the battle against the mythical Djinns(6)

The group stepped into the massive chamber, the air suffused with a heat that made it hard to breathe. The room was cavernous, its walls carved with ancient symbols glowing faintly in fiery hues. The oppressive atmosphere immediately set everyone on edge.

At the center of the chamber stood a figure that exuded raw, unbridled rage. His skin was deep red, veins pulsating with molten fire beneath the surface. His eyes were like twin suns, burning with an intensity that made it impossible to look directly at him. The ground beneath his feet cracked and melted as he shifted his stance.

Djinn of Wrath:

"Welcome, mortals."

His voice was a rumble that echoed through the chamber, shaking the very ground beneath them. The group froze, their weapons already drawn.

Djinn of Wrath:

"And welcome… anomalies."

The Djinn's fiery gaze swept over Henry, Amelia, Jack, and Luna.

Djinn of Wrath:

"You, I recognize. You are the ones meant to exist. But the rest of you..."

He pointed directly at Dakota, Lucas, Ava, Liam, and Mia.

Djinn of Wrath:

"You do not belong here. You are anomalies—fragments of someone else disrupting the flow of fate."

The words hit Dakota like a lightning bolt. His heart raced as his mind spiraled.

Dakota (thinking):

Wha—how does he know that we're anomalies? Wait... could it be those three cloaked figures told him? Damn it, I don't know what's going on anymore. But I can't let him suspect that I know.

Dakota forced a smirk, crossing his arms casually.

Dakota:

"Anomalies? What are you talking about? We're just adventurers trying to clear this dungeon. You must be mistaken."

The Djinn's laughter was a deep, guttural sound that reverberated through the room.

Djinn of Wrath:

"Do not play dumb with me, child. You may fool others, but you cannot deceive me. You five are not supposed to exist. The threads of fate reject you, while these others..."

He gestured toward Henry and the rest.

Djinn of Wrath:

"...are the true inheritors of this world. You are but aberrations."

Ava's hands ignited, her flames flickering wildly as her face contorted in fury.

Ava:

"Anomalies? Is that what you think of us? You're nothing but an overgrown fire demon! You don't get to decide who belongs and who doesn't!"

Lucas stepped forward, frost forming on the ground around him. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced with icy rage.

Lucas:

"If you think we'll stand here and listen to your nonsense, you're sorely mistaken."

Mia's expression darkened, and she gripped her hand tightly.

Mia:

"We've fought and bled to get this far. No one tells me I don't belong."

Liam's sword ignited with his own lightning, his grip tightening as he stepped beside Ava.

Liam:

"Enough talk. Let's take him down."

Dakota's eyes widened in alarm as the four of them surged forward, their combined magic lighting up the chamber.

Dakota:

"No! Stop! Don't—"

But it was too late. The Djinn of Wrath stood unmoving as Ava hurled a torrent of flames at him, Lucas unleashed jagged spears of ice, Mia summoned a barrage of water shards, and Liam swung his lightning sword with all his strength.

The attacks converged on the Djinn in a brilliant explosion of elemental energy. For a moment, the chamber was consumed in light and heat.

As the smoke cleared, the group's hearts sank. The Djinn of Wrath remained unscathed, standing tall and unbothered. He lifted one hand, brushing off the last remnants of the attack like dust.

Djinn of Wrath:

"Pathetic. Is that all you've got? Allow me to show you the difference between mortals and true power."

Before anyone could react, the Djinn raised his arm and released a shockwave of fiery energy. It struck Ava, Lucas, Mia, and Liam with devastating force, sending them flying backward. They crashed into the walls, groaning in pain as the impact knocked the wind out of them.

Dakota clenched his fists, fury bubbling beneath his calm facade. He rushed to Ava and helped her to her feet.

Dakota:

"I told you not to attack! What were you thinking?"

Ava grimaced, clutching her side where the Djinn's attack had hit.

Ava:

"We couldn't just stand there and let him insult us..."

Lucas coughed, ice forming around his hands instinctively as he struggled to stand.

Lucas:

"We underestimated him. That won't happen again."

Liam wiped blood from his lip, his grip tightening on his sword.

Liam:

"We'll get him next time. He's not invincible."

Mia shook her head, her voice quiet but resolute.

Mia:

"Next time, we fight smarter."

The Djinn of Wrath watched them with disdain, his molten eyes burning with contempt.

Djinn of Wrath:

"You mortals are persistent, I'll give you that. But persistence without strength is meaningless. Prepare yourselves for the end."

Dakota stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His mind raced as he analyzed the situation.

Dakota (thinking):

This is really unexpected. The Djinn wasn't supposed to know about us being anomalies. And he wasn't supposed to know about any of this. Something—or someone—is changing the rules.

He looked back at the group, their expressions a mixture of pain and determination.

Dakota:

"Listen up. If we're going to survive this, we need to work together. No more rushing in blindly. Follow my lead, and we'll take him down."

Henry, standing with Amelia, jack and Luna nodded firmly.

Henry:

"We've got your back, Dakota. Let's do this."

The group regrouped, their resolve hardening as they prepared for the fight of their lives. The Djinn of Wrath smirked, flames swirling around him as he awaited their next move.

Djinn of Wrath:

"Come, then. Show me the strength of your defiance. Entertain me before you meet your end."

As the tension in the chamber reached its peak, Dakota drew his sword, his eyes burning with determination.

Dakota:

"Alright, everyone. Let's show this bastard what happens when he underestimates us."

The group charged forward as the Djinn of Wrath roared, his fiery aura consuming the room. The battle was about to begin.