Ryoiki: Return to The Beyond (6)

CHAPTER 18: Break on through.

4 pairs of footsteps filled the empty dungeon.

Orix, Munin, Danae, and Corvan walked the quiet trail.

"A special night." Corvan said cheerfully.

"Something like that..." Orix mumbled, fiddling with the syringe in his hand.

"What's our course of action after this?" Munin asked.

"I have an idea, but you're going to have to trust me for it." Danae answered.

"I think all of us trust you more than enough." Orix replied with a smile.

The 4 stopped in front of Ita's cell, with Corvan letting them in.

Ita's condition was frightening.

Pale skin with black veins, their right eye completely corrupted.

"...My poor child." Orix sadly said, kneeling with Ita.

"Dad...?" The dazed Ita asked.

"Yes yes Ita, I'm here." Orix replied, putting a hand on Ita's shoulder to comfort them.

"I will start the final push to break the spell...be ready." Corvan warmed.

Ita and Blaze walked up the steep steps, wind blowing in their faces.

The final fountain was atop the largest mountain in Ita's headspace.

And they were at its peak.

Ita made it up first, holding the katana on their hip...

The mountain peak was flattened out, an altar like shape on the opposite end of the plateau, The void orb sitting at a place for 'offerings.'

"...here we are!" Blaze declared, before running towards the altar.

Ita quickly followed, nervously looking around the area.

As Blaze neared the altar, the ground shook.

"Woah-!" Blaze shouted, falling over.

Ita held their ground...staring at the fountain.

Ita watched as two clawed hands teared at the fountain...and then out of it.

The hulking body of the Void core covered in eyes and mouths, landed in front of the altar.

"The demiurge and the flame." It said with a hiss.

Ita unsheathed their katana without a word, getting into a defensive stance.

"Corey!!!" Blaze shouted! "hahahahah!!!"

"SILENCE!!!" The Void Core shouted, the power of its voice making Blaze's scarf and flames fly around.

"You have come to lose the final fountain...but not without ME!" It growled, before turning around and picking up the orb...then shoving it in his chest.

There was a powerful burst of energy from the Void Core, launching Blaze back and making Ita put up their arm to cover their face.

Blaze looked around wildly as darkness began to spread around the headspace...blotting out the sky and placing a deep shadow over everything.

"One on One. Demiurge." The Void Core demanded, turning to face Ita.

Ita let out a deep sigh...and adjusted their stance.

"I accept." They replied.

...There was a second of silence...

And then Ita charged.

In a flash of golden light, Ita appeared in front of The Void Core, making a large slash onto his chest.

But the gash morphed into a large mouth, which immediately fired a beam of energy into Ita's chest.