Phantom was now positive that they were close to the crystal. And from there it will be now easy. Only thing left was to find the temple and then go search for another. It won't be hard, right?
The crystal now was rising a little as showing where the temple is. So they only needed to go down the alley covered in brightly colored leaves.
- Now, we go this way and the crystal is ours- he exclaimed proudly.
- You sure it will be that easy? Like you, know traps, guardians, even more angels?- Samukai tried to reason with the demon, only to fail.
- Yea? And what could guard those? An elemental? They are weak. Well they could be a problem for you, but me? It wouldn't be the first one I killed
- I hope that one day, someone will beat your sorry ass, only to show you that you aren't an almighty deity
- You can always dream. Oh wait, you alive, so it doesn’t matter
- And how can you know that asshole?
-You are as stiff as a corpse. Never mind, you don't dream, so even there it wouldn't happen
- Did somebody ever tell you that you are a narcissus or a dick. Or both?
- Quite a lot to be honest
- Wouldn't it be better to argue after we obtain that crystal?- Noktum asked with a hint of annoyance in voice. They were on earth a day or two and they already had much more quarrels than it's healthy.
- Yes, that would be nice, but I don't think that he will ever stop arguing even for a while
- Hey! That is also half your fault
- How exactly?
- There are few examples, but now I have better thing to do than argue
- You are sure that you aren't an embodiment of egoism and an idiocy?- Samukai quietly asked.
Noktum and Fenfir in meantime actually started going down the alley, leaving those two behind.
- It is kinda sad that you can't talk. You seem like the only calm person in this team. If it even can be called one- Hound only nodded his head.
Soon after that, both demon and warrior quickly reunited with the rest. Even though Phantasm said that they were close, they all walked now for a quite long time and still there was no temple in sight. And here was one of the few problems. What actually that temple looked like. Second, where it was, here on the surface or rather underground as was that maze. Third, if it was protected by a spell. After all, spells that could make an object invisible existed.
There were a few more, but those could wait until they would actually get there.
Demon once again was on the front, with his eyes glued to the crystal which now was slightly shining. While he was glaring at the crystal, he started wondering if that part of the legion which escaped alarmed someone, and if they did, would they send more and possibly stronger troops? It would have been a nice break from all these searching. And to get to fight with dominions would be rather exciting.
Magician on the other hand was thinking what to do, to make the other two somewhat calmer. While they stopped arguing for a while, it would be a matter of time when the next one would appear. He must admit that it was getting more and more annoying. Besides arguing that often was definitely a bad thing for morale of the team. And low morale was a recipe for a catastrophe.
Phantom thought that maybe they needed to go underground to find that temple, but he changed his mind when he saw that the alley that was once covered in leaves was now made of stone. And where there was a stone road there was something important. That way of thinking had been always confirmed, for anytime he had used it.
And this time it didn't disappoint him either.
This alley led to some hill on which was placed a temple that looked exactly the same as the Roman one. One giant stone block, with a triangle roof that rested on the pillars.
- Well, there it is- the demon said with pride beaming from him.
All four entered the temple and the first thing that they noticed was that it was rather small, so there was a possibility that there were no traps or guardians. None of them could believe that it was so easy. Or it would be, but then they all heard someone or something coming their way.
Problem was, the sound was coming from the depths of the temple, but none of them saw any other entrance than the main one. Granted, the deeper part was much darker, since there were no holes that could let the sunlight in, but the sound was coming way too far to be from the depths. As if the temple inside was much bigger than it looked like.
Sound of steps came closer and from the depths came a figure dressed in a bright red robe, with one giant, crimson stripe in the middle. The stripe was accompanied by two golden ones on both sides. It also had a white mask that sent them bad vibes. That mask only had two rectangles as holes for eyes that showed no emotions. It also didn't have a hole for its mouth. That person also had something that looked like a mitre with the same colors as a robe.
- Hail and well met- the figure said, while raising its hand in a gesture of greetings.
It looked and acted weirdly calm, as if having intruders wasn't something to worry about.
- Are you like some sort of a priest of this temple?- Samukai said, with hands ready to draw weapons.
- While one could call me like that, I truly am a king
- A king of what?- Phantom asked.
- A king of fire, one of the seven kings
- Seven kings? Never heard of you weirdo- demon pointed his finger at the king.
- That's maybe because you are to young to know us
- Too young?! I am as old as this earth, so don't give me any of this "too young" bullshit!
- Why are you getting so upset?
- That is a good question- the warrior agreed with the king.
- UGH! Listen do you have something that look like this?- Phantom showed a crystal- yes or no
- Indeed, I do possess one of this
- So just gimme that
- And why should I?
- Just shut up and give me this fucking crystal! I have six more to collect and I do not want to make it longer than it is needed, so give me it and I can go and never come back here
- Why do you think that I would give an artifact with so much power to the hands of some mere demon?
- Some mere demon?! SOME MERE DEMON?! And who are you to call me some mere demon? I am Phantasm! I am an elite! Our gracious lord handed me a great task for the good of our kind! And I will not stand some red dressed jester calling me some fucking mere demon! I don’t care if I’ll have to slaughter you over and over again to gain that crystal, for I will have it even if I’ll have to rip it from your cold, dead body! - Everyone in this temple was able to feel his rage as one is able to feel the sun shining bright on the day when the sky is clear.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Anger issues that much? Was all that went through the heads of his teammates.
- So I guess that you would like to duel for this crystal, am I right?- yet again the figure was calm as if nothing happened.
- Yes! If that means that I can finally get this, then yes!
- So I dare to accept your challenge- after the king said this, he raised his hands and all fighters were surrounded by a tall ring of fire.
Phantasm after that summoned abbadon to kill the king in one swift strike. But, when the beam was about to hit the head of the king, he casually dodged this, just as if it was a stone thrown by someone with little to no strength.
- And who said that you are going to fight me?- king showed the crystal, which was now shining brightly, and threw it high above the ring.
While the demon was recovering from the shock that somebody could dodge the beam literally a moment from it's face, his team was having bad thoughts about what the king was doing now.
The crystal covered itself in flames so bright that they all needed to cover their eyes. Flames then in a blink of an eye get bigger and started falling down. When fire was more or less on the floor, two bright red eyes appeared inside, startling warrior and the magician.
After that they all heard a loud shriek. Flames then turned to one giant elemental. This monster had its lower part covered in fire with two talons showing on the bottom. It's upper half was rather muscular and from time to time flames appeared somewhere on it. Hands of the elemental had big, sharp claws. It's face looked like it belonged to the dragon. Bare, long teeth, long mouth and curvy horns.
- He shall be your opponent- king said while stepping back, letting the monster deal with the intruders.
Beast roared and spit fire at the Fenfir. Wolf quickly jumped back, barely dodging getting burned.
- I call forth the unstoppable Rage of Neptune, to drown the ones who dares to oppose- Phantom said this and summoned his scythe. Slightly above the weapon, a ball of water started forming. Demon hit the floor with the scythe with the ball following.
Close to the fire ring formed a ring made of water. Something was trying to get out from four sides.
Phantom then started to summon a magic circle:
- Magic circle, Gate of Atlantis!
On the sides where the Rage of Neptune was supposed to attack, bluish circles appeared with two crossed tridents in the middle. After that, from the ring of water shot out four giant projectiles. After they connected to the circles, they grew bigger and stronger.
When they were about to hit the elemental and end the battle, elemental's flames started getting brighter and hotter.
Soon they were so hot, that the stone under it was melting and water just vaporized. All intruders felt this devastating heat and were sure that they would be burned, or even worse, scorched, somewhere. They all also needed to cover their eyes to not go blind for some time.
When the monster stopped its attack, everyone saw that they were slightly burned.
Phantom looked upset that something dared to nullify his spell.
- Oh, for fuck sa- he couldn't end, 'cause a whip made of fire hit him right in the face, breaking his jaw.
Black liquid poured down the wound on the right side of his face, covering the floor.
Demon was really confused that some spell had enough power to get through his resistance to the fire attribute and to break his jaw.
While he didn't worry about the wound, because his regeneration will close it, the strength of this elemental was something to recon.
- You know, if the situation was better I would have said that you deserve this, but now just please kill that damned thing- Samukai said while dodging a hit from the whip.
After fixing the wound Phantom said:
- And what do you think that I am doing?! I call thou the great frost hydra to freeze everything in its path, Hydra’s chain of ice!
From a light blue ball, three thin beams ended with dragons heads shot out and were now close to the elemental.
Just as the Phantasm thought, ice melted but there still was water, and no way in hell this monster could heat itself that quickly.
And there he was wrong. Water before hitting its target vaporized as before.
- I guess that I would need to do it in the good old style then!
He then proceeded to summon the abbadons once again, but this time he was aiming at the fire beast. First abbadon hit the monster in it's left arm, but it seemed to do no damage to it. The second hit the elemental in the chest, but the result was the same. The last one hit it in the head. Monster staggered a little, but quickly regained it's balance and spit out three chains made of fire.
Chains danced around the demon for a while. Phantom tried to destroy them with another abbadon, but then chains started binding him, scorching his purple skin. Two of them held his body and wings, when the third one found its place on the demon's mouth.
Elemental then proceeded to throw the demon all across the room. Phantasm landed just before he hit the ring, yet his tail was already inside.
- GAH! Fuck!- demon exclaimed when he put out his tail from the fire. It wasn't there. Only thing that was left from it's tip was a bare, dark purple bone standing in the middle of the hole, from which black liquid poured down like from a waterfall.
This was now something to worry about. While regenerating smaller or bigger wounds wasn't a problem, creating a new limb or part of it would take much more time than it is needed, and now each second counted, because he didn't know even if this was the full power of that monster.
- It looks like it is my turn now- Samukai said while drawing his third sword.
Come on Izanagi, don't fail me now
He then came rushing at the monster, casting blessings on himself and dodging whips and fireballs. Green aura danced around him, and after a while it stopped, the warrior felt much faster than normally.
He was now right before the elemental. One quick slash. And...done.
Elemental had one big cut on it's chest. It looked at the samurai. A bright light started to shine from it's wound, and Samukai got hit by a beam made of heat.
Pure strength of this spell sent him flying away, nearly crushing on the demon.
- Maybe I should use the Eye of Horus to see what his magic aura is weak to?- Noktum asked as he saw a fireball crushing near him.
- Fuck this! I'm gonna hit this fucker with a Black Comet!- demon summoned his weapon to hand.
- Cover me- Noktum said to Fenfir as he saw the samurai trying to hold back Phantom.
Wolf crouched down in front of the magician, taking a hit from a fireball.
Noktum started a chant:
- Great Horus, please tell me everything about my foes- Horus's eye appeared above the shadow. At first it looked at the right. Then at the left. After that it focused on the elemental. Eye glowed a little and then disappeared.
For that short while Noktum saw nine orbs orbiting around the elemental. All of them were shining equally bright which indicated that the monster had no ''leaks'' in its aura. But the shadow had one trick that he wanted to try.
- Trap of the desert tomb
Monster was trapped in a sand's tomb. It's screeches were muffed but still hearable.
- That's... actually a great idea- Samukai complimented Noktum.
But something was wrong with the trap. After a second, it burst open with elemental standing in the middle.
- Didn't you say that this is indestructible?
- Well, at least I know now it isn't
- Doesn't he look a little different?- Phantom asked.
Elemental was now much grayer and his flames were smaller. It also looked exhausted.
- That's right! Fire with no air will not burn! Come on, trap him once again!
Magician once again summoned the trap, but this time the monster dodged it before it could close. He tried again but with the same result.
Samukai then came rushing at the elemental. He drew Izanagi and cut down the monster's right arm. Orange dust poured down from it and the monster was for a while confused.
And a while was more than enough to trap him once again.
When elemental broke out of his prison, he looked like he was about to faint. Monster also was now completely gray and his flames were close to none.
Phantasm then summoned the abbadon, which hit the monster right in the chest. Elemental stood there for a while with hole in it. After a few seconds, he turned to ash.
None of them could believe that they actually defeated the monster. A thing that confirmed it was a clapping sound.
King of fire was slightly amused that somebody completed his challenge.
- You all did well- he said- I didn't think that you would try to suffocate him. Nonetheless I am pleased. You surely deserve your reward- he handed then a Crystal of the Fire Element.
- You will certainly be more than grateful for it's power
- You don't mind giving this demon a rather strong artifact?- Samukai asked.
- No, why should I?
- They might have do something bad with it
- I have no worry, this world does not concern me or my brothers
- I have right that he is a weirdo!- Phantom said as he and the rest went out.
- Don't you forget about anything?- warrior asked the demon.
- No?
- Maybe thank him?- samurai pointed at Noktum.
- Why?
- Maybe because he actually had an idea how to defeat the elemental? And by him we actually survived
- From what I know I got the most hits on myself and I did the final strike. So I defeated the elemental
- Okay! We are going to camp here! There is something I need to tell you- Samukai said as he came closer to the demon.