People change, it's the process of life. Never force change upon a person, but if they ever ask for help, always take that option.
Location: Somewhere above Nova Terra - TT Airship:
The airship broke through the heavy snowfall as it slowly descended into the frozen expanse of Gelu Hallow. The hangar gates creaked open as the vessel came to a halt, steam hissing and wings folding like a great beast landing to rest.
Waiting for them at the platform was a tall, sharply dressed man with slicked-back silver hair, thin round glasses, and a long winter coat embroidered with sigils of ice. His presence was commanding yet calm. As he stepped forward, his breath crystallized in the frigid air.
"Welcome to Gelu Hallow." he spoke with a voice that carried both authority and chill. "I am President Frosteim. Your arrival was expected." His blue eyes gleamed behind the glasses. "May fortune guide you inside these cursed halls."
There was no time for introductions. The team hurried past him with determined urgency, heading straight for the dungeon entrances. The news they had received hours ago still burned in their minds.
Location: Engler Og Fangehull Tavern:
Toku, Yunoi, Kaide, LuLu, Rez, Ina, and the Gelu team were celebrating with beer and food as the heavy wooden door slammed open. Toren, Para, and Rumoto stumbled in--blood-soaked, battered, and shivering violently from the cold and exhaustion. Their bodies were bruised and frostbitten, their clothes torn and their minds clogged.
Toku leapt up, eyes wide. "Toren?! PARA?! What--what happened?!"
Para gasped between breaths, his voice trembling. "We... we ran. We ran for hours... the cold... the monsters--"
Valentine stormed forward, grabbing Rumoto by the shoulders. His voice was shaking with fury. "Where's Rikushi?!"
Rumoto's lips quivered, his voice nearly breaking. "He's... not with us. We don't know if he's alive or not. But we believe... he isn't."
The words struck like a blade through the heart.
Valentine's expression shifted into rage. His eyes flared with grief barely contained, fists tightening, and teeth grinding.
"He was with you!" Valentine roared. "YOU LEFT HIM?!"
"Valentine, STOP!" Para shouted, pushing forward defensively. "We didn't want to! We had no choice! We were overwhelmed! HE TOLD US TO RUN!"
As the shouting intensified, a large hand grasped Valentine's shoulder firmly--Glonk. His silent stare said everything. Be Calm. Stay Focused. And Breathe.
The rest slowly gathered outside the tavern under the pale moonlight, voices dropping to quiet, grim whispers as they pieced together what had happened.
Location: Gelu Dungeon Complex - Zavren's Domain:
Zavren knelt respectfully before the towering figure. The once vibrant Rikushi now stood completely transformed.
His eyes, once warm with passion and hope, were diluted into an unnatural blend of swirling purple and black. The blindfold was gone. His hair--once bright--had turned pitch-black, flowing loosely down his back. Embedded into his chest were biomechanical metal plates where his wound had once ended his life.
Atop his head sat a grotesque crown made of bone, sinew, and flesh--crafted by the Daemons themselves.
Rikushi was gone.
In his place stood Erebus, The God of Darkness, reborn.
Zavren's voice whispered low, like a chant. "My King... the intruders approach."
Erebus' lips curled into a chilling grin. His voice was void of humanity, deep and layered, as if multiple voices spoke in unison.
"Arise... my followers. Our enemies approach."
Behind him, twisted Daemon soldiers rose in synchronized steps, their monstrous forms moving like a collective wave of nightmares.
Location: Gelu Dungeon Complex:
The group of Glonk, Valentine, Blaidd, Toku, Kaide, Yunoi, LuLu, Tyrant, TLK, and the rest had finally arrived near the edge of the corrupted ruins where Zavren's domain began.
As the monstrous army appeared from the shadows, their forms grotesque and otherworldly, the group stared at the horror before them. But none were prepared for what came next.
Erebus walked out, his terrifying presence silencing the air. The metal chest plates glinted under the dark moonlight. His crown pulsed as if it was alive. A cloak weaved of Dark Magic and pure Dark Energy follow behind him. His voice echoed as he drew forth his Black Saber--once pure, but now tainted. The once vibrant rose gem embedded in the hilt had turned into a deep, blood-red crystal.
Blaidd's breath caught in his throat. His voice cracked. "Erebos..."
His eyes welled with tears, but his fingers tightened around his daggers. There was no time for grief.
Without hesitation, Blaidd shouted, "FOR RIKUSHI!"
The melee warriors charged forward--Valentine, Glonk, Iria, Mek, Rez, Ina, Damon, Davie, Toku, Kaide, Para, Rumoto, LuLu, and Blaidd in the front, with Tyrant, TLK, Abstra, Seline, Vax, and Toren in the back.
The Daemon army surged forward as Erebus raised his Black Saber, colliding against Blaidd's dual daggers in a blinding spark of dark energy.
The Battle of Ice and Darkness begins.