Chapter 28 – Priests and Mages
After a few hours of rest, Adrian stood up and brushed the dust off his body. He looked at Cordelia and asked:
"Ready?"
"Yes," she replied, rising to her feet as well.
The two approached the gate where the monsters had been standing guard. Cordelia observed it carefully and noticed something different.
"Adrian, look... this gate is silver."
"The first one was made of iron. That means the enemies behind this one are going to be even harder to deal with," Adrian concluded.
"Seems like it... So, shall we?"
"Let's go."
Adrian pushed the massive gate, which opened with a deafening groan. They stepped inside cautiously. Just like the first floor, the area appeared empty. The only visible structure was a spiral staircase—this time made entirely of silver, just like the gate.
They began to ascend.
At the top, they found a chamber lit by eerie flames. Dozens of monsters in priestly robes awaited them, their rotting eye sockets burning with fire. At the center stood a skeletal priest, his entire body wreathed in black flames, watching the intruders.
With a raspy and malevolent voice, he snarled:
"Insects... do not disturb my king's rest. Mages, kill them!"
Adrian glanced at the monsters and muttered with annoyance:
"Mages... Why did it have to be mages?"
Suddenly, the enemies fired massive fireballs. Cordelia shouted:
"Dodge!"
She jumped, creating a barrier of light that shielded them from the explosion.
BOOM!
Flames engulfed the room. Cordelia held her ground, but the pressure kept building.
"Adrian, I won't last much longer if this keeps up!"
Adrian quickly scanned the room. His eyes locked onto a massive chandelier above them.
"I've got it! If I drop that chandelier on them, I might be able to take some out and break their formation!"
"Cordelia, hang in there! I've got an idea!"
He leapt into the air and kicked with force, creating a blade of wind that sliced through the chains holding the chandelier. The massive structure crashed down with a thunderous bang, crushing several mages.
"Cordelia, now! Attack!"
Cordelia channeled light into her legs and jumped, striking the monsters with divine force. The explosions lit up the hall, obliterating the enemies.
Adrian joined the fight, unleashing sonic punches that shattered the remaining foes one by one.
Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted. The skeletal priest summoned gigantic black fireballs and hurled them toward the duo. The explosions scorched everything in their path.
"Cordelia, jump now!" Adrian shouted, leaping up and grabbing the chandelier's chain.
"Adrian, here!" Cordelia called, leaping toward him.
He caught her hand, and together they watched the devastation below as the fire consumed the mages.
"Good thing we dodged that... If it had hit us, we'd be ashes."
Cordelia looked at him.
"So, what's the plan now?"
Adrian focused on the skeletal monster roaring below.
"He's a mage. His defense must be weak. If we break through and land a finishing blow, we can beat him. But for the plan to work, you have to deal the final hit."
"Me? Why?"
"I noticed during the fight—your light power has a natural advantage over these monsters. If anyone can finish him, it's you."
Cordelia stared at Adrian's serious face and nodded.
"Let's do it."
They jumped down. The skeleton looked up at them and spoke in his ominous voice:
"Have you given up, insects? Ready to die?"
"I still have a lot to do! And I'm not going to let some ugly monster like you stop me!" Adrian retorted. "Let's go, Cordelia!"
They charged at the skeleton, who roared and summoned fire arrows, firing them rapidly.
Adrian dodged, trying to close the gap, but was blocked by a wall of flames. Cordelia attacked from the other side but was thrown back by a fireball.
Adrian ran and leapt, catching her midair.
"You okay?"
"Yeah... The fireball was fast, but he didn't have time to charge it properly."
"He's not letting us get close... How am I supposed to land the finishing blow?" Cordelia asked, frustrated.
"I've got a plan. When I get close, he'll raise the flame barrier. That's when you blast a hole in it. I'll jump through!"
"Let's go!"
"Take this! Sonic Punch!"
"Flame Barrier!" the skeleton roared.
"Cordelia, now!"
"Divine Ram Kick!"
The burst of light opened a hole in the barrier. Adrian dove through it with speed:
"Take this! Double Sonic Punch!"
His fists struck the monster head-on, sending it crashing into the wall.
"Cordelia, now! Finish it!"
"Yes!"
She jumped with both feet glowing with pure light.
"Divine Ram Guillotine!"
The impact caused a massive explosion. Adrian rushed over and asked, panting:
"Did… we do it?"
Cordelia looked at the spot where the monster had vanished.
"Yes… We won," she said with a tired smile.
"We won," Adrian echoed, sitting on the floor, equally exhausted.
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Scene at the Orphanage
Meanwhile, at the orphanage, Maria was visited by an old teammate, Joan.
"Maria, how's life been since you retired?"
"I'm doing well. Taking care of the children. It's a peaceful, happy life. What about you? How's your work with city maintenance?"
"It's going fine. The only issue is managing those who return after leaving the barrier. Life out there… and life in here are completely different," he said, sighing.
"Yeah… Only those who've left know how dangerous it is out there," Maria replied, reminiscing about her past adventures.
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Back at the Castle
"How about we get some sleep before facing the final boss?" Adrian suggested. "We've been through two exhausting battles today. We're not in shape to continue."
"I agree," Cordelia said. "Let's face him tomorrow."
They ate and lay down to rest, recharging their strength for the next challenge.
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