Chapter 54 The Molten Titan
### Chapter 54: Molten Titan
The ground trembled as the figure rose from the molten pool, its immense form towering above the clearing. The Molten Titan was a monstrous sight, its body a churning mass of molten rock and glowing magma. Streams of fire-water cascaded down its colossal frame, sizzling as they hit the ground. Its roar reverberated through the Hidden Grove, shaking the very air and causing the ceiling of the cavern to crack and groan.
Bren gripped her sword tightly, her knuckles whitening as the Titan's fiery gaze locked onto her. Its molten eyes burned with ancient rage, and its sheer presence seemed to heat the air around her.
"Bren, move!" Trill shouted from the edge of the clearing.
The Titan raised a massive fist, the size of a small house, and brought it crashing down toward Bren. She threw herself to the side, narrowly evading the devastating strike. The ground exploded in a wave of molten lava and rock shards, forcing Bren to roll further to avoid the burning spray.
The heat was suffocating, but she pushed herself to her feet, her eyes never leaving the Titan.
---
"Is that part of the trial?" Lyra asked, her voice laced with disbelief as she drew her daggers.
"Doubtful," Ares replied grimly, his horns glowing faintly as he summoned his spear. "That thing isn't testing her—it's trying to kill her."
Trill's jaw tightened as he stepped forward, summoning the Headless Horseman and Jack O'Lanterns. "We can't just stand here. We have to help her."
"No!" Bren's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. She turned her head briefly toward the group, her eyes blazing with determination. "This is my fight."
Trill hesitated, his concern evident, but he held his ground.
---
The Titan roared again, swinging its other massive arm in a wide arc. Bren ducked and dashed forward, using her agility to close the distance between her and the towering creature. She leaped onto a nearby boulder, using it as a springboard to propel herself toward the Titan's arm. Her blade flashed as she struck, carving a deep gash into the molten rock.
The Titan flinched, molten blood spilling from the wound and hissing as it hit the ground. But the creature's retaliation was swift; it swung its arm, sending Bren hurtling through the air. She crashed into a cluster of rocks, her armor dented but intact.
Gritting her teeth, she forced herself up, ignoring the searing pain in her side.
---
"What is that thing?" Lyra asked, her eyes wide as she watched the battle unfold.
"A Molten Titan," Ares said, his tone grave. "An evolved form of a lava golem. It's the pinnacle of its kind—a force of nature, nearly indestructible. If it's here, it means the Grove is in grave danger."
Trill's gaze darkened. "Then why is it attacking her?"
Ares shook his head. "The Earth's heart doesn't always act rationally. It might see her as a threat... or as a necessary sacrifice."
"That's not happening," Trill said firmly.
---
Bren circled the Titan, her mind racing as she assessed her options. She couldn't overpower it with brute strength—its sheer size and resilience made that impossible. She needed to think, to find a weakness in its fiery armor.
The Titan stomped its foot, sending another wave of molten lava surging toward her. She dodged to the side, the heat singing her armor and charring the ground beneath her boots. Her sword glowed faintly, absorbing the heat around it, but she knew even it wouldn't last long against such an opponent.
She glanced toward the molten pool, noticing the way the Titan seemed to draw strength from it. The fiery liquid coursed up its legs, replenishing its form and fueling its power.
"The pool," she muttered to herself. "If I can cut it off from the pool..."
---
With renewed determination, Bren sprinted toward the Titan, weaving through its attacks as she made her way closer to the pool. The Titan roared in frustration, its movements becoming more frantic as it tried to stop her.
She reached the edge of the pool and plunged her sword into the ground, channeling her magma abilities. The earth beneath her feet trembled as molten cracks spread from her blade, creating a barrier between the Titan and the pool.
The creature staggered, its form flickering as its connection to the pool weakened.
---
"Smart move," Ares said, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"But it's not over," Trill said, his gaze locked on Bren.
---
The Titan let out a deafening roar, its body glowing brighter as it summoned its remaining strength. It charged toward Bren, its massive footsteps shaking the ground.
Bren stood her ground, her blade raised. She could feel the heat intensifying, the air around her shimmering with the Titan's fury. But she didn't falter.
As the Titan reached her, she unleashed a powerful strike, her blade glowing with molten energy. The attack hit the Titan's core, splitting it open in a burst of fire and light.
The creature let out one final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing, its molten form crumbling into a pile of glowing embers.
---
Bren staggered back, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. The heat began to dissipate, the air cooling as the Titan's presence faded.
The sparrows appeared once more, their fiery forms hovering above the clearing. "You have passed the second trial," they said in unison, their voices calm and reverent.
Bren nodded, her grip on her sword steady despite her exhaustion.
---
As the group approached her, Trill's concern was evident. "Are you okay?"
Bren managed a small smile. "I'm fine. Just a little singed."
"That was more than just a trial," Lyra said, her tone sharp. "That thing was trying to kill you."
Bren's smile faded. "I know. But I had to face it."
"The Grove is testing more than just your strength," Ares said. "It's testing your resolve, your ability to endure. And it's not done yet."
Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them rumbled again, a deep, foreboding tremor that sent a chill down their spines.
"The third trial begins," the sparrows said, their voices ominous.