Burning Abode.
Altashia's mastery over the flames, ignited by her potent onslaught, transformed the battlefield into an inferno.
The flickering tendrils, once wild and erratic, now obeyed her will as they gravitated toward their intended targets— Hamang's ensnared forces. The stray flames, scattered like embers, converged under her command, becoming the fuel for the manifestation of her formidable Demon Spell.
With unparalleled control, Altashia harnessed the ambient flames, intertwining them with her incantation within a fraction of a moment. The potency of her Demon Spell was intricately linked to the presence of these residual flames. As if orchestrating a symphony, she commanded the stray embers to weave her conjuration.
In a breathtaking metamorphosis, the fiery sea's blazing orange hues transformed into radiant gold, suffused with an intensified heat that mirrored the amplifying effects of her incantation. The golden blaze advanced inexorably toward Hamang's company, shrouding them in an unforgiving embrace before escape was even an option.
Amid the sea of flames, the engulfed figures of Hamang and his subordinates were swiftly enshrouded. The very essence of the flames forged their confines, shaping an evolving structure — from a modest cabin to a three-story edifice of searing intensity.
Flames and form merged, birthing an entity both lethal and grotesquely captivating.
In the span of mere moments, the transformation was complete. The surrounding inferno dwindled, leaving behind a towering inferno-engulfed mansion, a trap from which Hamang's forces could not escape. The blazing structure stood as a testament to Altashia's devastating power.
Yet, the ordeal was far from over.
The scorching walls seemed to come alive, animated by Altashia's Weapon Intent. A torrent of flying weapon slashes materialized within the confines of Burning Abode, a fusion of fire and wind that dealt a lethal onslaught to Altashia's imprisoned adversaries.
The tempestuous onslaught, unleashed within the conjured abode, rippled with lethal force, extending its effects beyond its fiery prison to assail Hamang's forces.
From within the inferno's bowels, agonized cries erupted, a chilling symphony of despair that resonated with Renita as she stood witness. Goosebumps danced across her skin as the ferocious Mana Signature emanating from Burning Abode assaulted her senses.
"This blazing inferno… there's no viable counter to this Demon Spell, is there?"
She couldn't help but gulp audibly, her murmured thoughts belying the gravity of the situation. The enormity of the spell left her pondering if there was any plausible solution to its devastating effects.
Altashia, though laboring under the weight of her efforts, caught Renita's impressed reaction. Rather than basking in the acclaim, Altashia's strategic mind churned, recognizing Renita's growing ambition and the sparks of determination to surpass her own abilities. Their unspoken exchange resonated with an unbreakable camaraderie forged in the crucible of battle.
A weary chuckle escaped Altashia's lips, carried by her labored breaths.
"Hehe. It's not invincible, per se. Eren managed to break through Burning Abode when he was just an Ace Ranker. The key is to fight with fire," she shared with a grin, reminiscing the moment when Eren had shattered her formidable spell using his potent Elemental Fusion.
The memory of Eren's triumph loomed in her mind, a testament that even the most formidable spells could be unraveled by ingenious and unwavering determination.
As the culmination of Burning Abode's might enveloped the battlefield, Renita, Altashia, and the members of Firebrand who encircled them found solace in the sight of the conjured creation reaching its apex. Exhaustion, an unwelcome companion, seeped through their bones, a testament to their relentless clash against Layos' formidable forces. The confrontation with the wyvern, a trial of strength and willpower, had exacted a heavy toll on their vitality. The battle with Hamang's squad had truly tested their limits.
Their collective relief palpable, they gradually released their spells and allowed the protective barrier, which had been draining their already dwindling mana reserves, to dissipate. The brilliant spectacle of Burning Abode's blazing brilliance reflected in Renita's eyes, which gleamed with renewed determination. As the enchantment began its graceful descent into oblivion, her fists clenched, her resolve undaunted.
"Eren… he managed to overcome THAT?"
Altashia's words resonated in Renita's mind, igniting the fires of ambition within her. Her lips parted to express her determination, her voice carrying a mix of contemplation and aspiration.
"Perhaps I need to embrace such perilous trials to breach the barrier into the Master Rank as well," she mused aloud. Her unwavering ambition to chase after Eren, to bridge the gap between them, propelled her toward this daring idea. The prospect of being ensnared within the deadly intricacies of Burning Abode held the promise of enlightenment, an elixir to satiate her insatiable thirst for progress.
A knowing smile graced Altashia's lips as she sensed the direction of Renita's thoughts. The bond forged on the battlefield was one of mutual growth, and Altashia was attuned to her comrade's aspirations. As the ethereal flames of Burning Abode dimmed, Altashia's voice carried an invitation laden with camaraderie.
"Why not pay a visit to House Argas Estate with Eren in the coming days? Our clan can provide aid in your Ranking Journey. Hehe. I don't want to brag but our repository boasts a wealth of Runic Steeles that you wouldn't find in your guild. You could significantly augment your wind element mastery using them," she proposed, extending a helping hand to her fellow warrior.
Altashia had already given the same offer to Eren in the past as well. But Eren had refused since he was wary of the Crimson Ghost.
Renita's eyes shimmered with gratitude as she absorbed Altashia's offer, her reply laced with excitement. "Really? I'd like to…"
Swoosh. Zoom. Slash.
Abruptly, the tranquility shattered like glass, replaced by the sickening swish of a blade cleaving through the air. Three valiant members of Firebrand, positioned as the guardians before Renita and Altashia, were felled in an instant, their forms sundered by swift and lethal sword strikes.
The cruel interjection emerged from the ether, a manifestation of Hamang's sinister gambit.
A chilling laughter resonated, woven with malevolence and victory, its barbs aimed at the two ladies. Hamang emerged from the shadows that covered his visage in a gray fog, a venomous grin etched across his visage as he brandished a summoned sword, an instrument of death forged from the depths of his arcane summoning arsenal. His voice dripped with sadistic intent as he laid out his grim plans.
"You vile bitches… I'm sorry but I'll have to piss on your plans for the future. I want to hear your screams as I fucking chop you into pieces," Hamang taunted, his gaze venomous as it settled on Renita and Altashia, bearing witness to their vulnerability, a rare opportunity to strike at their weakened states.
Renita's voice quavered, a desperate plea slipping past her lips as she attempted to steer her comrades from this impending doom. "Run... Get away…"
Her warning hung in the air, but her plea was drowned by the suppressed sound of steel meeting flesh. Hamang's blade struck once more, narrowly missing Renita as she invoked a movement spell, her agility allowing her to evade the fatal blow.
Yet, the price of her escape was steep; her right arm, severed by the merciless stroke, plummeted to the ground, a grotesque monument to her peril.
