In a secluded valley, Veronica slowly opened her eyes.
“You’re finally awake,” a familiar voice echoed.
Turning her head, she saw Sean leaning against a nearby rock wall, casually flipping a gold coin in his hand, a smirk on his face.
“It’s you!” Veronica exclaimed, trying to rise, but soon realized she was bound with ropes.
Sean chuckled, approaching her, “Who else could it be?”
“Hmph, Sean, I’d advise you to release me at once. If Ethan finds out you’ve kidnapped me, you’ll face unimaginable consequences!” Veronica retorted with a fierce tone, which only provoked greater laughter from Sean.
“Trouble? Veronica, you haven’t grasped the situation. You’re in my grasp, not the other way around. True, I might have underestimated Ethan’s power. But there’s a terrifying force behind me that you don’t know of. As for Ethan? He’s nothing in comparison!” Sean said, showing no sign of concern about Ethan’s threat.
Ignoring Veronica’s struggles, Sean lifted her effortlessly and began to walk deeper into the valley.
They came upon an area strewn with broken stones.
Sean took out an oddly shaped amulet from his pocket, channeled his magic into it, and patterns resembling ripples started to form in the air.
“Where are you taking me?” Seeing this, terror filled Veronica’s eyes as she tried desperately to break free.
Sean glanced at her coldly, “Don’t worry. In the end, you’ll see this as a favor. You’ll thank me.”
With those words, he stepped into the ripple and disappeared from the valley.
Veronica was pulled in with him.
Shadow Mage Lair.
That was the name of this valley’s barrier, also a secret base of the Elder Council.
Not too far from Stone Rock Harbor, its location was remote and desolate, seldom visited by any living creature.
“Sean, have you brought her?” Inside the base, there were a few wooden cabins.
Between them lay a carved stone pool surrounded by a barrier of molten magic, making the water inside boil and steam rise continuously.
The one questioning Sean was an elderly dwarf, his face wrinkled like dough that had been kneaded repeatedly.
“Elder Dean, I’ve brought her,” Sean confirmed.
Upon hearing the elder dwarf’s query, Sean quickly presented Veronica.
Elder Dean glanced up, his gaze settling on the bound Veronica. He cast an unknown spell, scanning her. Pleased, he nodded and remarked, “Sean, you’ve done well. This woman is indeed what we need. Once the ceremony is complete, I’ll inform the Elder Council. You’ll be rewarded.”
“Thank you, Elder Dean!” Sean exclaimed, gratitude apparent, though his elation quickly faded.
“Is there something else?” Dean asked, a note of annoyance in his voice.
“Elder Dean, I’m concerned about that human Hero. When I went to fetch this woman, that Hero displayed impressive strength. If he becomes aware of our actions, I fear it might invite unnecessary trouble.” Sean’s voice betrayed his lingering fear of Ethan.
However, Elder Dean seemed dismissive. “Trouble? Sean, watch your words. We, the Elder Council of Blackstone, never fear troubles! That human Hero, Ethan, is nothing but an insect. True, he might have obliterated the Blackstone Dwarf Kingdom, but in truth, that kingdom was a mere shadow of its former self, doomed from the start! Once the Elder Council fulfills its mission, squashing such a Hero would be as easy as stepping on a bug!”
“Yes, Elder,” Sean replied, not daring to counter.
Bound as she was, Veronica heard every word and couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “You have no idea who you’ve crossed!”
“Oh?” A chilling smile crept onto Elder Dean’s aged face.
“Amusing little girl. If I recall, it was you who delivered those other female Heroes to us, wasn’t it? You aided our cause significantly. Now, it’s our turn to repay the favor.”
Turning to Sean, Elder Dean ordered, “Sean, place her in the sacrificial pool.”
“Yes, Elder.” Sean acknowledged.
Sean then hoisted Veronica, intending to throw her into the boiling waters.
with terror.
But her resistance was futile.
“No! Let me go!” Veronica struggled fiercely, her heart consumed with terror.
But her resistance was futile.
Sean, without hesitation, cast Veronica into the bubbling pool.
“Good! Next, I’ll summon the other members of the Elder Council to activate the altar. Sean, fetch the Flameblood. Prepare to rejoice in the grand arrival of the Flame Witch!” Excitement painted every wrinkle on Elder Dean’s face. 𝒩𝑜𝑽𝓵xt.𝗇𝓔t
He waved his arm, chanting incantations, invoking a unique form of magic. In no time, the modest base was filled with many figures, not just dwarves, but also elves, humans, and even some incredibly peculiar creatures.
Upon seeing Dean, many couldn’t help but inquire, “Dean, what’s the matter?”
Stepping forward, Dean lifted his head and announced, “Everyone, we’ve found her. We’ve located the ideal vessel for the Flame Witch in Stone Rock Harbor. Now, we can summon the Flame Witch.”
“Are you serious?” someone questioned.
“Of course I am,” Dean affirmed, nodding.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
At that moment, Sean approached, carefully carrying a bucket filled with bright red blood. Following him were several people, the very members of the Elder Council who had previously been to Sean’s mansion. They had been refining the Flameblood at the base.
“Good, pour the Flameblood into the sacrificial pool,” Elder Dean instructed Sean.
“Yes, Elder!” Sean proceeded to pour the crimson liquid into the pool.
The moment the blood entered, a peculiar transformation occurred. Instead of mingling with the water, it ignited, producing roaring flames. In the pool, Veronica had already lost consciousness, oblivious to the events unfolding around her.
“Everyone, I need your assistance,” Elder Dean called out to the others.
“Of course!” came the united response.
As they spoke, the figures dispersed, emanating powerful surges of energy from their beings.
On the ground, intricate glowing patterns began to emerge, revealing a pre-laid magical array.
At the heart of this circle was the pool, and as the participants began their ritual, the array came to life, igniting the flames within the pool even more fervently.
Veronica began to exhibit anomalies.
Her body was lifted by the flames, hovering mid-air.
Below, the flames rose, entering Veronica, her garments instantly turning to ash, revealing her graceful form.
As the flames continued to engulf her, red fiery patterns began to etch across her skin.
These patterns were elegantly intricate, stretching from her face, cascading over her bust, winding down her abdomen, thighs, and to her feet.
As the patterns finalized, blood-red scales started to form over her chest and thighs, shielding key areas.
A crimson crown materialized on her head.
Her once light-blond hair transformed into a fiery red, and her face took on an alluring, mesmerizing look.
The transformation lasted a whole half hour.
After this duration, Veronica, now wholly the Flame Witch, opened her eyes. Within them, endless flames danced.
“Is this the realm of reality? How utterly delightful!” The Flame Witch, hovering in the air, licked her lips, greedily inhaling the atmosphere.
Elder Dean hastily stepped forward, declaring, “Great Flame Witch, we summoned you for we seek your assistance.”
“Hmph, I will honor our pact!” The Flame Witch retorted with slight disdain.
But it was an agreement she was bound to respect. Born from intense fire, the Flame Witch would never truly perish.
Their demise was merely a return to the flames.
However, to manifest once more required a unique ritual and an appropriate vessel—a task easier said than done.
And so, to summon the Flame Witch was to earn her aid.
“Speak, what do you need my help with?”
“Great Flame Witch, this world is undergoing anomalous shifts. We sense even greater changes on the horizon and hope you can intervene when the time comes.”
“Shifts in the world?” After a brief moment of sensing, an expression of surprise crossed the Flame Witch’s face. She nodded, “Very well. And from now on, address me as Lady Hilna…”
“Wait! Damn it…”
Just as Flame Witch Hilna finished speaking, she suddenly felt an overwhelming struggle to control her own body.
After a moment of sensing, her expression tightened, her teeth gritted in frustration.
“There’s an issue with this vessel you’ve chosen for me. Her consciousness remains, attempting to wrestle control from me!”
“What?!” Elder Dean exclaimed in panic.
Hilna shot him a glance, her face a mix of annoyance and unwavering confidence. “It’s a minor issue. I’ve already discerned a solution. Her will is this resilient because of a Hero named Ethan. Thus, our next course of action… Kill the Hero called Ethan!”
“As you command!” The crowd responded in unison.
Stone Rock Harbor.
Inside a room, Ethan sat broodingly, his emotions boiling over as he slammed his fist on the table. “If I find out who took Veronica, they’ll pay dearly for it!” he roared.
Victor, standing nearby, remarked, “We’ve searched extensively, but there’s no trace. It’s possible Miss Veronica is no longer in Stone Rock Harbor.”
Little Fairy Baal stepped forward, trying to console him, “Ethan, as upset as you are about Veronica’s disappearance, anger won’t help. We should stay calm and think things through.”