Part V: The Fire of Hell
The silence that enveloped the small pavilion in the Forest of Illusions felt unrealistically deep, broken only by the rustling of leaves lightly dancing in the wind. The group, immersed in discussion over the map, had yet to sense the threat rapidly approaching. But the change in the air was palpable—a sign that something was about to happen.
Suddenly, the ground trembled, like a distant murmur growing louder and louder until it became a roar. The sky above them darkened in an instant; the stars that had been shining brightly just moments before seemed to vanish, as if time itself had stopped. The heat that followed was unbearable, the wind suffocating and thick with smoke, as though a massive fire had suddenly erupted.
Yuri looked up, confused. The distant flames seemed like a dream, an illusion slowly taking shape. But soon reality revealed its cruel truth.
An explosion of fire lit up the sky above the forest. The noise was deafening, like the crash of a mountain breaking apart. Everything, from the ground to the tree branches, shook under the impact of an unknown force.
And then they saw it.
From the fire emerged a tall and imposing figure, wrapped in living flames. His appearance was dark and threatening, but his presence was even more terrifying. Varkan, the General of Fire, was advancing toward them.
His laughter echoed through the air, distorted by the roar of the burning flames all around him.
"So, you have finally dared to raise your heads," Varkan said, his voice a roar of pure power. "My lord has sent me. This is your last breath."
His flames blazed, and monstrous infernal creatures forged from fire rose around him. His eyes glowed with a red light like magma, and the very air seemed to tremble from his power.
Yuri felt her heart pounding in her chest. Fear tried to take hold of her, but something inside stopped her from giving in. She mustn't.
"It's not over," she whispered to herself, clenching her hands into a fist. "I can't give up now."
Beside her, Kayla raised her hand, summoning a dark barrier that protected the group. Alexander wasted no time, preparing his staff and making a swift motion, casting a protective spell. The light it emitted created a shield around those present.
"Stay focused," Alexander said, his tone firm and resolute. "We can't afford to lose."
Ayame stepped forward, her figure elegant but deadly, and with a wave of her hands, cast an illusion spell that distorted the enemies' vision. The flames surrounding Varkan seemed to dance strangely, and for a moment, the enemy appeared confused.
But Varkan was undeterred. A wave of fire erupted from his hand, incinerating the illusion barrier and revealing the true face of the battle about to erupt.
"Powerless," Varkan said, advancing without fear. "You will all burn."
Yuri stared at the general, her face marked by a determination she had never known before. The battle was about to begin, and she would no longer be just an observer. Not anymore.
"Yuri," Kayla said, her voice low but full of intent, "focus. It's time to unleash your magic."
Yuri felt the weight of the witch's words and prepared herself. She had no idea how difficult it would be, but she knew she couldn't back down. Her hand rose, the magical energy pulsing inside her vibrating like never before.
"It's not over yet!" she shouted as she cast her first spell—a sphere of pure energy that struck one of the fire demons. The creature exploded in a burst of flames, but Varkan, unfazed, didn't seem the least bit shaken.
"What you do is not enough," he roared, launching another blast of fire toward the group.
The heat was unbearable, but the group held their ground. The battle had just begun, and none of them would be easy to bring down.
Yuri prepared herself for the next attack, aware that the real fight had only just started.