Sai carried Shi carefully, his expression filled with guilt and worry. "Master, I'm so sorry for burning your leg," Sai said, his voice trembling.
Shi, wincing from the pain, gave a weak smile. "It's fine, Sai. But the venom… it's killing me, slowly. We need to get to the Chamber of Healing. Please, hurry."
Sai's face fell, but he nodded. "I'm sorry, Master." Summoning his flames, he used their heat to propel himself forward with greater speed, racing toward the chamber.
Meanwhile, Tai stood over Zarathiss's broken form, his father's body battered and smoldering from the battle. His voice wavered as he spoke, "Dad… we could've lived together—with Mom. Why did it have to be like this?"
Zarathiss groaned, struggling to lift his head. His voice was hoarse. "My son… this is my life. This… is who I am."
Tai clenched his fists, tears threatening to fall. "Look at your life, Father! It's destroying you. Look at what you've become—what it's cost you!"
Zarathiss chuckled bitterly, coughing up smoke. "I know, my son. I know."
Tai's hand began to glow, shifting and transforming into the shape of a serpent. Its fangs dripped with venom as he held it over Zarathiss's wounded body. "I could kill you right now," Tai said, his voice cold. "This venom would break you. But I won't. Instead, I'll let your choices destroy you."
Zarathiss's eyes widened, confusion and fear flickering across his face. "What do you mean?"
Tai gestured to the crumbling battlefield around them, flames roaring as the ground beneath them cracked and heaved. "Your fight made this place unstable. The fire will consume it all. I'm giving you one to four minutes—maybe less—before the flames take you. Say your prayers, Father."
Without waiting for a response, Tai turned away. His body began to shift and transform, his true snake form emerging—sleek, powerful, and swift. He dashed through the fiery ruins, weaving through debris and flames until he caught up with Sai.
Sai, still carrying Shi, glanced at Tai as he approached. "Tai, did you do it? Did you end him?"
Tai shook his head, his expression grim. "No. But the area will finish what I started."
Sai nodded solemnly. "Alright. Tai, can you take Master Shi to the Chamber of Healing?"
Tai hesitated. "Why? What are you planning to do?"
Sai's gaze burned with determination. "With this power… I'm going to free my village. And I'm going to kill the King."
Tai's eyes widened in shock. "Sai, you're not strong enough to take on the King, let alone an entire kingdom!"
"I am," Sai said, his voice firm.
"You don't understand what you're saying," Tai argued. "You'll be fighting an entire kingdom, Sai. This isn't just some small battle—you'll face armies, generals, and the King himself."
Sai nodded, unfazed. "I know. But I also know I'm not alone."
Tai frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Sai extended his hand, summoning a small flame in his palm. The flame began to grow and take shape, forming a humanoid figure that looked just like Sai. The fiery figure opened its mouth and spoke, its voice eerily identical to Sai's. "Because my flames… my flames can do anything."
Tai stared, astonished. "What… what is this?"
Sai smiled faintly. "My flames are an extension of me. They can talk, fight, and even lead. I'm not just one person anymore. I'm an army."
Tai shook his head, still skeptical. "Sai, this is insane. You're going to get yourself killed."
Sai stepped forward, his fiery clone walking beside him. "Maybe. But I have to try. My village has suffered long enough, and I won't stop until they're free."
Tai sighed, glancing at Shi, who groaned softly in pain. "Fine. I'll take Master to the Chamber of Healing. But don't do anything reckless, Sai. If you die, all of this will mean nothing."
Sai gave a small, sad smile. "Thank you, Tai. And don't worry—I won't die. Not today."
With that, Sai turned, his flames blazing brighter than ever as he prepared for the fight of his life