The sky above Mount Halcon was torn open.
The Herald stepped from the Rift like a giant made of stone and fire. Its body was wrapped in ash, its face hidden behind a cracked black mask. Red light burned from its eyes like dying suns.
The mountain shook with each step it took.
It wasn't just a dungeon creature.
It was a message.
A warning.
And the only one who stood before it was Eon.
"Stay back!" Eon shouted as he moved forward alone.
He was calm—but his flame burned like a storm.
His body glowed with gold and crimson light.
His steps left scorch marks in the grass.
The Herald let out a deep rumble, like rocks grinding inside a volcano. It raised one arm, and a massive spear made of molten stone formed in its grip.
Without warning, it launched the spear.
It shot forward like lightning.
Eon dodged to the left. The spear struck the earth behind him and exploded in fire and shards.
Eon didn't flinch.
Instead, he raised his right arm—and the air around him bent.
Flames coiled around his hand like a dragon's breath.
"Origin Skill: Blazing Wheel!"
A spinning ring of fire burst from his palm, cutting across the battlefield. The Herald blocked it with its thick arm, but sparks still flew and part of its armor cracked.
Eon dashed forward.
His body became a blur of light and fire.
He appeared behind the Herald and launched a kick blazing with energy.
BOOM!
The Herald staggered, but didn't fall.
Rin and her team watched from a safe ridge nearby.
They could feel the heat.
They could see the damage.
But they also saw something else…
Eon was tiring.
Even with his power, the Herald wasn't easy to beat.
"Should we go help?" Kai asked, gripping his wind blades.
"He told us to stay back," Mila reminded him.
"But we can't just watch," Rin said. "This is our fight too."
Theo nodded. "We strike smart. Support, not solo."
Rin raised her hand—and her flames lit up.
"I'll go first. Cover me."
And with that, she jumped into the fray.
The Herald turned, sensing her.
It swung a heavy arm at her like a club.
But Rin rolled under it.
She opened her palm.
"Verdant Blaze!"
Green fire burst forth, wrapping around the Herald's legs. The grass below glowed as her nature flame took hold.
The Herald tried to move—but its foot stuck.
Kai leapt from above, sending a blade of wind slicing at its mask.
CRACK!
A piece of the Herald's mask chipped.
Mila moved like a shadow, her smoke form swirling around the enemy to confuse its vision.
Theo threw a rope-like chain around one arm, holding it back.
Eon saw his chance.
He clenched his fists.
His body pulsed.
"Core Skill: Sunburst Surge!"
His entire form exploded in golden flame, like a miniature sun.
He soared upward, then came down like a meteor.
His fist struck the Herald's chest.
BOOOOOOM!
The Herald screamed—a low, thunderous sound that echoed through the crater.
Cracks raced across its stone armor.
Its body began to break.
Rin shouted, "Now! Together!"
She, Kai, Mila, and Theo launched their final attacks at once.
Fire.
Wind.
Smoke.
Steel.
And then—
"Eruption Gate!" Eon roared.
A glowing sigil formed beneath the Herald.
Pillars of light shot upward from the ground, bursting with pure flame energy.
The Herald exploded.
Ash scattered across the mountain like black snow.
The Rift pulsed once—then dimmed.
Silence fell.
Eon dropped to one knee.
Rin ran to his side.
"You okay?"
He smiled slightly. "You disobeyed."
She smirked. "And saved your life."
The others chuckled.
Around them, the other teams and adventurers began to cheer.
The danger was gone.
For now.
At the Manila Airport…
Ayo stepped off the plane, eyes wide.
The city felt noisy, bright, and full of strange smells.
Beside him stood Mwangi, his traveling guide.
"Stay close," Mwangi said. "There are people waiting to meet you."
Ayo nodded. He had come far. He had awakened something strong. But he still felt unsure.
That changed when a blonde girl brushed past him at the terminal entrance.
She looked about seventeen.
She wore a blue scarf and carried a staff made of bone and crystal.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
A pulse.
[SPARK RECOGNIZED – COMPATIBLE FLAME SIGNAL]
Both Ayo and the girl froze.
Then the girl smiled.
"You felt it too?"
Ayo nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"I'm Selene," she said. "You must be from Africa."
"Ayo."
They shook hands.
And in that moment, the System pulsed.
[DUAL PATH UNLOCKED: STORM & STAR]
Mwangi raised a brow. "This just got interesting."
Selene looked toward the mountain far in the distance.
"You came for the gate too?"
Ayo smiled.
"I think we're all heading the same way."
---
At Mount Halcon…
That night, Rin stood alone at the edge of the crater.
Eon stood beside her.
"Do you think the Herald was the last?" she asked.
He shook his head. "It was just a scout. Testing Earth's strength."
Rin looked out into the stars.
"I felt something when we fought together. Our flames connected."
Eon nodded. "The System responds to unity. To bonds."
Rin closed her eyes.
"I think others are coming. People like us."
"They are," Eon said.
"And we'll need all of them," he added.
"Why?"
Eon looked north.
"Because the Fourth Gate is about to open… and it won't be on Earth."