Chương 19: Chapter 19: The Unyielding Flames of the Inferno Titan

The chamber quaked with every step of the Inferno Titan, its colossal frame radiating an unbearable heat that distorted the air around it. Rivers of molten lava flowed through the cracks in the ground, pooling and bubbling around the edges of the vast chamber. Aldric and his companions stood on the edge of this fiery battlefield, each feeling the immense weight of the challenge that lay ahead.

Darius staggered back to his feet, clutching his side where the Titan's blow had struck him. "Damn it, that thing's too strong," he muttered, wincing in pain. Elara and Selene moved to his side, their expressions filled with worry but also determination. They had faced many trials in this domain, but none as overwhelming as this.

Aldric's eyes were focused on the Titan, his mind racing through the possibilities. The beast was not just a creature of raw power; it was an embodiment of the very essence of fire and destruction. He knew that their usual strategies wouldn't suffice here. They needed something more.

"Listen up," Aldric called to his team, drawing their attention. "We can't afford to hold back. This thing is feeding off the flames and heat around it. We need to disrupt its connection to the lava flows and focus our attacks on its core. But first, we have to weaken its defenses."

Selene nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll use my shadow magic to create barriers and cut off some of the lava flows. That should reduce its ability to draw power from them."

Elara chimed in, her voice steady despite the fear that gripped her. "I can use my wind magic to try and cool some of the lava, maybe even create pockets of safe ground for us to stand on."

Darius, though injured, clenched his fists and nodded. "And I'll do what I do best—distract it. If I can get close enough, I might be able to land a few hits on its legs and slow it down."

Aldric felt a surge of pride in his companions. Despite the odds, they were ready to give it their all. He took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally and physically for the battle ahead. "Alright, let's do this. Be careful, and remember—we're in this together."

With a collective nod, they sprang into action. Selene extended her hands, and dark tendrils of shadow erupted from the ground, weaving themselves into solid barriers that blocked the nearest streams of lava. The molten rock slammed against the barriers, but they held firm, diverting the flow and cutting off one of the Titan's sources of power.

Elara moved with grace, her hands dancing through the air as she summoned powerful gusts of wind. The intense heat in the chamber made it difficult, but she concentrated, pulling in cooler air from above and directing it toward the lava. Steam hissed as the cooler air met the hot rock, and patches of the ground began to solidify into blackened stone.

Darius, his body still aching, gritted his teeth and dashed toward the Titan. He knew he couldn't defeat it on his own, but his goal was to keep it occupied, to buy the others time. He zigzagged across the chamber, narrowly avoiding the streams of lava and the Titan's sweeping blows. When he got close enough, he leaped into the air, bringing his sword down on the Titan's leg with all his might.

The blade struck true, sinking into the molten rock. A burst of flame erupted from the wound, and the Titan let out a deafening roar. It staggered, momentarily distracted, giving Aldric the opening he needed.

Aldric focused his **Great Divine Eyes** on the Titan's core, the very center of its being. He could see the swirling mass of mana and fire, protected by layers of molten rock and flame. He knew he needed to penetrate those defenses to reach the core, but his usual spells wouldn't be enough.

He closed his eyes for a moment, centering himself. He had to dig deeper, draw upon every bit of strength and power he possessed. He felt the surge of energy within him, the mana flowing through his veins. He opened his eyes, a fierce determination burning within them.

"Alright, let's see how you handle this," Aldric muttered to himself. He raised his hand, summoning his **Creation Magic**. Ice began to form in his palm, rapidly expanding and taking shape. He infused it with his mana, enhancing its durability and potency.

The ice grew into a massive spear, its tip razor-sharp and glistening with cold. Aldric could feel the chill radiating from it, a stark contrast to the intense heat of the chamber. He focused on the Titan, aiming for its core.

With a powerful throw, he launched the ice spear through the air. It flew like a bolt of lightning, piercing through the layers of molten rock and flame. The Titan roared in pain as the spear struck true, burying itself deep within its chest.

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. The Titan staggered, its body convulsing as the ice spread, extinguishing the flames around its core. It clutched at its chest, trying to pull the spear out, but the ice continued to spread, rapidly cooling the molten rock and slowing its movements.

"Now!" Aldric shouted to his companions. "Hit it with everything you've got!"

Darius, Elara, and Selene didn't need to be told twice. They charged forward, unleashing a barrage of attacks on the Titan. Darius struck at its legs, his sword glowing with mana. Elara summoned powerful gusts of wind, directing them at the Titan's chest. Selene conjured dark tendrils that wrapped around the Titan's arms, pulling them back and restraining its movements.

The Titan roared in fury, its body writhing as it struggled against their combined assault. It swung its massive arms, trying to break free, but Selene's shadows held firm. Darius continued to strike at its legs, each blow weakening its stance. Elara's wind magic cooled the molten rock, further slowing its movements.

Aldric could feel the energy within him surging. He knew this was their chance to end it. He summoned another spear of ice, infusing it with even more mana than before. He could feel the strain on his body, the intense cold radiating from the spear, but he pushed through it, focusing on the task at hand.

He raised the spear, aiming for the Titan's core. "This ends now," he muttered, his voice filled with determination. With all his might, he hurled the spear through the air.

The spear flew true, piercing through the layers of rock and flame and striking the Titan's core. There was a moment of silence, and then the Titan let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as the ice spread, extinguishing the flames and freezing the molten rock.

The Titan staggered, its body crumbling as the ice spread through its core. It let out one final, ear-splitting scream as its body began to disintegrate, the flames dying out and the molten rock crumbling away. In moments, it was gone, leaving nothing but a pile of cooling lava and ash.

The chamber fell silent, the oppressive heat dissipating slightly. Aldric lowered his hands, breathing heavily. They had done it. They had defeated the Inferno Titan.

"Is everyone okay?" Aldric asked, turning to check on the others.

Darius nodded, though he was clearly exhausted and in pain. "I'm fine, just a bit battered."

Elara and Selene joined them, both looking equally tired but unharmed. "We're okay," Elara said, a small smile on her face. "Thanks to you."

Aldric nodded, relieved. "Good. Let's get out of here. We've cleared the Domain of Fire, and there's no point in staying any longer."

The group moved toward the exit, their steps unsteady but filled with a sense of accomplishment. The path out of the Domain of Fire was long, winding back through the levels they had conquered. As they ascended, the air gradually cooled, the oppressive heat of the Inferno Titan's chamber left behind.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached the entrance of the domain. The moment they stepped outside, they were greeted by the cool, refreshing air of the outside world. It was a stark contrast to the searing heat they had endured, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

The sky was painted with the warm hues of dusk, the sun slowly sinking below the horizon. The sight was a welcome change, a reminder that they had made it through the trials of the Domain of Fire.

Aldric turned to his companions, a weary smile on his face. "We did it," he said softly. "We made it through."

Darius grinned, despite his injuries. "Yeah, we did. And now we can finally get some rest."

Elara and Selene nodded in agreement, their expressions tired but content. "We've earned it," Elara said with a smile. "A good rest and a proper meal."

As they began to set up camp for the night, Aldric excused himself, saying he needed a moment to himself. The others nodded, understanding that he likely needed time to process everything they had been through.

Aldric walked a short distance away from the camp, finding a secluded spot beneath a large tree. He sat down, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He needed to clear his mind, to focus on the task at hand.

It was time to sign in.

Making sure he was alone, Aldric summoned his **Sign-In System**.