Ashblade stood still, his sword in hand.
Whisperlash stood beside him, her whip coiled but ready.
In front of them stood Reval—the leader of the branch base.
His grin never left his face.
Behind him, the two flame mutants growled, their bodies glowing with red energy.
Their breathing was heavy, loud, and full of heat.
Fire danced across their skin like it was alive.
The rest of the cultists stood to the side, watching in silence.
Strangely, none of them moved to chase the other three heroes.
Volt, Ember, and Sightpiercer had already disappeared into the rocky path above.
Ashblade narrowed his eyes.
"You let them go," he said. "Why?"
Reval shrugged. "To play, of course."
He stepped forward, slowly, his steps echoing.
"After I kill you two," he continued.
"I'll just go after them. This volcanic region is massive. They can't hide for long."
Ashblade kept watching him. "Are you sure about that?"
Reval chuckled. "You think I'm scared?"
