As the family passed through the glowing archway, the air shifted drastically.
A suffocating heat surrounded them, the temperature rising with each step. The stone walls were now cracked and scorched, glowing with embers that pulsed like the heartbeat of a volcano. A low, guttural rumble echoed through the vast chamber ahead.
"This... doesn't feel like a prison," Zack muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It's like a furnace."
Angeleva's wings drooped slightly, the intense heat sapping her energy.
Observing her surroundings, she said. "The demons here are forged from pure flame. We'll have to be careful."
Olive squinted through the shimmering air. "We're walking straight into their territory. Ambush is almost certain."
"Ian, keep the camera steady," Angeleva said, her wand glowing faintly. "We'll want to document every step for Safari."
"Don't worry," Ian grinned, though sweat dripped from his brow. "I've filmed through blizzards, storms, and stampedes. A little heat won't stop me."
The ground beneath them cracked open slightly, glowing lava visible through the jagged crevices. A thin bridge of blackened stone extended over a vast pool of molten fire. The chamber seemed endless, the haze of heat obscuring the other side.
"That's the only path," Angeleva said grimly.
"Then let's move," Olive responded, her blaster raised.
They had barely stepped onto the bridge when the flames roared to life. Out of the molten depths, monstrous figures emerged. Towering demons with charred black skin, glowing with fiery veins, and molten eyes that burned with malice. Their bodies radiated unbearable heat, distorting the air around them.
"Fireborn demons," Angeleva gasped. "They're drawn to the living like moths to a flame."
With a collective roar, the demons lunged forward. Angeleva quickly raised her wand.
"Fairy Aqua Wave!"
A powerful torrent of water burst forth, crashing against the demons. The scalding steam hissed through the chamber as the water clashed with the intense heat. Some demons recoiled, but others pushed through, the flames roaring even brighter.
"They're not going down easily!" Zack shouted.
Olive loaded her gun. "I'll slow them down!"
She fired precise shots, striking the demons in their glowing weak points. The bullets momentarily staggered them, giving Angeleva enough time to summon another wave of water.
"I'll help!" Zack added, summoning his green healing energy.
Though the pulse was meant for healing, its calming aura disrupted the demons' fiery rage. The flames dimmed slightly, making them easier to fight.
"Jen!" Olive called. "Do your thing!"
Jen, despite the sweltering heat, pulled out one of her special puddings - a golden, glossy treat.
"Have a taste of this, you flame heads!" she yelled, flinging the pudding into the air.
The demons, their curiosity overriding their aggression, momentarily fixated on the strange object. As it plopped onto the ground, it erupted into a sticky, sweet explosion that clung to their bodies.
"Sticky pudding bomb!" Ian cheered. "Genius!"
"Fairy Ice Edges!" Angeleva followed up, summoning icy spears that struck the immobilized demons. The chilling blast froze the molten cracks on their bodies, shattering them into glowing embers.
But before the family could celebrate, the remaining Fireborn demons roared furiously. The flames within them burned brighter, and the air trembled under the force of their rage.
"They're overheating!" Angeleva warned. "They'll explode if we don't stop them!"
"Then let's cool them off!" Olive grinned.
Angeleva focused, her wand glowing with a brilliant blue light.
"Fairy Blizzard!"
A storm of icy winds and snow swirled around the demons, dousing the furious flames. The howling blizzard swept through the chamber, freezing the molten pits below and sealing the fiery cracks. One by one, the Fireborn demons crumbled, their bodies turning into blackened ash.
The inferno subsided.
The family, exhausted but triumphant, gathered at the edge of the bridge.
"That was way too close," Zack panted, his hands glowing faintly as he sent healing waves to soothe the group's burns.
Angeleva lowered her wand, the radiant glow dimming. "But we did it. Only one more floor left."
"Yeah, and I caught every second!" Ian grinned, holding up his camera. "Safari big bro's not gonna believe this."
Olive gave a slight smile. "He better."
They turned their gaze to the next massive archway, its ominous crimson glow signaling the descent to the fifth and final floor.
"One more step," Angeleva said firmly. "And we'll reach him."
The family nodded in determination.
The air grew heavy as the family descended the cracked stone staircase leading to the fifth floor.
A chilling aura swept through the narrow path, stripping away any lingering warmth. The glow of molten lava from the previous floor was gone, replaced by a suffocating darkness.
"This place..." Zack whispered, clutching his arms. "It feels... wrong."
"It's as if all hope was drained the moment we stepped inside," Olive added, her voice low.
Angeleva's wings twitched, the radiant glow of her fairy powers barely pushing back the encroaching shadows. "This is no ordinary prison. It's built to break souls."
"The Abyss of Despair," Ian murmured. "That's what they called it. The lowest level. Only the worst punishments are carried out here."
"And that's where they took Safari," Angeleva said grimly.
The staircase ended, revealing a massive cavern that stretched endlessly in all directions.
The walls were jagged, oozing with a black tar-like substance. The only light came from the faint, sickly glow of eerie lanterns hanging from twisted chains. In the distance, agonized whispers echoed - the voices of countless tortured souls.
The family stepped cautiously forward.
"Stay close," Angeleva warned. "There's no telling what we'll face."
Suddenly, the ground trembled. Massive, rusted chains erupted from the shadows, coiling around the pillars and walls like serpents. The clanking sound echoed endlessly. From the darkness, two monstrous figures emerged.
One was a hulking, armored beast, draped in chains and dripping with cursed energy. Its face was obscured beneath a twisted iron mask, glowing with crimson cracks. The other figure was gaunt and skeletal, with black wings that spread wide. Dark mist oozed from its hollow eyes.
"The Corrupted Guardians," Angeleva whispered, her grip on her wand tightening.
"Only those who dare reach the deepest part of the abyss face them," Ian added, his camera trembling slightly.
"Well, we're here," Olive said, raising her gun. "And we're not turning back."
The Guardians moved with terrifying speed. The armored one charged forward, dragging its massive chains along the ground, sending shockwaves that cracked the floor. The winged figure hovered above, unleashing blasts of dark mist.
"Fairy Barrier!" Angeleva shouted, raising a glowing shield of light to protect the family. The dark blasts collided with the barrier, sparks flying as the energy clashed.
"Olive!" Angeleva called.
"On it!" Olive took her position, firing precise shots at the winged Guardian. Her bullets pierced through the mist, dispersing the shadows momentarily.
"Ian, stay back!" Zack ordered, his hands glowing with healing energy.
"I'm not missing this!" Ian grinned, the camera rolling.
The armored Guardian roared, swinging its massive chains toward the family. Angeleva soared into the air, avoiding the strike. "Fairy Lance!" She unleashed a radiant spear of light, striking the Guardian's chest. The impact sent it staggering, but it quickly regained its footing.
Zack summoned a burst of green energy. "Healing Wave!" The restorative energy pulsed through the family, keeping them steady.
"Jen!" Angeleva called.
Jen grinned, holding up a bowl of shimmering pudding. "Time for a little distraction!" She tossed the pudding straight at the armored Guardian's feet. The sticky dessert exploded, coating its legs in a gooey mess.
The monster struggled, chains tangling as it roared in frustration.
"Now's our chance!" Angeleva yelled.
She raised her wand, its glow intensifying. "Fairy Justice Beam!"
A massive beam of light shot forth, striking both Guardians with divine force.
The corrupted energy writhed and dissipated under the powerful blast. The winged figure let out a final wail before crumbling into black dust. The armored Guardian fell to its knees, the cursed chains disintegrating.
The family stood victorious, catching their breath.
"We did it," Zack panted.
"Yeah," Olive nodded, lowering her gun. "But we're not done yet."
Angeleva gazed ahead at the large set of ancient, cracked doors. Faint cries echoed from beyond, the undeniable sound of someone in unimaginable pain.
"Safari," she whispered, her heart sinking.
With one last determined look, she stepped forward. The others followed only to enter inside an unsettling darkened chamber.