Akio's POV
The sun was setting, and the orange glow bathed the village streets. My legs were heavy from the day's training, and my thoughts were only focused on getting home. "A bath would feel so good right now," I thought, my body aching.
"Hey, Akio!"
A familiar voice broke my tired reverie. I turned around and saw my friends approaching, looking puzzled.
"Where have you been, man? You're always disappearing. We never know what you're up to!"
I didn't feel like explaining. They wouldn't understand anyway. "I've been busy," I muttered, brushing off their questions. But before I could walk away, a loud alarm echoed through the village, followed by shouting.
"Monsters! Monsters are attacking the village!"
Panic gripped me. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards home. My mind was racing. "I need to make sure my mom is safe." The sounds of chaos filled the air as villagers scrambled for safety.
As I ran, something caught my eye in an alley to my right. I stopped dead in my tracks. There, in the narrow space, a little girl was cornered by three goblins, their twisted forms towering over her. Her eyes were wide with fear, her body frozen as the creatures advanced.
My body refused to move. Fear paralyzed me. I was alone. I can't fight them… The rational part of me screamed to run. "I should get out of here. I'm not strong enough. I'm not like Kai."
But then, out of nowhere, a voice cut through my fear.
"Hey! You leave her alone!"
It was Kai. He stepped between the girl and the goblins, his stance unwavering.
My heart raced. "Kai?! What's he doing here?" I watched, stunned, as he stood his ground. His eyes burned with determination, and he didn't hesitate.
Kai looked back at me, his voice loud and clear. "What are you waiting for, Akio? You just going to stand there?"
The words hit me like a punch. Am I just going to stand here?
Kai's defiant stance shook something inside me. This isn't who I am. I wasn't just a scared boy. I had trained for this. I had made a promise to protect the village. To protect the people I cared about.
Suddenly, everything clicked. The fear loosened its grip, and my legs finally moved. I surged forward, drawing on every bit of strength and training I had.
I blasted forward toward the goblins, channeling my fire magic. My hands burned with green flames—raw and untamed—fuelled by the sudden rush of adrenaline. I threw myself into the fray, unleashing a torrent of fire at the goblins. The green flames roared, engulfing the creatures as they screeched in pain.
Three goblins fell at once, their bodies collapsing under the weight of the flames. I breathed heavily, my heart pounding in my chest, but I had done it. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't afraid.
Kai stood beside me, grinning. "So, you finally decided to join the fight, huh?"
I turned to face him, the rush of the moment surging through me. "I'm not just going to stand by and watch anymore. I've got something to prove too."
There was a shift in the air. Kai's usual lighthearted smile faded as his expression grew serious. His voice dropped, filled with a conviction I hadn't seen in him before.
"Listen up, Akio. I don't care what happens, I'm going to become the Commander-in-Chief. I'm going to protect everyone—our village, my family, and even you."
As he spoke, his eyes glowed with a fierce green flame, matching the fire that burned within him. His entire aura was different—stronger, more resolved. It wasn't the playful Kai I was used to seeing. This was someone destined for greatness, and I could feel it in my bones.
The green flames in his eyes flickered, reflecting his unstoppable drive. This wasn't just a declaration—it was a promise. One that he would see through, no matter the cost.
"I'm going to be the one to lead us all. And nothing—" Kai's voice thundered, his green flames surging around him, "—NOTHING will stand in my way!"
I stared at him, my own fire still burning in my hands. For a moment, all the fear, doubt, and hesitation I had been holding onto melted away.
I smirked, turning to face the remaining goblins. "Is that so?" I said, my confidence finally returning. "Well then, who do you think you're talking to? I'm Akio, and I'm not going to let you outshine me."
I stretched out my hand, summoning a gust of wind. The air around me swirled, picking up speed. "It's not perfect, but it'll do!" I shouted as I released the wind spell, combining it with the fire in my other hand. The flames roared to life, feeding off the wind and striking the goblins with a force that knocked them to the ground.
Kai joined in, using his earth magic to trap the remaining goblins in place. Together, we moved like we had trained for this all our lives. Every step, every spell, was in sync. Goblins fell one by one, unable to stand against our combined might.
When the last goblin fell, I stood there, breathing heavily but feeling… alive. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had done something right. I looked over at Kai, who was dusting himself off with that familiar grin of his.
"Not bad, right?" I said, catching my breath.
Kai chuckled, his eyes still burning with that green flame. "Not bad at all, Akio. You're stronger than you think."
I looked at him, realizing that the tension between us had faded. "I'm sorry, Kai," I said, my voice quieter now. "I thought… I thought you forgot our promise. I got angry…"
Kai shook his head, that determination still shining in his eyes. "I didn't forget, Akio. I've been working on keeping it all along."
I smiled, the weight of doubt finally lifting from my shoulders. "I'm glad we're in this together," I said, knowing deep down that this was just the beginning.