Solar Blood Masters

The frozen landscape was littered with bodies whose hopes of reaching the finish line was now nothing but fading whispers.

Time was ticking away.

The holographic timer above was a menacing reminder of their dwindling chances. It displayed:

TWO HOURS REMAINING!

"We have to act, BULL! NOW!" Pincer's voice was frantic.

"This is our last chance!" Clamper added as his claws clicked anxiously.

"What's the point of all this effort? We gathered points. We survived! And for what?! To be stopped by a mountain?!" Clamper's despair was evident.

Raphael ignored their pleas. He was locked in deep contemplation. His massive golden form emanated a chilling aura that had the scorpions cowering slightly.

He observed Gastaroid. The potent energies resonating from that monstrous mountain was almost as fearsome as Lu Ignis's.

'To face this Bull Mountain Demon head-on… It's pointless! None here, not even those 7th Layer Calamities, can defeat him. What to do? What to do…?'

He was pacing restlessly. Then an idea took root. It was a gamble.

'Gastaroid and I… We are both bulls. Perhaps I can coax him into letting us pass. Yes. That's the only way."

WHOOSH!

Raphael decided to give his idea a try. He spread his black wings and took flight. He flew towards Gastaroid, carefully navigating around the flaming debris and searing blasts that erupted randomly from those dangerous flame pillars.

"Hmm?"

Gastaroid, who was currently demolishing a pack of terrified, fire-breathing weasels, noticed Raphael's arrival.

He paused and settled his molten vision on the approaching golden figure with a bored curiosity.

Those who watched on from the screen outside gasped.

"Look! It's the bull! What is he doing?!"

"Is he going to attack?"

"He's… He's going to DIE!"

They'd all witnessed Gastaroid's devastating might. Any creature, beast or insect foolish enough to challenge the Bull Mountain Demon… well, they simply ended up as ash.

And those ashes? They were a nice addition to Gastaroid's already fearsome appearance.

"Are you the NEXT challenger who desires to be SQUASHED, bull?"

His voice was a rumbling echo that had Raphael's hooves trembling. But he stood firm. "No! No! I wouldn't DARE, mighty Gastaroid!" He shook his head vehemently.

"I've heard of your strength. The might of your earth and flame magic. Truly you are an inspiration to those of our bull lineage." He then lowered his massive head as if in awe, and hoped his words would have their desired effects.

Gastaroid seemed to be listening.

Seeing this, Raphael pressed onward, "You see, Gastaroid. We are both BULLS! In a way. And we share a desire to conquer. To dominate! Therefore…"

He carefully laid out his plan: "Why not allow me and my two companions to pass? Surely, you will secure a spot within the top TEN. Allowing three more to join you wouldn't be a big deal, would it? Besides we are willing to ASSIST you in the Great Divine Tribulation, should you require our hooves and pincers."

"Hmm…?" Gastaroid seemed intrigued.

Those watching on were stunned.

"He… He's actually LISTENING?!"

"This bull, he's CRAZY! He's trying to NEGOTIATE with Gastaroid!"

"What a brave, or perhaps foolish soul!"

Sensing a glimmer of hope, Raphael pressed his advantage, "You should also consider the repercussions of having EVERYONE else fail, Mighty Gastaroid. Surely, Emperor Qi Hawk wouldn't simply watch as his entire Selection Trial crumbles before him.

Allowing a few more to reach the finish line, wouldn't it appease his mercy? After all, having only ONE participant representing his territory in the Great Divine Tribulation, while others boast of hundreds… that would be a stain on his reputation, don't you agree?"

His words had a profound effect. Gastaroid paused, those molten arms that were preparing to crush another ant-like creature stopped mid-motion.

"Hmm…" He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Raphael's well-crafted arguments had swayed the Bull Mountain Demon.

"That bull! He's good!"

"He's right about the points!"

"If Gastaroid lets a couple more through… I'll be first in line! I'll yield! I'll do ANYTHING!"

Desperation was palpable as those who'd given up hope now saw an opportunity for escape.

"Hmm… Five hundred points… You've amassed a considerable number of points. Far more than those insects I've crushed. And your words… they hold a truth I cannot deny."

Gastaroid laughed.

"Muwahahaha! It is true, we are BOTH bulls, in a way. Very well, bull. I'll allow you and your companions to pass."

"Really?" Raphael, Pincer and Clamper were pleased to hear this.

"However…" He paused for dramatic effect before uttering his condition. "There is ONE… condition, bull. BOW before me for 30 seconds, and the path will be opened."

"Bow?"

"That's it?" Raphael was stunned! It was far simpler than he'd imagined. All he had to do was bow and their journey to the finish line would be guaranteed!

'I've bowed to Tajmani, for my entire human existence! I've licked her boot heels. This… this is nothing! I can do this! After all, this is for Grandma Thienika! If I can save her life with a simple BOW! I'll do it!'

He glanced back at the scorpion brothers, "What do you say, guys?"

"Do it, bull! Bow!"

"Those points! And that blessing! They're worth a little humiliation, right?!"

They were practically begging him. The desperation was clear.

Raphael, now more determined than ever, lowered himself onto a nearby platform. He stood before Gastaroid, preparing to give him the most spectacular bow.

…

Outside the Marble World, on the screens, millions watched with bated breath.

"Oh no! Big… Big Brother…" Lu Jade watched as Raphael readied himself. It was a spectacle he couldn't fathom.

"He's going to bow before that monster?" His scales blazed with anger. It was humiliating! But what could he do?

Thienika remained expressionless. She sipped her Sunshine Wine, but her ancient heart, it knew.

And within, she whispered truth for those who couldn't hear: "Such a difficult path he walks, but his heart, it's good. This sacrifice, I will not forget."

"Seems I was wrong about that bull." Qi Hawk clenched his fist in disgust. He'd expected more, a fierce battle. A clash of titans! Not this… this… pathetic display of submission.

"That bull. I knew he was pathetic." Qi Fenwei scoffed, amused by his eagerness to kneel. She'd hoped for a more entertaining confrontation.

"Hmm… Boboboboho." As for Julian, he filled his mouth with wine and casually watched the monitors.

…

Back within the Trial realm.

"After this BULL has knelt before me, I will allow SIX more to join him. A gift from my magnanimous heart!" Gastaroid's declaration had the remaining participants rushing towards his barrier with hopeful glee.

"Pick ME! I'm strong!"

"I can fight! I'll serve you!"

They were desperate, willing to do anything to secure a spot in the top ten.

Raphael stood frozen with his hooves rooted to the spot. He was ready to bow, he'd convinced himself of this necessity… But something was happening. Something he couldn't control.

He tried to lower his head. His muscles tensed, preparing for the act. But his body refused to obey.

"What…?"

"Why… won't it move?!!"

He tried again, forcing himself. His hooves slid forward a few inches, his head dipped, but it wouldn't go lower.

"BOW! BOW! BOW! Just BOW already! It's easy. You've DONE it MANY times before. PLEASE bow! PLEASE bow!"

His internal pleas came as a struggle that mirrored those very thoughts he'd buried deep, those times when he was forced to lick boots and endure humiliation from his former master.

But today?

It felt different.

A searing pain shot through him. His horns buzzed! He felt it, his Solar Consciousness cracking! Golden streaks of pure essence swirled wildly, a dreadful premonition, as an ancient, primal resistance surged forth,

"NO!"

"WHAT the hell…?!"

Raphael couldn't explain. It was as if another entity was wrestling for control! His massive form trembled, he could feel his hooves scraping against the ice in a desperate attempt to brace for a fall. It was then those memories came flooding in.

He was back in the Bloodthorne palace, serving his cruel mistress.

"Slave, wipe the dust from my boots." Tajmani's cold command had him kneeling before her delicate feet. He bowed his head submissively.

But this time…

Something changed!

He heard those voice of rage from his former self: "I won't be your slave anymore!"

And then…

The scene crumbled. He was no longer in that pathetic human body.

He was a bull! A golden bull of immense power!

"RAAAAA!"

His roar echoed. It was a roar of defiance! A primal scream that shattered the very foundations of his being.

Seeing this delay, Gastaroid said, "Why… aren't you bowing yet, BULL? You're keeping a lot of people waiting. HURRY up and bow!"

"I'm… trying… to! But…" Raphael's words came out as a strangled, rasping growl as he forced himself lower, but those golden cracks across his Solar Consciousness… They intensified.

He couldn't ignore the pain. He felt something taking over, replacing his anxieties with a rage that was so ancient, so overwhelming…

Those memories of a bull's life flashed before his eyes. He was no longer Raphael.

He was Shao Jin!

And just as his forehead was inches from touching the ground…

BOOM!

He snapped!

"FUCK YOU! I, SHAO JIN, BOW TO NO ONE!"

A blinding, golden light erupted outward from him in a radial blast of pure Solar Essence.

The shockwave threw the nearby creatures backward!

"What the…?! He's attacking?"

"He's… He's CRAZY!"

"That bull, he just threw away his chance! OUR CHANCE!"

They stumbled with a mix of disbelief, anger, and fear.

"That fool! All he had to DO was BOW! And now… because of HIM! We're all doomed!" A frustrated bird-creature with singed feathers cried out, before rushing towards Raphael.

"KILL that arrogant bastard!"

"He must pay for his defiance!"

They all wanted his blood.

But Raphael's rage was now a crescendo. He couldn't control his monstrous form. Shao Jin's ancient will had taken over completely, fueling his every action as the golden cracks in his Solar Consciousness grew even larger, encompassing his very being.

"GOLD PRESS BLIZZARD!"

He didn't simply stomp the ground, he unleashed a wave of annihilation!

BOOOOM! CRAAACK!

Hundreds of golden hooves, radiating with the power of a thousand dying suns, materialized! They rained down!

"AAAAAAAAA!"

Screams echoed as those unfortunate creatures were crushed instantly beneath that golden onslaught. And while those who survived scrambled back with horrifying yelps of despair, another roar, another attack had their heartbeats matching those hooves' dreadful thunder.

"HELIOS STREAM!"

WHOOSH! BOOM!

A devastating beam of golden energy, twice as large and potent as any he'd unleashed before, erupted from his horns.

It struck Gastaroid's massive, molten arm!

The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the entire Marble World! Gastaroid staggered, a deep, jagged fissure appeared upon his arm. Molten rock dripped like tears as a chilling silence fell across the battlefield.

"What… he actually wounded Gastaroid?"

The spectators watched in stunned disbelief. It was a spectacle they'd never imagined witnessing!

"Hmm?"

Gastaroid glanced at his shattered arm and then… he laughed. It was a thunderous laugh that shook the very heavens.

"Muwahahaha! To actually wound ME?! You DO have some capabilities, bull! It seems you've tasted the WILDNESS of an Emperor Calamity.

AHAHAHAHA! Perhaps… if I ABSORB your Solar Essence… I'll breakthrough! Sindoll's blessing might NOT be the only solution after all. Come, BULL! Show me what you're MADE OF!"

His shattered arm began to regenerate, the molten rocks around him coalescing with a horrifying speed, they reformed into something larger and more menacing, those horns on his head glowed, and even those fissures on his chest began emitting a red that was blinding.

He was ready for war!

The battle was ON!