The battle raged on within the hidden chamber as Zara, the Council of Captains, and the Rune's creator clashed in a formidable display of magical prowess. The room quaked with their immense energies, and the fate of Ace hung in the balance. Despite their newfound powers, the creators' mastery of the Rune's malevolence was overwhelming. Gradually, the dark forces began to wear down the defenders, their energies waning against the relentless assault. One by one, the captains were pushed to their limits, their elemental defenses faltering under the creator's relentless attacks. The creator's malevolent magic proved too much to bear, and their strength waned. Zara, feeling the weight of her responsibilities, fought valiantly alongside the captains. But as the battle reached its zenith, the creator seized an opportunity, targeting Captain Vaelis, the Pyroclasmic Lord. With a sinister gesture, the creator's dark magic ensnared Captain Vaelis, overwhelming him with malevolent energy. Despite his fiery defiance, the captain's flames were extinguished, and his powers were extinguished. In a chilling display of power, the Rune's creator made an example of Captain Vaelis, delivering a lethal blow. The captain's life force dissipated, and he fell, his presence extinguished from the chamber. The room fell into a tense silence as the other captains and Zara recoiled in horror and shock at the loss of one of their own. The creator's malevolent laughter filled the chamber, his victory evident. Zara and the remaining captains, their hearts heavy with grief and determination, knew that their mission had become even more perilous. The path to rescuing Ace and unveiling the truth behind the Rune had exacted a costly toll, and they were now left with a stark reminder of the darkness they faced. As they regrouped and prepared to continue their struggle, they were fueled by a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that Captain Vaelis's sacrifice could not be in vain. The battle against the Rune's creator had become a matter of life and death, and they were determined to succeed, no matter the cost. The hidden chamber remained a somber place, the loss of Captain Vaelis weighing heavily on the hearts of Zara, the Council of Captains, and even the Rune's creator, who had momentarily retreated after his grim victory. As they mourned their fallen comrade, Zara and the captains worked together to dig a grave for Captain Vaelis, the Pyroclasmic Lord. They chose a hallowed spot deep within the demon realm, a place where the flames of his spirit could forever burn bright. Their efforts were a solemn tribute to the captain's sacrifice, a reminder of the price they were willing to pay in their quest to rescue Ace and unveil the truth behind the Rune. As they lowered Captain Vaelis into his final resting place, Zara spoke words of honor and respect. "You gave your life to protect the demon realm, and your bravery will be remembered for all eternity. Rest in peace, Captain Vaelis." But as they paid their respects, the tranquility of the moment was shattered by a sudden commotion outside the hidden chamber. The ground trembled, and the echoes of battle reached their ears. Zara's eyes widened with realization. "Something is happening at the Demon King's castle!" The Council of Captains shared her concern, and they wasted no time. With Captain Vaelis's grave freshly dug, they hurriedly returned to the castle, their hearts heavy with grief and determination. As they approached the castle, the source of the commotion became evident. Members of the Hotetsu, driven by their relentless pursuit of power, were launching an attack on the castle. Their target was the amulet that had mysteriously disappeared with Yua. Zara and the captains knew that they had to defend the castle and the amulet, not only for their own safety but also because it held a crucial connection to Ace's fate and the unraveling of the Rune's malevolence. With heavy hearts and a fierce determination, they readied themselves for battle once more. The fallen captain's sacrifice had fueled their resolve, and they were prepared to face the new threat head-on, even if it meant confronting the formidable Hotetsu members in a battle that would test their mettle like never before. As the battle raged on, with Zara and the Council of Captains defending the Demon King's castle against the relentless assault of the Hotetsu members, an unexpected figure appeared on the battlefield. It was Kyokuske, the enigmatic warrior who had once trained under Ace Kurotsuchi. His presence sent shockwaves through the ranks of the captains, and they momentarily lowered their defenses. Kyokuske approached them with a grave expression, his voice carrying a weight of determination. "Stop! This amulet isn't even here. It's with Yua in another dimension, where Ace took her." The captains exchanged bewildered glances, their focus shifting from the ongoing battle to Kyokuske's revelation. Kyokuske continued, "I know the Hotetsu members are after the amulet, but there's no need to fight over something that isn't here. I've come for a different purpose. Ace entrusted me with a mission, and it's time to fulfill it." Captain Lysandra spoke cautiously, "What mission are you talking about, Kyokuske?" Kyokuske's eyes burned with determination. "Ace wanted the Hotetsu eliminated, every last one of them. He believed that they posed a significant threat to the demon realm. And I'm here to carry out his wishes." The captains and Zara exchanged uncertain glances. The revelation that the amulet was not at the castle and that Kyokuske had been entrusted with such a mission left them with mixed feelings. Captain Zephyr spoke, her voice tinged with skepticism, "Can we trust you, Kyokuske? What proof do you have of Ace's intentions?" Kyokuske reached beneath his armor and produced a sealed letter, bearing Ace's unmistakable insignia. "Ace left this letter for me, explaining his motives and his desire to see the Hotetsu eradicated. I know it's a difficult decision, but it's what Ace wanted." As the captains and Zara read the contents of the letter, the weight of Ace's intentions became clear. While they may have had reservations, they couldn't deny that they were bound by Ace's wishes. Kyokuske concluded, "I'll need your help to track down the Hotetsu members and put an end to their threat once and for all. We may have different paths to follow, but our ultimate goal is the same: protecting the demon realm and ensuring Ace's legacy is fulfilled." With newfound clarity and a sense of unity, Zara and the captains nodded in agreement. They understood that they had their own mission to undertake, even as they defended the castle from the Hotetsu assault. The battle against the Hotetsu members took on a new dimension, with Kyokuske leading the charge, determined to carry out Ace's wishes and eliminate the threat that had plagued the demon realm for too long.