Zaire woke up with a jolt, his body drenched in cold sweat. His vision blurred as he blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The sterile scent of the lab, the hum of machinery, and the rhythmic beeping of the system's monitors greeted him, but something felt... off. Disoriented, he sat up slowly, clutching his throbbing head.
The system beeped sharply, and as his gaze focused on the screen, a sinking dread settled in his chest.
Time remaining: 2 hours until critical.
"No... no, no, no!"
His heart pounded violently against his ribs as the reality of the situation hit him. He staggered to his feet and stared at the massive vat. Inside, his father remained unconscious, submerged in the glowing liquid. The tubes that connected Zion to the machine pulsed weakly, barely keeping him alive.
Zaire’s throat tightened as he placed his hand on the cool glass of the vat. His eyes, usually cold and calculating, filled with tears.
"I’m sorry, Father... I’ve failed you."
His knees gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, punching the ground in frustration. The metallic clang echoed through the chamber as he cursed his own weakness—his inability to retrieve the Phoenix Core in time.
His chest heaved with heavy sobs, and for a moment, the world around him seemed to close in, suffocating him with the weight of his failure. He had promised to save Zion and complete their mission together. But now, with time running out, it all seemed impossible.
Then, out of the silence, a faint, familiar voice slithered into his mind—the Nether Flame.
"It is not too late, Zaire."
The whisper was soft, almost soothing, but it carried an undeniable power. Zaire’s head snapped up, his eyes widening. He could feel the Flame’s presence calling to him, beckoning from the far side of the chamber where it flickered atop its pedestal. The small, black flame shimmered with dark purple hues, its light casting ominous shadows that danced across the walls.
"You still have a chance... but you must accept me. Take my power, and the Phoenix Core will be yours. Only then can you save him."
Zaire’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at the Nether Flame, its whispers coiling around his thoughts like a serpent. He rose to his feet slowly, his legs unsteady, as he walked toward it. He knew the risks—the Nether Flame was a force of corruption, tied to the Dark God, Kaldor. To accept it meant inviting its influence into his soul.
He stopped in front of the Flame, the heat of its dark energy radiating against his skin. For a moment, he hesitated, turning back to look at Zion, still floating in the vat.
"I’m sorry. I promised I would save you... and I will."
With a final, pained glance at his father, Zaire extended his hand toward the Nether Flame. The moment his fingers brushed against its dark energy, a searing pain shot through his entire body. He screamed, doubling over as a small portion of the Flame merged with his soul, the agony of its power overwhelming him. His veins burned with an unnatural fire, and his muscles twisted and contorted under the strain.
The Flame's whispers grew louder, filling his mind with the voice of Kaldor.
"You are mine now, Zaire. Together, we will bring an end to this world."
Visions of darkness, destruction, and endless suffering flashed before his eyes, tempting him with promises of ultimate power.
But through the pain, Zaire gritted his teeth and forced himself to focus. He would not be consumed. He would not let Kaldor control him.
"No! I will use this power. I will not let it use me."
The Nether Flame roared in his mind, fighting for dominance, but Zaire held firm, his will stronger than the corruption. Slowly, the pain subsided, and he rose to his feet, breathing heavily, his body trembling with the dark energy coursing through him. His eyes glowed with a faint purple hue, the mark of the Nether Flame’s influence, but his mind—his soul—remained his own.
Zaire stood there, his body now infused with a portion of the Flame’s power, feeling stronger than he ever had before. But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning. Kaldor’s whispers lingered in the back of his mind, and the temptation of the Nether Flame would be ever-present. Yet, for now, he had control.
And with this new power, he would have what he needed to claim the Phoenix Core.
"It’s not over yet. I’ll save you, Father. I swear it."
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Later that night, Tempest made their way back through the towering main gates of Ceiala—their Wall Patrol was finally over. The glow of the city lights bathed them in a soft, welcoming warmth as they entered. Despite the fatigue from the patrol, their mood was light.
"We should grab something to eat," Leon said, "Maybe Pyru’s Tavern?"
Eli’s face lit up at the mention.
"Now that is a great idea. Pyru’s it is!"
He shot a glance at Kamari and Imani.
"Come on, you two. Imani, you could use this chance to get to know us better. And, Kamari, man. All you’ve been doing lately is training. You can skip one day."
Imani smiled politely, shaking her head.
"I think I’ll pass. There’ll be other opportunities."
Kamari crossed his arms.
"Yeah, I’m going to hit the training room. I still need to work on—"
Eli interrupted, rolling his eyes.
"Training, training, training. There’s more to life than training, you know?"
Leon nodded.
"Eli’s right. Consider it a direct order. Come out with us. Both of you."
Imani raised an eyebrow, surprised by Leon’s insistence, while Kamari chuckled softly.
"Fine, fine," Kamari said.
But before anyone could take another step, a dark, chilling presence washed over the group. A sudden heaviness filled the air, making it feel like the very life around them had been sucked dry. All four of them froze—their instincts were on high alert.
Then, out of the shadows behind them, Zaire rose. His eyes burned with an unnatural dark purple and black hue. The temperature around them seemed to plummet as his presence consumed the area. For a brief, sickening moment, everything stood still.
A blaring siren echoed throughout the city—an alarm so loud it rattled through every street and building, signaling an emergency of the highest order. All around Ceiala, the reaction was immediate.
Somewhere, Byron was deep in conversation with Ruege, the Morlyn-Commander of the Arcane Division. They both looked up sharply, their faces grim as they processed the incoming readings.
Jermaine and Nia were lying naked in bed together. Jermaine groaned in frustration, running a hand through his long dreadlocks.
"Always when I’m comfortable..."
In the Seraphim Military Compound, personnel scrambled as their consoles flashed warning signs. The readings were astronomical, indicating a catastrophic surge in Nether Energy. Panic rippled through the room as officers shouted out commands, preparing for the worst.
Meanwhile, Malik paused mid-strike in the training room, his eyes narrowing at the unmistakable shift in energy.
Back at the gates, chaos unfolded in an instant. Zaire made his move. His shadow tendrils lashed out so fast and brutal that the guards stationed at the gates barely had time to scream before being cut down, their bodies crumpling lifelessly to the ground.
"Zaire!" Kamari shouted.
But before any of them could react, Zaire struck Tempest with a force unlike anything they’d faced before.
His shadow tendrils whipped out violently, targeting Leon and Imani first, sending them flying back several hundred meters. They crashed through the walls of nearby buildings with bone-crushing force. Eli, moving faster than the eye could track, managed to dodge the attack, lightning crackling at his feet as he blurred out of reach. Zaire didn't even bother targeting Kamari yet, but the sheer pressure of his presence was enough to paralyze him momentarily.
Kamari clenched his fists, flames flickering at his hands as he glared at Zaire. But before he could even gather his thoughts, the sky darkened further.
Dozens of Infernal Rifts stretched across the heavens, their gaping mouths birthing countless monsters that descended upon the city like a plague. Orcs, Wyverns, Goblins, Vexes, and even Cynders rained down, their shrieks filling the air, blending with the rising panic of the city's citizens.
Kamari’s heart raced, his eyes darting between Zaire and the rifts. He knew it was only a matter of time before Zaire came for him. And now, with Ceiala under siege, they were out of time.
"This ends now," Kamari said.
----------------------------------------
Imani and Leon were down, bloodied, and groaning in pain, their bodies barely moving after Zaire’s initial attack. His dark energy radiated as he prepared to deliver the final blow, conjuring shadow balls to finish them off.
"Not happening!" Kamari shouted.
He unleashed a surge of bright yellow flames, and with all his strength, he cast a mighty fireball directly at Zaire's face.
The fire struck Zaire head-on, causing him to stagger back as his shadow balls flew off course, narrowly missing Imani and Leon. The effort left Kamari gasping for breath, his flames flickering weakly. He knew he needed to call on the blue flames, but every time he tried, they slipped from his grasp.
Zaire recovered instantly, his eyes locking onto Kamari.
“You…”
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In an instant, Zaire lunged, his shadows wrapping around Kamari’s body. Kamari barely had time to react before he was lifted into the air and slammed into the ground—hard. The impact sent shockwaves through the earth, and Zaire didn’t stop. He lifted Kamari again and slammed him down repeatedly, each strike more brutal than the last. The world around Kamari blurred, his consciousness slipping away as the pain overwhelmed him.
Blood dripped from his mouth, his vision fading as Zaire loomed over him.
"I've been too easy on you. But no more!"
Zaire's hand glowed with the dark energy of the Nether Flame as he reached for Kamari’s chest.
"The Realm will thank me for this."
Kamari’s eyes widened in pain as Zaire’s claws connected with his chest, the dark energy beginning to extract the Core. But before Zaire could claim his prize, a bolt of lightning cracked through the air, and Jermaine appeared next to him, his hand gripping Zaire’s face.
“That’s enough."
With a flick of his wrist, Jermaine hurled Zaire with a force that sent him rocketing skyward. The sheer power of the throw shook the ground beneath them, and before Zaire could even react, Jermaine teleported beside him mid-flight, delivering a devastating punch to Zaire's chest. The blow sent Zaire plummeting back to the earth, crashing into the ground with enough force to create a massive crater.
Jermaine landed smoothly, his expression one of calm but deep annoyance. He glanced at Eli, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes.
"Get Kamari and the others to the infirmary."
Eli nodded quickly, racing to Kamari's side and carefully lifting him. Kamari groaned weakly, his body limp and battered.
Eli gritted his teeth.
"Hang in there, Red."
Meanwhile, Jermaine walked to the edge of the crater and looked down at Zaire, who was slowly dragging himself to his feet.
"You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that? I was having a perfectly nice evening."
Zaire’s eyes burned with fury as he summoned dark energy, causing spikes of shadow to erupt from the ground, piercing through Jermaine’s body in multiple places. Jermaine grunted slightly, his body jerking from the impact. But then, to Zaire’s horror, Jermaine let out a chuckle.
"Nice try."
Jeermaine's body healed instantly as the shadow spikes dissolved into nothing.
"But you're gonna have to do better than that."
With a smirk, Jermaine tightened his fist.
"Let’s take this fight outside."
He punched Zaire with such immense force that the ground beneath them quaked, launching Zaire over the towering walls of Ceiala and sending him crashing into the distant forest.
Jermaine dusted his hands off, shaking his head as he watched the distant impact.
"Whoops. I punched him a little too hard."
----------------------------------------
Eli bolted through the streets of Ceiala, his arms filled with his battered squadmates. Leon and Imani hung limply in his grasp, both severely wounded from Zaire’s brutal attack. As he skidded to a halt in front of the infirmary, healers rushed out to meet him, their faces pale with worry. Eli wasted no time handing over Leon and Imani, both of whom were immediately whisked away for emergency treatment.
But when a healer approached Kamari, extending a hand to help him inside, Kamari shook his head fiercely. His legs were unsteady, his body bruised and bloodied, but his resolve burned brighter than ever.
"I’m not going in. I’m not done yet."
"Red, you’re half-dead. Let Jermaine handle Zaire. He’s got it under control."
Kamari glanced at the chaos unfolding throughout Ceiala. The streets were filled with fleeing citizens, the air thick with the sounds of battle as Infernals rampaged through the city. Flames lit the horizon, casting shadows of destruction, and the cries of the injured echoed in the distance. His fists clenched at the sight.
"I can’t sit still, Eli. Not while this is happening. I can’t let these innocent people die."
Without waiting for another word, Kamari summoned an Irei crystal from his Enre. The crimson shard materialized in his palm, its radiant energy pulsing with life. With a quick squeeze, Kamari crushed the crystal in his hand, absorbing its power as a red aura enveloped him. His wounds began to close, the energy of the crystal surging through him. Though not fully healed, he felt enough strength return to rejoin the fight.
"Come on, Red! You’re going to get yourself killed!"
"Then I’ll die fighting."
Before Eli could argue further, Kamari shot into the air, his body propelled by a burst of flame. He soared above the city, scanning the streets below for any signs of civilians in danger.
Eli gritted his teeth.
"Damn, stubborn idiot."
He then raced after him in a crackling flash of blue lightning.
For the next several minutes, Kamari and Eli worked side by side, their synergy seamless despite the chaos unfolding around them. Kamari’s flames scorched through waves of Infernals while Eli darted between enemy ranks, striking with precision and speed. Meanwhile, all across the city, hundreds of Seraphim warriors clashed with the Infernal forces. Byron, Kora, and Malik fought fiercely, saving lives wherever they could.
Kamari landed near a group of civilians cornered by a pack of goblins and Cynders. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful wave of flame, incinerating the goblins instantly while Eli zipped past him in a flash, neutralizing the Cynders with bolts of lightning. The two exchanged a brief nod.
"You take the east side. I’ll cover the west!"
Eli nodded.
"Don't you dare die on me, hothead!"
----------------------------------------
In the depths of the forest just beyond Ceiala’s walls, Jermaine stood calmly in the clearing, his arms crossed over his chest as Zaire slowly pulled himself from the crater Jermaine had punched him into. The night air crackled with the lingering energy of their brief but destructive exchange. Zaire's dark aura pulsed with malice, but Jermaine seemed unfazed, his expression one of mild annoyance.
"Give up and close the Rifts, Zaire. You’ve already lost, and it’s only going to get worse if you keep this up."
Zaire’s chest heaved as he staggered to his feet. The Nether Flame’s influence was spreading, its whispers growing louder in his mind, urging him to let it take control. But Zaire fought against it, struggling to maintain his focus, though his resolve slipping.
"I won’t... This Realm needs me..."
Jermaine sighed, shaking his head.
"What nonsense are you saying? The Realm needs you? Don't make me laugh. Have you forgotten the century of pain and destruction—and death—you've caused? You and that twisted father of yours. You're the last thing this Realm needs."
Before Zaire could respond, a surge of Nether Energy erupted from his body, his control slipping as the power of the Nether Flame flared to life within him. The dark energy swirled violently around him, distorting the very air as the ground beneath him cracked and fractured. His aura expanded, and the once cold, calculating expression on his face twisted into something darker, more primal.
Jermaine’s eyes narrowed.
"Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be, huh?"
With a roar, Zaire launched himself at Jermaine—his fists wreathed in shadows. He struck with unnatural speed, the force of his punches reverberating through the forest. Jermaine blocked easily at first, deflecting each blow. But something had changed. Zaire’s attacks were now charged with the full force of the Nether Flame’s power. One of his strikes connected, sending Jermaine skidding back across the clearing, the ground splintering beneath his feet.
Jermaine’s eyes widened for a split second before he grinned, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Alright, I see you, Zaire. It seems like you might give me a real fight after all."
Zaire didn’t respond, his mind clouded by the whispers of the Flame. His body shook with the immense energy coursing through him, dark tendrils of shadow leaking from his skin.
"I told you... the Realm needs me! The Rifts... must stay open! Souls... I need souls to banish the Flame!"
Jermaine frowned, his body crackling with lightning as he prepared for another attack.
"You’re going to kill us all with that kind of thinking... Wait, did you say, 'Banish the Flame'? You can't possibly be talking about—"
In a sudden burst of speed, Zaire closed the distance. His shadow-infused fists slammed into Jermaine’s chest, sending shockwaves through the forest. Caught off guard, Jermaine stumbled back as the blow hit harder than expected.
Zaire’s dark aura had expanded even further, and Jermaine could feel it—the oppressive weight of the Aura Expansion. His power, usually overwhelming, was now being suppressed, the Nether Energy choking the flow of his abilities.
"Okay, that’s new."
Jermaine shook his arms out as if loosening up. His usual cocky demeanor flickered briefly as he assessed the situation. The Aura Expansion was strong, much more potent than anything Zaire had used before. It was making the fight... manageable.
Zaire, fueled by this shift in power, lunged forward again. His attacks were relentless, each punch and kick empowered by the dark flames swirling around him. Jermaine blocked and dodged as best as he could, but even he had to admit that Zaire was hitting harder now. Much harder.
"You think you can stop me? You think you can swat me aside like I’m nothing?"
Jermaine, though struggling slightly under the weight of the Aura Expansion, grinned.
"I mean, I was just doing that earlier."
But Zaire was no longer the same opponent. Fueled by the Nether Flame, his power was surging beyond anything Jermaine had expected. Jermaine dodged another barrage of shadow-infused blows but felt the strain beginning to build. For the first time in the battle, he was being forced to take Zaire seriously.
"Alright, time to get serious."
----------------------------------------
Back in the city, Kamari's flames flickered across the streets as he tore through the horde of Infernals, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Despite the exhaustion creeping into his bones, he pushed himself forward, refusing to stop. Ceiala needed him, and with each enemy that fell, he felt a brief moment of satisfaction.
Amidst the chaos, Kamari spotted a little boy, his wide eyes filled with terror as he stood frozen in the middle of the street. A goblin charged toward him—its claws ready to strike. Kamari shot forward, flames bursting from his feet as he raced to intercept the creature. With a roar, he incinerated the Infernal in a single blast of fire, scooping the trembling boy into his arms.
"You’re safe now."
The boy clung to him, his tiny body trembling.
"Mama!"
The boy pointed to a nearby alley where a woman frantically called for her son.
Kamari rushed over, placing the boy back in his mother’s arms.
"Get to the Emergency Bunker. It's not far from here."
He pointed toward a reinforced structure a few blocks away.
"You’ll be safe there."
The mother, tears streaming down her face, thanked him profusely before hurrying off with her son. Kamari watched them go, but before he could turn back to the fight, a cold presence appeared behind him.
Without warning, a powerful grip seized the nape of Kamari’s neck, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. He gasped, his body stiffening as a wave of dark energy washed over him. He didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Zaire.
Kamari struggled, flames sparking weakly from his hands, but Zaire’s grip tightened. His Aura Expansion surged, crushing Kamari’s strength and draining him of the power he so desperately needed.
Zaire dragged Kamari into the dark, narrow alley, slamming him against the cold stone wall with enough force to crack it. Kamari’s head spun, his vision blurring as Zaire smashed him against the wall again and again. Pain lanced through his body, and his strength ebbed away, his consciousness slipping.
"I'm done holding back! Please don't make me kill you, Young Phoenix! Do not resist!"
Kamari’s world was a haze of agony, his limbs limp as he slumped in Zaire’s grip. He tried to summon the Phoenix’s power, to reach deep within himself and ignite the flames that had saved him so many times before. But the power eluded him, like a distant memory just out of reach.
"No... I'll never stop fighting."
Kamari gasped, his voice weak, barely above a whisper. He could feel the dark energy of the Nether Flame pulsing around him as Zaire placed his hand over his chest.
Zaire’s eyes gleamed with a strange, almost regretful sympathy as his claws dug into Kamari’s chest. Kamari screamed, his body convulsing in pain as the Core’s energy was ripped from him. He could feel it—the very essence of the Phoenix, the power that had defined him, slipping away.
Zaire’s hand glowed with dark energy as he pulled the Phoenix Core free, a swirling orb of brilliant, multicolored flame and light now in his grasp. Kamari’s body fell limp, his connection to the Phoenix Core now severed. His vision dimmed, the world around him spinning as his body hit the ground with a sickening thud.
"I'm sorry, Young Phoenix. But this truly was the only way."
Kamari’s breaths were shallow, his chest aching with every gasp. He tried to move, tried to stop Zaire, but his body wouldn’t respond. He lay there, helpless, as Zaire vanished into the shadows, leaving him to the cold silence of the alleyway.
----------------------------------------
Back in the forest, Jermaine stood over Zaire, his foot pressed firmly against Zaire’s chest, pinning him to the ground. Thunder crackled around Jermaine, arcs of lightning dancing across his skin as he glared down at his opponent. Zaire, however, seemed oddly calm, a twisted smile pulling at the corners of his lips despite his seemingly hopeless position.
"You’re done. Now close the Rifts before I end this."
Zaire chuckled darkly, the sound hollow and eerie, as if he wasn’t truly present.
"Oh, but Thunder God... I’ve already won."
Jermaine’s expression faltered.
"What are you talking about?"
But before he could get answers, Zaire’s body began to dissolve, his form unraveling into a cloud of dark shadows.
"Until we meet again."
Jermaine stepped back, eyes narrowed as the last of Zaire’s presence dissipated into the night air. The oppressive weight of the Nether Flame slowly began to lift, and as Jermaine looked up, he noticed the Infernal Rifts overhead beginning to shrink.
He stood there for a moment.
"What the fuck just happened...?"
----------------------------------------
Back in the city, Eli sped through the streets, his body a blur of lightning as he searched every inch of every alleyway. With the Rifts and Infernals suddenly vanishing, the city had begun to settle. All that was left to do now was tend to the injured.
Then, just as he rounded a corner, he spotted a figure lying crumpled in the shadows of an alleyway. His heart sank as he realized who it was.
"Red!"
Kamari lay motionless on the ground, his breathing shallow and weak. His skin was pale, his chest rising and falling with great effort. Eli's eyes widened in horror as he saw the faint, fading traces of the Phoenix Core’s energy—the vibrant flames that had once been a part of Kamari—were gone. His chest, once filled with the power of the Phoenix, now lay empty.
"No, no, no..."
Kamari’s eyes fluttered open briefly, his gaze unfocused. He tried to speak, but no words came, only a soft, pained breath. His body trembled as he reached out, grasping weakly at Eli’s arm before his hand fell limp. His eyelids grew heavier—his strength slipping away.
"Don’t you dare die on me! Come on, Red! Stay with me!"
But Kamari's body grew still, his consciousness fading. Eli scooped Kamari up in his arms, his lightning crackling with urgency as he prepared to race back to the infirmary.
"You’re going to be okay. You're going to be okay..."