Saruto was cleaving the sky at incredible speed, his body leaning forward, the air tearing around him. Behind him stretched a trail of dark energy, mingling with a faint glimmer that hinted at the power within. Within him, his voice remained calm despite the storm around him: "According to the map… I'll arrive in five minutes at this speed."
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind. Paimon. "Your speed is quite good, Saruto…"
He said telepathically, "But remember, the moment you arrive… stay away from the black flames. Touching them means burning… and the fire won't be extinguished until you die."
Saruto didn't hesitate. He smiled faintly and said confidently in his mind, "Don't worry, Paimon… everything will be alright… as long as you're with me."
Just a day before, the two of them had sat in one of the halls of Paimon palace, the atmosphere eerily quiet. On the table between them sat a thick, dark-covered book. Paimon had said, his voice tinged with worry, "I am worried, Saruto."
Saruto looked up at him. "What are you worried about?"
Paimon sighed softly. "I'm afraid for you… If anything happens to you, the king will hold me responsible."
Saruto smiled calmly. "Do you remember the book of rules for the Four Calamities Test that you gave me yesterday?"
Paimon nodded. "Yes… What about it?"
Saruto said, "I finished reading it. And I found that you can help me… without breaking the rules."
Paimon expression changed slightly. "How so?"
Saruto leaned forward, his eyes shining. "Telepathy."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "You can guide me… tell me what to do, direct me from afar. At the same time, the test is broadcast in the demon world… You can see me and follow me."
He smiled confidently. "You won't interfere… but you'll be my second eye."
Paimon looked at him for a few seconds, then smiled back, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
The present moment returned. Paimon voice echoed in Saruto mind:
"When you reach the eternal abyss of Narak… follow the river of black lava. It will lead you directly to Agnarus."
"Understood," Saruto said.
Minutes later, the sky began to change. The colors faded, replaced by a dark, red glow. The ground below was no longer earth but a network of glowing fissures, from which flowed rivers of black flame, moving with terrifying slowness.
Saruto descended gradually until he stood at the edge of the abyss. The heat was stifling, but strangely, the flames didn't light up; they consumed the light. "He's here," Saruto said.
In the demon realm, all eyes were fixed on a single scene. The commentator's voice boomed: "Saruto has reached the Element One location!"
Voices rose, excitement ignited. "How will the Flame Guardian face Agnarus?!"
"And will he be able to defeat him and transition to the Second Element?!" "Or will this be his end… crushed here, before everyone's eyes?!"
The crowd roared, screams, bets, an immense energy filling the air.
In the king's palace, Lucifer sat on his throne, watching the broadcast with calm eyes, yet eyes that held an unreadable depth. He clasped his hands and leaned slightly forward. Then, in a low but decisive voice, he said, "Now, Saruto…"
He paused briefly. "Don't disappoint me."
At the Abyss, Saruto stood before the river of black lava, his eyes following its course. The air around him was heavy, the ground throbbed, as if something were watching him. It was clear that the first confrontation was about to begin.