The clearing, illuminated by the flames of the sword, looked like a scene pulled straight out of a nightmare. Alex, still kneeling and gasping for air, couldn't tear his eyes away from the warrior approaching slowly. Each of his steps crunched branches underfoot, amplifying the searing aura surrounding him.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, trying to keep calm despite the sweat forming on his brow.
Kael smirked, exuding a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
"I'm Kael, Avatar of Inti, the Sun God. And you… you're just an insect in my way."
Alex took a step back, his mind racing. He barely understood what was happening: minutes ago, he was just an ordinary kid, and now he bore a strange symbol on his arm, a connection to a god, and was being hunted by an armed man intent on killing him.
"What do you want from me?" Alex pressed, trying to buy time.
Kael raised his flaming sword, pointing it at Alex.
"Nothing personal. I just need to eliminate the other Avatars to prove I'm worthy of Inti's favor."
Before Alex could respond, Kael lunged. His movements were lightning-fast, as though the fire itself propelled him. Alex barely managed to dive to the ground to avoid the strike, but the heat from the blade scorched his jacket's sleeve.
"Move, boy!" Quetzalcoatl's voice boomed in his mind, firm and commanding.
"I'm trying!" Alex shouted back, rolling across the ground to dodge another blow.
Kael was relentless, unleashing slashes and fire blasts that seemed impossible to evade. Alex ran, stumbled, and dove behind trees, but even they began to catch fire.
"You can't keep running. Face me!" Kael roared, lifting his sword toward the sky. A sphere of fire began forming at its tip, rapidly growing larger.
Alex's heart pounded, panic consuming him.
"I can't win this!"
"And what will you do then? Give up?" Quetzalcoatl's tone was sharp, almost mocking.
"Use what I've given you! Feel the wind around you—make it your weapon."
Alex closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady his breathing. Around him, the leaves whispered in a growing breeze. When he opened his eyes, the symbol on his arm began to glow, and he felt energy surge through his body.
"Alright, here goes!" he exclaimed, raising his hands instinctively.
As Kael launched the fireball, Alex extended one arm, and a gust of wind shot from his palm, deflecting the attack. The explosion shook the clearing, but Alex stood firm, a faint emerald aura surrounding him.
"Was that…?" Kael murmured, surprised by the feat.
Alex grinned, a spark of confidence igniting within him.
"I don't know how I did that, but it looks like I've got a trick or two."
Kael charged again, his sword engulfed in even fiercer flames. This time, Alex didn't run. Remembering Quetzalcoatl's words, he began using the wind to his advantage: deflecting strikes, propelling himself to the sides, and creating a swirling shield to block some of the attacks.
The battle raged on for several minutes, with Alex gradually adapting to his newfound abilities. However, Kael still had the upper hand. With a precise strike, he knocked Alex to the ground, leaving a burn on his shoulder.
"You've got potential, kid, but not enough." Kael raised his sword for the final blow.
At that moment, a powerful gust of wind swept through the clearing, pushing Kael back. Alex, still on the ground, felt his body move on instinct. He extended his arm, and in his hand, a spear shaped like a feathered serpent began to form. Rising to his feet, he aimed the newly-forged weapon at Kael.
"This isn't over yet."
Kael studied him, calculating his chances. Finally, he lowered his sword and stepped back.
"I'll let you live for now. I want to see how far you can go, Alex of Quetzalcoatl. But next time, there will be no mercy."
With that, Kael vanished into the flames, leaving Alex alone in the clearing. Exhausted and bewildered, Alex dropped to his knees.
"What just happened?" he muttered, staring at the symbol on his arm.
"This is only the beginning, Alex. Prepare yourself—there will be many more like him." Quetzalcoatl's voice echoed in his mind. Though it carried a tone of warning, there was also a hint of pride.
Alex looked up at the night sky, filled with stars that now seemed more distant than ever. He had survived, but he knew his life would never be the same.
End of Chapter 2