CHAPTER 36: FROZEN HEART

TOWER 2

The three boys descended into the Underworld deeper and deeper, with the end still far from view. Leona was at the helm, but as he glanced back, he noticed that Jamil was frowning deeper than usual. Leona normally wouldn't care, but in times like this, everyone needed to be at peak awareness and performance.

"Spade," Leona called. "Could you back up by a couple of meters? And watch your tail. Last thing we need is a Phantom jumping us from behind."

"Oh, yes sir!" Deuce backed up as instructed. His eyes flitted around the corridor, only vaguely aware that Leona was backing up to talk to Jamil.

"What's on your mind?" Leona asked.

"It's fine," Jamil tried to say, but Leona's steady glare meant that the housewarden wasn't buying it. Jamil sighed and admitted, "I'm just thinking about Scarabia," he said. "Kalim needs me for everything. Without me, our dorm is likely in shambles."

"Guess we'll have to see when we get back," Leona said. "Until then, there was something I was curious about. Kalim promised to set your family free from the Asims, am I right?"

"Yes," Jamil muttered, remembering his confession.

"So you've got a lot to look forward to," Leona went on. "What are your plans for the future once you're off the leash?"

"…It doesn't matter," Jamil said. "For your information… I don't think it's going to happen."

"How come?"

Jamil glared at the nearest torch mounted on the wall. "Kalim might be next-in-line for the Asim head," he explained, "but that doesn't make him a model leader. He'll still have to convince the Asims to release the Vipers, and that would be a miraculous feat. Even most of my family wouldn't like the idea—they pride themselves on service. Anyone would have a hard time fighting for this… and with someone as scatterbrained and weak-willed as Kalim…" His shoulders dropped. "You can see it's impossible."

Leona paused. "…Nah, I think he could pull it off. He's got a silver spoon in his mouth—guys like that are used to getting their own way."

"I think I know Kalim a bit more than you do," Jamil said sharply. "…With all due respect, of course."

"Maybe," Leona said. "But remember when he was fighting in the Bead Brawl in Sunset City?"

"Oh, when you pulled him away from his VIP seat and pushed him into a fighting ring that could get Kalim hurt? Which would put my head on a silver platter? How could I forget?" Jamil groused. He sounded like he was spitting venom.

"Yeah, sorry, that wasn't the best call," Leona went on. "And Kalim might've been the weakest fighter in my corner. But you saw what happened during his match?"

Jamil took a second to remember. "He was up against a veteran fighter," he said. "But that warrior surrendered, because Kalim bought him a bus."

"That guy's original bus broke down during our trip, so Kalim got him a new one just like that. And because of that, Kalim won without throwing a punch," Leona explained. "Kalim does have a couple of strengths, including his money. He knows where to spend it. And the more people he helps, the more folks that are on his side. Isn't that how a merchant operates?"

"That's true," Jamil admitted. "If you explain it like that, Kalim might have a shot… I still wish I didn't depend on him so much."

"Well, he depends on you, doesn't he? So he owes you," Leona chuckled with a shrug.

"Is it the same thing with you and your nephew?" Jamil asked. "If you don't mind me inquiring."

"Nah, I don't owe that kid a thing—well, maybe he owes me the throne, but I've been thinking about this a little." Leona smirked. "Cheka's a pain, but he looks at me like I'm the coolest guy in the world. So maybe when he's older and more independent, he might listen to Uncle Leona. I've got some ideas that could really make the savannah thrive, if I have the right ear to bend."

"I see…" And Jamil finally smiled. "…I'd like to travel the world, like the Genie of the Lamp. Be on my own for a bit and do whatever I want for a while until I settle down. If my wish comes true."

Just then, the air became much colder than normal, forcing Jamil and Leona to cover their arms.

"GUYS!" Deuce cried from behind. "Look alive! Something's crawling up the wall!"

Feeling humiliated for their distraction, the other two saw something enormous climbing up onto the staircase just behind Deuce. The Heartslabyul ran back to join his upperclassman, and the trio faced this creature head-on.

It looked like a gigantic ice sculpture, with thin legs and large clawed hands. Its head was made of a goblet of blot, marking it as a Phantom. Deuce, Leona, and Jamil casted their strongest fire spells at it, but through the blazing inferno, the Phantom pushed on.

"How come that thing isn't melting? We just torched it!" Deuce cried.

"That isn't a regular Phantom," Leona deduced.

"This might be one of the Titans we were warned about!" Jamil said. "We need to get to the midway hangar!"

The Crystal Titan swept one of its arms, launching icicles at the mages. They defended the best they could with their fire spells, then booked it down the stairs. Smaller Phantoms got in their way, only for the three to dash past them without stopping. The Titan lumbered forward, smacking its littler brethren aside.

At last, the hangar was within sight. The electronic doors opened for them and then quickly closed. Even then, the doors were forming frost on the surface.

"We can't let the doors get damaged!" Jamil cried.

"Stand back! King's Roar!" Leona casted his signature spell, and the frost turned into harmless sand. But seconds later, the frost returned.

"Jamil, get the Spear!" Leona ordered. He took out the lightning-shaped key and threw it to Jamil, who quickly located the corresponding box. When Jamil unlocked the box, he saw a large golden rod about the length of his arm. With sockets on both ends, it seemed that this was the middle piece of the Thunder Spear.

"So we have to go to the other towers for the two pieces we need, right?" Deuce asked.

This piece of the Thunder Spear can operate like the entire artifact, though its power will be lessened, said an automated female voice. Press the trigger to activate.

"Trigger? Oh!" Jamil touched the trigger underneath the Spear piece; it reminded him of a shotgun.

"Okay, I'm gonna open the door," Leona announced. "When the Titan is in front, then you shoot!"

Jamil ran forward as well as he could with the heavy Thunder Spear piece. It almost felt like a bazooka rather than his earlier shotgun comparison. Leona opened the doors, and Jamil squeezed the trigger, but it was heavy as the rest of the weapon.

"Juuuu…piteeerrr…" The Crystal Titan growled and reached out into the hangar with its icy hand.

"IT'S TOO HEAVY!" Jamil shouted.

"GIVE IT HERE!" Leona grabbed the Spear while Jamil helped to steady it.

"Don't forget about me!" Deuce took the back end of the Spear piece, providing extra support.

Leona pulled the trigger with all his strength, and his extra senses were blinded and deafened.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!

A powerful bolt of lightning shot forward, hitting the icy giant dead-center. The Crystal Titan backed up and cursed in pain, flashes of light running over its body.

"That's it, it's stunned!" Deuce said triumphantly. "Let's finish this!"

The mages gave it their strongest fire attacks again, and this time, they made a difference. The Titan's crystalline body started to melt slightly, and it stumbled off the staircase and into the depths.

"JUPITERRRR… DESTROOOOOYYY…!" it screamed.

"Sheesh, is that all you can say?" Leona taunted. "If you're that dumb, no wonder you lost." He closed the doors and then looked over the Thunder Spear piece.

Power at 0%, said the voice. Please insert into designated container for one hour to achieve 100% power.

"So we have to stay here for one hour?" Jamil frowned. "I don't like being a sitting duck, but it seems we don't have a choice…"

"True, but we can't wear ourselves out, either," Leona said. "Looks like the big bad bosses were expecting us."

Inside the hangar was a pantry full of food, medicine in a nearby cupboard, a restroom, and a couple of sofas to sleep on. Deuce approached one of the sofas and instantly fell asleep in exhaustion.

"I might as well stock up on medicine just in case," Jamil mentioned.

"Yeah, and I could use a bite," Leona said. "Make sure you get your rest like Spade, alright?"

"Same to you, Leona."