Deep Prison Part 4

My skills are far from being able to detect an attack from Kase, but after not seeing him with his party, I knew what would happen. Unfortunately, I have the terrible luck of knowing his nature, and I know that he would not hesitate to strike first from the shadows. I activated my water barrier without hesitation and was right to do it since that saved Hisa's life. Kase's attack went straight for Hisa's neck, which would have been fatal.

"Not bad, Darx," Kase said with a smile, "However, this will be where you will die."

During everything that happened, his gaze was fixed on me even while attacking Hisa. I believe the words Kase said. I think he will really try to kill me this time.

Seto reacted quickly and tried to counterattack with his katana, though Kase dodged and disappeared once more without leaving a trace but not before smirking as he looked at me. Our response was to get into position and protect Hisa and Shalia. If something happens to our healers, we will be finished. A difficult battle awaits us. The bridge is quite wide. The hole is at least five times wider here at the bottom compared to how it looked at the top, and the bridge takes up at least two-thirds of that space. What worries me is the resistance of the bridge.

"Wow, you guys managed to dodge that!" A tall guy with a huge sword standing at the front of the Oblivion group spoke.

"I thought you were a polite and well-mannered guy," Dante replied, "I remember you hated surprise attacks and preferred to fight head-on. I see you picked up bad habits, Arthur."

"What can I say? I'm a professional. I put my ideals aside for the sake of the quest." Arthur reply.

Dante and that Arthur guy seem to know each other. They speak, sounding happy but with a tone of defiance.

"But I admit I'm a little disappointed, Dante," Arthur continued, "I thought you were more cautious. Where's your sister, or William, or the dwarf? If you think you'll be able to face us with a bunch of kids, you're very mistaken. Or is the situation in Midnight Dawn even worse? I already told you many times to leave your guild and join us. Oblivion will receive you with open arms and give you the luxuries you deserve."

"You are very kind to worry about me, but we are fine. And it would be best if you worried more about yourself and your party. I plan to emerge victorious from all this together with the children you said." Dante answered.

"Come on, Dante... do you really think that-"

"Are we here to talk or to kill? Shut up, and let's start the carnage at once!"

A girl with black hair and intimidating eyes said as she took out her katana from her saya.

"This time, I'll cut your throat, Seto."

"Huge words for someone who has never beaten me. You never change, Diva." Seto reply.

In a low voice, Dante said without taking his eyes off the front, "Hisa can't you feel where Kase is?"

"I can't..." She replies.

"Remember the plan," Dante continued, "The important thing is not to win but to stay alive."

Days ago, we planned what to do in case of facing face-to-face with the other guilds. We are not stupid, and we know that there are several B-Rank in our party, and I am even C-Rank. Very different from guilds like Oblivion, which are all A-Rank and an S-Rank. Dante told us that we would not seek to win but to survive until the end. Our best chance will be to take advantage of the casualties other guilds suffer while fighting each other. However, if, unfortunately, like now, we find ourselves facing another guild, we will try to hold on until we find the opportunity to flee.

While all this was happening, my eyes were fixed on Syvis, who was standing in the back without saying anything. For some reason, she has avoided looking at me all this time. The only thing that reassures me is that she doesn't seem to be hurt. I'm glad she's okay.

Then a blonde girl in black armor, holding a shield and a mace, began slowly walking toward us.

"I've been curious to meet you," She said, without stopping walking, "There's been a buzz around the city about the perfect tank—a beast woman who is supposedly a tank with an ideal skill set."

That woman is menacingly walking while her gaze is fixed on Leona.

“Such is the rumor that that beast woman is said to be even better than me. As you understand, I am curious to confirm the rumor." Finishing those words, she stopped halfway between the two parties.

"Leona, be careful with her, she-" Dante tried to say.

"Personally, I think it's ridiculous that a beast can be compared to me," After a short pause, she continued, "My name is Valeria, and I'm going to kill you!"

Valeria jumped vertically without separating much from the floor at an incredible speed against Leona. Valeria gave a blow with her mace, which echoed throughout the cave when colliding with Leona's shield. At the same time, all the members of Oblivion started their attack.

Arthur's greatsword and Dante's axe collided, "If you get out of this alive, I'll buy you some drinks when we get back." Arthur said to Dante.

"The same to you," Dante answered him.

Everything was so fast that when I managed to react, three woman-shaped summons surrounded us. They were Syvis's summons.

The attack was aimed at Hisa and Shalia. They attacked with each of their respective elements, Fire, Water, and Earth. I managed to protect Shalia with my water barrier against the fire summon. In contrast, Gerald covered Hisa with his earth magic using stone walls that were constantly being destroyed by the continuous attack of the Earth summon. And finally, I managed to summon my water summon, which protected both of them from Syvis's water summon spells. I've seen Syvis summons fight before, but this is on another level. My barrier won't hold, and I'm only stopping the fire summon.

Is this the true level of Syvis when she fights seriously?

For his part, Seto can't do anything since he is being mercilessly attacked by Diva, who is laughing like a crazy woman.

"Give me your blood!" Diva said while she laughed hysterically.

"I like it when a woman is obsessed with me, as long as it's not you!" Seto said while defending and attacking with his katana.

On the other side, Neku jumped high. With her spear, she planned to fall, attacking from above. However, she was shot in the air by a ball of purple light, which she tried to dodge but was lightly grazed on the shoulder, destroying her clothes in that area and leaving her with a wound. Luckily she managed to regain her balance and fell on her feet.

The person who cast that magic that looked like electricity was a man who was next to Syvis.

That magic he uses seems familiar. It's identical to the electric magic used by the magician Ryul and I fought against in one of our missions.

Hisa quickly healed Neku; meanwhile, she kept getting attacked by that magician. Neku could only keep dodging without getting a chance to attack.

"Stop failing on purpose, Gin." Another guy said to the mage as he walked eloquently toward us.

His name is Elan, and he is a Beast-Tamer. I know him. He is always with Kase.

"Miss, it's a shame that I will have to damage your beautiful face, but you're in my way," Gin said to Neku.

"Tss..."

Gin's continuous attacks against Neku didn't stop.

Shalia is doing her best to support Neku and everyone, and Hisa is busy healing, but at this rate... I don't know how long we can take. With the exception of Dante, Leona, and Seto, who are even with their opponents, the rest of us will not be able to last long. Gerald and I haven't been able to do anything. Both he and I can barely defend Hisa and Shalia from Syvis's attacks. She is in the background, silently attacking with her summons without mercy.

"You're as good as the rumors say!" Valeria said while she was fighting against Leona.

By this time, Leona would have used her provoke to draw everyone's attack and give us a chance to counter, but Valeria is not giving her any chance. Both are at a very even level.

"Leaving out the S-Rank tank, you are undoubtedly the best tank I have ever faced," Valeria kept talking while their weapons collided, "It's a shame you're a dirty Beast-Woman. Otherwise, we could even be friends. Oh! I'm going to kill you, so that couldn't be done either, even if you were human."

"You talk too much!" Leona replied, "I enjoy shutting up people who underestimate me, and you will only be just one more."

As Leona said that, in the middle of the bridge Elan who had stayed away from the battle, began to have a drastic change in her body. His body began to disfigure and began to take on a form that was a mix between a human and a lion. His muscles grew considerably, and his head reflected more of a lion's than a human's.

"I don't like using this form, but it's boring to have come all the way here and not fight," Elan said.

Elan roared and ran on all fours in Hisa's direction. Shit, I won't be able to protect her.

"HISA!" Dante yelled.

Before Elan could reach Hisa, he was stopped by a chain of light coming from Leona's stomach.

"What is that!" Elan asked, confused.

"I won't let you near her," Leona spoke.

"What do you think you're doing? Your fight is with me!" Valeria said, attacking her furiously.

"If that's what you want, I'll go through you first!" Elan answered.

Now Elan and Valeria attacked Leona together. Leona could not go against the two. W-What can I do?

"[Sunlight Shield] [Sunlight Charge]" Shalia used both of her rare skills on Leona to help her.

Both are great skills that increase defense, strength, and speed, but Shalia won't be able to use them again for a long time.

On top of that, we have a big problem. None of us can fight calmly since, at any moment, Kase can appear out of nowhere. An attack from him would be deadly. In all this time, he has not appeared. It's like Kase enjoys our frustration at not knowing when he will attack.

We won't last long at this rate. Their healer keeps them healed all the time, no matter what we do, none of the Oblivion members have even a scratch. If I can reach her with my water magic, I might distract the rest of her party and give us a chance to escape. For that, I would have to get out of my water barrier since I can't use offensive magic from within. I now have enough control over my water magic to maintain the water barrier even if I'm not inside. I can continue to protect Shalia that way. That will put me at risk from Kase, but I have to do something, or else not only me but all of us, sooner or later, we won't be able to keep going. If I'm lucky and reach their healer, who is far behind, maybe...

"Shalia, I'll try to do something. Don't get out of the barrier." I said.

"W-Wait, Darx!"

Without thinking about it anymore, I got out of the barrier and, taking advantage of the vapor from the contact of Syvis's fire summon and my water barrier, I tried to stay hidden and use my [Water Lance], which I loaded as much as I could and threw it with everything against the healer.

The water spear flew past everyone, and when I thought it would reach the healer, she was being protected by a magic barrier that was hidden until the spear collided with it.

"Naughty kid!" She said with a teasing smile.

Shit!

My surprise was cut by a blaze of fire that came in my direction, however, it did not touch me.

"AGHHH!"

It was for an instant, but I heard Kase's voice behind me.

The fire came from Syvis' fire summon. Did she protect me from Kase!? I did not miss the opportunity and once again entered the water barrier. I turned to see Syvis, but she kept avoiding my gaze.

"You better give up!" Arthur told Dante, while they were still fighting in the middle of the bridge, "If you give up and leave, I promise you that we will spare your lives."

"You're so kind! Is that what you expected me to say?" Dante reply.

"I know your party is looking for an opportunity to escape, but they won't find it. You are powerful, but your party will not last much longer." Arthur continued, "On the other hand, we are stronger, and we have Celeste with her absurd amount of mana that can keep us healed for days."

"Shut up!" Dante reply.

"I know you want to return with news of victory to your sister. Your guild needs a major victory in order to survive and encourage new possible recruits, but you won't find it here. If you want to help your guild, it is best for you and your young members to get out alive. I really would hate to end the lives of adventurers that will be needed in the war against the demons."

Dante turned to look at the battlefield, and it was evident that they would not find a way to escape. If this goes on, someone will lose their life.

"I..." Dante tried to speak; however, at that moment, he was stabbed in the back.

Kase's invisible body appears, slowly falling onto Dante's back, stabbing him with his dagger.

"Who do you think you are to propose amnesty with enemies, Arthur? The one who gives the orders here is me, and I was clear with zero mercy." Kase said intimidatingly.

"KASE, NO!" Arthus screamed as he saw Dante's body fall to the ground.

"Celeste, heal him!" Arthur told the healer.

"No!" Kase said once more, "If you want to ally with them, just say so, and I'll take care of you personally."

"K-Kase...."

At that moment, we all realized what had happened. Hisa ran without caring about her safety to try to reach Dante and heal him, however, Gin did not miss that opportunity and attacked her. Luckily, Gerald blocked the attack with his magic. Leona also lost concentration and received attacks from Elan and Valeria.

Once again, I stepped out of the water barrier, and with my swords in hand, I planned to attack Kase before he did anything else. But then...

From above, someone fell directly against Kase. The blow was so powerful that the entire bridge trembled, making cracks in various parts.

What just...?

The combat on all sides stopped in confusion as to what had happened. Shortly after, when the dust dispersed, the figure of a woman appeared.

"You finally showed up, Kase. And with the guard down ... big mistake!"

"M-Maiya!" Elan said with a trembling voice.

I was still incredulous about what was happening, but luckily Neku reacted quickly and jumped up to where Dante was, grabbed him, and with another jump, she got away with Dante on his shoulder.

Shortly after, Kase appeared out of the dust with his arm broken in several parts and bleeding from the head.

"Heal me!" Kase said to which Celeste healed him instantly.

She is the S-Rank of the Beast-Kind which means the Stormbirds are here.

As I thought, members of the Stormbirds began to appear from various sides. All of them Beast-Kind! Oblivion responded by grouping together. They all looked more serious than when they were facing us. After all, I know that all the Stormbirds members are A-Rank, and they also have an S-Rank. Same as Oblivion.

"Darx, let's escape now that we have the chance!" Hisa yelled at me.

Our only escape route is from where we got here. Seto grabbed Dante, and we ran without Oblivion or the Stormbird caring. I turned once more, looking for Syvis as I ran away, and finally saw that she was looking at me. Syvis... I...

We got far enough away until a small wide area, and Seto stopped and lay Dante down, and Hisa started to heal him.

"He lost a lot of blood! Kase went intentionally for a lung." Hisa spoke.

"Can you heal him?" Leona asked, looking anguished.

"I'm not sure, but I promise I'll do everything I can," Hisa replied, "Shalia, help me!"

"Y-YES!"

Between hisa and Shalia, they began to heal Dante, who was groaning in pain.

"Damned, Kase! The dagger had poison in it too!" Hisa said in anguish, "Pass me my magic bag, quick!"

Neku brought the backpack closer to her, and Hisa began to use plants and potions on Dante's wound. Meanwhile, all the rest of us could do was wait and make sure no one came near.

On the other hand, the noises from the battle that was taking place on the bridge were quite loud. Should I go back and make sure Syvis is okay? I was using all my will not to run off and go looking for her. From the sound, it seems that the battle is quite intense. To think that I can hear the battle noice when we ran pretty far.

When I thought there could be no more surprises, I hear Gerald standing up in a rush from the ground where he is sitting.

"C-Carolin!?" Gerald said in a trembling voice and then repeated it, almost shouting, "CAROLIN!"

I turned to see where he was looking, and at the entrance of the hallway that led further back to the exit was rally Caroline, but how?

"Help me, Gerald!" Carolin said by then running into the darkness of the road.

"WAIT! CAROLIN!" Gerald shouted.

Gerald ran after her.

"Wait, Gerald! Don't go!" Seto yelled, but Gerald ignored him.

"For fuck, sake! Who was she?" Seto asked, "Darx go after him and bring that fool back! Don't let him stray too far."

"Y-YES!"

"We can't move from here until Hisa finishes healing Dante." Seto continued.

As Seto said, I ran after Gerald but didn't understand. Why was Carolin here? Is this a trap?