The colossal gate of ashen flames slowly closed amid roaring fire and low rumblings.
Elya and Lucian stepped into it, and the scene around them violently in an instant.
Gone was the hall; in its place lay an boundless sea of blood.
The sky was a churning blood moon, like a massive wound hanging overhead.
Countless crimson pupils emerged on the sea's surface, fixing them with cold, unblinking stares.
The oathfire in Elya's chest throbbed violently, leaving her nearly breathless.
"Is this… the core of the blood moon?"
Lucian's gaze was sharp. He gripped his flame-wreathed sword and replied in a low voice, "No. This is the heart of the blood moon."
At that moment, the sea's surface swelled, and a gigantic figure rose from the tide of blood.
It was a being clad in tattered divine robes, its face covered in Rifted Moon runes, with bloodfire blazing in its eyes.
When it spoke, its voice sounded like the simultaneous shriek of ten thousand souls:
"Welcome, inheritors of the ashen flames. Your Bloodfire Sacrifice has awakened me."
Elya's body trembled—she recognized that aura.
"…The soul of Karsath."
The once Rifted Moon King, temporarily resurrected to guard the blood moon's ultimate secret.
Lucian took a step forward, flames coiling around his sword's edge. "If you are the one manipulating all this, then tonight, this blood moon shall fall."
Karsath chuckled, pointing a finger at them. "No, child of the ashen flames… Your oathfire is but kindling for my true altar. Refuse to merge with me, and this world shall be swallowed by the sea of blood."
Before the words faded, the sea of blood surged upward. Countless crimson arms stretched out, coiling around Elya's body.
A stifled moan escaped her lips—the power of the blood moon was trying to invade her oath brand.
Lucian roared, slashing through the blood hands and pulling her into his arms.
"No one will take her from me!"
Tears slid down Elya's cheeks, yet she reached up to wrap her arms around Lucian's neck, her lips crashing into his.
It was the ignition of oathfire in despair. Her whisper was almost a plea: "With me… let the ashen flames devour this sea."
The ashen-flame phoenix erupted into existence in their embrace, spreading its wings. Its fiery plumes ignited the sea of blood.
Their intense union caused the oath brand to expand once more. Elya's moans mingled with Lucian's breath, and the entire blood moon sea trembled beneath their passion.
The soul of Karsath watched, a flicker of anger crossing his gaze.
"Foolish mortals… Do you think love can resist the blood moon?"
Yet his voice was drowned out by the phoenix's scream.
Ashen flames shot into the sky, illuminating the entire blood-colored sea.
Elya rested her head on Lucian's chest, her voice trembling but steady. "It is not just love. This is oathfire. It is older—and stronger—than your blood moon."
Lucian's eyes were cold. "Karsath, whether you are a phantom or a lingering soul, tonight, we will sever you."
The core of the blood moon trembled. Cracks spread across the sky, as if the world itself were tearing apart.
And the soul of Karsath raised his massive blade, roaring as he stepped onto the sea of blood.
The final infernal battle was about to unfold in the heart of the blood moon.