Kael's breath came in ragged gasps as he stood at the edge of the village, his hands trembling with barely contained power. The Blazing Fang Fruit's energy pulsed inside him, hot and wild, demanding to be unleashed. His body burned, every muscle vibrating with newfound strength—but it wasn't under his control.
His boots crunched against the dry earth as he followed the trail of footprints leading toward the woods, his eyes glowing faintly with fiery light. The air around him shimmered with heat, and with each step, small embers crackled beneath his feet, leaving scorched marks in his wake.
He tightened his grip on his sword, but the weapon felt insignificant compared to the raw power surging through him. His thoughts spiraled in chaos, each pulse of energy clawing at his mind, demanding release.
Aeris…
He could still see her face in his mind—the panic, the desperation. They had taken her, and now every second counted.
Near a gnarled old tree at the edge of the woods, Kael stopped abruptly. A crude symbol etched into the bark glowed faintly with red energy—a jagged mark that seemed almost alive, pulsing in sync with the fire inside him. Beneath it, a piece of parchment fluttered gently in the wind.
Kael ripped it free, his eyes scanning the words:
"If you want her back, come to the Bloodshard Grove before nightfall. Alone."
His fists clenched, the paper crumpling in his hand. A surge of rage bubbled up inside him, and flames flickered along his arms, the heat rising in intensity. His vision blurred at the edges, everything bathed in red.
The ground beneath him cracked as a burst of fire exploded outward, sending dust and debris flying. Villagers nearby gasped and backed away, their eyes wide with fear.
"Kael!" Alden's voice cut through the haze, grounding him. "Control it! Breathe!"
Kael blinked, his vision clearing slightly. His chest heaved as he fought to steady himself. The flames around him dimmed, but the energy still roared beneath the surface, like a hungry beast waiting to be unleashed again.
Alden approached slowly, his face calm but serious. "You can't help her if you burn yourself out. That power will consume you if you don't take control of it."
Kael shook his head, sweat dripping from his brow. "I can't—It's too much. It's like it's trying to take over."
"The Blazing Fang's energy is raw and wild," Alden said. "But it's not your enemy. You have to treat it like part of you—not something to fight but something to guide."
Kael closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. The fire flickered, subsiding slightly, but the heat never truly left.
"I have to go," Kael said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "They're waiting for me at Bloodshard Grove. I'm not going to lose her."
Alden nodded grimly. "Then you'll need all the strength you can muster. But remember—don't let the fire control you. If you do, you'll burn everything down."
Kael swallowed hard and turned toward the woods. Each step felt like a battle, the power inside him threatening to break free at any moment.
The woods loomed dark and foreboding, their shadows twisting into strange shapes. Kael's heightened senses picked up every sound—the rustle of leaves, the snap of a twig, the distant call of a bird. Each noise felt amplified, as though the fire inside him made the world more alive and dangerous.
Suddenly, a branch cracked nearby, and Kael whirled around, flames flickering along his fingertips. His sword felt like an extension of himself, but even it seemed fragile compared to the raw power surging through his veins.
"Get a hold of yourself," he muttered. "One step at a time."
The fire pulsed again, brighter this time. He gritted his teeth, willing it down, but it pushed back harder, like a living force testing his resolve. His footsteps faltered, the ground beneath him briefly turning to ash before returning to normal.
I can't afford to lose control—not now.
The trail led him deeper into the woods, each step pushing him closer to the edge. His thoughts became a chaotic swirl—part rage, part fear. He could still feel Aeris's presence, faint and fading.
Just ahead, the trees parted, revealing a dark clearing bathed in crimson light. Strange runes marked the ground, glowing softly with malevolent energy.
Kael's heart raced. Bloodshard Grove.
A low growl echoed from the shadows, and Kael's eyes narrowed. Something waited for him.
The flames inside him stirred, eager for battle. Kael tightened his grip on his sword, flames crackling down its length.
"Hold on, Aeris," Kael whispered, his voice a promise. "I'm coming for you."