Nova Force Book 1

As they walked towards the flaming dungeon, Selinthia, John, Sarah, and Analu discussed their quest at hand.
 
"So Selinthia, I hope you aren't afraid of a little lizard," teased John.
 
"Ha! I'm a monster slayer, I ain't afraid of nothing," replied Selinthia confidently.
 
"Well, I do remember that time we were fighting timber wolves, and a tiny snow lizard hopped on your head and you went wild," said Sarah with a smirk.
 
"Don't talk about that!" Selinthia barked, clearly embarrassed.
 
"I just... ummm... had something in my eyes," she continued, trying to save face.
 
"Yeah, we all saw that you had something in your eyes alright, like a tail from something," added Analu with a chuckle.
 
The group erupted into laughter, leaving Selinthia flustered and embarrassed.
 
"Hey Jashin, you're always so quiet at these times, dude. You only talk a lot when you're fighting. So lame," said Sarah, trying to draw him out of his shell.
 
Jashin just grinned and said, "Well, actions speak louder than words, my friend." The group laughed, enjoying the light-hearted banter as they continued their journey towards the fiery depths of the dungeon.
 
As the team entered into the flaming dungeon, the heat engulfed them like a raging inferno. The air is thick with the acrid scent of burning sulfur and charred stone. Lava flows in fiery streams, casting a reddish-orange glow on the walls, floor, and ceiling of the cavernous space. The walls themselves appear to be made of solid obsidian, with jagged cracks and crevices providing a home for ember drakes and fire wasps.
 
The ember drakes are fearsome creatures, with scales as black as the obsidian walls and eyes that gleam like molten gold. They scurry about on their four legs, their wings folded against their backs, emitting small jets of flame from their nostrils. As they move, their scales clack against one another, like a thousand tiny pieces of glass tinkling together.
 
The fire wasps are equally dangerous, their bodies covered in a thick layer of red and yellow fur. Their wings are made of shimmering flames, which they use to navigate through the smoky air. They buzz loudly, and their stingers glow with an intense heat, making them a deadly foe to any unwary adventurer.
 
But it's not just the ember drakes and fire wasps that you need to worry about. Lurking in the shadows are infern imps, small demonic creatures that delight in causing mischief and mayhem. They have long, pointed ears, sharp claws, and glowing red eyes. They cackle with glee as they flit about, knocking over piles of smoldering debris or stealing shiny trinkets from unsuspecting travelers.
 
The dungeon itself is massive, far larger than any typical dungeon. It seems to go on for miles, with twisting corridors and winding passageways leading to hidden chambers and secret rooms. The walls are adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of chaos and destruction, and the floors are paved with hot coals and sharp stones.
 

In the distance, you can hear the sounds of rushing water and the occasional roar of what sounds like a distant giant drake called the Lava Drake. A fearsome high tier advanced class monster. This is no place for the faint of heart, and only the bravest and most skilled adventurers should dare to venture into this fiery abyss. And that's exactly what happened. This group of people is one of the strongest group of adventurers on the continent.

The Slayers were renowned in these parts as an exceptionally formidable group of individuals, capable of dispatching Saint-class monsters together with astonishing ease. At the helm of this formidable band stood Analu and Sarah, the de facto leaders whose keen strategic acumen guided the group through dungeons and battles alike. Their minds had been honed for combat during the last five years, forged through rigorous challenges that had molded them into the stalwart figures they were today.
 
Analu possessed a unique ability to delve into minds after being in close proximity for a mere few minutes. Her extraordinary aptitude extended even to sensing thoughts from a distance. Complementing this mental prowess, she wielded the power of the wind, channeled through a nova force, and harnessed lightning as a secondary gift. Her weapons of choice: twin short swords, masterfully wielded in battle.
Sarah, on the other hand, was a skilled martial artist, her powers imbued with the fluid grace of water. With unwavering concentration, she could coax rain from the skies or manipulate water with remarkable finesse. Her control over this element was unparalleled, a rare gift that allowed her to shape the weather and command water from rivers and ponds, setting her apart as an exceptional force to be reckoned with.
Jashin embodied the sheer might of the group. His raw strength was matched only by his mastery over kinetic energy, an ability that bolstered his physical prowess, rendering him both stronger and faster. He could draw energy from within himself or from physical contact with others, growing progressively mightier with each battle. This stored energy was at his disposal, deployed either to create formidable shields or to unleash devastating energy blasts. His chosen weapon was a pole arm devoid of blades, a conduit for his energy manipulation, capable of wreaking havoc on his adversaries. His unwavering loyalty to Selinthia was evident, and an unspoken love for Analu remained his constant companion.
John, a stalwart guardian, specialized in defense, conjuring massive ice walls within seconds to shield his comrades from harm. His abilities extended to freezing vast areas in the blink of an eye. A proficient combatant and wise advisor, John complemented Sarah's formidable skills. Their enduring bond remained steadfast through the years, as did John's choice of weapon, a longsword, an extension of his unyielding commitment to the group's survival.
Selinthia, the charismatic and enchanting member of the group, possessed powers as rare as they were miraculous. Her gift lay in crowd healing, the ability to mend the wounds of her entire group without physical contact. Within a 5-meter radius, she could mend injuries and alleviate minor illnesses, though severed limbs remained beyond her reach. In combat, she displayed remarkable skill, her weapon of choice a slender longsword, an elegant extension of her grace and strength.
 
Each member of this indomitable group harbored personal ambitions, yet they shared a common goal: to grow stronger and halt the rampant march of the New Bittaniac Empire, a malevolent force leaving chaos in its wake. Sarah, John, and Analu hailed from New Spain Town City, now ravaged by the very same empire, while Selinthia and Jashino had endured their own harrowing losses.
 
Determined to attain greater power, they forged ahead. What fueled their determination even further was the haunting memory of their friend Rome, believed to have been slain by the Rock Bird five years past. To their astonishment, this same ominous creature had resurfaced in this region, leaving destruction in its wake. They had not forgotten their vow to avenge Rome and ensure that no one else fell prey to its devastating onslaught.
"Hey guys, I haven't seen any monsters so far. This is great." Said Selinthia.
"Hear we go again. You know the universe always tries to prove you wrong. Why did you say that?" Said John.
"Yea you should have just let it go." Said Sarah.
"Guys, do you sense that?" Asked Jashino.
"Yea, be on alert. We have company." Added Analu.
Light growls could be heard as they approached a towering door that could fit three elephants side by side and stacked on top of each other.
As they entered through the large door, three distinct types of monsters could be seen approaching.
"Those are ember Drakes, they reign supreme in this place. Well their evolved versions breathing torrents of flames from their mouths, their talons slicing through metal. Fire Wasps, swift and venomous, reduce victims to ash with their stingers. Lastly the infern imps, wielding fiery fists and unleashing devastating attacks. Dont under estimate them." Explained the Dungeon guide.
"Step back we got this." Said John.
With swift fete John charged towards the herd of monsters, with the wave of a hand three monsters were instantly froze in the flaming dungeon. He then pulled out his sword, shattering them into tiny bits.
"Show off. We can do better." Said Selinthia.
Jashino stormed off immediately, intercepting and ember Drake that charged a fire attack at John. He swung his pole arm channeled with kinetic energy which defected the attack and sent the ember Drakes flying, crashing into other monsters.
The others charged in while Selinthia stood guarding the dungeon guide.
"Air cutter!" Shouted Analu as blades of air shot forward slicing three infern imps with great power and accuracy.
They all unleashed their power, easily cutting down each monster as it came their way. These creatures were a walk in the park for them. The dungeon guide watched it awe as they slaughtered the monsters.
The two remaining ember Drakes charged up a fire attack and launched it with intense speed at Selinthia, but Sarah was very responsive. She caught the attacks in a ball of water. As the two elements came into contact it let off steam.
"Thought I wasn't looking out for my friend did you." Said Sarah as she walked towards them.
"Water burst forth...needle assault." Said Sarah as she stretched forth her hand with a ball of condensed water spiraling before her. The water took form into needles and was launched at the two ember drakes.
The needles got smaller as they river towards them due to the speed they were moving at and also the intense heat in the dungeon but their sheer numbers were enough to turn both monsters into a kitchen strainer.
"Remarkable! Shouted the dungeon guide, "I've heard stories about you guys but seeing it in action is even more crazy."
"Ahh this is nothing really, these monsters weren't a threat to us." Said Selinthia.
"But I didn't even see you do any..." The dungeon guide was cut off due to a sudden sound. An infern imp was hidden a few feet away from both Selinthia and himself. It charged with much ferocity it had revenge in its eyes.
The dungeon guide fell to the ground on his butt out of surprise while Selinthia nimbly evaded it's fiery fist but doing so now put the dungeon guide's life in danger. However, with great reflexes she pivoted on her feet then stretched forth her hand just in time to hold the monsters by its head before its fist landed on the cowering dungeon guide.
"Absorb," said Selinthia. Immediately her hand lit up with green nova force and the monster slowly grew pale and weaker. After a few seconds it fell to the ground, lifeless.
Selinthia looked up where both their eyes met."You were saying...Mr. Dungeon guide." She stated.
"Nothing at all." He said nervously.
Selinthia's display of power left the dungeon guide speechless. As the last infern imp fell lifeless at her feet, an eerie silence descended upon the molten chamber. The Slayers regrouped, sensing that the battle was far from over.
 
"Don't let your guard down," Analu said, her eyes scanning the chamber warily. "I can feel a powerful presence lurking in the shadows."
 
No sooner had she uttered those words when the ground began to tremble violently. Lava burst forth from fissures in the rock, flooding the chamber. The Slayers leaped atop platforms of ice conjured by John, rising above the boiling tide. The platforms tilted slightly as the searing heat melted the platform slowly but John kept on producing more ice. An ear-splitting roar reverberated through the chamber as an enormous creature emerged from the lava.
The beast before them had the body of a lion, wings of a bat, and three serpentine heads that writhed upon its muscular shoulders. Fire dripped from its gaping maws as it fixed the Slayers with six baleful eyes.
 
"A chimera!" gasped the dungeon guide, quaking in fear. "We must flee!"
 
"We fight," said Sarah resolutely, swirling orbs of water around her hands.
 
The chimera lunged, spewing jets of flame. Jashino stepped forward, deflecting the fire with a kinetic shield. The beast slammed into the barrier with earth-shaking force. Analu struck while it was distracted, driving her swords deep into one of its necks. The chimera howled, thrashing in agony.
 
It beat its wings furiously, whipping up scalding wind. Selinthia raised her hands, shielding the others in a healing aura that nullified the searing heat. Empowered by her magic, the Slayers pressed their attack.
 
John sent shards of ice hurtling toward the monster's wings, grounding it While Sarah sent power water arrows. It writhed, spitting fire wildly. The flames caught John full in the chest, but he created ice to take the full force of the heat and also to protect Sarah. Before the chimera could strike again, Jashino smashed his pole arm down with energy-charged force, cracking the stone beneath the beast.
 
The chimera reeled, then swung its barbed tail at Jashino. He deflected it barely in time, the glancing blow hurling him against the cavern wall. The others raced to defend their fallen comrade. Selinthia knelt beside Jashino, healing his wounds.
 
The chimera rounded on the pair, scenting easy prey. With startling speed, Analu darted beneath its belly, plunging her swords to the hilt. As the beast collapsed, she leapt clear of the thrashing limbs. The chimera let loose an unearthly shriek that shook the chamber. Then its cries faded, echoing away into silence.
 
After defeating the chimera, the Slayers gathered to catch their breath.
"This dungeon is clearly more dangerous than we realized," said the dungeon guide gravely.
 
"We should turn back for now and return with reinforcements."
 
"After coming this far? No way!" argued Selinthia. "We can handle whatever else is down here." Analu nodded. "Selinthia is right. We must press on."
 
The dungeon guide wrung his hands nervously. "As you wish, but please exercise caution. Few who venture this deep into the molten catacombs return to tell the tale."
Leaving the chimera's carcass behind, the group pressed deeper into the winding tunnels. The air grew heavier with each step, humid and stifling. Rivulets of lava crawled lazily over the walls of the expansive cavern they entered.
 
The cavernous dungeon was a fiery abyss, an underground world of scorched stone and smoldering lava. Its towering walls stretched upward into endless shadow, vast enough to encompass a stadium twofold.
 
Rivers of molten rock carved a winding path through the rough-hewn floors, casting an infernal glow throughout the space. The air rippled with heat, shimmering above the slowly churning lava. Veins of fiery orange and gold snaked through the blackened rock walls.
 
Jashino paused, spear poised. "I sense something..."
 
"Yea look over there. What is that??" Asked Selinthia.
 
"That would be your prey or maybe in this case your predator. The Drake of this region, the KIng." Said the dungeon guide nervously.
 

They examined the hulking mass of destruction. Justby standing so far they could feel its immense powers, however it wasn't alone. They're were two other men. From where they were they could see one man dressed in a white cloak with red markings and a mask and another mysterious guy in a black cloak and green hair who was directly facing the monster.