A lake stretched out like a mirror, a normally calm and peaceful haven nested within the thick green jungle, but at this moment, the recent chaos had broken its calm.
The once-pristine surface of the clear lake was soiled by the aftermath of a chaotic battle, with frozen chunks scattered across it, stark against the flickering flames that still stubbornly clung to the surrounding ground.
Floating above the clear water were patches of blood and the charred remains of scales, remnants of the great serpentine beast that now lay dead at the lake's edge, its massive carcass stretching nearly twenty meters.
Its once-majestic fins were sliced, scorched, or frozen, and gaping burns revealed raw flesh beneath its navy, shimmering scales.
Near the edge of a deep crater, Nero was lying on his back with eyes closed, his face and arm still healing from acid burns.
