Amal ran back to the group, her breath heavy.
Shi looked around. "Where's Xei?"
"He's staying behind," Amal said quickly. "He's training his Ash. If he can control it… he'll be ready."
Sai nodded. "Then Shi should go with Tai—"
"No," Tai interrupted. "I can do this on my own."
Amal frowned. "Are you sure?"
Inside, Tai thought, Hell no.
But he forced a grin. "Yeah. I'm sure. He'll catch up once he's done."
Sai hesitated. "At least take Shi—"
Tai shook his head. "No. You guys might face something even stronger. You'll need him."
Amal sighed. "Fine. But be careful."
Tai smirked. "Always."
The group split up, heading toward their separate paths.
---
Tai stepped into the cave of the Eighth Beast.
The moment his foot touched the ground, a chilling wind cut through his body.
Frost crawled up his skin. His breath turned to fog.
Cold… too cold.
In seconds, his body froze like an ice statue.
A voice echoed through the cave.
"Hsss… a visitor? Or a fool?"
A massive snake slithered from the shadows, scales shimmering with frost. It coiled around Tai's frozen form and hissed, "I caught my mouse."
Tai's eyes flickered red beneath the ice.
He growled, "Hate to break it to you… but I ain't a mouse."
With a roar, heat burst from his chest — his true serpent form tore through the frost. Steam filled the air.
The icy serpent reared back, hissing louder. "You… you are the new King?"
Tai's fiery eyes locked on it. "Yeah. I am."
The serpent's expression twisted. "Then Zarathiss… is finally dead."
"Yeah," Tai said firmly.
The creature's form shifted — growing larger, colder, sharper — until it became a true frost serpent, matching Tai's size and power.
"Then let's see," it said, "if the next King… deserves the crown."
Go!" Tai shouted. "I'll distract it!"
Before anyone could stop him, Tai dashed into the cave.
Group Two — Sai, Amal, and Shi — climbed up over the ridge above the cave.
Sai glanced back. "Tai… good luck."
Then they continued their journey. The air grew hotter with every step.
As they walked, a deep, echoing voice drifted through the wind.
Voice: "Sai… don't fight without thinking. I sense a strong power ahead — one whose flames are weak within you."
Sai frowned. "Don't worry. I'm stronger now… and I've got Amal."
The voice whispered again, softer this time.
Voice: "Hear my voice… don't—"
Before Sai could answer, Amal's shout cut through the heat.
"I found the beast!"
Sai sprinted toward her voice — but the ground cracked beneath his feet.
"Amal!" he yelled as the earth gave way.
He plunged into a pit of blazing fire — a volcano hidden deep beneath the rocks. Lava roared around him.
Before he could fall in, Amal's hand shot out, grabbing him just in time.
Sai gasped, feeling the heat scorch his face. "What the hell is this place!?"
A low laugh echoed from below, vibrating through the molten air.
"Welcome," the voice said, "to my home."
A giant figure rose from the lava, made entirely of molten rock and flame. Its eyes burned like two suns.
Shi landed beside them, his calm voice steady even in the heat.
"The Lava Master…" said.
As the others left, Xei remained behind.
He climbed a tall tree overlooking the mountain below, the wind brushing against his face.
He breathed in… then out.
"Alright," he whispered, "just a drop this time."
He closed his eyes — and once again, he imagined a drop of water.
But the vision changed.
This time, he saw an ant colony. Tiny soldiers fought desperately against invading insects, defending their home.
They fought and fought… until the enemy reached the queen.
Xei's eyes snapped open, his breathing sharp. "I have no control… how can I master this?"
A calm, ancient voice answered, "You can't."
Xei froze. "Who said that?"
A green figure appeared before him — her body formed of vines, leaves, and flowing energy. Her eyes glowed with nature's light.
"I am the original holder," she said, her tone both soft and commanding. "The one many call Mother Nature. The one who burns forests, who rebuilds them. The one humanity both fears and needs."
Xei clenched his fists. "What do you want from me?"
She smiled faintly. "I want you to master the Green Ash. To help me rule."
"Rule?" Xei frowned. "I don't care about that. I just want to control this power — nothing more."
Her expression shifted, intrigued. "Firm. I like that. But listen well, child of green…"
"I normally do not care who wields my color. But you… are interesting. And it's been lonely for a long, long time."
Xei stepped back slightly. "I'm not here for you. If you won't help me, then leave. I don't need distractions."
Mother Nature chuckled — a sound like wind brushing through trees.
"Oh, I'll help you," she said. "But understand this — you can't master the Green Ash."
Xei's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Even I," she said, raising her hand as vines curled around her arm, "cannot master life itself. But I can help you activate it."
Xei stared at her for a moment… then nodded.
"I can take that