Hellfire

*Bang*

The serpent's fangs were stuck in front of me, his tounge full of poison twirling in my face. The wall that was behind me saved me because there wasn't any space for the serpent to close its jaw. Quickly I got out of the way sliding down it's body to get close to the crystal.

[Shadow Blade]

I cast to finish it off before it had a chance to even pull out it's fangs.

"WAIT, don't do it."

A sharp feminine scream was transmitted straight to my head at that moment causing confusion and pain in my brain making me hesitated the moment I was about to destroy the crystal. Keeping the blade pointed at it's core I yelled:

"Why would I believe a damn snake that was about to kill me."

"This is only but a test to make sure you are strong enough when the time comes. This is just the beginning of your trials Son of the Night. You will surely be needing me to guide you. I can help you with your journey. Just trust me this time," Somehow I didn't know why but I trusted this snakes words.

Maybe this is just a trick but even if it didn't kill me now maybe the next trials will instead. I need something to guide me in this, I've been alone since the beginning. Some company would be nice. At that moment, like it had detected my decision the serpent shrunk in size and now a serpent similar to an albino snake remained. It's beautiful crystal eyes that now shrunk in size with it made it look cute. The once black fangs were white. 

"Thank you for trusting me Son of the Night, I'll make sure to help you in your journey."

I raised my brow to the snakes remark. I doubt a three foot long snake is going to help me with anything but information but I relented. My expression gave off a sense of disappointment that the snake sensed.

"I can be your blade," she said slithering her way to my arm.

"And how do you plan to fight, you'll use that gigantic form again?"

"No I can't return to my divine form again, it took a huge amount of Xer to even maintain it for that long. The trial itself was to last until this form ran out but you got lucky from my hastiness and were about to end me. I get shivers when I think u held a blade to my core. Nevermind that Son of Night, watch carefully," as it finished saying that to me, a bright ping light shined my hand and the snake slowly transformed into a short blade. The blade hilt was made out of the same white and pink shaded scales that made up the serpents body. It had no guard and the blade part itself was colored white. It looked very fragile, as if it would break if I slapped it against the wall. Although it looked pretty I was still pretty doubtful if it would do any damage against anyone.

"Try to use your dark blade along with it, you will be surprised of how much power I can give you access to."

[Shadow Bade]

The sword same tar-like color that the fangs were filled with started flowing inside the sword. The blade elongated into a slightly bigger shape. It's now pitch black, the scales on the handle are black as well but still shaded pink — the hilt now had enough place to hold the sword with both hands.

*Zing*

[Hellfire Slash is now available for use]

This crystal again, is it telling me to use this new ability. I'm more surprised at the fact that its constantly helping me each time I get access to something new. Maybe this trip to God knows where is helping me more than it's putting me in danger. Than again I was almost killed multiple times already so I can't say it wasn't dangerous.

*Zing*

[Lift your blade up]

[Hold it with both hands]

[Strike in the direction of any target within 15 meters of distance]

Is it showing me exactly what to do, and holy, what's with that insane range. 15 meters range for a sword slash. I slowly get up and hold the blade with both hands in the direction of the wall that the door is located. I close my eyes slowly gathering as much Xer as I could towards my hands as I get ready to cast.

[Hellfire Slash]

I quickly slash downward feeling a massive outburst of Xer leaving the sword. I open my eyes and my mouth went agape. The slash itself had destroyed the wall itself and the Hellfire imbued into the slash had corroded anything that was around it — the curtains that once covered the mansion windows were nowhere to be seen and the only thing visible was the hallway.

"I-I did that?"

"That is much more firepower that I imagined you would be able to output Son of Night. I see you came across that damned wolf and got the crystal guide. Although I thought you were not going to pass it's trial since he's the last one."

"Do you mean to say I passed through the last trial first."

"Yes, that you did. Although I must praise you for even being able to complete it."

First I pass out and kill a supposedly very strong beast, second I enter an altar which I found out multiple secrets and now I'm hearing a blade praise me, great. Instructions by a crystals and talking to a blade, how crazy do I look right now. I hope the others can't hear them because the explanation itself is going to be a world of pain.

"How much longer until I finish this trial…uh snake"

"Just call me Alena, Son of Night," the snake said while turning back to the serpent form slithering up my arm.

"You call me Raphael or Raph for short as well, it's uncomfortable hearing that nickname to be honest."

"Alright Raphael, resume your remaining trials."

"I didn't almost get killed multiple times to hear you order me around Alena."

"Aye aye captain lead the way," I could feel the snakes eyes roll back in a sarcastic manner without even looking.

Proceeding to repeat the same thing with the other statue, I take a look at the main fountain while swiftly jumping the stairs to get to the other side faster. The second symbol had lit up. Now I stood in front of the door that the last trial was in, well not last in order but what I'm completing last since I messed it up. 

*Zing*

[You are now entering the last trial, Bajlöz of the Darkest Sea]

"Be careful Raphael, even though this is just a projection of the real Bajlöz it still has enough power to destroy a couple buildings and that is still with the power ratio dumbed down a houndred times from the original. In his true form he could destroy entire lands and regions." Alena said with a concerned voice.

"You are telling me I defeated something stronger than that before this?" -I raised my brow at Alena concerned how I'd managed to beat something like that.

"Why are you looking at me like that, it's not like I watched you do it." She said raising her small head in almost shrugging motion.

"Well here goes nothing…"

*Creak*

I open the door only to reveal a soldier wearing a rusted set of armor, covered in seaweed siting on a stone throne. A black large flailed mace lays right in front of his large musty boots. His armor is drenched in water all over and it looks like he has just gotten out of the water. The only disturbing thing that is catching my eye right now are those red glowing eyes and that demonic grin.

"Welcome to my humble abode you unpolished gem," he said while slowly getting up from his throne. Loud creaks from his armor could be heard all across the room.

"I didn't think you would submit that easily you feeble snake hahahahaha," his laugh echoed. He is looking down on Alena. Do they know each-other somehow?

"Don't worry you sea squid, you will submit as well." 

"It's not like I have a choice, otherwise I would have ripped this little one's spine as soon as he got in here. But first let us see this humans worth," He said reaching for the mace slowly.

I need to quickly strike while he's down.

[Hellfire Garden]

Huh, the flames are not doing anything to him. The vines are not even inhibiting his movement. This isn't a good sign. 

"Alena, quickly blade form."

Quickly getting the blade ready I dashed toward the slouching knight in an attempt to strike him while he's down.

"You cannot even put a scratch on me while I leave myself wide open, how pathetic of you." Bajlöz said as he got up without any resistance from the vines around himself, tearing them appart.

"Shut your seaweed filled mouth old man, I am not done yet."

I'm running out of options, I don't have enough Xer to use Hellfire Slash yet and I can't hold him back enough to get the move ready. There must be another way.

*Zing*

[Such a petty weakness for a grand knight]

Is this a hint, I can't tell. All of his body is heavily armored. Especially around his heels…wait is his weakness the heels. It's a gamble but I need to try.

"Let me in on what you are thinking weakling," he interrupted my inner dialogue, throwing the mace toward my direction.

*Crash*

That damage alone is enough to blow my body to pieces, I should be quick on my feet. This damned lump of metal and scraps is giving me this much of a hard time. How did I even beat the wolf.

[Shadow Spikes]

Giant spikes shot ouf of the shadows inhibiting any movement from Bajlöz. This is the perfect time to keep him tied. The spikes are enough for now. I reinforce my feet with Xer quickly positioning behind his body. Getting into stance for the Hellfire Slash my eyes shifted up on accident only to be met with the terrifying grin and glowing red eyes of Bajlöz.

"Hmm you have the battle knowledge and wisdom of a rabbid dog, but that was a good decision nonetheless." He said while looking down on me. Being struck by fear made me unable to move out of the way of the incoming mace.

*Slam*

Raphael was sent flying toward the wall and left unconscious, Alena returned to her snake form as soon as she left his hand.

"RAPHAEL," Alena shouted in his direction. Quickly slithering into his unconscious body.

*Zing*

[An unknown soul has entered the host's body]

"This fool can't even defeat this rusted toy, how pathetic of you Raphael." A polyphonic voice came from the unconscious body of Raphael that was covered in dust and pieces of concrete from the wall behind him. Bajlöz shot a confused look his way and said - "Did you hit your head too hard, now you are talking to yourself in third person?"

"Shut up scum, I'll be done with you in a matter of seconds," "And my name isn't Raphael, it's Bruno."

Before Bajlöz could get out another word his right arm flew off from his body after Bruno slashed it.

[Shadow Blade Dance]

A quick flurry of unrelenting attacks hit Bajlöz not leaving him any room for retaliation. His footing now unstable, the huge armored knight fell on his behind along with his mace.

[Shadow Death Prison]

A cage surrounded Bajlöz with a huge amount of blades quickly growing from the inside piercing his armor rendering him completely immobile.

"So you still had that much to hide o Son of the Night, how amusing of you."

Bajlöz was boiling with excitement.