From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

Nanako, breathing heavily with sweat dripping down her forehead, stated, "Your job was just to test us to see if we had the right to fight the Dragoon! We were able to capture his book and beat you!"

She wiped her brow, her eyes blazing with determination. "Just stop this charade of fighting us already and take us to everyone."

Gisorn chuckled, a dark, ominous sound. "Why do you think getting the book was enough to count as 'winning'?"

Nanako's eyes narrowed, confusion mixing with anger.

"My job is to prevent anyone from ever freeing the Dragoon. It's very simple," Gisorn continued, his tone mocking. "And besides, I sent them all to their deaths, and both of you as well."

With a swift motion, he wrote "speed" in the air, the word glowing darkly. He vanished, appearing face-to-face with Nanako in an instant. Before she could react, he swiped at her, and she instantly vanished.

Gisorn then dodged Orin's bow and slashed him down on the neck, sending him slamming downward. Orin vanished upon impact.

Nanako's vision went blank before she suddenly felt herself suspended hundreds of feet in the air. An intense heat overtook her, and she looked down to see a vast expanse of lava spanning miles upon miles. The scorching air singed her skin as she began to fall.

"Oh shit, he really meant it when he said he was sending us to our death, huh?" she muttered, the reality of the situation sinking in. "Well shit… I have no energy left to try anything... to think everyone just died like this... I'm sorry, Ty. I guess you will have to finish things from here."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

As she propelled downward, the wind whipped past her, and tears began to stream down her face, floating upward toward the bright sky before burning away in the heat. She closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable end.

Suddenly, a cold breeze enveloped her, and she felt hands swoop under her. Her eyes snapped open to see the young face of King Griswald. "You did amazing to get the Dragoon's book," he said, his voice soothing and reassuring.

"I, uh," she stammered, but he cut her off gently.

"Don't worry about anything else. I will take things from here. You will have to forgive me for leaving you all in that terrible predicament."

Moments later, Orin appeared slightly above them, unconscious and bleeding. King Griswald stepped on the air beneath his feet, creating a small disc to support them. He caught the knocked-out Orin on his shoulder, blood trailing from his lips.

Nanako felt a surge of relief and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

"So… where is everyone else… did they...?" Nanako's voice trailed off, fear and uncertainty evident in her eyes.

Moments later, King Griswald landed on a soft patch of grass that expanded 40 feet in each direction, forming a giant circle in the midst of the lava.

"It took a bit of work, but combining our abilities together, we managed to create a small platform above the lava," Griswald explained, his tone calm yet firm. "But it's been difficult to maintain for Master Dagon."

Nanako, laying on her back, lifted her head and saw Master Dagon seated with his legs crossed, his arms together, fingers interlaced. A strong green aura flowed around him, and a constant stream of green leaves circled him like a protective barrier.

"Oh, wow, I have more questions than the time you probably have to explain things, huh?" she remarked, her voice tinged with awe and confusion.

King Griswald gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll have time for answers later. Right now, we need to focus on getting out of here."

Suddenly, Gisorn crossed overhead about 100 feet in the air, scanning the area in his black armor. His presence cast a shadow over the small sanctuary they had created.

King Griswald's expression hardened. "Right, I believe it's about time we make our exit out of here."

Griswald gently set Nanako down and turned to Master Dagon. "We need to move now."

Master Dagon opened his eyes, the green aura around him intensifying. "I'm ready," he said, his voice steady. "But we need to act quickly. My strength is waning."

Griswald nodded and looked at Nanako. "Can you stand?"

Nanako pushed herself up, her legs trembling but holding steady. "I think so," she said, determination filling her voice. She glanced at Orin, who was still unconscious, and then back at Griswald. "What about Orin?"

"I'll carry him," Griswald said, lifting Orin effortlessly. "Let's move."

The small group made their way toward the edge of the platform, the intense heat from the lava below a constant reminder of the peril they faced. Griswald led the way, his presence a beacon of strength.

As they approached the edge, Master Dagon's aura expanded, forming a protective barrier around them. The green leaves swirled faster, creating a shield against the oppressive heat. Gisorn, noticing their movement, descended rapidly, his eyes filled with malice.

"You won't escape that easily," Gisorn snarled, drawing his weapon.

Griswald stepped forward, his voice commanding. "We're not here to fight you, Gisorn. Stand down."

Gisorn laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "You think you can dictate terms here? I control this domain."

Griswald's eyes narrowed. "Not for long."

Nanako watched the events unfolding and shouted to Todd, "Hold on, are you okay?!"

Todd sat up, gripping the Dragoon's book between his arms. "Yeah, just a bit fatigued," he replied, his voice strained but determined.

Nanako ran up to him, her eyes wide with recognition. "I could have sworn I saw this book somewhere before."

Suddenly, memories flooded back—flashbacks of the book she and Ty had stolen from the castle. This is the same book as that one?! she thought to herself, her mind racing.

Shaking off her thoughts, she focused on the urgent situation. "Listen, Todd, I need you to threaten to throw that book into the lava!"

"What? Why?!" Todd exclaimed, confusion and exhaustion evident in his voice.

"When I was still fighting Gisorn, he panicked when you stole the book. He was terrified of it burning in the lava. But then he reassured himself that you all wouldn't let it happen." She paused, her eyes locking with Todd's. "He has to protect that book. He can't let it get destroyed!"

A loud clanging noise sounded above them as Gisorn's voice boomed, "Multiply!"

They looked up to see his ten sharp-end chains turn into a hundred, slightly blocking out the hot sun above as they began to spin and swirl, creating a terrifying vortex.

King Griswald took a deep breath, readying himself to speed toward Gisorn.

Todd screamed out seconds later, holding the book over the lava. "End this now, Gisorn, or the book is gone!"

Gisorn mocked in response, "Go ahead, throw it into the lava. I'll catch it in a second!"

Nanako, hearing this, thought for a split second. She realized Gisorn's confidence was dangerous. Without hesitating, she jumped up, snatched the book from Todd's hands, and leaped off the edge with it, clutching the book tightly to her chest as she descended toward the lava.