The Temple of Darkness finally revealed itself.
A colossal black stone structure covered the land. Spires, easily hundreds of meters tall, pierced the sky, and an ominous purple aura pulsed from the entire building.
"Is that... the Temple of Darkness?" Leon whispered, holding his breath.
Cael pulled out the Core of Darkness. The black orb vibrated more intensely as they approached the temple.
"That's it. According to Azel's memories, there's a sealing stone in the center of the temple. Bahamut is trying to destroy it."
Elisa sensed the temple with her magic, and her face turned pale. "What... what is this? Magic detection is completely blocked. It's as if a massive magic-blocking barrier covers the entire temple."
Aria looked around the temple with her telescope. "I see an entrance. But..."
"But what?" Garon asked.
"There's a gatekeeper. And it's not just any gatekeeper."
Cael took the telescope from Aria and looked. In front of the temple entrance stood a colossal skeletal knight. Its height was easily five meters, and blue flames burned in its eye sockets.
[System Alert: Ancient Guardian 'Death Knight Balrog' Detected]
[Level: 35]
[Special Abilities: Immortality, Curse Attacks, Soul Absorption]
[Warning: Extremely dangerous enemy]
"Death Knight Balrog..." Cael muttered. "I saw him once in my past life. I was too busy running away then."
"It's different now," Leon said, drawing his sword. "We're together, and Brother has gained the Dragon God's power."
Just then, a mighty roar echoed from the sky.
"Kryaaaaaa!"
Everyone looked up at the sky. Bahamut's colossal silhouette was visible through the black clouds. The Dragon Emperor himself had appeared.
"Humans..." Bahamut's voice thundered. "Do you still cling to futile hope? Seventy percent of the seal has already been broken. Whatever you do, fate will not change."
[System Alert: Seal Release Rate 70%]
[Time Remaining: 48 hours]
Cael raised the Dragon God Sword. "Bahamut! No matter how strong you are, we will not give up!"
"Intriguing," Bahamut sneered. "Then I shall watch your desperate struggle. Balrog, deal with them 'appropriately'."
Death Knight Balrog drew his massive sword. An aura of death flowed from the blade.
"It's been a long time, mortals," Balrog said in a decaying voice. "If you wish to cross this threshold, you must first defeat me."
Cael looked back at his companions. "The plan is simple. While I face Balrog head-on, you attack from the flanks. But absolutely do not overexert yourselves. This guy is the strongest enemy we've faced so far."
"Got it!" Leon replied.
The battle began.
As Balrog swung his massive sword, a black sword aura flew toward Cael. Cael blocked it with the Dragon God Sword, but the impact pushed him back a few steps.
"Strong...!"
At that moment, Balrog teleported behind Cael. The colossal sword came crashing down towards Cael's back.
"Cael!" Leon rushed in and blocked Balrog's attack with his own sword. But the immense impact sent Leon crashing into the wall. "Kryaaak!"
"Leon!" Aria fired special arrows in rapid succession. "Dragon Killer Arrow!"
The arrows embedded themselves between Balrog's ribs, but the skeletal knight nonchalantly pulled them out.
"Useless. I am already dead. Physical attacks do not affect me."
Elisa cast a holy spell. "Holy Light!"
Sacred light enveloped Balrog. This time, it had an effect. Balrog let out a scream of pain.
"Holy magic... In that case!"
Cael seized the opportunity and activated the Dragon God's Authority. "Dragon God's Authority - Judgment of Purification!"
Dazzling golden light exploded from Excalibur. Balrog's left arm was purified by the light and vanished.
"Kryaaak! This... this power... could it be the true Dragon God's...!"
But Balrog immediately activated his regeneration ability. The vanished arm reappeared.
"He said he was immortal," Garon said, holding his shield. "How can we defeat him completely?"
Cael recalled Azel's memories. "We need to destroy his core. The black gem in the center of Balrog's chest is the source of his life force."
"Then we just aim for that!" Aria imbued a special arrow with holy energy. Elisa had helped her.
Leon stood up and gripped his sword. "Let's try again. I won't fail this time."
Cael nodded. "Alright. Let's give it everything we've got."
Cael unleashed the Dragon God's power to its maximum. A golden aura exploded from his body, illuminating the surroundings.
"Dragon God's Authority - True Dragon God Sword!"
Excalibur transformed into a colossal sword of light. A three-meter-long golden blade was in Cael's hand.
Balrog's expression showed caution. "That sword... could it be Azel's ultimate technique?"
"Correct!" Cael charged.
Simultaneously, Leon attacked from the right, and Aria from the back. Elisa sealed Balrog's regeneration ability with holy magic.
"Now!" Garon obscured Balrog's vision with his shield.
Cael's True Dragon God Sword precisely pierced Balrog's chest. The black gem shattered into pieces.
"This... this can't be... my thousand-year guardianship..."
Balrog dissolved into particles of light.
[Ancient Guardian 'Death Knight Balrog' Defeated]
[Large amount of experience gained]
[Level Up: 27 → 30]
[Special Ability Acquired: Undead Resistance]
[Temple Entry Authority Acquired]
"We did it!" Leon cheered.
But Cael couldn't celebrate. His body swayed from using too much of the Dragon God's power.
"Cael!" Elisa rushed over and cast a healing spell.
"I'm fine. This much is..." Cael tried to speak, but suddenly Bahamut's laughter echoed from the sky.
"Hahaha! Well done, humans. But now the real hell begins. I await you inside the temple."
Bahamut's form vanished. Simultaneously, the doors of the Temple of Darkness slowly began to open.
Beyond the doors, a deeper darkness awaited.
Cael looked at his companions. "This is the final gate. Are you ready?"
"Always ready," Leon replied.
"Then let's go in. To change our destiny."
The party stepped inside the Temple of Darkness. Now, only the very last battle remained.