The ground trembled as Dionaeamuscipula roared, its thorn-covered vines thrashing through the jungle ground.
Jace stood still, eyes narrowed, blade in hand, heart pounding. The monster was weakening, but far from defeated.
"We're ending this now," he muttered, tightening his grip.
Eve's voice came from beside him. "I'll freeze the vines. Nick, draw its attention. Jace, go for the core."
Without waiting for a reply, Nick vanished into the underbrush. A flash of metal whistled through the air as his daggers struck the creature's hide, forcing it to lurch.
Eve moved in from the side. "Frostbind!"
A wave of cold surged from her blade, encasing the monster's vines in jagged layers of ice. Its movements slowed.
Jace charged.
But just as he closed in, the creature's head jerked toward him. Its mouth opened wide, and a deep red glow built in its throat like a volcano.
Eve's eyes widened in horror. "Jace, dodge!"
He twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the beam of searing red energy that tore through the jungle, scorching everything in its path.
Jace landed on the ground, breathing heavy. "It shoots beams now? Are you kidding me?"
Eve was already breaking through the frozen vines with a swipe of her sword. "Nick, now!"
Another flurry of daggers struck the monster's side. Its defenses shifted just enough.
Eve jumped into the air, her blade raised. "Ice Valley!"
The creature's head froze solid in a shimmering sheath of ice.
"Your turn, Jace!" she shouted.
Jace didn't hesitate. "Steel Echo!"
A surge of bluish energy exploded from his sword as he swung, the arc slicing cleanly through the frozen head, separating it from it's body.
Jace let out a shaky breath. "Well... that was something."
"You're welcome," Eve said, flashing him a small smirk. "And that final move? Not bad."
"Coming from you, I'll take that as high praise."
A slow clap echoed through the trees.
They turned as a tall figure emerged from the shadows, armor gleaming, eyes calm and sharp.
"Well done. I always had high hopes for you... Jace, Hero of Steel."
Jace froze. "Dante."
Eve and Nick exchanged glances, confused.
"Hero of what?" Nick asked, his brow furrowing.
"You know him?" Eve added, stepping closer.
Jace looked away, unsure of what to say.
Behind Dante, four more figures emerged from the forest Rihanna, Finn, Ivy, and Zane.
Rihanna stepped forward, smiling softly. "Hey, Jace. It's good to see you again."
"Likewise," he said, a little uncertain.
Finn gave a short nod. "Didn't expect to find you in the jungle playing adventurer."
Nick turned toward Jace, voice low but sharp. "Wait… You're one of them? One of the summoned?"
Jace sighed. "Yeah… I was going to tell you. I just didn't know how."
"You're serious," Eve whispered, eyes locked on him. "You're really one of the heroes from the other world?"
"I didn't want to be treated differently," Jace said. "I just wanted to figure things out on my own."
A tense silence hung between them before Rihanna stepped forward, breaking it.
"We're here investigating the Cult of Vrag," she said. "We heard you had a run-in with them too."
Dante crossed his arms. "We could use your help. You and your party."
Jace awkwardly "I don't know about that"
To be continued...