The day after, Takashi arrived at the designated training spot—the outskirts of town where kurogane told him to meet up the day before, if he was interested in controlling his powers. The air was thick with dust, and the remnants of old destroyed buildings surrounded him, a reminder of what once was—a beautiful town, but now it was just a desert littered with destroyed buildings. It felt like a fitting place to learn how to wield something as powerful as his black flames.
Then he spotted Kurogane , he was carrying a bag filled with training equipment. "First things first," he said, setting the bag down, "let's start with the basics of flame control. I want you to focus on the black flames within you, but don't let them overwhelm you."
Takashi closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could feel the heat pulsing inside him, a force waiting to be unleashed. He concentrated, visualizing the flames, trying to connect with their energy without letting it consume him.
"Good," Kurogane encouraged, standing nearby. "Now, visualize them like a river—strong but controlled. You're the dam holding back the water. Don't let it overflow."
With each breath, Takashi focused harder, feeling the flames surge within him. He opened his eyes, and a flicker of black flame ignited at his fingertips. It danced, mesmerizing yet dangerous, and Takashi marveled at its beauty and intensity.
"That's it!" Kurogane exclaimed. "Now, try to control it. Let it rise, but don't let it burst out of you."
Takashi concentrated, focusing on the flame. To his surprise, he felt it responding to his will, growing and retracting at his command. It was exhilarating, yet terrifying to wield such power.
"Excellent!" Kurogane said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Now, let's practice some basic maneuvers. I want you to throw the flames at that old crate over there without losing control."
Takashi nodded, heart racing. He took aim, channeling his focus into the flames. With a swift motion, he extended his hand, releasing the black flame toward the crate. The flame surged forward, hitting the wood with a roar, engulfing it instantly in black fire.
But as quickly as it ignited, it also began to fade, leaving the crate charred and almost intact. Takashi gasped, feeling a mix of exhilaration and frustration. "I didn't mean to put it out!"
Kurogane stepped forward, a reassuring smile on his face. "That's okay! It takes time. The important thing is that you've learned to put it out willingly. Now, let's focus on using it in battle."
As they continued to train, Takashi felt a surge of hope and determination. This was a new beginning, a chance to understand the flames that had been a source of fear and confusion. With Kurogane's guidance, he was finally on the path to mastering his power—and reclaiming his life.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the abandoned building [ a reminder that it was evening time], Takashi felt a sense of camaraderie building between him and Kurogane. Perhaps, against all odds, he was not alone in this fight.
As Ashwalkers and members of the Crimson Collective rushed forward, Kurogane seized the opportunity to teach Takashi practical combat skills amidst the chaos. Takashi, filled with adrenaline and instinct, unleashed his black flames, their intense heat scorching the enemies in front of him. The Ashwalkers writhed in agony as their bodies turned to molten ash, their remnants spreading flames that ignited the ground around Takashi and Kurogane.
However, the situation quickly escalated. The flames created an oppressive heat that drained the oxygen from the air, and Takashi, inexperienced in flame battles, began to feel lightheaded. He faced a dire choice: extinguish his flames and risk being overwhelmed by the attackers or keep them burning and suffocate from lack of air. Just as panic threatened to consume him, Kurogane's voice cut through the haze.
"What's up with your ring?" Kurogane asked, noticing the unusual glow emanating from it. Takashi blinked, confusion momentarily taking hold. It took a moment for Kurogane's words to register. "I've been meaning to ask you; it's been glowing for quite some time now."
Glancing down at the ring, Takashi's mind raced. He had just been contemplating how advantageous blue flames would be in this situation. On a whim, he activated the blue flames, unaware that the ring allowed him to swap his powers. Instantly, he felt a rush of energy as icy flames enveloped him, then he put out the black flames( a reminder that nothing can put out the black flames, it was takashi that put it out not the blue flames) and surrounded himself with an ice wall.
Kurogane's expression shifted from concern to astonishment. "I don't know what that ring is, but it just saved our lives. We'll talk about the details later, but right now, we've got company."
With a swift glance upwards, Kurogane's eyes narrowed as he spotted the true instigator of the chaos—a looming figure shrouded in darkness, the unmistakable aura of an Apostle of the Crimson Collective. The Apostles were feared, each one a high-ranking officer within the Collective, and there were only seven of them, each representing one of the seven deadly sins.
The Apostle turned his back on Kurogane and Takashi, summoning a disciple to deal with them before fading into the shadows, leaving the air thick with foreboding.
"Stay sharp, Takashi," Kurogane instructed, preparing for the imminent battle. "This is just the beginning."
Takashi nodded, determination igniting within him. The battle was far from over, and now, armed with his newfound powers, he was ready to confront whatever came next.
As Takashi faced off against the Ashwalkers and members of the Crimson Collective, flames dancing around him in a chaotic ballet, Kurogane was embroiled in an intense battle with the disciple of the Apostle. The clash was monumental, showcasing Kurogane's prowess as a seasoned captain. He moved with precision and skill, anticipating every attack and countering with brutal efficiency. The disciple, despite his own abilities, found himself overwhelmed at every turn.
Kurogane's strikes were relentless, a perfect harmony of strength and agility, and soon it became clear that this would be a flawless victory for him. The disciple staggered under the weight of Kurogane's assault, desperation etched on his face. Just as Kurogane prepared to subdue the defeated foe and take him in for questioning, the unexpected happened.
In a final act of defiance, the disciple produced a syringe filled with a swirling, luminescent substance and injected it into his arm. Kurogane's eyes widened in shock as he witnessed the transformation. The disciple's body began to contort and change, the features of a human fading as he underwent combustion and turned into an Ashwalker. The sight was jarring; Kurogane had fought many Ashwalkers, but he had never realized they were once human beings who had undergone such horrific transformations.
Strange, Kurogane thought to himself, reflecting on the two years he had served as a captain. He had dealt with Ashwalkers, tracking them down and battling them without understanding their tragic origins. He had assumed they were simply monstrous beings, not realizing they were once like him—humans who had undergone combustions.
Shaking off his momentary surprise, Kurogane adjusted his stance, ready to face the newly transformed Ashwalker. The creature roared, a guttural sound filled with rage and pain, and charged at Kurogane with ferocity. Yet, Kurogane remained undeterred. With his finely honed skills and experience, he engaged the Ashwalker in combat once more.
The battle raged on, a clash of fire and fury, but Kurogane maintained his upper hand. He expertly dodged the creature's attacks, striking back with calculated precision. Each blow he landed resonated with authority, reminding the Ashwalker that he was up against a captain of the Radiant Order. Kurogane unleashed a series of powerful attacks, his red flames illuminating the darkened battlefield and revealing the tragic reality of their opponent.
Despite the Ashwalker's newfound strength, it became increasingly clear that Kurogane was not only a superior fighter but also a leader who understood the weight of his responsibilities. With a final decisive blow, Kurogane sent the Ashwalker crashing to the ground, flames flickering around him as he stood victorious.
Breathing heavily, Kurogane looked down at the defeated Ashwalker. There was no satisfaction in the victory, only a somber realization of the darkness that engulfed so many lives. He could not help but wonder how many others had met the same fate as the creature before him, lost to the shadows of the Crimson Collective.
As he turned his gaze back to Takashi, who was still engaged in his own fight, Kurogane knew the struggle against the Crimson Collective was far from over. He needed to uncover the truth behind the Ashwalkers and find a way to combat the malevolence that had consumed so many souls. With renewed determination, he prepared to regroup with Takashi, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
After Takashi was through with his fight, he looked across the battlefield, surveying the chaos that had unfolded. His gaze landed on the body of the disciple, whose form lay battered and defeated. With a mix of curiosity and awe, he turned to Kurogane. "How were you able to inflict that kind of damage?" he asked, pointing towards the fallen figure.
Kurogane smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, so you noticed?" he replied, feigning innocence.
Takashi thought to himself, his internal voice dripping with sarcasm, Of course anyone would notice. That's not the strength of a normal human. He watched as Kurogane stroked his chin, clearly enjoying the moment.
Curiosity gnawed at him. "Seriously, how did you pull off that much strength?" he pressed.
Kurogane chuckled lightly, his expression playful. "I work out," he replied, a grin spreading across his face.
"Do you take me for a fool?" Takashi shouted, frustration seeping into his voice. "Working out can't give you that kind of power!"
Kurogane shifted his demeanor, adopting a low, almost pitiful voice that resembled a sad cat. "But it made Saitama strong," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.
Takashi sighed, holding the back of his neck in resignation. "It's fine if you don't want to tell me," he muttered, his curiosity still piqued.
"Fine," Kurogane conceded, a hint of mischief still in his tone. "I was just playing with you. My flames grant me inhumane strength, and I also learned martial arts from an old man on a mountain."
Surprise lit up Takashi's face as he processed this information. "I didn't know the red flame could do that," he said, genuinely astonished.
"Of course you wouldn't know," Kurogane replied with a confident nod. "There are only about ten people in this world who possess the red flame. It's a rare gift, so it's obvious that you won't know that."
Kurogane shifted the conversation, his eyes filled with curiosity as he said, "Now that things have calmed down a bit, why don't you explain that ring to me?"
Takashi took a deep breath, recounting what he knew. "I found it inside a keepsake box that belonged to my parents. I thought it was just a ring, but when I put it on, my black flames transformed into blue flames. Then it changed again when I fought those Ashwalkers. I honestly don't know much about it, just that it seems to react to my thoughts."
Kurogane nodded thoughtfully, processing the information. "Hmm, I see. So you don't know much about it. Well, the ring did save you in your time of need, so I can assume it's not demonic." He paused for a moment before adding, "Look on the bright side—you have a camouflage now."
Takashi raised an eyebrow. "Camouflage?"
Korogane continued, you have something to cover up the black flame now.
"I advise you to pick out an ordinary flame so as not to attract any more attention to yourself," Kurogane said.
Takashi considered Kurogane's advice for a moment. "I've got something in mind." With a surge of concentration, he activated the powers of the ring once more, this time manifesting the common transparent flame. The flame flickered around him, a stark contrast to the black flames he had used earlier.
Kurogane smiled, impressed. "Good choice. The transparent flame should help you blend in."
"I guess it does," Takashi replied, feeling a little more at ease.
Kurogane took a step back, his demeanor shifting to that of a captain ready to take on more pressing matters. "I have something to investigate. I'll see you another day."
"Okay," Takashi replied, nodding. "See you around."
As Takashi made his way home, a mixture of emotions washed over him. The day had been chaotic and surreal, filled with battles and revelations. Once he arrived at his apartment, he went straight to the bathroom to wash his face and clear his mind. Looking at himself in the mirror, he tried to process the events of the day—the fight with the Ashwalkers, the encounter with Kurogane, and the strange power of the ring.
Just as he began to gather his thoughts, a sudden rush of blood flowed from his nose, catching him off guard. The sensation was followed by a wave of weakness that coursed through his legs. Takashi staggered back slightly, bracing himself against the sink for support.
He had no idea that what had just occurred was one of the symptoms of using the ring. Each person's body is built to handle the flames they are born with, which is why one can never have more than one flame; attempting to do so would ultimately destroy the body. The ring had temporarily reconstructed Takashi's body to allow him to use other flames, but the process was taxing, wearing down his vessel.
Instead, he attributed it all to the battle and the adrenaline of the fight. "That was one hell of a fight," he muttered to himself, still trying to catch his breath.
With a grimace, he splashed water on his face, hoping it would help clear his mind. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to harness his newfound powers without losing himself in the process.