The sharp echo of Elsa's voice broke the heavy silence that had filled the cave since Grey awoke.
"Enough rest," she said, her tone brisk. "It's time to move."
Grey gave her a nod, his expression neutral as he stretched out, brushing off the lingering tension from his uneasy dream. Silently, he gathered his belongings, his movements precise and efficient. With a simple wave of his hand, everything vanished into his spatial storage.
The two stepped out of the cave into the blistering wasteland. The air outside was suffocating, thick with the acrid stench of sulfur and ash. Grey's golden eyes turned toward the distant volcano, its ominous peak stretching into the heavens like a dark god watching over the desolation.
Hours passed as they trudged through the scorched earth, the silence between them broken only by the occasional hiss of steam escaping the cracked ground. Grey's boots crunched against the gravelly surface, and despite their steady pace, the volcano seemed no closer than when they had started.
How far is this damn thing?
he thought, stealing a glance at Elsa's back. She walked with unwavering determination, her cloak swaying rhythmically as if mocking his growing irritation.
The silence gave Grey time to think—a dangerous pastime, he often reminded himself. His thoughts drifted to the monsters that called this hellscape home. Not a single creature had dared approach them since their journey began. He wasn't naive; he could feel their presence lingering just beyond the edges of his perception, lurking in shadows and crags. Yet none ventured near.
It's her aura,
Grey reasoned, his gaze narrowing slightly. Monsters could sense strength, and Elsa exuded it in waves. Whatever she was hiding beneath her calm exterior was enough to keep even the boldest predators at bay.
And yet, as if summoned by his musings, the oppressive air around them shifted.
A low, guttural rumble reverberated through the ground, shaking the brittle rocks beneath their feet. Grey stopped in his tracks, his golden eyes darting to the source of the sound. A massive shadow emerged from behind a jagged rock formation, its form almost too large to comprehend.
The monster was a living nightmare.
Its hulking body was forged of charred flesh and smoldering embers, with lava veins pulsating beneath its cracked surface. Its head resembled a grotesque blend of a lion and a serpent, its gaping maw filled with fangs that dripped molten slag. Its four legs ended in talons that glowed with heat, leaving searing marks on the ground with every step.
A fiery mane erupted from its spine, casting flickering light across its surroundings, while a tail of molten rock lashed violently, carving fiery gashes into the earth. Its eyes—burning orbs of hatred—locked onto them with a predatory intensity that sent a chill down Grey's spine.
Grey swallowed hard. Why now? The question pounded in his head. The other monsters had kept their distance, yet this one charged straight toward them, its aggression palpable. Was it driven mad by the heat? Or… did it sense something?
He stole another glance at Elsa. She stood still, her expression unchanging, as if the behemoth before them were nothing more than an annoyance.
Well, this isn't all bad, I guess. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Grey's lips, his thoughts shifting. Ever since they started traveling together, he hadn't seen Elsa's full strength. Their brief fight had been a joke—he knew she hadn't taken him seriously for even a moment. For his plans to work, he needed to see her true capabilities, the cards she was hiding.
His golden eyes gleamed coldly as they focused on her. Go on, Elsa. Show me. Show me just how strong you really are...
A low chuckle threatened to escape him as a twisted smile spread across his face.
But then, Elsa turned. Her sharp crimson eyes locked onto his, freezing him mid-thought.
"Go on," she said casually, her tone light, almost playful.
Grey blinked, caught completely off guard. "Huh?" The sound left his lips before he could stop it.
"Kill it," she repeated, gesturing lazily toward the monstrosity that was now roaring and clawing at the earth, its fury almost tangible.
"…?!!"
Grey stared at her, his mind racing to process what he'd just heard. Wait… she can't be serious.
The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the guttural snarls of the approaching monster. Grey's mouth opened to protest but shut again when he caught sight of her expression.
A small, amused smile curled her lips—the exact same smile he'd worn moments ago.
This bitch.
Grey clenched his jaw, his irritation barely concealed as he turned his attention back to the abomination before them. It growled, the ground trembling with its steps, molten claws carving through stone like butter.