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The stone door slammed shut behind them as the party stepped deeper into the cavern. Heat rolled in waves—thicker, heavier, like the air itself was on fire. The floor glowed faintly with rivers of molten cracks, and overhead, volcanic smoke gathered into a dome.
Anne whispered, voice trembling, "This… this feels different."
It was.
At the center of the chamber stood a colossal being: a humanoid figure of living magma, towering three times a man's height. Its body pulsed with glowing seams, its eyes like twin furnaces. Around its shoulders coiled a crown of flame, almost regal.
Sorrel inhaled sharply. "That's not a beast."
Oliver tightened his grip on his sword. "Then what is it?"
Aether's expression didn't change. "A Trial Master. The guardian of this forge."
The magma giant spoke—its voice a rumble that shook the walls.
"Who dares claim the fire of Avernal?"
The flames around Nico flickered wildly, reacting to the entity's presence. His grin faltered for the first time.
"...me," Nico muttered. Then louder: "I'll take you on!"
"Not alone you won't," Garrick barked, shield raised.
The Trial Master slammed its fist into the ground—an eruption of molten pillars shot up across the chamber, cutting off paths, dividing the group. Oliver and Nico were thrown together on one side, Garrick and Anne on another, Zack slipped into shadow, and Sorrel and Aether found themselves trapped toward the back.
"{Attack!}" Nico roared, golden flames bursting around his fists. He leapt at the giant, punching a wave of fire that crashed against the Trial Master's chest.
But instead of burning, the magma giant absorbed it.
Oliver's eyes widened. "Nico, stop! It's feeding on the fire!"
The giant laughed, voice like cracking stone. "Your flames are mine, boy."
Nico staggered back, his resonance flaring wildly—like the Trial Master was tugging at it, threatening to consume his new power.
Oliver leapt in, blade flashing, slashing at the glowing seams in its legs. Sparks flew—finally, a reaction. The giant staggered a step.
Sorrel shouted across the battlefield: "Strike where the stone is weakest! The flame is its strength—don't fuel it, starve it!"
Nico clenched his fists, sweat dripping. The golden fire still flickered around him, unstable, caught between himself and the giant.
Anne's wolf summon bounded in, distracting the Trial Master with bites at its arm. Garrick rammed his shield against its shin, forcing it lower.
Zack's threads lashed out, pinning the magma crown in place for just a second.
"Now, Oliver!" Zack hissed from the shadows.
Oliver charged, blade glowing faintly from Sorrel's enchantment. He slashed across the giant's chest seam—and for the first time, the Trial Master roared in pain.
But it retaliated instantly, flames bursting outward. The heat knocked everyone back. Nico hit the wall, coughing, his resonance spiraling out of control.
The golden flames around him twisted—half radiant, half chaotic, threatening to consume him.
Oliver turned, heart racing. "Nico—hold it together!"
Nico's eyes burned with determination through the panic. "If this thing wants my flames…" He staggered forward, fists clenched. "…then it's gonna choke on them!"
The resonance flared brighter—light, not just fire. A golden aura wrapped around Nico's arms, flames no longer wild, but shaped into the form of burning gauntlets.
The Trial Master turned, sensing the challenge.
And with a roar, Nico charged—straight into the fire giant's core.
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