As Ares and Aaron headed out to warn Eryx, Eris and Isabelle stayed behind with Crimson in the dimly lit chamber where Dimitri was being held.
Crimson's expression was stern as he faced Dimitri. "Tell us, Dimitri. Where can we find Roman? What's his plan?"
Dimitri shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting between the three. "I...l don't know all the details. Roman doesn't confide in me that much. But I can tell you he's been searching for Eryx everywhere. He'll stop at nothing to get him."
Eris's eyes narrowed. "That's not good enough. You must know something. Think, Dimitri."
Dimitri hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. "Roman's not in the realm. He's in the Underworld. He won't be coming back now that the portals are closed."
Eris's eyes widened in surprise. "The Underworld? What is he doing there?"
Dimitri swallowed hard. "I don't know, but l've heard rumors that he's seeking dark magic, powerful enough to break the seal on the Khragixx's prison. If he succeeds, it'll be catastrophic."
Crimson's face darkened. "We need to get to the Underworld, now. We can't let Roman get his hands on that kind of power."
"I'm going back to Atlantia. I need to tell my father,about Roman's plan and get Haphaestus to join us.We could use his expertise in navigating the Underworld."
Crimson nodded. "Agreed. We'll meet you in the dark forest. Be careful, Eris.Roman's reach is long, and we don't know what kind of allies he has there."Eris smiled, a fierce glint in her eye."Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll bring Haphaestus with me. We'll meet you in the dark forest."
With that, Eris turned to leave, her long hair flowing behind her.
As they prepared to head to the Underworld, Crimson turned to one of his guards. "Make sure Dimitri is securely locked up in the dungeon.We can't risk him escaping and warning Roman."
Eris met up with Haphaestus, and they joined Isabelle and Crimson in the dark forest.
As Eris and Haphaestus emerged from the shadows, Isabelle and Crimson turned to greet them. The four of them stood together, their eyes fixed on the temple in the distance.
"Time to get moving," Crimson said, his voice low and determined.
The four of them made their way through the dark forest, the trees looming above them like sentinels. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.
As they approached the temple, Isabelle began to chant, her voice weaving a spell of ancient power. The words echoed through the forest, causing the trees to shiver and the creatures to scurry for cover.
The temple doors creaked open, revealing a dark, yawning void. The air emanating from within was cold and damp, heavy with the scent of decay.
"Looks like we're going in," Eris said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Crimson nodded, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Let's do this."
With that, they stepped into the temple, and the doors creaked shut behind them. Isabelle's voice grew louder, her chanting reaching a crescendo as she worked the magic that would take them to the Underworld.
The temple began to glow with an otherworldly light, and the entrance to the Underworld slowly creaked open. A dark, yawning void stretched out before them, emitting a cold, damp mist.
As the entrance to the Underworld opened, the four of them stood at the threshold, gazing into the darkness. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and death, and the sound of wailing souls echoed through the cavernous space.
"Well, this is cheerful," Eris said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Shall we go say hello to Roman?"
Crimson's face was set in a determined expression. "Let's get this over with. We have a job to do."
Haphaestus nodded, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light. "I'll take point. My flames will light the way."
Isabelle's eyes were fixed on the darkness below. "I'll guide us. Let's move."
With that, they stepped into the Underworld, the darkness swallowing them whole. The entrance to the temple creaked shut behind them, and they were plunged into the depths of the underworld.
As they descended, the shadows seemed to writhe and twist around them, like living things. The air grew colder, and the wailing of the souls grew louder.
As they journeyed through the Underworld, the darkness seemed to press in around them. Haphaestus's flames cast flickering shadows on the walls, making it seem like the very rocks were watching them.
Suddenly, they stumbled upon a vast, cavernous space. The ceiling lost in darkness, and the walls lined with twisted, glowing roots.
"Where are we?" Isabelle whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
Crimson's voice was low and steady. "I don't know, but I think we're getting close to Roman."
Eris's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Let's keep moving. I'm sure Roman's waiting for us."
As they ventured deeper, the air grew thick with an otherworldly energy. They could feel Roman's presence, drawing closer with every step.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling screech pierced the darkness, and a massive creature swooped past them, its wings beating the air with a deafening whoosh. The four of them barely dodged its razor-sharp talons, their hearts racing as they stumbled backward.
"What in the Underworld was that?" Eris exclaimed.
Crimson's face was set in a grim expression as he scanned their surroundings. "No idea, but let's not stick around to find out."
Haphaestus's flames danced higher, casting eerie shadows on the walls as he growled, "I'll keep the light burning. Let's move."
Isabelle's eyes locked onto the darkness, her hand on her dagger. "I think it's circling back. Get ready."
The creature's screech echoed through the cavern once more, sending shivers down their spines. They stood frozen, waiting for its next move.
The creature dove again, its eyes glowing like embers in the dark. Haphaestus raised his hand, and a blast of fire shot towards the creature, but it dodged with supernatural speed. Crimson charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light.
Eris leapt onto a nearby rock, her eyes locked onto the creature. "It's fast, but I can take it down!" She launched herself at the creature, her movements a blur as she clashed with its claws.
Isabelle joined the fray, her dagger striking true, but the creature's hide seemed almost impervious to their attacks. It retaliated with a swipe of its massive paw, sending Isabelle crashing to the ground.
Crimson rushed to her side, his sword raised to defend her. "Isabelle, get back!"
But Isabelle was already scrambling to her feet, her eyes blazing with anger."I'm fine, I've got this!"
The creature lunged again, its jaws wide open. Haphaestus unleashed a wave of fire, and this time, the creature wasn't so lucky.
As the creature lunged, Crimson unleashed a blast of phoenix fire, engulfing the creature in flames. But to their surprise, the creature didn't falter, its body absorbing the flames like fuel.
Eris's eyes widened. "This thing's not normal!"
Isabelle raised her hands, and a soft, ethereal glow emanated from her palms. The light fae magic washed over the creature, momentarily blinding it.
Crimson's eyes flashed with determination. "Time to finish this." He summoned a vortex of ice and fire, the two elements swirling together in a deadly dance. The creature let out a deafening screech as the vortex engulfed it, freezing and incinerating it simultaneously.
When the vortex dissipated, the creature lay motionless, its body a twisted mass of ice and charred flesh.
The four of them stood panting, surveying the aftermath. Eris grinned. "Well, that was fun."
Isabelle's eyes sparkled with relief.
"Let's hope the rest of the Underworld isn't as...lively."
Haphaestus chuckled. "I'll keep the fire burning, just in case."
Crimson's gaze swept the darkness, his senses on high alert. "Let's keep moving. We don't know what else is lurking down here."
As they ventured deeper into the Underworld, the air grew thick with an eerie, pulsating energy. Crimson's phoenix fire and ice powers hummed in response, ready to be unleashed.
Suddenly, the ground began to shudder, and the sound of scuttling, chitinous legs echoed through the caverns. The four of them exchanged wary glances.
"What's coming?" Eris whispered, her eyes scanning the darkness.
Crimson's face set in a determined expression. "Get ready. Whatever it is, we're not alone."
The darkness erupted as a horde of demonic creatures poured out from the shadows. They were twisted, hellish beings with razor-sharp claws and eyes that glowed like embers from the depths of the Underworld.
"Demons," Haphaestus growled, his flames burning brighter. "Let's send them back to the depths."
Isabelle's light fae magic swirled around her, illuminating the dark cavern. "Let's move!"
The battle was on, the sound of clashing steel and the scent of smoke and brimstone filling the air. Crimson's phoenix powers raged, incinerating demons left and right. Eris danced through the fray, her movements a blur of deadly precision.
But the demons just kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.