Southern Borderlands – Entering the Tagan Desert
The Tagan Desert was not a place one simply entered.
It swallowed the sky. Winds howled like old gods mourning, and sandstorms rolled with a sentience that felt… hungry.
I stood at the cusp of it, cloak tight against the heat, my flame pulsing faintly in my chest. It didn't like this place.
It wasn't fear.
It was recognition.
The ashes of something ancient still lingered beneath the dunes. Not dead. Not sleeping.
Just waiting.
---
> System Notification:
"Warning: Entering Minor Ancient Domain – Outer Perimeter of the Flame Burial Grounds"
Unique Flame Resonance Detected.
— Proximity to 'Serpent Queen Medusa': 372 kilometers and decreasing
— Interference present: Unknown tracking force shadowing movements.
---
I didn't have time to decode that last part.
Because the first enemy didn't walk toward me.
It slithered.
---
Sand Wraith – Venom-Class Beast (Rank 2)
From beneath the dunes rose a creature the size of a carriage: translucent skin, exposed ribs, a cobra-like hood laced with glowing black markings.
And eyes filled with flame.
My flame.
> "Someone's using my energy," I muttered, stepping back.
The beast hissed—a sound not of rage, but of confusion. As if it were questioning my right to exist.
It charged.
---
> Phoenix Step – Activated
Ash Tracking – Engaged
I blinked behind the creature, spinning midair and launching a low-powered Flame Fang at its tail. It roared, writhing, but didn't fall.
Its tail split—growing a second stinger.
This wasn't a normal beast. It was a forged one. Enhanced by flame-binding.
I needed to end it fast.
---
> Ash Phoenix Martial Style – Phase 4: Core Detonation Palm
I rushed forward, hands coated in glowing ember symbols. Just before it struck again, I leapt and slammed both palms into its exposed underbelly.
A violet pulse exploded into the creature's core.
Its body convulsed—then turned to glass.
And shattered.
---
Loot Acquired:
Beast Core (Fire Type, Impure)
Flame-Tethered Beast Bone
Map Fragment – Cult Camp Coordinates (Encrypted)
> Decryption in progress…
---
Dunes of Silence – Nightfall
The desert cooled fast. Fire became breath, sand turned silver under the moonlight.
I built a small fire and examined the beast bone. In its marrow, traces of my flame still pulsed. But it was twisted—bent through unnatural rituals.
Whatever this cult was, they weren't just stealing flame. They were binding it into the desert itself.
Weaponizing it.
And maybe trying to reach the same source Medusa was guarding.
---
Meanwhile – Flame Cult Encampment, Near Dying Moon Crater
Beneath a scarlet tent, a man wrapped in chains knelt before a bone altar.
He opened his mouth, and blue flame bled out like smoke.
> "The Phoenix rebirth is accelerating. The girl will notice."
Behind him, cloaked acolytes whispered.
> "Let her. When they meet—fire and poison will destroy each other."
> "Or awaken something worse."
---
Elsewhere – Medusa's Vision Pool
Queen Medusa stood in ankle-deep water surrounded by runes.
She traced a clawed finger across the surface—and my image appeared.
Meditating. Flame circling my body like slow-moving stars.
She narrowed her eyes.
> "Why do you feel… familiar?"
Her voice was soft, dangerous.
> "You carry fire that doesn't belong to you. That makes you a thief."
She closed her eyes.
> "And I despise thieves."
---
[End of Chapter 9]