Chapter 12: Molten ashes

The Primal Ape stood before them, flames licking across its massive frame.

Its molten-red eyes burned with fury, and each breath it exhaled sent a flurry of embers into the air.

The ground beneath it cracked and splintered from the sheer heat radiating off its body.

It wasn't just stronger. It wasn't just faster.

This transformation had made it something else entirely.

Kyoryn, Wren, and Viktor stood their ground, their bodies aching from exhaustion, sweat beading on their brows and not just from effort but from the unbearable heat pressing against them.

"This just keeps getting better," Viktor muttered, pushing himself up from the dirt.

He winced as he rubbed his side where he'd been smacked down. "I thought apes weren't supposed to breathe fire."

"They're not," Wren said, tightening his grip on his spear. His sharp eyes studied the beast. "This isn't natural. Either this thing evolved in a way I've never seen before, or something else is interfering."

"We can talk later, right now we need to stop that thing before it does any harm to the townspeople." Kyoryn growled, her hybrid form now fully active.

Her tail flicked behind her, claws gleaming under the firelight.

The ape let out a deafening roar, slamming its massive fists into the ground.

The force of the impact sent a shockwave of fire and molten rock tearing toward them.

"Move!" Wren barked.

They scattered just in time.

Viktor shot into the air, wind magic carrying him skyward, while Kyoryn dashed sideways, flipping away from the blast. Wren barely rolled clear, the searing heat licking at the back of his armour as he hit the ground and sprang to his feet.

"We need a plan," Viktor called from above. "Just stabbing it won't work now that it's a walking inferno."

"Normally, their weak points are the eyes, joints, and throat," Wren said. "But fire-types are tricky. We need to put those flames out before we can land a killing blow."

"Water magic would be nice," Kyoryn said.

Viktor grinned. "Good thing I've got plenty."

He flicked his wrist, and a swirling mass of water spiral above his head, growing larger by the second. With a thrust of his arms, he sent it crashing down onto the beast like a tidal wave.

Steam exploded into the air as his water met the apes fire, momentarily obscuring the battlefield.

For a brief second, they thought it worked.

Then the ape shrieked.

Its body crackled, the flames surging even higher. The water hadn't extinguished the fire, instead it had fueled it.

Kyoryn shielded her face. "That did nothing!"

"No, it did something," Wren countered, nodding toward the ape's feet. Small patches of its molten fur had darkened, the fire flickering at its base. "We just need more."

Viktor scowled. "Alright. More it is."

He raised both hands, pulling even more moisture from the air. The temperature plummeted as he infused the water with ice magic.

A massive wave of colder and denser water rushed forward. When it crashed into the ape, the creature let out a screech of agony.

Its flames flickered, sputtering against the cold.

Kyoryn shot forward like a streak of silver, moving faster than the eye could track. She leaped onto the beast's back, her claws sinking deep into its still-sizzling flesh.

The ape roared, twisting wildly, trying to reach her but she was too fast, too precise. She slashed at its throat, drawing dark, bubbling blood.

Wren saw his opening.

He lunged forward, his spear a blur. With a sharp thrust, he drove it into the ape's legs, slicing through the tendons behind its knees. The beast staggered, its flames flickering wildly as the ice magic continued to eat away at its body.

"Keep going!" Wren shouted. "We've got it on the ropes!"

Viktor didn't hesitate. He unleashed another blast of freezing water, coating the creature in a thin layer of ice.

Kyoryn leapt free just as Wren surged forward for the finishing blow.

With a powerful thrust, he drove his spear deep into the beast's chest—straight through the weak point Kyoryn had created.

The ape let out a final, strangled roar. Its molten body cracked and darkened, its massive frame convulsing once before collapsing into the dirt.

Silence.

Then Viktor landed beside them, panting. "Tell me that thing isn't getting up again."

Wren nudged the creature's head with his boot. No response.

"It's dead."

Kyoryn exhaled, her shoulders sagging. "Finally."

For a long moment, none of them moved, too drained to even celebrate.

Then Viktor let out a tired chuckle. "Well, that was horrifying."

Kyoryn smirked. "Agreed."

Wren rolled his shoulders. "Come on. Let's get some rest. We can collect our reward later."

---

Their journey back was slow. Every muscle in their bodies ached, but the exhaustion felt earned.

By the time they arrived, the village was quiet, the sky darkening into a deep blue.

Wren led them to a modest, two-story wooden house near the entrance. The moment they stepped inside, the scent of cooked meat and fresh bread greeted them.

Zenith stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot over the fire. Her cold blue eyes flicked toward them as they entered. "You survived."

"Nice to see you too," Wren said with a smirk, setting his bag down. "The job's done. Only minor issues."

Zenith didn't react beyond setting an extra bowl on the table. "Sit. Eat."

Kyoryn and Viktor exchanged glances before quickly obeying.

After the day they had? They weren't about to refuse a hot meal.

Zenith ladled stew into their bowls—chunks of meat, thick broth, and vegetables.

Kyoryn took a bite and sighed. "This is amazing."

Viktor nodded. "Yeah. You're a great cook."

Zenith's expression didn't change. "Obviously."

Wren chuckled. "Don't let her cold attitude fool you. She lovess compliments."

Zenith shot him a glance but said nothing.

The meal continued in comfortable silence, their exhaustion fading with each bite.

Then Wren leaned back in his chair. "By the way, are you two free tomorrow? I was thinking of stopping by the guild to get our payment."

Kyoryn frowned. "What do you mean our payment? We were going to give you the money from our quest."

Viktor smirked. "Unless—"

Wren grinned. "Exactly. I was never going to take your money."

Kyoryn blinked. "Then why not say so earlier?" She huffed, crossing her arms. "This one was ranting about how humans are all the same. Someone owes someone an apology."

Viktor quickly looked away, whistling.

Wren rolled a cigar between his fingers. "I would've been a massive hypocrite if I took your money—especially knowing you two don't have a home to depend on." He exhaled. "I know what it's like to have nothing… but I was lucky enough to find someone who made my life warmer."

His eyes flicked to Zenith.

There was a long pause.

Then Wren spoke again. "You can stay here for a while, if you want. It's temporary, but… you did good today. You deserve some rest."

Kyoryn's ears twitched. "Really?"

Zenith sighed. "You are in no position to say no to our offer. I will set bed for you two."

Viktor grinned. "She's totally warming up to us."

Zenith narrowed her eyes. "Don't push your luck."

Wren smirked. "Take it as a yes."

Kyoryn leaned back, letting out a breath.

For the first time in a long while, she felt at ease.

Then Wren turned to Viktor. "But there's one thing I need you to do."

Viktor raised a brow. "What's that?"

Wren's gently smile, "Learn to fight without magic."

A dagger whizzed past Viktor's head, embedding itself in the table.

When Viktor slowly turned around, Zenith twirled another between her fingers. "Training starts tomorrow."

Viktor swallowed. "Oh. Great."