———Hail———

"I'm fine, Claire, thanks," I say, brushing her glowing hands away and rolling my sleeve back down. "Just get back to your... technology thingy."

Claire's healing light fades as she frowns at me but doesn't argue. Kylen approaches, nodding in my direction.

"Speaking of the satellites, any readings yet?" Kylen asks, his voice sharp with tension.

Claire shakes her head, swiping furiously at the screen of her tablet. "Nothing. Every scan I've run is off. It's like... something's blocking everything. I don't get it."

"Well, keep trying," I say, already moving past them. "I'm going to check on Red."

As I walk down the corridor, I notice Keegan and Kat talking in hushed tones to my left. Keegan gives me a quick nod, which I return before glancing to my right. Alyse and Dylan sit on the ground, laughing softly together. Alyse glances up and offers me a small smile before returning her attention to Dylan.

Rounding the corner, I stop short at the sight before me—a vast, cavernous room illuminated by two swirling gateways of light, one on each side. The air feels electric, charged with something unnatural. Before I can process what I'm seeing, a hand grips my arm and yanks me down behind a jagged boulder.

"What the—" I start, but Red's face is inches from mine, his eyes blazing with urgency.

He presses a finger to his lips. "Quiet," he whispers, jerking his chin toward the ledge we're crouched behind.

I peer over the edge. Below us, three figures stand in the glow of the gateways, their voices echoing in the cavern. My blood runs cold at the sound of Vermidia's voice.

"You've done us a great service, Psion," she says, her tone reverent. "If there's any way we could ever repay you—"

I start to rise, anger surging, but Red's hand clamps down on my arm, keeping me in place.

"No," he hisses. "Three Daem, Hail. We're outmatched."

My fists clench as I glare at the figures below. Vermidia, Ogre, and the third one—Psion—radiate power that's palpable even from here. I want to fight, to make Vermidia pay for everything she's done, but Red's right. We wouldn't stand a chance, not even with the others. We only just barely made it out of the Courtroom alive, everyone is too weak to fight the three of them.

"You'll repay me," Psion says, his voice is inhuman. Almost as if it resonates from within him and echoes outward unnaturally. It's layered with an eerie chorus, as if multiple voices all speak as one, "by resurrecting my father."

His words send a chill down my spine. The dim light reflects off his armor—a gleaming, intricate suit made of Madium.

"Very well, Iridianson," Vermidia says, bowing low.

"Thank you, Mathias," Ogre adds, his tone dripping with servility.

Vermidia shoots Ogre a sharp look, her face suddenly tight with fear. "You'd do well to never speak that name, Moragon!" Psion snaps, his voice rising in a terrifying crescendo.

"My apologies for my brother, Psion," Vermidia stammers, bowing deeper.

Psion waves her off with an almost lazy flick of his hand. "Whatever. You have what you needed from Smith Inc. You'd better keep your promise and resurrect Iridian. This is the last of my involvement. I've been out of the shadows for too long. If you fail..." His voice grows darker, more menacing. "I'll do everything in my power to destroy you both."

Ogre and Vermidia bow again, murmuring their thanks.

Psion glances at each of them one last time before his form glows in a rainbow strobe of prismatic light. He hums a low dark resonance of sound through the cavern until, with a flash, he vanishes, leaving only the echo of his presence behind.

Vermidia glares at Ogre. "You could've gotten us both killed!"

"My apologies, my lord," Ogre says, his tone flat but simmering with restrained anger.

"I don't have time for apologies," Vermidia snaps, turning toward one of the gateways. "There's work to do. Get back to Amerei and fulfill your promise to lay waste to it and Naurus."

"Very well," Ogre replies, his voice low and bitter.

"I'll contact you once he is risen," Vermidia says before stepping through the portal and disappearing.

Ogre lingers for a moment, his massive form tense as he moves toward the remaining gateway.

Red's eyes meet mine, his jaw set. "I'm not letting him leave. Get the others."

"I'm not leaving you here alone with a Daem," I whisper back.

"There's no time, Hail. Get the others. I'll stall him."

Before I can argue, the brace around Red's ankle flares to life, encasing him in the gleaming Madium armor. Without hesitation, he leaps off the ledge, landing in the chamber below with a deafening clang.

Ogre whirls around, his eyes locking onto Red.

"Good luck, kid," I mutter under my breath before sprinting back down the corridor to gather the others.

———Red———

"You," Ogre growls, his massive form shifting unnaturally as his hollow eyes lock onto me. His voice is a low rumble, filled with malice. "The Scarlet Phoenix. So this is where you've been hiding."

My grip tightens around DragonsBreath. "How did you get here, Ogre?"

"A good friend, let's say," he replies with a sinister grin, reaching behind him. He draws his weapon—a grotesque, tentacle-like blade that writhes and gleams with a dark, otherworldly sheen. Its edge drags along the ground with a metallic screech, leaving faint scorch marks in its wake.

I narrow my eyes. "So what? You've come to kill me?"

He lets out a chilling laugh. "That wasn't the original plan, no. But if it means claiming that sword..." His bony finger extends, pointing at the DragonsBreath in my grasp. "Then yes."

The dormant hilt of the DragonsBreath ignites at his words, its blade springing to life in a fiery blaze. Flames ripple along its edge, the embers casting jagged reflections across my gleaming Madium armor.

"You're welcome to try," I snarl, the heat of the sword fueling my resolve.

With a shout that reverberates through the chamber, I charge, the fiery blade illuminating the dark cavern as I close the distance.

I don't need to win. I just have to keep him busy. Long enough for Hail to get here with the others.

Ogre swings his grotesque blade in a wide arc, its blackened edge humming with dark energy. I duck under it, feeling the oppressive weight of its force as it cuts through the air above me.

"You think you can stop me, boy?" he sneers, his voice echoing with a guttural resonance.

I don't answer. My focus stays on his movements, anticipating his next strike. The DragonsBreath flares brighter in my grip as I sidestep his follow-up swing and slash upward, forcing him to backpedal. Flames dance through the air, licking at his weapon but not quite connecting.

Ogre chuckles, unfazed. "A futile effort. You delay the inevitable. You can't stop what's coming."

"Talk less, fight more," I snap, darting to the side and slashing again, keeping his attention on me.

He roars, lunging forward with unnatural speed, his blade crashing into my Madium armor. The impact sends me skidding back, my feet scrambling for traction on the slick stone floor. My chest heaves as I steady myself, raising DragonsBreath again.

"I see why they call you the Phoenix," Ogre muses. "But even a phoenix has its limits. Let's find yours."

He charges, his strikes relentless, but I keep moving. Each blow I block sends shockwaves rattling through my arms, but I hold firm, gritting my teeth. I can feel the strain in my body, but I don't let it show. I just need a little more time.

Come on, Hail. Hurry.

I feint left, then roll to the right, slashing at his exposed side. The blade grazes him, leaving a trail of fire that singes his dark armor. He snarls in irritation, his massive hand swiping at me. I jump back, barely avoiding his grasp.

"You're starting to annoy me, Phoenix," Ogre growls, his form shifting as if he's about to unleash something far worse.

I tighten my grip on DragonsBreath, its flames burning hotter in defiance. "Good. That means it's working."

Ogre snarls, his form rippling with dark energy. The skeletal figure beneath the tattered robe begins to expand, grotesque cracks echoing as his bones contort and grow. His hunched frame straightens, flesh knitting itself over his once-bare form.

The robe tears away, revealing a hulking, monstrous body beneath. Thick, sinewy muscles pulse with unnatural vigor, and his skin darkens to a sickly gray hue, veined with glowing streaks of malevolent energy. His face elongates into a grotesque snout, jagged tusks protruding from his jaw, while his eyes burn like twin embers of malice.

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"So much for subtlety," I mutter, taking a cautious step back.

Ogre's massive hands now resemble gnarled claws, each tipped with razor-sharp talons. His blade—no longer resembling a weapon, but an extension of his grotesque body—twists and grows, taking on a jagged, organic appearance. It drips with an ominous black ichor that sizzles as it hits the ground.

"This is my true form, Scarlet Phoenix," he rumbles, his voice deeper and more guttural, shaking the very ground beneath us. "One I'm sure you remember all too well from the day you ran like a child!"

"Sadly," I quip, raising DragonsBreath. Its flames flare defiantly, but even I can feel the weight of his newfound power pressing down on me.

Ogre lunges, faster than something his size should be capable of. I barely leap aside as his claws gouge deep into the stone where I'd just stood. The impact sends shards of rock flying, one cutting across my cheek as I roll to my feet.

"You can't run forever," Ogre taunts, his massive frame looming over me.

I growl, slashing at his leg with DragonsBreath. The blade bites into his tough hide, flames roaring, but it only seems to irritate him.

He roars in pain, swiping at me again. I duck under his arm, sliding across the ground to create some distance. My breathing is ragged, but I keep my grip firm, the heat of the DragonsBreath steady in my hand.

Come on, Hail. Any time now.

Ogre's form glows with that same sickly energy, his monstrous laughter filling the cavern. "You're stalling for your friends, aren't you? How noble. But they won't save you."

"They'll save me," I reply, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. "But more importantly, they'll stop you."

Just then, I hear the distant echo of rushing footsteps. My lips curl into a grin.

"Looks like they're right on time."

Ogre's eyes narrow, his monstrous grin fading as the echoes of approaching footsteps grow louder. His hulking form tenses, his clawed hands gripping his grotesque blade with renewed fury.

"They're nothing compared to me," he snarls, his voice a low rumble that shakes the cavern walls.

"Funny," I say, tightening my grip on DragonsBreath, its flames roaring to life in defiance. "I've heard that one before."

Before he can respond, a rush of frost-cold air sweeps through the chamber. Hail steps into view, his icy sword drawn, frost creeping along the cavern floor with each step he takes. Behind him, Alyse, Dylan, Claire, Keegan, Kat, and Kylen fan out, their weapons and powers at the ready.

Ogre growls, his glowing eyes narrowing. "So, you've brought your little band of misfits. No matter. I'll crush you all the same."

"You'll try," Hail replies, his voice calm but laced with menace.

Without hesitation, Hail charges forward, his icy blade clashing against Ogre's monstrous weapon. Frost spreads up Ogre's blade on contact, but the dark ichor dripping from it hisses and melts the ice away. Sparks fly as the two forces collide, the sound reverberating through the cavern.

"Magnuson..." Ogre's voice drips with hatred.

"Alyse, Claire, cover Hail!" I shout, dashing to the side to flank Ogre.

Alyse steps forward, her hands crackling with lightning as she unleashes a barrage of bolts at Ogre's side. The strikes hit their mark, causing Ogre to bellow in rage, but he remains standing. Claire follows up, a healing glow enveloping Hail as she keeps him in fighting shape.

Kat moves swiftly, her illusions flickering into being around Ogre, confusing him with multiple versions of herself darting in and out of his vision. Keegan focuses, summoning bursts of shadowy energy that lash out at Ogre's legs, attempting to slow him down.

Dylan steps beside me, his eyes glowing with astral energy. "Got a plan, Red?"

"Keep him distracted. Kylen, you and I go for his weak points." I nod toward Ogre's exposed back as he thrashes against Hail and Alyse's combined assault.

Kylen's plasma-like ward flares to life in his hands, shaping into a blade. "Let's make this quick."

The three of us move in unison, weaving through the chaos of the battlefield. I leap onto Ogre's back, driving DragonsBreath into his shoulder. Flames explode from the wound, making him roar in agony.

"Get off me!" Ogre snarls, swinging his massive arm in an attempt to dislodge me.

Kylen takes the opportunity to slash at Ogre's legs with his plasma blade, cutting deep and forcing the massive creature to stumble. Dylan blasts him with a focused beam of energy, striking his chest and sending him reeling.

Ogre's form begins to flicker, his monstrous energy wavering as the combined attacks take their toll.

"This isn't over!" he roars, swinging his blade wildly to force us back.

"Keegan!" I shout, glancing toward him. "Can you get us out of here?"

Keegan nods, though his face is pale with exhaustion. He raises his hands, the air around him rippling as he channels his energy. A swirling portal begins to form in the cavern, its edges shimmering with dark and light energy.

"Hurry!" Keegan shouts, sweat dripping down his face.

The group moves quickly, retreating toward the portal. The ground beneath Keegan erupts in a frenzy of dark, writhing tentacles. They lash out with terrifying speed, wrapping around his legs and yanking him to the ground.

"Keegan!" Kat yells, firing an arrow of pure energy toward the tentacles, but it dissipates as if swallowed by the darkness.

The shimmering portal flickers and falters, its edges warping before collapsing entirely.

"No!" I shout, turning back to see Keegan struggling against the binding tendrils.

"Looks like you're not going anywhere," Ogre sneers, his voice filled with sadistic satisfaction. His grotesque form swells, his ogre-like features twisting into something even more monstrous.

"We need that portal back!" Kylen shouts, his plasma-like ward forming a shield as he deflects a swing of Ogre's blade.

"I'm on it!" Kat says, darting toward Keegan. She fires another arrow, this time enhanced with an illusionary burst, confusing the tentacles long enough to free Keegan from their grip. He scrambles to his feet, panting but determined.

"Not done yet," Keegan mutters, planting his hands on the ground and channeling energy to reform the portal.

"Buy him time!" Hail commands, his voice cutting through the chaos. He lunges at Ogre, his icy blade clashing once more with the grotesque weapon.

The rest of us spring into action.

Alyse summons a storm of lightning, her hands crackling with energy as bolts strike down around Ogre, forcing him to shield himself. Dylan blasts the tendrils still creeping toward Keegan, his energy beams cutting through the darkness.

"Stay down, damn it!" I growl, charging at Ogre with DragonsBreath blazing. The fiery blade slices into his massive arm, sending a spray of dark ichor into the air.

Ogre roars, swinging his blade in a wide arc. I duck just in time, feeling the rush of air as it passes over me. Kylen darts in, his plasma ward forming a spear that pierces Ogre's leg, causing the creature to stumble.

"You'll all die here!" Ogre bellows, his voice reverberating through the cavern. He slams his clawed hand into the ground, sending shockwaves that rattle the walls and knock us off balance.

"Keegan!" Kat calls out, catching herself against a boulder.

"I'm almost there!" he shouts, the portal flickering back to life, though it remains unstable. Sweat pours down his face as he channels every ounce of energy he has.

I glance at Keegan, then back at Ogre. If we can't hold him off long enough, none of us are getting out of here alive.

"Focus everything on Ogre!" I shout, raising DragonsBreath high. "We need to take him down now!"

The team responds as one, unleashing their full power. Alyse's lightning, Dylan's energy blasts, Kylen's plasma strikes, Kat's arrows, and Hail's frost all converge on Ogre, battering him relentlessly.

For a moment, the monstrous Daem falters, his hulking form sagging under the combined assault.

Ogre slams his massive fists into the ground, the force sending shockwaves through the cavern. The ground beneath us splits, and we're hurled backward, crashing into the walls near Keegan. He stumbles, his focus shattered, and the portal flickers out once more.

"Damn it!" Keegan groans, clutching his side as he struggles to regain his balance.

The rest of us scramble to our feet, pulling each other up.

"We can't keep doing this, Red!" Claire shouts, her voice trembling with desperation. "We're running on fumes here! This is suicide!"

She's right—we're battered, bruised, and outmatched. But what other choice do we have? Ogre isn't going to let us leave, and every failed portal drains more of Keegan's energy.

"We can't just run," Hail says, his icy sword glowing faintly as he steps forward. "We have to banish him back to his realm. If we let Ogre escape, he'll plunge Amerei into chaos—assuming he hasn't already."

"Great plan," Dylan says, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But how the hell do we do that?"

I grip DragonsBreath tighter, my mind racing. Hail's right. Ogre isn't just a fight we can walk away from—he's a threat that'll keep coming back if we don't deal with him here and now.

"We need to exploit his connection to his realm," Kylen says, stepping beside me. "He's tethered to it. If we weaken him enough, we might be able to force him through one of Keegan's portals."

Keegan looks up from the ground, his face pale but determined. "I can try... but keeping the portal stable is going to take everything I've got."

"You won't have to do it alone," Kat says, nocking an arrow and taking aim at Ogre. "We'll buy you the time you need."

Ogre roars, his grotesque form growing even larger as shadows swirl around him like a living storm.

"You think you can banish me?" His voice shakes the cavern. "Fools. I am beyond your reach!"

"Yeah, Yeah, shut the fuck up." Dylan mutters.

I step forward with DragonsBreath igniting in my hands. I glance back at the others. "We hit him with everything we've got. No holding back."

"Red's right," Hail says, his frosty blade crackling with power. "This is our only shot. Let's make it count."

"Let's go!" Alyse shouts, summoning a storm of lightning that arcs wildly around her.

Together, we charge at Ogre, determination blazing in our eyes. This ends now—one way or another.

Ogre swings his massive fist, and the sheer force of it sends debris flying in every direction. I roll to the side, narrowly avoiding the blow, and counter with a slash of DragonsBreath, the fiery blade carving into his shadowy armor. Sparks erupt on impact, but Ogre doesn't flinch—instead, he lets out a guttural laugh that chills me to the bone.

Alyse unleashes a torrent of lightning, the bolts striking Ogre's chest and illuminating the cavern in sharp bursts of white light. He staggers, but only for a moment. His monstrous form absorbs the energy, and he roars, lashing out with tentacles of dark energy that spring from his back.

Hail intercepts them, his frosty sword cutting through the tendrils with a hiss of steam. "Keegan, get that portal open!" he shouts over the chaos.

"I'm trying!" Keegan growls, his hands glowing with an eerie purple light as he struggles to stabilize the swirling energy. The portal flickers into existence, a shimmering gateway of violet and gold, but Ogre's relentless attacks keep him from holding it steady.

Kat fires a volley of arrows, each one charged with spectral energy. They pierce Ogre's shadowy flesh, eliciting a furious roar. Dylan follows up, his fists glowing as he slams them into the ground, sending a shockwave of starlit energy that throws Ogre off balance.

"Keep pushing!" I yell, charging forward again. I leap into the air, DragonsBreath flaring brighter as I aim for his exposed neck. Ogre swats at me like a fly, and I feel the impact like a hammer to my chest. I'm sent flying backward, slamming into the cavern wall with enough force to crack the stone.

"Red!" Alyse cries, her voice tinged with panic.

"I'm fine!" I grit out, forcing myself to stand. My body protests every movement, but I can't stop now.

Kylen steps forward, his plasma-like ward shimmering into a massive shield that deflects one of Ogre's strikes. "Keegan, you have to hurry! He's not going to let us keep this up much longer!"

"I know!" Keegan shouts, sweat pouring down his face as he pours everything into the portal. It grows more stable, the edges solidifying, but Ogre notices.

"No!" Ogre bellows, his massive form lurching toward Keegan. "You will not banish me!"

"Not again!" Kat shouts, sprinting forward. She slides between Ogre's legs, firing an arrow straight into his back. He howls in pain, giving Hail and Dylan the opening they need to strike.

Hail's icy blade pierces Ogre's side, while Dylan launches a concentrated blast of starlight into his chest. The combined force staggers him, and he collapses to one knee.

"The portal's ready!" Keegan yells, his voice hoarse.

"Now!" I scream. "Hit him with everything we've got!"

The team moves as one, unleashing a synchronized assault. Alyse's lightning, Dylan's starlight, Kat's spectral arrows, Hail's frost, and my fire converge into a blinding storm of energy that slams into Ogre. The sheer force drives him back toward the portal.

"You think this will stop me?" Ogre roars, his voice echoing with fury and defiance.

"No," I say, stepping forward, DragonsBreath raised. "But it'll sure as hell slow you down."

With a final strike, I drive the flaming blade into his chest. Ogre's roar turns into a deafening scream as the portal's pull overtakes him. Shadows twist and contort around his form as he's sucked into the swirling void.

The room falls silent as the portal collapses, leaving behind only a faint shimmer in the air.

We all stand there, panting and battered, but alive.

"Is it over?" Dylan asks, his voice trembling.

"For now," Hail says, sheathing his sword. "But we need to move before Vermidia or the other guy comes back."

I nod, gripping DragonsBreath tightly. "Let's get out of here."