Maggy paced back and forth in frustration, her worry mounting. “I should’ve done more testing… I didn’t think I’d be trapped here, and for an hour!” she muttered to herself, her voice filled with concern. The minutes felt like hours as she remained in her spirit realm, flashes of the Molten Titan flooding her mind. Its sheer size, its terrifying presence, it was unlike anything she had ever faced before.

  Jason’s strong, she reminded herself, trying to calm the rising panic. He wouldn’t fall to that thing.

  Only five minutes left until she could return, and the anxiety was nearly unbearable. She clenched her fists, trying to shake the image of Jason facing the Titan alone. The last minutes finally ticked by, and She opened a portal back to the physical realm, the spirit realm began to fade, leaving her standing in a crater the size of a sedan. Blackened lava rock crusted the rim of the crater, a stark reminder of the battle she had been unable to witness.

  "Jason!" Maggy’s voice cracked as she stumbled forward, scanning the battlefield with wild eyes. Smoke curled from the Titan’s lifeless form, heat still radiating from the charred ground. Her stomach twisted. He had to be here—he had to—

  Then, she saw him.

  He sat cross-legged, battered but breathing. Relief hit her so hard she nearly collapsed.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay! I was worried sick!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. “Are you hurt?”

  Jason groaned, his body still aching. “I’m fine… a few bumps and bruises,” he managed to say. “I was worried too. I thought it might’ve gotten you when you didn’t come back right away.”

  Maggy sighed, her heart still racing. “Turns out I’ve got a recast cooldown. I have to stay in my spirit realm for at least an hour before I can return.”

  Jason chuckled weakly. “Guess we should’ve tested that out, huh?” he wheezed, his attempt at humor barely masking the pain.

  Maggy narrowed her eyes, looking him over. “A few bumps and bruises? You sound like you got hit by a truck. Let me take a look.”

  Jason moved—then instantly regretted it. A sharp, breath-stealing pain shot through his ribs, his vision momentarily darkening. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright. “—not fine.”

  Maggy crouched next to him, eyes scanning his injuries. “Jason, you can barely breathe!” Maggy narrowed her eyes. “That’s not what ‘fine’ looks like, Jason.” She pressed her hands over his chest, and the Spirit Stitch revealed the extent of his injuries. Her stomach twisted.

  “Broken ribs, muscle damage—Jason, how the hell are you even sitting upright?”

  Jason let out a strained chuckle. “Spite, mostly.”

  After Maggy had run her energy through him she cast Spirit Stich.

  Jason let out a relieved breath, feeling the tension in his body melt away. “I didn’t realize it was that bad… thanks.”

  Maggy smiled softly, though the worry hadn’t fully left her eyes. “I’m just glad I finally got back to help. I'm surprised you didn't use your bloodline your soul seems to be untouched.”

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  "I did use it I was foolish I allowed it to fully consume me again. before I could fully utilize the power, I heard a voice deep a familiar, the voice calmed me down. enough to think anyway."

  staring at him Maggy could see a mix of emotion written across his face. "Do you know who or what spoke to you?"

  Jason’s brow furrowed. "No... It sounded so familiar like, someone I knew, or know. I don't know how to describe it. But oddly enough it seemed. The voice was proud of me?"

  Maggy studied him for a moment. "Well, I for one certainly would not say no to someone who was looking out for us. Did your blade influence you this time?"

  "Yes and no. I have a theory developing. I'm going to have to test it further." Jason’s expression grew serious as he stood up. “Before we head into the castle, there’s something I need to tell you.” He then went into detail about Isabella, her strange offer, and the contract she had proposed.

  Maggy frowned thoughtfully, absorbing the information. “Huh… I’m not really sure what to make of her. Do you trust her?”

  Jason hesitated for a moment. “I don’t really know her well enough, but I do have her under a soul contract. However, I don't know what that is… We really need to get some information on all of this.”

  Maggy considered his words, then nodded. “Agreed some reliable info would be nice. Well, for now she's not a threat.” She glanced up at the looming castle in the distance. “That being said, we’ve got a lot to get through before she even becomes a potential problem.”

  Jason smirked, appreciating her support. “Just one last thing I need to handle before we go,” he said, turning his attention to the fallen molten Titian at his feet.

  “Consume.”

  The familiar prompt appeared before him:

  Molten titian Consumed.

  Options limited due to energy drain.

  Core of the Molten Goliath: Crafting material in golem craft. Also, can attune a small area to the affinity of fire.

  huh, this is going to take some experimenting. Just how much energy does each option take to produce, how much energy can I drain and still receive items? but what has me most curious is what happens when its hunger is filled.

  The Devourer materialized in his grip, but something was different. Its once-empty darkness now pulsed with faint, ember-like veins, flickering like molten cracks in a dying world. The weapon… was hungry, but as frenzied as it had been.

  "You’re changing,” he muttered, running a hand over the weapon. The void-like aura around it deepened, flickering with molten veins.

  He then turned his eyes back to the core.

  “Could come in handy,” he muttered to himself. "If I can figure out how to use the thing..."

  Maggy smiled, watching him. “Ready?”

  Jason nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. “Yeah. Let’s get going we are running low on time to beat all...” he trailed off as a notification flashed followed by the sound of trumpets.

  Quest update.

  Triumverge Citadel Frostmaw, the Eternal Warden has been slain. two of three bosses slain. one boss remains Pyraxis, the Flame Sovereign. days remaining 20 of 60.

  "So, they are alive, I've been wondering how the others have been doing. Hopefully they were able to team up." Jason said as the weight of the whole endeavor lifted.

  "When we find the others, do we trust them?" Maggy asked.

  Jason exhaled. "Trust? No. But we may not have a choice. It would be foolish not to be weary. My vote is that we should keep our trump cards hidden. I doubt in the next round we will have much of a choice to work with the others."

  As their discussion continued both felt the exhaustion of the past 40 days. "Since we are not in quite the same time crunch as we use to be, how about we set up camp and get some much need rest?"

  "That sounds amazing. What i really want is a nice bath. It's crazy the things we took for granted before they were no longer available." Maggy said with furloughing

  time passed a slow but steady pace as they set up camp. Maggy broke the silence "Do you miss it. Home, I mean?"

  "Honestly yes, and no. I'd fallen in a rut, an endless cycle. even though I've never been more scared in my life. For the first time since Sabrina died, I have a goal."

  Maggy smiled at him. "Oh yeah? and what is that goal?"

  "To burn these games to the ground and make whoever’s behind them regret ever forcing us into this mess."