31 Maze of Water

Meanwhile, Cravic and company has traveled to the Vale region. They were adventuring through what appeared to be ruins of an old civilization, with broken structures everywhere. Both Cravic and Myde seemed pretty focused, investigating the area.

"This place has seen better days." Cravic muttered, unamused.

Myde examined a structure, "Yes. I do have to theorize that this location has been in this state for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years." She said. Cravic glanced to Myde, but she kept her eyes ahead. Her hair was blowing a bit in the wind, with her forked tail at ease. "Hidden all the way out here, so that no eyes will see. History will disappear from minds, if left untouched." She continued.

Bit seemed slightly bored, his tail was unusually motionless. "A dungeon without mobs of monsters... no charm there." He looked off.

"Everything has to be a video game with you, doesn't it?" Shockz scoffed, looking around. "Besides that, what do you guys think happened here?"

"I doubt it matters. Just be quiet." Cravic didn't even bother looking back.

"So pessimistic, as always. I think I'll go on ahead and have a look around." Myde retorted, heading off without the others.

".... Whatever, not Like I care." Cravic scoffed, he turned off, but his eyes trailed her movement. He was so hard to read at times.

Bit looked to Shockz, "You can't tell me you find this entertaining. Wouldn't you have more fun role-playing, or raiding this place, too? Think about all the boss rushes, and loot buried in there. Farming for EXP is so much more exciting than... sight seeing."

Shockz looks at Bit, forming an annoyed expression, "Honestly, golden Zio is more appealing than in-game numbers. Telling me about fake money... Urgh, I give up talking with you. You're impossible to take seriously."

"IGG, that's what you meant. Anyway." Bit put his arms behind his head, staring off in boredom. "I'm not in a trolling mood right now. This is so dull."

"Oh wait, is the sky falling? You're not in a trolling mood? There's something new..." Shockz states, as he walks forward. He trips on a rock hitting the ground. "Gah!"

"Hahahaha!" Bit started laughing, floating up a bit.

"Hey! Cut it out back there." Cravic grumbled.

Bit went quiet, and looked eagerly Cravic's way, his tail swished as well. "Something up, Cravy?" He asked playfully.

"Would you knock it off with that nickname, Haru? Sheesh..." Cravic muttered.

Bit's tail drooped. "What's up with you?...." He pouted a bit, but got no response from the older red head.

Shockz gets up, rubbing his face. "Haru? That's new...Urgh my face.." Shockz says, looking over to them.

Bit looked off, speaking quietly. "Was my name, before Kaos reworked me... Just took the nickname my friends always called me. Fit pretty well anyways." His tail wasn't moving.

"Oh wow... Man, those Kaos guys really messed a lot of people up down here. I'm sorry man...But we're here to fix it, right?" Shockz states to Bit, nonchalantly.

Bit looked back to Shockz, oddly. "What's with the change in attitude? You were acting like a P.O.S before. What gives?"

"Meh, hearing about the stuff Kaos does down here makes me sick. I may not show it. But... I honestly want to ruin them, and get back home...That's pretty much it..." Shockz says turning away from Bit.

"Is that a friend invite?" Bit seemed intrigued.

"I don't know, take it how you want." Shockz shrugged, boredly.

"So. How does Katinka fall in then?" Bit inquires, mischievously.

Shockz jumps slightly, and sighs, "She's my dad's apprentice. so, I gotta keep watch over her. My dad put me up to it..."

Bit appeared intrigued, "Oh? Did he?"

"Urgh, let's just go." Shockz says, walking ahead of Bit.

Bit followed after him, looking playfully to Shockz. "That why you're acting so aggressive to me, just cause your girl likes me?"

Shockz turns around instantly, flames blaring out of his eyes. "THAT DOES IT!" Shockz rushes, and jumps on Bit ,causing a dust cloud to kick up around the two of them.

"Hahaha! I know your secret!" Bit laughed in amusement, with a sing-song to his tone.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Shockz yelled in frustration.

"Hey, she's not my type anyway." Bit giggled.

Between the two of them, formed a purple laser sword from Cravic's power glove. He had a disapproving glare on his face. "..."

"We... We were just having fun." Bit smiled, uneasily.

Shockz looked in horror to the pulsating purple saber. "Ugh,urrgh...Uhhh.... Y-Yeah..."

"Get up, and knock it off. Don't piss me off." Cravic huffed, keeping his fierce, yellow eyes on the two

Bit did as directed, his tail keeping still, as he looked to Cravic with pouty moe eyes. "What did I do?" He asked in a cute tone.

Shockz jumps up from the ground, to his feet quickly. He straightens out his clothes, and looks to Bit quickly. "Just shut up dude..." Shockz whispered to Bit, fear in his voice.

Cravic rolled his eyes, looking off. "Stop goofing off. We're on a mission. Got it?" His tone seemed less threatening, as he turned from them.

"Roger." Bit replied, with furrowed brows.

Myde returned, looking to the others from above them. "I found something."

Cravic turned her way. "Good." He replied, as followed after her, ahead of the other boys.

"....." Bit was staring to Myde slightly, "I bet it's her fault, that he's giving friendly fire."

"Come on Bit, sooner we get out of here, the better." Shockz says, walking passed him.

".... Gotta complete the level, I got it." Bit huffed, following with his tail flicking in irritation.

The party arrived at what appeared to be more ruins, however there was an old tree, with a hole passageway. Inside was a stair well, descending into darkness. Myde was ahead of the others, stopping to look their way.

"This seems rather suspicious, doesn't it?" She spoke up.

Cravic stopped beside her, as he analyzed it from his position. "Could possibly be a spot where the Zodiac are keeping the hostages."

Shockz sighs to himself. "Well, I guess it'd be a little obvious. Why hide them where we could see them?"

"You're trying too hard to sound smart." Bit smirked.

"Don't start." Shockz stated to Bit getting annoyed.

Bit stuck out his tongue. "You know you like it."

However, Cravic looked their way. "Haru."

"Yes?" Bit looked eagerly to Cravic.

Cravic sighed, looking back to the hole. "Could you get a layout of the interior of this?"

"Could I get a map? Hehe, yeah." Bit was amused, holding out his hand. A green wire frame formed with layers upon layers of the underground. "Looks like a labyrinth styled dungeon. Seems pretty epic too. Should be fun."

Cravic crossed his arms, "Guess we found it..." He grunted.

Myde looked to Cravic, "Worried about navigating something of that nature? You know I can lead us through pretty easily."

Cravic narrowed his eyes to Myde. "Sense of smell isn't going to navigate as easy as you think. Without proper channels, we could easily get lost down there."

"Correct me if I'm mistaken, but am I safe to assume that you're scared?" Myde retorted.

Cravic raised a brow, "I am only stating facts. The only thing to worry about, is getting split up. So no, I am not scared."

"You sure sounded like it, without the power of your security monitors." Myde replied.

"I'm more than comfortable on the field than you know. Just get moving already." Cravic stated.

"Well, seems I'm leading then. Make sure to keep up." Myde instructed, heading down the steps.

"Don't fall behind." Cravic instructed to Bit and Shockz. "I'll be taking the rear."

"You sure you're not scared?" Shockz teased to Cravic.

"With how the two of you were at it earlier, I'm only taking responsibility, so no one gets separated. So move it kid, before you light a fuss." Cravic scoffed, in annoyance.

"G-Got it! " Shockz states rushing after Myde, quickly.

Cravic looked to Bit, who looked back to him. "Are you scared?" He asked, sincerely.

"No, you of all people should know that." Cravic grunted.

"What if there's clusters of holes down there?" Bit asked.

"...." Cravic looked off. "I'll deal with it if it comes to that. Come on, before we're left behind."

"Alright bud. Don't let Myde get under your skin now." Bit smirked, going ahead.

"..." Cravic followed after him.

Into the depths of the underground labyrinth, the duo had traveled, reaching a chamber, catching up to Myde and Shockz. A silhouette of a man was looming in the shadows above them.

"You four sure took your time. I've been waiting." A voice echoed around them.

"Huh!? Crap who is that!?" Shockz states, looking around frantically.

"The source of the voice is being thrown off by the formations of the cave. I can't pinpoint it." Myde replied, getting defensive.

Cravic scanned the walls with his eyes. "He's here somewhere. Stay close."

"He's camping." Bit spoke briefly, looking up. "I'm detecting a life form up there!"

The others quickly turn their attention to the formations above them. A young, princely man in his early twenties, jumps down before them; he had messy lavender hair with a blue data ring circling around his right wolf ear. He had a fluffy tail that matched his hair color as well. He was wearing fairly regal attire, and carried a serious expression. "Camping, what a crude term." He says, forming a watery lance.

"One of the Barkine?" Myde spoke up, keeping her eyes on the man.

"And you're a Ferline. What of it?" The man asked to Myde.

Myde narrowed one of her eyes, "It was a rhetorical question."

"And I gave you a theoretical answer." He states back to her, sternly.

Myde's ears went back. "Quite the audacity."

"Well, if you weren't such a commoner, maybe you wouldn't be asking such incompetent questions." The man provoked.

"You talk big but you're...Uhh going to bite it!" Shockz spat at the man.

"..Bite it? Hmm.." The man looks to Cravic and Bit, "Are you two going to try, and insult me now, too?

"Aiming that question here? I.M.O, if you gotta ask, then you're just seeking attention. Should have re-rolled for better attributes, but safe to assume none of that EXP went to your charisma." Bit shrugged, not fairly amused.

"What? I can't tell if that's another language, or urgh. Doesn't matter, at the moment I have my sights set on two of your companions ." The man states, tapping his lance to the ground. Floating water forms around the top, and flies making it's way to Myde, and Shockz quickly. It swerves around them, becoming solid, gripping the two of them off the ground.

"Ahh!" Myde gasped, gritting her teeth. "What manner of dama is this!?" She struggled, attempting to freeze the water around her with her Ice dama.

"You're really going to try to freeze it?" He inquired to Myde. He begins to walk over to them.

Shockz was also struggling at this moment. "T-This is tight! Grr! But! I'm going to get out of this!" Shockz yelled, starting to shock up.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The man says, grinning. "But, if you want to find out what happens when you mix electricity and water, be my guest." The man scoffed.

Shockz decides to not heed the warning, and shoots out electrical dama, which wraps around the solid water. It engulfs it, sending a course of the dama through Shockz's body.

"AHHH!!!!!" Shockz yelped.

Cravic formed both of his power gloves, and Bit pulled to his saber.

"Okay, enough funny business. who are you?" Cravic snapped.

The man looks to Cravic keeping a stone face expression. "Oh, finally I get a word out of you. Me? I am the Prince of the Barkine, Sidney Wolfbane. Better known as Aquarius of the Zodiac."

"Figures, guess they were right about this location." Cravic scoffed, angling one of his power glove blades at Sidney. "You're expecting a fight, no doubt."

"We, if beat this boss, maybe we'll get an achievement." Bit chuckled.

"First things first, we need to get Myde, and Shockz out of there." Cravic stated.

"Oh, I know." Bit grinned, devilishly.

"Make haste then, they're coming with me." Sid says, as he begins to melt into water. A trap sets, closing the doors behind Cravic and Bit. Water begins to fill the room, as Sid materializes Myde and Shockz, evaporating them into water along with him, as they escape the room.

"Dammit!" Cravic growled, disengaging his power gloves. "We need to MOVE!" He states.

"Cravic! But there's no exit!" Bit gawked.

"Then we'll make one!" Cravic stated, moving quickly to the sealed door across the room.

Bit followed after him, anxiously. Cravic held out his hand to the air, manifesting the dark dama around his palm, forming a giant shadowed fist. He swung it hard into the door, bursting through it. Rock fragments crumbled, as he released his DD from his hand.

"Let's go." Cravic glanced back to Bit.

Bit smiled, "That was freak'n epic!" He said, as the two rushed deeper into the labyrinth's maze. The water came rushing behind them, but was trapped within the chamber, unable to leave the room.

As the two venture through the maze, they come across to a gate, which was being held down with a string. On the other side was a clear pathway, leading to some steps. The first held spikes covering the ceiling, which clearly could be set off by tampering with the string.

Cravic examined the two pathways, "One that's seemingly clear, and the other an obvious trap...Hm.."

Bit looked up to the thinking older boy. "Need some help, Cravy?"

Cravic sighed, looking to Bit. "Stop calling me that..."

Bit made a slight grimace, looking to the paths. "So. Just no more nicknames. You're not even calling me 'Bit' anymore."

"..." Cravic held his head. "Now's not exactly the best time to bring this up, Haru."

"Come on, why can't things be like the good old days? Before things got bad. You, Jin and me. We were like a guild, breaking rules, with free reign to do whatever we wanted." Bit pouted.

"Nicknames fall into this how?" Cravic sighed.

"I'm just saying, we used to be close. Ever since I got turned into this 'thing', you've been acting different to me. Distant even." Bit crossed his arms.

"Things haven't changed, we're still friends, Bit. I've just been dealing with a lot of stress these past few months..." Cravic looked back to the paths.

"See, was that so hard?" Bit smirked.

Cravic gawked, looking over to the shorter boy. "Really? That's what you wanted to hear?"

"Yep. Okay so, should I alleviate the situation? I have the map, remember?" Bit wagged his tail. "We do have a princess to rescue, and a squire."

Cravic vaguely smiled back. "Sure."

Bit formed the wire frame map of the dungeon, zooming into the section that they were at. Two green dots blinked in place. "So right now, we're here." He pointed, and shifted the map to a skull head in the center of the dungeon, "And here is the boss room."

Cravic held back a laugh, which made Bit smile. Turning back to the map, Bit showed the two pathways. "So, the empty one is deceiving, with how the layout is set up. Looks like a dead end, and possibly trap waiting. So. The correct path would be the trap hallway."

Cravic crossed his arms, "Which would need to be navigated with extreme caution. That trap ceiling could lead to certain death, if the wire was tripped by mistake."

"So, what's the plan then?" Bit asked.

"We take the correct path obviously, just keep close, and be careful." Cravic stated, approaching the trap room, followed by Bit

As the two make their way through the trapped corridor, they were nearing the end of it, when out of water behind them, formed two white Kaos units. They had one looming eye, and two floating totems hovering around them. The eye focuses it's lens on the two of them. They then begin to glow of watery dama, charging their way at Cravic and Bit.

"Great, Kaos robots." Cravic grumbled, forming one of his power gloves to his purple sword.

"I detect a mid-boss." Bit pulled to his saber.

The units fly at the two of them, and Cravic quickly grabs to Bit, tripping one of the trap wires. The trap is tripped, and it starts crushing one of the units, as they tumble out of the room quickly. The remaining unit starts to once again rush at them, this time swinging it's totems quickly. Cravic swings his sword, smashing into one of the totems, causing it to explode. It knocks him backward slightly, and Bit warps in front to him. The unit was still hovering now, using one totem. Bit forms a digital block, which falls onto the eye of the unit, crushing it. Letters spelling out 'CRITICAL HIT' appear over the wreckage, as the left over totem explodes. The remaining attack creates a hole, which led right down to the red skull on Bit's map.

"Hey Cravy. Check this out." Bit says, forming the map. "Straight path to the boss room. Epic, right?" Bit smiled. "Can you say, cheat codes FTW?"

Cravic seemed a bit annoyed by the nickname, but pats Bit on the head. "Yeah, pretty cool. Let's crash this Prince's little soirée."

Bit nods, swishing his tail. "Let's rock and roll then."

The two of them jump down the hole.

Sid was now typing on a very sophisticated looking device. Myde and Shockz were still captive behind him. "Yes, as you wish Kaos... I'll send them over shortly.." Sid states, cutting connection. He turns his attention back to Myde and Shockz. "I'm sure you wish Cecil had gotten his paws on you, ferline. The methods Kaos has in store for you, are far more severe." Sid states, forming his lance to his side.

Myde's ears were back, "Don't talk about him like that... You keeping spouting about Kaos. All you scum are the same! You won't get away with this forever! Soon, you all will fall!" Myde hissed.

"Hmph, so much like a Ferline, and yet so touchy over a dead man. Cover it up all you like, I know it's the water that has you in rage. Granted your ice dama speaks otherwise." Sid states, turning back to his console. He inputs some commands in, and a wall opens, revealing a transportation chamber.

"If I wasn't restrained in such a way, you're entire labyrinth would be frozen over." Myde growled.

The water around the two hardens, squeezing them tightly. "MYDE! Stop pissing him off!" Shockz states, fighting the pain.

"Keep talking like that, and Kaos will be receiving you in a casket." Sid says, as he starts to lure them to the chamber.

Behind them, a sound of something landing on the ground was heard. "Sorry to drop in uninvited. I know you must have put a lot of effort laying out all your traps, and sealed chambers. Thing is, as much as I enjoy a good game, I couldn't say no to a cheat code to get us in here faster. The journey is fun, yeah, but kicking a boss's butt is even more fun." Spoke up Bit's voice from behind.

Sid turns, spotting Bit and Cravic. "Cheat...Whatever you mean by that, but you are here at the 'boss', as you put it. I suppose now there's only one way this is going however." Sid says, swinging his hand. Myde and Shockz are placed into the transportation area. A timer starts to count down from thirty minutes. "So, which one of you are going to try, and best this 'boss'? You have half an hour, to meet my criteria. Or you'll be seeing your comrades more on my side of the sea."

Cravic formed both of his power gloves to swords. "Then your battle is with me. Haru, try and hack that transporter. Get them outta there."

"Roger!" Bit agreed, warping over to the device.

"Ohhh a manly man. I guess I won't have any problems with this. Makes this part of the mission more worth it." Sid states, revving up water dama around him.

"Tsk. What's that supposed to mean?" Cravic scoffed, arching his blades.

"We'll get more close and personal, you'll know then..." Sid states, rushing off at Cravic quickly.

Cravic appeared confused, yet annoyed, also rushing at Sidney. "..."

The two clash, and dance around with their weapons back and forth. Water kicks up, catching around Cravic, pulling him right to Sid's face. He grins, catching Cravic by the chin. "Rough... I knew this would work out." Cravic breaks from the grip, kicking Sid backward. Sid regains his footing looking to Cravic sharply, "You're strong even...Heh, I'm almost thinking if I should ask Kaos for you as my payment."

Bit was looking over with flared teeth, but keeping trying to hack into the device as directed. His tail was flicking, in annoyance. "So many fire walls... COME ON!"

Cravic kept his angered eyes on Sidney. "You just think you have it all figured out, don't you?"

"I've read your body this far. I think I have a good understanding. Like water, moods shift." Sid states, preparing to strike again.

Sid launches at Cravic, creating watery illusions of himself. They all circle Cravic who then swings his swords, slashing through a couple of them. Sid then grips Cravic from behind, slamming him into the ground. He then holds his lance at Cravic's neck, smiling deviously. "I think I'm just too fast. But, give yourself up to me, and I'll spare them..."

Cravic gritted his teeth. Bit however, still seemed annoyed, but he needed to get the others out. "....." He was clearly irritated, but not voicing his thoughts further on it.

Cravic tried to shift himself, but was restrained harshly. "Get off, before I make you." He demanded, with a low growl.

Thick water forms around Cravic's arms and legs. "Make me..." Sid says, smiling.

"Your funeral, mutt." Cravic sneered, his eyes glowing yellow, and his dark dama was beginning to manifest around him.

"Wait, heh, and you're a Necroden? This wet dream has gotten better." Sid states, not paying attention to the fact, Cravic was breaking through the water barriers. Cravic breaks free, disengaging his power glove. The energy knocks away Sid's lance, stunning him, leaving open room for Cravic to strike. Cravic reaches up, grabbing Sid's throat. "U-Urgh!!" Sid grits his teeth, as dark dama coursed around them.

Dark dama was getting more rampant, that it was even flowing from Cravic's eyes, as his piercing glare focused on Sid. He was clenching his grip tightly at the wolf's throat. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He stated coldly.

Sid reaches both his hands to Cravic's face quickly. One of his writs were grabbed by Cravic's freehand, forcefully. The other touching to the right side of his face. "I'm sorry I have to destroy such an elegant eye." Sid says, as he pressed his thumb through Cravic's right eye socket.

"Arh..." Cravic grunted in pain, only gripping tighter as the DD was becoming more aggressive.

"W-Wonderful, to be done in...By such a....gem..." Sid states, as water begins to pour from around him. "Wait, I'm...leaking?" Sid gasps, as the pressure built up from the strangling.

Cravic's eye was bleeding from where Sid had inserted his thumb, but he released Sid's wrist, jabbing his power glove's blade through the other man's chest."..."

Sid's eyes widen as his entire body suddenly takes form of water, shattering into a mini wave, clashing to the ground around Cravic. Blood dripped before Cravic, as he held himself off the ground, the dark dama still spiraling. Myde was looking over to him, fearful emotions crossing her eyes.