A few weeks have passed, and the three warriors are finally up to their feet. After the deadly Flare Wall attack from Saturn and Jupiter, they sustained severe burns on all parts of their body. It took seven weeks to recover. In the meantime, the knights of Midenia bravely held them off... but barely and at the cost of seven of the newly trained Dark Knights.

"In a mirror of you"

It is now night time. Edrick and Derek are on a shore on the island of Timera, thirty miles away from Midenhal's coastline. They are sparring. Derek is using his spells and Edrick is using his sword. They seperate and Edrick holds his sword in full defensive stance, while Derek holds a fireball in his left hand.

"Reflections of you"

Derek: Man, we've both softened from that recovery. I wonder how Meredith is doing.

"You're showing what you feel like inside"

Edrick: Probably shooting firebirds in the Volcanos*.

"Me, the power of two."

Derek: Well, shall we continue?

Edrick: Yes. Zhirtis Nerebat*.

"Just me and you."

Derek: Same to you.

An Image that you hold in your mind"

A second passes and Derek hurls the fireball at Edrick's head at the speed of a ninety mile per hour baseball. Edrick quickly swings his sword to deflect the fireball, heating up his blade when the ball explodes. Some flames seer his skin, but he is unharmed. Barely scratched at all. Edrick begins to chant now, his sword glowing with a strange aura. Derek takes several steps back and begins chanting, calling fourth mighty auras with his sharp tongue and piercing words. Derek begins to weave the strands of aura into something.

"Sometimes you're wrong and there's sometimes you're right."

"You don't expect me to put up a fight."

Derek: Damn. I keep forgetting you're a Spellsword apprentice.

Edrick: Very deadly underestimation, Derek.

"I'm sick and tired of all of your lies."

Derek finishes the weaving of the energies he chanted up, and sends a flurry of swords at Edrick. As soon as the aura leaves his hands, however, Edrick swings his sword from the ground up., sending a strange blue aura toward the swords. Edrick holds his sword horizontally in his right hand from right to left, meaning it points to his left side as he says, "Hurricane Slash!" The blue aura turns into a hurricane, cancelling out the magic. The magic moves toward Derek, hitting him with several sword slashes. He screams in pain, taking a step back as blood drips from his right arm.

"I'm sick and tired and I'm saying goodbye!"

Derek: Incredible! Who taught you this?

Edrick: I'm self-taught. That's the strange thing.

Derek: You win today.

"I, I, I don't need this poison."

"I, I, I don't need control."

"I, I, I don't need forgiveness."

"I, I, I don't need you...*

***

Meanwhile, Artanis walks around in the Zenith Palace of the Heavens with his golden cane, pondering with a stroke of his long white beard as to why they spar each other...

Artanis: Humans have sparred since the beginning of time. They are always practicing with each other on something. Even in the present in basketball or football. It's always something... This will be a lesson to you, for several years later this same thing may happen, only at a more extreme degree...

***

It is now early morning. The three warriors are alone in an armory room. A man looks at them. He appears to be a blacksmith, heavilly built from years of hammer slinging against cold metal. His eyes are cold, like that of a heartless barbarian. He has a strange signet on his forehead resembling an eye. He stands at 7'0'' and has dark skin. He is not a Midenian.

BLACKSMITH: Well, soldiers. Your new armor is ready. It should be able to resist fire. I do suggest you fight Jupiter and Saturn apart though, even if they cannot cast it together anymore. They may be strong enough alone. Remember that.

Edrick: Thanks, Damien.

Damien: No problem!-- and Edrick, I've got a new sword for you. It should work well against the undead monsters you face in the Crypt.

Edrick: What is this...?

Damien reaches inside a chest and pulls out a shimmering silver sword. It is really made out of steel, but it's silver coat works well against the undead. It's shimmering glow has a holy aura to it, which will ward off some evils in battle. He hands the four and a half foot broadsword to Edrick. Edrick hands him his old broadsword and sheaths the new one. Damien smiles.

Damien: Aye! It fits you well! You remind me of the great Avani when he was young!

Edrick: Don't compare me to my father.

Damien: ...why not?

Edrick: He died in an arrow fire.

Damien: Did he teach you the Spellsword Art?

Edrick: No... his brother... Tyron did.

Damien: Excellent! You should have no problem with those two then.

Meredith: Sir, he used his strongest technique against them and they warded it off like it was nothing.

Damien: With your new armours, it should be nothing to worry about.

Derek: Let's head out.

Edrick: Let's. *Walks out.

Meredith: Damien, do you think my spells are inadequate?

Damien: Your spells? I thought you were a tracer.

Meredith: Tracers use Forest magic.

Damien: They may be ineffective since Jupiter is a Lightning Element. Saturn is Earth.

Derek: !!! Why didn't you tell us this in the first place???

Damien: I didn't think it'd help.

Derek: We could do some major damage if we learned Water and Air spells!

Damien: If there are two elements, there are usually more. Remember this when learning spells.

Derek: Thank you! *Exits.*

Meredith: *nods and leaves*

*Meanwhile...*

There are six warlord-looking creatures standing in a circle around a flame. Clockwise is as follows: Saturn and Jupiter. There's several others who are unidentified. The one beside Jupiter is a strange-looking wizard who stands no taller than five feet. He has elven ears and piercing red eyes and blood red hair. He has long sharp fingernails capable of piercing through armor and skin. He slumps like an old man, and carries a staff with several magical runes on it. Beside him is another man who is a tall, seven foot giant. He carries a battle axe in each hand, tied together by a chain link on the hilts. The battle axes are coated with diamonds. He also wears a thick suit of iron* and is incredibly built, like a titan. The one beside him is a skinny, six foot man wearing ninja's clothing. In his left hand is a diamond-edged Katana, capable of slicing through anything. His long raven hair flows in the wind with his sapphire blue eyes and strong facial features. He has high-cut cheek bones and a fairly-long nose. The one beside him carries no weapon and wears no armor, as he is a fighter with his fists. His gloves are covered with iron spikes, capable of decapitating his opponent with ease. He is well-built like a monk, and is as fast and well-footed as one as well. He wears baggy leather jeans, the typical wear for a monk of his status. On his back is the picture of the Dragonlord, a tall dragon going from his lower back to his neck with silver eyes and blood red scales. Flames breathe out of the tattoo, but not literally. The last man near him is a man wearing a full suit of black armor. He also wears a full plate helmet which covers his facial features totally. He wears a long purple cape. That is all that is known about him. In the center of the flame about ten feet up in the air stands a man clad in nothing but a blood red robe. He floats brilliantly in the air, an aura hoisting him up like an angel, a saint. His facial features are beautiful, like an angel, but he is no angel, nor is he a saint. He carries the Staff of Daragon, the first Prime Evil God. He is the second generation god of evil.

????: Listen well, Soldiers of Me, our plan will be set here.

Saturn: Satanis. Jupiter and I took care of the three pests that fell our army of dead by half.

Jupiter: My story is the same as his.

Satanis(Demon): Brag not, foolish demons. Your plan and fate will be set here. You will either die fighting, or you will live, and the heroes will be dead.

????: Sire! Our last plan to attack Midenia head-on was foolish and weak! Can you think of anything better?

????: Cyril, you fool! How dare you question the great Satanis!

Cyril(Monk): *yells at the man* Shut up, Decus!

Satanis: DECUS, CYRIL. SILENCE! I have heard ENOUGH! You will carry out the first wave of my plan, since you two are so eager to do it.

Decus(Ninja): Forgive me, majesty. What is your plan?

Satanis: You will go to the first level of this Underground Palace and defend it well against intruders while the rest of you fight to the death.

Decus: Kaas nerebat, sire!

Cyril: Kaas nerebat, sire!

Satanis: Jupiter and Saturn, you will attack the three once again. Do not leave there empty handed or I will personally destroy you.

Saturn: ...

Jupiter: ...Saturn? What's wrong?

Saturn: ....grr....

Satanis: Do you DARE DEFY ME?!

Saturn: ...No, sire. Kaas nerebat. *Bows and vanishes with Jupiter.*

Decus: *vanishes*

Cyril: *vanishes*

Satanis: Armani and Mars. You will defend this place with your life at the top floors.

Armani (Mage): Kaas nerebat! *vanishes*

Mars (Barbarian): I will stay here.

Satanis: HA HA HA! Very well. You will die here with me valiantly if we fail in our cause. We will not fall, YOU ARE THE SONS OF SATANIS! NEVER SURRENDER UNTIL ALL HUMANS ARE DESTROYED!!!

***

Meanwhile, Edrick and the others arrive at a strange cave. They all draw their weapons valiantly, standing ready for any attack. Suddenly, three sabertooth cats leap out to attempt to bite them. The three block with their swords.

Edrick: STAND TOGETHER! This will be an easy battle if you stay on your toes and remain clear-headed!

Derek: Of course. They're just animals.

Meredith: *Takes a step back with Derek* Don't underestimate animals. They may go by instinct, but they are deadlier than humans. You can't reason with them.

Edrick: We're deadlier than they are. Prepare for battle!

One sabertooth cat charges at Edrick's stomach, but Edrick counters, bringing his sword up verticly, slicing into the stomach of the cat. It spills its insides as crimson flows to the ground. The cat falls to the ground without a problem. At the same time, another cat charges at Derek but Derek fires a fireball into the cat's mouth, the explosion knocking off its head. Meredith shoots an arrow at the other cat who parries, hitting it square in the head, knocking it down for the count. The three continue inside the cave.

Edrick: Like I said, too easy.

---Satanis Castle. Balance Floor---

The neutral floor, the floor between the first floor and the first level, has a strange aura about it. The walls appear to be just a normal castle owned by a rich noble. There is red carpet decorating the floor and strange pictures decorating the walls. Decorative swords cover the walls as well, and the statues of knights cover the grounds, as if protecting them. There are stairs going up, but there are no stairs visible going down.

Edrick: Interesting. Who would have thought he lived in a cave!

Meredith: I'm not so sure about this.

Derek: I have a bad feeling about this.

Right you are...

Edrick: ???

Meredith: Damn it, someone's playing with our heads!

You will spend eternity in hell with us...

Suddenly, Saturn and Jupiter appear!

Saturn: Ha! Did you miss us?

Jupiter: They'll die just like last time. We should have finished them while we had the chance.

Saturn: They're just humans. They'll live a very short life.

Jupiter: Prepare to fight!

Saturn: Wait. You're mine alone, Edrick. That sword attack hurt like a bitch.

Jupiter: Very well.

Saturn suddenly charges at Edrick, knocking him away from the rest of his friends. Edrick slams into a wall, slightly injured as he steps away from it after falling about two feet. He unsheaths his sword and points it at Saturn, going into half offense, half defensive stance with his right leg pushed outward and his left arm held almost behind him. Saturn draws his six foot long scimitar and grins, holding it above him with one hand in full offensive stance.

Saturn: Ah... it feels great to fight you again, Edrick.

Edrick: What are you talking about...?

Saturn: You'll soon find out.

Saturn charges at Edrick again, swinging his sword in full assault swords his head but Edrick feints with his right hand, which holds his sword, swinging his sword into the Scimitar of Saturn and knocking it away. He then lunges twice, once at Saturn's stomach and again at his right arm. Saturn blocks the first hit but takes the second hit. He isn't bleeding but he's scratched pretty damn good, so Edrick thought.

Saturn: Good. You're applying everything that's been taught to you.

Edrick: ???

Meanwhile, Derek and Meredith are chanting Water magic spells while Jupiter chants her lightning spells. An aura of lightning is beginning to form in Jupiter's hands while water auras are forming in Derek and Meredith's hands. Jupiter grins, pushing the aura above her breasts and above her head.

Jupiter: Sky of doom, strike them down! Swift Bolt!

The sky suddenly turns dark above them, as if the ceiling had been enveloped by a mass of clouds. Lightning bolts begin to strike at Meredith and Derek-- one narrowly misses Derek, but Meredith is hit by one, as their water auras attract it. Meredith finishes her chant first.

Meredith: Sa moraka aqua zha! Flood!

Suddenly, a huge wave of water envelops Jupiter, the lightning then beginning to strike her. Jupiter screams slightly, the bolts of electricity slicing through her iron clad armor and into her skin, seering it badly. Derek finishes his chant last, as a huge bolt of water flies, hitting Jupiter in the head. Lightning attracts to this as well, hitting Jupiter hard in the face and almost knocking her down on her ass.

Jupiter: AGH! What the hell do you call this!? Element abuse?

Meredith: There is no law in combat.

---

Edrick: ARGH!

Saturn: Heh!

Edrick feints and lunges again at Saturn's kidney but Saturn deflects the blade, swinging his scimitar in a full assault at Edrick's shoulder. It slightly cuts into his shoulder as he moves away from it. Blood begins to shoot out of his shoulder as it is cut, but not deep enough to cause any permanent damage. Edrick feints toward his kidney again but as his sword moves foward, his momentum stops, and he triple lunges at his stomach the first turn, and his arms the second and third. The flabbergasted Saturn is hit all three times. Then, Edrick double feints, slashing Saturn's chest several times, but his armor cushions most of the blows.

Saturn: DAMN! Who are you learning from so quickly!? *takes a step back*

Edrick: ...!? Who are you?

Saturn: Grr...

Saturn sends his fist at Edrick's stomach but as Edrick moves, he grabs for the helmet that Saturn wears, pulling it off. It reveals dark blue hair and piercing icy blue eyes. He has high cheek bones and looks like an aristocrat.

Saturn: !!!

Edrick: You can't be him..!!!

Saturn: DAMN IT! *Vanishes*

Jupiter: Saturn?! *Vanishes*

Edrick: No way!

Derek: *looks at Edrick* Ed? What's wrong?

Edrick: I could have sworn I saw the face of my old trainer...

Meredith: Saturn? Your trainer? Are you serious?!

Edrick: I don't know... he mocked me like "he" did...

You shall ascend...

Edrick: ??? What was that? *looks around.*

Derek: I don't know. But there's a staircase going down now, look at that frame. It's form is swirling around like a portal.

Meredith: You saw that the whole fucking time, didn't you?!

Derek: ...Yep.

Edrick: IDIOT!

Meredith: GAH!!!

Derek: Sorry!

Edrick: Why didn't you tell us!? We could have avoided that entire battle!

And so, they ascend, or descend if you will, into the darkness of hell. What will become of the three warriors?