# Chapter 25: The General of the Sun and the Baptism of Fire

  ## 1. The Infiltration and the Fire Alert

  The invasion of Jupiter Island began under the cloak of darkness and salty mist. Orpheus and his crew created a diversion at the port, setting fire to a supply depot. The chaos was the perfect prelude.

  Hiroshi and Luna used the confusion to head towards the giant torch that crowned the black stone mountain. The island, an ancient draconic fortress, was a labyrinth of tunnels and guard posts.

  "**I smell Quaza and fire. The General is here, boy. And he is waiting**," Kerchack warned.

  Hiroshi's LitRPG interface was on high alert: **ALERT: HIGH FIRE CONCENTRATION ZONE.**

  They were intercepted by a squad of elite soldiers. Hiroshi activated the partial symbiosis.

  **Technique: Waning Moon (Level 3).**

  Hiroshi moved with the speed of lightning, the **Karius Sword** delivering 100 cuts in 10 seconds. The soldiers fell before they could react.

  ## 2. The Confrontation with the General of the Sun

  At the top of the mountain, the giant 30-meter torch burned with a supernatural intensity. The heat was unbearable.

  The **General of the Sun** was there, waiting. An imposing man, with golden armor that reflected the fire of the torch, and eyes that looked like embers.

  "The Demon of the Eclipse. The King knew you would come," said the General, his voice deep and resonant. "You are an aberration. A stain on the purity of this world."

  "I am the bridge. And I came to put out your light," Hiroshi replied, drawing the **Karius Sword**.

  **The Battle of Elements: Fire vs. Shadow**

  The General of the Sun attacked first.

  **General's Technique: Sun Fist.**

  A fireball the size of a wagon flew towards Hiroshi.

  Hiroshi felt the full impact of the attack.

  **The impact was brutal.**

  "**Use the Shadow, boy! His fire is fueled by the torch!**", Kerchack shouted.

  Hiroshi used the **Karius Sword** to channel the eclipse energy.

  **Hiroshi's Technique: Full Moon (Level 2).**

  A *flash cut* of light blue energy hit the General. The General laughed, and the fire enveloped him, dissipating the attack.

  "You are weak, Demon! Your power is a pale shadow of my sun!", the General mocked.

  ## 3. The Awakening of Luna's Healing Magic

  The fight intensified. The General of the Sun was a formidable enemy. He used the torch as an amplifier, launching waves of fire that forced Hiroshi to use his defensive abilities.

  Hiroshi writhed in pain.

  Hiroshi was at his limit. The General noticed the weakness and attacked Luna.

  "The Demon's anchor! I will break you!", shouted the General, launching a fire spear towards Luna.

  Luna, in a panic, closed her eyes. In a moment of despair, her elven blood reacted. An emerald green light emanated from her hands.

  **Luna's Ability: Touch of Yggdrasil (Healing Magic).**

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  The green light created a shield that absorbed the fire spear. The General was shocked.

  "Healing Magic! You are a Healing Elf! The Empire thought you were extinct!", the General shouted.

  Luna, exhausted but determined, ran to Hiroshi. She touched his arm, and the green light enveloped him.

  **Luna's Ability: Touch of Yggdrasil (Quick Healing).**

  Hiroshi's energy was restored.

  ## 4. The Deactivation of the Torch and the Rescue of Zark

  Hiroshi saw the opportunity. The General was distracted by Luna.

  "**Now, garoto! Sacred Flight!**", Kerchack shouted.

  Hiroshi activated the **Sacred Flight** and flew towards the torch. The General tried to stop him, but Hiroshi used the speed of the Sacred Flight to dodge.

  Hiroshi reached the torch. He plunged the **Karius Sword** into the base of the artifact. The sword, a draconic energy regulator, absorbed the torch's energy, causing an overload.

  The torch exploded in a cloud of dark smoke. The General of the Sun screamed in pain, his power diminishing.

  Hiroshi descended, the **Karius Sword** glowing with a dark light.

  "Your sun has set, General," Hiroshi said.

  The General, weakened, attempted one last attack, but Orpheus, who had infiltrated, appeared and beheaded him with the **Koyote**.

  "A pirate always keeps his promise," Orpheus said.

  They ran to the prison. Orpheus quickly located the Cells, freed all the prisoners, and located Zark's cell.

  **Zark** was a woman with long curly hair, green eyes, snow-white skin, wearing long black and brown clothes. She was tall, with generous curves.

  "Orpheus! You came!", said Zark, smiling.

  "I always come, sister. Now, let's go home," Orpheus said.

  ## 5. The Hook: The New Mission and the Betrayal

  The trio, now a quartet, fled the island. The mission was a success.

  Hiroshi's LitRPG interface updated:

  ***

  **MISSION: RESCUE ZARK - COMPLETED**

  **REWARD:** **Kerchack Scales** Ability (Can withstand 50% of enemy attack for 3 attempts).

  ***

  Aboard the *Sea Vengeance*, Zark revealed the truth.

  "The King is building the Quaza weapon in the Golden Capital. And Yuzuki... he is the King's infiltrator. The Heroes are a sham, they are with the King and with Yuzuki. The little Quaza we had would be enough to make a magic weapon for Luna. Zark informed us that the petrification disease has a cure, it is in the King's capital. A war between nations against the Leper King is imminent, guilds from other continents will join AGAINST THE KING. AND FROM THE KING'S CARCASS, THE WORST CAN ARISE, Yuzuki... He is the true Red Demon."

  Hiroshi felt the anger. He had been manipulated.

  "What's the next step?", Hiroshi asked.

  "The City of the Moon. That's where we'll find the Blacksmith for Luna's weapon and my equipment that is stored with a friend," Zark said.

  ***

  **END OF CHAPTER 25**