the fourth floor(7)

The air in the cavern was suffocating, a heavy, oppressive force that seemed to push down on everyone except Dakota. The two cloaked figures stood motionless, their presence radiating an aura of overwhelming power. The rest of the group remained frozen in shock, their minds struggling to process what they were seeing.

Dakota, however, stepped forward, his blade still aflame, his demeanor calm.

Dakota:

"I was wondering when you'd show up. Two of the mythical Dijins... It was only a matter of time."

Henry, his confidence shaken, turned to Dakota with wide eyes.

Henry:

"Mythical Dijins? Are you serious right now?!"

Ava's flames flickered weakly as she tried to steady herself.

Ava:

"Dakota, are you being serious? There's now way two of the mythical djinns are actually here?"

Dakota's smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression as he addressed the group.

Dakota:

The one on the left houses the Devil's Sin of Pride. The other... Gluttony."

The group collectively tensed, the weight of his words sinking in.

Lucas:

"Sins? You mean like actual sins tied to devils?!"

Dakota nodded, his gaze never leaving the two figures.

Dakota:

"Exactly. Each of the seven Devil Kings has most of their power if not all of their power sealed in vessels like these. Pride and Gluttony are one of the strongest."

Jack muttered under his breath, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by unease.

Jack:

"So... what do we do? Fight them?"

Dakota let out a dry chuckle.

Dakota:

"Fight them? No. Not all of us, at least. I already have a plan to deal with these two."

The group exchanged confused glances as Dakota turned his attention to Franklin and Duke.

Dakota:

"Franklin, Duke. It's on you two. You're the only ones strong enough to hold them off."

Franklin's jaw tightened, his flames flickering brighter as he stepped forward.

Franklin:

"You're joking, right? We're supposed to take on both of them?"

Duke, ever the stoic, cracked his knuckles, his expression unreadable.

Duke:

"If that's what it takes, we'll do it."

Dakota's gaze softened, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through his usual aloofness.

Dakota:

"I wouldn't ask if I thought you couldn't handle it. Trust me. The rest of us will get out of here and regroup. But you two... you're our best chance at stalling them."

Amelia stepped forward, her light magic glowing faintly as she protested.

Amelia:

"Wait! You can't just leave them to face those things alone!"

Dakota shot her a sharp look, silencing her.

Dakota:

"They won't be alone. They'll have each other. And besides, if we stay, we'll just get in their way. They need room to fight without holding back."

The Pride Dijin raised its hand, a wave of oppressive energy rippling through the cavern. Its voice was smooth, dripping with arrogance.

Pride Dijin:

"You think these two mortals can challenge us? How amusing."

The Gluttony Dijin laughed, its voice deep and guttural.

Gluttony Dijin:

"Yes, amusing indeed. Let's see how long they last before I devour them."

Franklin and Duke stepped forward, their flames blazing brighter than ever as they faced the two Dijins.

Franklin:

"Alright, Duke. Let's show these freaks what we're made of."

Duke nodded, a rare smirk crossing his face.

Duke:

"Just don't fall behind, Franklin."

The two of them unleashed a torrent of fire, their combined magic lighting up the cavern in a brilliant inferno. The Pride Dijin raised a shimmering barrier, deflecting the flames with ease, while the Gluttony Dijin charged through the fire, seemingly unaffected.

Dakota turned to the rest of the group, his tone urgent.

Dakota:

"Let's go. Now. They'll hold them off, but we need to move before more reinforcements show up."

Ava hesitated, her flames wavering as she looked at Franklin and Duke.

Ava:

"They'll be okay... right?"

Dakota didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the battle unfolding before them.

Dakota:

"They're stronger than you think. Now move."

The group reluctantly followed Dakota as he led them deeper into the dungeon, away from the battle. The sounds of roaring flames and shattering magic echoed behind them, a constant reminder of the sacrifice being made.

Lucas broke the silence, his voice trembling slightly.

Lucas:

"I don't like this. Leaving them behind... it feels wrong."

Henry clenched his fists, frustration evident in his expression.

Henry:

"We should be there, helping them. What if they can't handle it?!"

Dakota stopped abruptly, turning to face the group. His expression was cold, but his words carried a hint of reassurance.

Dakota:

"They can handle it. If you stayed, you'd only hold them back. Franklin and Duke are fighting so we can escape. Don't waste their effort by doubting them."

Amelia nodded reluctantly, her light magic glowing faintly as she whispered a quiet prayer for their safety.

Amelia:

"We'll make it count. For them."

Back in the cavern, Franklin and Duke were locked in a fierce battle with the two Dijins. The Pride Dijin floated above the ground, its movements fluid and precise as it countered every attack with ease.

Pride Dijin:

"Is this the best humanity has to offer? Pathetic."

Duke unleashed a massive wall of fire, forcing the Dijin to retreat momentarily.

Duke:

"Talk all you want. I'll burn that arrogance out of you."

Meanwhile, the Gluttony Dijin barreled toward Franklin, its massive form shaking the ground with each step.

Gluttony Dijin:

"Your flames will make a fine meal!"

Franklin dodged its attack, retaliating with a barrage of fireballs that exploded against the creature's armored hide.

Franklin:

"Sorry, but I'm not on the menu!"

Despite their efforts, it was clear that the Dijins were toying with them. The sheer power of the Sins was overwhelming, but Franklin and Duke refused to back down.

As the group moved further into the dungeon, the sounds of the battle began to fade. Dakota led them with unwavering determination, his mind already racing with plans for their next move.

Dakota:

" Don't worry, duke and Franklin will find a way to beat them. But first, we need to regroup and recover."

Ava glanced back, her expression filled with worry.

Ava:

"And if Franklin and Duke don't make it?"

Dakota's gaze hardened, his voice steady.

Dakota:

"They will. I am sure of it."

The group pressed on, their resolve strengthened by Dakota's confidence. But in the back of their minds, the image of the two Dijins lingered—a reminder of the power they were up against and the sacrifices that had to be made.

The cavern was a blazing inferno as Franklin and Duke continued their desperate battle. Their bodies were battered, their magic reserves dwindling, but their spirits remained unbroken.

Franklin:

"We're not going down. Not to you."

Duke nodded, his flames roaring brighter than ever.

Duke:

"Let's end this."

With a final surge of power, the two of them launched a combined attack, their flames converging into a massive firestorm that consumed the entire cavern.

The Pride Dijin smirked, its barrier shimmering against the onslaught.

Pride Dijin:

"Impressive. But not enough."

The Gluttony Dijin laughed, its voice echoing through the flames.

Gluttony Dijin:

"You'll have to try harder than that!"

Despite their words, there was a flicker of doubt in the Dijins' eyes—a sign that Franklin and Duke were stronger than they had anticipated.