----Page 9----
The crater was alive.
Mist curled over jagged edges, faintly glowing blue as it clung to fissures in the scorched earth. Steam hissed violently from cracks, warm against my skin, and the acrid scent of scorched rock stung my nostrils. The air shimmered in the heat, distorting the sight of the Mana Spring at the center. Its pale azure glow pulsed alive, like the heartbeat of some ancient being.
I felt a familiar weight settle in my chest. The Codex vibrated slightly against my palm, as if aware of the spring's power. This was the same source that had destroyed three cities five years ago.
I also remembered Folie's warnings tales of Tauranus, the Flame Guardian that rose in fury when mortals trespassed the spring.
"There's something weird about here," I murmured, scanning the glowing mist.
"It's… beautiful," Seraphine whispered, her pink curls catching the blue light as she leaned closer to the edge.
Arin shifted uneasily, lowering his bow. "Yeah, beautiful and terrifying. You really know how to find trouble, Seraphine."
She flinched slightly, pulling her hands back. "S-sorry… I just It's like it's calling to me."
Lysera's calm voice sliced through the haze. "Beauty and death often come together."
Arin clicked his tongue, nocking an arrow. "Poetic, but I'd rather not test that theory."
The ground beneath us shuddered. Pebbles bounced as a deep rumble rose from below.
My eyes widened. "Wait… do you feel that?"
Before anyone could answer, the earth split open. A blinding glow surged upward, and a huge black magical circle flared beneath the spring. The molten light erupted and from it, Tauranus emerged.
The guardian towered above us. Horns twisted like jagged spires. Magma flowed through cracks in its armored hide, glowing like veins of fire. Its eyes burned like twin furnaces of hate. Each step shook the ground, fissures tearing wider under its immense weight. The heat pressed against my skin, making every breath sharp and heavy.
Lysera drew her blade, steady and composed. "Finally. It shows itself."
Arin smirked, though his hands trembled. "Guess we're skipping introductions." He darted toward higher ground, nocking an infused arrow.
Seraphine stepped back, pink light rising around her hands. "Magic Boost!" she cried, sending waves of energy through the air that wrapped around her allies.
I gripped the Codex tightly, magic swords glowing faintly in my hands. "Good work, Seraphine. Keep our barrier strong."
She nodded, her voice trembling but firm. "I'll do my best!"
I exhaled, steeling my resolve. "Arin, pin its legs. Lysera, distract it. I'll find its weak point."
"Understood!" Lysera's eyes sharpened, ready for the command.
Tauranus roared a thunderous sound that split the sky. Fire spilled from its jaws, melting the rocks beneath.
Lysera lunged forward, her rapier flashing between glowing plates of molten armor. Sparks burst as her strike connected.
The wound closed instantly. The Mana Spring pulsed, feeding energy straight into the guardian.
"It's regenerating!" Lysera shouted, leaping back.
My gaze darted to the spring. Its glow matched Tauranus' pulse. It's drawing directly from the source...
I clenched my fists. We need a new plan.
The Codex hummed in my hand, its pages faintly glowing.
Arin released several binding arrows, their light wrapping around Tauranus' legs only to snap apart like threads. "Damn it! Nothing's working!"
A deep voice echoed inside my mind, calm and ancient. Summon me, Master.
My breath hitched. "W-what? Who's there?"
Summon me. I can help you.
Before I could respond, Tauranus reared back, its horns gathering blinding heat. Fire exploded outward in a wall of molten rage.
"Barrier now!" I shouted.
Seraphine raised her arms, forming a glowing pink dome but cracks spidered across it instantly. The blast shattered it like glass.
"I can't hold it!" she cried.
"Fall back!" Arin yelled, pulling her away as fire rained down.
Lysera dashed through the inferno, her rapier flashing as she drew a glowing white circle beneath her. "Heaven's wrath swirls upon my blade. Cast the shadows back where they belong Zenith Starfall!"
She vanished from the ground and appeared above Tauranus, her sword blazing with celestial light. The strike landed true her blade pierced one of the guardian's horns.
Tauranus howled, molten blood splattering across the crater. Its arm swung up in retaliation, faster than thunder.
My heart froze. No… she won't make it!
Summon me, Master! the voice cried again from the Codex.
I gritted my teeth. I can't I'm not strong enough!
Then I'll lend you mine.
Energy surged through my veins, warm and alive. My swords vibrated with raw power.
I raised them high. "Blazing Tempest!"
A crimson vortex roared into existence, devouring Tauranus in a spiraling storm of flame.
Lysera landed hard on the ground, her armor scorched but intact.
The firestorm faded. I fell to one knee, gasping.
"Arin, now!" I shouted.
Arin leapt forward, firing a volley of golden arrows. "Magical Solar Arrow!"
The barrage struck true, explosions rippling across Tauranus' body.
I pushed through the heat, forging a golden sword from the Codex's light and driving it into the guardian's arm.
Tauranus roared, the impact sending me flying backward. I slammed into the cliff wall, coughing blood.
Seraphine rushed to me, panic flooding her face. "You're hurt"
I shook my head, forcing myself upright. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Lysera's voice cut in sharply. "Then what is it protecting?"
A whisper echoed through my mind again. Use the spring... summon me.
My eyes widened. It's feeding from the spring... maybe I can channel it back.
I sprinted toward the glowing water. "Forgive me, Guardian... I'm not here to destroy you. I'll borrow your strength to free you from the curse twisting your rage."
Power surged the moment my hands touched the spring. Pain seared through me as light erupted from the Codex. Symbols spun around me, a storm of magic rising skyward.
"Codex Invocation Summon Pageborn! Nivarra, Ember Seer!"
Flames burst upward, taking the form of a woman. Crimson hair flowed like fire, eyes burning with divine intensity.
"The Fire that Knows Tomorrow answers," Nivarra said, voice echoing across the crater. "Speak, Master what is your command?"
I gasped, barely standing. "Help me... release the guardian's fury!"
Flames wrapped around Tauranus, chains of fire binding its limbs.
Nivarra's gaze hardened. "Its heart is poisoned by mortal greed that's why it raged."
I clenched my fists. "Then let's free it!"
"Now!" I shouted.
Arin released another golden arrow, striking Tauranus' head.
Lysera followed, her rapier glowing white-silver as she slashed twice, sending twin arcs of wind slicing through molten armor.
I raised my hand, my last strength pouring into the Codex. "Release! Radiant Blast!"
A torrent of bluish-white light burst forth, colliding with Tauranus in a blinding explosion.
The roar faded into silence. The heat cooled. Ash drifted down like snow.
Seraphine sank to her knees, voice trembling. "He... he wasn't a monster."
I nodded quietly. "No. He was the guardian."
Nivarra smiled softly, flickering like a flame. "At last, Master Kinon. You finally summoned me."
Lysera crossed her arms. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I was first."
Nivarra smirked. "Oh? Someone's jealous already?"
Before their banter could continue, Tauranus' molten form began to shrink until a small, fiery creature, no larger than a cat, stood before us.
I crouched down, gentle despite my exhaustion. "I'll call you... Tauren. You're free now."
The little creature blinked, molten eyes softening. Sparks flickered from its tail as it climbed onto my shoulder, curling up like a flame given peace.
Arin sighed. "Perfect. Another fiery pet. Our group's really growing."
The Codex shimmered, recording everything Tauren's new bond, Seraphine's strengthened magic, the calm of the restored spring.
But the glow of the crater dimmed, leaving only the whisper of fire and wind.
I looked at Tauren. "By the way... why did you destroy those cities five years ago?"
The small creature tilted his head, expression heavy with something ancient. "I... don't remember clearly. There were men in black robes. They came to the crater and tried to control the Mana Spring. Their leader wore a strange bone mask. He said... he would use the spring's power to rule the world."
Seraphine froze. Her hands trembled, eyes wide in horror.
"It... it was Zerion," she whispered.
Everyone turned toward her.
Her voice shook, barely above a whisper. "He's the leader of the Tyrant Hands. I remember his voice... He was there when Coreon turned us into puppets."
The wind howled across the crater.
No one spoke.
Only the Codex glowed faintly recording history as it shifted once again.