The battlefield was a smoldering wasteland. Heat shimmered in the air, and the fractured earth glowed red beneath their feet. The fire guardian loomed over Kael and Mareth, its molten body riddled with cracks but still radiating overwhelming power.
Kael's heart pounded. The fragment in the pedestal had unleashed a pulse of energy, stabilizing the ground momentarily, but it wasn't enough to stop the fiery onslaught.
"Mareth, it's not done!" Kael shouted, his voice hoarse from the searing air.
"No kidding!" Mareth shot back, wiping sweat from his brow. His sword was glowing hot from the relentless attacks. "It's like this thing doesn't know when to quit!"
The guardian roared, its molten core flaring like an angry sun. It raised both arms, and the temperature spiked as fiery tendrils shot out in all directions, igniting everything in their path.
Kael dove behind a jagged rock, narrowly avoiding a tendril that scorched the ground where he had stood. He glanced at the pedestal. The runes were still active, their light flickering as they struggled to stabilize the fragment's energy.
"Mareth, we need to buy more time for the pedestal!" Kael called out.
Mareth ducked under another fiery tendril, his movements quick despite the exhaustion weighing on him. "Buy time, he says," Mareth muttered under his breath. "Sure, let me just ask the giant fire monster to hold off for a minute!"
The guardian turned toward Kael, sensing the fragment's energy. It stomped forward, each step sending shockwaves through the ground.
Kael clenched his teeth. He couldn't let it reach the pedestal. Gripping his sword, he stepped out from behind the rock. "Over here!" he yelled, waving his weapon to draw its attention.
The guardian stopped and turned, its blazing eyes locking onto Kael. With a roar, it unleashed a torrent of fire straight at him.
Kael darted to the side, the flames scorching the air as they passed. He felt the heat singe his cloak, but he kept moving, leading the guardian away from the pedestal.
"Mareth, now's your chance!" Kael shouted.
Mareth didn't hesitate. While the guardian was focused on Kael, he sprinted toward its side, aiming for the largest crack in its molten armor. He leaped onto its arm, using the molten ridges for footing, and plunged his sword into the gap.
The guardian screamed, its body convulsing as molten energy erupted from the wound. Mareth clung to his blade, struggling to maintain his grip as the creature thrashed.
Kael saw his opening. He rushed forward, closing the distance between him and the pedestal. He placed both hands on it, channeling his energy into the fragment.
The runes flared to life again, brighter than before. The ground beneath the pedestal began to stabilize, the cracks sealing themselves as the fragment's power flowed outward.
But the guardian wasn't done. It slammed its massive arm into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked Kael off his feet. The pedestal wavered, the runes flickering.
"No!" Kael yelled, scrambling to his feet. He pressed his hands against the pedestal, pouring his remaining strength into it.
Mareth, still clinging to the guardian, drove his sword deeper into the crack. "Come on, you overgrown furnace! Just fall already!" he yelled, his voice strained.
The guardian let out a deafening roar, flames erupting from its core. It twisted violently, trying to shake Mareth off.
Kael's vision blurred from the heat and exhaustion. He could feel the fragment's energy pushing against him, its power nearly overwhelming. But he couldn't stop now.
"Mareth, hang on!" Kael shouted.
"No promises!" Mareth called back, his grip slipping.
The guardian raised its flaming arm for a final attack, aiming straight for the pedestal.
Kael's eyes widened. If the pedestal was destroyed, all their efforts would be for nothing.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Kael threw himself in front of the pedestal, his sword raised. The guardian's arm came down, colliding with Kael's blade. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, but he held firm, refusing to let the creature pass.
"Mareth, now!" Kael shouted through gritted teeth.
Mareth roared, yanking his sword free and slashing at the guardian's molten core. The creature let out a final, guttural scream as the cracks in its body widened. Flames erupted from within, consuming it in a blinding explosion of light and heat.
The force of the blast sent Kael and Mareth flying, the ground trembling beneath them. When the dust settled, the guardian was gone, its molten remains cooling into blackened stone.
Kael staggered to his feet, coughing from the smoke. The pedestal was still intact, the runes glowing steadily now.
Mareth groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head. "Did we... did we get it?"
Kael nodded, his body trembling from exhaustion. "It's gone. For now."
The runes on the pedestal pulsed, and a wave of energy swept across the battlefield. The cracks in the ground began to seal, and the oppressive heat faded.
But the Divide wasn't fully restored yet. Kael and Mareth could sense it. Their fight was far from over.