Kamari found himself once again in the depths of his recurring nightmare. But this time, the familiar chaos of the Red Massacre didn’t greet him right away. Instead, the dream began in a place of joy and warmth—a memory of the time before the destruction, a time filled with hope.
He stood beside his parents, the sun shining brightly overhead. Their village was bustling with excitement. It was the day of the Transfer Ceremony, a sacred event where the Phoenix Core would be passed down to the next generation. Kamari’s heart raced, his hands fidgeting as his father placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You’ve grown into a fine young man, Kamari," his father said.
His father, a towering figure with the same dark hair with crimson edges and fierce eyes Kamari inherited, smiled warmly.
"Today, you become the next bearer of the Phoenix Core, the future Phoenix Avatar, and I know you’ll surpass even me."
Kamari’s cheeks flushed with humility, shaking his head.
"I don’t know about surpassing you, Dad. I’ll just try not to mess up."
His father chuckled, pulling him into a quick embrace.
"You’ve got nothing to worry about. You’ve trained harder than anyone else, and your heart is strong. That’s what makes a great warrior—not just skill but the will to protect those you care about. And you have that in spades."
Kamari’s mother, standing nearby, smiled gently.
"We’re both so proud of you."
As the time for the ceremony neared, Kamari’s father led him to the center of the village, where everyone had gathered in anticipation. A small platform had been set up, and the villagers—friends, family, warriors—looked on with admiration and excitement. Kamari could feel their eyes on him, but he kept his focus on his father, who now stood at the center of the platform.
With a deep breath, Kamari’s father began to speak, his voice carrying over the crowd.
"Today marks the passing of the Phoenix Core to the next generation. My son, Kamari, has proven himself worthy. And I know he will carry this legacy with honor and strength."
As his father spoke, Kamari’s heart swelled with pride, though a part of him still felt the weight of the responsibility. He wasn’t sure if he was ready—if he could live up to the expectations placed upon him. But his father’s words gave him courage.
His father placed his hand over his chest, and with a quiet chant, he began the process of transferring the Phoenix Core. The air around them shimmered with energy as a brilliant, fiery light emerged from his father’s chest. The crowd gasped in awe as the glowing Phoenix Core, a swirling mass of multicolored flames and light, hovered in the air between them.
Kamari’s breath caught in his throat as the core began to move toward him, its heat warming his skin. And then, as if summoned by the core’s power, a small phoenix appeared in the sky above, its wings glowing with fiery brilliance. It circled gracefully before diving down, joining the Phoenix Core as it entered Kamari’s chest. The surge of power was overwhelming, but Kamari stood firm, his body glowing with the light of the Phoenix.
Just as the ceremony reached its peak, everything changed.
A sudden, terrifying darkness swept over the village, blotting out the sun. Kamari’s heart sank as screams of panic erupted from the crowd. He looked up to see two figures descending from the sky—Zion and Zaire. Their forms were wreathed in shadow, their presence suffocating and filled with malice.
The scene blurred, and suddenly, Kamari was no longer standing in the ceremony. Instead, he was on his knees, covered in ash, his breath shallow and panicked. The once-vibrant village was now nothing but ruins, flames flickering across the wreckage. The smell of smoke and blood filled the air, choking him as he looked down at his hands—trembling, covered in soot.
His parents lay before him, motionless, their bodies broken and lifeless. The Phoenix Core burned painfully in his chest, but Kamari couldn’t move. His mind screamed at him to run, to fight, to do anything—but his body refused to obey.
From the smoke and shadows, Zaire emerged, his form towering and monstrous. His dark wings spread wide, his eyes like pits of endless darkness. He walked toward Kamari slowly, his steps deliberate.
Kamari’s chest heaved with terror as Zaire approached, his shadowy hand reaching out. The closer Zaire got, the more Kamari felt his world closing in. The air grew colder, the flames around him dimming as if consumed by the darkness that surrounded Zaire.
Zaire’s claws neared Kamari’s chest, his eyes locking onto the Phoenix Core within. Kamari’s heart pounded in his ears, his throat tightening as the demon’s hand moved closer and closer...
And then, with a sharp gasp, Kamari jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat.
His chest heaved as he sat up, his heart racing as if it were about to burst from his chest. He glanced around, disoriented, the sounds of the nightmare still echoing in his mind. The room was dimly lit by the early morning light creeping in through the window, birds chirping softly in the distance.
He ran a trembling hand through his hair, trying to steady his breathing, but the vivid images of the dream lingered, refusing to fade. Kamari buried his face in his hands. He knew Zaire would find him again. And next time, he’d be ready. Or so he hoped.
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Within the Angel Eye Guild, Jermaine stood beside Nia in a small, sterile laboratory, the low hum of machinery filling the air as Dr. Jyro greeted them. The lab was cluttered with various instruments and glowing crystals, casting a dim light over the room.
"Thank you for coming. We need to perform an emergency maintenance check on the Knull Analyzer."
Nia immediately frowned, her hand clutching Jermaine’s arm.
"He checked it three months ago. Why now?"
Dr. Jyro sighed, rubbing his temples.
"There has been a recent development, and I need the Knull Analyzer to confirm my suspicions."
"Is that all?" Jermaine asked, cracking his neck. "Alright, this won't take long."
"I don’t like this. You know what prolonged exposure to Knull Energy does to him." Nia said.
She squeezed Jermaine’s arm.
"Are you sure you’re up for this?"
Jermaine placed a reassuring hand on hers, a confident grin spreading across his face.
"I’ll be in and out before you know it."
Nia didn’t look convinced but sighed in reluctant acceptance.
"Just... come back safe."
Without another word, Jermaine disappeared in a crackling burst of lightning, teleporting to the northern edge of the continent of Seliak—the closest he could get to the Void Rift. The twisted, desolate landscape of Seliak greeted him, the sky overhead darkened by the eerie presence of the Rift in the distance.
As he flew toward the Rift, just above the ground, Jermaine felt the oppressive weight of the Knull Energy surrounding him. It slowed him down, sapping his speed and making the journey longer and more taxing than usual. He could feel its corrosive influence on his body, but he pushed forward, determined to complete his task.
Then he saw it. The massive tear in reality loomed like a fractured mirror, almost colorless save for faint hints of white, its edges shimmering as if barely holding the fabric of reality together. When he finally reached the Knull Analyzer, it was worse than he’d expected. The once sturdy device was deteriorating—parts of it corroded and malfunctioning. He cursed under his breath, picking it up carefully.
"Looks like you've finally decided to wake up."
Just as he turned to leave, a flicker of movement on the other side of the Rift caught his attention. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a figure—a person dressed in an advanced mechanized suit. The individual stood still, their posture rigid, as if waiting for something.
"What the...?"
Their eyes met across the Rift, the mysterious person's gaze hidden beneath a helmet, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to stand still. Jermaine’s mind raced with questions. Who were they? What were they doing here? How were they here? And that emblem on their chest... the Eldran Empire?
Before Jermaine could react, the person teleported away, leaving Jermaine even more perplexed.
Shaking off his confusion, Jermaine resumed his flight, speeding back to the northern edge of Seliak. The Knull Energy weighed heavily on him now. His breath labored as he finally returned to the outskirts of the desolate continent. He then teleported back to Ceiala and into the laboratory, where he carefully placed the damaged Knull Analyzer into a secure containment chamber.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
"Thank you, Jermaine. What was the state of the Rift?" Dr. Jyro asked.
"Far from dormant. But forget about that for now. Something’s off, Doc. I saw someone dressed in some sort of mechanized suit with the emblem of the Eldran Empire."
Dr. Jyro’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you sure?"
He paused, stroking his beard in thought.
"That’s... troubling. What could the Eldran Empire possibly want with the Rift?"
Before they could discuss further, Jermaine suddenly doubled over, a sharp pain stabbing through his chest. His face contorted in agony, and he coughed violently, blood splattering onto the floor.
Nia rushed forward, panic flooding her eyes as she knelt beside him.
"Jermaine! We need to get you to the infirmary—"
"I’m fine. Just... a little too much Knull Energy."
He stood shakily, his body trembling as he wiped the blood from his mouth.
"You’re not fine!"
"I just need some air."
As he spoke, his legs wobbled beneath him, and he had to lean against the wall for support.
"Jermaine—" Dr. Jyro said, "—you need rest. Prolonged exposure to Knull Energy isn’t something that anyone can shake off, not even you."
But Jermaine, stubborn as ever, waved them off, trying to stand tall.
"I told you. I'm fine."
Nia, still worried, exchanged a glance with Dr. Jyro, who sighed. They both knew that Jermaine wouldn’t be stopped until he chose to rest, but the signs were undeniable—this was more than just routine side effects.
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A few days later, Tempest was scheduled for Wall Patrol—one of the regular duties assigned to the Seraphim to keep Ceiala's defenses secure. The squad took their time as they made their way through the bustling streets toward the main gates of the city. The closer they got to the gates, the more the atmosphere shifted.
Kamari couldn’t help but notice the growing number of people living in the streets and alleyways. Families huddled together under makeshift shelters of tattered cloth, their faces etched with weariness and despair. Children, thin and dirty, sat in silence, their eyes hollow. The scent of smoke and decay clung to the air, and some villagers were slumped against walls, their eyes glazed over from the effects of various drugs. It was a grim sight.
He glanced at Eli, who had been unusually quiet.
"Do you see this?"
"It's getting worse." Eli sighed. "Villages are being destroyed faster than we can rebuild. The refugee centers are already overcrowded, but more people keep arriving every day."
Kamari frowned, his eyes scanning the faces of the displaced villagers.
Leon watched as a young girl, no older than seven, shared a small piece of bread with her equally thin mother.
"If this keeps up, some of these people may never return home."
Imani, walking beside him, nodded grimly.
"It’s not just Ceiala. Some of the refugees are being sent to Ahwahl as well, but even we’re running out of space. The strain is starting to show. It’s like the whole Realm is on the verge of breaking."
Kamari clenched his fists.
"This has to stop. We have to find a way to defeat Zaire once and for all. The longer he’s out there, the more people suffer."
They continued walking in silence for a few moments, the reality of the situation pressing down on them. Kamari’s mind raced with thoughts of Zaire, the devastation he had caused, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. The images of his recurring nightmare—the Red Massacre, his parents, the destruction—flashed through his mind again. He could feel the anger building, the desire for revenge simmering just beneath the surface.
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Half an hour later, Tempest was deep in the forest surrounding Ceiala. Low-class Infernals—goblins, quells, and small Vexes—wandered through the trees, drawn to the city’s energy. It wasn’t much of a challenge for the squad, but Kamari fought as if he were facing a much stronger enemy. His flames roared to life, sweeping through the scattered Infernal numbers with fierce intensity.
Leon watched as Kamari obliterated a small group of goblins with a torrent of yellow flames, which flickered blue for a brief second before reverting. With a sigh, Leon wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned onto a nearby tree trunk, amused by Kamari’s aggressive approach.
"Why are you going all out?"
He dodged a lazy swing from an orc before quickly cutting it down.
"They’re hardly a threat."
Kamari, still focused, sent a fireball into a fleeing vex, turning it to ash.
"I’m not fighting them. I’m fighting myself."
He took a deep breath.
"I’ve been trying to increase the intensity of my flames for the past three days, but I can’t seem to fully achieve the blue flames I wielded back when we recently fought Zaire."
As if to demonstrate, Kamari sent another burst of flames toward a nearby group of goblins. The fire flared yellow but briefly shifted to a deeper blue before sputtering back to its usual yellow hue.
"See? I just... can’t keep it going."
Leon chuckled.
"I see. However, it is good to see that your tenacity is still in full swing. That's what I admire the most about you. You don’t give up."
He swung his arm, quickly dispatching another Vex with a sharp blade of air before turning to Kamari.
"But don’t push yourself too hard, man."
Kamari nodded, taking a moment to catch his breath as the last of the goblins crumbled into ash in front of him. A thoughtful look crossed his face as the noise of battle faded, leaving only the sounds of the forest around them.
"You ever regret leaving behind Kabora?"
Leon paused for a moment, considering the question as he absentmindedly touched the dark green bead necklace around his neck.
"Sometimes I get homesick. And I miss fighting alongside Tanya. But leaving Kabora and the VeyrScion... it was the right decision. It was holding me back."
Kamari raised an eyebrow.
"Holding you back?"
Leon nodded, his gaze distant.
"The VeyrScion and Kabora have always been about protecting our own. Our traditions, our people. But I realized that I wanted to do more—I wanted to help everyone. I strive to be like my father. He was a man who would put his life on the line for those in need, even if they didn’t live within the borders of Kabora."
His fingers brushed over the green beads, and he smiled faintly.
"This necklace belonged to him. It was awarded to him for his bravery in battle, the highest honor among the VeyrScion. He was the best of the elite, and I wear it as a reminder to keep pushing myself. To reach the heights he did."
"I didn’t know that. It’s an honor to wear something like that."
"It is. And it pushes me every day. I won’t rest until I can match his legacy."
Kamari, thoughtful, looked down at his own hands, the faint traces of flame still flickering on his fingertips.
"We’re more alike than I thought. I want to be like my father, too. He was the Great Phoenix of Meiyr, the strongest warrior of his time. But sometimes... I don’t feel like I’ll ever live up to that. His legacy feels insurmountable."
Leon clapped a hand over Kamari’s shoulder, his grip firm but friendly.
"You’ve got to stop with that negative outlook, Kamari. You’re always looking down on yourself."
Kamari glanced up at him.
"Listen," Leon continued. "You’ve got this endless potential inside you. I see it, Byron sees it, hell, even Zaire sees it—why else do you think he’s so focused on taking you down? But you’re blinded by misplaced guilt and self-doubt. It’s weighing you down."
Kamari opened his mouth to respond, but Leon shook his head, cutting him off.
"You’re the only thing holding yourself back. You’re capable of more than you realize, but you have to stop doubting yourself. Overcome that, and I have no doubt you’ll surpass even your father."
Kamari stared at Leon for a moment, the words sinking in. He took a deep breath, nodding slowly.
"You’re right. I’ve been holding onto this... guilt for too long."
Leon smiled, stepping back.
"Then it’s time to let it go. We’ve got bigger battles ahead, and I need you at your best."
"You know what, Leon. You’re a natural at this."
"A natural at what?"
Kamari chuckled, shaking his head.
"At leading. It’s like you were born for it. You were the obvious choice to lead Tempest."
Leon slowed his pace, the compliment catching him off guard.
"You really think so?"
"Yeah. You’ve got this... calmness about you. Even in the middle of a fight, you never lose your head. You’re always thinking a few steps ahead. It’s something I’ve noticed for a while now."
"I don’t know, man. I just do what needs to be done. Same as you, Eli, and Imani."
"No, it’s more than that. You’ve got this natural ability to lead and make the right calls. The rest of us look to you, and not just because you’re in charge. It’s because you’re the one holding us together."
Leon was quiet for a moment.
"I appreciate that. But I’m just doing what my father taught me. Always lead by example, always protect those around you."
Kamari looked down at his hands, the flames still barely flickering from earlier.
"That’s what I mean. You’ve got that presence. People trust you because they know you’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe."
He hesitated for a second.
"I’m a bit envious, to be honest."
Leon stopped walking, turning to face Kamari with a look of surprise.
"Envious? Of me?"
Kamari nodded.
"Yeah. I mean, I’m always second-guessing myself. I don’t have that confidence you do. I feel like I’m still figuring things out, like I don’t have all the answers."
Leon’s expression softened, his usual playful demeanor giving way to something more serious.
"Kamari, you’ve got something way more important than having all the answers—you’ve got heart. You care more than anyone I’ve ever met, and that’s what makes you strong. Don’t sell yourself short."
Kamari gave him a small, appreciative smile.
"I guess we all have our struggles, huh?"
Leon nodded, clapping Kamari on the shoulder.
"Exactly. But trust me, you’re already a great warrior. And the leader thing? It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being there when it matters. And you’re always there when it counts."
Kamari felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with his flames.
"Thanks, Leon. I’ll remember that."
Leon grinned.
"Good. Now, let’s get back to it. There’s still a lot of forest to cover."
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Elsewhere in the forest, Imani moved with fluid precision, her spear slicing through a horde of goblins with ease. Her ice blades cut through the air, freezing the Vexes mid-motion before shattering them into pieces. Each of her movements was swift, calculated, and graceful, the mark of a true warrior in her element. Nearby, Elijah leaned against a tree, lazily watching the scene unfold, a massive yawn escaping his lips.
"Imani, you're really something."
Imani didn't break her concentration, her spear twirling effortlessly as she dispatched the last of the goblins. She glanced over at Eli, unimpressed.
"Why don't you do something instead of just standing around, yawning."
Eli shrugged, pushing himself off the tree.
"Nah, you've got this."
He stepped closer, eyeing her with mild curiosity.
"You know, I’ve been meaning to ask—why’d you join our squad, anyway? What’s a warrior from Ahwahl doing all the way out here?"
Imani paused for a moment, wiping the blood off her spear before it dissolved into a mist of Enre.
"There’s something I need to accomplish back in Ahwahl. Being part of Tempest is a stepping stone. It's giving me the skills and experience I need to reach my goal."
Eli perked up at that, intrigued.
"Oh? What goal? Are you going to give me some details, or do I have to keep prying?"
Imani gave him a sideways glance, clearly uninterested in delving further into her personal life. Instead, she smoothly turned the conversation back on him.
"What about you, Eli? Why are you a part of Tempest?"
He laughed.
"Honestly? I don’t have much of a choice. Just doing what the ‘Thunder God of Ceiala’ wants, you know?"
"And that’s it? No ambitions of your own? You’re content just... going with the flow?"
Eli chuckled again, but there was a slight edge to his voice this time.
"Yeah, pretty much. You can’t be disappointed if you don’t expect much, right?"
He flashed her a lopsided grin, but Imani wasn’t buying it.
"That’s a dangerous mindset, Elijah. You can’t just drift through life. You’re stronger than that. A warrior should have a goal, a purpose."
Eli’s smile faded slightly, and he let out a sigh.
"Maybe. But it’s better to have no ambition than to find out you’re not good enough to reach them."
He paused, his gaze turning distant.
"Or worse, end up hurting the people around you because of them."
Imani caught the shift in his tone and narrowed her eyes, sensing something deeper in his words.
"What do you mean by that?"
Eli glanced at her for a split second, but before she could push further, he waved her off, the carefree grin sliding back into place.
"Ah, nothing. I’ll go scout ahead."
And with that, in a burst of crackling blue lightning, Eli shot off into the forest, leaving Imani standing alone amidst the remnants of the battle. She watched him disappear, her brow furrowing in thought. Something about his words lingered with her, but she knew better than to pry any further. Not yet, anyway.