Jason and Maggy moved through the castle with surprising speed, their teamwork seamless as they cleared room after room. The castle’s fiery inhabitants, including several fire golems, proved no match for Jason’s newfound skill, Spectral Blades. He marveled at how effortlessly the ethereal swords struck deep into the gaps of their armor, allowing him to take down the golems with precision and ease.

  Maggy's precision had grown to the point that these weaker mobs hardly stood a chance. Further hastening their journey. The heat in the castle was intense, but they pressed on, their focus unwavering.

  Finally, they reached the massive iron doors leading to the inner chamber, where Pyraxis, the Flame Sovereign, awaited. The doors radiated heat; the metal scorching hot to the touch. Even standing several feet away, Jason and Maggy could feel the oppressive heat washing over them, making the air shimmer.

  Jason hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering just inches from the door, the heat stinging his skin. “Let's hope we don't get burnt on this deal.” he said with a wink, glancing at Maggy.

  Maggy rolling her eyes with a slight chuckle. "You are a moron."

  Jason took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "You ready?”

  Maggy gave him a firm nod. “As ready as I'll ever be.”

  Together, Jason and Maggy pushed against the iron doors, the heat intensifying as they forced them open. The heavy doors groaned in protest, and with a final push, they swung wide, revealing the chamber beyond.

  As the doors creaked open, they were met by an overwhelming wave of heat, almost as if they had stepped into the mouth of a volcano itself. The inner chamber was a massive, cavernous expanse, dominated by a river of molten lava that snaked through the center of the room. The walls glowed a deep crimson, cracks running through the stone, allowing streams of lava to pour from above, creating waterfalls of molten rock that pooled into fiery lakes below.

  At the far end of the chamber stood a colossal throne, seemingly carved from molten rock. The stone gleamed with an eerie, red glow, reflecting the ever-present fire around it. Flames licked the edges of the throne, as though the very seat of power itself was born from the heart of the inferno.

  In the center of the chamber, Pyraxis towered over everything, his massive form cloaked in an aura of searing heat. He was easily double the height of a regular human, Pyraxis radiated power, his molten eyes burning with an ancient, intelligence. As he sat upon the throne, the flames around him intensified, responding to his mere presence.

  “Welcome to my domain.” Pyraxis rumbled, his voice the sound of rock grinding against rock. His gaze settled on Jason, and a flicker of recognition crossed his fiery eyes. “I sense my traitorous commander’s soul on you. She was not as clever as she thought.” His voice dripped with disdain.

  Pyraxi's molten hand extended slightly, his great sword crackling with heat as lava dripped from its edges. “Let us strike a deal, give the traitors Soul crystal. In return I will allow passage through my domain. Allowing you to complete this quest of yours.”

  Jason blinked in surprise. "You know about the quest to defeat you?"

  Pyraxis scoffed. "Of course, I know. This is my sentence after all, to crush the unworthy. End them, again and again, until 10,000 years pass, and then I am free."

  "How can you fulfil you sentence of 'crushing the unworthy', and let us pass without a fight at the same time? What happens if you let us through and we are not worthy?" Asked Maggy

  "If you were able to defeat Isabella in any way you are worthy of proceeding. If you truly are unworthy, my sentence will reset." Praxis eye twitch

  Jason took note of the eye twitch, and the almost to nonchalant attitude of the quest. Why the offer at all if he wants the crystal why not just kill us? Then both having his time reset and the crystal would not be an issue. Unless he's afraid, he is not sure if he can beat us.

  "I cannot accept hand over the crystal, I made a pact and am not willing to pay the price of breaking the pact. I am willing to accept the free passage, we do not need to fight."

  "Jason, what about his core?" Maggy whispered. "You still need that to revive Isabella."

  "Oh, and we're going to need a core to revive Isabella."

  Maggy stared at him "Smooth..."

  Pyraxis rose from his throne, the molten rock around him boiling. "Never in all my years, have I been so disrespected in my place of power by those that should know their place. My offer no longer stands." Pyraxis hefted his great sword.

  Jason responded in kind, reaching out as The Devourer materialized.

  He barely had time to react as Pyraxis slammed his molten great sword into the ground. The impact sent a violent shockwave through the chamber, splintering stone and releasing a roaring surge of lava that carved a fiery scar across the battlefield.

  Jason activated Flash Step, his body flickering out of existence just as the molten wave crashed through where he had stood. He reappeared to Pyraxis’s left, The Devourer already in motion. With a feral grunt, he swung, the bone blade aiming straight for the Sovereign’s exposed flank.

  CLANG!

  Pyraxis turned at the last second, his lava-coated gauntlet catching the Jasons off hand searing his flesh. The bone blade bit deep into the side of Pryaxis the veins of lava that ran through his body dimmed as the blade drank of his essence. Before Jason could react, Pyraxis backhanded him with the force of an avalanche.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Jason flew across the chamber, slamming into a jagged obsidian pillar. His breath ripped from his lungs, pain lancing up his spine.

  Pryaxis rushed Jason's fallen form raising his sword to strike. A blast of ethereal power blinded Pryaxis as a spirit bolt struck his face. giving Jason time to stager to his feet.

  With a growl of frustration, Jason summoned Spectral Blades, two ethereal swords materializing beside him. The swords moved independently, swirling through the air and slicing at Pyraxis looking for chinks in his armor.

  Pyraxis bellowed, swinging his great sword in defensive strikes skillfully deflecting the spectral blades. Jason began to press Pyraixs, Maggy timed her blasts in between Pyaxis swings, creating openings for Jason. Together, they struck Pyraxis, keeping him off balance.

  But Pyraxis was no simple opponent. The Flame Sovereign slammed his foot into the ground, sending shockwaves through the floor. Maggy staggered, nearly losing her footing as lava erupted from the cracks beneath her. She barely managed to dodge; her heart racing as molten rock splattered dangerously close.

  Jason was already in motion, his eyes locked on Pyraxis’ exposed chest. With a surge of speed, he used Flash Step again, appearing directly in front of the towering creature. In one fluid motion, he drove The Devourer deep into Pyraxis’ chest, the bone blade sinking into the molten core beneath the armor.

  Pyraxis let out a deafening roar, his body convulsing as The Devourer began to consume the energy within him. The great sword fell from his hands, clattering to the floor as lava poured from the gaping wound in his chest.

  But even as Pyraxis weakened, wasn’t finished. He wrapped his arms around Jason pinning him to his chest. "Now I shall show you what it means to rule the flames."

  Heat ripped through Jason his skin began to blister. blister fell away reveling the muscle underneath.

  Maggy watched in horror as the molten rock around the chamber erupted cutting her off from reaching jason.

  Jason gritted his teeth as his exposed flesh was burnt away. To his dismay pain continued to rise as his inside began to burn as the Devourer was drinking at rate his body could not handle. Jason squirmed, trying to wrench the blade free, escape the pain. But Pyraxis’s crushing strength pinned him tight, not giving him any wiggle room.

  "I see how you were able to beat that golem of Isabellas this power to drain the strength of your opponent is powerful indeed. Let's see whose strength gives out first." Pryaxis began to squeeze.

  Loud cracks rang out in Jasons ears as his ribs snapped under the pressure. At this rate he wasn't sure what would kill him first the burning of the lava, getting crushed, or burning from the inside. Jason's mind was racing it was hard to focus the pain was nearly unbearable threatening unconsciousness.

  As the pressures built, suddenly the burning from the inside stopped. the sudden lack of pain was so stark that it snapped Jason's mind back to the situation at hand. Jason blinked the pain became manageable as the damage to him stabilized.

  Coughing blood through a smile Jason wheezed. "Looks like our little contest of endurance got a little more interesting."

  Sensing that the battle had taken a turn that did not favor him. Pryaxis threw Jason away. reaching to dislodge the blade in his chest.

  As soon as Jason had lost contact with the Devourer the pain that subsided began to return as the heat still seared his flesh. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. “Maggy, now!” he shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the lava.

  "Already on it!" She summoned her remaining mana into an all-out attack, sending a shockwave of pain through her mind as all her mana drained. The spirit bolt shot from her staff she fell to her knees she had left nothing back. The ethereal bolt shot forward, striking Pyraxis directly in the center of his chest, where The Devourer was still lodged.

  the spirit bolt struck the Devourer driving it deeper striking the core of Pryaxis, allowing the spiritual energy of the bolt to enter his core. Pryaxis screamed the chamber quaked as the molten rivers surged, each pulse sending waves of unbearable heat rolling through the air. then with one last shudder, the great Flame Sovereign collapsed, the room calmed and went still.

  "Isabella is a freaking liar, that golem of hers was way weaker." Jason said chest heaving.

  Maggy Chuckled softly. "Yeah, he was kind of a dick. but give me a bit I need to catch my breath."

  Smiling Jason Stumbled over to his blade. Pulling it free the blade pulsed with an inner fire, for the first time the blade did not scream with hunger, it almost purred with pleasure in his mind.

  Evaluation complete

  New skill unlocked

  Undying Hunger (Epic):

  The Devourer drains the life force from anything it is plunged into, feeding off its target’s life energy and transfers a portion of that power to its wielder. The longer the blade remains embedded, the more strength it saps, slowly weakening its victims and leaving them withered husks if given enough time. Warning the life force transfer will only occur if the wielder remains in contact with the blade, the weakening effect will still occur.

  Well, that seems awfully connivant, and oddly specific. This skill saved my life but seems very situational, it's not often in a fight my blade is left plunged into the target. An idea struck him, might need to buy a blade.

  Trumpets blared. Startling Jason.

  Quest Update:

  Defeat the Three Bosses of the Triumverge Citadel.

  Pyraxis, the Flame Sovereign, has been slain.

  Bosses remaining: 0 of 3.

  World collapse in 10 min.

  "World collapse?" Jason muttered. "What does that even mean?"

  Jason’s eyes dropped to the fallen form of Pyraxis.

  “Consume.”

  Pyraxis, the Flame Sovereign, Consumed.

  Options restricted due to energy drain:

  Volcanic Eruption (Legendary): Strike the ground with your blade to cause a localized eruption of molten rock, damaging and disrupting spell casting in the surrounding area.

  Core of the Flame Sovereign (Epic): Can serve as a catalyst for rebirth. can evolve a fire-based skill. Can serve as a core for a golem. Can attune a region to the element of fire.

  "You have got to be kidding me..." Jason said rolling his eyes. "That women nearly cost me my life, and now she is costing me a legendary skill."

  But the memory of Isabella handing him her soul crystal flickered through his thoughts. He had made a promise, and that promise was to free her. He couldn’t abandon that, no matter how enticing the alternatives might be.

  “Probably wouldn’t look good to let my first follower die for personal strength,” Jason muttered under his breath.

  With a resigned sigh, he selected Core of the Flame Sovereign. A dense core, about the size of a basketball, appeared in front of him. It glowed with a molten inner light, radiating heat that felt almost alive.

  Core of the Flame Sovereign (Legendary)

  And as if to mock him. Would you like to consume the core to evolve Undying-Flame? Yes or No.

  "Are you kidding me!?!"