There was a grating sound upfront, and then a shining figure rose.
It was Hellfire.
Hellfire’s name could not have been more accurate. The figure was dressed in black and was entirely bathed in flames. Hellfire looked like the devil incarnate.
Welcome. Hellfire’s voice reverberated with an echo. The Scavenger drew his sword and pointed it at Hellfire. “We are not here for playing games. Give us the Bolt. Now.”
Oh, how bold, Hellfire said. A pity for you that it won’t happen. I must admire you for reaching till here. But that doesn’t change anything. Forget the Bolt and prepare to die.” Hellfire laughed manically and jumped at the Scavenger, pulling out two curved swords bathed in flames that hadn’t been there before.
The Scavenger blocked the attack but cried out in pain as Hellfire’s flames touched him. With a speedy attack, the Scavenger floored Hellfire to the ground, then somersaulted back, landing on his feet.
No One attacked the Hellfire from the right side, slicing with two swords. Hellfire was caught by surprise, but managed to dodge.
With a kick, Hellfire sent No One flying and plunged his sword at the Scavenger, who raised his Lighting Sword to block the attack.
There was an explosion that sent both Hellfire and the Scavenger flying. Smoke erupted all around and lightning crackled.
Hellfire laughed. You believe in Arcane. Well, let me tell you. Arcane was a liar. He’s evil.
Everyone frowned, confused. Here was the guardian of Arcane himself calling his master evil.
“That’s not true!” James yelled. “Arcane helped us win against the Death Lord. He can’t be evil!”
That’s what he wants you to believe. Of course, you won’t believe me. Go to Arcane’s burial site. You will see. There are no bones in his coffin.
“None of your stories will ever deter me,” the Scavenger shouted and charged at Hellfire.
Hellfire’s flames burned brighter than ever as the Scavenger approached and attacked. The Scavenger was fighting like someone possessed, whirling around, stabbing and pulling back. However, the Scavenger soon found himself backing away as he parried Hellfire’s powerful strokes.
Urrax was bewildered. He was looking at everyone like a spectator. Daniel shook him, “Are you crazy? Move and attack. Do something, or you will be a sitting duck.”
With this, Daniel took out a bow and started to throw arrows towards Hellfire. The other children followed Daniel’s lead. Though their aim wasn’t that accurate, they were successful in distracting Hellfire so that the Scavenger and No One could attack. An arrow managed to strike Hellfire’s leg and he shrieked in pain.
Hellfire swatted the Scavenger and No One away and leapt into the air. He landed right in front of the children, sending them flying. Daniel managed to remain standing.
Hellfire launched a reverse kick attack on Daniel, who somehow managed to duck. Urrax, still standing uselessly behind Daniel, could do nothing as the powerful kick hit Urrax on his face; he yelled in pain and collapsed.
Hellfire suddenly plunged a sword towards Daniel’s head. Daniel didn’t know what activated it, but suddenly, his Elemental Power came into play. Maybe it was the sense of approaching death that made the Earth power act.
A powerful green shield formed in front of the approaching sword. Hellfire’s sword struck it and both the sword and the shield broke. Daniel went flying, exhausted from the summoning.
Archer, Matt and James jumped into the fray and whacked away at Hellfire from different directions. As Hellfire swatted them off with quick blows, No One leapt from the side and threw his sword into Hellfire’s leg. Hellfire, with a roar, sagged to the ground. The Scavenger suddenly appeared from the air and, as he fell towards Hellfire on the ground, he plunged his Lightning Sword into Hellfire’s chest.
There were lightning and thunder all around. The impact was so huge that the ceiling and the walls of the hall developed cracks. The flames around Hellfire seemed to disappear. His eyes widened and his mouth remained open. As the light started fading, Hellfire crumpled to the ground and disappeared.
In his place appeared the Bolt. Sparks crackled around it.
The Scavenger knelt and picked up the Bolt and raised his hand while chanting some words. The Bolt disappeared. Archer figured that the Scavenger must have sent it to the Magic Compartment.
The cracks in the walls and the ceiling were widening. Suddenly, there was a thundering sound and the left side wall collapsed. The other walls were on the brink of collapse.
The Scavenger wasted no time and summoned a portal. Urrax was still unconscious. The Scavenger carried Urrax in his arms, and everyone leapt into the portal.
They appeared right inside Lynx’s cave.
The place was in tatters. The shelves were on the floor with the books and scrolls scattered on the ground. The tables and chairs were upturned and thrown all across the cave. Someone had ransacked the place.
There was no sign of Aronicle. Lynx was missing too.
Everyone was shocked.
James blew out a breath. “What. The. Hell.”
“There’s something written on the wall!” Archer shouted as he ran to get a closer look. He started reading and felt his blood going cold.
“What is it?” the Scavenger asked as he placed an unconscious Urrax on a sofa.
Archer read: ‘To the Scavenger. Come to the execution place of Voldmir tomorrow afternoon, alone, or your friend will be executed.’”
Archer turned and looked at the Scavenger, surprised to see that the Scavenger’s face had turned pale.
“Where and what is Voldmir?” Archer asked.
The Scavenger sat down on the ground. “Voldmir is known for its cruel executions. Its ruler is Grim, who is an ardent supporter of the Skull Warrior. I am sure that Grim will execute Lynx unless I go there alone. But going to Voldmir is a suicide mission in itself.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem for you,” James said. “You have broken into countless kingdoms. Why should this time be any different?”
The Scavenger replied in a resigned tone, “Till date, no one could come out of the palace of Voldmir alive. There are numerous guards inside and
