Sometimes, putting others first is the best choice... but always remember, you yourself matter the most.
Location: Gelu Dungeon Complex:
The frozen chamber shook as Zavren, The Seventh Prince of the Daemons, advanced with his horde of malformed creatures trailing behind him.
Rikushi tightened his grip on his Black Saber as the cold gnawed at his core, slowly devouring his strength and magic.
"Stay behind me," Rikushi ordered.
"Rumoto, you're with me. Para, protect Toren--no matter what."
The daemon horde erupted forward like a wave of corruption.
The Battle Begins.
Rikushi charged first, saber igniting a burst of crimson flame as he clashed against Zavren's monstrous claws.
The daemon's spoke loudly, sneering.
"Such bravery for mortals who will die here."
Their weapons collided, flame against corrupted flesh, sending sparks and shards of ice flying. Each swing of Zavren's massive arms carried enough force to crush stone. Rikushi barely dodged, each strike rattling his body and ruptured rocks from impact scratched his flesh.
To his right, Rumoto roared as he slammed his double-sided battle axe into the oncoming daemon minions, cutting through their ranks with sheer raw strength. The cold burned his lungs, but his will burned hotter.
Behind them, Para fired off Light Magic relentlessly, bolts of searing energy vaporizing daemon after daemon. Yet the swarm kept coming with no proof of ending.
"Toren, boost them! Now!" Para shouted.
Toren trembled but nodded, hands glowing as he cast his enchantments through chattering teeth.
"S-S-Strength Enhancement! Stamina Boost!" his voice cracked under pressure, but the spell landed.
Rikushi and Rumoto surged forward with newfound force, their movements sharper, heavier, and faster.
But Zavren adapted quickly. One of his arms shot forward, claws slicing across Rumoto's side, drawing a heavy spray of blood.
"Grrh--!" Rumoto staggered but kept his footing, countering with a brutal swing to Zavren's knee.
The Prince of Daemons laughed.
"You bleed so beautifully."
Rikushi spun behind Zavren, landing a searing slash across his back, but another of Zavren's arms caught him mid-movement, raking sharp talons across Rikushi's shoulder, slicing through flesh.
"Not fast enough, flame-child."
The wounds on Zavren's knee and back healed within a couple moments, causing confusion and a loss of words to the group.
They were... Overwhelmed.
The battle dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. The cold intensified with every moment--the dungeon itself responding to Zavren's presence.
Para struggled to keep the minions off Toren. Despite his accuracy, one daemon managed to lunge forward, slicing his arm deeply. Blood stained his coat, but he grit his teeth and kept firing.
Toren, overwhelmed by the horrors around him, sobbed as he desperately kept the enchantments active.
"I... I can't-- I can't hold much longer, my... my mana... I'm r-running out!"
"You'll survive, Toren!" Para shouted, blasting another daemon apart. "Rikushi needs us!"
Rikushi's body burned with exhaustion. His mana was nearly dry, his flames sputtering with each swing. He landed another strike across Zavren's torso, but it was barely enough.
"You're slowing down." Zavren mocked.
The daemon lashed out, a brutal backhand strike slamming Rikushi into the icy wall. He grunted, blood dripping from his lips.
Rumoto charged in a blind rage, roaring aloud, but Zavren caught him by the throat with one hand and slammed him into the ground, cracking the icy rock beneath.
"Tough... but fragile," Zavren taunted.
Rikushi, panting, forced himself upright. His vision blurred, but his mind was clear.
"Para! Rumoto! Toren!" he gasped.
They looked to him, wide-eyed.
"Retreat. Now!"
Para hesitated, voice breaking, "No... No we can't--"
"That's an order!" Rikushi barked, blood being spat out with each word.
Rumoto, barely able to stand, gritted his teeth. His eyes welled with tears.
"We'll come back... We'll come back with everyone," he whispered, grabbing Para's arm.
"But--!" Para protested, tears streaming down his face.
Toren cast one last desperate enchantment, his voice trembling:
"F-final Strength and S-speed boost... P-please... d-don't die..."
Then, as Para and Rumoto pulled Toren back, they turned and fled, tears trailing behind them, their silhouettes disappearing into the icy tunnel.
Alone now, Rikushi stumbled forward, blood staining the snow beneath his boots.
"You still stand," Zavren laughed. "Admirable. Pointless... but admirable."
Rikushi readied his saber for one last charge, but Zavren moved faster than expected.
With a brutal swipe, Zavren knocked the saber from Rikushi's grip, sending it clattering across the ice.
"Farewell, I commend your honor."
The daemon lunged, driving one of his massive claws directly into Rikushi's chest, skewering him through with vicious precision.
Rikushi gasped, blood spraying from his mouth, staining the snow.
Through labored breaths, his thoughts drifted, his lips forming one final whisper.
"I'm... sorry... Everyone... Hoshina..."
His vision darkened as Zavren's mocking laughter echoed into the frozen abyss.
"Tough on the outside... but oh so weak on the inside." and with his first quiet whisper, Zavren spoke into Rikushi's ear "We'll see each other again soon." as Rikushi falls onto the ground.