The floor trembled under their feet.
A deep, guttural growl echoed through the chamber, vibrating in their bones. Dust trickled from the ceiling, and the black crystal behind Mizu pulsed again—faster, almost as if… reacting.
Sayos spun toward the shadows. "Please tell me that's just an echo."
Lucy's low growl was answer enough. Her ears pressed back, fur bristling.
Rika tightened her flames around her fists. "Whatever it is… it's coming. Be ready."
The growl grew louder, turning into a distorted roar that rattled the walls. Then, from the darkness beyond the crystal, it emerged.
A hulking, grotesque creature—its body twisted, half-flesh and half-black stone. Glowing violet cracks split its skin, pulsating like veins of molten lava. Its eyes burned with a feral, unthinking rage.
Honkai's eyes widened. "That's no ordinary monster… that's Ranshin's work."
"Figures," Sayos muttered, gripping his wind-forged blades. "He just loves ruining the mood."
The beast charged, moving unnaturally fast for its size. The ground cracked under its weight as it lunged straight for them.
"Scatter!" Mizu shouted.
The team dove in different directions just as the beast smashed into the floor where they'd stood, leaving a crater. Shards of black stone shot out like shrapnel.
Rika wasted no time, launching a spiral of fireballs at its head. But the flames barely singed its hardened skin, fading into the cracks.
"It's not working!" she yelled.
"Then hit the cracks!" Honkai shouted back, summoning lightning around his arms. He struck, aiming for the glowing violet lines. The beast roared in pain as sparks danced across its body.
"Bingo!" Sayos grinned. "Weak points, got it!"
He dashed forward, a whirlwind surrounding him as he slashed across one of the glowing veins. The creature howled, stumbling.
But then—its body changed.
The cracks widened, and black smoke poured from them. Its movements became even faster, its claws stretching unnaturally.
"Oh, come on," Sayos groaned. "Does everything we fight have a second form?!"
Lucy leapt onto its back, biting into one of the cracks. The beast thrashed, slamming against the walls to shake her off.
"Lucy, get back!" Rika yelled, throwing a wave of fire to distract it. The beast turned to her instead, roaring furiously.
Mizu jumped in front of Rika, blue flames erupting around his arms. "Keep it busy! I have an idea!"
"Please tell me it's a good one," Sayos muttered, barely dodging a swipe that cracked the floor open.
Mizu focused on his pendant, feeling the energy flow through him like water. "Think. Don't fight against it… guide it."
He spread his arms, blue flames spiraling outward, merging with his water energy. The air chilled as steam filled the chamber.
The beast lunged at him, claws raised.
"Now, Mizu!" Honkai shouted.
Mizu slammed his hands to the ground. A massive column of water burst upward, wrapping around the beast like a living serpent. Blue fire ignited within the water, boiling it instantly, steam scalding the creature's body.
The beast screamed, thrashing violently, but Mizu tightened his control, forcing the flaming water deeper into its cracks.
"Sayos, Rika! Finish it!" Mizu yelled.
Sayos didn't need to be told twice. Wind blades spun around him as he dashed forward, slashing across the creature's glowing chest cracks.
Rika followed, her fists blazing bright red as she struck its head. "Burn, damn you!"
With one final combined strike, the cracks exploded in a burst of violet light. The beast gave one last, deafening roar before collapsing, smoke pouring from its body.
The ground shook as it finally stilled.
The team stood there, catching their breath.
Sayos wiped sweat from his forehead. "So… who's voting we never come back here again?"
Rika smirked despite her exhaustion. "Not an option, genius."
Lucy limped over to Mizu, resting her head against his leg. He patted her gently, still watching the beast's corpse.
Honkai approached the crystal, his expression serious. "That thing wasn't just guarding the crystal. It was feeding on it. Ranshin knows we're close."
Mizu tightened his fists. "Then we move faster."
As if hearing him, the black crystal pulsed one last time—then shattered into dust, revealing a glowing key within.
"The third key…" Rika whispered.
Mizu picked it up, holding it tight. "One more to go."
But before they could take another step, a low chuckle echoed through the chamber.
Everyone froze.
The voice came from nowhere and everywhere at once. Smooth, mocking… familiar.
"Well done, little thieves. You've entertained me far more than expected."
Sayos scowled, scanning the shadows. "Who the hell—?"
The voice laughed. "Oh, you'll know my name soon enough. But for now… enjoy your victory."
The chamber walls trembled, and suddenly, the floor beneath them began to crack open.
"Mizu!" Rika shouted.
"I've got it—hold on!" Mizu tried to stabilize the ground with his water, but the cracks spread too fast.
The floor gave way, and they all plummeted into darkness.
To be continued in Chapter 34 – "Fall Into the Depths."