A massive explosion overwhelmed the five senses. Clusters of grey flames and rays of green light spread in all directions. The cultists were fine, standing some distance away, but the demon army received quite a few gruesome injuries.
And yet the matriarch didn't look happy. This was just a minor attack by the adversary. Her arrow should have been able to rip the ghost to pieces, carving a rut into the crowd of infernals behind. It seemed that Reftrack had gotten stronger. Or rather the power bestowed upon him had.
"Hahaha, still trying to struggle? Don't worry, I am happy to indulge you! Let's continue!"
Reftrack waved his hand, and another five ghosts were ignited, rushing at the enemies. Matriarch Evraina let out a snort. She readied her bow, pulling the string, her trembling hand holding the arrow back. An immense force was streaming into the arrow, distorting the air around. Faint dragon chants could be heard. A pair of eyes suddenly appeared behind Evraina, showing black, slit-like pupils filled with disdain.
Evraina let go of her arrow. The projectile was clearly visible to everyone. Seemingly, it travelled extremely slowly. Light radiated in all directions. But despite its low speed the arrow carried an enormous pressure like an unavoidable falling mountain. When the grey flames got close, they were immediately snuffed out.
Below, the infernal army's chaotic screams came to a stop. Multiple spells bloomed in a desperate attempt to defend the army. Only Reftrack didn't crumble under the pressure. The childish skeleton held his head high and pushed out with a palm. The grey flames around him roared to life, taking the form of a giant sword which slashed at the arrow.
The two attacks met. For a moment a stalemate ensued, leaving everyone breathless. But then, under the shocked eyes of all the cultists, the flaming sword pushed on, and under an incessant hissing noise the flames devoured the arrow before shooting upwards, threatening to burn all the cultists to ashes.
"Mom!"
A panicked scream could be heard. Evraina's face was solemn. She raised her hand and closed her eyes, praying silently. And the temple listened. All along the walls of the tower soaring dragons were engraved, rising towards the ceiling. Suddenly these engraving seemingly came to life, their eyes lighting up with green flames. They moved their heads, their maws directed towards the matriarch.
Roaring, hissing noise sounded out with a sacred majesty, drowning out everything else. From the dragon's maws green light erupted, flickering like flames, rushing towards Evraina. The matriarch felt a majestic presence coming to her aid. From her raised hand a massive magic circle formed, instantly constructing a shield protecting all the cultists behind it.
The next moment the flaming sword arrived. It pierced into the shield as if guided by a devilish hand, striking with unbelievable might. The green shield flickered and bent but the sword was unable to penetrate it. After a second its power was used up and the flames slowly dissipated.
Matriarch Evraina took a deep breath, her face grim. A while ago Reftrack already tried to intrude into the temple. Back then she also conjured this shield, forming an impervious barrier. Reftrack was unable to break through and retreated while spewing threats. Now, the skeleton returned after only a short while and his power had increased considerably. With a few more attacks he might actually be able to break through. This would spell disaster for her family. Evraina glanced at the cultists depending on her and her heart dropped, weighed down by worry.
"How long can you hold on? Hahaha!"
Reftrack also knew this. He laughed loudly, feeling genuine joy upon being able to cause this enemy, who was able to block him just a while ago, utter despair. He wouldn't destroy the shield immediately. No, he would take his time. Until all these cultists understood that the draconic aid they relied on was nothing before the power bestowed by his new master!
Reftrack grinned evilly and Evraina's brows furrowed in worry. The situation seemed set. Before these two mighty NPCs, the others could only resist so much.
"Is that it? Expert, can we do something?", asked Cyclone, feeling somewhat guilty inside. Although it was a misunderstanding they did indeed prevent Phorina from constructing the portal in time.
Faced with those questioning eyes Liam nodded slightly, saying:
"Of course. If you loudly shout 'Nexkra'nar, bestow your power upon me!', we will be able to help."
Cyclone hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. She raised her head, her shoulders moving in sync. But no words came from her lips. She glanced at Liam and noticed the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Heh! You tried to trick me! I knew it!"
Liam raised his eyebrows as he was met with Cyclone's smug smile. And right at that moment, the dragon engravings on the walls began to move again. They directed their eyes at the players and breathed a mystic power from their maws. This power fell on the players, and instantly green light erupted from them, shooting into the sky, like a mysterious flame, taking the forms of soaring dragons.
"Woah, what's this?"
"I feel so powerful!"
"Let the world tremble below my feet!"
"Such vast power has to be used for good!"
Various exclamations could be heard. Silver Blade was the first to instantly check her own status. A new effect had been added.
[Aid of the Green Dragon Nexkra'nar
Effect: The green dragon Nexkra'nar bestows her blessings upon you. All your skills will be endowed with the power of dragons, ignoring level difference and receiving additional power. Your stance will be increased by 3000%. Your resistances will be increased by 300%.
Duration: As long as you aid the cultists of Nexkra'nar's Nest.]
"Haha, this feels so nice! As if I instantly reached level 100! I need someone to test this power on!"
Cyclone laughed arrogantly, her eyes fixing on Reftrack. Why else would they receive such a buff if not for sending this excuse of a skeleton back to Hell?
"Adventurers… you…"
Evraina's voice trembled as she felt the vast blessing granted to the adventurers, which exceeded even her own. However, she quickly rationalised things for herself.
"Indeed, the fabled adventures. Able to learn everything, using all kinds of powers for themselves. Adventurers! I implore you! With the power granted by the benevolent green dragon, help us vanquish these demons!"
"Don't worry, matriarch. This is exactly what we had in mind. You take care of the army, and we will destroy that little skeleton!", answered Cyclone excitedly.
"You want to face Reftrack? This… alright. Be careful."
With those words the matriarch suddenly retracted the barrier protecting her family. She waved her hand and the potent draconic power fell on all the cultists, granting them a strong boost.
"Children. There chaotic creatures have invaded our temple, ransacked our home! Do they really think we are unable to fight back?! No! Come, let us protect our home! I will lead you… into battle!"
"Yes! Matrairch! I am ready to lay my life down for the family!"
"That's what I said from the beginning!"
"Let's go!"
The cultists all sounded excited. Feeling the magic protecting their bodies they didn't show any fear. It was time to slay some infernals!
"You suddenly found your courage?! Haha, ridiculous! You cultists hiding all day, you don't even know what a real battle looks like! Let me show you!"
Immediately chaotic voices rose as both sides screamed to bolster their courage. The cultists looked down on the infernals from high up. They didn't instantly rush at the enemy. Instead they revealed all kinds of ranged weapons, about to rain carnage upon their enemies.
The only ones separating from the group were Liam and his friends, rushing right at Reftrack.
"Little skeleton! Your opponents are us!"
"You? Audacious! Tiny! Weak! Adventurers, you think some borrowed power can allow you to contend against me? Wishful thinking!"
Reftrack sneered. He was not in a rush take out the cultists. Since these adventurers provoked him he would let them know that there was a vast gap between them, which couldn't be crossed.
Sparks filled the atmosphere as the two sides stared at each other. Around them, the attacks from above and below passed by. It was as if they were the centre of a terrifying maelstrom. And their battle would decide which side would be drowned out.
"Make your move then!"
Reftrack let out a shout and the grey flames surrounding him burned even brighter. Yet the temperature didn't rise and instead a chill spread. Even some snow seemed to condense, immediately blown away by the stirring winds.
Silver Blade took a deep breath and took the lead. She knew that this would be the strongest enemy they fought so far. In her eyes the skeleton's information appeared, its name a bloody red colour, striking fear in one's heart.
[Devil Disciple, Skeleton Child of Chaos, Reftrack
Rank: Hidden Boss
Level: 90
HP: 380.000/380.000]