"System, analyze!"
[You have discovered one of the Original, Ancient Chimera.
Rank: SSS
No further information known.]
'Looks like it doesn't know anything, this isn't good,' Sora thought.
The party charged in, only for the Chimera to growl. The fierce growl caused a giant blast of wind that pushed the party back.
"I don't wish to fight you, brave adventures. I gave up fighting over a thousand years ago," the voice boomed.
"Sir, are you one of the Ancient, Original Legendary Chimera?!" Jubelle asked politely. "You are certainly handsome!"
"Indeed young sir. My name is Rook. Rook Zeke. The pleasure is mine," he said with a polite bow.
"Ok I'm confused. I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but aren't all the legendary Chimera extinct? My Father told me demons persecuted and executed the Chimera over 2500 years ago in anger that Vampires came into existence," Sasha said.
"I hope not all my brothers and sisters have passed, but if they have, I hope they atoned for their sins and their souls rest peacefully in the blessed land created by the gods and not in Limbo or the Underworld," Rook said, shedding a tear.
"I sense two vampires, a human, an Uthra, but one of you… one of you is different."
"That's me. I am Sora Lockheart Master Zeke." Sora took off his mask, and his party followed suit.
"My mother is Aphrodite and my father is Cyrus Lockheart."
"Very interesting," Rook stated as he brushed through his mane with one of his massive hands, with nails that looked like talons. "Half-god and Half-Uthra. One of a kind indeed."
"Sir, why do you not wish to fight us?" Brie asked politely.
"Long ago, the demons trapped me and another here. They promised freedom if we vanquished enough enemies and protected their sacred Monolith. I'm not even sure if that other soul is still here or not, but I eventually realized I'd only leave here if I died. This was their punishment for my wrath against the demons. Destined to live alone forever, unable to die. But if someone did clear this dungeon and I died, well, I don't think anyone would believe the person who cleared the dungeon when they claimed to see a Chimera," Rook explained.
"That's tragic!" Levi yelled. "Levi Steele, proud Uthra!"
"Steele, I know that name. Uthra and Chimera were always civil. Never allies, but got along well enough. What races live on Exteria now?" Rook asked.
"As far as we know, there's Sora, he's the blonde one with the unique eyes. He's half-god half-Uthra. I'm human and his partner on the Uthra King's council, which includes humans, vampires, demons and werewolves," Brie explained.
Sadness filled Rook's eyes.
"So many races lost. What a shame."
"What do you mean? What other races lived on this planet?" Sora asked.
"That is not for me to answer, young one." Rook said and sighed.
"It's time to ask you a riddle. If you are able to solve it, you can pass. Otherwise, I'm afraid, you're stuck here with me. If you try to fight me, I assure you, I will fight back and you will not survive."
"System, is he telling the truth?"
[Yes. You and your party would die, quickly. You're not strong enough to battle a SSS ranked Chimera, let alone an Original Chimera. Ancient refers to the ones originally created by the gods themselves.]
"Well, what do you think everyone? We do not wish to fight him, correct? Shall we hear the riddle?" Sora asked his party.
They all nodded in agreement.
"Ok Master Zeke. Please ask us your riddle." Sora said.
"There came a bird featherless and sat on the trees leafless. There came a maiden speechless and ate the bird featherless, from off the trees leafless. What is it?" Rook asked with a saddened tone.
Before Sora could ask his system for an answer, Jubelle already shouted an answer.
"Snow! It's snow!" Jubelle exclaimed.
"By the gods… you're correct, young vampire!" Rook exclaimed.
Rook kneeled and the ground slightly trembled. He prayed silently. After a few moments passed, he used his massive hand to help himself up.
"Thank you so much for knowing the answer. Please clear this dungeon!"
"Isn't there a way we can save you?" Brie asked.
Tears started flowing from Rook's eyes.
"What a kind young woman you are. I have lived far too long, locked away by demons for 2500 years. I've spilled too much blood and I want to pass away. Hopefully the gods will forgive me so I can see my dearest wife, my son and all of my friends in the afterlife."
The party smiled to hide their sadness. They thanked Rook for his kindness and wished him a peaceful afterlife.
*****
Brie grabbed Sora's hand, pulling him towards her, preventing him from leaving the room as the rest of the party walked through the exit.
"You should ask Rook to say hi to your Mother," Brie said shyly.
Sora smiled and nodded.
"I wasn't finished. You should ask him to say Hi to your parents and have Rook let them know that--"
Brie paused as a single tear fell from her cheek. Sora looked at her with a smile as Brie wiped the tear from her cheek. Before Sora could speak, Brie took a deep breath and said, "Let them know that I love you, Sora."
She started tearing up and Sora grabbed her quickly and hugged her. Her kind, nervous smile and tears showed how much saying those three words weighed on her.
"You really mean it? I love you too," he said excitedly as he gave her a kiss.
"Yes. When I didn't say it back to you, I wasn't 100% certain I loved you. But when you used your linking magic to link to me and wouldn't let me take it back, I remembered my conversation with Sasha on the way here."
"Well, it's ok if you don't love me yet, you know that right?"
"I love you Sora. Sasha told me everything. About the seal you two made, about how you're always worried about not just me but everyone in the party."
"So much for the seal," Sora laughed.
Brie chuckled. "Anyway… after what Rook said about finally being able to see his wife and child--I just couldn't imagine life without you! You said you dreamed about your mother— in school we learned that in ancient texts, gods and goddesses can visit anyone they wish while they sleep. So, if you saw her, I think she would be happy to know about us."
Sora smiled. "You're right, she is the goddess of love. Maybe that's why we found each other."
He gave her a hug and Rook noticed the two hadn't moved to the next floor.
"You too will make a great King and Queen someday," Rook said with a large grin.
"Thanks Rook. Hey, could you please do me a favor when you reach Paradise?" Sora asked politely.
"Certainly, my friend, what is it?"
"Can you please tell Aphrodite and Cyrus that their son and his soulmate are happily in love? I'd really appreciate it!" Sora said excitedly.
"Of course my dear boy! Now please, hurry! I fear the other trapped here with me is either no longer here or worse, dead!"
Brie and Sora smiled, thanked Rook and headed to the exit.
"Wait, where'd they go?" Brie asked Sora.
Sora shrugged and imitated Levi charging toward the next floor.
They laughed and proceeded to the next floor, and the next, until they finally found them on floor 19. They were standing around talking.
"There the lovebirds are! About time," Levi joked.
"You three cleared 9 floors, this quickly?!" Sora exclaimed.
"I told you Sora, we've been working together a lot lately and Jubelle can instantly devise an optimal strategy right away," Sasha said.
"He's also becoming quite skilled with his vampiric blood art abilities. They allow him to manipulate the blood of the dead. Once an enemy is killed, he can utilize the blood offensively or defensively. It's up to his imagination."
"He used the blood as pellets and shot the pellets through the smaller demons! The more he shot down, the more bullets he could create." Levi said while he fist bumped Jubelle.
"Two demons snuck up behind me, but he manipulated the blood into a shield! You should have seen how quickly he reacted, it was remarkable!" Sasha exclaimed.
"I'm really glad to have such a great party," Sora exclaimed. "Great job Jubelle! It seems like you're finally coming out of your shell."
"Thanks Sora! It's just because everyone here gets along so well. It's easy to talk to everyone!" Jubelle exclaimed.
"That's great and all, but I have a bad feeling about this next floor," Sasha said.
"I'm sure Levi and Jubelle do too. I already have a pit in my stomach. If what Rook said there's another being locked away in punishment, or no longer here…" Brie trailed off.
"System: analyze for 20"
[Floor twenty: Boss floor.
Current people on floor: 2.
SS ranked Demon: Azazel's personal group: the sins: Wrath present on floor.
SSS ranked: Dragon. The last known dragon on Exteria is also on this floor.
Use caution. Wrath is incredibly powerful and the dragon may fight alongside him.]
'A dragon?!?! They exist?!?!' Sora thought, as adrenaline shot through his entire body.
"Levi, wait!" Sora shouted.
It was too late. Levi opened the final dungeon door.
A creepy laugh filled the entire room.
"Oh, the little masked brats actually show their faces. Please come and meet your maker!" a sinister voice screamed.
"Everyone, stick together! This is one of the Demon King's creations. It's the demon sin - Wrath!" Sora shouted.