The Crimson Legacy (In Progress)

Chapter 17: Through the Flame's Embrace

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The flames crackled around them, casting eerie shadows that flickered and danced across the ancient stone walls of the Tree of Magus. The heat was stifling, the air thick with the acrid scent of burning parchment. As Clara and Lucius arrived at the lower chamber where the Tome of Eldrid had been kept, the scene that met their eyes was one of utter devastation. Scrolls and books were engulfed in fire, the very fabric of Eldrid's history burning away in the relentless inferno.

And there, at the heart of the flames, stood Rose, the Coven's Pyromancer, her red cloak billowing around her like the wings of a demon. She turned to face them, a wicked smile curving across her lips as she toyed with the Tome in her hand, its ancient writings flickering with a malevolent light.

"Ah, the old Guardian and the lost little sorceress," Rose drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. "I was starting to think you wouldn't come."

"Rose." Lucius said, his voice low and steady, yet laced with an unmistakable edge. "You cannot begin to understand the damage you're causing."

"Oh, Lucius," Rose sighed, as if bored by his words. "Do you really think you can stop me?" She raised her hand, and a wave of flames surged towards them.

Lucius stepped forward, his eyes narrowing with focus. With a single fluid motion, he raised his arms, and the flames around them shifted, the air growing icy as blue fire began to emerge from the ground. Clara's eyes widened as the blue flames coalesced into the form of a phoenix, its wings unfurling as it let out a piercing cry that reverberated through the chamber.

Rose's confident expression faltered, and her eyes narrowed. "A phoenix?" she muttered, almost in disbelief.

The massive creature spread its wings, creating a vortex of blue fire that clashed with Rose's red flames. Lucius stood firm, controlling the phoenix with a series of intricate hand movements, his face etched with intense concentration. Clara felt a pang of awe as she watched him—this wasn't just raw power; it was mastery.

Legendary techniques unfolded before her eyes. Lucius commanded the phoenix to dive towards Rose, its talons stretched forward to strike. But Rose countered effortlessly, a wall of red fire erupting between them and forcing the creature back. Lucius muttered an incantation under his breath, and the phoenix split into dozens of smaller blue flames, each one darting towards Rose like sentient spirits.

Rose flicked her wrist, sending a flaming whip slicing through the air, cutting down the blue flames as if they were nothing. The remaining flames regrouped and launched themselves at her, but Rose only laughed, raising her hand and absorbing the attacks into her own inferno.

Clara's eyes narrowed as she watched, feeling a strange mixture of admiration and dread. Lucius was powerful, even in his old age, and yet... even his legendary skills seemed to falter against Rose. Her power was unyielding, her control over the flames absolute. Clara couldn't help but wonder—what would Lucius have been capable of in his prime?

Rose's laughter echoed through the chamber, mocking and sharp. "You're strong, Lucius," she admitted, "but you're old. And your powers are... what's the word? Dimming."

Lucius gritted his teeth, summoning all of his remaining strength. His hands moved in a complex series of gestures, and the blue phoenix reformed, larger and fiercer than before. It charged at Rose with a blinding speed, its talons glowing with a blue light so intense it seemed to burn through the very air.