The Crimson Legacy (In Progress)

Chapter 27: One Last Light

—

As they rode hard across the plains toward Magus, Clara's gaze remained fixed on the skies ahead, her brow furrowing as darkness seemed to ripple and coil in unnatural tendrils. Clouds churned, turning darker, and Zoe's face fell with a dawning sense of dread. The nearer they drew, the more ominous the sight became, until, finally, a shocking vision unfolded before them: the great celestial tree of Magus, its branches once vibrant with life, now stood charred and blackened, smoke curling into the air as fire devoured its roots. The town surrounding the tree lay in ruins, buildings collapsed and reduced to ash. The remnants of what was once a sanctuary were now nothing more than twisted wreckage.

Zoe's breath caught, her fingers clutching Clara's arm. The reality struck her hard, and a wail escaped her lips as she screamed, her cries echoing across the burned land.

"No... no!" she sobbed, her voice breaking. Her hometown, the place where she had learned, grown, and loved—gone.

They reached the base of the tree, their horses' hooves crunching over the debris of burnt wood and ashes. Clara, Kuro, and Seraphine dismounted, their expressions grim as they scanned the ruins. Bodies lay scattered across the ground, guardians of Magus who had fought to protect their sanctuary, now lifeless and charred.

Clara's body tensed, her senses on high alert as a familiar sensation washed over her. She felt it—a powerful, oppressive aura hovering nearby. "Rose..." she murmured, her voice cold, her grip tightening around her dagger. "She's still here."

The group moved cautiously, their footsteps muted by the blanket of ash covering the floor. As they entered the hollowed interior of the great tree, they were met with a heartbreaking sight. Shelves that once held priceless tomes and ancient scrolls had been reduced to ashes. The knowledge of generations had been wiped out, leaving nothing but the faint scent of burnt paper.

From deeper within the ruins, a faint whisper drifted through the air. "Where is it... Where is it..." The voice was soft yet chilling, echoing off the hollow walls.

Clara motioned for the others to follow, her movements silent as she led them toward the sound. Peering around the corner of a charred corridor, they spotted Rose, her figure flickering with flames as she rifled through the remains of a chamber, muttering to herself. Clara's anger flared, and with a swift, silent step, she vanished, reappearing behind Rose, her dagger poised at the woman's neck.

But before Clara could strike, Rose's body shimmered and burst into flames, her figure dispersing like smoke. Clara leapt back as Rose's laughter filled the air, echoing through the chamber.

"Oh, Shade," Rose taunted, a smirk twisting her lips. "Did you think you could sneak up on me? You're even more foolish than Lucius was."

At the mention of her brother, Seraphine's face hardened, her fists clenching as blue flames flickered around her. With a guttural growl, she summoned the mighty manticore, the creature materializing beside her in a rush of azure fire. Kuro, his eyes narrowed, nocked an arrow, splitting it into a hundred clones with a focused breath.

"Oh?" Rose mocked, feigning surprise as her flames grew hotter, licking at the edges of her cloak. "So the Manticore still prowls? Don't worry, you'll join your Phoenix soon enough."

With a swift movement, Rose extended her arms, sending a searing wave of fire toward Seraphine and her manticore. The flames engulfed the space, and Seraphine's creature roared, charging forward to shield its master. Kuro released his volley, hundreds of arrows arcing toward Rose's flaming form, but they passed through her harmlessly, vanishing in puffs of smoke. He stared, wide-eyed, as his illusions shattered against her flames.