Gregory suddenly emerged from the street, rushing towards the gate. As he bravely stepped towards the creature, Gregory snatched a dark grey potion from his dark coat's pocket. Then, he threw the concoction at the monster before the beast could reach the gateway's peak.

     The snarling monster saw the potion flying towards its eyes. The glass shattered onto its face, and the concoction spilt onto its eyes. The creature screeched in pain, its mouth gaping wider. Before it could leap to the street, it lost its grip on the gate and fell back to the mansion's front lawn.

     Meanwhile, Oliver and Sophia rushed towards the monster. Their footsteps thudded on the concrete trail. Running with Sophia, Oliver looked at Gregory and raised his hand.

"Hey! Thanks!" Oliver shouted as he hastened towards the monster.

"Finish that thing!" Gregory yelled before fleeing away.

     Oliver and Sophia advance until they stand near their formidable opponent. With a synchronized halt, they lock their gazes upon the blinded creature. Oliver clenches his fist and punches the air, pointing his hand on the ground.

     Oliver's palm summons a radiant, white element, and a luminous light bursts from his hand. Then, it blasts towards the creature. The ground beneath the monster's four clawed paws responds to the magical energy as earth and stone swirl and mould, forming a barrier that entraps the creature's limbs.

     Sophia continues sprinting towards the creature. Then, she hops from the ground and flies to the sky as she wields her sword through the air. With a resounding impact, the blade finds its mark, slicing through the thick neck of the monstrous creature.

     The monster's head drops to the ground. Then, its lifeless, decapitated body follows and collapses with a sickening thud. Blood gushes from the open wound, staining the surrounding area with its dark, viscous flow.

     Crowds gathered at the gate, drawing near to witness the incident. They moved with deliberate steps with their gaze fixed on the severed corpses. The residents, intrigued by the sight of the lifeless creatures along the pathway, approached slowly.

     Men and women who beheld the sight of this newfound species gasped in horror. Their eyes widened in disbelief. Murmurs and whispers swept through the gathering like wildfire. The cold air turned cacophonous with the hum of faint voices.

Gregory rushed towards his friend and looped his arms around him, embracing Oliver tightly. "Oli!" Gregory quickly pulled back and scanned Oliver's body for wounds. "Oli! Are you okay!?"

"I'm fine," Oliver blew out a heavy breath.

Gregory sighed before hugging Oliver again. "I'm glad," Gregory whispered, his warm breath touching Oliver's neck.

     Frederick returns to the mansion. His head tilts upward as his gaze traces the extent of the damage, fixating on the wreckage before him. His breath hastens with a mix of subtle trembling. As Frederick's gaze shifts to his once-pristine lawn, his eyes begin to glisten with tears.

Frederick stood frozen. "My... oh my... my garden... my beautiful front yard garden..." he murmured with a wavering voice.

     The wind carries Frederick's faint, sorrowful voice into Oliver's ears. Concerned, Oliver quickly approaches Frederick. He then hugs Frederick for a brief moment before letting go.

"Don't worry, Dad. I have elemental powers. I can fix it," Oliver reassured Frederick as he raised his palms.

     Oliver turns around and faces the destroyed mansion. He then points his arms towards the wreck with his palms open. His hands throb as a deep, cold breath streams through his mouth.

     The particles swirled like a graceful dance and converged, gradually taking shape as hundreds of concrete bricks. Levitating mid-air, the bricks soared towards the porch, aligning themselves with the walls. Planks swiftly filled the holes and cracks that marred the surface.

     In the meantime, the scattered planks strewn across the lawn quaked. Then, they lifted off the ground and reconnected like puzzle pieces. The reformed wooden planks glided through the air and flew towards the mansion. Once they merged, a radiant gleam swept across them.

     The stones and debris that had concealed the once-lush bushes crumbled into dust upon the lawn. The particles merged with the superstructure, reinforcing the mansion's walls. Meanwhile, the deformed plants in the garden, bent and split, stood tall again. The grass, tarnished with bloodstains, absorbed the essence of life, transforming from a dull shade to a vibrant hue of green.

     In a mere minute, Oliver accomplishes a remarkable feat, swiftly restoring the entirety of the ravaged porch. He also breathes new life into the gardens, revitalizing every corner. As Oliver repairs the havocked mansion, everyone watches, witnessing the sheer might of his innate ability.

"A-amazing..." Frederick uttered as he gawked at the restored mansion.

"Thank you," Oliver smirked as he placed a hand on his hip.

     Sophia and Gregory stare at the gigantic severed head. Sophia steps forward as her glance darts at the lifeless creature's bloodstained face. As she leans closer, her palms fly to her nose against the overpowering stench. Behind her, Gregory mirrors her actions, using his coat to mask the irresistible odour.

"What is this thing?" Sophia asked.

"It looks like a giant lizard to me," Gregory said.

     Oliver walks forward and stands between his friends. He then glares at the decapitated head. Leering at the lifeless monster, Oliver notices a particular substance. It is dark and reddish-violet, resembling a creature he knows.

"It's a Pyro Void Monster..." Oliver mumbled.

Sophia's eyes widened with curiosity as she pointed towards the other lifeless creature. "What about that one?" she questioned.

"Let's check it out," Oliver glanced at the corpse.

     Oliver, Sophia and Gregory proceed towards the other dead Pyrovoidian. They walk past Frederick, still observing and appreciating the view of his repaired mansion. As they draw closer to the monster's corpse, Oliver, Sophia, and Gregory notice a group of crowds standing at the gate.

     The crowds push each other aside to see the beheaded beast. No one could resist the temptation to peek. The gateway bustles with curious mobs that want to see the dead creature.

     Oliver's pace becomes slower and steady. He then takes a peek at the monster. Seeing the reddish-violet hue blending with its dark body, Oliver immediately realizes it is a Pyrovoidian.

"Observe its hue... it resembles the cyclops-like entity Sophia and I encountered this morning," Oliver stated, pointing towards the dark colouration on the lifeless body.

"So, these Pyro Void Monsters... assume various forms?" Sophia questioned as her brows furrowed.

"Well, the book says so. But... how were there Pyrovoidians inside the mansion?" Oliver replied, shaking his head.

"I am unsure of how they got in. I merely glimpsed the reptilian creature in one of the rooms. As for the other being, I was previously unaware of its existence," Gregory interjected.

"Could they have infiltrated from the lake? Hasn't the military already deployed its forces to surround it?" Oliver questioned.

"These creatures may have departed the lake before the military's arrival. We conversed with the mayor this morning, and it appears that the army has yet to reach Asbranne Lake," Sophia thought.

"Oh..." Oliver sighed before proceeding towards the mansion with heavy footsteps. "...Then... I must ensure that no more of these abominations leave Asbranne Lake."

"What...? You're going there again!?" Gregory followed Oliver and caught up with his pace.

"Of course. It's my duty. I'm a Podeshire. It's me who they're after anyway," Oliver stated as he walked across the lawn.

"Only you? I think not. Have you forgotten the innocent lives claimed by these Pyrovoidians?" Gregory said.

"If only my human and kean ancestors had refrained from intermingling, none of these tragedies would've happened," Oliver said as he ascended the porch steps.

Gregory swiftly grasped Oliver's shoulder. "Oli—"

"Greg, I do not care anymore! I must go where I shall go... regardless of what you say," Oliver turned around and glared at Gregory.

"I will come with you," Gregory asserted.

"No. Stay here where you're safe," Oliver demanded.

Sophia quickly caught up with the two men. "If I come with you, will you let Greg come as well?" she asked Oliver.

"Of course not! You two?? You guys are my dear friends. I wouldn't allow nature to take your lives!" Oliver crossed his arms.

"Why don't you consider our abilities, Oli? You possess elemental powers, I possess skill in swordplay and crossbowmanship, and Gregory possesses knowledge of potions and magic," Sophia reasoned, crossing her arms.

"Can't you see? You are strong, Oli. I said it before. But together... we're stronger," Gregory leaned forward.

Oliver gazed at his friends, frowning. Slowly, a smile formed on his lips. "You... you both speak true. Without you two... I wouldn't be who I am right now," Oliver confessed.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar young lady emerged and stepped forward. "Pardon me?" she called out with a deep, monotonous voice.