43 Day of Departure pt.4

Riyku would steal a glance at his shield points which were a little around seventy-five percent full. "Damn it... how long has it been? Twenty, thirty minutes?" Riyku growled he could feel his body going numb. After all, it wasn't just his shield points now, it was his energy points as well. They were at a whooping fifty-percent. To his surprise though, the pressure against his shield died down and his shield would react. "Skylar, Lira!" Riyku shouted as the effects of the shield went off releasing a solar flare that would blind the monsters on the other side of the shield as well as scorch several. Skylar would dash around Riyku to follow up and Lira would cover him with a barrage of arrows, meanwhile, Cira would take care of any who were not blinded by the light. Riyku would release a heavy breath as he eyed his status. "Are you okay?" Kristen saw him fall onto one knee and he nodded lightly. "Yeah. You are up, get going." Riyku stated and Kristen nodded before dashing forward to enter the fray. Mina would come up behind him and provide him with a healing aura which seemed to rejuvenate his shield points. Though it was more so surprising to her than him since last time it had not worked. "Thanks, Mina." Riyku looked towards her and she nodded softly. "Of course, we still need our vanguard after all," Mina stated happily, not questioning why her healing arts were working, but more so just happy they were. "Vex, go ahead and aid them while you can. We need to tear down these numbers before they have a chance to recompose themselves." Vex would nod to Riyku and proceed to channel more mana through her staff in a silent chant. Riyku would eye his status once more. His shield points were full; however, his energy bar was still at fifty-percent. "Fatigue can only be recovered with rest eh?" Riyku muttered to himself before standing up and shifting his glance to Mina with a smile. "I'm good." Mina would nod and step back while Riyku stepped forth.

Riyku would dash into the fray, cleaving the goblins in two with his Soluna blade and bashing them with his shield. Thankfully, they had taken out a vast portion of their numbers with their teamwork. Between, Skylar's fast pace assassinations, Lira's barrage of arrows, Cira's headshots and Vex's spellweaving they were pretty much overwhelming the goblins. A voice came forth, "So, are you the intruders of my lord's manner..." A feminine voice perched forth from the shadows. A dark green skin beauty covered in nothing but leather rags pushed aside the smaller goblins. This woman wasn't small by any means, her height rivaled Riyku's. "A talking goblin!?" Kristen shifted her gaze to the woman who snickered towards her, her purple color lips pursed as she brushed her ginger hair aside. "Of course I can talk, I am Queen of the Goblins after all. Though what business do you have here?" The woman who proclaimed herself as Queen of the Goblins would question. Though the fighting did no seize. "Plunder, perhaps." Riyku teased her which caused her to snicker. "I doubt that one if you were you would have already entered the treasure room ages ago. You appear more so lost than anything." The woman replied which caused Riyku to shrug. "You got us there," Riyku replied to her with his shrug. "I take it you aren't going to let us leave then, are you?" Riyku added as he narrowed his eyes at her and she licked her lips. "Of course not. Not when I have a breeding ground in front of me. These women will make fine breeders, and you will be making a fine slave." The Queen of Goblins remarked and Riyku shook his head. "Then you leave me no choice..." Riyku would release a roar as he based his shield which caused the surrounding goblins to all focus on him. "Finish them off!" Riyku shouted as cleaved down goblins one after another and sometimes multiples while Cira, Lira, Skylar, Kristen, and Vex all aided him with excellent teamwork.

The Queen of Goblins was astonished and displeased all in the same when her soldiers were just corpses now. "I see. So you are not just a random rabble of slaves like the rest. Interesting." The woman pursed her lips again before snapping her fingers. Two overly gigantic muscular goblins would walk up beside her wielding clubs. "Skylar, Mina, Cira, you three take one. Vex, Kristen, Lira, you three take the other. I'll deal with her." Riyku angled the tip of the Soluna Blade at the Queen of Goblins. "The big bad man himself picks me. My, my, this will be fun." The woman snickered before sending her two possibly strongest men out to face their respective foes. Riyku would approach the Queen of Goblins steadily before dashing towards her and bringing his blade overhead. The woman deftly side-stepped the swing, and Riyku would follow up with a shield bash the woman seemed to evade as well. Snapping her fingers would cause combustion to form in front of him which pushed him back. His eyes shifted to his status and a small chunk of his Shield Points took a hit. "Neat trick." Riyku mused lightly and the woman would snicker. "I am glad you enjoyed it, though you swing both that heavy shield and sturdy blade around like it's nothing for someone whose muscles don't appear to be up to par for it." The woman replied and Riyku chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment," Riyku replied to her.

"Are you serious flirting with her!?" Kristen shouted when she took notice of their tone of voice and words. "Kristen pay attention!" Lira shouted as she released a mana arrow to the goblin who was about to strike Kristen down. The arrow had hit the goblin right in the eye causing him to stumble back with a pain-filled cry. "Woops, sorry and thanks, Lira." Kristen would whip her whip around to lash out at the goblin meanwhile Vex would unleash a spell of flame and frost on the goblin. This combination of the attack dealt some serious damage to the goblin who was knelt on one knee. Kristen would dash behind the goblin only to hop onto it's back and whip her whip around to strangle the goblin. Meanwhile, Vex would prepare another spell and Lira would unleash more mana arrows upon the goblin.

As for Skylar, Lira and, Cira. Well, they weren't doing too hot. Skylar was unable to truly find an opening where he could land a killing blow, and the effects of the Night Crawler were not working. Cira's bullets seemed to be the only real lead they had and even with Mina's strengthening buff, they were still having to duck, dodge and weave around to avoid being hit by the massive club in the goblin's hand. "Well, I guess it's time I got serious myself." Riyku would release both of his Shield of the Sun and Soluna Blade only to have them return to his inventory with Weapon Return. In the place came a single long sword.

Duelist Blade +4

Type: Sword

Rarity: A

Condition: Sharp

The one who challenges a Duelist is always said to seek thrill or death. Effect: Bonus Damage when facing a single enemy.

The blade would give off a glimmer of a clear aura. Taking to his usual relaxing stance where he would rest his hand inside of his pocket and the blade relaxed at his side he would eye the Queen of Goblins with a smirk. "Let's see what you can do," Riyku remarked with a snicker. Strangely though the woman held no name like the previous boss type monsters. This did through him off, but regardless he wouldn't say anything of it. The Queen of Goblins would dash towards him, a quick snap of her fingers of her right hand caused combustion right before him which caused him to pivot backward. Though the woman would stomp upon the ground with her heel causing spikes of the earth to rupture from below. Riyku felt the ground quake which caused him to leap backward, arching his back to flip over the spikes. Alas, it seemed the woman was not done yet. She continued her pursuit by slashing in his direction with her left arm. An arc of wind seemed to clash with his blade, redirecting the arc beside him before kissing his teeth as he felt the woman's leg slam into his gut. The kick itself wasn't all that strong, but the chilly feeling was another story. Riyku would jump back to bring distance between them.

The Goblin Queen would giggle softly as she licked her lips when she noticed Riyku crush the ice that had formed around his stomach with his bare hand. "My aren't we a strong one? To be able to crush Dark Ice like it's nothing. Dark Ice is supposed to be indestructible too... Well, so the books foretold. Guess anything can break with enough force." The woman snickered before stomping her heel upon the ground again. The ground would quake once more before rupturing below him, yet Riyku would dash towards her instead of away. "Yes, come to me!" The woman exclaimed as she snapped the fingers of her right hand rapidly while swinging her left arm around. Riyku was only able to predict when the combustion was going to happen because he could sense the distortion in the atmosphere around him thanks to one of his abilities. Dealing with the arcs was another story, using his sword to deflect them was easy, but to evade both combustion and wind was another thing entirely since the wind would only increase the power of the explosion. Eventually, the combustions became overwhelming and Riyku's body was blown off the ground and tossed around in a chain explosion until he slammed firmly against the wall that had closed their escape off.

"Riyku!" Kristen called out when she saw Riyku's body being flung from the smoke and fall onto the ground. Everyone looked in his direction, "Stay focused!" Riyku shouted from the ground, pushing himself off. Black blood started to seep from the minor wounds upon his body.

'Shield points have been expunged. Loss of life is possible.'

The warning appeared before him which caused him to snicker. "But..." Mina mused softly. "Take care of your opponents first," Riyku remarked as he stood up. Slamming his sword into the ground the male would curl his fingers rapidly.

'You are now linked with Mina, Lira, Kristen, Vex, Cira, and Skylar. Would you like to activate links?'

Another system message appeared before him, the bangs of his black hair would hide his crimson eyes that glanced over the message. "Sure, why not," Riyku muttered with a snicker as he reached for the hilt of his blade.

'Links activated. Your mana has been increased tremendously. You will begin to cultivate mana throughout your body. Your power has been increased. Your agility has been increased. Your perception has been increased.'

Another system message appeared and on queue with the message came a flare of coloration auras. Purple seemed to appear around Kristen, Black appeared around Vex while White appeared around Mina. Lira held a Yellow aura, and Cira held a Neon Blue aura while Skylar held a Green aura. In comparison, these were the same auras that flared around Riyku.

A message appeared before Kristen. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your power has been increased.'

A message appeared before Vex. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your magika power has been increased.'

A message appeared before Mina. 'You formed a link with Riyku. The power of your healing arts and buffing spells have been increased.'

A message appeared before Lira. 'You formed a link with Riyku. The power of your mana has been increased.'

A message appeared before Cira. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your perception has been increased.'

A message appeared before Skylar. 'You formed a link with Riyku. Your agility has been increased.'

Of course, each message appeared simultaneously in front of each of them. They were speechless by the message that appeared before them. "It's a buff of sorts. I'll explain later, for now, deal with those two weaklings." Riyku would lick the trickle of black blood from his lips as he pulled his weapon from the ground and took to a low stance. The tips of his fingers touching the ground as if he were about to sprint forward. The girls and Skylar did not have time to question him, they indeed were only able to focus on the opponents before them. Though the battles were not as hard as they were beforehand, well for Skylar's group anyways.

Vex, Lira, and Kristen were already eliminating their foe. Vex had prepared both a frost spell and an earthen spell along with a flare spell, similar to how the Goblin Queen put Riyku on the defensive and overwhelmed him. She sent out the flare spell while Lira had blinded the giant goblin completely by shooting the second eye. This allowed Kirsten to follow up by yanking the goblin downward with her whip since the whip was wrapped around its neck. The flare spell would slam into the goblin causing him to cry in even more pain. Vex would use the earthen spell to rupture the ground below the goblin to pierce through him while Kristen leaped to safety. Vex would then use her frost spell to turn the goblin into an icicle only for Lira to follow up with a massively charged up arrow that pierced through the icicle and shattered the goblin into tiny pieces. The three would regroup to celebrate before looking to Skylar, Mina, and Cira to see how they were doing.

Mina seemed to keep up the buffing and healing arts which allowed Skylar and Cira to overwhelm the goblin with agility and precision. In truth, they looked like two flies buzzing around the giant goblin, though the efforts of the goblin were in vain when Cira took out the goblin's eyes and Skylar cut off the ears. Both of them knock the goblin over by taking out his ankles with concentrated attacks while Mina exhausted her mana reserves with a few last-minute buffs. Cira and Skylar would proceed to finish the job once the beast onto it's back. Cira stood on top of its face, while Skylar stood before it's the neck. Cira would unleash several bullets into the skull and Skylar would continuously cut at the neck until the wounds were deep enough to be lethal and the gigantic goblin. Though why didn't the goblin just use its hands to shoo them away? Well, that was because Vex had sneakily provided a binding spell with the earth that pierced through the arms and hands, as well as legs of the beastly goblin to keep him from moving them around. "Good job!" Kristen would approach Skylar, Mina, and Cira who were regrouping with each other to take a breather since they all appeared exhausted.

"Should we help him?" Kristen looked to see Riyku's bout with the Goblin Queen. Riyku had already dashed towards the Goblin Queen, evading each combustion and arc of wind effortlessly. Invading her space to the point where he brought the blade around to cut her down; however, the woman would stomp upon the ground causing the earth to rupture upward to block the blade. Though the earth only caused it to delay since Riyku destroyed the shield in one swing. This delay provided the woman enough time to evade the attack with a spin of her heel while weaving away from the direction the cut was going in. She would bring her other leg upward to kick Riyku in the stomach; alas Riyku used his free hand to catch the woman's ankle. Quickly, Riyku would jut the hilt of his blade against the woman's face while using his leg to trip her up. Following up he would yank the now following woman around like a rag doll and toss her against the wall he was previously at.

"Rosario Style..." Riyku muttered in a darken manner as he grasped the hilt of his blade tightly with both hands. The blade would ignite with a crimson aura. "Fallen Petal." Riyku would mutter as he slashed downward releasing the crimson aura from the blade in the form of an arc which would slam against the Goblin Queen who had just collided with the wall. A painfilled scream escaped her lungs and from the mist came her body that fell from the wall. Flicking his blade to the side would dismiss the aura and he would approach the Gobling Queen slowly.

"Doesn't look like he needs our help. Let's just rest for a bit." Cira stated as she plopped onto the ground, everyone else would join her in taking a seat. "That was some skill though." Mina would comment about the move Riyku just used. "It looks like Mana Slash, the marital skill that most swordsmen tend to use. Though..." Mina paused for a moment. "It felt eerie as if Diabolical Energy was within its presences." Lira finished for her which caused Kristen to look from Lira to Riyku. "You don't think..." Kristen would grasp the fabrics of her skirt tightly. Skylar and Mina would both shake their heads. "No. He is perfectly fine." Mina would reply. "Mhm, if anything it seemed like he controlled whatever power that was. Besides, he is supposed to be a part-demon or well... I think." Skylar would add. "I hope you are right," Vex added. "Right about what? What is this about being a demon?" Cira inquired and everyone looked in her direction. "Oh right, you probably don't know. I mean, we just found out recently too, but Riyku is somewhat demon." Kristen stated bluntly, yet Cira did not appear shocked for whatever reason. "Okay, so?" Cira was nonchalant about it which caused Mina to perk up. "You knew?" She asked and Cira would nod. "I had a hunch. You honestly expect me to believe that any human is strong, hot, charming and smart all in one? Yeah, no. If anything that sounds like a demon, though unlike demons. Riyku is kindhearted. Regardless, I accept him for who he is." Cira stated firmly which caused everyone to smile softly. An awkward silence befell them which caused her to react in embarrassment, "What!?" She exclaimed. "Nothing. Just, I think that I speak for all of us when I say that we accept you fully." Kristen stated with a warm smile. "Well, you were pretty much the only one who was in disagreement," Mina added which caused Kristen to blink rapidly. "I was looking out for our Riyku! Not just anyone can waltz up into our group!" Kristen would hastily defend herself with a soft blush. "Yeah, yeah, we get it you are totally in love with him. Just like the rest of us." Vex added which caused everyone to start giggling softly. Skylar would smile softly and shake his head before returning his focus onto Riyku who was now hovering over the Queen of Goblins.

"You aren't from here, are you?" Riyku would state firmly as he pointed the tip of the blade at the woman who was on her hands and knees. Whatever clothing she had was nothing more than tattered rags like that of a slave. In truth, most of her assets were plain as day, yet this did not do much in arousing the man. "Bah, and if I am not?" The woman remarked with heavy breathing. "Then you are a captive, or perhaps a slave of sorts," Riyku stated while narrowing his eyes at the woman. The woman would huff as she backed her self against the wall, leaning against it so she was sitting slouched while eyeing the male. "I don't see what this information will do for you, but I am not from this castle. I was taken as a hostage from my region after the damned demons pillaged and plundered my land." This caused Riyku's brow to rise though he did not withdraw the tip of his blade from her throat. "Your region? Are you saying there are other regions besides this castle?" Riyku inquired and the woman blinked rapidly. "You talk like you know nothing of the Underworld as if you have never lived here." The woman replied in a mocking tone which caused Riyku to press the tip of his blade against her throat with enough force to draw a trickle of blood. This caused the woman to gulp heavily, "Yes. fine. Yes, there are multiple regions. Each region of the Underworld is divided into sub-regions where the Lords and Ladies cultivate economic growth. I was from the Western Region of the Underworld, the Region of Famine. There I was the Queen of Goblins, Orcs, and all other green-skins. But the damned demons decided they were just going to invade us one day and take everything! They took me as a hostage since female goblins tend to have high pregnancy rates and produce high-quality offspring depending on who you breed them with. I was forced to breed strong demons for them. Though, when my womb became tainted by black by them I became absolute and they dropped me into the basement of this damned castle." The woman would grit her teeth as she told her story. Riyku would retract his blade from her throat and dismiss it with Weapon Return.

"Then I'll get you out provided you help us leave this basement as you call it," Riyku stated as he offered her his hand. The woman was shocked, she did not understand the jester he was providing her with.

'Links have been canceled due to party exhaustion.'

A system message appeared in front of him as well as the girls and Skylar. The auras around them all faded away. Though, Riyku would not mind this dismissal since the battle was long over. "Are you trying to trick me? I told you my womb is black as tar. The quality of my offspring are worth nothing, so there is no reason for you to even help me escape." The woman stated firmly and Riyku shook his head. "Do not misunderstand me. I do not want you for breeding. I am merely trying to escape from this place with my friends. You seem like you want to get out and you also seem to have knowledge of this place. So, I see no reason to refuse my offer." Riyku replied to her and the woman hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. "You are truly a confusing person. Most demons don't call their females friends, nor do they willingly aid other people without anything in return. But, I have nothing to lose. So I'll help you out." The Queen of Goblins stated as she was aided on to her feet. "Besides, it looks like you could easily kill me if you wanted to. You held back on your attack earlier..." The woman made note of his previous attack which caused the male to chuckle. "So you noticed? How battle harden are you, anyway? I figured female goblins only tended to economic growth or breeding." Riyku would remark which caused the woman to snicker. "I am Queen of the Goblin's after all. Just having a high-quality womb isn't enough to become Queen. You need to also be able to command legions of goblins and stand up for yourself since any Goblin can dethrone you if they take your head." The woman replied and Riyku nodded. "Oh, one last thing. I never caught your name..." Riyku would comment.

"Oh! My name is...."