Daybreak Medley

(Hell Arc) Chapter 5 - Abyss Tower

After Zonada's triumph in the Chaos Tower, the power of the medallion bestowed by Lichtschatten, the Master Necromancer, was only the beginning of his new journey. Lichtschatten, though now residing in the medallion, extended an invitation to Zonada to travel to his true domain, an ancient, forgotten underground tower beneath the desert realms on the far western reaches of the continent.

This underground tower, known as The Abyss Tower, was hidden beneath layers of sand dunes and treacherous terrain. It was a place where the laws of nature twisted, and necromantic energies flowed freely. There, Zonada would train under Lichtschatten's guidance, learning the arts of necromancy, demonology, magic, and even the most fundamental skills of combat, but there was a condition.

To truly gain the knowledge and power Lichtschatten offered, Zonada would need to prove himself worthy by defeating the ten Elemental Guardians. Each guardian was a fierce, sentient manifestation of an ancient elemental force, bound to Lichtschatten's will. They represented the core aspects of the universe, each controlling a different element and guarding their respective domains. Defeating them meant not only overpowering them in combat but also earning their respect and allegiance. Once defeated, the guardians would become his loyal servants and aides in battle, but they were no mere spirits. They were embodiments of their elements, with powers beyond anything Zonada had ever faced.

The Elemental Guardians of Lichtschatten

Each guardian lived within its own sanctum within The Abyss Tower, a space attuned to the element they represented. Zonada would have to defeat them one by one, and only when he had conquered all ten could he claim the true power of Lichtschatten's domain.

The first elemental guardian was Vinyanos, a being of pure Almo energy, the element of the soul. This element governed the essence of life, individuality, and consciousness. Vinyanos's sanctuary was a labyrinth of mirrors and spiritual echoes, where Zonada would confront not only the guardian but also twisted reflections of his own soul. Vinyanos could attack by manipulating the essence of his enemies, causing hallucinations and disruptions in their sense of self. His strikes could weaken the very soul of his opponents, making each attack feel like a piece of Zonada's identity was being torn away.

Zonada had to dig deep into his own sense of self to counter Vinyanos's attacks, focusing on his past and his reasons for fighting to ground himself. Using his willpower and the training he received from the temple, Zonada overpowered Vinyanos and claimed the Almo element, giving him the ability to manipulate spiritual energies and souls.

Next, Zonada faced Glacivorn, a towering guardian made of living ice and water, who ruled over the Cryohydro element. His arena was a frozen tundra within the tower, where sheets of ice and torrents of water crashed down, constantly shifting the battlefield. Glacivorn could command water to form shields or launch freezing blasts of ice that could trap and immobilize foes in an instant.

Zonada had to rely on his agility and the fire within his soul, using what little warmth he could muster to keep himself from freezing. The battle was long, as Glacivorn's control over both water and ice seemed endless, but Zonada's training in elemental balance allowed him to adapt and overcome. In the end, Zonada defeated Glacivorn, gaining control over the Cryohydro element, allowing him to manipulate water and ice in battle.

In the next sanctum, Terrobulb, the Geodendro guardian, awaited. His domain was a vast jungle and rocky terrain filled with ancient trees, living plants, and massive boulders. Terrobulb could manipulate the very earth, summoning gigantic roots to crush his enemies or hurling enormous stones that could flatten anything in their path. He could also control the living plants, making them grow rapidly to bind Zonada or create deadly traps.

Zonada had to use his strength and cleverness, avoiding the pitfalls and countering the unpredictable attacks of the earth itself. His experience with jungle beasts helped him as he adapted to Terrobulb's wild and unforgiving landscape. After a brutal battle, Zonada managed to bring down Terrobulb, gaining mastery over Geodendro, granting him power over earth, stone, and even the control of plants.