No matter how hard it gets out there, keep trying, because you'll eventually achieve it if you keep working on it/working towards your goal.
Location: Gelu Dungeon Complex:
The biting cold cut through the massive frozen cavern as LuLu, Rez, Ina, Damon, and Vax carefully advanced into the snow-covered ruins. Massive frozen spires surrounded them like broken towers of a forgotten kingdom.
Several Polar Bears--enormous white-furred beasts--lumbered between the ancient structures, fiercely territorial.
Vax, eager to prove himself, fired precise bursts of frost magic from afar, knocking back some of the bears. "Look at that, such easy prey."
Rez, however, walked forward casually, hands glowing faintly as mirror shards hovered around him.
"You sure about that?" Rez smirked, eyes flashing with determination and pride.
As one of the bears charged, Vax launched another barrage--but before it could connect, Rez's crystals intercepted, refracting the energy into a concentrated beam. It sliced cleanly through the bear's throat, dropping the massive creature instantly.
Even LuLu blinked. "Well damn."
Vax stared in disbelief as the last of the bears fled into the blizzard. "Tch... I guess you're my new rival now," he said with forced amusement.
Rez shrugged, grinning. "Pfft, nah man. I already got someone like that." He tilted his head slightly. "Rikushi's more my speed."
Vax chuckled under his breath but stored his comment away for later. "We'll see."
Location: Gelu Dungeon Complex Entrance:
By sunset, the three cleared teams returned to the dungeon's primary entrance, greeted by high spirits. Light snow fell gently, blanketing their gear.
But one group was missing.
Rikushi's team.
Location: Gelu Dungeon Complex:
Inside a narrow icy cavern, their breaths hung in the air like smoke. What was originally charted as a Yeti nest had turned into something far more dangerous.
Massive claw marks etched the walls. Bones of enormous beasts lay frozen in twisted shapes. And then... they saw it.
Koriryou - the Ice Dragon King.
The beast stood nearly 50 feet tall, its body lined with old battle scars, ice crystal formations jutting from its shoulders and back. Unlike most dragons, Koriryou had no wings--instead relying on its monstrous claws, savage fangs, and terrifying agility.
As soon as they entered its domain, it roared, the sound splitting the air like a sonic quake.
"Here we go!" Rikushi shouted.
Para immediately fired off precise energy shots toward its legs while Rumoto charged head-on, swinging his double-sided axe into Koriryou's thick hide.
Rikushi danced around the beast, calling out,
"Target its tail--we slow it down first!"
Koriryou spun rapidly, its tail sweeping a massive arc of destruction. Ice chunks rained down as Toren desperately cast hasty enchantments to boost everyone's agility.
"Um-- um-- Speed enhancement!" Toren stuttered, hands glowing as magical symbols flickered midair. "H-here you go! M-more speed!"
Rikushi smirked as the boost hit him. "Perfect! Keep it up, Toren!"
The dragon lunged, jaws snapping inches from Para, who barely rolled aside.
"Eyes!" Rumoto yelled. "Blind it!"
Para took aim and launched a burst of light magic directly into one of Koriryou's glowing blue eyes, forcing it into a frenzy. Its claw swiped wildly, barely missing Rikushi as he closed in.
With Toren's speed buff amplifying him, Rikushi sprinted up Koriryou's back, flames coiling around his Black Saber.
"You seem cold, let me warm you up!"
With a precise thrust, he drove the saber deep into Koriryou's neck and expanded the flames on his saber, bursting hot flames into the cold dragon. The beast let out one final, earth-shaking roar as it collapsed, its heavy body crashing into the ice with a thunderous boom.
Rikushi stepped down slowly from the dragon's collapsed body, pulling the blade free.
But before anyone could breathe, a new sound echoed--laughter.
Not one voice.
But many.
Low, guttural, and unhinged. The voices felt like they have crawled up from the dark at the far end of the chamber.
From the shadows stepped a monstrous figure; A being with two heads, four massive muscular arms, and adorned with horrific bone jewelry and spiked dark-armor. Its eyes glowed with sickly red light, and a long, forked tongue flicked between its fangs.
Dozens of twisted daemon-like creatures followed behind him, spreading out slowly.
The two heads spoke as one, a deep voice dripping with cruel amusement.
"You've killed my prey, little pests."
The beast stepped forward, arms flexing.
"I am Zavren, Seventh Prince of the Daemons. You've stolen my hunt--and now you'll offer me better entertainment."
The air grew colder, but not from the ice.
Rikushi tightened his grip on his saber as it warmed up.
Rumoto readied his axe and coated the edges in a thicker, deeper ice.
Para encased his one fist in Light Magic and fused the other, preparing for a ranged/melee combat style.
Toren gripped tighter, with a soft glow emitting from the crystal at the top of his staff.
And far above, unseen by any of them, faint cracks began forming in the walls of Gelu Hallow... as something far worse watched from the deeper voids.