Equis Art Online II

As the group entered the castle, Klein scoffed.

"Red. Predictable."

Sure to his word, as they entered the gatehouse, the red stone masonry and black curtains gave the place a hellish aura. As they walked, Kirito sighed and turned to look at Yui, who was perched on Asuna's shoulder.

"Yui? Do you know where Syrt is or even where we are?"

"We are in Syrt's Gatehouse, in the first section of the castle. Syrt is currently in the Throne Room, in the second. We have to pass through a secondary tunnel under the volcano to get to the second part, though I am reading data that suggests there is a powerful boss guarding the tunnel. However, there is a secondary quest objective that I do not understand." Yui said, and a notification appeared.

QUEST UPDATED-OPTIONAL OBJECTIVE

GAIN TWO ALLIES

"That is weird." Asuna said. "It doesn't give us any clue to where or who those allies are."

"You are right, though..." Twilight said.

"What's up?" Leafa asked.

"I get the feeling we're being watched..." Twilight said, and they surveyed all around them. They didn't think to look UP though.

Vilja watched as the fairies talked among themselves, one of them, a Spriggan, clad in black gear, seemed to be their leader. As she watched, she focused on a mage in the back of the party. She was an Imp, with purple and silver mage robes.

"She wasn't one of the seven..." she said to herself. She then quietly snapped her fingers and ducked behind the balcony.

"When they battle the Torchbearer, I'll see for sure."

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After about thirty minutes of exploring, they found the entrance to the tunnel. As they entered, Aries cast a illumination spell, appearing as a dancing white ball of flame. Its pale light flickered off the walls.

"I'll tell you guys, this is creepy." Sinon said.

"It is. There's no monsters here, and the only thing standing between us and Syrt is one last boss." Leafa added.

"Yeah. Keep your eyes peeled, everyone." Kirito said, and then he stopped. A massive iron door, with a carved image of a blazing torch, greeted them. Kirito and Asuna stepped forward, and pushed it open. Total darkness greeted them, and Aries's illumination spell expired. Then, ghostly torches appeared and lit themselves along the walls. Then, a loud, guttural roar erupted, and a huge thing came up from a pool of black liquid. It was bipedal, with an indescribable ugly face. Tentacles like spider's legs were churning on his back. Then, a massive trail of flame came out of a large yellow mass on his back. He roared again, and a boss marker appeared, along with a name.

THE TORCHBEARER

"RRYAYWG!" it bellowed, roaring like a angry elephant, then, it charged on all fours towards Kirito. Kirito drew his blue longsword and charged as well, ready to clash.