Deep within the heart of the Ignion Ruins, a massive chamber echoed with the metallic steps of armored boots. Team Gamaron, now inside, had activated ancient devices scattered throughout the ruins—giant obelisks pulsing with orange-red energy.
Byron stood before a glowing core.
> Byron: "We will drain the power of the ruins… and awaken the Ash Core... but to stabilize it—we need him."
He turned, glaring toward a projection screen of flames showing one figure rampaging through waves of soldiers.
> "We need that boy's magic—his flames are the key to unsealing the relic."
The entire chamber rumbled slightly as Byron raised his hand.
> "Troops. Surround every passage. He's already in. It's time to capture Show."
---
Meanwhile – Show's Path of Chaos
Show, now inside another sector of the ruins, was battling dozens of Gamaron troops, his flames bursting wildly with each punch.
> Show: "You guys never learn, huh?! One explosion's not enough for you?!"
He charged through, sliding across cracked platforms and hurling bursts of fireballs, cackling as if he were playing dodgeball.
He lit one soldier's pants on fire—
> "Oops. Sorry, that was your fashion, not your leg."
—then vaulted off a broken pillar, kicking another into a lava pool.
> "Next time wear fireproof armor! What kind of Dark Order wears cotton?!"
A third troop tried to sneak up.
BOOM! Show elbowed him into a molten slab.
> "This is what I call a volcanic spa day!"
---
Elsewhere – The Team Invades
At the gates of the main ruins, the rest of the Arcane Academy team arrived in full force.
Criss: Slammed stone pillars into the ancient bronze gates, crushing them open.
Presto: Crashed through enemy lines with a storm of thunder.
Akito & Hibiki: Played a combo card—"Storm Gale Burst", summoning a tornado of wind laced with sharp energy cards.
Raelyn led the second wave, commanding with sharp light pulses.
> Raelyn: "Sweep and strike. No mercy."
He moved in sync with Clod's spatial teleport traps and Veil's shadow strikes, the three of them sweeping through troops like a master unit.
Meanwhile, Drake froze the side walls to slide and blast enemies with rapid-fire ice shots.
But one person—Karen—was distracted.
She parried attacks almost absentmindedly.
> "Where is he…?"
She looked deeper into the ruins, heart pounding.
---
Back at Team Gamaron's Base
Byron, watching the chaos, clenched his fist.
> "So the Arcane Academy brats made it through... Brody, find the boy."
The shadowy Brody nodded without a word and vanished into the air like smoke.
---
Meanwhile – Show's (Slightly Dumb) Reflection
Show leaned against a wall, looking at a glowing carving of ancient warriors wielding flame-like weapons.
> "I mean, what are these ruins anyway? Did ancient gym bros live here? I swear one of these statues is flexing."
He squinted at a runestone that had vaguely food-like glyphs.
> "...Does this say 'rice bowl'?"
Suddenly, a cold wind swept in behind him.
> "Okay, that's not lava."
He turned.
A thick, heavy mist was rolling in.
And out of it… emerged Brody, shadows coiling around his body like snakes.
---
Face to Face: Show vs Brody Begins
Brody: "So... you're the boy the boss wants so badly."
Show (cracking knuckles): "Didn't your squad get the message already? I don't do well with kidnappers."
Brody: "I'm not here to kidnap. I'm here to drag your unconscious body back… covered in shadows."
The room darkened, Brody's magic spreading like a plague.
> Show (grinning): "Cool. Just try to keep up. I've got ruins to break and secrets to discover."
The air lit up—flames vs shadows.
---
To be continued…