Before the first move could be made, Hope screams as two snake-like creatures wrapped themselves around her waist.
Isaac and Ilivir turned to see the Hydra walk out of the shadows. It has 20 heads. Each head was that of a different reptile. There was a dragon head, a crocodile head, a salamander head, a basilisks head... The center head was a female cobra head. It seems to be the leader. Two heads are currently holding Hope hostage.
'So... you want to be a female...' A voice whispered.
Ilivir turned to see that one of the heads has moved to right behind him.
"You desire for power..."
Another head has appeared on the other side of him.
"You're eager for sex..." They whispered to Ilivir.
Out of nowhere, the two hydra heads wrapped around Ilivir.
Isaac tried to help but two more heads wrapped around him.
Soon, Isaac, Ilivir and Hope were all wrapped up with two hydra heads each.
Ilivir and Isaac tried to cut the reptile heads away with their swords, but before they could, the snakes tightened their grip, forcing the two swordsmen to drop their swords.
Ilivir watched helplessly as the main body approached him.
Standing before him was the majestic creature that is the hydra. The center head spoke first The other heads joined in by adding on to each other's thoughts.
"Perhaps introductions are needed... As you can all see... We are the Lenuarian Hydra." It didn't bother introducing the heads...
"I can see that..." Ilivir said sourly.
"You don't seem impressed... We were once known as the queen of monsters...Many years ago, the 21 of us were feared across the land... Some even considered us goddesses..." The heads stated. The heads took turns speaking everytime there was a pause.
"21 heads? But I can only count 20 necks." Ilivir counted.
"If you look closer, you will see that there is a stump in place of were the twenty-first head should be." The Hydra stated."Many years ago, a hero aided by the gods was able to cut off all but one of my heads. The central head to be precise. But before I could grow back more heads, the hero somehow turned my body into a silver ring... In order to break the curse and turn my metal body back into a hydra, I must replace my twenty slain heads... In order to do so, I must temp whoever wears my ring to becoming one of my heads. For many years, I waited to regain my form... As you can see, I have already recruited 19 souls into becoming a part of me... There is one stump left... And we think you are worthy of becoming one of our sisters... You will be immortal and all powerful... and once you join us, the ring of purity will turn back into it's former self... the Lenuarian Hydra... become one of us... You will be known as Viril... The head of Virility..." The middle, and lead head said to Ilivir.
"Don't do it! If you do, the halo of purity will turn back into a hydra. Can you imagine what will happen to use while we're still in the Halo!?" Isaac said to Ilivir.
A few moments passed as Ilivir considered the Hydra's offer...
Ilivir though about what Isaac said about people losing their identities to the corruption...
Ilivir chose to spit on the lead head's face. "You honestly expect me to accept that? I dream of becoming a shapeshifter. Someone who can transform their body and experience what's it like to be in another creature's shoes. How could I change form if I'm stuck as a immortal head? That sounds boring."
All 20 heads looked pissed. "...Very well. You seemed very promising. We'd thought you would be eager to accept our power... But we suppose there are other souls who might accept our offer... Farewell... Ilivir..."
Ilivir screamed in pain as the the two heads wrapped around him squeezed harder.
Isaac and Hope begged the Hydra to let Ilivir go. They watched helplessly as their friend's soul gets crushed.
"I SAID STOP!" Isaac and Hope screamed in union.
Both Isaac and Hope were enveloped in a red aura of purity energy.
The Hydra screamed in pain as they were forced to drop Isaac and Hope.
Ilivir was breathing hard as he was dropped as well.
"Two deities of Purity?!" The Hydra screamed in outrage. "You have made your choice. We will kill all three of you and then seek for possible candidates in the body!"
"We mustn't let it go to your body Isaac! There are probably plenty of captive souls down there who might agree to becoming a part of the Hydra! The more heads it gains, the more powerful it will get!" Hope exclaimed.
Isaac turned to Ilivir. "This creature has interrupted our duel. Let's work together to defeat this thing! Once we do, we can resume our match."
Ilivir nodded. But he doesn't look happy. "Very well. But once we take care of this distraction, we will have our duel. No more interruptions. Promise?"
"Promise." Isaac said to his comrade and rival.
"Isaac! We mustn't destroy the Hydra! Doing so will destroy the Halo of Purity as well! The Halo is still technically the Hydra's body!" Hope informed.
Ilivir and Isaac groaned in annoyance.
"Well. That makes things harder." Isaac stated.
The three fighters dodged one of the hydra head's icy breath attack.
"Run Hope! It's not safe here!" Isaac shouted.
Hope shook her head detirmenly. "I have been fighting this monster long before you found our ring. This is a problem that I must see to the end." The deity of purity said.