The portal spit Hikaru out into what could only be described as the doorstep of hell. The oppressive heat hit him like a freight train, the air so thick and dry it felt as though he was breathing sand. Lava rivers carved through the cracked and blackened earth, and jagged obsidian spires jutted toward a sky cloaked in a smothering red haze.
"Okay, I've got to admit," Hikaru muttered, shielding his eyes from the molten glow, "this place has a vibe."
Lira, who had begrudgingly joined him, stepped out of the portal and immediately scowled. Her white priestess robes, already singed from her earlier adventures, began to wilt in the oppressive heat. "This is Ignar's domain—the Burning Abyss. Tread lightly. The Tyrant Gods' realms are an extension of their will. Every stone, flame, and gust of wind here exists to destroy intruders."
"So… it's like his backyard but weaponized?" Hikaru asked, cracking his knuckles. "Good. I'd hate for this to be easy."
Lira shot him a glare, sweat already dripping down her forehead. "You act as though you've faced a god before."
"I mean, I did talk back to Celestia earlier. That kind of counts, right?"
"Celestia is merciful. Ignar is not," she said, her tone sharp. "If you don't take this seriously, you're going to get both of us killed."
"Relax, Lira. I've got cheat powers," Hikaru said confidently. He stepped forward, only for the ground beneath his foot to split open, revealing a jet of flame that shot up like a geyser. Hikaru jumped back with a yelp. "Okay, note to self: no casual strolling here."
Lira sighed. "Do try to pay attention to your surroundings."
Hikaru ignored her, instead focusing on the horizon where a massive, crumbling fortress loomed in the distance. Black smoke billowed from its many towers, and from within, the deep rumble of something ancient and alive echoed across the wasteland.
"Let me guess," Hikaru said, pointing toward the fortress. "Ignar's hanging out over there?"
"That's the heart of his domain," Lira confirmed. "If he's not there, then the fortress will at least serve as the gateway to his throne. It's heavily guarded, of course."
Hikaru grinned. "Guards, lava traps, and a giant fire god. Sounds like a Tuesday to me."
As they made their way toward the fortress, the ground shook violently, forcing both of them to stop. Lira steadied herself, her expression growing grim. "He knows we're here."
The sky itself seemed to catch fire as a massive column of flame erupted from one of the fortress towers. It curled and writhed like a living creature, eventually forming the shape of a gargantuan, molten head. Its blazing eyes locked onto Hikaru and Lira, and its jagged maw opened to reveal a thunderous voice.
"WHO DARES ENTER MY DOMAIN?"
The sheer force of the voice nearly knocked Hikaru off his feet. He squinted up at the flaming head and smirked. "Yo! You Ignar? Nice setup you've got here. Love the whole 'flames-of-hell' aesthetic."
Lira grabbed his arm in panic. "Are you insane? Don't taunt him!"
But Hikaru ignored her. "So, big guy, I hear you're one of those Tyrant Gods making life miserable for everyone. How about we skip the theatrics and just fight?"
The fiery head roared with laughter, shaking the earth. "AN INSECT DEMANDS COMBAT? I SHALL INCINERATE YOU WHERE YOU STAND!"
The molten head dissolved, and the ground split apart again, this time to reveal a towering figure emerging from the depths. Ignar was enormous, easily the height of a skyscraper, his body composed of living magma and solid rock. Flames licked at the air with every step he took, and his molten gaze locked onto Hikaru.
Lira paled. "Hikaru, you have to—"
But Hikaru stepped forward, cutting her off. "Okay, Ignar, let's get this over with. I've got better things to do today than babysit you."
Ignar's laughter echoed once again, reverberating through the entire realm. "MORTALS LIKE YOU AMUSE ME. YOU BELIEVE YOUR CHEAP TRICKS CAN MATCH THE POWER OF A GOD? VERY WELL. PERISH!"
The Flame Tyrant raised one molten arm, and an enormous fireball formed in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it toward Hikaru and Lira like a meteor.
Lira screamed. "Do something!"
Hikaru, calm as ever, raised a hand and smirked. "Why don't you cool off a bit?"
As if in response to his words, the fireball stopped midair. A ripple of energy surrounded it, and in an instant, the entire molten mass transformed into a harmless snowball, which plopped onto the ground with a faint splat.
Lira gaped at him. "You… you turned his attack into snow?"
Hikaru winked. "Reality Override, baby."
Ignar roared, his burning form growing even brighter. "INSOLENT WRETCH! I WILL BURN YOU TO NOTHINGNESS!"
The ground beneath Hikaru began to glow, cracks spreading as molten lava bubbled to the surface. He jumped nimbly onto a nearby rock, grinning. "Aw, come on, Ignar. You've got to have better moves than that."
Before Ignar could retaliate, Hikaru extended both arms and grinned. "Let's spice things up. Or rather…" He snapped his fingers. "Cool things down."
A wave of energy rippled outward from Hikaru, spreading across the Burning Abyss. Lava turned to ice, and the oppressive heat dissipated, replaced by a freezing wind. Ignar bellowed in rage as his molten body began to crack and harden under the sudden chill.
"NO! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"
Hikaru smirked, walking toward the now-fracturing god. "What's the matter? Can't take the cold shoulder?"
Lira watched in awe as Hikaru leaped onto Ignar's chest, planting himself firmly on the frozen god's massive torso. Ignar struggled, but his movements grew slower with each passing second as ice crept across his form.
"You're done, Ignar," Hikaru said, staring into the god's burning eyes. "Time for you to chill."
With a final thought, Hikaru activated Reality Override one last time, causing Ignar's entire body to collapse into a harmless pile of ash. The red haze above cleared, revealing a brilliant blue sky for the first time in centuries.
Hikaru landed gracefully on the ground and dusted off his hands. "Well, that was fun."
Lira ran up to him, still wide-eyed. "You just… you defeated Ignar. Just like that."
He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm awesome like that."
"This… this changes everything," she said, her voice trembling. "The people of Astraleon… they'll finally have hope again."
"Good for them," Hikaru said, glancing at the clear sky. "One god down. Who's next?"