“Duck,” Elara screamed as a deformed arm swung perilously close over Evan’s head.

“Shit. That was too close,” grunted Evan, quickly jumping back to evade the endless limbs that thrashed around.

The tenth-level boss exceeded Evan’s expectations with its twisted limbs, grotesque features, glowing eyes, and multiple, teeth-rimmed mouths snapping menacingly. Elara blasted it with lightning magic, but the smoke cleared, leaving no marks.

Evan surged forward with his sword, hoping to strike amidst Elara’s attack. The creature responded with a frenzied flurry of attacks, its multiple limbs slashing through the air like deadly whips.

“…Shit. Come on, Evan, think! Find an opening. Elara’s counting on you” Evan’s thoughts raced through his mind, as he used the room’s layout to his advantage, darting behind a towering pillar to narrowly avoid a deadly onslaught. The pillar acted as a temporary shield, providing Evan a moment to think.

With a burst of speed, he emerged, launching a daring attack at the creature’s pulsating core. The boss anticipated the move, a whip-like limb intercepting Evan’s sword mid-swing.

“Damn it!” Evan grunted, forced to retreat. He circled the boss once more, analyzing the room for potential advantages. Elevated platforms along the chamber’s edge caught his eye. “Those platforms could give me an advantage. Stay agile, stay focused. I can do this.”

With a grunt, Evan leapt onto one of the platforms, momentarily evading the creature’s relentless assault. “Stay sharp, Evan. Keep moving,” his thoughts raced.

Recognizing Evan’s strategy, Elara adjusted her approach, creating magical distractions to draw the boss’s attention and provide Evan with openings for counterattacks.

On the elevated platform, Evan leapt from perch to perch, constantly repositioning to keep the creature off balance. Frustrated, the boss unleashed a barrage of limbs, striking the platforms with destructive force. Parts of the lower platforms began to break apart.

Seizing the opportunity, Evan descended with a powerful overhead strike, aiming for the creature’s core. The boss, momentarily stunned, emitted an otherworldly wail.

Elara collapsed to one knee, her magical reserves depleted. “Just a bit more energy. Hold on, Evan. I need to pull through for both of us.”

Sensing Evan’s distraction, the monster seized the chance and launched a powerful strike that sent him sprawling across the chamber.

“No, not now. We’re so close. I can’t let her down. Gotta keep pushing…” Evan thought as he stumbled back to his feet.

Seeing Elara exposed on the chamber floor, Evan charged back into the fight. His sword danced with precision, finding weak points in the boss’s grotesque armour. Despite the pain in her leg, Elara summoned healing magic to mend Evan’s increasing wounds, incantations uttered between gritted teeth.

The monster unleashed a devastating counterattack, destroying parts of the pillars and floor around the chamber, pieces of stone shooting in every direction. Evan turned and stood in front of Elara, shielding her with his body and bearing the brunt of the assault; A scream escaped him as a deep cut was etched across his back.

“Evan!” Shouted Elara as she watched his body fall in front of her. She could see the bloody cut across his back. Tears began to run down her cheeks as she reached for Evan’s hand. “I’m so sorry Evan. I don’t have anything left. I can’t… I can’t help you.”

Evan opened his eyes with a groan. “Ahh… " He gasped as the pain finally registered. “It’s… It’s ok. I’ll protect you.”

Elara shook her head, a broken smile on her face as she wiped her face. “We did our best…” She whispered.

The boss monster roared as it moved closer to where Evan and Elara were. Elara looked at the monster, Its limbs still swinging around wildly.

“I hope it doesn’t hurt. I’ve never thought about what it would be like to die.” She whispered. “I’m sorry sister… I…”

“It’s ok.” Came Evan’s voice with a sign. “What I’m about to do. I won’t be able to protect you. But. We won’t be dying here. Not now.”

Evan closed his eyes. He could feel the chaos magic jump to do his bidding. The power of it made him giddy after so much blood loss.

“This is not safe human.” Came Ardentrex’s voice. “Your body still can’t handle this much power.”

“I have to Ardentrex. I won’t sit by and watch her die because I refused to act.” thought Evan. “I am willing to pay the price.”

“You don’t know the price.” Said Ardentrex’s voice softly as Evan pulled in magic energy far too quickly for him to control. “I can’t help you with this human.”

Elara jumped as Evan screamed out. Her eyes wide as she felt the raw mana being pulled into Evan. She shivered as the feeling of the entire world’s mana was being stuffed into him.

Evan felt time stop, everything slowed down to nothing as he continued to draw chaos mana. The raw mana of the world, unrefined, dangerous. Lifting his hand, Evan pointed at the boss monster as it stood over him. The limbs reached out, almost touching his legs.

“Die.” Shouted Evan. The magic mana that had been building, shot out of his arm like a lightning bolt. The raw magic hit the monster at point blank. Lifting it as it wailed, thrashing around. Its core cracked and shattered as the raw mana continued to stream out of Evan. The chaos magic no longer having a target began to gouge deep channels into the walls and ceiling.

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The monster gave a final shake before it began to fade away. The smoke of its dissolving limbs clouded the room in a dark haze.

Elara stared at Evan in shock. The power he had displayed was more than anything she had ever seen. She kept opening and closing her mouth, but no words came out; as the last of the magic faded away Evan’s arm dropped, hitting the ground with a loud thump.

“What was that…” She whispered. Her hand still holding Evan’s free hand. She felt his skin begin to cool. Fear surged as she pulled herself over to his body.

He was no longer breathing. His chest was still. Panic gripped Elara as she began to channel her magic into his limp body. A warm light glowed when she pressed her hand into his chest.

“Please… Please…” She begged. Tears falling from her eyes as she desperately tried to save him. “Goddess… Please save him. I can’t lose him. I… I Need … Please save him… Take me… Take me instead.”

Just as Her magic spluttered out; She collapsed onto him, Gripping his torn shirt tightly, as her crying was the only noise in the chamber. Choking sobs echoed loudly in the vast space.

A voice floated through the room, mixing with Elara’s haunting sobs.“…Hey the door opened…”

“…Do you think someone managed to defeat that thing…” came another voice.

Elara lifted her head. The sounds of other people grew louder. “Please… Please help us.” Pleaded Elara.

“Shit. Someone managed it. Over here, boss.” Said a young boy as he stepped into view.

“Please… Help him…” Begged Elara. Her face was covered in Evan’s blood, giving her a chilling haunted look.

“Hey there.” Came a Soft feminine voice. “Let us have a look. We will help him if we can.”

Elara felt herself being pulled back. She tried to push whoever it was away, but she lacked the strength. She watched as two other people, leaned over Evan and began to inspect him. One of them started to glow as they channelled magic into his limp body.

The glow died out as the person looked at the woman standing at Evan’s feet. They shook their head. Stepping away from Evan’s body.

“No… No. No. No. Please help him.” Screamed Elara as she struggled against whoever was holding her. “He can’t die.”

“He is gone. I’m sorry, but there is nothing we can do for him now.” Said the woman at his feet, as she looked Elara in the eyes. “We will take his body with us. Lay him with full honour. But we cannot bring back the dead. Only the goddess can do that.”

“We are ready to move Rivena.” Said the young boy standing next to the woman. He glanced at Elara before lowering his eyes.

“OK. Move out.” Said the woman called Rivena.

Elara felt herself be lifted, as she was carried to a gurney waiting nearby. Not taking her eyes from Evan’s body, they lifted him onto another gurney, covering the body with a cloth.

“Please, Goddess Cora. I will give you anything. Please bring him back to me.” Pleaded Elara.

As they carried her down the staircase to level eleven, Elara’s heart began breaking. “I’m nothing without him.”

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

Goddess Cora stood where Evan’s body had been, as she watched as they carried him down the staircase on the gurney.

“Hmm. I can feel my sister’s magic on him. ” She said as she looked at the ruined chamber around her. “But this magical destruction feels more like a dragon was here.”

Cora turned as she felt the air currents move. A figure began to materialise beside her. The air spun faster before vanishing as if it had not been there a second ago.

“Ah Sister. I should have known you would be here already.” Said Sera as she stepped out of the last of the air currents.

“Seraphina. How nice of you to say hello.” Replied Cora, her face betraying her real feelings.

“Cora. I know we have our differences.” Sighed Sera. “But can we not put them aside for once?”

“What have you done this time? You know the rules. We cannot interfere with these lesser races. I can feel your magic all over this human.” replied Cora.

Sera looked at her sister with anger in her voice. “Father’s ruling has brought us nothing but hardship. Once we could talk to our followers, interact with them. Sleep with them.”

“And that was the reason he put the rules in place.” Shouted Cora. The ground trembling from her voice. “We only just stopped the Demigods birthed last time. Who knows if we could stop them again.”

“It might be fine for you. Sister. But it has ruined me. I’ve sat by for centuries. Bided by his rules. But one by one, my temples have fallen. Without my direct touch, they have been destroyed.” Explained Sera.

“What do you mean?” Snapped Cora.

“I mean sister. Is that I only have one temple left. I have sealed it, but I can’t say how long the seal will last. This war these ‘lesser races’ are having has taken my last follower. With Father’s rules, I cannot gain any new followers. I will die once that temple falls. My last temple.” Explained Sera. “You do know what would happen if I died right? I control time… Fate… Losing that temple will have a very real effect on this world.”

“What. No. Surely you are lying.” Hissed Cora. “I will check this.”

Cora raised her hand and a map of the world they were on appeared. The map quickly jumped around different locations before stopping. Cora lifted her other hand and multiple worlds appeared. With the same motion, the maps of these new worlds jumped through locations at increasing speed.

Cora waved her hand, and the world maps disappeared. “It would seem that you are telling the truth sister.”

“I never lie.” Replied Sera softly. “You know this. Hate me all you want, but I will never tell a lie.”

“Yes. I remember. Even after Mother’s little coup failed you never once tried to lie to protect yourself.” Grunted Cora. “Perhaps that is why Father decided not to kill you… What business do you have with this human?”

“I have given him a chance at proving himself. I told him all he had to do was reach my temple. To give worship at the shrine within its doors.” Stated Sera with an effort. “It will only take him to ensure I can hold the temple again. I can reseal it for another few centuries at least. But myself time to restore what I lost.”

“Hmm. But it would seem that he failed that quest. I am to assume that was his body they just carried out?” Muttered Cora as she shook her head.

“Yes…” Sighed Sera. “It would seem that others are moving against me. The monster they had to fight here was meant for the thirty-fifth level of this dungeon. It should have never spawned on the tenth level. No one outside of the human capital would have been able to defeat it.”

Cora looked at her sister in surprise. “Who would be stupid enough to do such a thing? Surely they must know that Father would find out… I don’t want to think about what he would do. Last time one of us angered him, he destroyed a world as punishment.”

“I know.” Whispered Sera. “Please help me, sister. I need to save that human. Well, save him again.”

“I don’t know if I should.” Said Cora slowly. “Why should I risk my neck for you? I watch Father rip Hera’s heart out. I… I don’t want that to happen… All she did was love one of her followers. He killed her for that. Father does not take lightly to his rules being ignored.”

“I will owe you… Surely you don’t want to see your sister die, right?” Stammered Sera pleadingly.

“Argh. Alright. Alright. I will do this once. But you will owe me A favour. And I can ask for anything.” Replied Cora with a defeated sigh. She knew this was going to tax her powers for a bit.

Shaking her head Cora looked Sera in her eyes. “And Sera. I mean anything.”

“Thank you. I agree to your terms. By the old laws and the new. I seal our agreement.” Stated Sera, bowing to her sister.

“Yeah, yeah. Ok. I agree to accept our agreement.” Muttered Cora. “I best be off. I want to do this quickly before his spirit gets too far away.”

Sera watched as Cora vanished in a puff of smoke. Smells of burnt pine and the ocean were all that was left in her wake. Sera looked down at the floor as she let out a long sigh. “You had better not die again, Evan. I’m running out of time. And options…”