The Emberwild's ominous landscape grew more oppressive with every step the group took. The jagged terrain seemed designed to disorient and tire them, with steep inclines and loose rocks that made every step treacherous. Overhead, the sky churned with dark clouds, faint streaks of crimson lightning illuminating the desolate expanse. The heat of the air, carrying faint traces of sulfur, pressed down on them like a weight.
Kael wiped sweat from his brow as he pushed forward. The group had left the Emberwolf encounter behind, but the tension lingered. Despite the short-lived victory, every step deeper into the Emberwild felt like another gamble.
"This place is a nightmare," Leena muttered, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "It's like it's alive and trying to kill us."
"You're not wrong," Thane said, his staff glowing faintly as he tapped it against the ground. "The leylines here are unstable. That energy doesn't just create monsters—it warps the land itself."
Marra walked ahead, her bow at the ready. "Let's hope it doesn't warp the path into a dead end. I'm not fond of doubling back."
Kael glanced at his status screen, checking his remaining MP and assessing his condition. The Mana Crystal he had stored away was a tempting resource, but he wanted to save it for a critical moment. With 10 MP left, he could use Evasive Step twice more in a fight—or once if he replicated a new skill.
"We should rest soon," Kael said, his voice steady. "It's better to recover while we can."
Marra shot him a sharp look. "Rest where? The Emberwild doesn't look like the kind of place that gives us safe campgrounds."
"I can open the portal to the Inner Domain," Kael replied. "We can rest there for a few hours and come back when we're ready."
"That'll give us time to regroup," Thane agreed. "But we should move farther before we stop. I'm sensing something nearby—leyline activity. We might not be alone."
Kael's grip tightened on his spear. "Let's keep moving. But stay sharp."
---
The path led them through a narrow canyon, its walls blackened and pockmarked with veins of glowing red rock. The faint heat radiating from the stones was enough to make the air shimmer, and the occasional crackle of energy in the distance kept everyone on edge.
As they rounded a bend, the faint sound of scraping stone reached their ears. Kael raised a hand to signal the group to stop, his senses on high alert. The noise grew louder, accompanied by a low, guttural rumble.
"Another creature," Marra whispered, her arrow nocked and ready. "Sounds big."
Kael motioned for everyone to spread out, keeping his spear raised as he advanced cautiously. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and a moment later, a massive creature emerged from the shadows of the canyon.
The beast stood at least twelve feet tall, its body a grotesque fusion of molten rock and jagged crystal. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kael, and it let out a deafening roar, spewing molten embers into the air.
Molten Behemoth (Level 10)
HP: 300/300
"That thing looks like it could crush us with one hand," Corin said, taking a step back. "You've got a plan, right, Kael?"
"Same as before," Kael replied. "Stay spread out. We'll hit it from all sides."
The Molten Behemoth charged with surprising speed for its size, its massive fists smashing into the ground where Kael had been standing moments earlier. Kael activated Evasive Step, darting to the side and landing a quick strike against the beast's arm.
Evasive Step Activated
-5 MP
The spear struck true, but the molten surface of the creature's body seemed to absorb the blow. The beast swung its arm toward Kael, forcing him to roll backward to avoid the molten spray that erupted from its body.
"It's got armor," Kael shouted. "Aim for the joints—anything that looks exposed!"
Marra's arrows streaked through the air, striking the creature's knees and shoulders. While the arrows bounced off the molten armor, the force staggered the Behemoth slightly, buying the group time to reposition.
Leena darted in, her sword glowing faintly as she delivered a heavy slash to the back of the creature's leg. The strike left a shallow cut in the molten armor, causing the beast to roar in pain. It swung wildly, forcing Leena to retreat.
Kael assessed the situation quickly, his mind racing. He didn't have enough MP left for another Evasive Step, and the Mana Crystal in his pouch was calling to him. He pulled it out, feeling the hum of energy beneath his fingers.
Mana Crystal Consumed
+20 MP
With his mana restored, Kael activated Evasive Step again, closing the distance between himself and the Behemoth. He aimed for the exposed joint in its knee, driving his spear in with as much force as he could muster.
Evasive Step Activated
-5 MP
The strike hit its mark, and the creature let out another furious roar as molten rock oozed from the wound. Thane raised his staff, channeling energy into a spell.
"Keep it busy!" Thane shouted. "I need a few more seconds!"
Corin leaped onto a nearby rock, his daggers flashing as he delivered a flurry of strikes to the creature's shoulder. The Behemoth swiped at him, narrowly missing as Corin jumped back with a smirk.
"Too slow, big guy!" Corin taunted.
The distraction gave Thane enough time to unleash his spell. A burst of icy energy erupted from his staff, striking the Behemoth in the chest. The molten armor hardened and cracked under the sudden cold, creating weak points that Kael and the others could exploit.
"Now!" Kael shouted. "Hit those cracks!"
Marra's arrows found their mark, striking the weakened armor and causing shards of rock to break away. Leena charged forward again, her sword glowing brighter as she delivered a heavy strike to the creature's exposed chest.
The Behemoth staggered, its movements becoming sluggish as its molten core began to dim. Kael seized the opportunity, driving his spear into the crack in its chest with all his strength.
Skill Replication Activated
Skill Replicated: Tremor Stomp (Basic)
-10 MP
A surge of energy filled Kael as the Behemoth let out one final roar before collapsing to the ground. Its molten body cooled rapidly, turning into a pile of blackened rock and crystal. The air fell silent, save for the group's heavy breathing.
Victory!
You have defeated Molten Behemoth (Level 10)
+75 XP
Item Acquired: Medium Mana Crystal
Kael bent down to retrieve the Mana Crystal from the rubble. This one was larger than the one from the Emberwolf, its red hue shimmering faintly in the dim light of the canyon.
"What's with this place?" Marra asked, lowering her bow. "First the wolf, now this. Are all the creatures here carrying Mana Crystals?"
Thane stepped forward, examining the crystal in Kael's hand. "Not all of them, but it's more common in places like the Emberwild. The leylines here are so saturated with mana that the creatures absorb it over time. When they die, it condenses into crystals."
"Most Mana Crystals are mined," he continued. "You find them in places where leylines converge, like ancient ruins or caves with extreme concentrations of mana. But here, the creatures are like walking mines—dangerous, but rewarding."
"Rewarding if we survive," Corin said, sheathing his daggers. "That thing almost turned me into paste."
Kael pocketed the crystal, his thoughts lingering on Thane's explanation. "We're only going to see tougher creatures the closer we get to the nexus. We need to be ready."
Leena wiped sweat from her brow. "How much farther do you think it is?"
Thane pointed his staff toward the east, where faint red light glowed on the horizon. "Not far. The nexus is ahead—but I can feel it. Something stronger is guarding it."
Kael nodded, gripping his spear tightly. "Then we'll face it. Together."