Chapter 7: Ember of the Eternal Flame

Victor stood at the edge of the Radiant Plains, his breath heavy from the close encounter with the Lumina Serpent. The satchel containing the Radiant Dewdrops bounced at his side, now one step closer to completing the task the mysterious voice had given him. But the last ingredient—the **Eternal Flame Ember**—was not something he could collect so easily. The journey to find it would take him into the heart of the **Infernal Mountains**, a place feared by even the most seasoned adventurers.

"Skritch," Victor said, looking over at the small imp perched on his shoulder, "tell me about the Infernal Mountains. What am I up against this time?"

Skritch's expression darkened, and he shifted uncomfortably. "The Infernal Mountains are no joke, human. They're not just dangerous; they're a living hell. Lava flows, molten rivers, and an intense heat that can melt steel if you're not careful. But it's not just the environment you need to worry about. The real danger is the **Emberbeasts** that roam those mountains. They're creatures of flame and fury, born from the very fires of the mountain. If you're seen by one, your only hope is to run... or die trying."

Victor's gaze hardened. He had been through many battles before, but facing creatures made of fire sounded like something out of a nightmare. However, there was no turning back now. The task had been set, and he had no choice but to press forward. The **Eternal Flame Ember** would be the final key to his survival in this world.

"I've come this far," he muttered. "I'm not backing down now."

The path leading to the Infernal Mountains twisted and turned, climbing upward toward the looming peaks. The air grew warmer as he ascended, the temperature rising with each step. Soon, the heat was stifling, and the ground beneath his feet turned to cracked stone, with veins of molten lava running just beneath the surface. The scent of sulfur and ash filled the air.

Skritch, whose wings were now barely moving in the oppressive heat, flitted around nervously. "You're entering the worst part now. The closer you get to the Emberbeasts' lairs, the stronger their presence will be. Trust me, you won't miss them. Their flames can be seen for miles. The real problem is getting to the Ember, which is inside a volcano at the heart of the range."

Victor paused, staring up at the towering mountains ahead. The volcano that housed the **Eternal Flame Ember** loomed like a giant in the distance. It seemed impossible to reach, but Victor knew he had no choice. He had to keep going.

After several hours of hiking, the path began to steepen, and the sky overhead grew darker, clouds of smoke swirling above the peaks. The sound of distant rumbling echoed through the air, and the earth trembled beneath his feet.

"There's no turning back now, is there?" Victor murmured, clenching his fists.

"Nope," Skritch replied grimly. "I'll stick by you, but remember, if you get roasted alive, it's not my fault."

Victor gave a wry smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. The mountains were closing in on him, and he could feel the rising heat—an intense pressure on his chest. The glow of molten lava bled through the cracks in the stone, casting eerie red and orange light across the landscape.

Then, just as he was nearing the entrance to a cave that led deeper into the mountainside, the ground cracked open with a deafening roar. From the fissure emerged a hulking, flame-covered creature, its eyes burning with fury. It was an **Emberbeast**—its massive form was made of molten lava, with jagged, obsidian-like armor covering its body. Flames licked from the cracks in its form as it towered over Victor, its deep growls sending tremors through the ground.

"Well, this is just fantastic," Victor muttered, instinctively drawing his sword.

The Emberbeast snarled, its molten claws scraping the ground as it advanced toward him. The heat radiating off its body was so intense that it felt like the air itself was on fire. Victor's grip tightened on his blade, and he took a deep breath. The only way through this was to fight.

"Skritch, any tips?" Victor asked, bracing himself for the inevitable clash.

Skritch's voice trembled slightly. "You can't just hack at it like a regular beast. Its body is made of pure fire. You need to aim for its core—the center of its chest. But be careful, its attacks are brutal. One wrong move, and you'll be roasted alive."

Victor didn't have much time. The Emberbeast lunged, its molten fist swinging toward him. With a swift sidestep, he dodged the strike, but the heat from the blow was enough to scorch his side. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain, and retaliated with a slash of his sword toward the beast's exposed flank. The blade barely scratched its molten surface.

The Emberbeast howled in anger, spinning around and unleashing a torrent of fire from its mouth. Victor leapt to the side, feeling the heat singe his clothes as the flames roared past him. He didn't have much time before the creature would strike again.

"Skritch!" Victor shouted. "How do I get to its core?"

"Look for the weak spots in its armor! It's covered in molten rock, but its chest will be less protected when it attacks. Wait for it to open up!"

Victor nodded. His heart raced, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he focused on the creature's movements. The Emberbeast was fast, but Victor had trained for moments like this. As the beast prepared for another fiery onslaught, Victor sprinted toward it, timing his movements with precision.

At the last second, he leapt toward the Emberbeast's chest, ducking under its massive claws, and slashed at the exposed area. His blade connected with a loud crack, and molten lava sprayed from the wound, splattering the ground around him.

The Emberbeast roared in pain, stumbling backward. Victor didn't hesitate. He pressed the attack, diving for the creature's vulnerable chest once more, this time driving his sword deep into the molten core.

The beast let out one final, guttural scream before collapsing in a heap of searing lava, its form disintegrating into ash and cinders.

Victor stood over the remnants of the Emberbeast, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His sword was covered in blackened ash, and his clothes were singed. But he had done it.

Skritch fluttered down to his shoulder, his voice shaking. "You... actually did it. Well, I'll be damned."

Victor wiped the sweat from his brow. "One monster down, one more to go. Let's get the **Eternal Flame Ember**."

With the Emberbeast defeated, Victor pressed on, deeper into the heart of the Infernal Mountains. He could feel the heat intensifying as he neared the volcano's entrance. The **Eternal Flame Ember** awaited him.

And with it, perhaps the key to his survival in this perilous world.