Kuroki and Ryuu were busy making their way through the maze like halls of the ruins, still trying to find their way. Leaving that room had reduced the power compulsion had on them, but they could feel it crawling at the back of their minds. Like it was trying to burrow in deeper, and take control. It was failing so far, but if they were not careful, Kuroki had a feeling it might start succeeding a bit. So they had to push forward.

Upon the walls they passed were more murals however. They showed a history of long ago, one that normally would not be relevant to their current time. It showed the abduction of a corpse from a far away land, along with a soul, brought back here and patched together into something new. Kuroki couldn't understand the ancient words at all, but he could see that it was something horrific and grotesque. It also showed a girl with a mirror who did battle with them at one point, but was defeated. Still, one of the girl's companions, in their final moments, fused their power with hers, and sealed away these ruins entirely. It looked like some sort of magic, but it was depicted in a mural, with no real concrete details, and only from those who remined behind afterwards. Then the ruins fell into a deep slumber, and the walls began to show other events instead.

"This doesn't make any sense" Kuroki muttered.

"What doesn't?" Ryuu asked.

"These murals...if the ruins were sealed and put into a slumber, then who made these murals? And when?"

"Oh, yeah...isn't that impossible?"

"It should be. Purple and green fire....the fact that undead own the ruins, but the main chamber prevents them access. Something doesn't add up here".

Kuroki took a look at the stone. It was immaculate and perfect, and the ceiling was short for average sized adults, but not for any of them.

Dwarvern made, but with human elements and made for humans.

A small tunnel into a large chamber.

The vampires sealed away, and the one that left perhaps two decades ago, although Kuroki could be off on that.

The fact the fires remained lit after all this time, and the fact they had all been separated, but Kuroki and Ryuu had not been ambushed. They had no idea if the others had been, but they hadn't. Instead, the room they were left in was used as a medium to try and seize control of them.

And the goal of raising so many undead, now of all times. If this place has been active since the Starfall, then nearly a month had passed before it did this. The timing was weird. It was only when Kuroki's group was truly vulnerable to it.

Chianthias apparently was not the cause, but wasn't it all too strange?

And then, there was these murals, made from witnesses of the event, yet carved after the event. The timeline didn't match up.

Hmm...hold on...

Reviewing everything, Kuroki began to have his own epiphany. He then reviewed all the murals they had spoken of and seen so far, every single one from these hallways and the ones from the entrance. Every scrap of knowledge and power, every morsel of information they had gained so far. He remembered all the murals as well, everything there...and not there.

"It's not here".

"What isn't, Kuroki?"

Kuroki leaned over and whispered what he realized into Ryuu's ear. Ryuu quickly went wide eyed as Kuroki explained things to him.

"Wait hold on, but doesn't that mean..."

"Yeah. We need to get down there fast, but how do we..."

As Kuroki was speaking, the pressure of Compliance suddenly disappeared from them both. Their minds became clearer and more fluid, and it felt like a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

"Perfect. Come on, we have to hurry. If we don't, the worst possible outcome could occur".

"Are you sure of your deduction though?

"Yeah. I am".

The two boys quickly started to run, hurrying to avoid the cataclysm...unaware of one who had been watching them from the shadows. Yes, as they ran deeper in, Zak appeared from the shadows.

"Good, it looks like they realized it. This is an important stage for their growth after all. Still, I should keep watch to be safe".

He looked back to the undead that was around the corner out of sight, the lich. However, this undead had been returned to death already, having been thoroughly cut through somehow.

He quickly raised the hood of his cloak, when he sensed another source of magical energy. A rather powerful one.

"What? How? But...could it be, someone else meddled as well? Must be The Oracle, only he could have put that card into play early".

Zak's words disappeared into the darkness, with himself following them.

----------------------------------------

At the same time, Ozlo was going deeper in. He had a premonition that he didn't have long before something bad would happen. And as much as he would love to see that devil burn, he had to go through with the plan for the sake of everyone. Whatever was going on here, was bad enough that even when she had the chance to attack him while he was alone, she didn't take it. He knew how much she wanted to kill him, and this would have been her best moment. She had even taken the risk of appearing herself, since Ozlo didn't think she could get a fake shell back that quickly.

Unfortunately, it appeared the master of this place was not a fan of Ozlo's arrival. As he made it into the main corridor, a huge amount of golems and animated armors came at him. The armors would be a bit problematic, but the bigger issue was that the golems were made of stone. Dragonfyre was able to burn through things normal fire couldn't, but even it had some disadvantages against stone and rock based enemies. And he needed to conserve some power for the actual fight, so going all out wasn't exactly an option either.

Ozlo had some ideas of what was going on, but unfortunately he was lacking a lot of information. Without that knowledge, he couldn't have a good number of strategies prepared in advance.

The enemy is too much of an unknown. But, if my theory is right, they should be after one of us, if not multiples. But their specific target might be...

While pondering things, he summoned forth two dragons. Both were about the size of motorcycles but longer, and along with his own flames, they began to incinerate the hallway that would lead to the master of these ruins.

"My name is Ozlo Luminar! I am not only the Dragoncaller, but the Guardian of the Starfallen...and of the Luminar legacy! You cannot stop me!"

As he melted through another wave, laughter began to reverberate throughout the ruins.

"Hahahahahahaha! Well met, Ozlo Luminar! I am the master of this fortress and castle, and the king of these lands! I am the Great Necromancer and Artificer, Filivellia! Or was that the name of my wife? Ah, names are so hard, especially since people these days tend to call me Master....or The Underking".

"Underking Filivellia! Isn't it rude to attack us like this without first sending missives at least?!"

"If you want an audience, then feel free to prove yourselves! I await you up ahead, for the final confrontation!"

"A challenge is it? Very well...I hate having to work so much overtime lately, but I suppose I might as well get problematic people like you out of the way".

Ozlo took a step forward, as dragonfyre encircled him. It blazed around him, becoming an overwhelming shell and aura, before rushing forward. It proceeded to burn anything and everything in his way, regardless of material or thickness. It was like a raging inferno that could not be stopped, even scorching the walls and the floors as he walked forward. The dragons stayed at his side, increasing the flames as they walked forward. The clacking of his boots could be heard across the stone floor, echoing through the blazing heat and crackling fire. Each step more ominous and heavy then the last.

It was at this point that he felt something in the air shift.

"A pincer attack? How naughty of you" the voice echoed through the tunnel.

"Says the one who is letting his pets outside make a mess".

"Those things? Those are just recent acquisitions...and rejects" the voice said as Ozlo entered another room. It appeared to be some sort of transition hall, as the tunnel continued on the other side. And yet, there was something that was standing in his way. Ozlo narrowed his eyes, as he looked at the creature. It appeared to be a completely grey humanoid, but with nice and thick skin that wasn't rotted at all. It was completely naked, but any method to tell what gender it was had been lost. Furthermore, it was large and hulking, and very muscular. "But this, this is a grander work! It was created from a Vampiric Thrall you know! Incredibly useful!"

Ozlo took another step forward, and his flames reached out and grasped the creature. They spread all over, incinerating it completely. But as they did, it began to beg for mercy. This gave Ozlo pause for the first time.

"What..."

"Tee hee. I even restored the mind of the original person so he can be along for the ride and still experience things, isn't that wonderful? They will still obediantly attack you, but they will feel everything and retain their sanity no matter what! No army will be able to stand up to hundreds and thousands of these things! Muhahahahaha!"

"...you disgusting creep".

As he said that, two more of these things emerged from the hall. They shuffled towards him, begging to be saved and pleading for help and mercy. However, Ozlo knew already. He knew it was impossible to save them from this. He clenched his fists, and glared at the hallway behind the shambling corpses.

"Rakia. Celestio. Torum".

He invoked draconic words of power, as he produced a great deal of flame behind him, propelling him forward.

"I am sorry" he muttered as he charged past the corpses, incinerating them in such a way that not even ash would remain. Fire seemed to explode from his shoes and hands as he charged forward.

He knew there was only one way to end this nightmare, and that was to kill the boss as quickly as possible. Behind his glasses, Ozlo's eyes contained a rage that felt as if it would blaze through his very soul.

----------------------------------------

At the same time, Kuroki could sense Ozlo's magical power. Normally, his dragonfyre was very discreet, and even standing next to him it could be difficult to sense his magic at all. But right now, Kuroki felt his magic so clearly he could actually pinpoint him inside of the ruins. Furthermore, the way this magic was blazing...Kuroki could feel the emotions within it. It was the first time he felt such anger from Ozlo, who always remained so cool and composed.

"We have to hurry" Kuroki mentioned as they turned a corner, and ran into three others running the same direction as them.

Riza looked relieved to see them.

"Oh good, you two are okay".

"Yeah! And we figured out the truth of these ruins!" Kuroki responded as they kept running.

"Really? So you know about Demon King Carafax?"

"Yeah, we found more murals. But we found something else as well, that is extremely problematic. If Ozlo doesn't know, he is almost certainly walking into a trap. They might even be trying to manipulate him".

"Normally, Ozlo can't be manipulated...but right now he is far too angry that its not a normal situation. It must be Demon King Carafax. He is trying to whittle down our mental defenses. It explains how that cursed mirror got me as well, and why fighting Carafax was draining me. Although, it seemed like he only awakened because of me..."

"Its a red herring maybe, or perhaps your presence weakens control?"

"...of course, I keep perpetual mental wards on at all time...ever since the Anna incident. Somehow, being near me must have let my wards protect him as well and regain his mind. Still, he was just a puppet".

"I wouldn't be too sure yet...it all depends on what we find in the final chamber" Kuroki muttered. "I have three different ideas, but I think one is far more likely then the others".

Kuroki then told the others his deductions. When he finished, Riza was wide eyed.

"...shit, that does make everything add up".

"So its true then?"

"Yeah, you got that right. They aren't like that at all...and given the level of danger, Divifyre would be possible too. Especially given how much time they had".

"But why make the murals?" Riku asked.

"I suspect the ruins themselves make them automatically. This place clearly operates on its own, it kept the fyres alive after all, among other things".

Riza nodded. "Yeah. And I agree, that deduction you think is the highest chance very likely is".

Kaede paled. "Doesn't that mean that Ozlo is running headfirst into a trap?"

"Maybe, but my grandson isn't so stupid as to give into his emotions this easily. So long as we make it in time, everything should be fine".

Kuroki saw as a few golems seemed to be getting up, damaged but apparently still operational as they reached a hall. He had already incanted a spell, and suddenly an icy wind emerged from behind them and froze the golems solid. Riza and Riku both cut through two of them, and Ryuu smashed through the third, not even slowing down.

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"So what is the plan? Are these things as dangerous as we think?" Kaede asked.

"Yeah, they are" Riza said with a nod. "To be honest, id rather leave you all behind and go in myself...but we cant be sure that's not what its waiting for, given it definitely went after you for being Starfallen".

Kaede then lowered her voice. "And we seriously think he might be able to do this?"

"It's possible, but its absurdly dangerous. Unless you are a highly powerful undead that is".

"...understood".

Kaede was a bit down and anxious from that, but she steeled herself all the same as they kept rushing forward.

----------------------------------------

At the same time, Ozlo entered a large central chamber. Flames were whirling around him, coming out of the ground around him. There was a rather large circular table with restraints in the center, which was lower and dipped and seemed to have a drain, and above there was a giant blade. It was clearly rigged to cut whoever was strapped to the table in two, and one could see the marks of the previous uses. Furthermore, ancient runes were etched into the sides.

On the other side of this room were steps that led up to a throne, and a robbed skeletal figure waited there, resting his head with his arm that was resting on the armrest. His robes were rather fancy and elaborate, and contained a great deal of magical energy. So great, that Ozlo could barely sense anything else about them. It was like staring into a magical supernova.

"So I take it you are the leader here, Filiv".

"A nickname? Should I be insulted? Or charmed?"

At those questions, a firebolt went flying at him. He moved his head slightly and avoided the blow.

"You seem quite angry at me. Did my experiments hurt you that much".

"...those were fresh bodies, weren't they?"

"Oh, so you noticed?"

"A few adventurers we thought died during the Goblin Battle while scouting the forces in advance...you are the one that took them?"

Ozlo had been one of the commanders of that battle. He had naturally sent adventurers out to scout, focusing on those who were incredibly skilled and talented. People he was sure would make it back alive. And yet, not all of them did. Ozlo had thought he made a mistake, overevaluated them, or underestimated the enemy...but when he saw those things, he couldn't help but picture those faces.

"Oh. Do you feel responsible, Ozlo Luminar?"

"No wonder you reacted when I said my name. You had heard it before...from them".

"Yes. My lovely Host told me of you from a few he was given, and I got the rest during my interrogations and experiments. You know, they fully believed you would come save them? They were sure you would come for them".

Ozlo clenched his teeth, as his hands were balled into fists.

"Ozlo Luminar, the Dragon Caller. I wonder what sort of lovely experiment I can create from someone bonded to the souls of dragons?"

"So what, you want to rebuild a kingdom that is long gone?" Ozlo asked. Finally, Filivellia glared at him, the lights in his eyesockets blazing brightly.

"My kingdom has not fallen! Not to that detestable Demon King I made a minion! Not to some Hero with their self-righteous values! Not to anyone! My eternal kingdom will rise, and all shall bask in its glory!"

"You have no living subjects left. You are just rubble and dust".

Filivellia just gave him a look.

"Oh no. See, once I hand over those Starfallen to my partner, they shall give me access to the magic to travel across the dimensional rift. Then I shall be able to access not just the afterlife, but countless worlds. I can gather resources from all of them and become the most powerful empire of all, stretching across countless worlds!"

"What?"

There was only one possible being Ozlo could think of that could mean. It meant, this thing was in touch with whatever caused the Mass Starfall incident. It meant Chianthias hadn't lied to him, but it also meant that she had really gotten him good. She had gone to deal with that entity, and that meant the magic that could have helped so many Starfallen was already out of reach. He couldn't turn his back on this thing after all, and none of the others knew yet.

Worse, because he was here, they would undoubtedly come here instead to help him out instead of go after the other entity. His own rage had been used against him...just as Chianthias had probably intended. Using people against themselves was her common method.

Damnit! I knew this was a bad idea, but she really got me good!

Still, Ozlo could at least make sure it wasn't a total loss. He was looking at a potential source of information right in front of him after all. It wouldn't be direct knowledge, but anything that could be extracted might help. That was, if he could nail this guy down.

Filivellia just looked at him, probably smiling but it was hard to tell when he had no face.

"And you...you should make a good new vessel and servant for me".

Suddenly, scattered chains across the room came to life and went at Ozlo, wrapping around his wrists, ankles, and bodies to restrain him. However, he utilized his Dragonfyre to burn them all away. And yet, the chains didn't burn so easily, instead absorbing the heat as they restrained him.

"Thanks for attacking me before. Once an attack is made, my throne, and anything connected to them like these chains, becomes resistant to it in the future. Isn't anger so damn useful? Now, kneel".

The chains made Ozlo kneel.

"Now then, I want to see what my new body looks like. I will need one to rule here while another fragment searches elsewhere".

The chains began to coil around the clothes, only to suddenly be turned to cut up fragments as a new figure appeared.

"Get off of him. No one touches my grandson like that except me" the new arrival growled. Ozlo looked baffled however.

"Would you mind at least trying to word that a bit better..." Ozlo said as he stood up, the chains no longer restraining them as the other four arrived.

Filivellia just looked at them with an unamused expression,

"You arrived sooner than expected. Shouldn't Carafax have kept you busy?"

"He has someone else keeping him busy" Riza muttered. "Now then, we will have you explain a few things to us".

"Ahahahahaha. Do you think I will tell you anything about the secrets my kingdom...my empire possesses?!"

He waved his hands, as a bunch of living armies and golems emerged from the other passageways. There were a few more undead as well, clearly patchworks, but like The Host they were far different then normal patchworks. They were quite capable.

"You will all become pawns for my empire. The Starfallen will be given for power, and you two shall make such fine vessels for me".

Riza closed his eyes for a bit, and let out a sight before he opened them again. This time, a magic circle appeared in each eye.

"I invoke the Third Cataclysm: War".

Suddenly, all of his swords began to glow with a golden light. Filivellia frowned, at least as far as they could guess his expressions, when he saw this.

"I see...that is quite the power. But do not think that will scare me. I am far older than you, grandpa brat".

"At least my mind hasn't been being eaten by his own pawn. I wonder, do you even still possess any reason left? Or has Carafax eaten through all of it? You should know better then to try and chain a Demon King".

"I am in control! He is my minion, and he cannot use his powers on me! I even overwrote that personality of his, though he seems to get mixed up a lot as a result".

Riza unsheathed one of his swords. Kuroki had never seen a sheath for any of them, but it had strange appeared suddenly. The sheath gave off some crazy magical readings. But the way Filivellia reacted the moment Riza suggested his mind was actively being devoured was interesting to Kuroki. Kuroki quickly moved next to Ozlo, and whispered something into Ozlo's ear.

The moment he heard that, he went wide eyed.

"Shit...alright, I agree. Good find. I need to stay on guard, so I will leave the timing to you".

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Go for it, Kuroki".

Kuroki nodded, as he began to formulate a new spell. Meanwhile, Ozlo looked to the others.

"Be warned everyone. That throne and these chains have some sort of weird power to become resistant or outright immune to any attack that hits them. It's likely it extends to the bastard himself, so keep that in mind".

"Rodger".

"Kay".

"Understood".

"Thanks".

"Good to know".

Riku, Riza, Kaede, Ryuu, and Kuroki all answered Ozlo's request, as the six now knew everything each other knew.

"Awaken, Caliomarios!"

Riza immediately unleashed his sword, devastating the chains and the throne. A barrier rose up to protect the main part of it however, not to mention its current occupant. Even Riza's slashes were warded off by this barrier.

"That is a heavy barrier...he must be using Spell Anchors!"

Kuroki realized immediately that this was no normal barrier. If it could repel Riza's attack with that transformed sword of his, then it meant that it had been beefed up and stabilized. And considering the level of expertise this caster had, it was absurd not to realize he had spell anchors. Especially given how meticulous the mastermind had been so far, with this level of control.

Right. Magic isn't a battle of pure power. Its a battle of wits with a power element. Even the strongest spell can be unraveled by a weak spell if you choose or create the right spell.

Kuroki stored three spells inside of himself now, ready to cast on a moments notice. It was incredibly unpleasant and without a doubt his upper limit, and it was using the full support of his staff and grimoire to support the spells he created. He was certain the Necromancer had realized, but Kuroki placed a barrier around himself just now that would make it so the mastermind wouldn't be able to sense them any more, including what they were.

Holding his staff forward, Kuroki imbued it with magical energy as he began to chant.

"Imbue our arms with the chaotic element, let them be everchanging and ever adapting. Release the stored power within the universe itself, let its everchanging nature continue to strengthen us. A necessary measure, using chaos to bring order. The contradiction will be thy enhancer for such power, as the universe itself will wish us victory so our contradiction comes to an end. Everchanging Armaments!"

Suddenly, the entire party's weapons were imbued with energy of some kind. As the chains and the minions drew closer, after a few hits the weapons then changed to a different energy or weapon, thereby bypassing the Throne's adaptation mechanic. So long as their weapons and magic continued to be effected by this, they would always be able to do damage to them.

The Necromancer frowned, at least probably, as he saw that spell.

"...that is a bit too talented for a six-year-old".

"I am fifteen! And I definitely look older than six! At least make the same mistake everyone else does!"

"It's a shame that you are already slated for another. I would have loved to make you my thrall".

The necromancer, Filivellia, raised his hand and shot a green beam at Kuroki as two golems charged at him. Kuroki deployed a barrier against the golems, while his cloak moved on its own and absorbed the energy beam. Filivellia raised his head in shock.

"...that cloak...impossible...how does a brat like you..."

Wait, he recognizes my cloak? But he lived like over a thousand years ago, and this is master's cloak...furthermore, that sounded like his voice got stronger, and his eyes brighter...is that good, or bad? No matter, stick to the plan.

Riku meanwhile seemed to step it up into high gear.

"Brilliant Flare!"

Cutting through dozens of zombies, he executed a well timed brilliant flare. But furthermore...

"And now into...Nova Mine!"

Everything that didn't die but got hit from his sword suddenly had spheres of solar fire appear and enlarge from the points of impact. Like mini-stars going supernova, this was a new technique Riku had been developing. The only issue is that in exchange for being an instant cast, it had various pre-requisites to use. Still, it was a sign he was advancing as their vanguard, and as a magic warrior.

Kaede meanwhile took down two golems without anyone seeing. She had managed to cut through the armor like one might cut through a steak, and then pierced its core, disabling it and causing it to collapse. She did this to two at the same time, showing her resolve. But more then that...

"...Riza, what happened with those two. Why do they seem to have powered up suddenly?"

"Ah, its probably a combination of things. Fighting something impossibly strong like a revived Demon King..."

"...wait what?"

"...and then also being protected and blessed by the various ghosts that had been its victims".

"...just what did I miss?"

"...and then of course they acknowledged their feelings for each other".

Kuroki just paused for a moment and gave a blank look at Riza.

"Wait what?! I missed such an important milestone of their development?!"

Riku and Kaede both went red faced at those words.

"Could you two focus and not obsess over us and get distracted?!"

"No no no, I refuse to accept I wasn't there to witness this!"

"They also had their first kiss".

"Noooooo! You bastard Filivellia! You made me miss something super important!"

Yes, Kuroki had this surprising side to him. In addition to being a magic nerd, he actually did love gossip like this as well, and had been secretly enjoying watching Riku and Kaede's relationship and feelings for each other bud. Of course, if they were back on Earth, he never would have said such things outloud during battle in the past, but apparently Mental Fortitude and Adaptability, and perhaps even Compliance, had an effect where he could process and react to these things while in battle. None of the Starfallen were normal kids anymore, not just physically or magically, but mentally as well. Although it could be hard to tell what would and wouldn't play into these moments, but that is just the messiness of life in general.

Kuroki proceeded however to cast his next spell as he formed some pillars of ice. That said, the tone of his incantation this time had an unusual fire and rage to it. Riku and Kaede pretended to not notice their friend's clearly irked mood, for the sake of their own sanity.

"A Shattering Storm Gathers Upon Us. Let these cold winds take all that there is, and form a strike of hundreds of spears. Divide them further, and shock the world with a snap of your fingers. A gathering of ice, and sleet of storms".

He once again took to the sky, jumping atop of ice pillars he had just formed beforehand or that he formed as he ran, making it harder to predict where he would move. Magical energy swirled into his staff, layering upon itself as it condensed into a powerful spell.

"From my sky, I see below. Across this battlefield I will make it snow. This frozen sky, charged and ready. For now I shall hold it steady. I bring forth the frozen tempest, which will annihilate all who dare step upon this battlefield without my behest!"

He then jumped off from the last pillar, much closer to the ceiling now then the floor and looking down even upon the throne itself. His spell fully charged, his incantation finished, he pointed his staff below as the magical energy surged.

"Wraith of the Frozen Tempest!"

He unleashed one of his strongest spells, Wraith of the Frozen Tempest. The shards of ice rained down upon the dozens or perhaps hundreds of golems and undead and other creations. These frosty projectiles were as strong as ever if not stronger, and they pierced through some with enough force to destroy them instantly. As Kuroki floated above, an effect of the spell, another green beam was shot at him but his cloak blocked it, seemingly absorbing or dispelling the energy.

Once all of the spikes of ice had fallen, Kuroki snapped his fingers and bolts of lightning shot out between them all, decimating the enemy's forces.

"What a vexing child...and yet oh so foolish".

Before Kuroki could land back on the ground, several winged creatures emerged from the halls and rushed towards Kuroki at fast speeds. They appeared almost stonelike, but they had bat wings and were able to move at speeds that were highly unexpected, given their large stone-looking bodies and the fact their legs didn't look like they could support them at that speed. With their wings, they flew into the air to strike at Kuroki.

Ozlo however jumped up there first, and threw a fist full of Dragonfyre at them while spinning around in the air. The Gargoyles seemed resistant to it, but not immune as it burned through quite a few of them, giving Kuroki the time to assemble a magical barrier before the rest made it to them.

And yet, that was when a large skeletal arm emerged from the wall itself and swatted them down to the ground. Kuroki's barrier absorbed most of the damage, but they didn't get out of it unscathed. They felt pain all over, and it was a truly horrid pain as well. Ozlo was able to get up to his feet however, and soon Kuroki was as well. Yet, Filivellia was right there next to them when they did. None of them had even noticed him leave the throne, nor that he had been incanting for quite awhile now. Kuroki hadn't even noticed his magical energy until he was right there next to him.

"Dredging of Souls".

He slammed both his hands into them, as necromatic energies and magic coursed through them. Suddenly, it felt like something was trying to drag them down into the underworld itself. Countless spirits seemed to be around them now, trying to drag them into the abyss below. They attempted to fight against it, but it felt futile as the spirits were too many.

Seeing this, Riza charged at the Necromancer, only for him to disappear suddenly and reappear right behind Riza, as more chains came to entangle him.

"Lost Nightmares".

With this spell, Riza would be trapped as well. Filivellia smiled confidently and victoriously...only for a light to shine in his face.

"Now, Alice!"

Hidden within Riza's hand was a fragment of a mirror. Filivellia realized what it was, but it was too late. The power of the mirror took hold of his magic, reflecting it back at him. The young girl's face appeared in the mirror as well, and the magic itself rebounded.

"You blasted child! How? Your personality should have been consumed, and destroyed when he broke the mirror!"

"I use Caliomarios to destroy the mirror, and therefore cut her out of it and preserve it inside of one untainted fragment. My swords are quite clever you know?"

"...even if you keep a bunch of things about them a secret" Riku grumbled.

With the magic reflected back at the necromancer, the spell around Kuroki and Ozlo faded away as well, as now it was the Necromancer who was suffering in pain and fear.

"Thanks for the help" Riza mentioned.

"Its the least I could do, you already sacrificed the information that thing had" Alice replied. Unfortunately, she did not have the knowledge the mirror itself had from before she had been overtaken, and so only had some very limited abilities while trapped in the mirror fragment.

"I know an expert we can talk to about getting you your body back in another city, so I will make sure to send you their way after this, Alice Liddell".

"Appreciate it".

As they spoke, the Necromancer seemed to recover suddenly and glare at them.

"You will pay for this...fine then, I wanted to save this to conquer the kingdoms above, but I guess I will just get more after breaking you brats!"

"...I am actually a grandpa you know?"

"Shut it, brat" Ozlo countered, causing Riza to pout. Still, the two didn't just stand there trading lines. Ozlo unleashed a torrent of Dragonfyre, and Riza unleashed all six of his swords in a blitz attack. Riku used Brilliant Flare, Kaede snuck around to the enemy's blindspot, Kuroki was already formulating a spell, and Ryuu was charging up on heroic aura somehow.

And yet not a single attack landed on him, as he took out a gemstone and crushed it, creating a magic barrier around himself. At the same time, the power of his magic spiked a lot. Way more than normal. Magic might be more about creativity and wit, but certainly it didn't hurt to have overwhelming magic either. And this went well beyond overwhelming. The entire room became a torrent of magical energy, flooding everywhere and making them feel more pressure and weight.

"I am the Underking, and I will not go down so easily" he bellowed, as all of his defeated creations, including the golems, began to rise and be regenerated. "Now it is your turn to know fear and suffering".

And so, the next stage of this fight commenced.