From tail to neck, the beast was easily ten metres long. Its neck split into three different heads, each one sharp and angular with glowing brown serpentine eyes; a fourth lump growing deformed off to the side nearly of the same size. Its jaws leaked a steaming liquid that melted the stone beneath it. Each rock scale seemed the size of a human head and the flesh rarely seen beneath seemed to ripple like lava, its very presence scalding the air around it. Merely looking at the creature caused the six centurion candidates to hold their breath, its bearing threatening to stop their hearts with a mere glance.
At its sides stood two lesser serpents nearly five metres in size with only two heads, one of which had the lump previously seen while the other did not. The trio of Angicor faced off with a similarly sized group of people: though Ryke would prefer to call them humanoid at best. Two of the Devils sported animalistic digitigrade legs covered in white fur and ending at a hoof, though Ryke in particular noticed the woman had scales beneath said fur whereas the man did not. Each had a squirming black tar moving across their skin, displaying both traits of affection and aggression towards their hosts in the way it moved. They had the common traits they’ve seen in a devil so far, sporting the typical blonde hair and pale skin.
But the presence that immediately froze Ryke in place was the man in front. Easily six and half feet tall, his body covered in a thick suit of pitch black armour that turned him into a moving fortress. The elbows sported short spikes while the knees each had a thick durable plate- Even the helmet seemed more so like a living creature, sporting a jaw where it’s mouth should be and living eyes that moved around erratically. Yet the most disturbing was when the jaw opened so far back it revealed the entirety of the man’s head; his hair a shade so dark the Angicor’s magma grew dim and eyes that held nothing but disdain.
Ryke wanted to lead his group away but his body felt stuck. The air around them had changed into a quagmire, pressing down on every one of their movements until it was nearly suffocating. It took all of his strength to just move a finger and yet he was too afraid to even try, forced to watch the confrontation and hope no one noticed the row of heads peeking over the ledge.
The top jaw of the man’s helmet suddenly snapped shut and covered his entire head whilst the fingers of his armour grew inch long claws. The Three Headed Angicor roared in anger at the challenge and its jaws opened wide- three head sized crimson balls of flame forming within. As if in an attempt to merge the fires, the two side heads positioned themselves at an angle towards the one in the middle.
Not only did the Two Headed Angicor at the side slither forward, the two Second Ring Devils leaped forth to match them. While they lacked the distinct suit of armour, their hands and feet formed natural weapons that still threatened to slash through the gaps in the stone scales with a strength to match the beast's own- but the change was quick. Before the Armoured Devil could even join the fight, the strange eyes on the armour widened and he roared out in rage.
The angled heads of the Third Ring Angicor launched the balls of flame within and sent them shuttling forth at the two battles beside them, ignoring the presence of their own kind. The flames flowed through the rock-like scales like water and left the Angicor unharmed yet singed the devils skin and forced them back with screams of pain. The three heads snorted in disdain and released a cloud of smoke, looking at the Armoured Devil in contempt. Enraged, the Armoured Devil leaped forward to claw at the Fera, emerging unscathed even as it launched the final ball of crimson flame.
Once all parties had finally engaged in battle, the overwhelming presence of hostility was lifted from the centurion candidates, sparing them from their immobility and allowing them freedom- yet they still didn’t dare to escape. At most they slowly crawled backwards so that they no longer peeked over the ledge, too afraid any of the individuals would notice them however unlikely. Only Ryke kept a single eye out to watch the fight, doing his best to keep his presence minimal.
Roars, screams and shouts echoed throughout for nearly fifteen minutes; each one sounding more desperate than the last. The first was that of a Two Headed Angicor, it’s cry shaking the cave and shattering the stone floor as it’s heads hit the ground, searing hot blood pouring out from the wound in it’s chest and exposing the bleeding heart within.
When the other Angicor noticed its plight, it risked its life to devour its opponent. As both heads closed in to strike, it sacrificed one head to allow the other a deathblow, picking up the Devil woman by the teeth and tossing her into the sky and catching her within its jaws. Every time it bit down there was a sickening crunch, something within it’s breath melting away the tar substance coating parts of her skin. Ryke shook as he forced himself to watch the woman scream even as the creature’s teeth ground her bones into pieces before swallowing her whole.
The Angicor shoved its bleeding neck into the remaining head’s mouth and after a few moments the wound was cauterised; leaving the beast lethargic but still able to fight. Even so, it was now a head down and significantly weaker, even if its strength as a Second Ring remained. All it was able to do was keep the remaining devil tied down as the Three Headed Angicor fought.
Claws ripped through flesh and stone alike as the Armoured Devil struck at the beast over and over, leaving bloody wounds stretching metres long across the Angicor’s body. Its blood melted the stone below and every gash threatened to corrode the Devil’s claws, yet not once did it slow down the momentum. The armour would regenerate any damage done within moments and only the flames released by the Angicor’s burning maw could force the Devil back but every use sapped the beast of its energy. Even Ryke could tell it was just a matter of time.
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His worries were proven true when the Armoured Devil slid underneath a crushing snap of the Angicor’s jaws and landed beside its chest, forming a blade with his hand and piercing through its flesh with his claws. The beast was too big to reach its heart but the wound left it near death nonetheless, death by a thousand cuts. It howled out in pain, its eyes watching as the other Angicor died to the other devil after leaving them half dead, ripping an arm from their socket.
The beast fell as its eyes slowly closed, blood flowing out in rivers whilst its weight shook the room for a few moments. Yet the shaking didn’t stop. The Armoured Devil stood still and scanned the room in confusion, only seeing the dead Angicor, the dead devils and the dying three headed beast. Only at the last moment did both he and Ryke realise what was happening.
Another Angicor was below the ground.
Three serpentine heads burst out of the ground beside the Armoured Devil, drowning the man in flame while the centre head bit down in his direction. Ryke heard a pained screech from within the flames, and a fiery black figure sped out towards one of the other cave tunnels. The Angicor rumbled in fury as its heavy body slithered after him, leaving the cave burning and empty save for the few corpses. Only the original Three Headed Angicor remained, its breath weak and slow.
Crimson flames spread across the moss and lichen growing across the stone and lit the room, revealing its mysteries to Ryke. The corners had patches of red grass and dirt, covered in not only Ignar Peonies but other unknown herbs that gave off the same energy. Ferns, saplings and various forms of plant life that spread viciously. What seemed most attractive to him though was the Three Headed Angicor slowly losing vitality in the middle of the room.
Should they?
Should he?
The opportunity was there. No risk, all the benefits. His only worry was the beast somehow having enough power to kill them in death but he couldn’t be sure. If it had the strength, it wouldn’t have fallen in front of the Armoured Devil, helpless.
“.. It’s safe.”
He made his choice.
The others looked hesitant but still followed as Ryke stood up. Jumping down from the ledge, he looked around with worry. Closer now, he could see more things still hidden by the dark, including the old Centurion armour still wrapped around sets of bones and decay. Even suits of Stone unique to the Stone Lotus Guard lie scattered amidst the piles.
“.. Grab all the herbs you can. If you can’t take it without damaging it, just rip it from the ground whole. We won’t be coming back here.”
With solemn nods the five slowly scattered across the room and did their best to deal with the blazing heat. The flame slowly died out as its fuel was used up but the temperature wouldn’t go down so quickly, and Ryke had a lingering sense of dread that wouldn’t go away. He could only move with haste and follow through with his plans, which included grabbing some scales from the Angicor, the largest teeth, as well as..
The hearts.
He stared at the dying Three Headed Angicor as its breath slowed and its eyes closed. Deciding to give it some more time he first went for the two dead Angicor. He struggled with the knife for a few moments before finally getting under the scales, cutting them off the beast with some flesh still attached. He got Maximus to smash the biggest teeth off both of the dead and, while the rest were wrapping up, finally made his way to the dying beast. His aim wasn’t its scales, but the teeth and heart. Breathing in, he found confidence from the deepest parts of his heart and stood in front of it. He was the son of a Praetorian, blood of an Elysian, and a young Centurion. He could not be frightened of a dying beast.
He stepped forth close to the wound in it’s chest and waited for a reaction, yet nothing happened even after a few seconds. The Devil’s claw ripped out more flesh coming out, leaving a basin sized hole that Ryke could climb into slightly and use to close the gap between him and the heart. He huddled up and slowly crawled into the wound, extending his arm deep into the crevice.
Yet he froze when his fingers were a mere inch from the heart, finding a pair of serpent’s eyes staring deep into his soul. He flinched as he smelt the beast's breath closing his eyes as its mouth opened; ready to feel the teeth piercing deep into his flesh before the crunch that signalled his bones were crushed and his life was over.
Nothing came.
As he opened his eyes, Ryke saw no malice hidden within its gaze, no hunger for life, and no will to devour him. Hollow. Lifeless. It’s jaw slack. The beast was dead. A sigh of relief escaped him as he signalled Maximus over with a nod, still using the other to grab the beast’s heart. It was hard to hide the glee on his face as he pulled the mass of flesh from its chest. The heart still pulsed with immense heat and he was amazed at just how heavy it was, easily ten pounds. He watched as Maximus broke off its teeth and the duo put it all away.
Ryke stood some few feet away from the group as he did a last second check and his eyes scanned the room much like the Armoured Devil before him. The smile on his face was real but so was the sense of dread still lingering in his mind. His ear twitched as he heard a faint sound, like something soft and rough rubbing against the stone. Motioning for the group to hush, he specifically looked for the sound this time.
The sound only grew clearer as he did so and his golden eyes quickly snapped to the source. Panic filled his eyes and he turned back to his companions. His heartbeat grew wild in panic and his hands soaked in sweat. Even the brilliant flame hidden within his gaze dimmed as he used all his strength to scream out.
“Run!”