Reima releases his Quen shield which somehow managed to hold up against the huge explosion that seemed to cause a mini earthquake, it's probably because the explosion wasn't directed anywhere and just causes minimal damage to the surroundings. He looks up at the fiery demons face and thinks he sees a grin when it points it's staff at them again, hoping his theory is correct Reima casts a strong Aard sign at it hoping to blow the combustible gas away from them. It works apparently as an explosion enshrouds the demon who wasn't expecting a counter attack like this, telekinesis or similar abilities don't seem to exist in Dark Souls excluding the force miracle obviously. The demons magic must've been unblockable until now which is why it looks so surprised. A lightning bolt digs into it's forehead making it shudder under the powerful electricity effecting it's body, Reima doesn't do nothing as this is happening and launches a Crystal Soul spear at it's knees, trying to get it to lose balance or even fall over. A large chunk of it's kneecap is destroyed by his spell but it doesn't seem to slow the demon down at all, it realises it's trademark magic won't be useful against them and starts using traditional Pyromancies. It waves it's weapon in-front of itself and casts a dark fiery length of flame that resembles a Chaos flame whip, it moves towards them in a nonlinear pattern and tries to wrap Reima up to burn him alive. He blinks out of it's range but has to repeat his action to dodge a Chaos fireball that'd just landed at his previous location, a lightning bolt strikes the demon again but it seems more intent on throwing pyromancies at Reima than actually defending itself.

It seems to channel something in it's spear before piercing the floor... Realising what this is Reima grabs Solaire and teleports to some branches high up off the floor, they both look down and see huge dark flames encompassing the hallway that is their battle ground. Solaire looks at him "Can you do that as well?" he seems shocked at the powerful pyromancies.

Reima "Kinda, just a little weaker than whatever that is." he would laugh at Solaire's shocked mumbling if they weren't currently in a battle. The demon doesn't know where it's prey had gone, that is until it feels horrific pain on it's back and shoulders, Reima and Solaire had just dropped from the roof and landed on the creatures fiery body to deliver a dropping attack... These attacks seem to be very effective against all types of demons, the fire-sage gives a roar and channels it's energy to cause an explosion to encompass it's body, throwing the duo a few meters away and off of it's back.

Reima who'd experienced this before immediately starts casting Soul spears at it's already damage knee hoping to bring it down for an easy kill. Solaire who's experience of being thrown large distances doesn't equal Reima's flops to the ground harshly causing his armour to make loud clinking noises as he skids across the floor.

Reima's spears knock another piece of stony scales from it's knee revealing the soft flesh beneath, he's about to cast another when the fire-sage starts spewing fire from it's mouth towards him. He tries to get out of the way but the torrent of fire follows him wherever he tries to escape, not wanting to leave Solaire to be burned alive he casts another Quen shield and hopes that it'll be strong enough to survive the assault. He can feel his shield starting to give way but the flames luckily end just before that can happen, a recovered Solaire launches a lightning bolt at the injured knee which pierces the flesh and causes it's whole body to convulse. It falls to one knee with both hands on the floor to keep upright, this allows Reima to go to town on it as he starts swinging and stabbing Arcell into it's joints, hoping to get it to relinquish it's grip on it's weapon. He's successful as he severs it's fat fingers from it's hand before moving towards it's face which had dropped low in pain.

The fight ends abruptly when a Crystal covered sword pierces it's eye and renders it's brain mush. It's body starts dispersing, leaving behind a staff called the demon catalyst... It resembles the demons spear except it's at an acceptable size now, Reima doesn't really need Catalysts to cast spells but they would make conjuring slightly easier. He stores it away as the demons large soul is absorbed into the Dark Sign on his chest. He and Solaire sit down on one of the only remaining roots nearby to catch their breath.

Solaire "If a demon is this strong how strong is the Witch of Izalith?" he asks, a grim look overtaking his features.

Reima chuckles darkly, "You'd actually be surprised..." he decides to leave the surprise for Solaire. The Witch of Izalith's form is intimidating... Until you realise it's merely a construct, alas he'll have to wait until the battle to see Solaire's face.

The duo compose themselves and backtrack to open the shortcut to Izalith, Reima remembers the bugs down here that lead to Solaire's demise... They reach the bottom of the staircase and see many disgusting mutated bugs which they easily kill, the door at the end of the hallway is closed but slowly slides open at Reima's approach... He guesses Quelaag sharing her flame had given him access to this place. Once it's open they see a red light piercing the darkness.

Solaire "Ah... It's beautiful..." he says in a strange voice.

Reima gives a vicious punch to Solaire's face. "What on earth was that for!"

Reima gives him a harsh look, "You know you die here right?" Solaire is confused at this, "What?"

Reima "You, you allow yourself to be enslaved by a creature in this tunnel and eventually are slain after going insane." He says flatly. "Luckily, I'm here... I won't allow you to stupidly walk to your demise like you have many, many times before."

...

Solaire breaks the momentary silence, "I see... Thank you for preventing such a fate my friend, I have no idea what my nieces reaction would be if I suddenly disappeared again. Even if I did, I have no doubt you would take good care of her, you are an honourable man after all." he says sincerely.

Reima can feel the raw emotion from his words and decides to not retort at being honourable... Someone who literally robs a kingdom cannot be described as such.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com