Demonic Core

Chapter 6: Demonic Core

The top floors of the Darm Tower fit right in in a demon mansion. Pristine black floors and ceilings, imposing pillars, and an endless void beneath it all. The beginning of the end often spiraled into dead ends. One such led to another hungry roo. Yunica still hasn't learned rooian, but she has an innate sense of hunger. Unlike the others, this roo unlocked something inside of Yunica. When Yunica goes into boost mode, she could now cause an explosion around her. It is a devastating attack. Yunica made use of the double jump against the abundance of demons that resided at the top. Several types of plants that can poison and confuse their opponents and explosion mages are violent barriers to reaching the top. Yunica eventually walked by a mirror, but it didn't reflect her. She assumed it was magic and continued on. This path led to Epona.

Epona was surprised that Yunica made it here by herself. Yunica tried to stay silent to keep her emotions in check. Epona got her to speak when she mentioned they have Reah and the Black Pearl. Epona didn't really understand what Dalles told her, but she understood taking over Ys. Yunica promised to stop their plot, and a final battle began.

Yunica had learned a lot these past few hours, and she vividly remembered her first battle against the Darkling. Epona, though, did not. Her actions hardly changed and were easily countered, especially with the Crimson Lotusblade and its firebird. When Epona realized how easily Yunica would defeat her, she used her final trump card and shadow cloned herself. There are now three of them, but Yunica made good use of the new roo's powers and wiped them out in one burst.

As Epona fell to the ground, the tower started to shake. The whole thing began to glow, and a burst of magic shot out the top. It formed a cage around the floating land of Ys! Spiked barbs chased the cage and wrapped themselves around it. The plan of the Darklings was to drag the land back to the ground. Eolia shelled Yunica with this information and also gave the warning she'd lost contact with the Six Priests. The eleventh hour is upon them.

Epona had a rod on her, and it was the magical tool needed to walk through the mirror that reflected not. Inside the mirror are more mirrors that teleport users around the room to unconnected platforms. More mages, one of whom can heal, and laser nodules inhabit this dimension. Yunica got lost for what felt like hours as the teleporters made no sense. But she eventually found the exit mirror...

The Hall of Reflections led to True Reflection, and a trap was waiting for Yunica. A purple cage formed around her, and she couldn't move. She wasn't there long before the voice of Roy appeared behind her. He mocked his "little sister" for lacking magic again because the cage is easily nullified with it, and he began to do just that. But Zava objected... She wanted to stop Yunica now and wouldn't watch Roy free her prey. To stop him, she shot bolts of electricity at him. But Roy didn't stop. Zava questioned Roy if a useless girl like Yunica is worth dying over. She is. Zava was relentless, and the attacks grew stronger and stronger. She offered one final chance to flee, and Yunica even pleaded with Roy to do so. But Roy remained. With one final blast, Roy was sent flying down the stairs. A pool of blood remained, but Yunica was free. As was her rage. Yunica swore for the first time all night and promised to kill Zava. Zava called forth two floating head familiars to give her the numbers advantage.

Zava floated overhead, summoning lightning, while her minions breathed fire and ice at Yunica. Yunica had to jump and knock down the mage, giving her an opportunity to get multiple hits in. It was slow sledding. Zava eventually began to possess her heads, increasing their damage output and giving them an opportunity to feast. Literally... But even changing the battlefield didn't deter Yunica. With a final boost burst, Zava faded away.

Yunica ran to the body of Roy, who was barely breathing. He tried to tell Yunica how proud he was of her. He also handed a present he was hoping to give when this was over. Yunica attempted to stop him, but he put his last bit of life force into it. His necklace allows the wearer to revive if she should fall. Yunica has two chances to save the goddesses and Ys. His final words were to carry on and an attempt to confess something... Ramona caught up to them, and Yunica asked if she could take care of him. Yunica picked up her axe and continued up, wanting to fulfill Roy's last wish.

The Devil's Throne is the final section of Darm. It houses gravity plants and armored knights that aren't worth a fight. There are also oozing demons and the most annoying mage in the tower. And at the end...

Kishgal was waiting. The man who killed Saul Tovah was expecting his daughter. Before the end, he asked if Yunica felt stronger after seeing a loved one die. Death is what makes him more powerful, but Yunica became enraged. Her power comes from inside her. She's finally figured out what her father told her about overcoming her weaknesses. That is how she's made it here. Kishgal wanted to show his true strength and changed forms. For this battle, he was a grey werewolf.

Just as before, Kishgal launched ice at Yunica. But her father's sword melted them and Kishgal. Playing this defensively and waiting for the madman to make a mistake was how Yunica got her familial revenge. Kishgal congratulated his opponent on a good fight. Her demeanor changed, for a moment, at the strange comment, back to the cute little girl from a few hours ago, and Kishgal was glad to die. Yunica was a worthy opponent. He happily faded away...

Yunica tried to call Eolia, but she didn't pick up. She guessed all the knights and sorcerers were making their way to the top of Darm. There is no time to rest. All hands are on deck now! But Yunica would lead alone. She climbed a square spiral staircase and came to a final exit at the top of the Darm Tower. Dawn had broken. But would it be a day for Darklings or Ysians?

---

Do I want to grind 700000 sp for the final battle?