Victor's boots crunched on the scorched earth as he descended from the volcanic peak of Emberwood. The air was cooler now, no longer heavy with ash and molten heat. His pack carried the Blazing Ember Core, its rhythmic warmth a steady reminder of the hard-fought battle with Ignis. It pulsed faintly, as if alive, but for Victor, it was merely a new ingredient for his culinary arsenal.
The exhaustion of the climb tugged at his muscles, but the promise of rest and food urged him onward. As he rounded a bend in the winding path, a savory aroma wafted through the air, igniting his senses. His stomach growled audibly. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, that's convenient," Victor muttered, quickening his pace toward the source of the tantalizing scent.
