The days following the shadow attack passed in a blur, but each one left Ren feeling more disconnected from the world he once knew. His old life—the one filled with simple worries about school, friends, and his future—felt like a distant memory, obscured by the growing presence of Kaelir's flame inside him.
He spent his days training with Mira, her rigorous lessons pushing him to the brink of exhaustion, both physically and mentally. But no matter how hard he pushed himself, there was always a lingering doubt that gnawed at the back of his mind: Could he ever truly master the power of a god? Or was he doomed to the same fate as the others before him, consumed by a force beyond his control?
Mira seemed to sense his growing frustration during one of their sessions, watching him closely as he tried—unsuccessfully—to summon the flames with the same precision as before. The fire sputtered and flickered, but it never took the shape he wanted, slipping through his grasp like smoke.
"Focus, Ren," Mira's voice was sharp as she circled him. "You're thinking too much. Stop trying to control it with your mind—let the power flow naturally."
Ren gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his brow as he clenched his fist, willing the fire to obey him. "That's easy for you to say. You're not the one who feels like you're going to explode every time you try."
Mira stopped in front of him, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow. "And what happens if you do explode? Do you think the Forgotten will care about your doubts? They'll take advantage of every moment of hesitation. If you lose control in battle, you'll lose everything."
Her words stung, but Ren knew she was right. He couldn't afford to make mistakes, not with the stakes as high as they were. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that the fire inside him wasn't just a tool—it was something wild, something alive. And it was getting harder to suppress.
Mira sighed, her expression softening slightly. "You're afraid, Ren. I can see it. But fear is natural. What you have to do is learn how to move through it—how to let the fear sharpen your instincts rather than dull them."
Ren looked down at his hands, which were trembling slightly. "I don't know how to do that. I don't know how to stop being afraid of this power."
Mira stepped closer, her voice quieter now. "Then you need to find your anchor. Something that grounds you—something that reminds you of who you are when the fire threatens to overwhelm you. Without that, Kaelir's flame will consume you."
Ren looked up at her, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean by an anchor?"
Mira's gaze grew distant, as if she were remembering something from long ago. "An anchor is something—or someone—that connects you to this world. It's the reason you fight, the thing that gives you purpose. Without it, the power will make you lose yourself. I've seen it happen too many times."
Ren's thoughts immediately went to Yuto, the one person who had been there for him through everything. His friend was still in the dark about what was happening, and Ren had been avoiding him more and more. He hated it. But maybe that connection was what he needed to hold on to—something that reminded him he wasn't just a vessel for a god's power. He was still Ren Akihara, still human.
"I think I know what my anchor is," Ren said quietly, his eyes meeting Mira's.
Mira gave a small nod, but there was a hint of sadness in her expression. "Good. Hold on to it tightly. You'll need it more than you know."
Later that night, Ren found himself standing in front of Yuto's house, hesitating on the doorstep. He hadn't been here in days, and the guilt weighed heavily on him. He knew Yuto had questions—questions he couldn't answer—but he couldn't keep avoiding him forever.
With a deep breath, Ren knocked on the door.
It swung open almost immediately, and Yuto stood there, looking both surprised and relieved. "Ren? Where the hell have you been? You just disappeared again."
Ren forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, Yuto. Things have been… complicated."
Yuto crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, I figured. You look like you haven't slept in days. What's going on? You've been acting really weird lately, and I know something's up."
Ren opened his mouth to reply, but the words caught in his throat. How could he explain any of this? How could he tell Yuto that gods, shadows, and ancient powers were real—and that he was at the center of it all?
"Yuto, I—" Ren began, but before he could continue, he felt it. A sudden, cold presence that sent a chill down his spine. His senses sharpened instantly, the fire within him stirring as if in response to a threat.
Mira had warned him about this—about the way the Forgotten would hunt him now that Kaelir's power had awakened. They could sense him, just as he could sense them. And now, they were close.
"Ren?" Yuto's voice was concerned, but Ren barely heard him. His focus was entirely on the darkness that seemed to gather in the air around them, the faint sound of whispers filling his ears.
They were here.
Without thinking, Ren grabbed Yuto's arm and pulled him inside the house, slamming the door behind them. "Get inside. Now."
Yuto blinked in confusion. "What the—Ren, what's going on?"
"Just stay quiet," Ren hissed, his eyes scanning the room, his pulse racing. The presence was growing stronger, and he knew they didn't have much time.
Yuto stared at him, bewildered. "Ren, you're freaking me out. What's happening?"
Ren didn't answer. He could feel it now—the dark energy swirling outside, closing in on them. The Forgotten were here, and they wouldn't stop until they had what they wanted.
The lights flickered, and the air in the room grew colder, a creeping sense of dread washing over them. Yuto's eyes widened in alarm as he glanced around. "What the hell…?"
Ren clenched his fists, the fire inside him roaring to life as he prepared himself for the inevitable. He had no choice but to fight. But with Yuto here, everything was more complicated. He couldn't let his friend get caught in the crossfire.
The shadows gathered outside, and the whispers grew louder, filling Ren's mind with a sickening sense of unease. They were toying with him, drawing out the tension, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Ren's heart pounded in his chest as he turned to Yuto, his voice tight with urgency. "I need you to trust me, okay? No matter what happens, stay behind me."
Yuto looked at him, clearly terrified but nodding slowly. "Okay, Ren… I trust you."
The words hit Ren harder than he expected, and for a moment, he felt the weight of his responsibility crash down on him. Yuto trusted him—trusted that he knew what he was doing. But the truth was, Ren had never felt more uncertain.
The shadows outside began to shift, and Ren knew their time was up.
Taking a deep breath, he let the fire rise within him, the warmth spreading through his veins. He wouldn't let them take Yuto. He wouldn't let the shadows win.
With a flick of his wrist, the flames burst to life around him, casting a protective glow over the room as the darkness closed in.
This time, he had something to protect.