Flame and Tide: The Rise of Thalia Astoria

In a realm sealed far from the mortal plane, shadows churned and shifted like liquid smoke. The air was heavy, oppressive, and suffused with ancient power. At the center of this abyss sat the Demon Lord, his towering form bound by pulsating chains etched with runes of containment. His glowing, white, sightless eyes stared forward, unnerving in their emptiness yet filled with malevolent intent.

A shimmer in the void signaled the arrival of a vision. A faint silhouette appeared before him—a cloaked figure whose outline wavered as though struggling to maintain its form in the overwhelming darkness.

"My Lord," the figure spoke, their voice trembling slightly, distorted by the distance between realms.

The Demon Lord's lips curved into a cruel smirk. "You dare return to me empty-handed? Speak quickly, or I will find a new servant to do what you cannot."

The cloaked figure knelt within the vision, their head bowed low. "My Lord, we have made progress. Two of the remaining Black Crystals have been located. Our forces are already in position to retrieve them. However..."

The Demon Lord's smirk faded. "However?" His voice dropped into a dangerous growl.

"The final crystal remains hidden," the figure admitted hesitantly. "Its location requires the essence of a Water User to reveal itself. Yet, my Lord, no Water Users exist. Their bloodline has vanished entirely. For generations, not a single one has been born."

The Demon Lord's glowing eyes narrowed. The vision flickered as his power surged, causing the chains around him to groan under the strain. "Do you take me for a fool? Water Users do not vanish. They hide, they blend in. Someone exists. Someone always exists."

The figure's form wavered, their voice urgent. "We have scoured kingdoms, villages, and even the uncharted lands. My Lord, there is no trace—"

"Silence!" The Demon Lord's voice thundered through the void, sending waves of darkness rippling outward. The figure trembled but dared not speak further.

The Demon Lord leaned forward, the runes on his chains flaring angrily. "Listen well. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. The Water User exists. Find them. Comb every bloodline, interrogate every family, leave no stone unturned. If you must burn the world to uncover them, then do it."

The figure nodded quickly, their voice steadying. "Yes, my Lord. We will redouble our efforts."

A brief silence passed before the figure added cautiously, "There is... an unusual matter.

"Then speak," the Demon Lord commanded, his tone cold and imperious.

The figure raised their head slightly. "The beasts in Zania Forest, those meant to guard one of the Black Crystals... they have been slain."

The Demon Lord's eyes narrowed, and a pulse of dark energy reverberated through the void. "Slain? By whom? No common force could accomplish such a feat."

"That is precisely the matter, my Lord," the figure replied, their voice steady despite the oppressive power in the air. "The reports from our informants suggest it was not an army, nor any of the ruling families. Witnesses claim it was a single figure, clad in black, moving with inhuman precision and strength."

The Demon Lord leaned forward, his massive form casting an even darker shadow. "A single figure?"

"Yes, my Lord. A hooded individual. Their weapon and abilities are unknown, but they reportedly wield fire—a power not uncommon. However..."

The Demon Lord's smirk faded, his expression turning grim. "However, what?"

The figure hesitated before continuing. "The scale of their actions defies reason. They slew not one, but two high-ranked beasts—alone. Even the strongest among the ruling families would struggle to match such a feat without substantial support. Yet this individual did so and vanished without a trace."

The Demon Lord's glowing eyes flared as his chains groaned under the weight of his growing frustration. "Impossible. No mere fire user possesses such power. Have they allied with another element, or could they be masking their true abilities?"

The figure bowed lower. "We do not yet know, my Lord. But... there is another curious detail. This hooded figure has been seen aiding villages, defeating lesser beasts and protecting commoners. They appear to act alone, and their identity remains a mystery."

Silence stretched between them as the Demon Lord processed this information. His lips curled into a cold, calculating smirk.

"A savior, is it?" he said mockingly, his voice dripping with disdain. "How quaint. They cannot be a savior for long. No one interferes with my plans and lives to boast about it."

The figure remained still, awaiting further orders.

"This hooded figure must be found," the Demon Lord continued. "Investigate every trace of their actions. Every village they visit, every beast they slay—it all leaves a trail. Follow it. If they dare to oppose me, I will see their end."

His eyes glowed brighter as he extended his senses, probing the edges of the seal that bound him. Though unable to reach the mortal world, he could feel the ripples of power that emanated from its surface.

"Investigate them," he commanded, his voice sharp and unyielding. "If there is even a hint of connection, I want to know. The Water User cannot hide forever. Their power will betray them, and when it does, they will belong to me."

The figure bowed deeply within the vision. "As you command, my Lord. I will not fail you again."

The vision began to fade, but the Demon Lord's words lingered in the oppressive air.

The chains binding him rattled ominously as he leaned back into his throne, the runes dimming but still pulsing steadily. Though sealed, his presence loomed like a shadow over the mortal realm, waiting for the moment he could rise again.