Chapter 4: Flames Without Mercy
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The flames soared into the sky like a hellish wall tearing through the clouds. The heat was suffocating, and the air reeked of ash and burning. The village, once drowned in silence, now stood on the edge of eruption.
Rayan ran alongside Ira toward the source of the burning meteor that had crashed near the farmlands. Fire devoured everything in its path — trees, crops, even the air itself seemed to burn.
Ira gritted her teeth. "This kind of fire... it's not natural. It's a signal."
"A signal?" Rayan asked, sweat pouring down his face as embers danced in the wind.
"One of the Three Great Orders has arrived," she said grimly. "And they're not here to talk."
As they neared the crater, a towering figure emerged from the flames — a man clad in crimson armor, his entire body wrapped in red fire. His eyes glowed like molten lava, and with every step, the ground hissed beneath him.
He raised a massive blade, forged entirely of flame, and pointed it at Rayan.
"You bear the Seventh Flame," the man growled. "By the will of the Scorching Order, your life ends here."
Rayan stumbled back, heart pounding. "Who are you?!"
"I am General Kael of the Crimson Legion — and your soul belongs to the fire."
Ira stepped in front of Rayan, her staff raised. A barrier of silver light shimmered around them.
"Don't use the blue flame, not yet," she whispered. "You'll lose control."
"But I can't fight him without it!" Rayan shouted.
"You can," she said, tightening her grip on her staff. "Because I'll fight with you."
Kael roared, and the flames surged forward like a tidal wave.
The first true battle had begun — and the forgotten power within Rayan stirred once more.
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