An anathema occurred.
An action is always faster than a reaction, but in that moment, Fia's reaction transcended human limits.
But was it enough?
Sensing the danger, Fia swiftly got herself and Seeker out of the sanctuary before the man in red and the woman in his arms emerged together, transforming into a colossal lava giant that obliterated the sanctuary.
Amidst the ruins, Fia stood, channeling her power and hurling a shockwave at the giant, but it had no effect. Her legs grew weak, and she collapsed to the ground, her face a mask of shock, fear, and despair. The giant took its first step, the ground trembling and the heat intensifying. A 30-meter behemoth, its hand morphed into a long, dripping lava sword. Its eyes glowed red as it stared down at Fia.
Is this the end?
Just then, a voice came from behind Fia. "I hastened forthwith upon mine eyes,". She turned to see a figure, who continued, "Fia, rest assured, for I, Beyond, am at thy side."
Beyond, a man with long golden hair, clad in white armor and a flowing cape, unsheathed his sword from his back. He stood beside Fia and planted the sword firmly in the ground, his blade shining with a golden light.
"I beheld thy light, and into its glow I didst venture," he said, kneeling with his hand on the sword, trusting it into the ground. "Thou hast gifted me thy strength, I thank thee. May thy strength bless me." He then stood, pulling his sword from the ground.
The sword's light shone even brighter as he pointed it to the sky and shouted, "May thy light bless the world!" With a powerful swing, a golden laser beam shot from the sword, striking the giant, slicing through its molten form with precision.
The giant let out a thunderous bellow as it was split in half, the two halves falling away from each other.
From the molten core of the giant, two figures emerged, one was a woman, her form graceful and ethereal, with hair that flowed like liquid gold. The other was a man, strong and resolute, with a commanding presence. Together, they fell amidst the remnants of the giant.
The place where the giant fell looked like an erupted volcano.
Beyond helped Fia to her feet, her face filled with sadness as she wandered off to search for the Seeker. Beyond stood there, kneeling and muttering a prayer. Then he rose, his expression solemn, and walked towards the gates.
Amidst the remnants of the giant, a cough echoed through the destruction. His breath was heavy as he woke up, disoriented and aching. He looked left and then right, his heart pounding with urgency. There she was, lying beside him, her form still and fragile amidst the chaos. He coughed again, his throat raw, as he crawled over to her, gently shaking her shoulders. "Cinthya… Cinthya… please wake up," he pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation.
Her eyes fluttered open, revealing irises as green as a garden in spring. "Bruno…?" she whispered, her voice weak but filled with recognition.
"Yes… yes, it's me," he replied, a smile breaking through his tears. Relief washed over him, mingling with the sorrow and fear that had gripped his heart. "Cinthya…" He paused, his voice trembling with emotion, his eyes searching hers for a glimmer of hope.
"Let's have a baby," he said, his words a tender plea for a future beyond the devastation.
Meanwhile.....
The scene shifts to Rhys
The sun was rising, casting a golden hue over the landscape as Rhys and Nitro walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the silence.
The forest loomed ahead, its shadows whispering secrets of the past.
Nitro walked with ice forming in his footsteps as he moved, and Rhys stood there silently, her fiery red hair catching the rays of the sun.
As they walked, Nitro broke the silence, his voice heavy with emotion.
"Do you remember the first time we used our powers together?"
Flashback
Once upon a time in a quiet neighborhood, two children named Rhys and Nitro lived next door to each other. Rhys, a spirited girl with a love for adventure, and Nitro, a thoughtful boy with a knack for strategy, were inseparable from the moment they met. Their friendship was a blend of laughter, shared secrets, and endless curiosity.
At the age of ten, they stumbled upon an old chess set in Nitro's attic. Intrigued by the intricate pieces and the promise of a new challenge, they decided to learn the game together. With each move, they discovered the depths of strategy and the thrill of competition. Chess became their favorite pastime, a world where they could escape and immerse themselves in the battle of wits.
As the years passed, their bond grew stronger. They spent countless afternoons in Rhys's backyard, the chessboard between them, the sun casting long shadows as they played. Rhys's aggressive style clashed beautifully with Nitro's defensive tactics, creating games that were as intense as they were unpredictable.
By the time they were fifteen, their skills had sharpened to the point where their games always ended in a draw. It became a symbol of their equality, their mutual respect, and the balance in their friendship. No matter how fiercely they competed, neither could outsmart the other completely. Their games were a testament to their growth, both as players and as friends.
One summer evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they sat on the porch, the chessboard between them. The cicadas sang their evening song, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. They were deep into another game, each move calculated, each piece carefully placed.
"Check," Rhys said, her eyes sparkling with determination.
Nitro smiled, countering her move with a knight. "Checkmate," he replied, only to realize it was another draw.
They both laughed, the sound echoing in the twilight. It was a familiar outcome, yet it never lost its charm. Each draw was a reminder of their journey, of the countless hours spent honing their skills and deepening their friendship.
Then in one day, a shock wave struck Earth, granting everyone powers. Rhys and Nitro, both fifteen years old at the time, were among those affected. Rhys, unable to control her emotions, accidentally set a house ablaze. The flames spread quickly, consuming everything in their path. Nitro, witnessing the destruction, felt a surge of panic and anger. His powers, tied to his emotions, spiraled out of control. In a desperate attempt to stop the fire, he unleashed a blast of ice, but his inexperience and fear caused the ice to spread uncontrollably.
The village became a surreal landscape of chaos, with one half engulfed in roaring flames and the other encased in a thick layer of ice. People were trapped between the extremes, struggling to escape the burning heat and the freezing cold.
Terrified and angry, The villagers turned on them. Rhys and Nitro were forced to flee, leaving behind a trail of destruction and broken lives. The memory of the villagers' screams and the sight of their burning homes haunted them both. Even the ice had damaged homes and crops, making survival harder for those left behind. The guilt of their actions weighed heavily on Rhys and Nitro as they navigated the harsh new world, always looking over their shoulders, fearing retribution.
Two years after the shock wave, an organization called Heaven took them in. They promised safety in exchange for their obedience. Rhys and Nitro, desperate and broken, agreed to their terms.
They commanded them to use their powers to bring in as many anathema—those with uncontrollable powers—as possible.
Rhys drove people to near death, burning houses and causing chaos. Nitro controlled the damage, using his ice to prevent the fires from spreading too far. They became tools of destruction, their powers a curse they couldn't escape.
One day, Rhys couldn't take it anymore. The guilt and the pain were too much to bear. She escaped, leaving Nitro behind. The night she left, she stood at the edge of the forest, tears streaming down her face as she whispered a silent goodbye to Nitro, her heart breaking with every step she took away from him.
Nitro stayed, continuing to do what he was told, his heart heavy with the loss of her and the weight of his actions. Every mission he undertook was a reminder of the life they had lost, the love they had shared, and the darkness that had consumed them both.
Present
As they walked, Nitro continued, his voice filled with regret. "We drove those people near death, Rhys. Your fire, my ice… we were a force of nature, but we were also a curse."
Rhys looked down, her heart heavy with guilt. She stood there silently.
Nitro stopped and turned to face her, his expression serious. "That's why I brought you here, Rhys. This is where it ends."
Rhys looked at him, confusion and fear in her eyes. She remained silent.
Nitro took a deep breath, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Rhys. I want to end this cycle of pain and regret."
Rhys recoiled, her eyes wide with shock. She stood there, speechless.
Nitro stepped closer, his voice soft but firm. "We both know that we can't keep living like this. The things we've done… the lives we've destroyed… we can't undo any of it. But we can end it."
The forest growing closer with each step. The air was thick with tension, the weight of their shared past pressing down on them. Rhys's mind raced, memories of their time together flashing before her eyes.
She remembered the laughter she shared despite the darkness that surrounded her.
She remembered the times she used her powers to help others, trying to atone for her sins. But no matter what she did, the past always caught up with her.
As they reached the edge of the forest, Nitro stopped and turned to face Rhys. "This is it," he said, his voice steady. "This is where it ends."
Rhys looked at him, her heart breaking.
Nitro smiled sadly and shouted, "We'll fight and end it, once and for all."
She whispered, "Nitro, i..."
Nitro laughter was hollow, filled with bitterness. "Hahahaha. Near is coming, near is coming. All that crap they feed us. Well... they forced us, didn't they? We.. We could have said no. We could have fought back. And I, by your side, watched it all happen. Do you know why?" He paused, then continued, "Hehehe. All these lives, and I stood and did nothing. They forced me, threatened me, said they were going to kill my family.... Not so long after, I discovered you burned them."
Rhys's eyes widened in horror streaming down her face. "No… I didn't… I never meant to…"
Nitro's voice softened, filled with a sorrow that cut through the cold. "lets play one last game."
The Battle
The glow over the battlefield as Rhys and Nitro faced each other. Rhys, with her fiery red hair and eyes that burned with determination, stood ready. Nitro, his icy blue eyes cold and calculating, prepared to unleash his frosty powers.
e4 e5: The game begins with the classic King's Pawn Opening. Both players control the center:
Rhys, emboldened by the sun's warmth, strikes first. She conjures a whirlwind of flames in her hands and sends a wave of fire roaring toward Nitro. The fire races along the forest floor, igniting leaves and branches in its path.
Nitro remains calm, raising his hands to summon a wall of ice that materializes from the ground, absorbing the fire's impact. The ice sizzles and cracks, but holds firm. "Is that all you've got?" Nitro taunted. He then retaliates by launching a barrage of ice shards toward Rhys, aiming to keep her at bay.
Nf3 Nc6: White develops the knight, attacking the e5 pawn. Black responds symmetrically:
Rhys dodges, rolling to the side and using her fiery abilities to melt the ice shards before they can reach her. She decides to use her environment to her advantage, igniting a ring of fire around them to control the battlefield and limit his movement.
Nitro, sensing the change in strategy, uses his ice powers to create a thick mist, dampening the flames and lowering the temperature of the surrounding area. The mist obscures his movements, making it difficult for Rhys to pinpoint his location.
Bb5 a6: The Ruy-Lopez opening. White attacks the knight on c6, and Black pushes the bishop back:
Rhys narrows her eyes, focusing on the sounds around her. She creates fire whips, slashing through the mist in wide arcs, trying to flush him out. The fire flickers and dances, casting eerie shadows.
Nitro, taking advantage of the reduced visibility, silently moves behind her. He summons ice chains that snake through the underbrush, aiming to entangle her legs and immobilize her.
Ba4 Nf6: The bishop retreats, and Black develops the knight, attacking the e4 pawn:
Realizing the trap too late, Rhys is momentarily ensnared. She grimaces and channels her power, generating an intense heat that causes the ice chains to crack and weaken. With a burst of flame, she frees herself and turns to face Nitro. Rhys knew she had to end this quickly. She remembered a hidden grove in the forest, a place where the fire could burn brightest. She led Nitro there, pretending to be on the run. Nitro followed, his confidence growing. As they reached the grove, Rhys unleashed her full power. The flames erupted, creating a blazing inferno.
Nitro tried to counter with his ice, but the heat was too intense. His ice began to melt, and he struggled to maintain control. He notices Rhys's intense focus and prepares for her next move. He creates a protective ice shield around himself, reinforcing his defenses and waiting for her to make the next attack.
O-O Be7: White castles for king safety. Black develops the bishop, preparing to castle:
Rhys saw her chance. She focused all her energy into one final attack, a massive fireball that she hurled at Nitro. He tried to block it with an ice wall, but the fireball shattered it, engulfing him in flames.
Nitro fell to his knees, the fire almost about consume him. Rhys stood over him, her flames flickering but victorious.
Re1 b5: White reinforces the center. Black pushes the bishop back again:
As the steam clears, both fighters stand, battered but determined.
The forest around them bears the scars of their battle—trees are charred and frozen, the ground a mix of ash and ice.
Bb3 d6: The bishop retreats to a safe square. Black strengthens the center:
Breathing heavily, Rhys extinguished her flames.
They lock eyes.
c3 O-O: White prepares to push d4. Black castles for king safety:
"It's over," she said, her voice steady.
He smiles.
h3 Nb8: White prevents Bg4. Black repositions the knight for a better square:
She took a step forward
Nitro eyes narrowing.
d4 Nbd7: White pushes in the center. Black develops the knight to a more active square:
"She began, 'Please, listen—'
But he interrupted her, 'You fought well, but it isn't over,' as he raised his ice shield to recover."
At this point, the game is balanced, and both players could have agreed to a draw. However, they chose to continue.
Nbd2 Bb7: White develops the knight, and Black places the bishop on a long diagonal:
Rhys reignites the flames in her hands and charges forward.
Determined to break Nitro's defenses. She strikes at his ice shield with a series of rapid fire punches.
Bc2 Re8: White prepares to support the center. Black aligns the rook with the king:
Nitro counters with precision.
Reinforcing his ice shield and then striking back with sharp icicles aimed at Rhys's vulnerable spots.
Nf1 Bf8: White repositions the knight for a kingside attack. Black retreats the bishop to defend.
Rhys dodges the icicles and melts those she can't dodge.
She then swings her fiery fists, melting more of Nitro's ice defenses, pushing her advantage.
Ng3 g6: White continues the knight maneuver. Black creates a pawn shield:
Nitro summons a powerful gust of icy wind, attempting to freeze Rhys in place.
The wind howls, swirling snowflakes around her.
Bg5 h6: White pins the knight. Black challenges the bishop:
Rhys resists the freezing wind, her body radiating intense heat.
She summons a column of flame that erupts beneath Nitro, trying to break his concentration.
Be3 Bg7: The bishop retreats. Black develops the bishop to a more active square:
Nitro, caught off guard by the intense heat, stumbles but quickly recovers.
He retaliates by forming ice spikes that shoot up from the ground, aiming for Rhys's legs.
Qd2 Kh7: White connects the rooks. Black moves the king to a safer square:
Rhys leaps into the air, narrowly avoiding the ice spikes.
She launches a stream of fire from her hands, targeting Nitro's ice shield once more, trying to overwhelm it with sheer heat.
Rad1 Qe7: White places the rook on a central file. Black aligns the queen with the king:
Nitro, with quick reflexes.
Reinforces his shield and creates an icy barrier in front of Rhys's fire stream, deflecting it.
Nh2 Rad8: White repositions the knight for an attack. Black centralizes the rook.
Then a dark clouds gather above the forest. Rain begins to fall, the droplets quickly turning to steam as they hit the hot ground.
Nitro sees an opportunity and uses the rain to his advantage, turning the falling water into sharp ice shards.
Ng4 Nxg4: White places the knight on an active square. Black exchanges knights:
Nitro summons the icy rain into a flurry of ice projectiles, sending them hurtling toward Rhys.
She creates a barrier of flames to protect herself, but the continuous onslaught of ice is relentless.
Despite the additional moves, the position remains balanced. Both players have maneuvered their pieces without making any significant progress. Finally, they agree to..
From afar, the forest was a chaotic scene of evaporating fog, flames, and falling ice. The clash of elements created a surreal battlefield where fire and ice fought for dominance. Rhys and Nitro were barely visible amidst the steam and smoke, their powers clashing in a deadly dance.
Picture this forest as a stage where a swift creature and a sluggish one live side by side. When a predator strikes, the swift one darts away, leaving the slow one to its fate. This is how powers were defined. From that day forward, only the fastest, the strongest, and the most cunning survived. With that said, Rhys stood alone.
Her body battered but her spirit unbroken, she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the battle lift from her shoulders. The forest around her seemed to hold its breath, as if acknowledging her triumph. Her eyes, fierce and determined, scanned the horizon. It was over. The struggle, the pain, the relentless pursuit of survival—it all culminated in this moment of hard-won peace. She had faced the storm and emerged stronger, a testament to the resilience that burned within her.
But then, a drop of blood fell from her mouth. She looked down in horror to see her heart outside her body, impaled on an icy blade.
Nitro had infused his hand with ice, creating a sharp blade that he had used to strike Rhys from behind, hidden by the fog. Her heart was in his hand, still beating weakly. He pulled it out, and Rhys collapsed to the ground.
As the fog began to settle, Nitro laughed, a cold, triumphant sound, "I despise games that end in a draw. A draw is nothing more than a silent admission of defeat, a line drawn by those who couldn't muster the strength to win."
But his victory was short-lived. Rhys's heart, still in his hand, turned into a black flame that clung to him, burning with an intensity that even his ice couldn't extinguish.
An Anathema occurred.
Nitro screamed as the black flame consumed him, his body turning to ash. Rhys, lying on the ground, watched as the rain and ice drops fell on her face. She took her last breath, and closed her eyes.
Both lay dead, their bodies consumed by their own powers.
The forest was a desolate wasteland of fire and ice, a testament to their fierce battle. There was no winner, only the remnants of a fight that had destroyed everything in its path.
Only the usual draw.