In a dark cell, two person were at the end of there endurance. The torture was long and grueling but soon that would come to an end.
A small figure peaking through the door's window bars, was assessing the situation.
Blood red eyes locked on the very man who was torturing the others with lightning and different instruments of pain.
[Congratulations, spell: sparks LV I, has been copied.]
Transform your mana into lightning and fire it off from your fingers at the choosen target.
Can cause paralysis and burn marks on higher output.
A smile curled up on Dante's face, already knowing, on who to test his new magic.
Crony 1: Well old man, had enough yet?
You know if you just open the box, this will end. I won't lay a finger on any of you afterwards, you will be free to go.
Crony 1:But if you keep resisting, your stay will be very long and painful. So what do you say?
Germalid moved his lips, very quiet and short worlds left his mouth, barely audible.
The Crony leaned in closer to hear what he was saying.
Crony 1: yes? Are you perhaps, changing your're mind?
Germalid: never.
He spit right in his face, the the crony took several steps back as he wiped the spit off from his face.
Crony 1: You insulent ... Fine you want play the tough guy? Here some rough treatment!
Lightning crackled in the crony's palm, as he raised his hand at the dwarf, Germalid closed his eyes preparing for the incoming pain.
~zzzt, zap~
Lightning struck, but no pain. Germalid opened his eyes and what he saw brought his hope back. Someone hava come to get them out.
Crony 1: Aaaaahhhhh!
The crony was being electrocuted, lightning traveling through his body and limbs.
He got completely paralyzed and partially chard from the lightning bolts, but a few seconds later his pain would come to an end.
~Bam, thud~
The last of the crony's is finally gone, his body laying on the ground, charged and shot in the head.
Both Germalid and Vox being speechless, just watching in shock. A Kid? A kid have come to there aid, non the less the kid who climbed aboard. Now he was standing over the body of a man, who's life he taken without a second of hesitation.
Dante: Sorry for the intrusion. I thought you might need a hand.
Dante proceeded to untie the two, they looked worse for ware, the two were barely standing. So he made a hard decision.
Dante: Here, drink this. You need it more than me.
Dante handed over his last two HP vials.
After drinking, the two finally became more lively.
Germalid: Thank you, young lad. Tell me, where are the others?
Dante: Others?
Vox: Yes, the others! The one's we traveled with.
Dante: Oh. Um...sorry to tell you this...but we are the only ones left. I have mapped out most of the cave system and found them. In a...huge pile, along with other unfortunate people.
A deep silence and shock descended on the two. They were the sole survivors of the group.
Vox:This can't be...they... Damn it!
Germalid just stood there. He knew, deep down but he tried to cling to the hope that, there subordinates were alive. But the reality was cold.
Dante: Come on, we need to get out of here.
Germalid: Wait! We can't leave just yet.
We need to retrieve the relic first. It is the atmost importance to get that to the adventurer's guild in Greenwald. If we don't, than our friends death was in vain.
Dante wasn't sure about this. A relic more important than there life? What could it be?
Something was not right, but he pushed those thoughts into the back of his mind for now.
Dante: Look. I don't know what this relic is but we need to get a move on. I dealt with most of the bandits already, but there leader is possibly furious and looking for us.
If we get caught down here it won't be an easy fight.
The two looked at each other. It is true that the leader of the group is powerful but they can't leave the relic in the wrong hands.
But until they can't open the box, the relic is useless. Only Germalid and one other individual can open the box no one else.
Germalid: Alright, let's get out of here.
Vox: But master!
Germalid: They can't open the box without me or a High Mage. We will inform the guild and they will send a team to recover it.
Vox: I see. Yes master we do as you see fit.
They left the cells. Following Dante up to the surfacey they encountered no danger besides the body's of the slain bandits. Germalid and Vox was shocked and in disbelief. How can such a small child achieve such a feat? Who or what is he?
As they traversed the cave routes, Vox nonstop bombarded Dante with questions.
Who is he? Where did he come from? How did he manage to do this? And what is his goal?
Dante mostly ignored those questions until the guy gone too far.
Vox: If you don't want to answer those questions, then fine. But I am curious. What in Ivaldi's name is that thing?
Vox reached out to touch the revolver on Dante's side, but what happened next, he did not expect.
Dante instinctively drawn his ace of spades and tackled Vox down to the ground. His face was at gun point. Dante was annoyed beyond his limit.
Dante: Try that one more time and I will show you. Understand?
Germalid trying to solve a situation spoke up.
Germalid: We have bigger problems right now. If we start fighting each other that won't help. Please Dante release Vox and ignore him. Vox, please stop pestering Dante. He is clearly annoyed and under a lot of pressure. Let him concentrate.
Vox: I-I am sorry! It won't happen again, I swear!
Dante let go Vox and they continued their way upwards in silence.
As they were approaching the cave's mouth, Dante suddenly stopped. His sharingan picking up someone's mana right outside of the cave.
Vox: Why did we stop?
Germalid: Someone is outside. I can feel mana fluctuation right outside and it is wild.
Someone very dangerous is waiting for us.
Dante looked at the old timer. His level was 1 but he could sense the presence of someone outside. Is the system glitching? No that can't be. Something doesn't add up.
Dante:Well, we can't go back down. Let's see who's the welcoming community.
Vox: Are you insane!? It is clearly an ambush.
We need a plan to deal with this.
Dante is getting fed up with this guy. If he could, he would have just left him down there to rot or shot him before, but he needed him alive. Both of them.
Dante:Well, than let's hear it! What's the plan?
Dante asked sarcasticly.
Vox: well...uhm... let's...look for an other exit! Yeah, let's go out the other way around!
Germalid:If there would be an other exit, he wouldn't be waiting for us here. He is definitely confident in his strength to take on us all.
This will be a difficult fight.
Dante readied his revolver, and started to walk out. The other two followed closely behind.
-On the surface-
As they walked out from the cave, they were surrounded by the surface base of the bandit camp. Tall wooden walls, small tents and cabins, it almost felt like an arena. The carts were also near, ransacked but in intact.
In the middle of the camp, a man was sitting on a wood stump. He looked up and addressed the incomers.
Bandit Leader: You caused me such a headache. My plans ruined, all my man killed and my prisoners escaped. Thanks to a single child.
Bandit Leader: My name is Liam Ironclad and this is the end of the road for you all.
But considering the feats you achieved I'm impressed.
Liam stood up from the stump and lifted his greataxe over his shoulder, he locked eyes with Dante and smirked.
Liam: Kid you got talent or even more maybe.
So I give you one last chance.
Liam held out his hand and addressed Dante.
Liam: Join me. Together we will be unstoppable. Under my guidance, you will become more powerful that you can imagine.
So what do you say?
Dante was just standing there, seemingly weighing his options. Dante holsted his gun and started to walk slowly towards Liam.
The two others just stood there baffled. They could not believe what they saw. Germalid just looked doubtfully at Dante's back as he walked towards Liam. Vox how ever.
Vox: What are you doing! He is obviously lying, don't get swayed by his words!
Dante didn't even answered or looked back at Vox, he just continued to walk towards Liam.
Vox: YOU TRAITOR! I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL BRAT!
As Dante reached before Liam, he reached out and shook his hand seemingly sealing the deal between them.
Liam snickered.
Liam:*hmm* I knew you were a smart kid.
Dante smirked.
Dante:*hmm* unlike you. Sparks!
Lightning flared to life in Dante's palm and quickly spread to Liam. But unfortunately...
Liam just growled.
Liam: This was your last chance. Now die!
Unaffected by lightning, Liam released an overwhelming aura and roared, almost crushing Dante's hand in the process.
His killing Intent was nothing like Alan's.
It was more heavyer.
Liam lifted his axe high and swung down with force.
- Sharingan activated -
Dante casted a minor genjutsu, making Liam miss his strike by an inch.
Liam:What!?
Not wasting anymore time, Dante switched to offensive.
Dante: Fullbring: Tracer's light!
Dante powered up using fullbring but it was futile. Liam's grip was to strong, he couldn't break free.
Dante: What the hell is with this strength!? It's crazy! Fine how about this!
Dante: Fullbring: Tracer's light X 3!
With that Dante broke free, jumping in the air he pulled out his revolver and leaving nothing to chance, he pushed further.
Dante: Fullbring: Ace of Spades!
Dante unleashed a barrage of shots at Liam.
But Liam was not done yet either.
He steadied himself and...
Liam: Heavy Metal!
Liam's skin transformed into a nearly unpenetrateable layer of steel. All shots just bounced off Liam, like the rain off from an umbrella.
Liam: Nice trick but it won't work! Rhaaa!
Liam charged at Dante at high speed.
Dante seeing that his shots doesn't do any damage, he switched tactics. He equipped his new dagger with the serrated edge and used Fullbring on it.
The dagger immediately transformed into a smaller saw sword and he charged at Liam immediately.
Having the edge in speed, Dante's strike landed first, only leaving a small scratch.
These exchanges continued for a while, but Dante after some time started to fall off.
Tracer's light X3 was taking heavy toll on his body.
Liam: What's the matter boy? You are getting slower and you're strikes doesn't carry much weight anymore. Getting tired maybe?
Dante: (Damn it! I'm running out of time. I need to deliver a decisive blow. But how?)
As they continued their fight, the spectators grown restless.
Germalid: He can't do it. He needs our help.
Vox: Master, we are no mach against that Monster.
Germalid:That maybe, but we are not helpless. Quick to the cart, if we are lucky, they didn't found the secret stash under the seats.
Vox:Right!
Dante was breathing heavily. Tracer's light has long have faded, he was hanging on using bringer's light to dodge last second.
~bang, bang, bang~
Dante:*tch* (That was the last of my bullets. Damnit! Is this it? This is where my story ends?)
~wham, crash, zzzt~
Dante again dodged in the last second using bringer's light. His eyes were burning up at this point trying to predict Liam's next move.
He was on the back ropes, without a way out.
At the same time, in one of the carts.
Vox:Master! I found it!
Vox tore open a secret compartment and retrieved a very large but not oversized create. It was long and thin, mainly purposed to hold special weapons.
Germalid: Quickly! Hand it over!
Germalid ripped the crate from Vox's hand and unlocked it. He retrieved from the crate a large axe, which is quiet a large sized compared to him.
Germalid: Grab the crossbow and the special ammo as well.
Come swiftly, we are helping Dante.
~Clang, crash~
Dante:augh..!
Dante received a strike which he was abel to block, at the cost of his dagger. He crashed into the nearest cabin, shattering it almost completely.
Liam started to move closer to the building, but then a bolt struck his side.
Liam:Aaghh..!
This time Liam's defense was broken. He looked in the direction of the shot. He saw the human with a strange crossbow aimed right at him but what was worrying him, was the old man.
The dwarf was super charging his weapon and Liam didn't want to find out what it can do.
He ignored the boy and charged right at them.
His movement became sluggish and slower, than it dawned for him.
Liam:(Poison?) You won't get the chance!
Vox fired shot after shot, forcing Liam on the defensive. But than Liam reached the breaking point. He roared to the heavens as his aura became suffocating, emitting an enormous amount of bloodlust.
Liam: YOU! YOU WILL DIE BY MY HAND!
RAAAAGGH!
Liam charged right at them again, this time ignoring the projectiles. In seconds, he was right in front of Vox as he was about to bring down his axe to end Vox's life.
-Flashback-
Work college: Thanks man I appreciate it.
See you tomorrow.
David: Yeah, see you tomorrow.
With that he was alone in the store. David agreed to cover his coworker night shift.
Since he was in deep dept, he took on the extra shift. David was stocking the shelfs to prepare for the morning. As he was stocking the shelf, his vision started to swirl than he collapsed. He reached his limit. As he fell, the shelf which he was holding onto fell along with him, squashing him to death.
The exhaustion and a shelf took his life.
-End of flashback-
Just a couple of months.
That's all he needed to crawl out from the hole he fell in but that was it.
He survived, he pushed to his limit but all that effort was in vain.
In the end, he died an extra's death.
But faith had other plans for him.
Dante:(NO! Not this time... it's not over jet!)
Dante lifted his head, peaking through the rubble. He saw as Liam being enraged and charging at Vox with murderes intent.
Than he saw. Germalid was charging up a massive attack. That was there chance! But he needs an opportunity. Which he was determined to make.
Dante: Come on! Don't let me down now!
FULLBRING: TRACER'S LIGHT X 10!!
Like a green energy arrow, he shot out at Liam, catching him off guard.
~WHAM~
He delivered a flying kick right at Liam's jaw, this time Liam was sent flying. Shocking him and everyone in the process.
Dante:WHEN!?
Dante shouted at Germalid, in shock but he answered quickly.
Germalid: I-I am ready! But I need an opening!
Dante's sharingan locked onto Liam and answered.
Dante:Say no more. In 10 second, strike!
Germalid just nodded at Dante it was now or never.
Dante:Right here, right now I am going past my limit!
After everything was said, Dante did just that, he screamed to the heavens.
Dante: FULLBRING: TRACER'S LIGHT X20!
Liam sensing the danger, he became tensed.
For the first time in his life, he felt fear.
It felt like a Demon was staring right at him.
Dante covered in green energy and lightning, rushed at Liam. Liam felt that to approach in close combat is equal to death, he charged mana into his axe and started to fire energy waves at Dante relentlessly.
Dante: 10!
-slash, bam-
He dodged to the left, evading the first projectile. The projectile left a massive crater on the ground. If Dante gets hit, he is as good as dead.
Dante: 9!
Liam: Haaaa!
-slash, slash, bam, bam-
He dodged to the right. Avoiding two more projectiles.
Dante: 8!
Liam: Parrish! Giga slash!!
An energy wave run along the ground, expending in a cone outwards.
Dante gathered his energy into his legs and jumped over it.
Dante: 7!
Liam: You! Haaaa!
Liam fired another energy wave into the air.
Dante accelerated and strengthen himself further more with bringer's light and kicked through the attack. Landing next to Liam, kicking the axe out from his hands.
Dante: 6!
Dante and Liam began exchanging blows fiercely.
Liam / Dante: Haaaaaaaa!
-wham, wham, bam, wham, wham-
They moved from blow to blow, ultimately Dante overpowering Liam. Seconds passed quickly.
Dante: 5!, 4!, 3!
Liam powering up to the absolute limit, engaged in a deadlock with Dante.
Dante: 2!
Dante than used everything, he broke the deadlock and jumped away.
As he slammed his hands onto the ground he activated Transmute which is now was empowered by Fullbring.
Large and sturdy, heavy stone pillars raised from the ground, trapping Liam in a single position without any hope of escape.
Liam: YOU!
Dante: 1! NOW!!
Across the battlefield Germalid, brought down his axe from the sky activating it's unique skill.
Germalid: Wrathful Smite!
-whoossh-
In a second a large beam of light traveled through the battlefield and engulfed Liam along with everything in it's path.
In blinding flash of light, the middle of the camp has turned to ash along with Liam. Nothing remained in sight.
They didn't know that Liam had escaped or not, due to the explosion and the dust cloud but Dante knew.
Happiness evident on his face as he collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.
-Ding-
[Clear Condition 1: escape] ✓
Reward: LV increase of Bringer's Light
(Completed )
[Clear Condition 2: kill all Bandits 15/15] ✓
Reward: Class specific skill: Bone spear
(Completed)
[Clear Condition 3: Rescue Germalid and Vox] ✓
Reward: Zanpaktou LV 1: Asauchi
(Completed)
To be continued...