Warlock of Oceans: My Poseidon System-Chapter 458 : Fifth Floor: The Molten Cavern of Lava Lizardmen (5)

"Move fast!" he yelled, beckoning the others forward.

Cyrus followed close behind, his aetheric blade glowing brighter with every step. A lizardman rushed him from the side, its molten axe swinging in a brutal arc. Cyrus barely managed to bring his blade up in time, the clash of weapons creating a shockwave that knocked nearby ash into the air.

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Rather than meeting the creature's strength head-on, Cyrus sidestepped, guiding the force of the axe downward. The weapon embedded itself into the ground, and Cyrus twisted his blade, slicing cleanly through the exposed neck joint of the lizardman's armor. The creature crumpled, its molten glow dimming as it fell.

A group of three lizardmen charged at him next, their weapons held high. Cyrus planted his feet, his free hand glowing with aetheric energy. With a flick of his wrist, he sent out a wave of force that staggered the attackers, their footing slipping on the uneven terrain. He lunged at the closest one, his blade arcing upward in a clean slice that split the creature's chest armor.

"Behind you!" Jesua's voice cut through the chaos.

Cyrus spun just in time to see a lizardman attempting to flank him. He ducked low, the creature's molten blade whistling over his head. With a quick twist of his body, he drove his elbow into its midsection, then followed up with an upward slash that sent it sprawling.

Jesua moved with an eerie grace, her shadow magic flowing around her like a living entity. A lizardman charged at her with a glowing spear, but before it could strike, tendrils of darkness erupted from her shadow and coiled around the weapon. She twisted her wrist, the shadows yanking the spear from the creature's hands and snapping it in two.

Another lizardman attempted to strike from her blind spot, but Jesua simply stepped backward, her body seemingly dissolving into a pool of black goo for an instant. The creature's sword passed harmlessly through her as she reformed behind it. A clawed hand of shadow lashed out, grabbing the lizardman by the neck and slamming it into the ground.

"Do you ever get tired of losing?" she sneered, sending a wave of shadow spikes toward an advancing group. The spikes pierced through their armor, forcing them to retreat.

Despite her confidence, Jesua kept glancing back toward Sylus and Cyrus, ensuring they weren't overwhelmed. When another wave of lizardmen approached, she summoned a dark barrier that funneled them into a narrow corridor, limiting their ability to surround the trio.

As they pressed deeper into the village, the lizardmen's resistance intensified. Sylus, Cyrus, and Jesua found themselves surrounded at one point, the creatures closing in from all sides.

"We need to clear a path!" Sylus shouted, his eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield.

"I've got it," Jesua said, her tone calm despite the danger. She extended both hands, her shadow magic forming into a massive wave that swept outward, forcing the lizardmen back. The momentary opening allowed Sylus and Cyrus to leap into action.

Sylus dashed forward, his sword slashing in quick, calculated strikes that targeted weak points in the lizardmen's armor. Meanwhile, Cyrus followed behind, his aetheric blade spinning in tight arcs that deflected incoming strikes. They moved like a single unit, Sylus creating openings while Cyrus finished off the staggered enemies.

Jesua covered their rear, her shadows forming into spikes and claws that lashed out at any lizardman attempting to flank them. At one point, she conjured a massive tendril that wrapped around a charging lizardman and hurled it into a group of its allies, creating a pile of tangled bodies.

The trio began to adapt their tactics as the fight dragged on. Sylus used his frost magic to create slippery patches of ice, causing the heavily armored lizardmen to lose their footing. Cyrus capitalized on these moments, darting in and out with precise strikes that exploited their brief vulnerability. Jesua, meanwhile, manipulated the battlefield with her shadow magic, creating barriers and traps that funneled the lizardmen into vulnerable positions.

Despite the relentless attacks, the trio managed to push forward, their determination unshaken. The molten village loomed ahead, its glowing structures a stark reminder of the dangers that still awaited them. The fight was far from over, but they moved with unwavering resolve, their combined skills keeping them one step ahead of their relentless enemies.

As the trio ventured further into the molten village, the oppressive heat intensified, shimmering waves rising from the ground like a furnace. The architecture grew more elaborate—massive basalt spires and bridges of cooled lava stretched over pools of molten rock. It wasn't long before a new threat emerged: larger, more muscular lizardmen, their bodies gleaming with molten cracks that pulsed like beating hearts. These creatures bore massive wings that unfurled with a hiss, each beat sending gusts of heated air rippling through the battlefield.

The first winged lizardman swooped down from above, its massive claws outstretched toward Sylus. He barely had time to react, throwing himself into a roll as the creature's claws raked through the ground where he had stood. Coming up on one knee, Sylus lashed out with a horizontal swing of his frost sword. The blade bit into the lizardman's side, frost creeping along its molten skin. The creature roared in defiance, its tail whipping around like a fiery serpent.

Sylus ducked, the tail brushing the top of his hair as it whipped past. He countered with a sharp upward slash, aiming for the creature's exposed chest. The frost magic exploded on impact, sending shards of ice scattering and forcing the creature back.

A second winged lizardman took to the air, diving toward Cyrus with a molten spear in hand. Cyrus braced himself, raising his aetheric blade to intercept the attack. Sparks flew as the weapons clashed, the force of the impact sending Cyrus skidding backward. Before the creature could follow up, Cyrus stomped the ground, releasing a pulse of aetheric energy that disrupted its footing.

The lizardman flared its wings, using them to stabilize itself midair. It lunged again, thrusting its spear with blinding speed. Cyrus sidestepped, deflecting the spear with a precise parry before driving his blade into the creature's exposed shoulder. The lizardman shrieked, but instead of retreating, it used its massive wings to generate a gust of wind, throwing Cyrus off balance.

Seizing the opening, the lizardman swung its spear horizontally, forcing Cyrus to drop to the ground in a backward roll. He came up with his free hand glowing, unleashing an aetheric blast that sent the creature crashing into a nearby wall.

Jesua faced two of the winged lizardmen at once. They advanced on her cautiously, their molten eyes studying her movements. With a sly grin, she extended her hands, tendrils of shadow snaking outward. One of the lizardmen charged, its claws slashing through the air. Jesua ducked low, her body dissolving into shadow for a brief moment, causing the attack to pass harmlessly through her. She reformed behind the creature, her shadows wrapping around its legs and yanking it off its feet.

The second lizardman took to the air, attempting to dive-bomb her. Jesua raised a hand, summoning a shield of solid shadow that absorbed the impact. The force sent her sliding backward, her boots leaving trails in the molten dust. She retaliated by hurling a barrage of shadow spikes, each one aimed with deadly precision. The spikes struck the lizardman's wings, forcing it to crash to the ground.

As the downed creature attempted to rise, Jesua advanced, her shadows forming a massive claw that slammed into its chest, pinning it in place. She turned her head slightly toward Sylus and Cyrus. "A little help, boys?"

Sylus and Cyrus regrouped, flanking the remaining lizardmen. Sylus called out, "We need to split them up! They're stronger together!" He darted toward one of the winged creatures, drawing its attention with a feinting strike. As the lizardman lunged at him, Cyrus moved in from the side, his blade glowing with aetheric power. He slashed at the creature's wings, severing one and grounding it.

Jesua, meanwhile, unleashed a wave of shadow magic that corralled the remaining lizardmen into a tighter space. "Now!" she shouted. Sylus and Cyrus moved in tandem, their blades flashing as they worked together to take down the cornered enemies.

Sylus launched himself into the fray, his frost sword slashing in wide arcs that forced the lizardmen to defend. He ducked under a swinging claw, pivoted, and delivered a powerful upward strike that left frost trailing in the air. Cyrus followed up, his aetheric blade spinning in precise patterns as he targeted the joints in their armor. The combined assault overwhelmed the lizardmen, forcing them to retreat momentarily.

Their brief respite was interrupted as a massive lizardman, twice the size of the others, descended from above. Its wings were broader, its molten armor adorned with intricate runes that pulsed with energy. It let out a deafening roar, shaking the ground beneath them.

Sylus, Cyrus, and Jesua exchanged a glance. "That's not good," Cyrus muttered.