The crushing pain that engulfed Oliver's wounds gradually transformed into a seething rage, coursing through his veins like a relentless inferno. His fierce glare pierced through Joel's mask. With blood dripping from his mouth, Oliver's fists clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. The unbearable fury contorted his face, and his eyebrows furrowed deeply.

     In Oliver's eyes, a reflection of hell danced, its fiery glow intensifying with each passing moment. His teeth gnashed together, and he growled like a rabid animal. Oliver knew he couldn't let that man live any longer.

"Remember, I'm a Podeshire."

     With fury blazing in his eyes, Oliver sweeps his arm upward, his hand raised defiantly to the air. Tapping into his elemental powers, he channels the raw force of his abilities, summoning a raging inferno that swallows Joel. Flames explode from every inch of Joel's body, devouring him from the soles of his feet to the tips of his hair. The searing fire reflects fiercely in Oliver's eyes, mirroring the intensity of the unleashed power.

     Joel's piercing scream tears through the air like a yelping fox, slicing through the atmosphere. Fire consumes his thick coat, licking at his skin with a voracious appetite. The scorching heat sears through his mask, roasting his body from within. Overwhelmed by the searing pain, Joel drops the rifle, his arms writhing in agony.

     Oliver's glaring eyes widen, the flames of wrath momentarily extinguished by fear and concern. Oliver gasps, his hands clenching at his hair as a visceral sense of dread grips him tightly. Fear trembles as he watches in horrified disbelief at the sight before him.

     Joel's piercing scream sent earthquakes throughout Oliver's pounding heart, freezing him in place as he clenched his teeth. The power of his abilities left Oliver grappling with the surreal nature of the scene before his eyes. Doubts gnawed at him as he questioned the reality of it all. As the weight of the situation seeped into his veins, tears shimmered in Oliver's eyes.

     The flames melted Joel's clothes, their intense heat scorching his skin. An anguished shout tore from Joel's throat, mingling with cries and shrieks as he thrashed about in desperate agony. Unexpectedly, Joel launched into a sprint, his body consumed by the relentless flames. He hurried across the room as the fire licked his skin, his vision obscured by the searing inferno. With a final cry, Joel smashed through a boarded window, the boards breaking apart and the glass shattering.

     Oliver turns his head, his eyes widening as he watches Joel plummet through the shattered window. The air fills with Joel's screams, his voice fading into silence as his body crashes with a sickening thud. Worry and curiosity intertwine within Oliver, his breaths coming in short puffs as he hurriedly approaches the shattered window. He peeks out, and his eyes widen in shock as his trembling palms fly to his mouth.

     Joel lies sprawled on the unforgiving concrete ground, his body motionless amidst the broken boards and shattered glass. The fire continues its grim consumption, gradually diminishing the spark of life that once flickered within him. The sight weighs heavily on Oliver's mind, his breath quickening as a sense of unease settles upon him.

     Stepping back from the shattered window, Oliver takes a deep, shivering breath, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. With a weary sigh, Oliver's gaze shifts to the other side of the room, where a dusty door blends inconspicuously into the wall. His hand gravitates to the deep, bleeding wound on his gut, applying gentle pressure to stem the flow.

     Despite the heavy pain, Oliver summons his strength, limping towards the door. Each step is a battle against the agony that tugs at his every movement. But he remains determined to escape the unsparing scene behind him.

     Meanwhile, outside the mansion, the reverberating crash seizes Gregory's attention, carried by the wind and piercing his ears. Instantly, a sense of urgency grasps him, his eyes widening in alarm. Without hesitation, he swiftly pivots on his heel, his frantic footsteps retracing the path back to the mansion.

"I heard something crash!" Gregory yelled as he sprinted forward.

     The faint sound of shattering glass reached the ears of Sophia, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany, immediately triggering a genuine worry that sent shivers down their spines. Swiftly, they turned around, their footsteps blending as they rushed back to the mansion, following closely behind Gregory. As Gregory reached the expansive lawn of the estate, his gaze scanned the surroundings, and he gasped, his eyebrows arching in horror at the sight in the side yard. Dread flushed over him, causing his heart to slip into his stomach.

     Sophia, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany caught up to Gregory, their eyes frantically searching the area as they stood frozen. Their breaths hardened as their gazes settled upon the sight of a burning corpse. Each person's heart trembled with fear, consumed by the haunting question of whose life had been claimed by the charred remains.

"W-who... who is that!?" Edgar's voice quivered in shock and disbelief as he pointed at the charred corpse.

     With cautious steps forward, Gregory approaches the corpse, scanning for discernible clues. His gaze lands upon a melting mask adorning the head of the charred body. Recognition dawns upon him, and hope flickers within his heart. Relief sweeps over Gregory, the weight of uncertainty loosening the thick chains around his lungs. Sighing, he closes his eyes and places a trembling palm over his chest.

"Oh, dear heaven," Sophia gagged, covering her mouth with a trembling palm.

Gregory turned around and looked at the others. "Everyone..." he began, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "...Call the guards."

"W-what...?" Sarrah raised a brow.

"...But, your son might ge—" Sophia's concern deepened as her voice trailed off.

Gregory took a deep, slow breath, his gaze sweeping over the group. "I assure you, my son will be safe from his grandfather's reach," he said. "Now, go! I'll handle this!"

     Bethany looked at Sarrah, their eyes meeting and locking. A muted conversation passed between them, unspoken thoughts conveyed through their locked stares. Bethany's furrowed eyebrows and tightly pressed lips spoke volumes, reflecting her concern and apprehension. Sarrah couldn't help but release a heavy sigh, acknowledging the weight of the situation.

Sarrah shook her head, glancing at Sophia for reassurance. "I... I'm not sure about this," Sarrah murmured, voicing her doubts.

Gregory's voice resonated with affirmation as he met Sarrah's gaze. "Trust me," he said.

     Sophia's gaze landed on Gregory. Despite her initial scepticism, she couldn't ignore the overwhelming presence of conviction radiating from him. The weight of his words and the determination in his gaze began to chip away at her doubts, leaving her reluctantly swayed by his resolve.

Sophia let out a sigh, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "...Greg... are you sure about this?" she asked.

Gregory nodded, his gaze steady as he whispered, "Yes, I am."

Sophia's eyes scanned the faces of Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany as they stared back at her. Sighing, she murmured, "...Fine." Taking a deep breath, Sophia's hesitation transformed into action. "Let's go!" she said, hurling them into motion.

     Sophia dashed across the bustling street, her footsteps echoing loudly as she launched forward. Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany sprinted along, following closely behind. As they raced towards the horizon, the grand facade of the mansion loomed larger in Gregory's perspective.

     Intimidation seized Gregory, causing him to take a few steps back, his eyes fixed on the imposing structure. Clenching his fists, he gritted his teeth, determined to confront his fear head-on. He stared at the gaping entrance, where only darkness greeted him from the other side.

     Conflicting thoughts pulled Gregory's mind, urging him to retreat. However, his desire to help overshadowed his startled thoughts. With furrowed brows, he sighed, mustering his courage. Stepping forward, he passed through the entrance, his silhouette merging with the enveloping darkness that awaited within the mansion's depths.