The chamber trembled violently as the Emberroot Ravager rose from the molten depths, a chaotic mass of flame, molten rock, and pure energy. Its body constantly shifted—one moment, it appeared like a hulking beast of stone; the next, a swirling tornado of fire. White-hot eyes locked onto Kael, radiating a wild and primal fury.
Kael held his sword firmly, with sweat on his face from the heat. The ground beneath him cracked and sizzled, small pools of lava bubbling to the surface.
"Focus, Keeper," the Flame Warden's voice echoed faintly in his mind. "The beast is chaos incarnate. It will not fall to strength alone. Watch for its core."
Kael took a steadying breath, his eyes narrowing as he searched for an opening. The beast reared back, its body surging with power before it charged with terrifying speed.
The Ravager lunged, its massive claws slamming down, sending a shockwave that shattered the stone floor. Kael dodged to the side, rolling just in time to avoid being crushed. He came up swinging, his sword slicing through the swirling fire—but the beast barely reacted.
The Ravager countered with a sweeping tail strike, forcing Kael to leap backward onto a crumbling stone platform. His boots skidded on the heated surface, the intense heat burning through the soles.
Kael's eyes darted to the beast's chest. A glowing vortex of molten energy pulsed faintly in its core—its weakness.
He sprinted toward it, weaving between the Ravager's strikes. His blade flashed in the firelight as he aimed for the exposed core.
CLANG!
The Ravager deflected the attack with a burst of molten rock, knocking Kael backward. The beast let out a deafening roar, and Kael felt the ground tremble beneath him again.
Suddenly, large sections of the cavern floor crumbled, sinking into pools of bubbling lava. The battlefield shrank, leaving only a series of narrow stone platforms connected by fragile bridges.
Kael jumped to the nearest platform, his heart racing. The heat was overwhelming, and the molten river below glowed with a dangerous intensity.
The Ravager stood on the largest platform, its body shifting between fire and stone as it prepared another attack. Flames swirled around its claws, and it slashed outward, sending a wave of molten energy toward Kael.
Kael barely managed to leap to another platform as the wave consumed the space he had just left, turning it into a fiery pit. His footing was unstable, the platform shaking beneath him.
Think, Kael. You can't overpower it—you have to outmaneuver it.
He glanced around, spotting a series of stone pillars that surrounded the beast—an idea formed in his mind.
Kael moved quickly, jumping from platform to platform, drawing the Ravager's attention. It lunged after him, smashing through the stone pillars in its pursuit. Kael led it in a tight circle, forcing the beast to destroy the remaining supports.
The Ravager stumbled, its footing unstable as the last pillar collapsed beneath its weight. Its body faltered, the molten energy in its core pulsing wildly.
Now.
Kael launched himself toward the beast's exposed core, his sword raised high. Time seemed to slow as he drove the blade deep into the swirling vortex of molten energy.
The Ravager let out a final, ear-piercing roar as cracks spread across its body. Lava and fire erupted outward, consuming the beast from the inside out.
Kael twisted his sword, forcing the energy to collapse. The beast convulsed, then exploded in a burst of searing light, sending a shockwave through the cavern.
Kael landed hard, rolling to a stop near the edge of the platform. He gasped for air, his arms trembling from the exertion. The molten river beneath him cooled, the chaotic energy finally dissipating.
Ding!
System Notification: Task Complete – Spiritual Fire Grass Secured!
Rewards:
Spiritual Fire Grass (Rare Material)Significant Cultivator and Orchard Keeper ExperienceHidden Skill: Flameheart Surge – Temporary fire enhancement for physical attacks.Emberstone Core: Orchard Enhancement Item
Kael barely had time to process the notification before the cavern began to shake again. The ceiling groaned, massive cracks spreading overhead.
The dungeon's collapsing…
He forced himself to his feet, clutching the Spiritual Fire Grass as he sprinted toward the exit. Stones rained down around him, and the ground shifted with every step. He reached the narrow bridge only to feel it collapse beneath him.
Kael leaped—his fingers catching the ledge on the other side. His arms screamed in protest as he pulled himself up, rolling onto solid ground just as the final explosion consumed the chamber behind him.