//------------------------------//
// Stage 4 Underground Caverns 
// Story: Castlevania: Harmony of the Night 
// by Velvet-Fresh 
//------------------------------//

	Luna returned to the main hallway minutes later of walking, fixing her acquired cloak as she adjust it on her back. She check on her spear and sword to see they're in good condition. Nodding in satisfaction she heads to the main hall and is about to climb the steps "Now, I better remember, Sister and I devised many traps in this old home of ours.. I must tread lightly or " she was cut off when her hoof pressed down on a cobblestone on of the stair's steps causing an audible click. Eyes widen she muttered "Mother of Me.." before a trap door opened up and she fell yelping loudly in surprise. 

She manage to pull out her sword and stabbed the wall, slowing down her descent and hops off and into the cold stoned floor as she lit her horn, taking a gander look around seeing she ended up in the underground caverns , ear twitching as she listen onto the water dripping from stalactites seen on the ceiling, with another loud click she looked up to see the opening closing down onto her "Well fhat way is out of the question now" She let out a illumination spell and it instantly brightens the area around her, seeing the full extent of the area she is currently trapped in "Sister and I use to explore these caves.. but they're too vast and we were but mere foals back then. Didn't go much further.. But i know the exit when i see it." she trotted head, going into a clearing with other pathways and unlit torches. With a spark of her horn she zap the torches to light up the area "Good to see these torches are still in condition" he smiles, her ears perk as she heard a splash and water dripping, sword ready she spun to the side as a bipedal fish monster pulled itself out a medium size deep pool. Giving a roar as it sees her and tries to lunge at her only to be received a slash from her sword. Reeling back in pain, it snarls as its companions soon emerge from the waters. "Back foul fiend. Back I say!" she snarls back and slashed again, and again. The first fish monster spun around from the last blow and burst into flames exposing its skeleton before those turn to ash and disappear. His companions weren't happy and slowly advance against Luna, one reel it's head back and spit out a small fireball that shot straight forward, she effortlessly ducked under it and dash forward to strike at them pushing them back. Cutting down the 4th sea beast, other kept coming out the pond in the area. "I can't keep this up.." she hurriedly trots away and quickly enters one of the passageways and away from the numbering hordes of fish monsters.

Entering another cave clearing she looks around lighting up any torches she see with her magic as she grip her sword at ready. Eart twitching she instinctively slashes to the side, striking down a protoplasm which moaned out before dissipating into nothingness. "Curses in physical form.. I must be cautious they are poisonous to the touch.." she see another one floating around, moaning out as the spirit was also strike down by Luna as she jumped up to attack it "Hah, foul fiend. You cannot best me!" she gives a smug grin as she lands on her feet and trots onward to explore further. She stopped to find another skeleton, wearing old royal guard armor. "Poor soul, must have been trapped here many years ago.. Rest in piece" she notices his weapon. A sword that's longer and sturdier than the one she had placed in her scabbard, she went over and picked it up, weighting it in her hooves "A bastard sword... a fine weapon.." smiling she pull the short sword out and with a flick of magic poofing it away before sheathing the new blade into her scabbard. She venture on, flapping her cape behind her as she trot ahead in a steady trot, coming across another armed skeleton soldier who tried to head her advance, she easily cut it down with a strong swing of her new blade, watching the animated corpse break apart and fell away, leaving its armor and helmet behind. She pick up the chest piece up, weighing it and looking it over noting its a lightweight bronze armor worn by the guards of ole.
Easily strapped and removed, she peered down at her bare chest before clasping the armor onto herself "Better be safe than sorry i suppose." she pat her new piece of defense to secure it. Nodding with a satisfied smile she go onward, entering another clearing in which she can see the pathway leading upward to a old beaten door in the distance. 

She took a tentative step forward, only to hear a roar from the side. She gave a deadpan "Of course.." as she looks on as a beast, a three headed Cerberus. But this one is different from the playful one she knew that guard the gates of Tartarus, this one is smaller but more ferocious in stature as all 3 head snarled aggressively at her, blinking she unsheath her sword as she get ready for battle "Thou shall let me pass." she simply stated before it give a loud roar at her.



Running forward, snapping it jaws as it tries to ram her to the wall, she effectively slide under it's legs, making it smack the wall with a yelp, stunned as it tries to shake its heads clear of the stars, Luna took the opportunity to slash at it's back, causing it to barked in pain and counter slapping Luna with its Tail causing her to be pushed back grunting "Heel!" she commanded as she readies to attack again, she galloped forward and jump and slash at it causing some damage, it yelped and brought down it's font paws trying to swat at her, she back dashed causing the dog to smash the floor instead, she took the opportunity to climb up the demon dog's arm, jumping up with a loud battle cry she lunge down her sword, impaling it onto the canine's back. Howling in pain it ran to the wall, shifting its weight it slammed itself hard shaken Luna off and pinned her to the wall be she slid down with a pained groan. She recovered to roll aside as the Cerberus snapped its jaw at her location, she lifting her sword up and brought it down onto the neck of the left head, she heaved again and slashed again with a loud cry as she manage to decapitate one of its heads. THe beast roared loudly in pain and recoil back, losing one of its heads and some blood it sat down stunned. "Good boy" she smirked, pointing her sword forward she gallop in full speed "Now.. PLAY DEAD!" she stab her sword right at the canine's chest. Howling loudly onto the ceiling, its body glows and cracks, she yank her sword out in time stepping back as the Cerberus seemingly engulf in blue pillar of flames, the fire spew seemingly spew out the floor around it, the shadow of the canine disappear as the flames start raising before slowly dying out leaving nothing in its place. 

Luna give a victorious smile as she simply walk under the glowing orb, absorbing it as it dropped down on her as she ascends the the steps towards the door before looking back and flick her cape and smile broadly at her latest victory. 


Stage 4 complete!