---
The air in Emberstead still crackled with tension long after Nachogi's dark flames had vanished. The village, once filled with the joyous sounds of the Festival of Flames, now sat in uneasy silence. The villagers had retreated into their homes, frightened by the shadow that had loomed over their celebration.
Nero stood in the empty square, his hands still trembling with embers that refused to die down. His flames still flickered, restless, reacting to the emotions that churned inside him. He had seen the look in Nachogi's eyes—or at least in the dark abyss behind that mask. The villain had no doubt that he would win.
Angel and Nagel stood beside him, both as shaken as he was. The festival had been ruined. But more than that, an undeniable truth now settled over them—war was coming.
Aizen, the Lord of Flames, finally broke the silence. His golden eyes, filled with wisdom and power, met Nero's. "He's coming," Aizen said gravely. "And when he does, he won't just send shadows. He'll bring destruction."
Nero clenched his fists. "Then I'll stop him."
Aizen studied him for a long moment before shaking his head. "You're not ready."
Nero's flames flared slightly at the words, but Aizen continued. "Your power is immense, but it is wild. Uncontrolled. If you don't learn discipline, your flames will burn everything in their path, including the people you love." His gaze shifted toward Angel and Nagel.
The two exchanged uncertain glances. Angel crossed her arms. "So what do we do?"
Aizen turned back to Nero. "Your training begins at dawn. Be ready."
---
The Training Begins
The first rays of sunlight painted the mountains in hues of orange and gold. Nero stood at the edge of a steep cliff overlooking the valley below. The wind was fierce here, howling as if the mountain itself whispered secrets through the currents.
Aizen stood in front of him, arms crossed. "Your flames grow stronger when you're angry or afraid. That's dangerous."
Nero frowned. "Isn't power the key to winning fights? If I can burn everything in my way—"
Aizen's voice was sharp. "And what happens when the flames don't stop? When they consume everything—including the ones you love?"
Nero swallowed hard. He didn't have an answer.
Aizen gestured toward a massive obsidian boulder nearby, its surface untouched by time. "Show me your fire."
Nero stepped forward, inhaling deeply before thrusting his palm outward. Fire exploded from his hand, a searing wave of orange-red flames colliding against the rock. The force was immense, and for a moment, the boulder glowed molten red—but then something went wrong.
The flames flickered wildly, twisting and curling beyond his control. Instead of dissipating, they lashed out toward Aizen.
"Watch out!" Nagel shouted.
Aizen didn't move. Instead, he raised a single hand, and golden flames erupted in front of him, absorbing Nero's wild fire. With a flick of his wrist, he dispersed the flames like they were nothing but dust in the wind.
Nero's heart pounded. "I… I didn't mean—"
Aizen exhaled, shaking his head. "Unfocused. Too much raw emotion. You're releasing your fire, but you're not guiding it."
Nero clenched his fists. "Then tell me how to fix it!"
Aizen's gaze darkened. "Very well."
With a single step forward, Aizen raised his hand. A golden flame ignited in his palm—small yet unshakable. Unlike Nero's fire, it did not flicker or lash out wildly. It burned with absolute control.
"Your emotions fuel your fire," Aizen said, his voice steady, "but if you let them control you, your flames will betray you in battle. Fire is alive, Nero. You don't just command it—you must understand it."
He closed his fist, and the golden flames twisted, shifting shape. In mere moments, they formed into a phoenix, wings outstretched, flickering but never once losing control. The firebird soared for a moment before fading into embers.
Nero stared in awe. "How…?"
"Focus. Clarity. Willpower." Aizen let the last ember die out, then gestured at the boulder again. "Try again. But this time, don't just release your fire—shape it."
---
The Dark Forces Stir
Far beyond Emberstead, deep within the Blackened Spire, Nachogi stood before a swirling portal of violet fire. Shadows danced around him, whispering like ghosts.
A cloaked figure kneeled before him. "My lord, the boy has begun training. Aizen is preparing him."
Nachogi chuckled, the sound like burning embers. "Let him prepare. Let him think he has a chance."
He raised his hand, conjuring a dark flame—twisting, corrupt, unnatural. "The power he wields—it belongs to me. And when the time comes, I will take it back."
The shadows pulsed. The very air shifted, thick with his malice.
"The Fire Lord was weak, and so he passed his gift to a child. But even the strongest flames… can be extinguished."
Nachogi's glowing eyes gleamed beneath his mask.
"And I will snuff him out."
---
The Fire Awakens
Days passed, and Nero's training intensified. Aizen pushed him harder than ever, forcing him to control his flames in unpredictable situations—in storms, under waterfalls, even blindfolded.
"You need to feel the fire, not see it," Aizen would say. "If you rely on your eyes, you will fail."
One evening, as the sun dipped behind the mountains, Aizen turned to Nero with a serious expression. "There's one final test before you are ready."
Nero wiped sweat from his brow. "Name it."
Aizen extended his hand. Golden flames erupted, surrounding them in a ring of fire. "Fight me."
Nero's breath caught. "What?"
"If you want to stand against Nachogi, you must be prepared to fight someone stronger than you. If you hesitate, if you lose control—you will fail."
Nero stared into his master's golden eyes, his heart pounding. This wasn't just another lesson.
This was a battle for survival.
Aizen's flames surged. The heat became unbearable.
"Come, Nero."
And with that, his master lunged.
The flames of destiny roared to life.
---
Next up: Chapter 3: Trial by Fire—Nero vs. Aizen! Will he prove he's ready, or will his fire consume him?