Solar Blood Masters

Raphael, the unfortunate "dog" of Princess Tajmani, began his journey burdened by mountains of luggage and stinging insults. Despite his resentment, he showed compassion for a wounded wolf cub by risking his own safety to free it from thorny vines. While the princess and her entourage battled formidable beasts, Raphael struggled to keep up, his lack of awakened bloodline abilities was a constant reminder of his inferior status. Left behind in the chaos of the Crimson Fang Hound attack, he found himself facing a gruesome death, only to be unexpectedly saved by the very wolf cub he had helped.

Following the group deeper into the treacherous Blood Forest, Raphael found himself trapped in a claustrophobic ice cave, abandoned by those he served, forced to fight for his life against monstrous Vampire Slugs. With newfound courage and a bit of luck, he managed to survive the encounter, but at a terrible cost. As the others made their escape from the terrifying Golden Bull Thork, he fell victim to the Calamity's rage, and got swallowed up by a chasm of molten fire.

But is this truly the end for the resilient, if often unlucky, Raphael?

…

BANG! BANG!

The world shuddered and groaned and awaken a young man from his groggy state.

"Huh… ah…"

A wave of nausea swept over him as blurry visions assaulted his sight. Groaning in discomfort, he forced his heavy eyelids open, only to be greeted by a scene straight out of his worst nightmares.

WHOOSH!

Three large bat creatures, teeming with bloodlust, were diving straight towards him. Each monstrous beast was bigger than an ox, possessing leathery wings, sharp claws, and fangs that could rival a shark.

"Ah!"

Raphael's body screamed with the premonition of agonizing pain. His mind prepared for a swift, messy death by bat chomping, then suddenly…

BOOM!

A translucent crimson barrier with spiraling crimson streams rotating rapidly within, flared into existence and encompassed him entirely, effectively stopping the bloodthirsty beasts from shredding him into bloody strips of flesh.

Raphael initially yelped in terror, convinced that this attack meant his imminent doom but the fangs, claws and deathly aura never reached him. Instead, they slammed headfirst against an unyielding crimson barrier. The constant slamming attacks made a disconcerting rhythm that mirrored the thumps in his heart.

He took in a deep breath, and calmed his erratic pulse then looked at his savior which pulsed around him like a breathing heart. He glanced downwards to discover that his amulet was pulsating a deep crimson, however, the locket it was housing was missing, leaving a faint chill around his chest and nape area.

"Huh, could this be…?"

And then it hit him.

"Butler Long…"

He recalled the Gyro Chi Sphere, a precious gift given to him just before embarking on this chaotic journey. "It's meant to protect me in times of danger," he mumbled to himself as gratitude blossomed in his heart.

For a moment, he sighed in relief, but the persistent smashing of monstrous bats against his shield was a sobering reminder that his respite may be short-lived. "How much longer can it hold…?" His concern was valid.

Then a earth-shattering explosion shook the surrounding walls. His crimson haven was now buzzing, warning him of greater chaos around him. Angry shouts rang in the air, carrying with it a mixture of pain and malice.

"Shao Jin! Just accept your death! You've been far too greedy all these years. Occupying the Fire Pool for yourself and not sharing its essence with me was your grave misfortune. Now the tables have turned! You're about to be put out of your misery! Hahahaha!"

Raphael noticed the arrogance in that voice, its echo of strength and confidence scared him. He felt it wasn't empty braggadocio, but truth rooted in its user's abilities.

Another deep and guttural voice roared back: "Keep dreaming Balphazar! You lousy Shadow Bat Emperor! If I wasn't injured, you wouldn't have the gall to be so haughty before me!"

This reply came coupled with pained agony and an iron will, which further caught Raphael's curiosity.

"Who are those?"

Raphael's sight had adjusted now, and with cautious squints, he saw two monstrous beings in heated verbal and bloodthirsty battle a safe distance from his bubble of crimson protection.

It was Shao Jin, the wounded Golden Bull Thork that chased his companions earlier. Its hide bore multiple gaping slashes, and one of its majestic golden horns was broken. This entity glared upwards, emanating power even with its heavy injury. But despite the terrible wound and visible tiredness, there was unyielding rage in his deep red glowing eyes.

Looming above the wounded Golden Bull Thork, was the terrifying Shadow Bat Emperor, Balphazar.

The emperor's physique rivaled Shao Jin's size, possessing enormous dark wings that looked capable of blotting out the artificial Grey Sun's radiance. The creature's visage was grotesque, covered in matted black fur. Deep-set eyes throbbed a horrifying orange color which was as eerie as Shao Jin's aura of rage, with wicked fangs glinting threateningly in the reflective light that illuminated their showdown.

Balphazar was wearing thick dark metal armor with multiple cracks, and dripping viscous dark blood which evaporated as it splattered on the ground below, adding to the horrifying beauty of this place.

"So, those two are actually enemies…? Could they be a key to escaping this fiery hell hole?" As Raphael entertained such optimistic notions, he glanced around.

His recollection of falling through the fissure of fire was now pieced together by his surroundings.

To the side, streams of molten liquid flowed upwards from the base of this underground cave towards the opening above. They created blazing red waterfalls.

Gazing up, Raphael could faintly see a large body of fiery water suspended above which acted as the ceiling. "This is... is this a flipped landscape?"

His astonishment was real. Somehow, Raphael had fallen to the very bottom of the expansive Fire Pool they encountered, and even weirder, he hadn't melted alive and drowned in molten essence. Was this fate? luck? or some mystical shit he couldn't comprehend?

Pushing those musings aside, he continued analyzing the clashing titans who controlled his future, if indeed he had one. It appeared that they were so absorbed in their battle of rage, ego, and superiority, that they had completely overlooked the pathetic human who huddled fearfully beneath his protective crimson orb.

Ignoring the smaller bat creatures that were trying their best to nibble their way into his shield, he settled in for an epic show. He wasn't dead yet, but for how long was another story all together.

WHOOSH!

Balphazar circled Shao Jin with the haughty grace of a predator toying with its wounded prey.

"You look pathetic, Shao Jin. Such a disgrace to those of your kind." The Shadow Bat Emperor mocked the Golden Bull Thork. "Every millennia we clash. I seek your territory, and each time, I walk away empty handed after you hand me a humiliating beating! This time however..." he trailed off while gesturing toward Shao Jin's injury, "You are not getting off so easily. You might not make it out alive."

"Hm. And it is precisely this predictability and repetitive failure that makes you, my little shadow pet so entertaining." Despite the terrible bleeding from the countless open gashes all over its body, Shao Jin sounded amused. It inhaled a mouthful of essence and snorted out fiery smoke toward Balphazar before saying.

"Each millennium, you try the same shit: Steal my essence, fail, fight, get whooped then lick your wounds! Why do you even try to steal when you know it will backfire, again?"

Hearing this taunt and seeing its proud words confirmed each time by Shao Jin's actions enraged Balphazar.

"Damn you Shao Jin! You will pay for those humiliations." Balphazar screeched in a rage as a particularly painful memory came to mind.

The audience, specifically, Raphael felt chills at the tone.

"KILL the stinking bull!" Balphazar commanded his Shadow Bat Army, and instantly a choir of subservient screech and monstrous flapping of wings reply to their leader with their infamous call.

"Yes, master!"

Hundreds of bats that darkened the roof of the chamber swarm down upon Shao Jin, eager to tear into its flesh and bathe in its essence.

Shao Jin stood its ground and let out a mighty snort before slamming one massive hoof against the ground and sending tremors that rocked even Raphael's crimson barrier haven.

"Hmph! Using your minions to challenge me? Audacious!"

"Gold Press!"

BOOOM!

As if summoned from the bowels of hell, multiple massive, spectral golden hooves, each as large as Shao Jin, materialized overhead. They glowed a threatening crimson before descending upon the charging shadow bat swarm, crushing dozens instantly in a burst of gore, viscera, bone and dark smoke.

Those lucky enough to evade this descending horror, experienced another of the Golden Bull Thork's capabilities, intense and concentrated gravitational pressure from each golden phantom limb. Their bodies were pinned against the earth like helpless insects trapped in hardened tree sap.

SPLAT! SPLAT!

The earth quivered as those that couldn't escape was reduced to smears of blood and ground meat against the jagged floor. It painted a gruesome mural.

Raphael saw this splattering on his crimson shield. It caused him to shut his eyes tightly while covering his mouth in utter shock and disgust. Never had he imagined death could be this sudden and cruel. But more importantly, never had he witnessed such a fierce and efficient counter-attack. Shao Jin's strength and sheer rage left a lasting impression.

His fright soon turned to anticipation when the swarming shadow bats came to an abrupt standstill before the Bull Thork. It seems they too had learned a valuable lesson about approaching such a potent power with disregard.

Balphazar however, wasn't fazed, not for long at least, before he sent an angry stare toward his loyal minions which ignited something dark and sinister inside them. Their monstrous shrieks echoed as the bats once again descended toward Shao Jin with the desire to kill their tormentor and appease their emperor.

But just like before…

"Gold Press!"

The giant, glowing golden phantom hooves materialized once more, sending dozens of bats to meet their end via brute strength and the law of gravity. Their cries turned silent as death embraced them like a shroud.

But something had change, Shao Jin let out an ominous grunt. It then coughs violently before spitting out a large mass of golden blood that steams on the cold ground below.

It was still strong, that much was obvious, but what if...?

"Hm? Looks like my strategy of patience is working…" Balphazar chuckled as it observed its ancient enemy weakening, which renewed its arrogance and hope.

"Hah! Looks like your injury is more serious than you pretended. Well then… how about I make you cough out even more blood with a little something special!" Balphazar said.

Then it flapped its massive wings and, in an instant, the dark shadow energy converged on each wing, morphing into thousands of razor-sharp crimson slashes that pierced through the air with a terrifying screech before blasting straight at Shao Jin with the velocity of a speeding arrow. The Shadow Emperor's power was evident.

BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!

"Gah! You pathetic cur! I will end you!" Despite Shao Jin's arrogance, each hit visibly drained the Thork's remaining energy as evident by his stumbling foot work.

Enraged, Shao Jin desperately gathered energy to charge up another attack and blasted his mighty "Helios Stream" but… due to its damaged horn, the stream of golden energy came out distorted, twisted, weaker. Its energy wasn't pure, leaving behind openings.

This allowed Balphazar to easily dodge, laugh hysterically before beginning another bout of mockery with renewed vigor and ferocity.

"Hahahaha! You miss again? Your aim is worse than your smell you old sack of meat! I suppose I don't need to get involved. I can just let this play out. Sit back, relax… until the last bit of life is sap from your wretched corpse. Eventually, all you've tried to horde… it will become mine! Hahahaha!"

"Master is correct!"

"Master is mighty!"

Balphazar's minions mimicked their leader with deafening shrieks, eager for their lord to vanquish their nemesis.

"Damn you! Damn you to the infinite abyss!"

Shao Jin slammed its other golden hoof onto the ground as rage pulsated from every crack in its massive golden hide and injured visage.

Its golden blood spurted from between its gritted teeth as its heavy breath fogged out a fiery orange cloud in the chilled cave. It looked exhausted. In that moment of respite from attacks, it touched its forehead as if trying to locate the source of its unending exhaustion.

"That damned Life Devouring Needle… Its… moving deeper! I'll need room and time to get it out!"

Hidden behind the wall of blood and buzzing chaos, a confused young man was slowly piecing together these titans' struggle as their vicious roars washed over him. It was clear they were fighting, for territory or bragging right, that much Raphael understood, but the mention of a needle had his curiosity sparked.

A needle? Was that caused by the knights…?

Raphael remember reading about something similar. His understanding of Tien Ha's unique attack began to unravel: "Life Devouring Needle… an advanced blood technique designed to kill beings with potent life essence by continuously draining its victims' life force as it tries to lodge deeper and deeper into the brain! The only way to avoid a sure death is by extracting the needle… but to even touch it means a part of your energy is lost… If left untreated, its victim will eventually die. And that explains why…" he realized why the Bull Thork was acting erratic despite its large body of work and immense cultivation base.

"This will be my grave if these monsters set their eyes on me," Raphael whispered with fearful respect while gazing on as Shao Jin staggered once more under Balphazar's intensifying attacks.

"Hahaha…" Balphazar sneered with cruel anticipation of Shao Jin's approaching demise. He gracefully flew downwards, and created a throne of solidified darkness in a prominent area where he had an expansive view of the ongoing massacre he was directing.

Then, in the shadows beside his throne, his loyal generals and personal assassins, eight grotesque Greater Shadow Bats stood beside him as an intimidation tactic and also as body guards, just in case.

With a sadistic smirk stretching across his demonic features, Balphazar directed his swarm with another loud command to overwhelm the staggering bull.

"Kill him, you bunch of fools! And don't give that brute time to recover, or you lot will become fertilizer!"

"Dammit!"

Realizing the danger of staying in the Shadow Bats' proximity, Shao Jin released another heavy snort which was fueled with Fire Essence and residual Solar Essence which blasted the minions away.

CRASH!

Several unfortunate, unlucky and extremely battered Shadow Bats slammed into Raphael's crimson shield. A bit too close to death's curtain call. It seems they weren't strong enough to combat such primal force.

Raphael shuttered with concern as Balphazar looked on then scoffed.

"Don't do anything reckless you exhausted lump of cow shit, you might accidently crush the human. And I want to savor that food whole after I put an end to you, hahahaha!" Balphazar sounded so arrogantly dismissive and certain about this outcome.

But Shao Jin refused to relent even when defeat's cloak was drawing closer with every strike and needle advancement.

Shao Jin retorted with rage and pain ringing in its voice, "This creature belongs to me, not you Shadow-shit!" And without further ado, he unleashed a desperate torrent of gold energy towards those pesky shadows and then continued with another growl that was equally loud. "I haven't eaten human flesh in almost 7000 years!"

"Hm… Dream on you weak, disgusting and pompous sack of shit. you won't make it past tonight!" Balphazar retorted before descending towards his exhausted opponent once more. "Now be a good beast and DIE! And end my humiliation so I can savor victory after millennia of failures!"

Cowering safely under the protection of his red sphere, a frightened and exhausted boy struggled to grasp his predicament. He analyzed every insult and word thrown between those mighty beings.

Then he understood.

"Not only do they want territory, they… want me?!" And with those revelations, an idea that he hoped wasn't fueled by desperation started to surface, which was, he would escape this precarious and unpredictable situation, alive, unharmed… using them as weapons, but how?