"Too weak."
Akio's eyes widen. His opponent, whom he considered to be a lightning magic, suddenly used fire magic...
The fireball is released. Akio is knocked back, the skin on his face scorched. The commander held back, as if mocking him.
- "Damn.. you...!"
- "You disappoint me, Akio Phoenix. You are considered a prodigy, but even at your young age.. at this rate, you could never hope to defeat me, much less the Dark Wizard."
The commander looks at Akio with contempt, whilst the latter looks on, angered.
"Once. Once more will our paths cross. If you're weak then too... I will not spare your life."
Sparing Akio with this warning, the commander turns around, as he flies away.
"I'll be waiting until then. Get stronger, Akio Phoenix."
- "Go to hell!"
In retaliation, Akio throws a fireball at the commander, which doesn't reach him. Instead, it explodes in mid air, as Akio gets up.
- "Let it be."
Suddenly, Akio's hit in the back of the head by a staff, as he almost stumbles down. The staff is then brought to the front of his face, and flames envelop it.
...
Akio's face is healed. He looks towards the wielder of the staff.
- "Father..?"
Atlas stands next to Akio, having used his Phoenix magic and his staff to heal Akio's burned skin.
"Did you.. see him?"
- "Yes. He was a mighty opponent. I didn't expect you to defeat him."
- "He used two magic attributes."
- "I saw. Lightning magic and fire magic. What a combination..."
- "That doesn't make it any better."
- "I know. Even so, you'd be able to guard against that second blast if you were able to sense his energy. For now, though..."
Atlas uses his staff to throw a concentrated blast of fire magic at one of the soldiers Genkei is fighting, completely destroying his head.
"We have a few enemies to dispose of."
- "Right."
Akio and Atlas join the fight against the soldiers, as the latter gives a word of advice.
- "Alexa, Genkei, make sure to kill them by destroying their heads, or do so immediately after you incapacitate them. Don't drag the fight on for too long."
The two Generals nod. They weren't quite able to kill anyone yet, but with their numbers being doubled then they'll get over with this soon enough. Akio helps Alexa fight, whilst Atlas helps Genkei, and the two have a small conversation.
...
...
...
After a few minutes, all the soldiers are killed, with emphasis on the destruction of their heads so as to avoid what happened just some time prior. The four Generals come together again, as Atlas instructs the other three.
"Alexa, inform the rest of the Generals of what has happened. Genkei, call in the members of the army and train them for today. Akio.. get some rest."
Alexa and Genkei do as told, as they leave for the headquarters. Akio nods, albeit reluctantly, as he heads back home.
- "Father, what about you?"
- "I think I'll take a walk. It's my first day of retirement, after all."
Akio laughs. He kind of did forget that his father is an old man now, considering that until yesterday he was the actual leader of the Shining Generals. Father and son say their goodbyes, as Akio heads back to their home.
- "Yo! Anyone here?"
As Akio heads home, his call is indeed answered.
- "Welcome back!"
Suddenly, Akio's hugged by a short girl with orange hair and eyes.
- "Hey, Hisako."
The girl is none other than Akio's younger sister, Hisako.
After the warm hug, Akio also sees his mother, who's glad that he's finally home.
- "Your suit is all torn up, honey."
- "It's a long story, mom. I.. kind of got into a fight."
Akiko can't help but chuckle. Just like his father. The mother hugs her son dearly. Being the former Wind General herself, she knows the truth of battle and she's glad that her son is safe.. as safe as can be, at least.
Akio chose not to tell her about the faceoff with the commander, instead opting to go to his room and sleep. After all, there's a reason Atlas told him to rest. As Akio enters his deep sleep.
---
- "You're so right!!"
Suddenly, I see the face of the commander.. laughing maniacally, before seeing his body in full. As rain falls, the black and purple flames covering his body grow stronger. The commander loses his senses slowly but surely.. as I fall down.
I black out, before opening my eyes again to see.. I'm being held. By who? The face is barely visible. I feel my eyes slowly closing again, as my heartbeat weakens...
Orange flames cover my vision, but the final thing I see.. lightning.
---
Akio suddenly gets up, gasping for air. That dream was surreal. It reminded him of that. Afterwards, Akio touches his chest, only to realize that his body is hot. His temperature is extremely high. Everything is saturated.
Slowly, Akio gets up from his bed, walking towards the mirror in his room. Every step he takes feels like his feet are getting scorched. His breathing still heavy, Akio does manage to see his reflection.
Flames envelop his left eye, as his right sclera is orange, his iris white. Akio tries to touch the flames, but all he sees in his hand is blood. Suddenly, Akio vomits blood.. and blacks out.
...
...
Meanwhile, Aoi enters Akio's room. Genkei told her about the encounter with the commander and she came here to see how he's doing, only to see him moving in his bed. Akio's clearly uncomfortable. He tries to touch his forehead, only to take her arm back immediately.
Even now, Akio's body is scorching hot. He's sweating rapidly, breathing heavily. Aoi tries to wake him up and calm him down.
After a few seconds, Akio does calm down.
---
As I open my eyes, the first thing I see is Aoi, somewhat panicked.
- "Akio..!"
- "Hey.. did I scare you or something?"
- "You... You're burning.."
Aoi's words alarm me. Just like then. Looks like it was a dream, but why am I being affected by it so drastically...?
..!!
Suddenly, Aoi hugs me tightly. It burns her, I can feel it. I can feel the heat emanating from my body.
- "Hey.. Aoi..! Stop! Your hands.. you'll get burnt!"
- "I don't care..."
---
Aoi starts tearing up.
"I love you, Akio."