The path leading deeper into the Roaring Sun Volcano felt like a descent into the very heart of anger itself. The crimson sky above burned like an unending blaze, and the jagged volcanic rock crunched underfoot. The oppressive heat made every breath feel heavy, and the eerie silence only amplified the tension.
"Is this where Wrath resides?" Akira asked, gazing at the gaping mouth of the cave ahead, its fiery glow pulsating like the breath of a beast.
Draco nodded solemnly. "Yes. This was once a sacred place, but now it's consumed by chaos. Wrath has taken hold here, and its influence is overwhelming."
Yue clung to her brother's arm, her golden eyes reflecting worry. "We have to be careful. Wrath isn't just a force—it's an emotion that can consume us if we're not strong enough."
As they stepped into the cave, the temperature soared, and the fiery walls illuminated grotesque carvings depicting battles and destruction. The images seemed alive, flickering with the light of the flames that engulfed the space.
"These carvings… they look like warnings," Draco muttered, running his hand along the jagged stone.
Deeper into the cave, faint whispers began to echo in their minds. The voices didn't come from around them but seemed to rise from within. Akira felt a growing weight in his chest, like an invisible force binding him.
"What… is this sound?" he murmured, gripping his swords tightly as an unfamiliar anger welled up inside him.
Suddenly, crimson flames erupted around them, separating the three into isolated chambers of fire. Each was pulled into a personal trial, faced with their deepest anger and vulnerabilities.
Akira's Trial: The Anguish of Helplessness
Akira found himself standing in a playground, a familiar place from his childhood. The bright sky and cheerful laughter of his memories contrasted sharply with the scene before him.
A young Mei sat on the ground, her wide eyes filled with tears as a group of boys surrounded her, jeering and throwing insults.
"Stop it!" Akira shouted, running toward them, his heart pounding with rage.
The boys turned to him, their mocking gazes piercing. "What are you gonna do, weakling? You can't protect anyone!" one of them sneered.
Akira stood between them and Mei, his small frame trembling but resolute. "Leave her alone!"
The boys laughed, their taunts growing louder. Akira clenched his fists, his anger boiling over.
"You're useless, Akira. You can't protect her, and you never will," a voice whispered from deep within his mind.
As his fury surged, the playground dissolved into a training hall. The young Akira swung a wooden sword wildly, his strikes heavy and uncoordinated.
"I need to get stronger… I won't let anyone hurt her again!" he shouted, his voice raw with frustration.
But each swing of the sword felt hollow, the sound of wood against the floor echoing emptily.
"Is this strength?" the voice in his mind asked, cold and taunting. "Or is it just anger?"
At that moment, a familiar figure stepped forward—his sensei, Hoshikawa, his expression calm but firm.
"Akira," Hoshikawa said, his voice steady. "Your strikes are strong, but they lack purpose. Why do you wield the sword?"
"To protect Mei… but I'm angry. Angry at those who hurt her… and at myself," Akira admitted, his voice breaking.
The sensei nodded and demonstrated a precise, deliberate strike. "Strength is not born from anger. It comes from the will to protect and the clarity of purpose. A blade fueled by rage cuts only emptiness, but a blade guided by resolve can shield what you hold dear."
Closing his eyes, Akira calmed his breathing, adjusting his stance. Each swing of the sword grew smoother, more focused.
When he opened his eyes, he was back in the playground. The bullies advanced again, but this time, Akira stood firm, his gaze unwavering.
"Leave her alone," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.
One of the boys lunged at him, but Akira dodged gracefully, his movements measured. Without anger clouding his actions, he deflected their aggression with ease.
Mei looked up at him with tearful gratitude. "Thank you, Akira…"
He smiled, reaching out to her. "I'll always protect you."
The flames around him flickered and faded, the whispers silencing. Akira stood tall, his heart steady.
"My anger doesn't define me. My resolve does," he said firmly, stepping forward.
Draco's Trial: The Weight of Expectations
Draco stood in the center of a training arena, the air thick with heat and judgment. The black stone beneath him reflected the searing flames surrounding the space.
A booming voice echoed through the chamber—his old master, stern and relentless.
"You're weak, Draco. You'll never be worthy of my teachings."
The memories resurfaced, the sting of humiliation and failure cutting deep. His fists tightened as the fiery aura around him flared, fueled by his frustration.
"I'm not weak… I'll prove it to you!" Draco roared, slamming his fists into the ground.
The flames around him intensified, consuming the arena. The stones beneath his feet cracked, unable to withstand the force of his anger.
"Is this how you prove yourself?" the voice taunted. "By destroying everything around you?"
Draco froze, his fiery aura faltering. He looked around at the devastation, realizing his power was spiraling out of control.
The voice softened, almost gentle. "True strength doesn't destroy—it protects. The fire within you can light the way for others or reduce everything to ash. The choice is yours."
Draco closed his eyes, his breath steadying. The inferno around him dimmed, replaced by a warm, controlled glow.
When he opened his eyes, the arena was whole again, and his master's shadow stood before him, silent but approving.
"I don't need to prove anything anymore," Draco said softly. "I'll use my strength to protect, not to destroy."
The shadow vanished, leaving Draco with a newfound sense of purpose.
Yue's Trial: The Burden of Guilt
Yue stood in a village engulfed in flames. Familiar faces of villagers stared at her with fear and anger, their voices accusing.
"This is your fault, Yue! You brought chaos to us!"
She clutched her chest, tears streaming down her face. "No… I didn't mean to…"
A massive shadow loomed before her—a monstrous nine-tailed fox, its eyes glowing with malice. It roared, the sound shaking the ground beneath her.
"That's not me!" Yue cried, but the fox's snarls grew louder, drowning her protests.
The villagers' voices echoed in her mind, fueling her guilt and fear. But then, another voice broke through—soft and steady.
"Yue, no matter what happens, I believe in you."
It was Akira's voice. Her brother's unwavering trust ignited a spark within her.
Yue closed her eyes, recalling a lullaby she once sang to the villagers, a song of forgiveness and healing. She began to sing, her voice trembling at first but growing stronger with each note.
The flames around her flickered and began to die down. The monstrous fox paused, its glowing eyes dimming as the melody reached it.
Yue stepped forward, her voice steady. "I forgive myself, and I'll never let guilt consume me again."
The fox let out a mournful cry before fading into the light, leaving Yue standing in the quiet, restored village.
Reunited at the threshold of a massive stone door, the trio exchanged weary but determined glances.
"We made it," Akira said softly.
"But the real challenge lies ahead," Draco added.
Yue took Akira's hand, her golden eyes shining with resolve. "We'll face it together."
The three stepped forward, ready to confront the Wrath that awaited them beyond the door.