Flame City had truly lived up to its name.
In the air directly above the city, the giant bird and the witch were locked in battle, oscillating between gusts of wind created by flapping wings and trails of fire left by a lashing whip.
Both masters of the Power of Flame, they found it hard to inflict serious damage on each other, resulting in a protracted and grueling tug-of-war.
Below in the city, the aftermath of their battle had set the whole place ablaze.
The city's gates had been cunningly blocked by the Son of the Sun's disciples with flammable materials, effectively turning Flame City into a prison, a purgatory on earth.
Countless ordinary citizens were engulfed by the flames under the scorching sun, and even some of the weaker adventurers met their untimely demise if luck was not on their side.
Those with the power to escape had either fled beyond the city walls or sought refuge underground.
