As the trio descended to the last floor, the air around them had changed. It felt thick, and was slightly off in a manner that could not be described by words. Vera unconsciously moved closer to Azrael, and Percy remained ever vigilant.

As the group walked, miscellaneous bones were strewn across their path. Azrael didn't miss this chance, and pocketed them. Vera could only look at him in astonishment, as she was horror stricken. It was then the group heard a howl that was unlike any heard on the other floors. It was a deep, guttural roar that finished with a low pitched blood curdling scream. The group armed themselves because they knew what approached, and Azrael adopted a low stance.

Finally coming into sight was exactly what the group feared, a baby hellhound. It was a menacing thing to watch, indeed. The beast kept repeating the sickening roar, and with every step it took it left bloody footprints behind it. Small snorts of flame shot from its nose when it breathed, and it was covered in razor sharp spikes. It's name was quite misleading as well, seeing as baby hellhounds are about the size of a full grown lion.

"Stick to the plan, and we shall be fine." Said Azrael, confidently.

Alas, the group's plan was set for one of the beasts, and they were not expecting what came next.

As Azrael waited for the beast's advance, another flanked him silently and tackled him straight into the wall. It stood on its hind legs, and began attempting to eat his face in a grisly manner. As he attempted to knock his foe away, another hound was also advancing towards Vera and Percy, making three...

The two approaching hounds lifted their heads, and made a loud screeching noise akin to nails on a chalkboard. What followed, none in the group expected. The two hounds launched sickening jets of fire from their mouths at Vera and Percy.

Vera just managed to ward off the flames by twirling her blade-staff at an insane speed, and then released the two dark arrow spells she had stored for an emergency. The beasts were hardly phased, and continued their advance.

"Run!" Bellowed Azrael, as he grabbed his assailant's front paws and lifted his legs.

He then yelled,"Double-Stomp!"

Critical Hit!

The hellhound slammed backwards into one of the beasts assaulting the rest of the party, and its spiked gouged into it resulting in another critical hit. The one hit by Azrael was quite badly damaged, but the other did not look amused. They released another horrid scream, and both ran towards Azrael.

"I am an avid animal lover, but thou hath pissed me off!" Screamed Azrael, as he walked towards the beasts.

Vera and Percy together were managing the last one relatively easily with their powers combined.

Azrael started slowly running towards the other two, as they screeched and brought their heads up.

In a low tone he said, "Aurablade."

The two hounds opened their mouths and launched the sickening flames once again. Azrael held his blade point down in front of him to shield his body.

As the flames stopped, he hefted his blade and jammed it straight into the one beast's mouth.

Critical Hit!

Hellhound is immobile.

He then ran to the other and punched it square in the face. It growled and slashed him.

-850 hp

"Strong little bastards, ain't yah!" Shouted Azrael, as he kept punching it in the nose.

Hellhound is stunned.

"Now then..." Said Azrael, as he picked up a large bone off the ground.

His following actions were quite...brutal...

"Please."

Critical Hit!

"Die."

Critical Hit!

"As I."

Critical Hit!

"Hate."

Critical Hit!

"Animal."

Critical Hit!

"Cruelty."

Critical Hit!

A large crack was heard, and the contents of the hound's head spilled onto the floor.

Vera and Percy had just finished their foe off, and were watching in horror.

Azrael walked back to his sword. He then pulled it out as a message appeared.

Hellhound is no longer immobile.

Azrael gave a smile most would call the devil's, and then spun and kicked the hound into the air. He dusted off his shoulders, put his blade in the air, and activated aura blade. Well...you can guess where the poor canine had landed...

Critical Hit!

The beast was cleaved perfectly in half, and blood rained upon Azrael.

Level Up!

Azrael looked at his party members and said, "Shall we take a small break?"

Vera and Percy could only nod towards Azrael, as they were still at a loss for words, due to his eerie smile and blood soaked appearance.

Luckily there was a small stream nearby where Azrael cleaned himself off. The group then rested and devised new battle plans. They were quite happy, as just three hellhounds raised their level by one. The fur and other items dropped were quite useful as well, and would prove great for raising blacksmithing and tailoring. Azrael was getting excited.

Things continued better over the next week, and the hunting went well. Azrael took to tanking while Vera dealt ranged damage and berserked other hounds. Percy stayed vigilant, alerting the party of flanking attempts while he dealt damage here and there from the sides. During this time, Azrael gained two levels in Bloodthirst, Aurablade, and Bladewave. He used his skills whenever possible, as they really needed to grow. Stomp and tumble gained one level, and Two Handed Sword Mastery was stuck at Beginner 9 - 99%. It would seem he needed to do something worthy to advance it. He managed to gain quite a few levels, and was at 49.

Vera, through enchanting and fallen enchanting allies and enemies, has gained a level in enchanting, and two in fallen enchanting. She also managed to raise all of her combat masteries by one, even spell multiplication which made her quite happy. She sat satisfied, at level 45.

Percy too, had gained two in all of his masteries, and was almost level 40.

Feeling accomplished and ready to go home after resting, the party then heard what sounded like an intense battle at the end of the cave. This, however, made no sense as they saw no one else enter the cave in this time. Curiosity got the better of them, and they went to examine the origin of the sounds anyway.

The sight before them was insane. They could only look on in horror as two full grown hellhounds were locked in a battle to the death. One of them had red and black fur, and was spouting purple flames. The other was red and white, and was shooting what looked to be ice.

The two beams collided and the resulting shockwave knocked our heroes straight on their asses. They got up, and saw that the black and red hound had its jaws clamped deep in the white and red hound's neck. It turned grey, and disappeared. The party could not help but feel sad for it, but they had no time to dwell on their thoughts as the other full grown turned towards them and roared. They were once again knocked over.

"Oh shii...Should we run?" Azrael said.

"I don't think we'll make it far..." Said Vera, sadly.

"Curse our curiosity." Said Azrael, as he drew his blade.