The stairs stretched downward into an abyss of darkness, the air growing colder with each step. The scent of burnt stone and ancient decay lingered as Ryu and Shiromoto cautiously descended. Their footsteps echoed, the only sound in the oppressive silence.
"I swear, if there's another giant snake down here, I'm leaving," Ryu muttered, gripping his donut tightly.
Shiromoto smirked, his flames flickering to life around his fists. "No way. We came this far. Besides, I think we're past the snake phase."
At the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in a massive underground chamber, far larger than the previous ones. The walls were lined with towering stone pillars, each carved with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. The eerie green light from above had vanished, replaced by a dim blue glow emanating from the chamber's center.
A massive circular platform stood before them, embedded with arcane markings that shimmered in rhythmic pulses. At its core rested an obsidian pedestal, upon which a single, ornate chest lay sealed with thick iron chains. The air crackled with latent energy.
"That's definitely trapped," Ryu stated flatly.
"Obviously," Shiromoto replied. "But we're not leaving without checking it out."
They stepped forward cautiously. As they neared the pedestal, a sudden gust of wind howled through the chamber, and the markings on the pillars flared with light. The temperature dropped sharply.
A deep, guttural voice echoed through the cavern. "Only the worthy may claim the prize. Prove your strength, or be consumed."
The ground trembled as a swirling vortex of energy formed above the chest. From its depths emerged a towering figure clad in ancient armor, its form shifting like living shadows. Twin swords gleamed in its gauntleted hands, their edges dripping with an ethereal glow.
Ryu exhaled sharply. "Yeah, that's definitely a boss fight."
Shiromoto cracked his knuckles. "Let's finish this fast."
The armored figure raised its blades, and in a blur, it lunged at them. Ryu barely had time to dodge as a shockwave burst from the impact of its strike. Shiromoto countered instantly, his fists igniting in a blaze of red flames as he launched a fiery uppercut. The warrior staggered but retaliated with a spinning slash, forcing Shiromoto to retreat.
Ryu took advantage of the opening, channeling energy into his donut and launching a crescent-shaped blast at the figure's chest. The impact sent the warrior skidding back, but it remained unfazed. With a swift motion, it raised one sword high, and the entire chamber darkened.
Whispers filled the air, unnatural and haunting. Shadows stretched unnaturally, twisting into clawed hands that reached for them.
Shiromoto grit his teeth. "This is bad."
Ryu nodded, his grip tightening. "We need to break its stance. Fast."
The warrior dashed forward again, its swords dancing like blurs of light. Ryu and Shiromoto barely kept up, dodging and countering where they could. Every impact sent shockwaves through the chamber, the walls vibrating with each collision.
Then Ryu noticed it—each time the warrior struck, a faint glimmer pulsed at the center of its armor, just for a second. A weak point.
"Shiromoto! Hit the center of its chest when it attacks!"
Shiromoto didn't hesitate. As the warrior slashed at him, he twisted mid-air and slammed a flaming fist directly into the pulsing core. The impact sent cracks through the armor, and the warrior staggered for the first time.
Ryu saw his chance. With a burst of energy, he launched himself forward, spinning mid-air as he slammed his donut-infused energy strike into the weakened spot.
A resounding crack echoed as the core shattered. The warrior let out an unearthly wail before exploding into a burst of energy, its form dissolving into nothingness.
The chamber fell silent.
Shiromoto landed, exhaling. "That was insane."
Ryu dusted himself off. "Yeah, but we won. Now, let's see what's in that chest."
They approached the pedestal, the chains around the chest dissolving into mist. Ryu cautiously lifted the lid, revealing a glowing gemstone embedded in an intricate gauntlet.
Shiromoto whistled. "Looks important."
Ryu picked it up, feeling the surge of power radiating from it. "Yeah... but what does it do?"
Before he could contemplate further, the chamber trembled again. The pillars' glow flickered wildly, and a deep rumble echoed from the depths below.
A new passageway revealed itself at the far end of the chamber, leading into the unknown.
Shiromoto groaned. "And here I was hoping that was the last challenge."
Ryu smirked. "Come on, you know this was just the beginning."
With the gauntlet in hand, they pressed forward into the darkness, ready for whatever awaited them next.