Chapter 8: Threat from Beyond
" KABOOOOOOOM!!! "
An explosion rocked the arena, followed by trembling aftershocks. The subsequent tremors threw everyone off their feet, including Raja Rimba. The crowd was gazing up at the sky, their eyes fixed on a figure flying above the Gears Arena, horrified.
Raja Rimba examined the area for any indication of threat. A demonic creature hovering above the arena caught his attention.
「 Raja Rimba 」
"What the hell is that thing?"
The demon was the size of a man but did not look like one. His skin is red, engulfed in a fiery aura, his eyes glow red, his teeth are as sharp as a serrated saw, and crowned by a pair of scythe-like majestic horns.
You could feel the heat radiating intensely from the demon. He screeched and shouted in an unknown language. Words anyone has ever heard before. After finding the proper tongue, an introduction was made.
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"The name is Raf il-Cul, Lord of Anguish."
"I have been looking for you for quite some time now..."
"Today must be my lucky day!"
Raja Rimba's heart raced as he faced the demonic figure, Raf il-Cul. The sheer presence of the demon sent chills down his spine and filled him with a mix of fear and curiosity. This was uncharted territory for Raja Rimba, who had never encountered such beings before.
Despite the overwhelming aura of danger emanating from Raf il-Cul, Raja Rimba managed to gather his composure. He knew that showing fear would only give the demon an advantage. With a firm resolve, he locked eyes with the demon, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Raja Rimba's mind raced with questions. What could this demon possibly want with him? Why had he been sought out in particular? But there was no time to ponder as Raf il-Cul's fiery gaze bore into him, demanding attention and action.
Summoning his inner strength, Raja Rimba steadied himself, determined to face this unprecedented challenge head-on. He knew he couldn't let fear cloud his judgment or hinder his ability to defend himself. Instead, he focused on his training, drawing upon the skills he had honed for countless hours as a gladiator.
「 Raja Rimba 」
"Well, I have been looking for you too!"
「 Raf il-Cul (condescend) 」
"Haha… A smart ass huh?"
"Whatever..."
"Since you are too precious to her, I will try not to accidentally kill you."
"Okay?"
「 Raja Rimba (confused) 」
"Her?!"
"Who are you?"
"What are you talking about, demon?"
Furious by the demon's condescending tone, Raja Rimba's eyes narrowed in defiance. He refused to let Raf il-Cul belittle him or undermine his worth.
"I won't be underestimated by you!"
"I don't know who 'her' is or what your intentions are, but I won't back down without a fight."
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"Oh, how amusing..."
"It seems you have some fight in you after all."
"But that bravado of yours will be your downfall, I assure you."
「 Sasha 」
"We are with you dear…"
Raja Rimba turned around after a tap on the shoulder and a soft whisper by Sasha. He saw his fellow gladiators gearing up, ready to give him support.
It lifted his spirit and gave a thumbs up to the lot as he secured his helm again. Nyx quickly did his job in getting the gear ready for action.
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"Hoho…"
"Little kitty got friends wanna tag along."
As the gladiators of Cardinal Peaks were gearing up, Raf il-Cul made some preparations of his own. He enveloped himself inside his demonic wings as demonic energy began to swirl around him. Looking at the development, the gladiators braced themselves in a battle-ready stance.
Raf il-Cul spread his wings again, and bolts of demonic energy were scattered all over the arena. Those who did not manage to dodge it were engulfed in blue-black flames. The bolts that missed the gladiators burned the arena floor all the same.
Strangely enough, the flames did minimal to no damage at all. The gladiators' spirits began to rise as they managed to survive the attack.
「 Raja Rimba 」
"With all the talk, I was expecting something more… really."
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"Look who's being condescending now… Haha."
"Observe kitty cat."
"Observe and despair!"
Sensing something was amiss, Raja Rimba heightened his awareness and raised Blizzard. The fissure by Raf il-Cul's attack unveiled dozens of giant eggs from underneath the arena's floor. As they began to hatch, a dreadful screech filled the area as warrior caste zak'nagis emerged from them one by one.
Most of the gladiators confronted a warrior zak'nagi before and with numbers at their advantage, they were feeling confident. Perhaps, too confident until they noticed what was really going on. The blue-black flames were interfering with their power core, draining its energy and empowering the zak'nagis at the same time as their blaze got bigger and brighter.
Without power, the Gears were just a plain suit of armor. The gladiators' augmented abilities were nullified by Raf il-Cul with just one swift move.
Faces of despair began to show as the zak'nagis were getting closer. Some even ditched their gear via the emergency release system, hoping to gain speed and agility without their heavy armor, and made a run for it.
Raja Rimba, however, remained calm amidst the chaos. He had trained for moments like this. To expect the unexpected. He knew that running away was not an option, not when innocent lives were at stake.
As the zak'nagis closed in on him, Raja Rimba unleashed a series of lightning-fast strikes with his trusty weapon. Each swing was precise and deadly, finding its mark on the zak'nagis' vulnerable spots.
The others followed Raja Rimba's lead after witnessing his brave action. But the flames continued to weaken the gladiators, their energy fading fast.
Raja Rimba realized that the source of these flames had to be dealt with if they were to have any chance of survival. With a swift motion, he leaped into the air, landing near the center of the arena.
The crowd watched in awe as Raja Rimba focused his energy, summoning a cyclone of wind around him by swinging Blizzard. The winds grew colder, stronger, and fiercer, swirling around him like a hurricane.
With one powerful thrust of his palm, he sent the cyclone toward the source of the blue-black flames.
「 Raja Rimba 」
"SNOW SQUALL STRIKE!!!"
It was Raja Rimba's ultimate move. The winds tore through the arena, extinguishing the flames and freeing the gladiators from their draining effect.
As the dust settled, Raja Rimba stood tall, his body covered in sweat. The zak'nagis, now devoid of their power source, were an equal match for the re-energized gladiators.
Looking at his panting target, Raf il-Cul descended from the sky and approached Raja Rimba confidently. Taking the first initiative, Raja Rimba charged toward the demon at high speed with his sword raised high, ready to strike. Raf il-Cul laughed as he easily dodged the champion's attack.
The demon moved with unnatural speed and agility, making it difficult for Raja Rimba to land a hit. A fierce punch was thrown by Raf il-Cul at a speed mere mortals can hardly see, sending the champion flying across the arena.
Raja Rimba coughed out blood. If not for his quick reflexes, it could have been fatal. Raising both of his legs chest high managed to block his vital body parts from the blow.
「 Raja Rimba 」
"That was just one punch, man."
"Is that all you got?"
Raja Rimba gritted his teeth and charged toward the demon once again. He swung his massive sword with all his might, but the demon easily caught the blade with his bare hands.
The demon's strength was overwhelming, and Raja Rimba knew he had to come up with a different strategy. He backed away from the demon, trying to catch his breath and think of a plan.
Raja Rimba stood there, still perplexed by the demon's insane strength. He had never encountered a demon before, let alone fighting one. He knew that his life was in danger.
Raja Rimba tightened his grip on his sword and took a deep breath. As Raf il-Cul advanced toward him, Raja Rimba prepared to strike. He was fast, but the demon was faster.
Raja Rimba swung his sword with incredible force, but the demon dodged with ease. The demon countered with a swift punch but was blocked with his sword. The two of them continued exchanging blows, but Raf il-Cul seemed to have the upper hand.
Raja Rimba was a skilled fighter, but the demon was too powerful for him to handle. Raf il-Cul was relentless, attacking Raja Rimba from all sides.
Raja Rimba tried to defend himself, but he was quickly running out of energy. He was at his limit. Out of ideas and out of strength, the only thing left was his will to live.
As the demon prepared to strike the final blow, Raja Rimba tightened his grip and raised his sword, waiting for what he assumed, was the demon's final attack. Raf il-Cul let out a loud cry and thrust his hand forward after the demonic energy he was gathering turned from blue to red.
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"DEMONIC BOMBARD!!!"
There was nothing Raja Rimba could do. His opponent was powerful in a way he could not comprehend. Accepting the fate he had been dealt with, he closed his eyes.
An avalanche of magical energies descended upon the arena. Clamorous explosions erupted everywhere. The destruction was catastrophic. But to his surprise, he did not feel any pain.
Raja Rimba opened his eyes and looked around. He saw a bonecan standing beside him, wielding a huge mace paired with an enormous shield.
Although clad in full plate armor, the bonecan did not wear a helm. Raf il-Cul's attack was deflected by him, saving the champion's life.
「 Raja Rimba 」
"You could have come earlier, Nath!"
「 Nathkin Cole 」
"I was…"
"Ermm…"
"Charging."
「 Raja Rimba 」
"You and your appetite… huh."
Raja Rimba, saved by the intervention of his best friend, felt a surge of renewed energy coursing through his veins and stood. The barrier of magical energy surrounding them was created by Nathkin's shield.
The large tower shield emanated a soothing warmth, shielding them from the chaos and destruction unfolding around them while healing their wounds at the same time. Raf il-Cul, visibly frustrated by Nathkin's intervention, snarled in anger. His crimson eyes blazed with fury as he faced the bonecan.
Though their history remained shrouded in mystery, it was clear that the demon held an enmity against the bonecan. He kept looking at Nathkin's mace and was skeptical about what his next move should be.
「 Nathkin Cole 」
"Oh… You remember Rocky, don't you?"
Nathkin, with not a single shred of fear, was taunting Raf il-Cul with his huge mace. Raja Rimba watched the exchange between Nathkin and Raf il-Cul, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew that his best friend possessed incredible strength, but facing off against a powerful demon was no easy task.
Raf il-Cul, growing increasingly outraged by Nathkin's taunting, lunged forward with lightning speed, aiming to strike him down. But Nathkin, with uncanny agility, sidestepped the attack, swinging his mace with all his might. The mace connected with a thunderous impact, sending shockwaves through the air.
The ground beneath them trembled as the force of the blow reverberated throughout the arena. A deep fissure formed, splitting the ground in two, and a surge of raw energy erupted from the impact point. Raf il-Cul staggered backward, momentarily stunned by the sheer power of Nathkin's strike.
The demon quickly regained his composure, his fury burning brighter than ever. With a snarl, he conjured dark tendrils of shadowy energy, launching them toward Nathkin.
However, the magical barrier surrounding Raja Rimba and Nathkin stood steadfast, deflecting the tendrils harmlessly away. The bonecan's shield glowed with an ethereal light, absorbing and neutralizing the demonic energy.
Raja Rimba seized this opportunity, channeling his own energy into Blizzard after connecting a mana cord from his glove to the hilt. The sword crackled with magical energy as he charged towards Raf il-Cul. With swift and precise strikes, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, pushing the demon back further.
The battle raged on, with Nathkin and Raja Rimba fighting side by side against their formidable adversary. Their combined strength and unwavering resolve proved to be a formidable force against the demon's relentless onslaught.
As the clash of steel and magic echoed throughout the arena, the tide slowly began to turn in favor of Raja Rimba and Nathkin. With each blow, their determination grew stronger, fueled by their unbreakable bond and the desire to protect those who relied on them.
Finally, after an arduous struggle, Raf il-Cul found himself on the defensive. His crimson eyes filled with a mix of rage and desperation as he realized that victory was slipping away from his grasp. With a final surge of power, he attempted one last desperate attack.
But Raja Rimba and Nathkin were ready. They countered the attack with a united front, their weapons colliding with the demon's desperate attempt. The resulting explosion of energy sent Raf il-Cul reeling, his demonic form flickering before coughing out pools of black blood.
「 Nathkin Cole 」
"We've been through this Raffy."
"When will you ever learn?"
「 Raf il-Cul 」
"Heh…"
"Hahaha…"
"HAHAHA!!!"
The badly injured demon let out a maniacal laugh. Nathkin felt disturbed and turned his attention to Raja Rimba. Grasping in pain, his best friend fell to the ground.
At that moment, he saw demon parasites latching onto Raja Rimba. Their final clash with Raf il-Cul breached the champion's gear, exposing him to the attack. The parasite sucked Raja Rimba's life essence, causing him to age rapidly.
"Say hi to my rot slugs!"
"Hahaha!"
Nathkin knew that he had to act fast. Quickly slamming his mace to the ground, he then forced his core into overdrive.
The extensive magical energy generated was channeled toward Raja Rimba through his earthed mace, eradicating all the parasites instantly. But the damage was done.
"There's more where tha…"
Before Raf il-Cul managed to finish his words, Rocky, Nathkin's gigantic mace came in flying at blinding speed toward him. It was a direct hit and the demon was once again sent flying across the arena.
Nathkin leaped forward to deliver the killing before a demonic portal appeared underneath Raf il-Cul. Dark tendrils sprouted and pulled him inside the portal before closing in a split second.
The remaining zak'nagis were cleaned out by the rest of the gladiators with ease. Nathkin quickly made his way back to his best friend.
Aged significantly by the parasites, Raja Rimba now resembled a middle-aged man in his fifties. Nathkin gently pressed the release button and relieved Raja Rimba of his Gears.
「 Nathkin Cole 」
"It's ok Rachmat."
"It's all over."
"You can rest now..."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Babazam
Babazam Editing... Nothing new
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone