As Karcanis was just about to attack Lila to get her a massive deadly blow, a blinding golden light swallowed the battlefield. For a moment, everything stood still.The overwhelming darkness that had loomed over them for so long seemed to recoil, pushed back by a presence both fierce and radiant. The brilliance illuminated every shadow, its warmth washing over the wounded and exhausted warriors.
And then, a voice.
"I won't let you have it your way." It was Fizzle.
Standing at the center of the golden storm, her small form radiated an ethereal glow. The energy around her pulsed, expanding outward like ripples in a still lake. It wasn't just light—it was power. The Grand Party and The Rising Heroes felt it instantly.
Their wounds—healed. Their fatigue—gone. Their spirits—rekindled.
For a moment, disbelief held them frozen. They had been on the verge of collapse, yet now they stood strong again. But the moment of awe did not last. Because Karcanis was still there.
The Summoning of the Hunt, a deep, scary growl echoed through the chamber. The dark energy around Karcanis crackled violently, his eyes burning with something close to annoyance. The black wolf lifted his head to the sky and howled. The dungeon answered.
The ground beneath them rumbled as grotesque creatures began to emerge. Twisted beasts, shrouded in the same ominous energy as Karcanis, crawled out from the shadows. Clawed abominations, slithering monstrosities, winged horrors—all summoned to hunt. Junith's expression hardened. "Rising Heroes, fall back!"
Lila, Drakar, Adrian, and Doran readied their weapons as the creatures swarmed toward them. Behind them, Sera knelt beside Fizzle, trying to heal her. Junith's gaze snapped to The Grand Party. "Cyrus, Orin, Darek—Karcanis is ours." "Understood," Cyrus responded, his staff crackling with arcane energy. Orin spun his spear, a smirk on his face. "Been waiting for round two." Darek lifted his sword, the intricate floral patterns on the blade pulsing with green energy. "Let's bring this beast down, it is time for goodnight." Sylra, standing at the back, held her flute-knife. "I'll support from here. Let's end this."
Junith twirled her spear before taking a defensive stance. "No matter what, you do not engage Karcanis. Focus on the summons, protect each other." "But..." Drakar started. "No buts. That's an order!" Junith snapped. Drakar clenched his fists, but he obeyed.
Then—the battle began.
The Clash with Karcanis Cyrus struck first. A surge of electricity crashed toward Karcanis, splitting through the air like a violent storm. The black wolf dodged, but barely—the spell grazed his side, leaving a faint scorch mark. Darek charged next, his sword extending in a blink, vines and roots sprouting from the blade as he swung at Karcanis. The wolf sidestepped, but a sharp root lashed out, scraping against his side. Orin followed up, his spear piercing forward with rapid, precise thrusts aimed at Karcanis's legs and underbelly.
Karcanis retaliated. With blinding speed, he lunged at Cyrus, but Junith intercepted—her spear clashing against Karcanis's claws, the force sent her skidding back, but she held firm. Sylra lifted her flute-knife. "Barrier Symphony!" A shimmering force wrapped around Karcanis, attempting to pin him down. For a split second, he struggled. His muscles tensed, the weight of the magic forcing him still. "Now!" Cyrus shouted. Orin vanished—reappearing behind Karcanis in a blur, his spear piercing into the beast's back.
Karcanis howled in pain. Darek's blade flared with nature's energy as he slashed down. This time, the attack connected, carving a deep gash across Karcanis's shoulder, black energy oozing from the wound. But Karcanis did not falter.
Instead—he grinned. A pulse of pure darkness erupted from him, blasting them away. Junith barely managed to brace herself, her spear planted firmly. Sylra's spell shattered instantly. Orin landed harshly, rolling to his feet with a wince. Cyrus narrowed his eyes. "This thing… it's learning our patterns." Junith nodded, gritting her teeth. "Then we need to change them."
They pressed the attack once more. Karcanis met them head-on. The battlefield was chaos—spell clashes, weapon strikes, desperate dodges. Every moment tested their endurance, their coordination, their will to fight. As Karcanis kept dodging the attacks by The Grand Party. Junith took a step behind trying to come up with a plan, as Cyrus, Darek and Orin were taking on Karcanis, keeping him distracted, as Sylra was looking for an opening to strike Karcanis whenever she could and also provide other with some support magic.
--
The Rising Heroes vs. the Summons
Meanwhile, The Rising Heroes held their ground against the dungeon's twisted creatures. Drakar's flames tore through the air, burning the grotesque beasts to ash. Doran's hammer smashed through their ranks, sending bodies flying. Adrian moved with precision, protecting Sera and Fizzle while cutting down any enemy that slipped past. Lila, despite her exhaustion, fought alongside them, her sword flashing in the dim light.
"Sera, how is Fizzle?" Adrian called, slicing through another beast. "She's unconscious, but stable!" Sera shouted back. "I need more time!" "Then we hold the line," Doran said, slamming his hammer down.
---
Karcanis Unleashed The battle raged on, but something shifted. Karcanis—though wounded—did not retreat. Instead, his dark aura began to pulse.
Thicker. Darker.
His body trembled, muscles expanding. His once massive form grew even larger, shadows swirling violently around him. His red eyes burned brighter. A voice—deep and harsh —echoed through the chamber. "You think you've won? You've only bought yourselves time."
Then— Karcanis let out a final, monstrous howl. The darkness swallowed him whole. The air grew heavier. The entire dungeon shook.
The Grand Party braced themselves. Something far worse was coming...