The roar shook the entire chamber.
The creature towered over them, its body writhing like living smoke, claws scraping deep gouges into the black crystal floor. Its eyes—if they could be called that—glowed bright violet, locking onto Mizu.
"Sayos, on me!" Mizu shouted, water forming twin spirals around his arms.
"Already on it!" Sayos answered, wind swirling at his feet as he dashed to Mizu's side.
The beast lunged, its claws slamming down where they'd stood moments before. The impact shattered the floor.
Rika ignited flames around her hands, but hesitated. "Will this thing absorb elemental energy like Ryojin?"
Honkai's voice was sharp. "Probably. But it's unstable. Its core is exposed!"
"Where?" Rika demanded.
"The chest," Honkai said. "See that pulsing violet glow? That's it."
---
Lucy darted forward first, leaping onto the beast's arm, tearing into the dark flesh. The creature screeched, swinging wildly to shake her off.
Sayos launched a gust of wind at its legs, trying to slow it down, while Rika used short, explosive bursts of flame to push it toward a corner.
"Mizu!" Honkai shouted. "You need to strike the core directly!"
"I can't get close enough!" Mizu replied, dodging as a claw slammed into the ground next to him.
Rika smirked. "Then let me make you an opening."
Before Mizu could stop her, Rika dashed forward, flames erupting around her entire body. She leapt onto the beast's arm, running up its writhing body despite the heat searing her skin.
"Rika!" Mizu called.
She didn't look back. "Don't waste this chance, idiot!"
With one final jump, Rika punched her flaming fist into the creature's chest. The beast shrieked, rearing back in pain, exposing its core.
"Mizu! Now!" Honkai yelled.
Mizu didn't hesitate.
Water spiraled around him, forming into a massive drill. He surged forward, leaping high—and slammed the attack straight into the glowing core.
The beast roared so loudly the walls shook, violet energy spilling out as its body convulsed.
Then, with a final screech, it collapsed, dissolving into black smoke.
---
The chamber fell silent.
Rika landed hard, gasping, burns visible on her arms. Mizu rushed to her side.
"Are you crazy?!" he said, helping her stand.
She smirked weakly. "You're welcome."
Sayos limped over, shaking his head. "I swear, you two are going to kill me one day."
Before they could breathe, the ground shifted again.
Honkai stiffened. "The chamber's collapsing!"
The floor split, revealing a glowing staircase descending into darkness.
Mizu tightened his grip on Rika's hand. "No choice. We move now."
Lucy barked sharply, already heading down.
As they descended, the last of Ryojin's voice echoed faintly:
> **"You survived… but that was only the first step."**
The beast collapsed into smoke, leaving nothing but the sound of their own breathing.
Rika stumbled to her knees, her burns still glowing faintly. "We… actually did it."
Before Mizu could respond, the chamber walls began to split apart, runes glowing violently along every crack.
Honkai stiffened. "This isn't Ryojin… this is something else."
Then, a voice—low, distorted, but unmistakable—echoed from everywhere at once.
"Impressive… but still not enough."
The crystal floor shattered, forming a staircase spiraling downward. A faint purple glow rose from below.
Lucy growled. "It's leading us somewhere."
Mizu looked into the darkness, gripping his pendant.
"If this is the path Ranshin wants… we'll make it ours."
He stepped forward, and for the briefest second, a pair of glowing violet eyes flashed in the shadows below.
**To be continued…**