Chương 17: Chapter 17: The Endless Trials of the Domain of Fire

The oppressive heat of the Domain of Fire bore down on Aldric and his companions like an unrelenting weight. Even with his abilities, Aldric could feel the intensity of the flames licking at his skin. The others seemed to be struggling even more, beads of sweat forming on their brows as they pressed forward through the treacherous landscape. They had barely moved beyond the entrance when the first wave of monsters had attacked them, and now it seemed as though the beasts were unending.

Each step forward was met with resistance—a new creature emerging from the shadows of the fire-lit domain, its form distorted by the heat waves rising from the ground. The first level of the domain was an endless sea of jagged rocks and molten rivers, with creatures hiding in every crevice, ready to pounce.

Aldric took the lead, his **Great Divine Eyes** allowing him to see through the dense smoke and ash that filled the air. "Stay close!" he called out, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We can't afford to get separated here."

Elara and Selene moved swiftly behind him, their steps light and careful. Elara's elven agility allowed her to maneuver through the terrain with ease, while Selene's demonic heritage gave her a natural resilience against the heat. Darius brought up the rear, his sword drawn and ready, his eyes scanning for any threats.

Suddenly, the ground trembled, and from a fissure ahead, a creature emerged—a hulking beast made of molten rock and flame, its eyes glowing like burning embers. A Lava Golem, one of the lesser guardians of the domain, but formidable nonetheless.

Aldric raised his hand, summoning his **Creation Magic** to craft a barrier of ice around the golem's feet. The sudden shift in temperature caused the creature to roar in pain, its molten skin cracking as it struggled to break free.

"Now!" Aldric shouted, signaling Darius.

Darius rushed forward, his blade gleaming in the fiery light. With a swift strike, he severed one of the golem's arms, the molten rock crumbling away. But before he could deliver another blow, the ground beneath them shifted, and another fissure opened, releasing a swarm of Fire Sprites—small, winged creatures made entirely of flame.

Elara raised her hands, summoning a gust of wind to push back the sprites. Her control over the element was impressive, but the sprites were relentless, darting around the gusts to attack from all sides.

"We can't keep this up!" Elara called out, her voice strained. "There's too many of them!"

Aldric knew she was right. They had been fighting nonstop since they entered the domain, and their energy was waning. He needed to find a way to push forward, to break through the endless waves of monsters and reach the second level.

"Focus on defense!" Aldric commanded. "We need to conserve our strength and find a way through."

Selene nodded, moving closer to Elara to provide support. The demon maid's eyes glowed a fierce red as she chanted a spell under her breath, summoning a dark shield that enveloped them both. The shield absorbed the flames of the sprites, giving them a brief moment of respite.

Aldric focused his thoughts, activating his **Great Divine Eyes** to analyze their surroundings. He could see the mana pathways of the domain, the intricate web of magic that fueled its endless fire and the creatures that dwelled within. There, in the distance, he saw it—a gateway, obscured by the flames, leading to the second level.

"This way!" Aldric called out, leading the group toward the hidden path. But as they moved, the Lava Golem, now free of its icy prison, let out a deafening roar and charged toward them, its remaining arm raised to strike.

Darius spun around, raising his sword to meet the golem's attack. The force of the impact sent him skidding back, his boots digging into the rocky ground. "Go!" he shouted. "I'll hold it off!"

"No!" Aldric yelled back. "We stay together!"

Aldric conjured a burst of water using his **Creation Magic**, dousing the golem and momentarily blinding it with steam. He then summoned a spear of ice, hurling it with precision at the golem's chest. The spear struck true, piercing through the molten rock and causing the creature to stagger back.

"Move, now!" Aldric ordered, and the group surged forward, pushing past the weakened golem and through the gateway to the second level.

As they crossed the threshold, the temperature dropped slightly, and the air became less oppressive. They found themselves in a vast cavern, the walls lined with glowing crystals that radiated a cool blue light. The ground was more stable here, but the danger was far from over.

The second level was known as the **Cavern of Echoes**. Here, the flames were less intense, but the monsters were smarter, more cunning. The echoes of their movements bounced off the cavern walls, making it difficult to pinpoint their location. Aldric could feel the mana here was denser, more chaotic, as if the domain itself was testing them.

"We need to be careful," Aldric warned. "The creatures here are likely to use the terrain to their advantage."

As if on cue, a shrill screech echoed through the cavern, followed by the sound of skittering claws. From the shadows emerged a pack of Emberfang Wolves, their fur crackling with static energy. They moved in unison, their red eyes locked on the group.

Aldric prepared to cast another spell, but before he could, the wolves split off in different directions, their movements erratic and unpredictable. They darted in and out of the shadows, using the cavern's natural acoustics to mask their approach.

"Stay alert!" Aldric called out, his eyes darting around, trying to track the wolves' movements. But the echoes were disorienting, making it hard to focus.

One of the wolves lunged at Elara from behind, its fangs bared and crackling with energy. Selene was quick to react, summoning a barrier of shadow to deflect the attack. The wolf collided with the barrier and recoiled, snarling in frustration.

Darius moved swiftly, his sword flashing in the dim light as he struck down another wolf that tried to flank them. "We can't keep this up forever," he muttered, breathing heavily. "There's too many, and they're too fast."

Aldric knew they needed a plan, something to give them the upper hand. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the mana around him, feeling its flow and rhythm. Then it came to him—a solution.

"Elara, can you create a barrier to trap them in one area?" he asked.

Elara nodded, understanding his intent. She raised her hands, channeling her magic into the ground. A glowing green barrier formed around a section of the cavern, trapping several of the wolves inside.

"Good," Aldric said, concentrating. "Now, everyone stand back."

With a swift motion, Aldric unleashed a torrent of flames from his **Creation Magic**, filling the enclosed space with fire. The wolves howled in pain, unable to escape the inferno. When the flames subsided, the wolves were gone, reduced to ash.

The group took a moment to catch their breath, but there was little time to rest. The cavern was vast, and they still had a long way to go.

They moved carefully through the winding tunnels, their senses heightened. The echoes continued to play tricks on their ears, but Aldric's **Great Divine Eyes** helped guide them, cutting through the illusions and revealing the true path.

After what felt like hours, they reached the end of the cavern. Before them stood a large stone door, etched with ancient runes. It was the gateway to the third level, the **Inferno's Core**.

Aldric stepped forward, placing his hand on the door. The runes began to glow, and the door slowly creaked open, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.

"This is it," Aldric said, steeling himself. "The next level. Everyone, stay close and be ready for anything."

They descended the staircase, the air growing hotter with each step. The walls were lined with molten rock, glowing with a sinister red light. The Inferno's Core was aptly named; the heat here was suffocating, and the air was thick with smoke.

The moment they stepped into the core, they were met with a barrage of fireballs. Aldric quickly raised a barrier of water, deflecting the attack. But the source of the attack was not a single creature; it was an army.

Flame Imps, small but numerous, filled the chamber. Their bodies were wreathed in fire, and their eyes glowed with malice. They chattered and shrieked, hurling fireballs with reckless abandon.

"There's too many!" Selene shouted, summoning a shield of shadow to block another volley of fireballs.

Aldric knew they couldn't fight them all. "We need to move, now!" he commanded. "Head for the center!"

The group pushed forward, cutting through the horde of imps. Aldric used his **Creation Magic** to clear a path, conjuring blasts of wind to blow the imps away. Darius fought with a fierce determination, his sword slicing through the air with precision. Elara and Selene provided support, using their magic to shield the group and keep the imps at bay.

{Yeah I know a cliffhanger but don't stress the next chapter will also be uploaded.}