Celaine’s breath caught in her throat as Hump emerged from the hellish flames like a shadow made of fire. He appeared unbothered by the heat of the Hellfire. It clung to him, not as a threat, but like an extension of his being, wrapping around him like a lion’s mane, radiant with power.

The scarlet flames that had once been flaked with black, now danced with streaks of brilliant white. That same light filled his eyes, flickering as if Hellfire itself was contained within. His cloak, once pale green, now billowed in the storm of fire that surrounded him, its colour almost unrecognisable in the blazing light. The fabric whipped around him, the edge singed and glowing as it caught the heat of the flames. Hump moved with purpose; each step deliberate. A change had come over him, as if he’d become the embodiment of fire’s raw power—wild, untamed, and unstoppable.

Then the blaze erupted outward. There was a flash of light and heat as the storm of fire raged through the room. It was a wave of pure, unbridled energy, sweeping over everything in its path, yet it avoided Celaine as if repelled by her. Instead, it was drawn to Karlac’s many trophies. Cabinets, mounted heads, statues, paintings—all were enveloped in the blazing waves, their protective barriers shining in bright blue as they fought to guard the artifacts within.

Celaine could only watch the firestorm in awe. All of this was under Hump’s control. He stood at the centre of the maelstrom, his presence commanding, the fire swirling around him like a living banner of conquest.

A cry of anguish tore through the chaos. Karlac’s voice, filled with agony and anger, rang out as the demon watched his prized artifacts swallowed up by his own Hellfire. “No!” Karlac screamed.

#

Hump sensed the exhilarating excitement of his flames as it rolled forward, ravenously consuming Karlac’s dark magic. It swept across the floor of the throne room in great waves of scarlet. The enchanted barriers protecting the demon’s treasure were formidable, drawing upon a deep reservoir of essence for fuel, but there was no limit to how much his flames could feast. They were insatiable, desiring only to devour. The inferno licked hungrily at the protective shields. The defensive magic shone bright as more essence poured into them, trying to stave off the attack, but it’d become too widespread. Barriers started to crumble, their contents left to the mercy of Hellfire.

Hump’s mind swum with the untamed wildness of the magic, its chaotic energy threatening to overwhelm him. There came a desire to throw all he had into it. To become one with the flames and allow them to reach their peak.

“A wizard controls the magic,” he heard the old man’s voice. “Never let it control you.”

Hump drew a deep breath, the air hot in his lungs, but strangely pleasant. He anchored himself by focusing his thoughts on Nishari. He could sense her fear—no longer the thrill of battle, but sheer terror and utter exhaustion. It pierced Hump’s heart, a painful reminder of what was at stake, yet it only made him more determined. He’d conquered Karlac’s flames. Had learned to wield the wind of fire. And now he was ready to lay waste to Karlac’s treasures and burn back his dark essence.

It closed in on him rapidly, laced with killing intent. Hump directed his flames to it and they flowed readily, fire meeting shadow. Yet unlike his own defences, Karlac’s shadows seemed resistant to the fire. While they burned, they did not falter beneath their wrath. Or rather, Karlac’s essence reserves were too deep. As fast as Hump’s Hellfire destroyed the shadow, too much power took its place. It was closing in.

#

Celaine watched as shadow exploded from Karlac, a cloud of darkness given material form as it expanded toward Hump’s fire. The red spot on his chest highlighted by Relentless Pursuit was suddenly larger. Celaine took aim, pouring essence into her arrow. The demon was distracted. She used that distraction to draw more power from Predator’s Intent, pouring her desire to kill into her arrow. Lacing it with Owalyn’s deadly blessings. The arrow became heavy in her hand. She felt as if she held a knife’s edge between her fingers, so sharp and deadly it could cut through anything.

She loosed it just as Karlac’s magic reached Hump. The arrow pierced through the air, faster than a blink. It found its mark, piercing Karlac’s armour and burying itself in the demon’s chest.

Karlac’s mouth gaped open and he gasped, turning on her with wide eyes. The smouldering embers in those coal-like sockets burned brighter, flames licking up from within. He grabbed the arrow with one hand and yanked it free, grunting, blood spurting over his chin.

Well shit, Celaine thought. If that didn’t kill it, what in the world could?

#

Celaine bought Hump a chance. As the room filled with thick, acrid smoke and intense heat, Hump’s attention settled on Karlac’s throne. The ornate chair was perched atop a small, elevated staircase. The demon took so much pride in this place where he ruled as king. Where better to burn?

With unwavering focus, he directed the Hellfire toward the seat of power, the flames igniting the throne instantly. The once-sturdy seat was engulfed in roaring fire, reducing it to a blazing inferno within moments.

As the throne went up in flame, the shadows of the abyss seeped through the wall behind it, spreading in a patch of darkness across its surface—the same darkness Hump had fallen through to come to Karlac’s domain. The flames from the bunring throne licked at it, igniting the veil between worlds until the wall itself appeared to be ablaze.

With an animal roar, Karlac swung his sword wide, unleashing a fierce gust of shadowy wind that encompassed the chamber. This was nothing like before. The violent force sent Celaine flying back, where she disappeared into her own darkness. Hump saw nothing but his immediate surroundings, and the still blazing artifacts nearby. The dual forces of Hellfire and shadow clashed, creating a chaotic storm of power. His connection to his flames weakened and he poured more essence into it, but it came at a price. Cold pain lanced through him as his dwindling reserves of essence were drained further.

This was not a battle he could control; all he could do was focus the flames on Karlac’s power. Yet against the brute strength of this demon? Even now, utilising Wielder of the Winds to its fullest, Hump could not overcome the vast gap between them. But the demon had not attacked him directly. Karlac wanted to protect his treasures, so Hump would do everything he could to inflict as much damage as possible.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

All around him, the displays of artifacts began to shatter under the onslaught. The protective barriers had been breached and despite their exquisite craftsmanship and ornamental beauty, they were no match for the wrath of Hump’s Hellfire. In places, Karlac smothered the flames, snuffing them out, but he could not protect them all. Intricate glass cases cracked and exploded, sending shards flying as priceless items were consumed by the inferno.

The large display housing the Chain and the Sunken Queen that Karlac had spoken so fondly of erupted into a ferocious blaze. It splintered, and with it, the drowned queen was free. The spectre’s screech was ear-piercing echoing through the hall. Her ethereal form reconstituted, and she propelled herself at Karlac, clawed fingers outstretched. Hump could feel her immense power emanating from her, but Karlac reacted quickly, slicing her in two with a single, powerful swing of his sword, extinguishing her form instantly.

With it, Hump realised the artifacts closest to him were gone. He looked around as Karlac’s shadows closed in. His flames died down until they were gone entirely. The demon disappeared in the darkness. They surrounded Hump, placing him in a single spot of light. All around him, he sensed Karlac’s oppressive presence.

Something hard slammed into the back of Hump’s head. He stumbled forward, the world spinning. He whirled around, off-balance and clumsy, but able to aim his staff. “Fire Blast.”

Hellfire was rekindled as it surged from his focus, shattering the darkness, only to reveal nothing. Strong hands grabbed Hump from behind and hurled him across the room. He struck a pillar and crumpled to the ground, staff clattering nearby. He managed to hold onto his spellbook, clutching it close to him.

A blow hit Hump in the stomach, driving the air from his lungs. He gasped, curling up, hugging his spellbook to his chest protectively, only for another blow to find his face, sending his head into the ground. The world rang. He tried to stand, but a kick slammed his ribs, holding him in place. The pain was overwhelming. All Hump could do was curl up as a rain of furious blows descended on him.

“Yes,” Karlac breathed, his voice shuddering with bliss. He drew a deep breath that he released in a long, satisfied sigh. “You should not have targeted my treasures.”

Hump’s vision blurred as another kick landed in his side. He could taste blood in his mouth.

“Have you anything to say?” Karlac asked. His foot found Hump’s neck, pressing until he couldn’t breathe, the steel of his boot warm to the touch.

Then he moved suddenly, stepping off from Hump and catching an arrow in the air. A lash of shadow spread from it. At first, Hump thought it was Celaine’s arrow, but then he sensed the deadly intent of Karlac within. The demon yanked the arrow and Celaine screamed as she was dragged out of the darkness, stumbling into view. Karlac dropped his sword and grabbed hold of her hair, yanking her head back with brutal force.

“Now I have you, little rabbit.”

Hump stumbled to his feet in the brief few seconds he had. Pain shot through Hump’s side where he’d been beaten, and blood dripped from his nose. He sheathed his spellbook on his belt. In a sudden motion, Karlac wrenched her neck and slammed his armoured fist into her face. A sickening thud echoed through the throne room. Hump’s stomach churned with horror and a wave of nausea rose as Celaine let out a strangled, gurgling grunt, blood pouring from her nose.

“Stop,” Hump said. “Please—”

Celaine stared at Karlac with one large, terrified eye as his fist came down again, merciless and unrelenting. He raised it again, preparing another strike.

“No!” Hump roared, the word ripping from his throat with primal rage. He hurled himself at the demon—no staff, no magic, just his own raw, dragon-blooded strength. The impact was like colliding with a jagged wall, shaking his very bones, but it was enough to make Karlac stumble a step. In that brief moment, the demon released his grip on Celaine, dropping her and turning his attention on Hump.

The demon’s hand found Hump’s throat, his grip tightening, the joints of his gauntlet digging painfully into Hump’s skin. His neck strained as he was lifted into the air with one hand. Hump kicked his feet desperately, searching for a hold but finding nothing. He dangled there, clutching at the hand around his throat, pulling at the fingers but Karlac’s grip was a vice. Hump couldn’t move it.

A tight wheeze escaped Hump, his throat constricted by the force. His heart pounded in his chest. His lungs burned as he desperately tried to draw in air. Nisha’s fear erupted through their bond but Hump urged her to stay back.

There was one weapon he still had. The Osidium Opal Ring on his finger stored the Tier 3 spell, Sand Blast. At this range, in the right spot, he could hurt Karlac.

He had to show panic for this to work. He continued to kick his legs. He flailed with his hands, clawing at Karlac’s neck, trying to reach for his face but his arms were too short. Darkness clouded the edges of Hump’s vision. His lungs felt like they would explode, but he had to hold on.

Karlac reached for Hump’s belt, taking the Book of Infinite Pages from its place at his hip and lifting it in his free hand.

“Glyndaril is awake,” Karlac said, gazing at the book. “I sense you, Silver Owl. I feel you in there. Accept me, and I shall still spare this boy.” Hump glanced at it out of the corner of his eye as Karlac opened the spellbook, only for the demon to scowl. “You still hide from me!” He held it out to Hump, revealing a page on beginner magic within, the true contents of the book hidden.

“It is a shame this could not have been resolved more civilly,” Karlac said, his voice dripping with mockery. “Do not worry, I still need you alive. But as unconsciousness takes you, know that I will ensure every one of your friends die. Then it shall only be us left. We shall see how long you can keep the Book of Infinite Pages from me then.”

Hump tried to speak, but all that came out was a ragged, raspy croak. The pressure on his windpipe eased a little.

“What? What is it?” Karlac asked. “There is no bargain left to be had.”

Hump whispered something unintelligible—the slurred words of a beaten man.

Karlac bent his arm, bringing Hump closer to him as if he were only a toy.

“I said,” Hump rasped, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “I can’t quite reach you.”

Karlac frowned, confusion written on his face, until Hump’s fist found it. With every bit of will he had, he activated the sands stored within his ring right into Karlac’s eye.

The force of the explosion sent Hump flying back, the demon’s claws raking across his neck as he was violently flung away. Agony exploded in his arm, the point-blank blast shattering the bones of his left hand. He hardly felt the hard ground, jarring as it was. He rolled, then came to an abrupt stop as he struck something hard. He gasped, wheezing in a desperate breath. The world spun around him, but through the haze, he forced himself to focus, searching for Karlac.

The blast had sent the demon crashing into one of his many trophy cases, his body slumped into the broken remains of a wooden cabinet, arms sprawled over each side.

“I…” Hump breathed deep and swallowed, his throat sparking with sharp pain. “I like you in that seat much more.” Hump forced himself to grin through the pain. “Much better than the one I burned.”

His voice was weak, but from the way Karlac’s gaze settled on him, Hump knew he’d heard. Hump grinned for real then, blissful euphoria spreading through him at the sight of Karlac’s face. His right cheek and eye socket were a mess of blood and shredded flesh where the sands had made contact, raking his skin like a cheese grater. His eye was obliterated, leaving a hollow, bleeding socket. Blood flowed freely, a crimson river that ran down his face and neck, disappearing into the shadowy depths of his armour. His remaining eye blazed with unchecked rage as it locked onto Hump, burning with such fury that Hump thought the demon might just kill him after all.