*Nevaeh lay on the ground, exhausted, still asleep. Null and Azrael stood beside her, keeping watch for any danger.*
Null: Normally, I'd say we should make a campfire, but I think that would be the worst idea in this place. —laughs— It'd be kind of funny to try though.
Azrael: —laughs as well— You're right. —looks around— I'm surprised a place like this can still exist without disintegrating in its own heat. —sighs— That guy... —remembers Alcanor— must be truly impressive.
Null: He must be, if he was able to create this hell… with those creatures and that demon. —points to the spot where the demon was disintegrated— I don't even want to imagine what awaits us beyond. —sighs— At least we're getting used to the heat. Turns out it's not that bad.
Azrael: —laughs— True. In my case, I've adapted to hostile environments before. I guess that's why I got used to this one so quickly.
*But as if the very hell itself had heard them, the air around them began to change. Null and Azrael started trembling.*
Null: What's happening…? Azrael, why are you shaking? —sneezes— But how…?
Azrael: Damn it… don't tell me…
*The scorching heat vanished in an instant. A wave of extreme cold swept through the place. The temperature dropped so fast, so deep, that it could be considered beyond absolute zero. Hell itself froze, along with time, space, and reality itself.*
Null: Damn… damn… damn it!
*Reacting instantly, Null invoked his fire element. Intense flames surrounded him, Azrael, and Nevaeh, preventing the frost from consuming them.*
Azrael: That was close… —tries to move his half-frozen arm— Nevaeh!
*Azrael ran toward her. Nevaeh was almost completely frozen.*
Azrael: Damn ice! —looks at Null— Hey, Null! Help me thaw her out!
*Null rushed over, placing a hand on Nevaeh's forehead and conjuring a blazing sphere of fire.*
Null: If I hadn't acted fast, she wouldn't be with us anymore… —sighs—
*The sphere of fire slowly began melting the ice encasing Nevaeh. Her breathing returned, weak but steady.*
Azrael: —sighs in relief— Thank goodness… she's okay.
*Azrael collapsed onto the ground but immediately stood up again when he realized it was still extremely cold.*
Azrael: Damn… at least before we could sit down. Now we can't even do that!
Null: Yeah, I noticed… —sighs— Let's carry Nevaeh before the ground freezes her again.
*Azrael carefully lifted Nevaeh, carrying her in his arms like a princess.*
Azrael: —hears a chuckle— Got a problem with that? —annoyed—
Null: None at all. —tries to hold back laughter while keeping his fire active— I just like seeing how much you care for her. —sincerely— That's something really good you two have.
Azrael: Of course. —smiles—
*Both entered a cave, placing Nevaeh in a corner where the ice hadn't reached. Exhausted, they dropped down beside her.*
Null: —sighs— Ahh… the perfect temperature to rest for a bit.
Azrael: Yeah… now this is better.
Null: —nervous— I just hope nothing worse happens just because I said that.
Azrael: Relax. If we could take down that demon, we can handle anything! We're unstoppable!
*Null burst out laughing at Azrael's enthusiasm. A few minutes later, Azrael was asleep beside Nevaeh, while Null remained awake.*
Null: Let's see… I wonder if I got anything from defeating that demon.
*A system window appeared in front of him.*
System: Good work. You and your team defeated the demon. Mission complete. Rewards will now be distributed.
Null: To everyone…?
*Another system notification appeared.*
NOTIFICATION:
Your team has leveled up hundreds of times. Your skills have greatly improved and new abilities have been unlocked.
Null received: a Mysterious Key.
Null: WHAT DO YOU MEAN "MYSTERIOUS KEY"?! WHY DON'T YOU JUST GIVE IT A NAME AND DESCRIPTION ALREADY?! —shouts angrily—
*Meanwhile, in the Creator's Forest. Alcanor walked among the trees alongside a Guardian.*
Alcanor: —chuckles softly— I knew he'd react like that. —watches Null through the system window— Now it'll depend on whether they dare to use that key or not.
*Back in the frozen hell, Null covered his mouth, trying not to make a sound.*
Null: Good thing they didn't wake up… —whispers in relief— I shouldn't have yelled so loud.
*Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed through the icy fog. A colossal roar, from an unimaginable beast.*
Null: Damn… there's more!? —shakes Azrael— Hey, wake up! HEY, WAKE UP!
*Azrael opened his eyes, startled and annoyed.*
Azrael: Why did you wake me up like that?!
Null: Forget that! —points toward the mist— There's a giant creature out there. Going outside now would be suicide.
Azrael: —looks outside— I can't expose Nevaeh to danger… not in her condition. —looks at Null— We'll wait until she wakes up. For now, we have to stay hidden. Even for us, this temperature is dangerous.
Null: Understood. —sighs— But sooner or later, we'll have to investigate.
Azrael: Exactly.
*Both stared into the white mist, determination burning in their eyes. They knew that once Nevaeh awoke, facing whatever lurked out there would be inevitable.*