The catastrophic power of the Abyssal HellFlame began to slowly recede, retreating obediently into the palm of Hide's dark-scaled gauntlet. The blazing, pitch-black void edged in violent crimson left absolutely nothing in its wake.
The absolute-zero temperature that had just dominated the Ufrifan desert was completely eradicated, instantly replaced by the natural, sweltering heat of the bleeding evening sky. The massive basin, previously scarred by the crater, had been fundamentally altered. The scorching desert sand directly beneath them had been superheated and vitrified, turned into a sprawling, smooth sheet of scorched black glass.
Julian stepped back, his heavy, ice-clawed boots slipping awkwardly against the smooth, glassy surface of the earth. His blinding white eyes, which just moments ago had burned with the absolute, arrogant certainty of an apex predator, were now blown wide open in pure, unadulterated fear.
