Palace of Flame

  "Flame Lord, thank you for battling O’viles and buying us time. But we should leave now." Fojima smiled, shaking hands with Flame Lord.

  "It was necessary, Foji. We all know it. And I believe there is someone waiting for you all. Best not keep him waiting." A smirk played on Flame Lord’s face as he glanced out the window at Sarah and Blood Dragon talking.

  "You’re probably right… We have a lot to process. Lionye also said Minosashi sent him a letter. He’s returning soon."

  "What about our assassin? Swen Mouth, I mean," Flame Lord asked.

  "We haven’t received any news from him…" Fojima’s head bowed slightly. "Though I hope he’s safe, wherever he is."

  "Always so polite and diplomatic when it comes to friends…" Flame Lord patted his back. "Be happy! Be a bit… no, a lot more positive, rabbity! You and Sarah did the damn unthinkable! And instead of celebrating, you’re being pessimistic. Again." He rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the smile breaking through.

  Fojima smiled back, straightened his posture, and walked toward the gates. "Thanks for the words, Flame Lord. You were always an anchor in the storm for me. I wish I could be the same for her."

  Flame Lord smirked, putting his hands on his hips. "You already are, Foji! Though not as good as me, but you’re trying! Hahaha!"

  His laughter echoed in the hallway as he settled onto his throne of hellfire, forged from flowing magma and dragon scales. "Stay safe out there, Foji!" Flame Lord shouted, then whispered, "You’re not just her anchor… you’re her entire world…" the words fading in the empty hallway.

  ---

  Hell — Outside the Palace of Flame

  "Portal of Blood. Jungles of Vita. Northeast." The portal opened before Sarah and Fojima.

  "B-Blood Dragon… Did you just…!?" Sarah’s eyes widened in shock.

  Fojima mirrored her stunned expression.

  "What? You’re so weak you need to chant to open a portal?" He looked at their faces and burst into laughter. "Ahaha! I’m messing with you two. Of course you need to chant. Only primordial sons and… some exceptionally strong monsters can open a portal by thought alone." He started walking toward the portal. "Coming or what!?"

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Sarah jumped slightly, then hurried after him. Fojima smiled, hiding a soft laugh as he followed. I always forget how much I love you, Sarah. My everlasting, bright star…

  He quickly wiped away a tear. Blood Dragon smirked, sensing the warmth in that single drop. Hovina… I never thought someone like you would still exist in this world…

  He glanced back at Sarah and Fojima, his teeth gritting slightly. I won’t let their fate be the same. I promise.

  As they all stepped through, the portal closed behind them, leaving only the faint scent of blood hanging in the air.

  ---

  Jungles of Vita — Northeast

  "Ah… the Jungles of Vita. I’ve missed the scent of nature magic here. Does the Plant King still rule?" Blood Dragon asked, his claws gently brushing a leaf edged with a soft blue halo.

  "He does, Blood Dragon. But I believe he is the seventh lord of nature," Fojima said.

  "Technically, he holds the power of his ancestors, so he is the strongest. But yes, he’s the seventh heir," Sarah added, her eyes shimmering with happiness as she looked around. "I wish I could come here more often…" she smiled softly.

  "Training in places with high magical energy increases one’s own magic. A smart choice, little girl." Blood Dragon clasped his hands behind his back beneath his mantle, his gaze drifting between green phoenixes perched on branches and peafowls gliding above.

  Not much has changed since I was gone. At least not in the jungle. The Library, though… that must be very different now.

  As Blood Dragon lingered in thought, Sarah gently touched his shoulder. "Blood Dragon?" she asked quietly.

  "What is it, Sarah?"

  "Now that we have a bit of time before we reach the Grand Library… can you tell us what you know about the Abyss?"

  "Eager, aren’t we?" He smirked.

  "Alright. I’ll tell you about the first three generals. The rest? We’ll cover with all our forces in the war council."

  "The first three… the strongest ones. Practical," Fojima whispered.

  "Hey, rabbit. Don’t let your mind race with strategies against them. Strategy won’t work with immortal gods."

  Both Sarah and Fojima’s eyes widened. "I-Immortal gods!?" they shouted in unison.

  "Yeah. Now buckle up and listen." Blood Dragon’s smirk widened slightly.

  Sarah and Fojima fell into step behind him, mouths shut, waiting in silence.

  "The first general is called Darkness’s Right Hand."

  "We already know that! Skip to the terrifying part! What are their powers? What do they look like?" Sarah’s eyes gleamed with thrill and excitement.

  The singing birds in the trees seemed to hum a quiet, loving note from within the branches.

  "Uh… Sarah, your face doesn’t match what you’re saying…" Fojima suppressed a laugh, his shoulders shaking silently.

  Blood Dragon shook his head in disbelief, though he couldn’t hide his own pleased smile.

  "The terrifying part? I see. Then know this: he is a lunatic. His body merged with hatred at the end of the Ancient War. His soul now holds the deadliest magic in the world—Ashen Magic."

  "Ashen… Magic…?" Sarah whispered. The name itself felt like a corruption of the world. "I’ve… never heard of it before." Her earlier bravado had vanished.

  "It is a wound within the concepts. It doesn’t kill or hurt. It simply… erases."

  As Blood Dragon spoke, the whole jungle fell silent, as if bowing before the truth of Ashen Magic’s power.

  "Then how can anyone exist near him?" Fojima asked, his voice hushed.

  "His power does not harm those within the Abyss’s hierarchy. A strange gift from True Darkness, I’d say." He continued, "Lightless Moonlight. Second-in-command general of the Abyss. God of moonlight, and creator of moon-based magic."

  Sarah looked down at her hands as if seeing them for the first time. "All those times… I was using what he created… to channel my moonlit spells…"

  "Don’t let it get to your head," Blood Dragon smirked. "They are Abyss generals. You are simply Sarah." He let out a small laugh. "Though being that simple Sarah is what makes you uniquely you."

  The old wooden rooftops of the Grand Library now peeked through the leaves and branches, halting their conversation. They all looked toward it.

  "We’ve finally arrived," Fojima whispered, his ears twitching slightly.

  "The Grand Library. House of orphans and prodigies…" Blood Dragon murmured.

  Sarah’s eyes widened. She looked at Blood Dragon with curiosity. "House of orphans? What do you mean?"

  "Oh… Lionye didn’t tell you, did he? The Library used to be a home for those abandoned by the world. Now I’m even more excited to see how much it has changed in my absence…"

  They all stepped out of the Jungles of Vita, moving toward the Hills of Jivana and the Grand Library—their new shelter, and their war council.