Solar Blood Masters

RUMBLE!

"What is that?!"

"Is the entire cave collapsing?"

A sudden, earth-shattering tremor had Raphael's team scrambling for balance. They were deep within the Kepfu nesting grounds.

Dust and chunks of rock rained down from the ceiling. A few luminous fungi exploded, spraying their phosphorescent spores across the cavern walls like a macabre fireworks display.

"What could have caused this earthquake?" Lu Jade hissed nervously.

"Hmm… it must be that brute Gastaroid." Thienika speculated, her ancient eyes narrowed. She could sense a familiar, chaotic energy resonating through the earth.

"It has to be! No other creature could shake these foundations this much." Raphael nodded grimly. He remembered the devastating power of the Bull Mountain Demon firsthand.

Suddenly, a large, black shape came crashing down from the ceiling above.

"What the—?!"

It was a mature Kepfu, even larger than the one Raphael had slain earlier. It was covered in thick black goo. Behind it, strapped to its back in a massive web of black goo, were hundreds of Kepfu eggs.

"The mother! She's escaping with the nest!" Lu Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "And those eggs… they're worth thousands of points!"

As if sensing their intent to steal its precious cargo, the Kepfu hissed and began slithering away at an incredible speed.

Raphael was about to give chase when…

WHOOSH!

Several bronze shapes descended from the newly formed opening.

A squad of Venom Tail Vipers, led by the arrogant Lu Pin, materialized, and without a moment's hesitation, they slithered after the fleeing Kepfu.

"We can't let them get to it before us!" Raphael yelled. He scooped up Thienika and Lu Jade.

"I'm going to use 'Electro Speed'! Hold on tight!"

And with a burst of golden lightning…

He vanished!

…

The Venom Tail Viper squad slithered through the air with terrifying speed. They navigated the cavern's twists and turns, dodging pillars and those glistening 'Sunstone Crystals' that emitted a faint hum as they went.

"There's the WORM! We MUST get those eggs!" Lu Pin hissed excitedly as the Kepfu's fleeing form came into view. They were gaining on it.

WHOOSH!

Suddenly, a golden blur shot past them, causing the snakes to recoil in shock.

"Huh? That's…?" They watched as the bull's massive form disappeared into the tunnel ahead.

Raphael had materialized ahead of them.

He was catching up to the Kepfu when a voice he recognized as that annoying bully from Ho Eastern came echoing.

"Damn bull! You dare steal OUR prey?!"

"Huh?" Raphael glanced back. His eyes narrowed. It was Lu Pin. He was accompanied by three other serpents, each radiating a potent, but not at all impressive aura.

"You… You again?!" Lu Jade hissed angrily. He uncoiled and glared at Lu Pin. "We meet AGAIN, you cowardly, treacherous sssnake! Get ready for a beating! I'll wipe the FLOOR with your face!"

Lu Pin laughed, "You're still a pathetic little worm, Lu Jade. And riding on the back of that stinking bull won't save you this time. You've chosen the wrong side. Again! And you…" his gaze shifted toward Thienika, "What's that old withered tree he's carrying? What a pitiful sight, a disgrace to Yama Yaguai!"

"Let me at him, Big Brother!" Lu Jade pleaded, his tail thrashed angrily. "Thisss time… I won't hold back! I'll show him what true power issss!"

Raphael smiled, his friend's rage was amusing, but he had a better idea. "Hold on, Little Lu. I've got this."

"WING SLASHNADO!"

Raphael didn't wait.

WHOOSH! CRACK!

He unleashed his attack. Waves of crimson slashes hurtled towards the serpents.

BOOM! BOOM!

The attack was potent, but they were ready!

"SOLAR BEAM!"

The snakes retaliated instantly by unleashing a concentrated blast of solar energy from their Sun Cycles. The cavern shook. Pillars exploded! Crystals shattered, sending rainbow-colored fragments flying through the air. Even a few of those Kepfu Eggs were caught in the crossfire.

CRACK!

"Those idiots! They're destroying the eggs!" Raphael growled. He couldn't allow this reckless destruction to continue.

He accelerated forward.

"ABYSS NYLON!"

He extended a hand. And with a thought, his 'Abyss Nylon' unfurled. It spread outwards like a massive spider web, blocking the tunnel ahead.

"Hmph, that flimsy THING won't STOP us!" Lu Pin hissed as he and his squad slithered towards the nylon barrier, their eyes narrowed.

BOOM!

They crashed through it.

But…

In that instant, a cloud of thick purple fog exploded outwards!

"What… the…!" They choked and sputtered.

The 'Logia Mist' was seeping into their very being.

"Damn… that bull!"

"The fog…"

"I… feel…"

Within seconds, their eyes began to droop. They stumbled and swayed, and their bodies grew heavy.

And then…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

They were all asleep.

Their forms sprawled haphazardly on the ground. Snores resounded through the tunnels.

"That took care of THEM. Now… to get those EGGS."

Raphael glanced back and smiled. He'd underestimated the 'Logia Mist's' potency. Even those with a Saint Ruler's cultivation were no match for those potent, mind-altering illusions.

"ELECTRO SPEED!"

He rushed forward once more, golden lightning crackled, and the world blurred as those roots brushed past him like a whisper.

He materialized right before the fleeing Kepfu!

It didn't even have time to hiss.

"Sorry about this." He extended his large hands, those claws retracted neatly as he wrapped them around the Kepfu's midsection. Then, he lifted it up with ease and with a roar that mirrored his determination…

"This is for YOU, Grandma!"

"SUPLEX!"

He flipped the Kepfu over his head and slammed it onto the ground!

BOOM!

The Kepfu landed with a sickening crunch.

But Raphael had been careful to avoid crushing the eggs.

"Wow… Big Brother… is… STRONG!" Lu Jade's voice trembled in awe. He quickly uncoiled and slithered towards the Kepfu's nest.

Raphael dusted off his palms. "It's nothing. Now… those eggs!"

They were about to collect the eggs…

When…

CRASH!

"HUH?!"

The cavern wall exploded inwards!

A massive rhinoceros with a single, glowing red horn burst through the wall!

It slammed into Raphael's side, sending him hurtling through the opposite wall. The force of the impact was devastating. It shattered stones. The very earth trembled!

"Big Brother!" Lu Jade's cry was lost as the rhino's massive form barreled through the tunnels, chasing after his target. Its single red horn glowed even brighter. It was the 'Devil Horn Rhino'!

BOOM!

He rammed into Raphael's side again.

"ARGH!"

Raphael was flung against another wall, which created a miniature dust storm.

Then…

The rhino pinned him against a colossal slab of stone.

BOOM!

The impact shook the entire underground!

…

"BIG BROTHER! I'M coming to save you!"

Lu Jade yelled with worry as he whipped around. He was about to slither down the tunnel to help Raphael, when a force he'd never felt, not even from those who'd tormented his fragile form sent him flying backwards.

WHAM!

His head slammed into a nearby boulder, causing stars to burst across his vision.

"Grandma?" At first, Lu Jade was stunned. He couldn't comprehend. His Grandma Thienika had attacked him? But why?

Then a realization hit him. It was a terrifying, gut-wrenching truth, for even as his dazed eyes refocused, he saw it.

"ROYAL GUARD!"

Thienika stood before him with her staff raised high. And around her, a shimmering, globular shield materialized.

A wave of energy then exploded outward as a massive black axe came crashing down upon her barrier. The impact was devastating!

CRACK!

The shield held.

But Thienika was flung backwards! She slammed into the cavern wall, sending dust and pebbles cascading down.

"Argh…!"

The axe froze in mid-air, its razor-sharp edge was mere inches from her face.

"Hmmm, what sorcery is THIS? My axe won't budge?!"

From the shadows, a monstrous figure emerged.

It was a colossal T-Rex. It stood over 50 meters tall with a body that radiated ancient power. Its dark scales glistened, each one thicker than a bull's hide, and those massive jaws could crush a boulder in a single bite. In its grasp, he held the black axe. A purple flag with the insignia of the Undying Valley, hovered menacingly above its head.

"Tranus is my name. Calamity 9th Layer, and you, tree wench, you're the one who prevented me from splitting that snake's head open with MY axe? Hmmm, Hmmm…"

He grasped the axe handle with both hands and tried to yank it free.

The axe moved, but slowly, as if a powerful force resisted its every movement.

"Oh, THAT'S more like it."

He finally pulled the axe free and turned towards Thienika with a malevolent fury.

"I'll mince YOU up first, old hag. Your soul will be a tasty appetizer."

"LIKE HELL! I won't let you HARM Grandma!"

Lu Jade, finally recovered and slithered forward. He positioned himself protectively in front of Thienika. "You'll have to go through ME first, Dinosaur!"

Tranus scoffed.

"Very good. I'll mince you BOTH to shreds and claim those damn eggs. I, the mighty TRANUS, will devour your souls and shit in your skulls! KUAHAHAHA!"

He swung his axe! It was a devastating attack that mirrored the brutality of ancient predators.

The axe cut diagonally.

It aimed for Lu Jade's head, but…

Thienika dashed forward. She pushed Lu Jade aside just as the axe descended!

"REGAL COUNTER!"

BOOM!

She slammed her staff into the axe's flat side.

CRACK!

The air rippled, those very walls trembled before a force they couldn't comprehend, as those who were watching from afar saw an impossible sight, the axe reversed trajectory!

"What…? NOOOOOO!"

It was as if time itself had been rewound, but this wasn't simply a reversal of motion. It was the very force of his attack, his intent that was now his burden!

And as he watched, the axe slammed into his own side, tearing through those scales he'd so prided!

Blood dripped, forming a crimson pool upon that grey stone!

"HMMM. That sorcery AGAIN?" Tranus glanced at Thienika with a new respect that had his tail twitching nervously, before those thoughts were consumed by rage and a desire to prove his might.

"DAMN witch! You'll PAY ten million fold for damaging my hide!"

He pulled the axe free.

"DIE!"

He unleashed a relentless assault. The axe, infused with his potent Solar Essence, was a deadly weapon!

But Thienika didn't meet his attack head-on. She weaved and bobbed, adroitly dodging those attacks. Each step she took seemed to anticipate his moves, as if an unseen force guided their clash!

"Slippery old HAG! Stay still so I can CUT YOU!"

"IN YOUR DREAMS!"

Lu Jade recovered from his daze, "Phantom Willow Grass – BIND!"

He lashed out, hoping to restrain the maddened dinosaur. Emerald tendrils shot forth! They wrapped themselves around Tranus's colossal limbs.

However…

"DINO MASSACRE!"

The T-Rex roared and began radiating a monstrous, dark purple aura! Its speed and strength intensified!

CRACK!

He ripped through the willow tendrils with a single, powerful twist of his torso.

And then, the massacre began!

He charged toward Lu Jade. His tail swung!

BAM!

It slammed into Thienika; she flew backwards!

Tranus rammed into Lu Jade's emerald form and threw him off balance! He then began stomping, his massive feet crashing down on the snake like a madman!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Lu Jade coiled and uncoiled.

He desperately tried to defend himself. "Phantom Willow Barrier!" He summoned a wall of grass. It held for a moment, but then...

CRACK!

The barrier crumbled beneath Tranus's relentless assault as he roared.

"DIE! You pathetic WORM!"

"ARGHHHH!"

Lu Jade screamed in agony as those scales, those tough defenses he'd honed for millennia were ripped apart, sliced! He could feel his life essence draining.

Tranus smiled with delight. "Those cries are truly magnificent! Be silent forever!"

He wasn't done yet!

His massive jaws snapped shut near Lu Jade's tail, sending a spray of saliva. "Your Solar Consciousness will be a DELICIOUS snack!"