chapter 4

The wind howled softly through the forest, carrying with it the faint rustle of leaves and the labored breathing of a boy lying in a massive crater. Kaelen, just thirteen years old, lay at the center of the destruction he had caused. The crater stretched 200 meters in every direction, a stark reminder of the power he had unleashed with Berserk Storm.

His body refused to move, drained of all energy. He struggled, his muscles aching, his mind racing. Move... he thought, gritting his teeth against the pain, but his body remained still. He tried reaching for that overwhelming power he had felt just moments before, but it was gone. Frustration swelled within him.

Why? His frustration deepened, swirling into anger, then fury. With each passing second, his emotions intensified. Then, something shifted. He felt it—his energy slowly returning. Interesting, he thought. So, when I feel negative emotions... I become stronger.

Forcing himself to his feet, Kaelen tried to make sense of it all. Why did I feel so powerful back in the forest? And then, when the Holy Protectors arrived, it was like all that power just... faded away. The thought gnawed at him. It can’t be because of the Demonic Death Bomb—it only took a small fraction of my energy, maybe a twentieth. But why did I suddenly weaken afterward?

He clenched his fists, frustration rising again, and with it, a faint surge of power. Could it be because... my emotions were flowing out all at once, like a flood? His eyes widened as realization struck him. That’s it! I felt so strong because I released years of bottled-up emotions. But I can’t just summon that kind of intensity at will... unless...

Unless I store up my negative emotions and release them when needed.

The thought sent a chill of excitement down his spine. That’s how I’ll do it. But I need a name for this power... something fitting.

For now, though, he pushed the thought aside and scanned his surroundings. The massive crater stretched endlessly before him, a testament to the destructive force of Berserk Storm. It’s strong, he mused, stepping toward the edge, but it won’t be enough to take down Akahi.

It took him a few minutes to climb out of the crater. As he walked, he could feel his energy slowly starting to return, but there was still a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. I’ll need something even stronger.

Kaelen continued walking through the forest, his mind still racing from the power he had unleashed. But suddenly, he felt something—a presence, an energy unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

What is this? he thought, his muscles tensing. The air around him seemed to darken, the energy so powerful, so… dark.

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A low, sinister chuckle echoed through the trees. “Mhmhmhm… hello, kid.”

Kaelen turned, eyes narrowing as a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, his red eyes gleaming. “I felt some demonic energy and came to check it out… and look what I find—a kid who can create a storm of demonic energy.”

“Demonic energy…,” Kaelen repeated, a smirk playing at his lips. So that’s what it is—the power I’ve been using all this time. He felt a surge of satisfaction. If this power makes me strong enough to kill Akahi, then it’s good enough for me.

“Do you know something about this demonic energy, old man?” Kaelen asked, his voice sharp.

The figure in the black hood let out a dark, mocking laugh. “Old man, huh? Hahaha! But as for your question, why should I tell you?”

Kaelen’s smirk widened. “Because if you don’t, I’ll beat it out of you.”

“Mahaaha! A fight, is it? Alright then, bring it on, kid!”

Kaelen wasted no time, charging forward. Before he’d entered the forest, he had already been strong—years of working out because he couldn’t use magic had hardened his body. But now, with his emotions unlocked, he could feel the demonic energy boosting his every move.

He focused that dark power into his fist, feeling it pulse and thrum with energy. This will take him down, he thought confidently. But as he threw his punch, the figure simply smirked, swatting the attack away as though it were nothing.

Before Kaelen could react, the man’s foot slammed into his chest, sending him flying. Blood spilled from his lips as he crashed into a tree, the impact sending shockwaves through his body. But before he could even catch his breath, the figure was already behind him, kicking him high into the air.

Kaelen barely managed to stay conscious, his body wracked with pain.

The man raised a hand, his voice deep and commanding. "I call upon you, fire spirits of the inferno! Come forth and obey my will!"

Twelve fire spirits materialized around the man, their flaming bodies writhing like serpents in the night. “Give me your power!” The spirits tried to resist, but their struggle was in vain as they were forcefully absorbed into the man’s outstretched hand.

From the depths of the abyss, where darkness and flame converge, I summon the wrath of the inferno! Let the cursed flames of the underworld take shape—form the dragon of destruction! O Flames of Hell, come forth! With the power of the fire spirits and the demonic energy I possess, I order thee to destroy all in your path! Rise, Demonic Fire Dragon Missile!

The sky darkened as a massive fire dragon, easily over 100 meters tall, took shape in the air. Its body was a swirling mass of orange, red, and black flames, its very presence exuding destruction. The ground beneath Kaelen shook as the dragon advanced slowly, its fiery eyes locked onto him.

“Oh crap…” Kaelen muttered, his heart pounding. The sheer size and intensity of the dragon left him paralyzed. Demonic Death Bomb won’t be enough, he thought, panic creeping in. And I don’t have enough energy left for Berserk Storm… what do I do?!

Despite the danger, despite the overwhelming force approaching him, Kaelen felt something else stirring inside. Not fear, but excitement.

I’m going to die… but I’m… excited? He couldn’t stop himself from laughing, even as the dragon’s flames began to engulf him. The first layers of his skin burned away, but there was no blood—just ash.

I can’t die yet, he thought, his laughter mixing with the crackling of flames. Not yet…

The figure watched with a raised brow, surprised. "Hmm, the kid is surviving longer than I thought. That’s one of my more powerful moves." He chuckled, his eyes glinting in amusement.