Kira’s recovery from the Pyreforge trial left the group anxious but determined. Auria, the newly embodied system, hovered beside him with an enigmatic smirk, her dragon-like features radiant in the dim volcanic light.

  “So,” Kira said, looking at her curiously, “what exactly changed with this upgrade? You look... different.”

  Auria crossed her arms, her shimmering wings twitching. “Different? I’d say ‘perfectly optimized.’ Version 2.0 didn’t just enhance me—I now have a fully autonomous physical projection. And with it, more tools to help you.”

  Mira raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical. “Tools? Like what?”

  Auria smirked, conjuring a translucent interface in midair. “Observe: my Support Integration Suite is unparalleled. First, I can actively join battles, using my own unique abilities. Second, I’ve unlocked the Phoenix Mantle, which allows Kira to temporarily wield the full power of the Phoenix Spirit without burning out his mana. Lastly, I can detect and analyze anomalies, like the dark god’s corruption, with precision.”

  Darumu leaned closer, her gaze sharp. “And what’s the catch? Nothing this powerful comes free.”

  Auria’s smile faded slightly. “You’re sharp, chi-puncher. Using these abilities will strain both Kira and me. The more I exert myself, the longer my cooldown period. And if Kira overuses the Phoenix Mantle... well, let’s just say his human body wasn’t built to handle god-tier energy.”

  Selvi, adjusting her quiver, added dryly, “So basically, we’ve got a shiny new toy with a self-destruct mode. Great.”

  Later, as the group camped near the volcanic border, Raezel sat apart, his ember-like eyes fixed on the horizon.

  Kira approached, his curiosity outweighing his lingering distrust. “You’ve been awfully quiet since the Pyreforge. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

  Raezel glanced at him, his smirk half-hearted. “Just thinking. The Pyreforge stirred memories I’d rather forget.”

  Kira sat down beside him. “You’ve been vague about your connection to the dark god. Care to explain?”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The demonkin hesitated, uncharacteristically vulnerable. “The dark god wasn’t always a destroyer. In a time long forgotten, he was a creator—a god of balance. I was his servant, a guardian of his realms. But something twisted him, corrupted him beyond recognition. When he fell, so did I.”

  Kira frowned. “Why help us, then? If you were his servant, wouldn’t you want to see his will fulfilled?”

  Raezel’s smirk returned, bitter this time. “I owe him nothing but hatred. The corruption that destroyed him nearly consumed me, too. Helping you isn’t about redemption—it’s about revenge.”

  Auria appeared beside them, her gaze piercing. “And yet, you hide things. Like the fact that the Pyreforge wasn’t just meant to empower Kira. It’s also a beacon, isn’t it?”

  Raezel stiffened but said nothing.

  Auria leaned closer, her voice sharp. “Don’t think I didn’t notice. Activating the Pyreforge alerted someone—or something. Care to explain who’s coming?”

  Raezel sighed, the weight of his secrets finally showing. “The Abyssal Generals. If you thought the Revenant was tough, you’re in for a rude awakening.”

  The group packed up camp the next morning, the volcanic landscape giving way to jagged cliffs and deep fissures. Kaelara led the way, her fiery aura a beacon through the sulfuric haze.

  “We’ll need supplies and information before venturing into the Abyssal Realm,” she said. “The City of Embers is close. We’ll rest there, but be cautious—it’s crawling with opportunists and spies.”

  Auria floated alongside Kira, her expression unusually serious. “The Abyssal Realm is no ordinary battlefield. It’s a place where reality bends, and the dark god’s influence is strongest. To survive, we need to strengthen not just our bodies but our bonds.”

  Mira, walking beside them, nodded. “She’s right. We’ve barely scratched the surface of what we’re capable of as a team. If we’re going to face the dark god, we need to trust each other completely.”

  Selvi chimed in with a grin. “Don’t worry, Mira. I’ve got your back... as long as you don’t hog Kira too much.”

  Darumu rolled her eyes. “Focus, Selvi. The Abyssal Realm isn’t a joke.”

  As they neared the City of Embers, Auria suddenly froze mid-flight, her holographic interface flaring red.

  “Warning,” she said, her voice unusually mechanical. “Corruption signature detected. Proximity: 500 meters.”

  The group halted, drawing their weapons. Raezel sniffed the air, his expression darkening. “It’s not just any corruption. This is… deliberate. We’re being watched.”

  Before anyone could react, a fissure opened in the ground ahead, and a cloaked figure emerged. Its presence was suffocating, its form wreathed in shadow and flame.

  “Who dares tread on the path to the Abyssal Realm?” the figure hissed, its voice layered with malice.

  Kira stepped forward, the Phoenix Ascendant glowing in his hands. “We’re here to end the dark god’s corruption.”

  The figure laughed, a chilling sound. “Then prepare for despair, little hero. The Abyssal Realm will consume you—and I will ensure you never leave it.”

  The ground trembled, and shadowy tendrils lashed out, pulling the group into a chaotic battle.