The incomplete Serpent fragment rose higher, its molten coils hissing as they struck the lava. Each movement sent waves of heat that warped the air, making the world shimmer.
The magma Flameborne planted his feet, rivers of molten rock spiraling toward him as if obeying an unspoken command.
"Its body isn't whole," he rumbled, "but its hunger is."
The First Clash
The Serpent's head lunged, jaws opening to reveal fangs like stalactites. Arkan met it mid-strike, his flame clashing with the creature's molten breath. The impact sent a shockwave through the chasm, chunks of cooled rock raining down.
Zoro and Sanji flanked the monster, striking at the molten armor along its sides, while Orren cooled parts of its body to slow its movements. But every wound they made was filled again by fresh magma drawn from the volcano's core.
The Flameborne's Song
The magma Flameborne slammed his hand to the ground. The lava around them pulsed — not randomly, but in a steady, deep rhythm. Lyra's eyes widened.
"That's the verse we heard before… but he's using it to control the fight!"
Robin realized what was happening.
"If you move in time with it, the magma itself will help you."
Arkan closed his eyes briefly, feeling the beat through the soles of his feet — slow, heavy, unyielding. He timed his next strike to the pulse, and the ground beneath the Serpent surged upward, lifting it into the air long enough for Zoro to deliver a perfect slash.
The Serpent Fights Back
With a roar, the fragment shed part of its molten skin, revealing a core of blackened, glass-like scales. From this core, it unleashed a wave of flame so hot it turned the air white.
The Flameborne stepped forward, taking the brunt of it, his molten body cracking under the force.
"Strike… on the next heartbeat," he growled.
The Final Sequence
Arkan matched the rhythm, each step landing with the pulse of the lava. Lyra's song wove into the beat, amplifying it, while the rest of the crew cleared the way.
On the final pulse, Arkan unleashed his full power — a wave of golden flame shaped into a spear, piercing straight into the Serpent's core. The fragment screamed, its molten body collapsing back into the lava from which it came.
Aftermath
The magma Flameborne, still standing but visibly weakened, turned to Arkan.
"You hear the Song now. But one verse will not save you."
He handed Arkan a shard of obsidian, still warm to the touch.
"When all verses are sung together… the Serpent will either die, or the world will."
Final Scene
As the Sunny departed the volcanic island, Robin noticed the constellation shift again — the red point dimming, replaced by a new one flickering in deep blue.
"Next one's in the frozen north," she murmured.
Arkan's eyes narrowed.
"Then we head into the cold… before the Serpent gets there first."