The deeper they descended into the Infernal Caverns, the more oppressive the air became. Every breath felt thick, saturated with a corruption that seemed almost alive, whispering threats that no one spoke aloud. The Leviathan floated silently behind Sadi, its massive wings stirring the mist as if sensing danger before it struck. Surtr blazed faintly in his hand, casting a warm glow that fought against the shadows.Sadi paused at a narrow ledge. “The energy here is… different,” he murmured. His eyes scanned the obsidian walls that pulsed with faint, crimson light. He knelt and laid a hand against the stone. “These veins are infused with ancient runes. They’re… resonating. The corruption has activated them.”Nikita stepped closer, her flames coiling around her arms in nervous energy. “Runes? Are they… dangerous?”“They’re not just dangerous—they’re sentient,” Sadi replied, his voice low. “They respond to intent, to fear. The slightest hesitation can trigger a trap, or worse.”Avil’s eye

The cavern’s darkness thickened as Sadi led the group deeper into the Infernal Caverns. The pulse from the runes grew stronger, vibrating through the stone floor and echoing against the walls like the heartbeat of the corruption itself. Every step brought a fresh wave of tension. The air was heavy with ash, magic, and something far darker—Damon’s presence.Sadi paused, holding up Surtr. Its flames licked the cavern walls, casting eerie shadows. The sword hummed faintly in his hand, almost as if it were whispering secrets only he could hear. Ahead… the first node. Guardian awaits.Avil leaned closer, eyes scanning the walls. “Sadi, can you sense it? The magic here… it’s not just corrupted—it’s alive. It’s waiting for us.”He nodded. “Yes… and it’s testing us. Damon doesn’t waste energy. Every node has a guardian, and these creatures aren’t random. They’re extensions of his will.”The group moved cautiously. Benjamin’s sword glimmered faintly, reflecting the runes’ dim light. Nikita’s f

The air above the Draconis Realm was heavy, almost suffocating. A dense fog had rolled over the valley, carrying with it the scent of sulfur and decay. Sadi’s boots crunched against the brittle grass as he moved cautiously along the ridge, his grip tight on the Sword of Surtr. Its blade shimmered faintly in the dim light, humming with a quiet energy that only he seemed to hear.“The corruption is spreading faster than expected,” Sadi murmured to himself. He could feel the disturbance in the magical currents—beasts across multiple realms had gone rogue, their aura twisted and dark. Normally obedient creatures, bound by loyalty or elemental alignment, were now rampaging without reason. The Celestial Beasts’ warnings were faint but ominous; the balance of the realms itself trembled.Sadi’s thoughts shifted to the runes etched along the ancient cliffs. They glowed sporadically, faint blue lines cutting through stone, responding to some invisible rhythm. He could feel the pulse of their ma

The force of the collision sent a shockwave through the entire valley. Trees shattered like matchsticks, rocks were pulverized, and the air itself seemed to scream. Sadi’s muscles burned with exertion, but he held Surtr firmly, letting the fire surge through him, blending with the whispers of ancient power from the sword. The Leviathan screeched in fury, thrashing wildly as the light pierced its corrupted heart.Nikita circled above, her gryphon skillfully dodging falling debris. Her arrows of elemental energy streaked across the battlefield, striking the Leviathan’s sides and neck, keeping its attention split and buying Sadi precious seconds. She saw the faintest glow beneath its scales—the anchor of dark magic—and knew that the sword alone couldn’t finish this. They had to sever its link to the corrupted source.Sadi gritted his teeth, focusing on the glowing runes embedded in the cliff walls. They pulsed in rhythm with the Leviathan’s heart, a rhythm almost like a heartbeat. The ru

The valley trembled as Sadi advanced, Surtr blazing with a fiery aura that danced across his body. Shadows twisted unnaturally across the jagged cliffs, stretching toward him like dark fingers trying to snatch him into the abyss. Nikita’s gryphon hovered above, wings slicing the wind, while Benjamin and Avil followed close behind, their expressions tense and alert. Every step forward brought them closer to the faction’s core—a chamber carved into the cliffside, where the corrupted runes glowed like sinister eyes.“This place…” Benjamin muttered, glancing at the runes. “It’s alive. The energy—it’s reacting to us.”Sadi nodded, feeling it himself. Surtr thrummed violently, as if warning him of the danger ahead. “It’s feeding off Damon’s corruption,” he said. “The closer we get, the more it will try to manipulate our minds. Stay focused. Don’t let it see fear.”Nikita let out a low hiss, sensing movement within the shadows. Figures emerged—cloaked mages, their eyes glowing silver, hands w