the third floor(5)

The group hesitated for a moment as Dakota disappeared into the forest, his abrupt departure leaving them uneasy.

Ava:

"What the hell just happened? Where did he even go?"

Franklin sighed, crossing his arms.

Franklin:

"He told us to go inside. Whatever's going on, Dakota can handle it."

Henry frowned, his hand still gripping his sword tightly.

Henry:

"I don't like this. But he wouldn't just leave unless it was serious. Let's go."

Liam and Jack exchanged a glance, their faces uncertain.

Jack:

"This cave better be worth it. Something tells me things are about to get worse."

Without further discussion, the group turned toward the yawning cave entrance. The faint glow spilling out from within seemed almost inviting, but as they stepped inside, an oppressive chill crept over them.

The cave was enormous, its walls lined with veins of glowing crystals that bathed the space in an eerie light. The air was thick, almost suffocating, and the sound of dripping water echoed endlessly.

Mia:

"This place feels… wrong."

Amelia raised her hand, her light magic illuminating the path ahead.

Amelia:

"It's probably filled with traps and monsters. Stay alert."

They didn't have to wait long for trouble. A low growl echoed through the cavern, followed by the sound of claws scraping against stone.

Luna's eyes widened as a massive shadow moved in the distance.

Luna:

"Something's coming!"

Out of the darkness emerged a pack of beasts—massive, reptilian creatures with jagged teeth and glowing red eyes. Their scales shimmered like metal, and their movements were unnervingly fast.

Franklin unsheathed his sword, his face calm but focused.

Franklin:

"Get ready. These things don't look friendly."

The first beast lunged, its claws aiming for Henry. He sidestepped just in time, countering with a flaming slash that burned through the creature's hide.

Henry:

"They're tough, but we can handle this!"

The cave erupted into chaos as the group engaged the monsters.

Liam and Jack worked together, their lightning transformations crackling with energy. Liam sent a bolt of lightning streaking toward one creature, stunning it momentarily, while Jack followed up with a thunderous strike that left the beast smoldering.

Amelia focused her light magic, forming a radiant barrier to protect Mia and Luna as they unleashed a torrent of water magic. The sisters combined their powers to create high-pressure streams that blasted through the creatures' defenses.

Mia:

"We've got this!"

Luna:

"Don't let up!"

Ava and Lucas stood back-to-back, their fire and ice magic creating a devastating combination. Lucas froze one beast in place with a burst of frost, and Ava incinerated it with a massive fireball.

Ava:

"That's one down!"

Lucas:

"Keep moving! Don't let them surround you!"

Duke and Franklin, as usual, fought with precision and ease. Duke's fiery sword cut through the monsters like butter, while Franklin's sheer strength and speed left no room for the creatures to retaliate.

Franklin:

"These things are nothing. Keep pushing forward!"

Just as the group thought they had the upper hand, a new threat emerged. From deeper within the cave, larger beasts appeared—hulking brutes with armor-like scales and glowing, molten cores.

Amelia's voice trembled slightly as she raised her staff.

Amelia:

"These… these are much stronger."

Henry stepped forward, determination etched on his face.

Henry:

"We can handle it. We don't have a choice."

The group fought valiantly, but the new monsters were relentless. Their armored hides made them nearly impervious to attacks, and their molten cores emitted waves of heat that made it hard to get close.

Mia and Luna's water magic hissed and steamed as it collided with the monsters' fiery cores, while Liam and Jack's lightning attacks barely seemed to faze them.

Liam:

"This isn't working! We need a different strategy!"

Franklin growled in frustration, his sword bouncing off the creatures' armor.

Franklin:

"Hit them where it counts! Aim for the cores!"

Ava nodded, flames swirling around her hands.

Ava:

"Let's see how they like this!"

She launched a concentrated stream of fire at one monster's core, and the others followed suit, targeting the vulnerable spots. Slowly but surely, the group began to gain the upper hand.

After what felt like hours, the final monster fell. The group stood panting and exhausted, their weapons and magic drained.

Amelia wiped sweat from her brow, her light dimming slightly.

Amelia:

"That… was insane."

Henry sheathed his sword, his expression grim but relieved.

Henry:

"We made it. Let's keep going. The rewards have to be close."

They pressed on, and soon, the oppressive heat and darkness gave way to a vast chamber bathed in golden light. The room was filled with treasures—gleaming weapons, magical artifacts, and glowing orbs of energy.

Luna's jaw dropped as she stepped inside.

Luna:

"This… this is incredible."

Franklin walked forward, inspecting the items with a critical eye.

Franklin:

"Take what you can use. Don't waste time on anything unnecessary."

Each member of the group began selecting their rewards, the tension of the battle momentarily forgotten.

Meanwhile, outside the cave, Dakota stood in the clearing, his flames casting flickering shadows on the ground. Across from him, the three hooded figures stood silently, their cloaks rustling in the wind.

The woman smirked, her violet eyes gleaming.

???:

"It's been a long time, Michael."

Dakota's flames surged, his voice cold and unyielding.

Dakota:

"Stop calling me that. I'm not Michael anymore."

The second figure, a tall man with a deadly look running across his face, chuckled darkly.

???:

"Still as stubborn as ever, I see. You haven't changed a bit."

Dakota's eyes narrowed, his flames intensifying.

Dakota:

"You're wrong. I've changed more than you could possibly imagine. And I'm not the same fool you manipulated in my past life."

The third figure, a smaller woman with piercing green eyes, stepped forward.

???:

"You say that, but you're still predictable, Michael. Always so quick to anger."

Dakota clenched his fists, his flames roaring to life.

Dakota:

"I don't care what you're planning. This ends now."

The woman in the center smiled, drawing a long, curved blade from beneath her cloak.

???:

"Then let's see if you've truly changed."

The battle is about to begin.