- Ryo The Four Horned Demon-

By the inner sanctum most of the fighting force stood out before the ornate doors. Pulleys and ropes were strewn about because they hadn’t prepared for the oni to get this far. They were surrounded by the invading army. Although they reduced their numbers greatly, the oni still outnumbered them roughly two to one. The leader walks out to the front to confront the dungeon residents.

“I must congratulate you, boy.” Ryo speaks, “To take out so many under my command. That is no small feat.”

“That said, it was proof of their weakness.” he continues, “The same fate that befalls all weaklings and cowards. One that all of you will share.”

The demon takes a step towards them.

“Wait!” a voice comes from the defenders. “I’ll challenge you.”

An unprecedented sound during wartime makes a deafening entrance. Silence.

The crowd disperses to reveal the speaker. It was Akari. Her face was determined to fight.

“Hahaha…” The four horned demon laughs lightly but then breaks out into a full belly laugh. “BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

His terrifying laugh echoes through the halls.

“GOOD MY DAUGHTER! YOU HAVE DONE WELL! MY BLOOD BOILS -!”

“Me too.” another voice enters the challenge.

The female knight walks next to Akari.

“?! - You?!” Akari says shocked,

“Stay focused, we need to do this… Are you afraid?”

Akari spits to the side.

“Are you?”

The two prepare for combat. The dungeon residents make room for the challenge.

"Be careful Akari!” Shion yells,

She gives a thumbs up as she walks.

The combatants stand out in the open. After a short silence a rumbling was felt by everyone.

“Urv… Mortus… Koth Est Tulth!”

“UVR! MORTUS! … KOTH EST TULTH”

All of the oni’s army chants the ominous phrase. The very ground shakes at their voice.

“UVR! MORTUS! KOTH EST TULTH!”.

“UVR! MORTUS! KOTH EST TULTH!”.
“UVR! MORTUS! KOTH EST TULTH!”

“W-What’s going on?” Taro asks,

“It’s the oni’s mantra. It roughly translates to; Stand, Die, Fight for the right.” Shion explains,

“But why are they chanting it now?” he asks again,

“Only means one thing, they want Ryo to prove his “right”,” she continues, “His strength to lead. It’s the only thing they respect…”

“COME! BEAR YOUR HEART!” Ryo roars,

The two girls run a circle around him to disorient him. In a flash Elaine closes the gap and swipes at his leg.

“Useless!” He barks, the monster swipes at her, only narrowly missing.

Meanwhile Akari gets a good swing of her club on his back. For a while it appeared as though they were in sync, getting good hits after hits. The veritable blender of blade and club that the four horned demon was in was not to be envied.

However it seems to do little to wear him down. He bides his time and then -!

“Gotcha!” Ryo grabs the justiciar and throws her against a wall.

“MORTUS! MORTUS! MORTUS!”

The crowd roars in unison,

“Elaine!”Akari yells and slams her club down at Ryo who deftly dodges her attack.

“ENOUGH GAMES CHILD! SHOW ME YOUR TRUE STRENGTH!” he shouts,

The demon prepares for a grand strike and so does Akari. The two run at each other with great speed.

*CRASH!

An ear splitting crash boomed throughout the dungeon. The impact of which sent shock waves.

When he could see again, Taro see that Akari managed to deflect the monster’s attack!

Even the Four Horned Demon was in shock. The oni army fell silent.

“Akari!” he yells,

“UVR! UVR! UVR!” the oni army rejoices

However, it was plain to see, the very attack took the wind out of Akari’s sail. It looked like she could barely even stand.

Just then the justiciar ran in, the rope she brought was created using transmutated fibers of iron and other extremely sturdy material. She wrapped the rope to the end of the leader's left arm.

“What are you doing Akari?! The plan!” Elaine screams,

“Ah!” Just then, Akari woke from her stupor but at the same time, so did Ryo.

“MORE TRICKERY?!” he roars, he reaches for the rope on his arm but Akari intercepts it just in time using another rope.

“NOW!” Taro yells,

On that mark, both girls pulled as hard as they could. The demon was pulled by both hand in different directions. They pulled so hard he was elevated.

“BAHAHA! YOU WANT TO TEST MY STRENGTH?!!” he bellows

The army grew restless. The mountain pusher Ryo was being bested by a human and a girl. In truth Taro had planned for this display. Using pulleys, the pull force was being evenly distributed through two pulley points. Effectively multiplying pulling force by four times.

“NOOO!” The red eyes gleam with rage, “I AM THE FOUR HORNED DEMON!...”

Taro and Shion noticed the justiciar and Akari losing ground however. They run to them to help.

“KOTH EST TULTH!”.

“KOTH EST TULTH!”.

“KOTH EST TULTH!”.The army chants in anticipation.

Taro was no help at all to Akari, he felt like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets with how much he was straining himself! But then a larger hand covers his. It was Dusty. He joined in with Lapis and Knapp. On the other end adventurers from the Marsh village were helping. Soon all able hands came to help pull the enormous beast.

“DAvee!! I’m being lifted of the gwoounnd!!!” A woman shrieks

“I'm pulling … BABE!” David shouts through gritted teeth.

“GAHAHAHA!” Ryo hysterically laughs, “ I AM STRENGTH PERSONIFIED ”

“KOTH EST TULTH!”.

“I AM THE RED OF DAWN”

“KOTH EST TULTH!”.

“I AM THE BLOOD OF WAR”

“KOTH EST TULTH!”.

“I AM -”

“KOTH -"

“RYOGASAKI - THE FOUR HORNED DEMON!!”

The rope snaps.

All of the defenders flew into each other. Taro quickly attempts to get up through the chaos. Though in front of them stood the harbinger of doom who just undid his shackles.

“Impressive! The strength of spirit is admirable!” Ryo bellows, “Though even I know better than to cut a hydra’s head. You must… go for the heart!”

“Even now you reveal yourselves,” He jeers, “I can see who you intend to protect. I can see who you - even unconsciously - try to protect from me.”

“The woman.” Ryo rushes past everyone, knocking every one back from the great pile. He grabs Shion by the neck.

“SHION!” Taro screams,

Ryo brandishes his blade and thrusts it up into Shion.

“NOOOOOO!” Akari wails,

“Tell me Dungeon Lord.” the gray oni smirks, “Is this truly all you have to offer?”

…

“Heh.” Shion laughs,

“What?!” he says taken aback,

Looking down the oni sees that Shion held her hand in front of her stomach, protecting it from doing serious damage.

Before he could even do or say anything, a flash of light blinds every one. The impact of Shion’s transformation shook the foundations of the dungeon. Shion slamming her tail into the ground shatters the floor beneath them. And a great chasm swallows all within the area.