The Interluminary Parasol hovered ominously above the lake, its translucent tendrils shimmering with a malevolent glow. The portal beneath it churned violently, arcs of energy crackling across its surface. Ubel's sharp eyes analyzed the chaotic scene.

"We can't let that portal stay open," Ubel declared, his tone steady despite the tension. "Velvet, Leo, Kouneli — listen closely. This thing's tentacles are dangerous, likely laced with diseases from the Depths. Keep your distance if possible."

"Got it," Kouneli replied, frost gathering around his palms.

Leo tightened his grip on his sword. "Just tell us where to hit."

Ubel pointed at the glowing core pulsating within the parasol's body. "The nucleus. Destroy that, and it'll destabilize."

Velvet cracked their knuckles, electricity crackling around their body. "Sounds simple enough."

The squad launched their attack. Kouneli unleashed a flurry of ice shards that collided with the parasol's tendrils, freezing them mid-air. Leo dashed forward, his sword cutting through the frozen appendages with swift, brutal strokes. Ubel provided support from the rear, hurling precise bolts of energy that disrupted the parasol's defenses.

The parasol shrieked, its body contorting in agony. The portal beneath it flared, and monstrous forms began to emerge. Threshers and megalodaunts clawed their way into the cavern, their eyes gleaming with primal fury.

"Great," Leo muttered. "Just what we needed — more company."

The threshers lunged at the squad, their serrated teeth gnashing. Kouneli conjured a wall of blood to block their advance, while Leo met them head-on, his blade flashing in the dim light. Ubel's fire crackled through the air, striking down megalodaunts before they could reach Velvet.

Velvet stood at the forefront, their mind drifting back to the Lullaby Isles. They recalled the countless hours spent mastering their Thundercall abilities, pushing themselves beyond their limits. It was on those isolated shores that they had discovered a hidden application of their power — one that transcended the boundaries of ordinary lightning manipulation.

Back in the present, Velvet's body began to radiate blue lightning, the air around them humming with raw energy. Their form flickered, becoming translucent as arcs of electricity danced across their skin.

"Mythical Beast: Stormbound Chimera," Velvet declared, their voice echoing with thunder.

Their body transformed into pure lightning, a radiant being of destruction. They surged forward, moving faster than the eye could follow. The parasol lashed out with its tentacles, but Velvet weaved through them effortlessly, their strikes crackling against the creature's core.

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"Velvet, don't let it sting you!" Ubel shouted from the distance. "Its poison carries diseases from the depths — even you can't survive that!"

"Noted!" Velvet called back, their voice crackling with static.

The parasol shrieked in frustration, its tendrils thrashing wildly. Realizing it was at a disadvantage, the creature began to draw something massive from the portal. The cavern trembled as the form of a colossal thresher began to emerge. Its scales glinted in the dim light, and its eyes burned with primal fury.

Ubel's face paled. "A King Thresher. The apex of its species."

Velvet gritted their teeth. "Fantastic. Just what we needed."

Before they could react, the cavern was illuminated by a blinding light. A meteor of searing flames hurtled toward the battlefield, crashing into the ground with a deafening explosion. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the cavern, scattering the threshers and megalodaunts.

From the flames emerged a figure, her presence commanding and radiant. She wore a black and red dress that clung to her form, the fabric shimmering like embers. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, and a pair of magnificent wings, scorched black at the tips, extended from her shoulders. She carried a divine greatsword, its blade wreathed in fire.

The woman smiled confidently. "Alas, worry not, adventurers." Her voice was melodic yet fierce. "The Queen of Hellfire herself, Eris Pleektsy, has arrived."

Velvet's jaw dropped. "Wait—what?"

Kouneli blinked in disbelief. "Is she... floating in flames?"

Leo frowned. "I'll take divine intervention, thanks."

Ubel adjusted his glasses, eyes narrowing. "Her timing is impeccable."

Eris lifted her greatsword, the flames around her intensifying. "Allow me to handle that oversized worm. Focus on the parasol."

She launched herself at the King Thresher, her sword cleaving through its armored hide with ease. The beast roared in defiance, but Eris met its fury with unyielding flames.

The scene shifted to a shadowy alcove in the Songseeker Wilds. Three men observed the battle from a distance, their figures shrouded in darkness.

One of them, a lean man with a calculating gaze, spoke first. "They're stronger than we anticipated."

The burly man next to him grunted. "No kidding. That lightning kid's a menace."

Their leader, a figure cloaked in black with piercing yellow eyes, remained silent. His expression was unreadable as he watched the fight unfold.

"What's the plan, boss?" the lean man asked.

The leader's voice was cold and commanding. "We proceed as instructed. Our target remains Kouneli Atsáli. Failure is not an option."

The other two nodded, their resolve steeling.

Back at the battlefield, the squad regrouped. The parasol writhed in agony, its core flickering as Velvet delivered a devastating blow. The portal beneath it began to destabilize, arcs of energy spiraling out of control.

"We've almost got it!" Kouneli shouted.

"Finish it off, Velvet!" Leo urged.

Velvet's body crackled with one final surge of lightning. "With pleasure!"

They unleashed a blinding bolt of energy that struck the parasol's core. The creature let out a final, ear-piercing shriek before disintegrating into motes of light. The portal collapsed, leaving only the calm, shimmering lake behind.

Eris landed gracefully beside them, her greatsword resting on her shoulder. "Impressive work, adventurers. Perhaps there's hope for this world after all."

Velvet, still panting, managed a grin. "Thanks for the assist, Queen of Hellfire."

Eris winked. "Anytime."