Gazing at the giant apparition towering four meters tall, the three leaders frowned.
"It seems much stronger than the others," said Alexander, assuming this creature caused the canyon's classification as a dead zone. However, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes. How could Morgane cross this passage if the vile creature stood guard? After all, it was clearly above the third tier.
"We might have missed her," he said, sharing his analysis with his king.
"No. She came here," replied Reynard, his finger pointing at the drawn circle behind the ghost.
"I agree with Reynard," Thorian said, glaring at the creature and wondering if it let her pass because of the circle or if it appeared later. 'Something is not right,' he thought. In the first tier, Morgane had no chance to control or influence a soul three tiers higher. Yet, he swiftly put his concerns aside, focusing on the task at hand.
After they defeat the creature and comb the canyon, he'll uncover the truth naturally.
"Formation three. Assist my familiars from behind. I want a swift resolution of the battle!" He ordered, his voice loud and clear, reaching Morgane.
Trembling after hearing it, she remembered everything she went through because of his orders before her adoption with reddened eyes. 'I hope you'll die here,' she thought, grimacing before the ground trembled above her.
Simultaneously, two dark-red swirling portals, humming ominously, appeared before Thorian. Heavy steps causing the rocks to shatter echoed as two giants gradually walked out of them.
Alerted by the rise in temperature, the evil soul reaper focused on the newcomers, their silhouettes reflecting in the red glow of his eyes.
Of similar appearance, Thorian's familiars glared back, their fiery red eyes filled with disdain for their master's enemy.
"Keep him company," directed Thorian with a confident smirk, satisfied by his two tiers four Pyroclasts. With their skin akin to cooled lava, visible molten rocks flowing through their veins, and flames dancing like hairs on their head, their appearance was nothing short of overbearing.
Heeding the command, the two familiars stepped forward, leaving deep molten marks on their wakes as violence flashed in their eyes.
"What pitiful creatures," said the soul reaper, his lips curling into a vicious smile. Then, he added, his voice ringing ethereally in the battalion's ears, permeating their souls with primordial fear. "No one will leave this place alive."
"Don't be afraid!" Screamed Alexander, a brilliant aura condensing around his body. "Blessing of the braves," he added as the aura covered everyone, uplifting their morals and snuffing the terror they felt.
Upon seeing his mages' clear eyes, Thorian screamed, "Ready your spells!"
A second later, a cacophony of hums engulfed the passage as the evil soul reaper smirked disdainfully. As the strongest species created by a ghost king, it would, of course, become the most terrible evil ghost of his tier after transforming.
"Curse of silence," he said, his voice reverberating like a death omen for any mage with mana control under the seventh tier.
In the deafening silence ensuing the curse, the mages tried to name their spells in vain. No sound exited their mouths, causing their eyes to tremble in dread.
However, Thorian glared at the ghost, unperturbed. His familiars were already out and would make quick work of the pest blocking them. 'Petty tricks,' he thought, wondering if he should catch a few similar ghosts for his army. After all, the curse was objectively terrifying.
Yet, his considerations were interrupted by the blood-red, blinding glow of the ghost's sword leaving its sheath.
"How do you want your puppies to die? Slowly or swiftly?" Asked the reaper, his eyes forming two crescents as his smile revealed his jagged teeth.
Provoked, the two Pyroclasts silently roared before hastening their steps, melting the rocks under them as they closed the distance separating them in a second.
With burning red claws, they lashed their arms, causing the mist to distort under the heat.
With confidence, the battalion watched the attacks descend upon the arrogant ghost. After all, they had seen their king's familiars in action, knowing their strikes were as powerful as an eruption and as hot as magma.
However, with widened eyes and mouths wide open, they witnessed how the reaper effortlessly deflected the attacks.
"You should have LEFT before the four-kilometer mark, fools!" Exclaimed the ghost, impatience lacing his words as his eyes landed on a particular spot of the passage.
Catching the clue, Adam gestured for Julius to remove the rocks above them. With a nod, the boy discreetly moved them, trying to make as little noise as possible.
After ten tense seconds, Adam peeked at the battalion backs, ensuring they didn't hear a thing amidst the battle's chaos before moving his right arm, mouthing, "Come out fast."
With worried frowns, the group gradually climbed out of the hole, their minds buzzing with anxiety. Then, without a word, they took slow steps not to alert them, gradually forming distance between their pursuers and them.
"Foolish king, without spells, you are nothing!" Roared the ghost, repelling the Pyroclasts' flurry of blows and ensuring he drew everyone's attention to carry his master's orders.
As he gazed at the retreating group, walking faster and faster until they scrambled away, his smile widened, and his eyes glowed with delight. He won't need to utter any more embarrassing words and focus on dispatching the intruders.
Tightening his grip on his glowing sword, he shifted from defense to offense, startling the two familiars with the sudden dynamic change. His arm came to life, blinding light crisscrossed the air before him as he stepped forward.
In a flash, he crossed his enemies, standing behind them. Then, with deliberate movements, he sheathed his sword.
Confused by the ghost's behavior, Thorian mentally commanded his familiars to strike its exposed back. However, his eyes widened in pure terror a second later.
The two pyroclasts' sturdy bodies suddenly collapsed in a rain of pieces and scalding magma. They were deader than dead, prompting him to face the terrible reality.
'He is of the fifth tier!' He screamed inwardly, understanding they had no chance against him, even with mana. Swiftly, he pivoted, grabbed his two trusted cousins and raced wildly to escape.