Winged creatures of varying shapes and sizes streaked across the reddish skies, their piercing cries reverberating in every direction. Magma pits, brimming with molten lava, erupted in synchrony with the beastly calls, while a dry wind carried the scent of charred flesh mingled with a hint of sulfur.
Champions from diverse races stood upon an expansive, blackened expanse of land bordering the magma sea, which stretched to the horizon. A foggy mist veiled the farthest reaches of the unfamiliar terrain. Among the large gathering, most fixed their gaze on the violent eruption of magma racing towards the heavens, claiming several creatures in its ascent, while others observed a solitary figure in blackened robes gently rowing a seemingly ordinary wooden boat in the distance.
Magma eruptions flared up around the boat, yet none of the molten lava rains came close to touching the unassuming vessel.
Scott scrutinized the approaching boat, his brows furrowed beneath his mask. No matter how I look at it, that figure bears a striking resemblance to the boatman.
“Where the hell are we?” Slim muttered, his voice barely audible as he scanned his surroundings.
Most champions clustered in small groups, each keeping their distance from the others. Unlike the Hound Extermination Crew, many groups had members nursing multiple injuries, blood seeping from their wounds.
“I don’t like the way they’re eyeing us,” Zara remarked over the party channel, her expression sour as she assessed the other champions.
“Ignore them,” Scott replied nonchalantly. “Our priority should be figuring out why we're here.”
“Shouldn’t this be the fifth district?” Slim speculated, his gaze flitting between the crowded skies and the pulsating system window.
“The path to the fourth stage lies within the burning sea,” he repeated, his attention shifting towards the magma sea. “Are they suggesting we dive in there?”
“I’d rather not,” Zara grimaced, turning to Scott, who was still attempting to fend off Llorva. “Do you notice anything peculiar about the magma?”
Scott nodded, but before he could respond, a loud shout echoed across the area. “Greetings, fellow champions!” boomed a jovial minotaur, a broad, one-sided axe slung over his shoulder.
Instantly, every champion on the blackened patch turned their attention to the bovine creature.
“I am Xtaxil,” he declared, his crimson eyes surveying the assembled group. “Like you, I survived the chaos of the full moon.”
“So what?” hissed a lizardman, leaning casually against his trident. “What does that have to do with us?” he challenged the minotaur, who met his gaze unwaveringly.
Xtaxil gestured towards his companions—two other minotaurs and a Snakeman—before continuing, “My companions and I have been here longer than anyone else. We possess far more experience than any of—”
“What does that have to do with us?” the lizardman interjected again, glaring at the Minotaur.
“Hey, asshole, no one's forcing you to listen,” a muscular woman roared. “You're free to leave if you've got better things to do. You don’t need to show the whole world what an idiot you are.”
She advanced toward the lizardman with her companions, their ten-man party exuding a menacing aura as they towered over the retreating lizardmen. The shortest among them stood at ten feet tall, while two were at least sixteen feet. Their bulging muscles defied all sense of proportion, striking fear into the hearts of the surrounding champions.
“I don't want to hear another word from you, got it?” she said, glaring at the lizardmen before turning toward Xtaxil. “And you, get to the point. No one cares if you've been here longer than anyone else. Do you have a way for us to get off this place? If not, then shut up, and that goes for everyone!”
Korina's gaze shifted from the Minotaur to the various clusters of champions in the area, her hazel eyes devoid of emotion.
Unperturbed, Xtaxil cleared his throat. “Since you've made it this far, you must have memorized the map. If so, you must also realize that the fifth district, Parla, has no exits. However, as I mentioned earlier, we've been here longer than anyone else and have been lucky enough to witness others leaving this barren place.”
“And how are we supposed to believe you're not talking nonsense?” a man asked, arms folded across his chest.
“I don't care if you believe me,” Xtaxil said, turning away. He pointed toward a boat in the distance. “But if you want a slim chance of leaving, you must get on that boat.”
“How are we supposed to do that, and what's in it for you?” Korina asked, arms akimbo.
No one among the champions believed Xtaxil revealed the information out of kindness.
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“It's simple,” Xtaxil said, gesturing toward the bubbling magma sea. “An obscene number of elemental shards is required to cross the Burning Sea. It's virtually impossible for a group to foot that expense alone.”
“So, you're suggesting we use our elemental shards to create a path?” a feline champion asked.
Xtaxil nodded. “You don't have to listen to my proposal. There are countless methods of leaving, but this is the least risky one.”
Silence fell as champions within the groups communicated silently with their party members.
“Ahem,” Korina broke the silence, her hawkish eyes fixed on the Minotaur. “I know things aren't as they seem here, but isn't that boat too small for all of us?”
Several champions nodded in agreement, sharing the woman's concern. They awaited Xtaxil's explanation.
“As you mentioned, nothing in this land is ever as straightforward as it seems. I too fell into that trap and now regret staying here. To cut a long story short, the boat can accommodate everyone here, and probably more,” Xtaxil explained.
Korina nodded, her mind drifting into contemplation. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed, drawing the attention of the champions to an unexpected group approaching. The group consisted of a sharply dressed skeleton, a battle-hardened yet beautiful feline, and a sadistic-looking elf accompanied by a human wearing a menacing black mask.
Korina couldn't help but wonder about the origins of the unlikely group. She observed as the group swaggered toward the bank of the magma pool, drawing the attention of the surrounding champions who eagerly made way to witness their intentions.
“Hehe... they're staring at us like we're celebrities. Should we wave?” Llorva whispered with a soft giggle, waving at some champions, and winking at others, further adding to the confusion among the spectators.
“Are you sure there's no other way, buddy?” Slim asked over the party channel.
“Don't tell me you're scared,” Zara interjected before Scott could respond.
“We're about to walk into a sea of magma. Who wouldn't be scared? Am I the only one thinking this?” Slim retorted, his steps growing heavier.
Zara's giggles filled the channel, much to Slim's annoyance. Despite all eyes on them, the group continued their silent march toward the fiery sea, unfazed. The other champions were unsure how to react, as the group's demeanor was a mix of conflicting emotions. Slim nervously eyed the magma while Zara remained nonchalant. Meanwhile, Scott and Llorva remained enigmatic.
“Once we take the first step, there's no room for hesitation,” Scott warned over the party channel. “Any delay, and we'll be engulfed in lava,” he reminded, turning to Llorva, who was, as usual, in a state of ecstasy while sniffing his clothes.
“Remember, no—”
“Hesitation, no matter what we encounter,” Llorva whispered, sporting a dazzling grin.
Scott nodded. “What about Fi-Fi?” he asked.
“Fi-Fi’s ready whenever you give the signal,” Llorva said, inching closer to the eldritch knight.
Scott turned away from Llorva, subtly scanning the crimson skies above. A spinning vortex, formed from the reverse flow of magma, mirrored the flaming sea below, while winged beasts fiercely battled over the turbulent ocean, some plunging to their demise.
While it’s possible to cross the lava with elemental shards, the chains holding back those beasts will crumble as soon as they do. There’s no way in hell that Minotaur doesn’t know that, especially if he has been here for as long as he claims.
Scott averted his gaze from the turbulent skies, focusing instead on the bubbling sea a few meters away. I wonder why the hammer reacted the way it did earlier, he thought, recalling the fleeting suppressing feeling from their entrance into Parla.
“Everyone, get ready,” Scott reminded in a whisper, his eyes fixed on the bubbling expanse of magma before them.
“Wake up, Fi-Fi. It's time for you to do your bit,” Llorva whispered, gently caressing the elemental slime wrapped around her wrist.
In response to Llorva's call, Fi-Fi contorted and twisted, forming subtle but visible partitions across its amoebic form. In a flash, the fiery-red slime separated into four smaller, equal halves, wrapping itself around each member of the Hound Extermination Crew and Llorva. Simultaneously, the champions retrieved snow-white elemental shards from their inventories, which shattered into tiny particles. The elemental slime readily absorbed the particles, turning snow-white in the process.
Meanwhile, the curious and confused onlookers watched the group, questions racing through their minds. However, no matter how it appeared, they refused to believe Scott and his companions would do something as reckless as plunging themselves into the fiery sea. The fact that they were the only injured party among the large congregation of champions also triggered thoughts about a possible hidden path within the molten ocean.
“Let's go!” Scott screamed, bolting into the magma sea without hesitation. Llorva followed the masked knight, with Zara and Slim charging in next. There was no scream, nor were there any changes to the soiled air.
Mouths opened and eyes bulged in disbelief as perfect silence lingered among the champions. Many blinked multiple times as if to confirm they weren't trapped in some sort of illusion, but no matter how much they stared, no one could fathom what they had witnessed.
Amidst the silence, Korina turned her attention toward Xtaxil, her hawkish eyes exuding bloodlust. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”
Meanwhile, within the magma pool, Scott and his companions sprinted down a makeshift road made of molten rocks solid enough to bear their weight. Unlike before, a glistening silver radiance coated the champions' bodies, fending off wisps of flare-like beams from the surrounding sea.
“The path ahead is narrowing,” Llorva suddenly called out, her keen gaze fixed on the descending path spiraling into the abyss.
“Ignore it. It's a technique to fool your senses. Just keep running and don't stop until I say so,” Scott instructed, his gaze scanning the area.
I don't know whether I should tell them about those things, Scott pondered, staring at invisible creatures made of solid rock noiselessly stationed at the side of the road, observing the champions as they ran. A devastating explosion interrupted Scott's thoughts, and he instinctively raised his head. Through the bubbling mesh of molten rocks, he could see massive creatures plunging toward the champions sprinting along another makeshift road.
It seems they got desperate and agreed to the minotaur’s plan, Scott thought.
At that moment, Slim's voice filled Scott's mind, “Um, buddy, I think we have a problem.”
The eldritch knight focused on the path ahead, where a massive mouth with razor-sharp teeth and a slithering tongue presented itself.
“That's our way out of here! Don't stop running!” he shouted.
“Seriously? Are we signing up for the 'All You Can Eat' buffet too?” Slim quipped over the party channel, picking up his pace.