They rushed ahead as more root constructs appeared as they descended. They appeared in humanoid forms, as well as shapes resembling Bear-Terrors with spike-covered backs, Werefangs with three-tailed bodies, and Tetans in wooden armor.

Argos!

Purple barriers appeared in front of the group, intercepting attacks from root-Bear-Terrors. Massive claws struck the barriers, roots lashed down like a whip from above, and sound waves bounced off.

All of these create small cracks and come from multiple angles.

Blaze Gaze.

Casseo's crimson eyes locked onto a cluster of root-Werefangs. The creatures froze mid-charge, paralyzed by supernatural fear for three seconds.

Spiraling Death.

In that moment, Joseph leapt into the air before spinning like a drill with icy wind and blue ice aura. He tore through all three frozen Werefangs, their bodies exploding into splinters while freezing the roots that were closed by.

Reinhard's own shadow trembled beneath him before black spears erupted from the darkness. Dozens of them shot upward, impaling root-Tetans attempting to strike them from the side.

The spears pinned the wooden constructs in place, allowing Marie to finish them with a piercing pillar of golden-white light that reduced them to ash.

The Bear-Terrors were torn into pieces by Janus' purple-black claws that produced additional claws that rushed out from the creatures inside.

They continued descending.

The stairs seemed endless, spiraling deeper down. More root constructs appeared, with them being faster and more coordinated. But the group was still far beyond their strength as they swiftly smashed through them.

Silk threads burst from Amiya's hands with strands wrapped around root-humanoids' limbs, binding them. She pulled, yanking them off balance while Veryn summoned more circles of light, which began blasting through the creatures, and turning them into fragments.

Then she looked at the root-Beart-Terrors before her eyes shone a grey light. The creatures met her gaze before and became frozen, and allowed Casseo to cleave it in half with his black hat that shined with a shadow aura.

Finally, the stairs ended.

They burst into a golden hallway that stretched endlessly forward. Grand columns lined both sides, their surfaces covered in intricate engravings dulled by age.

Gold trim peeked through grime, faintly glimmering where light filtered from sources they couldn't identify. Roots had forced between tiles, snaking up marble walls like veins.

Fallen panels lay half-buried under tangled weeds. Royal crests were barely visible beneath the growth.

And at the end of the hallway stood a knight.

The figure knelt, head bowed, sword planted point-down in the ground before them. Golden-black armor covered the knight's body, etched with symbols and patterns matching the architecture around them. Roots wrapped the knight's form, growing through gaps in armor, creating a fusion of metal and plant.

They approached cautiously and as they got close, golden light shined within the knight's helmet.

The knight stood.

The motion was smooth with roots shifting with the movement, making sounds like creaking wood. The knight raised their sword, pointing it directly at the group, and then they spoke. "You... Aren't Allowed... To... Pass..."

The Golden Knight burst outward with a beautiful light, a golden radiance so intense it forced everyone to shield their eyes. The illumination filled the hallway, reflecting off columns and walls until everything became glaring brightness.

Brunhilde frowned, her light blue eyes narrowing as she assessed the power radiating from the figure. "He's a Peak Second Class Beast Master."

The words had barely left her mouth when the Golden Knight rushed forward. His movement was explosive as his armor clanked, roots trailing behind like smoke. He covered the distance in an instant with his sword raised.

Brunhilde's massive eight-foot spiral spear with decorative gold wings and sword symbols appeared in her hands.

She brought it up just as the knight's blade came down.

The clash created a shockwave that cracked floor tiles. Golden light met blue flames, creating an explosion of color with sparks flying in all directions.

Brunhilde held firm, her heeled boots planted solidly. She pushed back, forcing the knight to retreat three steps. Then she spun her spear before it swept horizontally at the knight's body.

The Golden Knight raised his sword to block. The spear crashed into the sword before the knight was blown back, and sent skidding through the hall.

The Golden Knight recovered immediately before he extended his palm, which began to glow.

A massive sphere of golden light formed above his hand, easily three feet in diameter. Before he launched it forward with explosive force.

Brunhilde's fingers traced through the air, and golden words appeared where she wrote.

"Shatter."

The word struck the orb, then for a moment nothing happened, and then cracks appeared across the sphere's surface. The light orb exploded into harmless sparkles that scattered like fireflies.

The Golden Knight didn't pause as he opened his free hand, which glowed brighter.

A spectral greatsword made of solidified light appeared in his hand. He hacked down with the blade, leading to a wave of light erupting from the strike, rushing toward Brunhilde at terrifying speed.

She spun her spear vertically, creating a shield of rotating blue flames. The light wave struck the flames, leading to fire and light scattering to the side.

But the knight continued moving, moving a few steps before he leaped high. In mid-air, a golden spectral hammer appeared in his hands before he brought it down with devastating force.

But Brunhilde shifted to the side as the hammer crashed down. The impact generated a shockwave, which had visible ripples of force that tore up floor tiles and sent debris flying.

Brunhilde smashed out with her fist, crashing into the waves and blasting them apart. Before her spear pierced out and smashed into the Golden Knight's armor. The spear sank into the Knight's body with blood leaking out, and Brunhilde's eyes slightly narrowed.

"So your spiritual armor is still working even with the roots." Brunhilde said softly as the Golden Knight stumbled before his body began glowing.

A light sword spawned in his left hand, and then one appeared above him. Then dozens more appeared throughout the hallway, spectral blades floating in midair, all pointed downward. They hung suspended for a second, leading Brunhilde to hum.

Then they fell.

The swords plummeted like rain, creating a barrage that covered the entire hallway. Each blade rushed down at incredible speed, all of them aimed towards Brunhilde.

Brunhilde quickly reacted as her spear became a blur. She spun the weapon in continuous circles, deflecting swords as they fell.

Her movements were impossibly precise as each deflection sent a spectral blade flying off course. Blue flames erupted along her spear's length, creating a protective barrier.

The Golden Knight charged through his own sword rain with his blade swept in a diagonal slash from left to right.

Then a second light sword spawned in his left hand before he hurled them towards Brunhilde. While the light swords above continue raining, which forces Brunhilde to continue defending.

But leaving herself wide open.

Brunhilde's fingers traced again with golden words that appeared.

Redirect.

The descending blades suddenly veered off course, striking the floor or rushing towards the incoming attack and the knight.

The swords of light crashed into the ground, some shattering or cracking, others smashed into the two light swords hurled at Brunhilde.

And the remaining ones smashed into the Golden Knight, some shattering or sinking into his body.

This forced him to stumble back, and then Brunhilde appeared instantly. Her spear thrust forward three times in rapid succession, each strike finding gaps in the knight's armor.

Blood splashed out!

Roots erupted from the ground beneath her feet. They burst upward, rushing in an attempt to wrap around her legs and pull her down.

Brunhilde leaped backward, avoiding the initial surge. More roots emerged from the hallway walls, dozens of them, all reaching for her simultaneously.

Brunhilde swiftly traced multiple words at once.

"Burn. Freeze. Wither. Break."

Each word struck different root clusters, some burst into blue flames, others froze solid before shattering, and some simply withered.

The remainder snapped like brittle wood.

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