SSundee watched Biffle go, then opened a portal to the designated dimension. The blue cloud around it billowed, seemingly protecting the image inside.

SSundee turned to the Tentacle Monster, "I'll be back soon."

Its image flickered as it nodded.

SSundee turned and stepped through the portal and waved his hand, closing it behind him. The cavern he had entered went dark, then SSundee noticed small lanterns lighting up the area.

A set of stairs laid before him, trailing up to a grand platform that SSundee couldn't quite see. Pillars of quartz rose along the sides of the cavern, holding up the curved roof. Crystals- bright white ones -glistened on the ceiling, twinkling like thousands of stars. A blue hue set over everything, making the area feel cold and dangerous.

SSundee lifted up his head and marched up the stairs. He arrived at the top and stopped, unsheathing his sword and holding it at his side.

Creatures snapped to attention, eyeing him dangerously. They all fell into a line, prepared to attack.

A larger creature rose from the crowd and walked slowly towards SSundee, neon blue eyes fixated on the foreign man. It looked like a lizard had crossed with a werewolf. It had an angular head and a muscular build with patches of fur along its back. A long and slender tail swished behind it as it narrowed its eyes.

You dare step foot into these halls? A voice said, from everywhere yet nowhere. A whisper that blew around him like the wind. It echoed through the cavern like a thousand voices spreading the word.

"I come for my weapon," SSundee replied, voice steady as he held the gaze of the creature.

The creature peeled its lips back in a sneer, showing its yellowed teeth. It trembled, and was accompanied with a cacophony of laughter that screeched around him.

You are no prodigy, dear mortal. The voice hissed again. You might be the strongest of your people but you are no match for an army of creatures who know tenfold of what you do. You are no match against a celestial being.

SSundee spun his sword in his hands, "Let's see about that, shall we?"

The being dropped to all fours and lunged, claws extended and jaw splitting into two to reveal rows of needle-thin teeth.

SSundee dodged to the side and lashed with his sword, making a thin slice on the creature's side. A force knocked into him, not large enough to knock him down but enough to make him stumble. Tiny claws burrowed into his skin, digging through his armor. SSundee reached over his shoulder and grasped the mass. He ripped it free and hurled it to the ground in front of him.

The creature squeaked and tried to scramble away. It looked cat-like with sleek navy blue fur and wide silver eyes. SSundee sliced his sword across its chest and turned away.

Growls and roars erupted from around him. He turned and saw the creature leapt at him again. He dodged again, yet the monster still caught his shoulder.

SSundee hissed as blood bubbled from the wound. He gingerly touched it, then snapped his attention towards the various other creatures heading his way.

He swung his sword in an arc, slicing directly through a wave of creatures. Lucky for him, they all carried swords.

They hover in the air beside him, and the first creature narrowed its eyes. He sent one of the swords flying towards it. The creature dodged, missing the strike.

A few more creatures attempted to strike, but they were killed very quickly, and their weapons were taken.

It became a cycle of jumping away from the first creature to cutting through others and collecting their weapons. With each killed monster, the creature seemed to wilt and weaken, and SSundee definitely noticed.

He waited until there was nothing else left besides him and the creature.

His array of weapons rose above him as he slowly stalked towards the creature, who was crouched in the ground, not meeting his eyes.

"What did you say before?" SSundee murmured, spreading his arms and showing off his gauntlet. "No match for a celestial being?"

The creatures peeled back its lips in a snarl. It did not respond.

SSundee rose his gauntlet and inspected it, eyeing specifically the reality stone. A red glow appeared around the creature and it flinched as it shrunk. A wall of glass formed around the now palm-sized creature.

He stepped over it and strolled across the battlefield to the glass podium that held the Cane of Venoms.

He sensed the air of magic as he approached, so he paused. With the stones, he created a portal underneath the Cane and set the opening beside him. The Cane fell through into his hands.

He dropped his sword and lifted it with his telekinesis, and held the Cane firmly in his grasp.

He smiled, then turned to go home.

——————————
Word Count: 829