Cherreads

Chapter 30 - Chapter 30; Roar of the flames ,rise of the devourer

The two towering beasts stood before them—massive, snarling, and radiating deadly elemental power.

The Flaming Salamander's molten scales shimmered under the sun like a living volcano.

Beside it, the Water Salamander glistened with a chilling aura, moisture evaporating from its breath as if it carried a storm in its chest.

And then—they opened their jaws.

Twin magic circles swirled inside their mouths, pulsating with raw power.

A giant orb of fire and a sphere of pressurized water burst from their maws at once, racing toward the Dilhaze party like twin meteors.

"SCATTER!" Raizo roared.

"Kay!" Fenra and Silvia shouted in sync, leaping in opposite directions.

The elemental balls collided with the ground where they once stood, exploding into a blast of steam and debris that ripped through the battlefield.

Raizo gritted his teeth, eyes blazing.

His crimson-red and brown irises glared through the smoke.

"You know what, you two?" he growled, stepping forward.

Fenra and Silvia turned toward him mid-run, breath catching in their throats.

"Take out the Water Salamander." Raizo said. "I'll handle the Flaming one."

"What?!" Fenra shouted, stunned. "Raizo, no! That's too dangerous!"

But Raizo just smiled.

"Trust me. I promise I'll be okay."

There was no hesitation in his voice. Just conviction.

Silvia looked at Fenra. They knew there was no stopping him when he had that look in his eyes.

"…Fine," Fenra muttered. "Let's go, Silvia."

Raizo nodded. "Thank you."

Lucas, who was already preparing to fight elsewhere, heard every word.

> If Raizo can defeat that thing by himself… then... maybe...

He's already stronger than me.

Raizo sprinted forward, his black cloak fluttering, Voidbringer gripped tight in his right hand.

"OVER HERE, YOU OVERSIZED LIZARD!" he shouted.

The Flaming Salamander roared and charged, its body igniting with waves of flame as it raced at him.

It opened its jaw, ready to incinerate him—

But Raizo jumped, flipping over the burst of flame.

"Too slow," he muttered midair.

He raised his left hand and chanted:

> "Aquas surge, hydro's might, pump and flow, tidal wave!"

Water Magic: Hydro Pump!

A roaring surge of water spiraled from his magic circle and slammed against the Salamander's fire breath, creating a blinding mist of steam.

Raizo landed—right on the salamander's back.

The beast twisted and thrashed, but he held on tight.

"Let's add a spark."

He stabbed his hand forward.

> "Fulmen's strike, shock and pierce, lightning's fear!"

Lightning Magic: Lightning Thrust!

A bolt of lightning crackled through his blade, driving it deep into the Flaming Salamander's neck.

The beast screeched, its flaming eyes glowing brighter from the pain.

Raizo grit his teeth, holding Voidbringer lodged in the monster's burning scales.

"STAY DOWN!" he roared.

The Salamander screamed and threw its body sideways, slamming into a mountainside, shaking the entire battlefield.

Dust and rubble rained down.

But Raizo didn't let go.

He ripped his sword free and leapt backward, landing hard.

The Flaming Salamander growled and suddenly spun—its entire body erupting into a fiery wheel.

"Tch—!" Raizo dove out of the way just in time.

The ground behind him erupted into flames.

"Alright…" Raizo said, planting his feet.

He sheathed Voidbringer at his waist.

He closed his eyes and raised both hands to the sky, feeling the elemental mana swirl around him.

> "Aquas tempest, deluge's might, stormy tides, turbulent night!"

Water Magic: Hydro Storm!

A massive wave erupted from his circle like a tidal vortex, engulfing the Flaming Salamander completely.

The beast shrieked, flailing in the rising waters.

Its flames hissed and sizzled as steam exploded into the sky.

Before it could recover, Raizo's voice cut through the mist again:

> "Wind's edge, slice and divide, storm's blade, cut with pride!"

Wind Magic: Wind Cutter!

Three blades of wind slashed through the soaked beast with brutal precision.

With one final screech, the Flaming Salamander collapsed, its internal fires dying out.

The battlefield trembled—

Then silence.

A blue aura pulsed around Raizo.

> Gluttony Ability Activated. Absorbing essence…

Stats Updating...

Attack: 450

Defense: 370

Stamina: 400

Mana: 510

Raizo lowered his arms slowly, steam rising from his soaked cloak.

"One down."

He looked toward Fenra and Silvia, who were locked in battle with the Water Salamander.

His grip on Voidbringer tightened.

"Let's end this."

Steam still lingered in the air from Raizo's previous battle, his soaked cloak trailing behind him as he sprinted across the battlefield.

He spotted them—Fenra and Silvia—dodging and weaving through the crashing tail and water blasts of the Water Salamander.

"Need some help, you two?" Raizo called out.

Fenra smirked without even turning to look. "I can handle it, Raizo. Don't worry."

Silvia narrowed her eyes, nocking another arrow. "Just stand back and watch how I beat it."

They both glanced at each other.

"You?" Fenra scoffed. "I'm the one finishing it."

"Tch. We'll see, mutt."

Before either could boast further, the Water Salamander spun, its tail slicing the air with a deafening whip.

They both leapt in opposite directions, landing nimbly.

Efil, observing from the trees, narrowed her eyes. "Not bad for newcomers..."

The Salamander reared up, magic glowing in its throat.

A dense orb of compressed water gathered in its mouth—ready to fire a devastating shot.

Fenra's eyes sharpened. "Not today."

She raised her hand and chanted:

> "Durus forma, fortis shell, harden and shield, strength to compel!"

Fighting Magic: Hardening!

A glowing aura surged around her body. Her claws shimmered—dense, metallic, deadly.

With a burst of mana from her feet, she launched herself at the beast.

But before the Salamander could release the water orb, Silvia took a deep breath and pulled her bowstring taut.

> "Aero's wing, ventus' flight, swift and true, gale's sharp light!"

Wind Magic: Gale Arrow!

Her eyes glowed green—Eagle Eye activated.

She let the arrow fly.

It pierced the glowing orb inside the Salamander's mouth—

—BOOM!

An explosion erupted within the Salamander's jaw, causing it to scream in pain and stagger backward.

"Nice shot," Fenra muttered as she flipped backward.

"Don't celebrate yet," Silvia said coolly, already chanting another spell:

> "Roots arise, bind and hold, tree's grasp, enemies cold!"

Plant Magic: Treebind!

From beneath the Salamander's soaked scales, roots erupted, snaring its legs and tail.

It shrieked, thrashing to break free—but Fenra wasn't done.

> "Wind's edge, slice and divide, storm's blade, cut with pride!"

Wind Magic: Wind Cutter!

A burst of slicing wind burst forward, slashing across the Salamander's hide. Its shriek echoed across the battlefield.

"ENOUGH!" Fenra shouted.

The Salamander charged its breath again, light pooling in its cracked mouth.

Fenra launched into the air, her hardening magic still glowing.

"No you don't!"

With a furious battle cry, she slammed her clawed fist straight into the Salamander's jaw, interrupting the charge—

BOOM!

The magic exploded inside its mouth once again, smoke and water mist bursting from its face.

"Dumb lizard," Fenra muttered as she landed with a roll.

Above, Silvia leapt from tree to tree, wind gliding behind her.

"Fenra! Eyes!"

She let loose two arrows—one for each eye.

Thnk! Thnk!

The Salamander roared and reeled.

Silvia smirked and called out, "Finish it! But next time, the kill's mine."

Fenra chuckled, cracks of lightning still flickering on her clawed fists. "Okay, pointy ear. You got it."

With a burst of speed, she charged forward, her claws shining with hardened magic.

> "RAAAAH!"

She uppercut the Water Salamander straight into the jaw—

CRACK!

Its head snapped backward, and its massive body crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, the water rippling around it.

Silence.

The mist cleared.

Raizo stood watching, sword sheathed at his side. A proud smile spread on his face.

The Water Salamander lay unmoving—defeated by the teamwork of two warriors with completely different souls, but one shared goal.

They turned to each other, eyes locking.

"Not bad," Silvia said.

Fenra smirked. "You're not bad either. For an elf."

They bumped fists "Let's go, Raizo." they said in unison.

the ground rumbled violently beneath their feet.

"What now—?" Raizo muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Chunks of earth exploded upward, stone spikes and flying debris shooting toward them. The Dilhaze party scattered, instinct kicking in.

Raizo quickly turned to see Noel and Efil struggling against a massive Earth Salamander, its body armored in layers of thick, jagged stone. It stood like a living fortress—intimidating and unmoved.

Noel roared as he swung his battle axe, landing a powerful strike on the beast's side.

CLANG!

The blow echoed—but the Earth Salamander didn't even flinch.

"Tch! This thing's harder than a mountain!" Noel cursed, recoiling from the reverberation through his arms.

"I'm trying to find a weak spot!" Efil called from the treetops, her sharp eyes scanning the beast.

The salamander roared, lifting its head—and from behind it, a barrage of boulder-sized stones shot toward them.

"Noel, look out!" Efil screamed.

Without hesitation, Noel leapt in front of her, raising his shield.

> "Divine light, shield us whole—Holy Protection!"

Holy Magic: Barrier!

A brilliant sphere of light surrounded them. The rocks shattered on impact, fragments scattering like sparks in the air.

But the Earth Salamander wasn't finished. With another roar, it slammed its tail into the ground, summoning a forest of stone spikes that erupted around them.

Efil and Noel barely managed to leap back, breathing hard.

As they landed behind the creature, they glanced up—and there they saw them:

Raizo, Fenra, and Silvia—watching silently.

"You guys okay?" Fenra called.

Noel wiped sweat from his brow and grinned. "Of course we are."

But inside, he was stunned. They already took down two salamanders?

Before another word could be said, a violent explosion echoed overhead.

The sky cracked open with magic light.

The Dilhaze party and Noel and Efil all turned toward the sky—

A blur of wings and smoke—

The demon soared above them, his cloak torn, a wicked grin carved into his face as he exchanged furious blows with Lucas and Jonathan.

"They're holding their own, for now," Silvia noted, eyes sharp.

Back on the ground, the Earth Salamander opened its cavernous mouth, ready to devour Noel, who was still recovering.

His eyes widened.

In that moment, time slowed.

He saw it—his life, the battles, the burdens of being a tank. So this is it...

But just as the jaws closed—

FLASH!

"Not on my watch!" Raizo shouted, dashing forward like lightning.

He leapt onto the salamander's head and drove Voidbringer straight into its eye.

SHLUNK!

The creature screamed and thrashed. Raizo flipped backward and landed just as Efil's magic circle lit up.

> "Reflect, rebound, mirrored sight—strike with doubled light!"

Wind Magic: Mirror Shot!

Three glowing versions of Efil materialized—red, blue, and green phantoms.

TWANG! TWANG! TWANG!

Three enchanted arrows flew in perfect sync, each striking the salamander's remaining eye, blinding it.

Now was the chance.

Noel gritted his teeth and roared:

> "Terras wake, seismic might, earth's fury—shatter the night!"

Earth Magic: Quake Split!

He slammed his axe into the ground.

BOOOOOOOM!

The earth beneath the salamander cracked open like a canyon. The massive creature lost its footing, roared one last time—and plunged into the pit, its own weight collapsing the rock over it.

Silence.

The Earth Salamander was defeated.

Noel and Efil took a moment to breathe—but said nothing.

They simply rushed past Dilhaze, sprinting toward their comrades in the air without a word of gratitude.

Fenra folded her arms. "Hmph. Not even a 'thank you'?"

Silvia rolled her eyes. "Some heroes they are."

Raizo watched them run, his voice calm. "Just let it go."

Fenra glanced at him. "Aren't you going to help your brother fight that demon?"

Raizo smiled, raising his head to the sky. "Let's watch them a bit longer. If they're in trouble... we'll step in."

Silvia and Fenra nodded. "Okay then."

Their eyes rose as the battle in the heavens began to intensify—and the air crackled with ominous magic.

Lucas and Jonathan stood their ground, blades drawn, sweat trailing down their brows.

Keith grinned, floating above the shattered earth, a demonic glow swirling around him.

> "Are you the hero everyone's been talking about?" he sneered, glaring directly at Lucas.

Lucas didn't flinch.

> "Yes. I am the hero who will defeat the Demon Lord."

He raised his holy sword, Paladin, gleaming with a faint golden light.

> "And you… who are you?"

Keith's eyes widened, then he grinned wider—unnaturally wide.

> "I am Keith. One of the Four Demon Generals serving Lord Zarvohk."

The name hit like thunder. Lucas' grip tightened.

> "So… the Demon Lord has returned."

Keith tilted his head mockingly.

> "You're almost right about that."

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Almost? What do you mean—"

Before he could finish, Noel and Efil arrived, panting from the earlier battle.

> "We're here to back you up, Lucas!" Noel shouted, standing beside him, shield in hand.

Keith sighed as if disappointed. "So the salamanders I tamed didn't last, huh? Pathetic creatures…"

His crimson gaze drifted—then locked onto Raizo, seated calmly among the battlefield's edge.

The air shifted.

Lucas caught that stare and lunged forward, sword blazing, but—

> CLANG!

Keith casually raised his hand and blocked it with just a demonic barrier.

> "Could you not interrupt me?"

With a flick of his hand, he released a beam of searing red energy. Lucas barely dodged it, the blast exploding behind him.

Then Keith pointed—straight at Raizo.

> "You. There's something inside you… a terrifying power."

The battlefield froze.

Lucas' eyes widened.

Jonathan paused mid-step.

Fenra and Silvia stared in confusion and fear.

> "What do you mean by that?!" Lucas demanded.

Keith only smirked. "Oh… nothing really. You'll find out soon enough."

He brushed invisible dust off his shoulder.

> "Now then… shall we continue?"

Lucas snapped back into focus. "Heroes Party! Formation!"

"Yes, sir!" they answered.

> "Noel, front line! Shield us from his attacks!"

"Understood!" Noel stepped in front, shield braced.

> "Efil, snipe from the trees. Shoot only if you see an opening."

"Got it," Efil whispered, vanishing behind the trees and activating:

> Starlight Veil – Invisibility Active.

> "Jonathan, flank him from the rear. Wait for Efil's strike."

"Roger."

Keith watched, almost… impressed. "Well-coordinated. Let's see what good it does you."

In the blink of an eye—he vanished.

> BOOM!

Noel flew backward, smashing into a tree, his shield fractured.

"Noel!" Lucas yelled.

He dashed forward, sword glowing.

> "Divine flames, sword of light—demons flee, banished in sight!

Holy Magic: Divine Ignis!"

Paladin burned bright with purifying fire as Lucas slashed downward.

Jonathan appeared from behind, dagger glowing with light—

But Keith spun, grabbed his wrist mid-air, and hurled him into a mountain.

CRACK!

"Jonathan!!"

A whistle—Efil's arrow.

Keith turned—caught it mid-air. Snapped it in half.

> "You think this is enough to defeat me?"

Suddenly, his body burst with demonic mana, a red-black aura shaking the entire field.

Shockwaves pulsed from his form. Dust flew. Everyone stepped back.

> "This… mana—" Lucas muttered. "How can a demon hold this much?"

Silvia and Fenra looked up in silence.

Raizo remained seated… eyes focused, quiet. Watching.

But then—

A black portal appeared behind Keith.

A presence that made even the ground tremble.

Footsteps echoed.

A figure stepped out.

Tall. Horned. A long black cape trailing behind him like the void. Skin pale as ash. Eyes cold, glowing a sickening gold. Sharp teeth bared in an unnatural grin.

Raizo's eyes narrowed. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Keith turned and immediately bowed.

> "Lord Zarvohk…! What brings you here?"

The battlefield held its breath.

> "We're leaving," Zarvohk said coldly.

Keith tensed. "But… my lord—"

> "No buts."

Suddenly—WHOOSH!

Efil, hidden in the trees, let loose a glowing arrow.

It flew straight at Zarvohk's heart.

He didn't even blink.

Mid-air, the arrow disintegrated into ash.

Everyone stood frozen.

Zarvohk turned his head slightly, staring toward the trees.

> "You elf. Know your place."

He snapped his fingers.

The tree Efil was hiding in exploded, shattered by invisible force.

"AGH—!" Efil screamed as she hit the ground, blood splattering.

"Efil!!" Lucas ran toward her.

Raizo stood up, jaw clenched.

> "So that's… the Demon Lord…"

Zarvohk stepped back into the portal.

"Let's go," he said simply.

Keith gave a last grin and followed his master into the void.

The portal closed.

Silence returned.

Lucas, Noel, Jonathan, and the Dilhaze party rushed to Efil, who lay unconscious, bruised, bleeding.

> "Divine life force, flow through me, total healing, eternal restoration!"

Healing Magic: Supreme Heal!

Lucas placed both hands on her chest as golden light poured into her.

Her wounds began to close, her body stabilizing.

But her eyes did not open.

> "She's alive," Lucas breathed, "but barely..."

Raizo stepped beside them, eyes still focused on the spot where the portal vanished.

> "Zarvohk… and Keith..."

Fenra and Silvia joined him.

Silvia whispered, "That… that wasn't a battle we could've won."

Fenra clenched her fists. "Yet."

Raizo didn't speak for a moment.

Then, softly, he said—

> "We'll get stronger. All of us."

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