Chapter 118: Crimson Flame Orchids

Hot.

Dry.

Suffocating.

The air itself felt like it was burning.

Moon didn’t stop.

He took out a pill and gave one to Axe. He himself swallowed one. The burning sensation eased a little.

In his arms, Leo whined twice, trying to jump out, but with two little slaps from Moon, he became silent.

Soon the walls started to change color.

Dark stone walls became dark red, then bright red.

They started emitting a red glow; fire-like veins were slowly crawling under the surface like living blood.

Every step they took made the soles of their boots uncomfortably warm.

Leo immediately started squirming in Moon’s arms.

"Leo, stay still," Moon hissed.

The little red wolf ignored him this time.

His fur began to stand on end. Small sparks of fire flickered between his claws.

He growled low in his throat. The sound even vibrated against Moon’s chest.

As they went forward, the path kept going downward.

After another turn, the tunnel suddenly opened wide.

Moon stopped.

In front of them stretched a whole underground river of lava. Bubbling. Spitting sparks. The heat made the air above it shimmer like broken glass.

There was no bridge.

No stones.

Nothing.

Axe cursed under his breath. "Fuck."

Before Moon could even think of how they should cross the lava, Leo twisted hard and jumped straight out of his arms.

"LEOOOOO!" Moon cried out.

"Damn you!" Axe immediately pounced after the shooting little body, but he still missed Leo’s hind leg by a fraction.

The little red wolf slipped past his hand and landed in the lava with unbelievable speed. As if he knew that if he was even a little slower, he would be caught.

The lava splashed molten rock.

For a second, he disappeared under the glowing surface.

Moon’s stomach churned hard.

He felt his entire being freeze in place. The sound of burning and dancing sparks didn’t reach his ears.

But then he saw it.

With Wide eyes.

A little redhead popped back up from the lava, paddling like crazy.

His beautiful red, orange, and yellow-shaded fur started burning and curling at once.

Sparks flew off him.

In less than ten breaths, the fluffy coat was gone. Only pink, scorched, half-bald skin remained.

Leo let out the most miserable, high-pitched whine Moon had ever heard.

He looked like a half-plucked chicken swimming through hell.

But he kept going.

Moon and Axe were momentarily out of their minds at what they were seeing.

A bald wolf!

But that wasn’t their concern.

They simultaneously exhaled a suppressed breath.

Not for Leo being bald or his heart-piercing cry. But for the assurance that Leo didn’t die and wouldn’t die.

They also noticed something unimaginable.

Wherever that small wolf body passed, the lava strangely parted and hardened, leaving a narrow black path behind him.

Moon and Axe stared for one stunned second, then scrambled after him before the temporary path could melt again.

By the time they reached the other side, Leo was already shaking on the bank—completely bald, skin pink and steaming, looking utterly pathetic.

He turned his big amber eyes up at Moon and let out another long, pitiful whine.

Moon didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He quickly pulled out healing paste and started smearing it over the burnt skin.

"You idiot... you absolute little idiot..."

Leo only licked his wrist and kept whimpering.

"Served him right," Axe grumbled. It had scared him out of his wits too when Leo jumped.

He looked ahead with an amazed gaze.

Further ahead, the cavern opened into a wide garden of pure fire.

Crimson Flame Orchids bloomed everywhere. Tall stalks with petals that looked like living flames.

Moon picked Leo up, and they started to pass through the garden without event.

They found pools of liquid fire bubbling gently between the flowers. The spiritual energy was so thick that Moon’s fire core throbbed greedily.

But what drew their eyes most was the structure standing in the center.

A cabin.

But it was so big. Like a giant greenhouse. Only it was not a greenhouse, because it held a nicely decorated chamber inside.

Unlike everything else, it was not hot.

Its walls were made of smooth, transparent red crystal that looked like cold glass.

A faint chill even came from it—the only cool place in this entire burning world.

Through the crystal walls, they could see the inside: a large chamber decorated in deep reds and golds, soft carpets, hanging veils, and a huge round bed in the middle.

It looked exactly like a bridal room.

Moon’s steps slowed.

Something about it didn’t feel right. It was like an illusion. It felt deliberate.

He glanced at Axe.

Axe nodded once. He stood on guard. No one knew better than he did that anything like a puppet could pop out at any time.

They walked closer.

The crystal door stood slightly open, like it was inviting whoever came to see the flowers.

Moon hesitated.

What was it for?

Where was the spirit? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Or the vein?

And how could he take over this place?

Many questions crossed his mind at once.

In his arms, Leo was restless again.

Moon let him go. Since the place was meant for him, maybe he had the clue.

But as soon as he let go, Leo went straight to the cabin.

Moon held his breath to see some changes.

But nothing happened.

He thought about the Stardust Lily sanctuary. He had taken over that place without any hindrance. Maybe this was the same. He actually didn’t need any contract or formal takeover.

So he also slowly stepped inside.

His feet touched the cold marble ground of the threshold.

And instantly his world spun.

Moon whipped around to back out. But it was too late.

The moment both of them crossed the threshold, the door slid shut without a sound.

Axe lunged forward and slammed his shoulder against it.

"Damn it! Take me in, you bastard!" he roared.

His brows trembled with tension. He didn’t want Moon to face whatever it was alone.

He kept pushing, kicking, and throwing punches, yet it didn’t move.