Trial by Fire

BOOM!

I couldn't hear anything after the first explosion, I couldn't breathe proper either..... I could see well though, the entire Cavern system was lit up so bright, even a blind man would be able navigate through, it was too bright even! my eyes need some time to adjust properly....

"It stinks of Sulphur!" I yelled to no one, I scan around the room, it seems Barney and The others were just as disoriented as I was, their mouths were moving but they couldn't hear each other either, their confused expressions told me that much.

Finally my eyes adjusted to see.... "A crystal giant!?" I shouted, Yes, a crystal giant, it was red and massive, with jagged spikes shooting out from all over it's body, it shone brilliantly as the flames in the room gathered around the creature.

"Its growing..." "Yes, yes he is kid," Barney said, I whirled around to meet his gaze, "I can hear now!" I shouted, "Good... stay low, we're gonna meet up with the others," He replied.

I did as he said while watching the giant, "Is That Bradley?" I asked, "Yep... that's Brad all right," Barney answered, "Wh-What is-" "Fire crystals..."

"Fire crystals?"

"Yep! Crystals capable of absorbing flames! A Fire mage's greatest bane!"

".... will he need our help?"

"Nah, Nah Brad is good... we need to.... fo...cus on .... kid let's go... I don't feel so well," I touched his forehead and low and behold he was burning up! Well I'm burning up too.... but he was in worse condition, was it his fur? or... either way we need to leave this place quick!

"I'll guide you!" "Ki-" "No! You're in no condition to move on your own!"

I put his arm around my shoulder and we began to move.... slowly. I glance at the Crystal giant.... Bradley was nearly 30 metres now! His head nearly reaching the roof! The flames in the room were dying down fast but.... that didn't deter Gambit, infact he only started making more flames to counter this!

"Why won't he change tactics? has he lost it?"

"There's..... no helping it kid.... he's a Fire mage that has Fire superpowers too.... not much room for creativity against a guy like Bradley.... ah, look it's almost over now!"

Yes, Gambit has to be running on fumes now and Bradley just looked grander than ever in comparison.... Wait!

"He's not just desperate, he wants Bradley to destroy the ceiling too! Look! he's already breaking it!" I shouted pointing at the ceiling, it was breaking!

"So? all we have to do is just equ- !?"

"wha-!?"

Something just flew in! I can't see it but I'm certain Something just flew in!

"We need to get to Vince now!"

"What? we-well we we're going there anyways.... but why?"

"I wondered why he chose this place.... It leaves here afterall...."

"What!? you're starting to freak out now! what is IT?"

"This place..... it's the lair of The Spectral Dragon! A beast that has bathed in the blood of Parazo.... That's why Gambit chose to hid here, No one is suicidal enough to try face The Tainted Prince's Prodigal son!"