Inferno's Roar

The forest groaned under the oppressive heat. Embers fell like dying stars, illuminating twisted shapes in the smoke. A soldier's scream pierced the roar of the inferno… then abruptly cut off.

The demon at her side growled, alerted by movement. "Left flank. Two of them."

Dahlia nodded, her Awakened senses sharp. These weren't ordinary enemies. They moved with predatory precision, their half-human forms distorted by jagged claws and mismatched, glowing eyes.

As they closed in, Dahlia's mind accelerated. The Manticore's strategy was clear: shatter their morale, fracture their unity. But if the enemy thought fear would paralyze them, they'd underestimated the storm brewing in the shadows… and the fury of those who'd sworn to protect Aurora at all costs.

The enemy had meticulously orchestrated their torment.