---
My training continued for days like that from one breathing technique to another
"Now that you've learned to breathe fire into life," he said coldly, "it's time to focus it. Raw power is meaningless without control. Without control, you're just another reckless flame waiting to burn out."
His gaze pinned me down, unblinking.
"You think the title 'Fire God' is a gift? It's a curse wrapped in flame. You'll be tested every second. Fail, and your fire will destroy you before your enemies even get close."
The words hit harder than any blow. My chest tightened, and I felt sweat prickling at my skin despite the heat.
Ashley took a step forward, voice lowering to a near growl.
"Fire is a river inside you, Kingston. It flows with your blood, fueled by your breath, but it's your will that shapes it. Lose focus, and you drown in your own flames."
He extended his palm, conjuring a slender, razor-sharp flame flickering like a living blade.
"That is focus. That is discipline."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"Close your eyes," he commanded.
My breath came fast and shallow, heart pounding like a war drum.
"Feel your heartbeat. Not just the pulse, but the flow—your blood racing, your breath steady, your mind calm."
I shut my eyes tightly, trying to steady the chaos inside.
"Now exhale—push that fire out as a spear."
I forced the breath from my lungs, imagining the flame cutting through the air. A thin line sparked from my fingertips, wavering.
Ashley's eyes narrowed. "Pathetic."
My eyes snapped open. Anger flared inside me like kindling.
"I'm trying!" I snapped back.
Ashley's lips curled into a cold smile. "Trying isn't enough. You're either commanding your fire, or it's commanding you. Pick one."
Before I could answer, the ground trembled violently.
From the shadows beyond the training circle, a figure burst forward—a towering, fiery beast summoned by Ashley. Its molten body radiated scorching heat, eyes blazing like dying stars.
"Your test begins. Control your fire, or be consumed."
The ground beneath me trembled violently, cracks spiderwebbing through the scorched earth. From the shadows beyond the fiery ring, a monstrous figure emerged—a towering beast forged from molten rock and blazing flames, its eyes burning like dying stars. Its massive claws scorched the ground with each step, and a deep, guttural roar echoed like thunder.
Ashley's voice sliced through the tense air.
"Your test begins. Control your fire, or be consumed."
My heart pounded. The air thickened with heat, every breath burning as I steadied myself. The beast charged, claws swinging like molten hammers, its fiery tail whipping toward me like a blazing whip. It had an orange emblem on its head still I could tell this beast was going to be strong.
I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow that left molten cracks where I'd stood. The scent of sulfur stung my nostrils, sweat mixed with ash dripping into my eyes.
Breathing hard, I forced myself to slow, to find rhythm. Inhale… hold… exhale—steady, controlled. Flames flickered to life around my fists, no longer wild sparks but glowing embers fed by my calm breath.
The beast lunged again, faster this time, claws slicing through the air with heat so intense it singed my skin.
I raised a blazing shield of fire, deflecting the strike. The force slammed into me, pushing me back several steps, but my breathing stayed slow, deliberate.
"Focus… control…" I muttered under my breath.
I dashed forward, fists glowing like twin suns. Two blazing punches struck the beast's molten chest—its surface cracked but didn't break. The creature roared, steam hissing as lava oozed from the fractures.
It countered with a sweeping tail strike. I jumped high, barely escaping the molten whip as it slammed into the scorched earth.
The fight dragged on, each exchange a test of endurance and will. Flames clashed with fire, heat against heat, and the beast's relentless fury pushed me to my limits. My muscles burned, lungs screamed for air, but I forced calm in the chaos.
Inhale…
The fire surged inside me, flowing with my heartbeat.
Hold…
The flames gathered, waiting to be unleashed.
Exhale.
I unleashed a torrent of fire, razor-sharp and precise, slicing through the beast's armor. Cracks spread across its body like a breaking volcano.
Then, the system flared—a sudden surge of light in my vision. An orange emblem appeared above the beast's head, pulsing in time with my breath.
System Notification:
Opponent Analysis Complete.
Element: Fire-Magma Hybrid
Weakness: Concentrated Flame Spears
Current Boost: +2% All Fire Skills (Temporary)
I felt a rush as my fire skills amplified—flames danced brighter, my reflexes sharpened, my strength surged.
The beast growled in frustration, staggering back as my enhanced attacks tore deeper into its molten hide.
Just as I prepared to land a final blow, a shadow fell over the battlefield.
From the horizon, an even more colossal creature emerged—its form a swirling inferno, eyes burning with pure, divine rage. Flames crackled across its towering frame, heat radiating like a supernova.
System Alert:
New Threat Detected: Infernal Behemoth
Level: Superior
Warning: Overwhelming Power Detected
The air thickened, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of its steps.
Before I could react, the system intervened.
System Voice:
Activating Guardian Protocol: Crimson Doom.
Suddenly, a blazing sword ignited into existence beside me—a blade forged from molten fire and ancient divine energy. Its hilt burned like coals, the blade a flowing stream of pure flame that seemed to pulse with a heartbeat of its own.
I grasped Crimson Doom's hilt. The moment my fingers closed around it, heat surged through my veins like wildfire—power and control fused as one.
The Infernal Behemoth roared and charged, but with Crimson Doom in hand, I moved like a storm. The sword cut through the air, trailing searing flames that carved fiery arcs as I struck.
Each swing cleaved into the beast's molten flesh, the blade's divine fire burning hotter than any natural flame. The Infernal Behemoth staggered, steam hissing from its wounds.
Ashley's voice cut through the chaos, steady and commanding:
"Control your breath, Kingston. Let Crimson Doom channel your flame. Together, you are unstoppable."
My chest tightened with resolve. Inhale… hold… exhale.
The fire inside me burned hotter than ever—tamed, focused, alive—flowing through Crimson Doom like an extension of my soul.
I wasn't just wielding fire anymore.
I was its master.
---
The ground beneath me trembled violently, cracks spider webbing through the scorched earth. From the shadows beyond the fiery ring, a monstrous figure emerged—a towering beast forged from molten rock and blazing flames, its eyes burning like dying stars. Its massive claws scorched the ground with each step, and a deep, guttural roar echoed like thunder.
Ashley's voice sliced through the tense air.
"Your test begins. Control your fire, or be consumed."
My heart pounded. The air thickened with heat, every breath burning as I steadied myself. The beast charged, claws swinging like molten hammers, its fiery tail whipping toward me like a blazing whip.
I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow that left molten cracks where I'd stood. The scent of sulfur stung my nostrils, sweat mixed with ash dripping into my eyes.
Breathing hard, I forced myself to slow, to find rhythm. Inhale… hold… exhale—steady, controlled. Flames flickered to life around my fists, no longer wild sparks but glowing embers fed by my calm breath.
The beast lunged again, faster this time, claws slicing through the air with heat so intense it singed my skin.
I raised a blazing shield of fire, deflecting the strike. The force slammed into me, pushing me back several steps, but my breathing stayed slow, deliberate.
"Focus… control…" I muttered under my breath.
I dashed forward, fists glowing like twin suns. Two blazing punches struck the beast's molten chest—its surface cracked but didn't break. The creature roared, steam hissing as lava oozed from the fractures.
It countered with a sweeping tail strike. I jumped high, barely escaping the molten whip as it slammed into the scorched earth.
The fight dragged on, each exchange a test of endurance and will. Flames clashed with fire, heat against heat, and the beast's relentless fury pushed me to my limits. My muscles burned, lungs screamed for air, but I forced calm in the chaos.
Inhale…
The fire surged inside me, flowing with my heartbeat.
Hold…
The flames gathered, waiting to be unleashed.
Exhale.
I unleashed a torrent of fire, razor-sharp and precise, slicing through the beast's armor. Cracks spread across its body like a breaking volcano.
Then, the system flared—a sudden surge of light in my vision. An orange emblem appeared above the beast's head, pulsing in time with my breath.
System Notification:
Opponent Analysis Complete.
Element: Fire-Magma Hybrid
Weakness: Concentrated Flame Spears
Current Boost: +2% All Fire Skills (Temporary)
I felt a rush as my fire skills amplified—flames danced brighter, my reflexes sharpened, my strength surged.
The beast growled in frustration, staggering back as my enhanced attacks tore deeper into its molten hide.
Just as I landed the final blow and it disintegrated, a shadow fell over the battlefield.
From the horizon, an even more colossal creature emerged—its form a swirling inferno, eyes burning with pure, divine rage. Flames crackled across its towering frame, heat radiating like a supernova.
System Alert:
New Threat Detected: Infernal Behemoth
Level: Superior
Warning: Overwhelming Power Detected
The air thickened, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of its steps. It had a red emblem on its head . If that's orange and still that strong I was in for it .
Before I could react, the system intervened.
System Voice:
Activating Guardian Protocol: Crimson Doom.
Suddenly, a blazing sword ignited into existence beside me—a blade forged from molten fire and ancient divine energy. Its hilt burned like coals, the blade a flowing stream of pure flame that seemed to pulse with a heartbeat of its own.
I grasped Crimson Doom's hilt. The moment my fingers closed around it, heat surged through my veins like wildfire—power and control fused as one.
The Infernal Behemoth roared and charged, but with Crimson Doom in hand, I moved like a storm. The sword cut through the air, trailing searing flames that carved fiery arcs as I struck.
Each swing cleaved into the beast's molten flesh, the blade's divine fire burning hotter than any natural flame. The Infernal Behemoth staggered, steam hissing from its wounds.
Ashley's voice cut through the chaos, steady and commanding:
"Control your breath, Kingston. Let Crimson Doom channel your flame. Together, you are unstoppable."
My chest tightened with resolve. Inhale… hold… exhale.
The fire inside me burned hotter than ever—tamed, focused, alive—flowing through Crimson Doom like an extension of my soul.
I wasn't just wielding fire anymore.
I was its master.
---