid anything suspicious.
"My ideals simply align with our master's more than with Chaor's. And should the coup be successful, my own standing and powerbase will increase dramatically in the UnderWorld as even with him being second-in-command of the UnderWorld and its army, there are still two who rank higher than Lord Van Bloot in the hierarchy. Those being Takinom and Agitos, with their positions as Chaor's advisers and confidants. Once our master takes his place as King of the UnderWorld, I will have that same position." Said Skithia, eager for the day Van Bloot defeats Chaor and takes the throne, knowing it'll mean her own rise in station to be even higher than whoever he chooses as his own second-in-command.
With Naruko gaining a chagrined and deadpan look at her answer, not to say she wasn't expecting anything less, the UnderWorld was all about improving your own power and position. But it also didn't really give her much to work with in terms of swaying the female UnderWorlder.
'It's better than nothing, I suppose. Still…something tells me there's more she's not saying.' Naruko thought, feeling there's more to it that Skithia wasn't telling her.
Though she couldn't risk asking now, otherwise it might make the UnderWorlder suspicious about the sudden questions. Now it's important to keep trying to earn her trust, getting Skithia to open up more, which will hopefully make it easier to sway her.
'Hopefully I'll get the chance before we return to Gothos Tower.' Thought Naruko, knowing if this will work she needed to do it carefully, but also while she still had the chance to convince Skithia.
*Later*
'Someone is messing with me, I know it!' Naruko thought as her eyes darted around the massive corridor, trying to find any form of movement at all, to find what's following them.
As they traversed the temple, the group had managed to avoid the traps set everywhere, thanks to the information Van Bloot's spies got from Drakness. But they still weren't any closer to finding the chamber where the BattleGear was kept.
Not only that, but the further they went, the more Naruko swore they were being followed, but no matter where she looked she couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. With Skithia and the soldiers not seeing anything either, despite the Uzumaki's attempts to convince them they were being followed. Leaving Naruko to keep her eyes open and search for whatever it was that's hiding.
Yet whenever she got just a glimpse of it, the thing always vanished before she could get a good look at it. The most she got was just a glimpse of a shadow vanishing into another hiding spot.
'Could it be a Mipedian?' Naruko thought, wondering if that's how they kept disappearing, of it's a Mipedian turning invisible and stalking them.
'Really wish we brought a Spectral View-there!' Thought Naruko when she suddenly saw something moving above them, quickly looking at where she saw it.
Only to see nothing but one of the strange idols that were placed in seemingly every corridor, the whiskered blonde suddenly finding herself frozen in place as she looked at it. Feeling mesmerized at the sight of it, watching as the idol's eyes glowed purple, a glow which was soon reflected in Naruko's eyes. Before she soon smirked wickedly, knowing what she needed to do, refusing to let anyone but her get the treasure.
"We don't have time to waste standing around!" Skithia said, looking at Naruko in annoyance at seeing her falling behind, making Naruko blink causing the purple glow to vanish but her eyes being noticeably dull.
"Right, sorry, I'm coming." Said Naruko without any emotion in her voice as she ran to catch up to them, intent on getting rid of these thieves before they can take her treasure
Unaware of a shadow peeking out from behind the idol, watching them with narrowed eyes, intent to make sure the intruders didn't reach the blade.
*Later*
The team soon entered a large circular room, a blue crystal pillar in the center with several doors and statues along the wall.
"Amazing. Lord Van Bloot would be pleased if we could bring back these crystals." One of the soldiers said while looking at the pillar, believing they could be worth something, only for Skithia to stop them with a glare.
"We aren't here to mine crystals. We focus on locating the BattleGear." Said Skithia, refusing to let them be sidetracked.
"There's no telling which way the chamber could be." Stated the other soldier looking at the doors, unsure which is the correct one.
"Then we will search them all if we must. But we will find-where are you going?!" Skithia said, only to notice Naruko walking away, much to her annoyance.
The UnderWorld Player walked up to one of the statues looking up at it, her eyes glancing at the left hand where she could just barely see one of the fingers looked like it could move.
"It's here." Naruko said, pointing at the statue, making Skithia and the soldiers go over to her.
"The only thing here is a statue." Said Skithia, narrowing her eyes.
"Yeah, and the giants already put up a bunch of traps everywhere for intruders to protect the treasure. Why not a secret passage too." Replied Naruko, with the demoness-like UnderWorlder frowning as she looked up at the statue.
Wondering how Naruko could've come to the conclusion there was a secret passage here, but also couldn't ignore the chance that one actually did exist. Before Skithia noticed one of the fingers on the left hand seemed different from the rest.
"You, use a Vine Snare on that finger." Skithia ordered one of the soldiers, with them nodding and stepping forward.
"Vine Snare!" Said the soldier, holding his hand up to the statue, shooting several vines out his hand that wrapped around the finger.
Grunting, the soldier pulled as hard as he could causing the finger to move before the statue flipped open revealing there was actually a hidden passage behind it. Much to the Creature surprise there was actually a hidden passage, with Skithia frowning as she looked towards Naruko.
"How did you know that?" Skithia asked, wondering how she knew there was something behind this statue.
"Just lucky the giants did make hidden passages and that we picked the right statue. Now do you want to ask more questions or get moving?" Said Naruko, the female Creatures frown deepened but nodded slowly in response.
"Yes, with luck this will lead us to the chamber." Said Skithia as they went through the hidden door.
But the moment they entered; they saw it wasn't a passage but an empty room with no sign of a way forward.
"Do we have to climb to the top?" One of the soldiers asked looking up, seeing only darkness in place of a ceiling, wondering if that meant they needed to climb.
"I don't know. What do you thi-" Skithia said turning towards Naruko, wanting to see if she had any other ideas for what to do.
Only for her eyes to widen when she saw the Uzumaki hadn't entered the room with them, staying outside and was smirking at them, realizing what just happened.
"It's a trap! Move now!" Skithia shouted rushing for the exit followed by the guards, who held up their BattleGear to blast Naruko believing she betrayed them.
Unfortunately before they could get out, a metal door slammed down in front of them, leaving the Creatures trapped.
"NO!" Skithia shouted in fury, slamming her fist against the door, enraged that they were tricked like this.
"The human betrayed us! She knew where this room was, this was her plan!" Said one of the soldiers, angered they were fooled.
"She must be working with Chaor, she plans to bring the BattleGear to him!" The other soldier said, believing Naruko intended to find and bring the BattleGear to Chaor.
'I knew it!' Skithia thought scowling, having been suspicious of Takinom's true loyalties since she first approached Van Bloot, now seeing she was right at this betrayal.
Knowing if Naruko was working for Chaor, then Takinom had been a spy this entire time since she's the one who brought Naruko to Gothos Tower.
'When we get out of here I swear I will…' Skithia thought, intending to eliminate both of them, and make sure they suffer for this insult.
Only for her thoughts to be cut off by when they suddenly heard a buzzing sound coming from above them, making the Creatures look up. Seeing several glowing red lights coming from the ceiling, until soon numerous drones came flying down at them with rotating bladed arms.
"Deal with them!" Skithia ordered the soldiers who held their weapons up at the drones.
"Yes commander! Frost Blight!" Said the soldier with the Liquilizer firing a blast of snow, freezing wind and razor-sharp ice shards at. the drones, with the ice tearing through several of them while the rest flew out of the way.
"Lightning Burst!" The Cyclance-wielding soldier said, shooting a lightning blast at the drones, blasting right through them
"Torrent of Flames!" Said Skithia putting her hands on the door as she unleashed a torrent of burning blue flames, super heating the metal as it began melting.
With only taking a few moments before the flames burst through the other side, allowing the three to escape.
"Ember Swarm!" Skithia said swinging her Whepcrack at the hole just as the few surviving drones tried following them, releasing a wave of burning embers that sent them crashing back and soon started melting from the heat.
"The human's getting away!" Said a soldier, seeing Naruko crawling under a door.
"After her now!" Said Skithia, rushing after the UnderWorld Player, having no intention of letting her get away after this.
Swinging her Whepcrack again once she was close to the door, burning right through the wood to make an opening. Skithia scowled at how Naruko proved faster than she expected with how far ahead she already was.
"You won't get away with this traitor! You'll see what happens to all those who cross Lord Van Bloot! Flame Orb" Skithia shouted, launching a blue fireball at Naruko, only for her to jump out of the way.
"You thieves won't take my treasure! It's mine, my treasure, no one else will take it from me!" Yelled Naruko, running as fast as she could, not letting anything stop her from reaching the treasure.
Turning a corner, Naruko slid underneath several blue lasers before jumping back to her feet as she kept running, grinning madly as she could feel she's getting closer to her treasure. With her climbing over the ruins of one of the giants mechs, seeing a golden glow coming from a door up ahead.
"My treasure." Naruko muttered, running to the door and crawled under it.
Finding herself in a treasury room filled with massive gold coins, gems, jewelry, precious artifacts, even golden armor and weapons. Only for Naruko to ignore the valuables and continue forward, but quickly dropped to the ground when she felt a building heat at her back. Doing so just in time to avoid being burned by a blast of fire from Skithia.
"That BattleGear belongs to Van Bloot!" Skithia said glaring at Naruko, who returned the glare angry that the thieves were still following her.
"It's my treasure, my precious! It's mine, all mine!" Naruko said as she began throwing anything she could at the UnderWorlders.
Until she saw a large golden helmet on top of a pile of gold, dropping what she had as she threw herself against the helmet. Knocking it down, causing an avalanche of coins as she did so, forcing Skithia and the soldiers to move out of the way to avoid being buried.
Seeing her chance, Naruko ran as fast as she could to the other end of the treasure room through another door going deeper into the temple. Chuckling eagerly as she saw a purple-pink glow from the room ahead of her.
"My treasure." Muttered Naruko as she entered the room, seeing a large beam of energy emitting from an equally large crystal in the ceiling.
Not wasting another moment, Naruko began jumping down the stairs to reach the beam, eager to claim her treasure all for herself. Not even noticing as Skithia and the soldiers soon arrived after her, stopping for a moment to look at the beam in confusion.
"What is that?" Questioned a soldier, wondering what this was meant to be.
"Who cares what it is! Get her now before she reaches it!" Skithia ordered, seeing how quickly Naruko was heading towards the beam.
"Right away! Vine Snare!" Said the Cyclance-wielding soldier, shooting out several vines that wrapped around Naruko, much to her anger.
"No! You won't keep me from my treasure, it belongs to me!" Shouted Naruko as she began tearing away the vines while reaching out to touch the beam, to claim her treasure.
The soldier grunted as he tried pulling the human back towards them, only to find she was stronger than she looked, along with how she was tearing through the vines binding her.
"Vine Snare!" The Liquilizer-using soldier said shooting out more vines, ensnaring Naruko further and trapping her arms so she couldn't escape.
"NO! NO! Thieves, all of you thieves trying to steal my treasure!" Naruko screamed in fury as she was dragged away from her treasure.
"Be silent human!" Growled Skithia, grabbing Naruko by her collar once she was close enough, followed by roughly backhanding her across the face, stunning the whiskered blonde for a moment at the hit as she felt her mind start clearing.
"Now answer us! You've been spying on Van Bloot for Chaor, haven't you?!" Skithia demanded, with Naruko blinking a few times as light began returning to her eyes.
"H-huh…Skithia? Wh-what…where are we? What is that?!" Said Naruko, looking around in confusion, only for her eyes to widen when she saw the beam.
"Don't play games with us, human! You tricked us, tried to leave us trapped, then came here to claim some treasure!" Said a soldier, pointing his Liquilizer right in her face, confusing Naruko further.
"What are you talking about?! I don't even know how we got here! Last I checked we were still in a hallway, not…whatever the hell this room is!" Naruko said, having no idea what happened or what's going on.
"Speak plainly before I start burning parts of you off!" Hissed Skithia, engulfing her hand in fire.
"I am, I swear! The last thing I remember is I saw something moving by one of those weird statues everywhere, then…I don't know. Everything just went blank, I only remember this sudden urge, like I needed to find something." Said Naruko, making the demoness-looking UnderWorlder narrowed her eyes.
"You looked at one of the statues?" Skithia questioned calming down slightly, with Naruko nodding.
"Yeah. I swear whatever happened or whatever I said, it wasn't me. Those statues must've been another trap, one that messes with your head and tries leading you…here I guess." Naruko said, guessing it must've been another trap.
Frowning at her words, Skithia looked back at the beam, wondering what kind of trap it was meant to be. Before she suddenly ripped one of the soldiers pauldrons off and threw it at the beam, all of them watching as the moment it made contact it was instantly vaporized.
"…Okay, the giants made a big, scary death beam…good to know." Naruko muttered as she paled, realizing that would've been her.
"Yes, so it seems…just as you were telling the truth as well." Said Skithia, slicing through the vines, much to Naruko's relief.
"Thanks, and I'm sorry for anything I did while my head was messed up. These giants really didn't like intruders if they have trapped that mess with your minds too." Said Naruko, seeing it wasn't just the physical traps they needed to worry about.
"You said you saw something when you looked at the statue, what was it?" Skithia asked, focusing on what else she said, that she saw something moving by the statue.
The UnderWorld Player had kept claiming to see something moving, that they were being followed, yet whenever she or the soldiers looked there was nothing to be seen. Skithia simply assumed the girl was seeing things, but now she's wondering if they were followed. That something had made her purposefully look at the statue to lure them all into this trap.
"Yes, I did see something but I can't be sure who or what it was, only that I did see a…shadow-right there!" Naruko said before she saw something moving on the steps which then began rising up from the ground.
Skithia and the soldiers quickly turned with their BattleGear at the ready, watching as what looked like a sentient shadow emerged from the ground on the steps above them. Seeing they had been followed by another Creature.
The Creature resembled Drakness, though looking more three dimensional than the UnderWorlder, along with having glowing orange marks on his face, arms and torso. With him still being connected to the ground by a shadowy tail.
"Porthyn!" Skithia spat, recognizing the OverWorld Guardian.
"You UnderWorlders shouldn't have come here, now you'll never leave." Stated Porthyn, knowing he needed to ensure none of them left Gigantempopolis.
"It was you! You made me look at that statue to get us here!" Said Naruko, glaring at the OverWorlder for nearly getting her vaporized.
"It's nothing personal, human, but I can't let any of you find the blade." Porthyn said before he moved and pressed down on a step, triggering a hidden switch.
With the stairs suddenly collapsed, causing the team to lose their footing and begin sliding down towards the death beam.
"Oh shit!" Naruko said as she tried getting a grip on anything to stop sliding, relieved when she was able to grab the small space between the steps.
"Hold on!" Said Skithia managing to grab onto the space as well.
The soldiers struggled to hold on, getting closer to the death beam until the Cyclance-wielding soldier quickly grabbed a ledge much to his relief. Only for the Liquilizer-using soldier to scream as he couldn't grab onto anything in time, falling towards the death beam.
"Freeze Flash!" The soldier said, firing the Liquilizer at the death beam, shooting a wave of frozen air and rock debris to try and freeze the beam.
Only for the attack to be vaporized the moment it came in contact, with the soldier having a moment to let out a panic-filled scream before he hit the beam, being reduced to nothing on contact.
"Oh…" Said Naruko, gulping at seeing the soldier be vaporized.
"At least it'll be painless. Ektospasm!" Said Porthyn, throwing a pulsating blue ball at them, only for Skithia to activate her Ring of Na'arin forming a barrier blocking the attack.
"I'll make sure it's painful for you, OverWorlder! Torrent of Flame!" Skithia said, firing a blast of fire at Porthyn.
The OverWorlder quickly moved to the side, only for Skithia to direct the flames at him forcing him to retreat back into the ground to avoid being hit. With the UnderWorlder burning the spot he entered in, wanting to make sure he stayed there.
"Ember Swarm!" Said Skithia, now aiming at the crystal the death beam was coming from, shooting a torrent of burning embers up at it.
"No! You fool!" Porthyn shouted, emerging from the ground, seeing what Skithia was doing and rushed to stop her.
Unfortunately. the OverWorld Guardian wasn't fast enough as the embers impacted the crystals, only for nothing to happen at first. Until the death beam started distorting as the crystal grew brighter from the attack.
Before any of them could react, the beam seemed to collapse in on itself until it and the crystal violently exploded outwards, throwing all of them back across the chamber as it began collapsing around them.
"Let's go, now!" Skithia ordered as the force of the explosion was strong enough to throw them back to the top of the ramp, allowing them to run back down the tunnel to the treasure room.
The now trio running as fast as they could, hearing the tunnel collapsing behind them as they did so, knowing they needed to escape or risk being crushed. With them diving for the door to get underneath it, only to end up skidding across the floor as the ceiling collapsed behind them.
Getting up, Naruko, Skithia and the soldier saw they were able to narrowly avoid being crushed by the collapsed ceiling, much to their relief.
"That was…yeah." Naruko said, seeing she escaped yet another near-death experience.
"Indeed. How sad it seems Porthyn didn't escape." Said Skithia, not sound the least bit sad at the OverWorlder's demise.
"Who was that anyway?" Questioned Naruko, wondering who the Creature was.
"Porthyn, an OverWorld Guardian and like Drakness is a sentient shadow. He is, or rather was, Najarin's personal bodyguard, living within his shadow and protecting him from all threats. He once stopped an UnderWorlder's assassination attempt after they managed to sneak into Najarin's Castle." Skithia explained, with Naruko's eyes widening at this.
"Woah. I didn't think we'd encounter a Creature like that here." Naruko said, not expecting Najarin to have a bodyguard, let alone that he'd be here, only to tense as something hit her.
"Wait…if Porthyn is here, does that mean…" Said Naruko, wondering if it meant Najarin was here as well, knowing if that's true then she wouldn't need to worry about them reaching the BattleGear.
"No, if Najarin was here then Porthyn wouldn't have been far from his side. But for the OverWorld's High Muge to send his pet here to stop anyone from taking the BattleGear, then it must mean it's far more powerful and valuable than we initially anticipated." Said Skithia, now very interested to find out what BattleGear is kept here that Najarin himself would want to keep it hidden away.
"That's good at least." Naruko stated, glad they wouldn't have to worry about Najarin too.
"Perhaps, but it doesn't mean we can waste anymore time. We have to find the BattleGear now." Skithia said, knowing enough time's been wasted with this detour.
Nodding in agreement, the trio crawled under the door to continue their search, seeing the other doors besides the one to the treasure room and went under one.
None of them aware as shadow wisps began slipping through the rubble in the treasure room, merging together into a hand as Porthyn began pulling himself free, refusing to fail his mission.
*Later*
"I…think we found it." Naruko stated as she, Skithia and the soldier entered a massive chamber with four entrances, each with steps leading up to a platform built over a seemingly bottomless pit.
At the very top they could just faintly see a pulsing red light of something on the platform, and if they listened closely they could even hear a rhythmic thumping sound almost like a…
'Heartbeat.' Naruko thought, listening as best as she could and swore she could hear a heartbeat.
"It seems so. Let's go, we haven't reached it yet." Skithia ordered, approaching the stairs to begin the climb up.
Luckily the steps were low enough that Naruko was able to climb up them with a running start, though still needed to pull herself up with some difficulty. Only to see that there were gaps in between the steps that went all the way down to the darkness below.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Muttered Naruko, seeing if she didn't jump far enough and missed grabbing the next step or lost her grip, she'd be in for a very painful landing.
Before she was surprised when Skithia suddenly lifted her up in her arms, the Uzumaki quickly holding on when the UnderWorlder shot up into the air before landing on the next step. Naruko seeing remnants of flames beneath her feet, surprising her again.
"Did you just shoot fire out of your feet?" Naruko asked, not expecting her to do that.
"Yes, it provides a good boost to reach such places much faster." Said Skithia before propelling herself up to the next step.
'I've definitely gotta remember that.' Naruko thought, making a note to remember that for future DromeMatches.
She also definitely didn't mind being carried by Skithia like this, giving her a very close look and feel at the bluenette UnderWorlders body.
With Skithia carrying her, it didn't take long for the three to soon reach the top platform, Naruko hiding her disappointment when Skithia put her on the ground. Until they saw the BattleGear they were sent to retrieve, making the whiskered blondes eyes widen.
It was a large red blade, looking even taller than some Creatures, with sharp spikes and black organic platting that mimics steel. In the center of the blade close to the handle was what looked like a beating heart, with it actually pulsing and glowing red.
"Is that sword…alive?" Naruko asked in disbelief, seeing the beating heart while wondering if this was some kind of sentient BattleGear.
"Scan it, now." Ordered Skithia, wanting to find out just what they're dealing with.
"R-right." Said Naruko, taking out her Scanner holding it up to the sword and began scanning it.
"Can't you do this any faster, human?" The soldier demanded, glancing at her before looking around, knowing even if they've reached their goal there's still a chance something could go wrong.
"It doesn't take that long, I just need…a few…moments…got it!" Naruko said as she finished scanning the sword, watching as the scan appeared on the screen.
"Okay, it's called the-" Naruko said, looking at the scan to see what the sword is called and what it can do.
"Iron Balls!"
Acting fast, Skithia turned and held her Ring of Na'arin out forming a shield, just in time as it blocked a barrage of metal balls shot at them by Porthyn.
"Funnel Blast!" Said the soldier aiming his Cyclance at the OverWorlder, releasing a vortex of wind and lightning blowing Porthyn away with a grunt.
"Sudden Flare!" Skithia said, releasing a large blast of fire around her which she directed at Porthyn, intent to incinerate the shadow Creature.
"S-Spirit Gust!" Porthyn said, holding his hands out and firing a wave of wailing spirits that collided against the fire with both attacks being blown everywhere, forcing everyone to get out of the way.
"You UnderWorlders have come too far, I can't allow any of you to escape with knowledge of that blades existence! Shadow Strike!" Said Porthyn, throwing his arms out towards them unleashing a wave of shadows.
"You're the one who won't escape, OverWorlder! Smokesurge!" Said Skithia, spewing out a cloud of smoke at the shadows and blocking Porthyn's sight.
With Naruko taking the chance to get out of the way, not wanting to get in Skithia's and the soldier's way or get caught in the middle of the battle.
"Airsault!" The soldier said, firing three mini vortexes that crashed into Porthyn throwing him back across the platform.
"Flame Orb!" Skithia said, forming two blue fireballs that she launched at Porthyn, with the first slamming into him and causing his body to partially disperse before he avoided the second by merging with the ground.
Looking around for where he could come from, Skithia and the soldier stood ready to attack when they caught sight of the OverWorlder. Only for Porthyn to soon emerge from the ground when both their backs were turned, with only Naruko seeing him appear.
"Behind yo-" Naruko shouted in warning.
"Delerium!" Porthyn said, firing a blast from his eyes, impacting the soldier as his mind grew clouded and confused.
"Ember Swarm!" Skithia said, swinging her Whepcrack releasing a wave of embers, only for Porthyn to quickly glide off to the side dodging them.
"Ektospa-" Said Porthyn, forming a pulsing blue ball.
"Hey ghost boy! Look what I got?!" Naruko said, making Porthyn quickly turn towards the Uzumaki in case she made the mistake of grabbing the sword.
Grunting in annoyance when Naruko shined her Scanners flashlight right in his eyes, temporarily blinding the OverWorld Guardian from the sudden bright light.
"Torrent of Flame!" Skithia said, spinning her Whepcrack around forming a swirling vortex of fire which she directed at Porthyn, surrounding the phantom-like OverWorlder.
"Mightswing!" Said the soldier swinging his Cyclance, creating a blast of wind and fire which formed into a large spectral version of himself as it crashed down on top of Porthyn.
"Te-Te-Telekinetic Bolt!" Porthyn said, managing to raise his head firing a blue energy wave that slammed into the soldier, giving Porthyn control over his body.
Acting fast, Porthyn launched the soldier into Skithia before she could react sending them both skidding across the platform.
"Iron Balls!" Said Porthyn once he got up releasing a barrage of metal balls at the UnderWorlders, making Skithia and the soldier grunt in pain as they were pinned down by the attack.
"Hey! I'm going for the sword ghosty! Aren't you gonna try stopping me?!" Naruko said while running towards the sword to try and get Porthyn's attention again.
"I'll deal with you once I'm done with them, human! Spirit Gust!" Porthyn said, not falling for the same trick, as he unleashed a wave of wailing spirits that surrounded and slammed into the UnderWorlders.
Cursing that he wouldn't be distracted, Naruko quickly looked around for anything to use to get his attention away from them. Until she spotted the Cyclance the soldier had, seeing he must've dropped it after being hit by the Telekinetic Bolt. With the UnderWorld Player rushing over and quickly grabbing it, aiming at Porthyn.
'How does this work?!' Naruko thought, looking for a trigger or switch that'd activate the BattleGear, finding what looked like a switch on the handle.
"Try dealing with this, then!" Naruko said, firing the Cyclance while skidding back as a blast of lightning shot out of the staff, slamming right into Porthyn's back.
The OverWorlder cried out from the unexpected hit as he was knocked to the ground, with Skithia and the soldier managing to get up once his attacks ended.
"Tsk, you should've left when you had the chance, huma-" Porthyn said, now really annoyed, before crying out when Skithia struck him with her Whepcrack.
"You should've left when we thought you were dead! Now I'll be happy to finish the job!" Said Skithia as she repeatedly struck him with the flaming whip, keeping Porthyn from getting up.
"That's also for tricking me and nearly getting us killed!" Naruko said, flipping the switch again this time firing a blast of wind blowing Porthyn away, with Skithia keeping him on the ground with her Whepcrack.
'Hm…it seems she's loyal after all…and Takinom as well I suppose.' Skithia thought, glancing at Naruko, seeing how she's now assisted them in battle, realizing she was actually loyal.
Along with reluctantly accepting that Takinom had to be loyal as well to have brought Naruko to swear herself to Van Bloot.
"Get the sword now! He wished to stop us from claiming it, then he can fall to it!" Ordered Skithia, the soldier nodding as he rushed to grab the sword.
"N-n-n-no-no! Stop, y-yo-you don't know what you'll unleash!" Shouted Porthyn, trying to get up only to be forced back down from another strike.
"You and your master fear it, that's all we care about!" Stated Skithia, only caring that Porthyn and Najarin both wanted to keep this sword hidden, making it all the more valuable.
"The sword also looks safe to grab! It's called the…" Naruko said, checking the scan while seeing there didn't seem to be any negative side effects to grabbing it before seeing what it was called, just as the soldiers hand wrapped around the hilt.
"NO!" Porthyn shouted, his eyes widening in horror seeing he was too late.
"The Darkin Blade."
The moment the soldiers hand grabbed the hilt, he immediately began screaming in pure agony much to Naruko's and Skithia's shock. Watching as the soldier tried letting go only for his hand to seemingly become stuck to the sword, which soon began glowing brighter as the heartbeat grew louder.
They could only watch in morbid fascination as red tendrils emerged from the sword and began digging into the soldiers arm, moving through his body.
'That is…' Naruko thought, feeling a little sick at seeing the tendrils moving under the soldiers skin, until they suddenly burst once they spread around his entire body.
"HELP ME! KILL ME! PLEASE!" Screamed the soldier as the tendrils seemed to begin wrapping around his body, changing and morphing it.
Soon finding himself losing control of his body as he unwillingly pulled the sword out of the ground, before falling to his hands and knees. The others watching as the soldiers began growing larger, along with something pushing out of his back until not a moment later two massive dragon-like wings burst out.
It wasn't long until the only part left of the soldier was his head, only for that to soon be covered as it began changing as well. Though before they could see the resulting transformation the wings folded in around the soldier, hiding him from sight.
Though it didn't last long as he began emitting a fiery red aura before the wings were thrown out, accompanied by a sudden blast of power throwing Naruko, Skithia and Porthyn back. Nearly sending them falling over the edge of the platform, only coming to a stop on the edge.
'Too close! Way too close!' Naruko thought while backpedaling away from the ledge, not wanting to take any chance of it crumbling beneath her.
With the three then hearing a deep, raspy breathing followed by the platform shaking as the transformed soldier stood up, giving them a full look at the Creature that now stood before them.
He was incredibly large, standing taller than any human and likely taller than most Creatures. His skin is a deep red that gets brighter around his chest, with only his face being a pale white color with solid, glowing crimson eyes with blackish-red marks around them. He also has organic armor covering various parts of his body including his right arm, back, legs, and head. The armor shell on his head forms a helmet with two horns and on his back are two large wings with fleshy membranes that looked like they had glowing cracks in them, making the wings resemble molten lava. With him lifting The Darkin Blade up with one hand like it weighed nothing.
But it was the power they felt radiating off him that made Naruko, Skithia and Porthyn freeze in place, feeling the pure wrath, hatred and rage emitting off the Creature. And he didn't even seem to be consciously doing anything, just his presence alone was enough to intimidate even the fiercest of Creatures.
With them tensing when the Creature lifted his head, gritting his teeth as he sniffed the air.
"I smell…OverWorlder." Said the Creature before turning towards Porthyn, who despite feeling fear at the sight of the Creature, stood up.
Having no intention of running now, no matter what happens next.
"You…you reek of him…of Najarin." The Creature growled, pointing his blade at the OverWorld Guardian.
"He is my master, the one who sealed you and the rest of your kind away. And I am his protector against all who seek him harm." Said Porthyn, with the Creature merely tightening his grip as his sword.
"You know of me, then you know your fate is sealed." Stated the Creature, fully intent to kill all who allied with Najarin.
"Perhaps, but I will see you sealed again! Shadow Strike!" Porthyn said, unleashing a powerful blast of shadows at the Creature.
"Die. Magma Might!" The Creature said, swinging his sword and releasing a wave of lava vaporizing the shadows while continuing towards Porthyn, who barely had time to dodge feeling his body destabilizing from the sheer heat of the attack.
"Rock Wave!" Said the Creature, flipping his sword around and driving it deep into the platform, causing nearly the entire chamber to begin shaking.
'What the hell?!' Naruko thought, going down to her hands and knees to avoid being knocked down from the shaking, feeling like an earthquake just hit, not expecting such a powerful Rock Wave.
'What power!' Thought Skithia, managing to stay standing, looking at the Creature in amazement that he could do something like that with just a Rock Wave attack.
The demoness-looking UnderWorlder also being intrigued, now very curious of just who this Creature is to possess such power and seeming to have a history with Najarin.
Even more shocking was when a large wave of rocks shot up from the ground right beneath Porthyn launching him right into the air with a shocked cry.
"Lavalanche!" The Creature said, ripping his sword out of the platform, before flapping his wings and launching right into the air at Porthyn.
Spitting out a massive blast of lava when he was right in front of the OverWorld Guardian, making Porthyn scream in complete pain as he was engulfed by lava. Only just surviving by dispersing his body into shadowy wisps before he was completely burned away. With the wisps rushing back to the ground floor, only for the Creature to chase after him.
'Dear Kami!' Naruko thought as she quickly held her Scanner up while the Creature was still in range to quickly scan him, doubting anyone in Chaotic had this Creature.
"Fade away into oblivion! Magma Hack!" Said the Creature, covering his blade in magma before launching it right at Porthyn as he began pulling his body back together.
The phantom-like OverWorlders eyes widening in shock and horror at the rapidly approaching blade, quickly dispersing again just as it made contact.
Naruko and Skithia could only watch with wide eyes in shock as the moment the sword made contact, it released a wave of magma that began spreading out across the floor, melting anything it touched. With the Creature landing in it without a hint of discomfort as he retrieved The Darkin Blade.
"What…is he?" Naruko muttered as she looked at the scan of the Creature.
"Unstoppable." Muttered Skithia, believing whoever this Creature was, there's no doubt he could surpass Chaor in terms of power
'He would certainly be stronger than Van Bloot…much stronger.' Skithia thought, knowing this…this will certainly change things.
Before either of them could react the Creature turned towards them, rushing at them with a few flaps of his wings as he landed in front of them, the platform shaking as he did so.
"You…you are an UnderWorlder? What has become of the UnderWorld and Perim?" The Creature demanded while looking down at Skithia with narrowed eyes, with Naruko gulping as she looked up at him and at her scan.
Seeing his stats were much, much higher than she would've imagined they were, making her believe he might be the strongest Creature in Perim right now.
'Aatrox, The Darkin Blade…' Naruko thought while looking at the scan, wondering what kind of Creature they just unleashed.
So, what did you think, good. Yep see Sakura and Matsuri in the Port Court, with Sakura worried about Naruko leading to Matsuri learning about her working with Takinom to spy on Van Bloot. Much to Matsuri's shock that she'd offer to help, putting herself in a dangerous situation like that. Though they try to look at the bright side, and hope Naruko doesn't end up doing anything too reckless.
Before we see Naruko in Gigantempopolis with Skithia and two of Van Bloot's foot soldiers, as we get a flashback of Naruko getting her mission to go to Gigantempopolis to retrieve a BattleGear Drakness discovered there, being sent along with Skithia and two foot soldiers. With them traversing the temple searching for the BattleGear, unaware of something following them.
With Naruko also thinking of a plan to stop them from getting the BattleGear, along with trying to earn Skithia's trust to sway her to join Chaor.
With them managing to avoid most of the traps thanks to the information Van Bloot's spies got from Drakness, except for the idols with Naruko ending up falling into it after spotting something. Leading her to try and trap the others so she can get her "treasure". Nearly going into the giants death beam but is stopped and snapped out of it by Skithia.
We then see the Creature following them in Porthyn, having been sent by Najarin to stop anyone from finding the BattleGear. With Porthyn trying to send them falling into the death beam, succeeding in getting one of the soldiers vaporized, before Skithia stuns him and destroys beam, allowing them the chance to escape.
Next we see them reaching the chamber of the Oraklon where the BattleGear is located, reaching the top where they find it's a sword. With Naruko scanning it to see what it can do, only for Porthyn to arrive and attack, intent to keep them from taking it.
Leading to a battle between the OverWorlder and UnderWorlders, with Naruko doing what she can to help. Until Skithia's able to pin Porthyn down while the soldier goes to get the blade, revealed to be The Darkin Blade as it soon takes hold of the soldier, twisting and transforming his body until in his place is the Darkin sealed within the sword, Aatrox.
For those that don't know Aatrox and The Darkin Blade are from League of Legends, expect to see plenty of other League characters and places appear, given how many of the Champions make perfect Chaotic Creatures.
Finally we see Aatrox make short work of Porthyn (or did he?) before he questions Skithia on what's going on, while Naruko took the chance to scan him during the fight. Wondering just what kind of Creature they've unleashed on Perim. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out