When the battle between Yun and La'Parca was about to start, one of the three mysterious men decided to meddle once and for all, but unexpectedly, it wasn't the Moon Knight this time.
-Otacon: If what Remy mentioned is true, there is no other option but to get the brat out of that place.
-Remy: Oh, so you're going to contradict yourself and get in the way?
-Otacon: After all, sooner or later we'll be part of that kid's destiny.
-Koru: Otacon... How do you plan to get inside the dungeon? We have no idea if he is in hell itself.
-Otacon: For living beings it is something impossible... but for me...
As time went by, Shiko and Asuka continued inside the dungeon, observing around them that each time in the distance, the presences they felt were of monsters, of different species. Ogres, Cyclops, hybrid animals, ghosts, living puppets, mutant bats and among other types of species very similar to the guardians they had faced previously.
-Shiko: You have mentioned an eclipse? What do they mean by that? A ritual?
-Slime 1: Eclipse... he is to blame for the fact that we are trapped here, the one to blame for the destruction outside... It is the demon that oversees subduing our world to chaos.
-Cyclops: Even enough to make even the wildest monsters behave docilely in here... We are here to be used in your plan.
-Magiciant: That demon years ago discovered how to break the barrier that separates our world from the world above through a ritual and his plan is to be able to merge both worlds through the same ritual, but he must achieve it on a large scale and for that he plans to use the essence of all our species as a sacrifice.
-Asuka: Now everything makes sense... All the beasts we haven't encountered along our journey have been in here the whole time.
-Shiko: How do you stay alive? What do they eat or drink water from?
-Cyclops: Many species eat each other in here, outside of that, there is a special area in this place, where a sacred object lives that, apparently, has made vegetation emerge that helps us feed and this being the only place through which magic enters.
For each explanation the monsters gave, the young heroes understood more and more the meaning of their journey. They understood that it depended on them to recover the sense of the nature of that world, making them at the same time begin to be overwhelmed by this responsibility. While they were still in the same place, a tall elf in green robes and a red scarf, blond hair and green eyes, with shining wings on his back and very tall approached everyone. All the monsters gave him a chance to talk to the humans.
-Slime 2: Humans, I introduce you to Master Elysian, he is the one who has been in charge of taking care of us here.
-Elysian: I imagine that you are Shiko and Asuka.
-Shiko: How do you know our names? We have hardly seen you arrive.
-Elysian: Among all these species, I have overseen leading the race of elves, I have focused on being a scholar all my life and I am one of the few beings in this world who has the ability to have visions about the future.
-Asuka: Are you able to see what will happen?
-Elysian: That's right, young lady. However, my powers only work in a short period of time and through dreams. Unfortunately for me I am not able to control when they occur and once, I have such visions... What I see in them is sure to happen, but because they are only a last a few seconds, they are usually somewhat uncertain.
-Shiko: It's a funny thing... a being with such powers should not be here... In fact, being the leader of a race like elves, I'm surprised you're not a guardian.
-Elysian: You're not wrong, young promise. I used to be a guardian before I came here, but then... I had a premonition, regarding this place. I dreamed that something very important would be hidden in this place. Once it happened, I informed Master Koru about the situation, but then... I had another, in which I could see them appear on this site. It was then that I understood my destiny and decided to allow myself to be absorbed by the vortexes of La'Parca to enter this site and take care of all these species that live here and mainly, to be able to guide them once they come here.
-Shiko: Master Koru? Is he some kind of senior to the guardians?
-Elysian: Huh? This is strange... He is supposed to be the person who was supposed to guide them in their training to awaken their powers.
-Asuka: Huh? We've had training... but this one has been carried by young people with the same powers as us, capable of transforming into dragons.
-Elysian: This is curious... but in any case, in the future they will have to meet Master Koru since, without him, they will not be able to fulfill their destiny. He is an important being.
-Shiko: We understand... So, you said you were here to guide us, but for what?
-Elysian: As you can see, this place is a dungeon, however, there is an aura of a certain sacred weapon that is found in this place and this aura can tell us where it is located. However, only elves have the ability to smell magic. A normal elf is not able to perceive it because of how special it is, but thanks to my powers I am able to sense its smell and guide you to where it is.
-Asuka: We were told about this weapon, and we were told that it was missing... so this was the place it was about.
-Elysian: La'Parca attacked the island they were on when Eclipse decided to dominate the minds of the guardians, due to their nature, this monster easily yielded to the demon's control, it was then used to rob the place where this weapon was located to prevent it from meeting its wielder. Ironically, its wearer is the person in front of me right now... I can't think of the reason why La'Parca sent you here.
-Asuka: Perhaps he is planning to take care of us personally.
-Elysian: Maybe so, but if he doesn't make a presence yet, I guess it's because he must be busy out there. Anyway, Shiko, you are the one who should carry the sword that is locked in this place. Let's not take long to get to where you are, let me be your guide inside this site.
-Shiko: Can you walk Asuka?
-Asuka: In a while maybe, I can... I'll try to make do.
-Shiko: Get on my back, I'm going to carry you on the road.
-Asuka: E-Ehh... Okay, I can go alone.
-Shiko: So, you're going to behave shamefully right now?
-Asuka: E-E-Ehh! Of course not! I-If you want to carry me so much... I allow you...
Shiko carried Asuka on his back and being guided by Elysian, they began to walk through the gloomy dungeon. As they walked, Asuka began to feel overwhelmed by the place, so she tried to have a conversation with Shiko to calm down.
-Asuka: S-Shiko... Do you remember what you told me at the mansion?
-Shiko: Why do you mention that now?
-Asuka: I was just thinking... that we should put more effort into our relationship... I couldn't help but feel my heart heavy for Dreik... He was really a very kind person and was a great instructor and friend, I'm sure this news will impact the rest, particularly...
-Shiko: Mayla... I could really tell how much appreciation they had for each other.
-Asuka: It was a relationship very similar to ours, but they limited themselves because they felt that the world depended on their actions, and I don't want to... I don't want us to feel the same as them. I want to be able to count on your feelings.
-Shiko: I don't understand what you're trying to say, you've always been able to count on them, silly... only that you must differentiate the moments to let them out.
-Asuka: Do you think we live nearby?
-Shiko: I have no idea, but no matter the case, I will do my best to look for you and be with you, okay?
-Asuka: You know? This is the first time a guy has carried me hehe... I think your gesture is very nice.
-Shiko: Well princess, I'm glad you enjoy it, but I hope for the speedy recovery of your ankle, I'm starting to get tired.
-Asuka: Look you're a killjoy!
-Shiko: Changing the subject... I can feel the looks of all the species that surround us, I didn't think there were so many...
-Elysian: Normally in the outside world they cannot coexist in the same place, due to the very different lifestyles they usually have, but due to their situation they have found some kind of harmony. Monsters, hybrids, demi-humans, and animals are found in this very place. However, some are not able to control their instincts and resort to natural actions such as hunting certain species that eat naturally or fighting among themselves because of rivalries or traditions.
-Asuka: I understand... even so, it is really surprising how many species I can notice. Look over there Shiko! There are human hybrids!
-Shiko: I can observe them... rabbit people, cat people, a werewolf... and if you look at the walls or dark areas, you can find skeleton scorpions like those on the beach or bats very similar to Deaby.
Asuka: Naturally, this world must look much more beautiful and alive without that demon out there.
-Shiko: And we have to fight to get him back in shape, somehow.
-Elysian: Eclipse is a very cunning demon; he has taken his time to perform his ritual because he wants to make sure it works, and he still needs certain conditions for it to be performed.
-Shiko: Then we'll stop him before he can complete those conditions.
-Asuka: After all, we cannot allow him to extinguish as many lives as he pleases, each one has a sense of being in this world, we must protect them.
They continued to converse along the way as they continued Elysian's pace, getting closer and closer to the place. The more steps they took, the more and more they could feel the magic around them, regaining their strength little by little. They continued their way until, in a certain place, they began to notice that there was vegetation emerging and it was then that in front of them, they found a large door with writings similar to those they had seen in the temple of the lake, making the young people surprised to see it.
-Elysian: Well... We have arrived, behind this door is the sacred sword of the legendary hero. This object is blessed and can give life in dead zones, which is why there is all this vegetation around here that has been able to help keep monsters alive.
-Asuka: Shiko, you can put me down, I've used magic to heal my ankle now that I've recovered.
-Shiko: Sure.
-Elysian: Now... Let me talk to you about how to open it in order to access the room where the sword is located... Young Shiko: You must be able to overcome the test that this door puts before you!
To be continued...