Roberto sprinted down the wall, his movements fluid yet menacing. He pulled both hands back, his palms glowing with fiery energy. A sharp grin spread across his face as he thought, "DIE!"
“Blazing Force!” he roared.
A massive beam of fire erupted from his hands, roaring through the air like a raging inferno as he descended.
On the ground below, Kazuki reacted swiftly, crossing his arms in an X-shape to block the attack. The searing flames struck his defense, forcing him to dig his heels into the ground to maintain his footing.
But Roberto wasn’t done. Mid-slide, he extended his right hand, forming an open palm within the blazing beam. He clenched his fingers into a fist, causing the beam to erupt in a fiery explosion.
Kazuki gritted his teeth, the sudden cloud of smoke enveloping him. “A smokescreen?!” he thought, his senses on high alert.
Before the haze cleared, the scene shifted to Kazuki catching Roberto’s fiery fist mid-swing. Sparks flew as their clash sent a shockwave through the air.
Kazuki countered with a powerful punch aimed directly at Roberto’s torso. Roberto saw it coming and thought, "I saw that!" Just before impact, Roberto slapped Kazuki’s face with his free hand and followed with a swift kick to his side.
“How’s that?!” Roberto jeered, stepping back.
Kazuki retreated momentarily, wiping a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. “He must be the boss,” Kazuki thought, assessing Roberto’s strength.
“Why are you guys doing this?!” Kazuki demanded, his voice sharp with frustration.
Roberto sneered. “Why, you ask? One thing! Revenge!”
He lunged at Kazuki, flames flickering around his hands. Kazuki raised his arms in an X-block again, bracing himself as they skidded across the ground from the force.
“You might wonder why we want revenge, don’t you?!” Roberto shouted, his voice echoing with anger.
Kazuki leapt into the air, summoning twin lightning bolts into his hands. “Hand of Zeus!” he yelled as electricity crackled around him.
Mid-air, Kazuki growled, “I also want revenge—for those who wronged me! Those who betrayed me!”
Roberto smirked and shouted back, “Then why don’t we work together? We’ll achieve our goals together!”
Kazuki’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold. “Pass. Those citizens you murdered were controlled. I don’t know why, but I don’t like it. Maybe because of morals. I’m sure you have your reasons for hurting and killing controlled innocent people.”
Roberto’s face twisted with rage. “INNOCENT?!” he bellowed. “There’s NOTHING innocent about them!”
With a feral scream, Roberto charged, flames swirling around him. As he neared, he conjured a fireball and surrounded his fist with its blazing energy.
Kazuki sidestepped the attack, dodging the fiery punch and countering with a precise strike. He slashed Roberto’s torso with the lightning bolt in his hand, electricity surging through his enemy. Without missing a beat, Kazuki hurled the lightning bolt at Roberto, using it as a feint to close the distance.
Roberto caught the thrown lightning bolt, his smirk returning as he charged at Kazuki. The two clashed violently, their strikes sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
Kazuki seized the moment, grabbing Roberto’s face with his hand. With raw strength, he attempted to smash Roberto’s head into the ground, but Roberto reacted swiftly, landing an uppercut to Kazuki’s chin.
Kazuki staggered, his body falling backward, and Roberto capitalized on the opportunity. He drove the captured lightning bolt into Kazuki’s back, stabbing him deeply.
Roberto stepped back, his expression triumphant as he aimed his hands at the wounded Kazuki.
“Blazing Plumage!” he roared.
Flames erupted from Roberto’s back, forming a fiery trail that intensified his speed. A blazing aura surrounded him as he charged forward with unstoppable momentum, his target clear.
Roberto's speed was overwhelming, a blur too fast for Kazuki to track. Before he could react, Roberto's flaming punch connected with his face, unleashing an explosive burst of fire that sent Kazuki flying.
Kazuki skidded across the ground, flames licking at his skin. As he staggered to his feet, his burned face began to heal, his regenerative abilities restoring his features to their usual state. He surveyed the battlefield, now engulfed in flames, and his gaze shifted to the towering structure nearby.
At the top, figures moved—a group of people. Kazuki narrowed his eyes, his thoughts racing. "They might be supporting him," he thought. Without hesitation, he leapt toward the tower, intent on eliminating the threat.
Roberto noticed Kazuki’s intent and cursed silently. "He's going after them! I can't let that happen!" Determined, Roberto followed close behind.
As the two ascended, Kazuki summoned his magic mid-air. “Hand of Zeus!” he shouted, conjuring a lightning bolt and hurling it toward the figures above. The bolt struck its targets, leaving Roberto too late to intervene. He landed on the tower’s peak, his face shadowed with fury.
“All of your deaths will not be in vain,” Roberto muttered, clenching his fists. His memories surged to the surface—visions of Mirkdusk. The rejection, the abuse, the cruel laughter.
He saw the townspeople’s faces twisted in disgust, mocking him for his weakness. He remembered being kicked out, shunned by guards and townsfolk alike, left to wander aimlessly. It was during this exile that he met others—children like him, cast out by a society that deemed them worthless. That was the moment the flames in Roberto’s heart began to burn hotter, fueled by his pain and anger.
Snapping back to the present, Roberto let out a furious roar and charged at Kazuki with blinding speed. “Blazing Plumage!” he shouted, flames trailing his every movement as a fiery aura enveloped him.
Kazuki barely had time to react before Roberto struck him mid-air, his fiery kick igniting another massive explosion. Kazuki was sent crashing into a nearby building, rubble scattering around him.
Groaning, Kazuki stood once again, his body regenerating. His thoughts raced. "He's too fast!" He scanned the battlefield and locked eyes with Roberto, who stood below, glaring up at him.
Kazuki leapt down, his voice sharp and demanding. “Tell me, what makes these people not innocent?!”
Roberto’s expression darkened, his voice filled with rage. “You wouldn’t understand!” he shouted, charging at Kazuki once more.
Kazuki braced himself. "This move again! Think! Think!" His mind raced, and then an idea struck him.
Widening his right eye, Kazuki unleashed a gravitational force that began pulling Roberto upward. Despite the immense pull, Roberto pushed forward, his flames roaring defiantly.
Kazuki stomped the ground hard, shattering it. "If I'm right, this will change his direction—sending him up instead of toward me!" he thought.
His plan worked. Roberto’s trajectory shifted, propelling him directly above Kazuki. Seizing the opportunity, Kazuki delivered a powerful body blow that sent Roberto flying.
As Roberto soared upward, Kazuki widened his eye again, manipulating the force to reverse Roberto’s direction, slamming him downward.
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“Hand of Zeus!” Kazuki roared, summoning twin lightning bolts into his hands. He hurled them at Roberto mid-air, the electricity surging through him before he crashed to the ground.
Roberto groaned, struggling to rise, but Kazuki gave him no respite. Lightning magic surged around Kazuki’s feet, enhancing his speed. In an instant, he closed the distance, grabbing Roberto’s head and slamming it into the ground repeatedly.
As his head hit the ground over and over, Roberto’s memories resurfaced—flashes of happier times with the other outcasts he had met. Roa, Lucan, and the others. He heard their voices, their laughter.
“We’ll have our revenge, right?! We’ll succeed, right?!”
The echoes of the past ignited something in Roberto, and he roared, “ENOUGH!!!”
A massive wave of heat exploded outward, scattering flaming embers into the air and forcing Kazuki to release him.
Roberto’s memories continued to flood back—his teenage years, talking with his friends about their future awakenings. He had boasted about gaining inferno magic, but they had teased him, saying he’d likely awaken solar magic instead. “Because you’re always so good to us,” they had said.
Back in the present, flames consumed Roberto’s shirt, leaving him bare-chested, his body radiating with fiery rage. He strode toward Kazuki, his burning eyes filled with unrelenting fury.
Flying burning embers and fire crackling surrounded the battlefield. Roberto walked through the chaos, his heavy breathing cutting through the dense, smoke-filled air. His breath formed visible puffs of vapor as he exhaled. Ahead of him, Kazuki struggled to stand. His legs trembled, but he pushed himself upright, adopting a boxing stance. Lightning crackled around his fists, while dark magic swirled alongside it.
The two warriors charged at each other, meeting in the middle of the battlefield with a thunderous clash. From a distance, their exchange looked like a relentless barrage of punches, each strike radiating sparks of lightning, dark energy, and fire. The air sizzled as their magic collided, creating a deadly spectacle.
Roberto suddenly caught Kazuki’s left hand mid-punch.
"What?!" Kazuki thought as Roberto hurled him into the air and followed in a blazing leap. Their battle continued mid-air, leaping from building to building as they exchanged blows.
Atop a crumbling house, Roberto swung his right hand wide, creating a massive opening in his defense.
"An opening!" Kazuki realized, his mind racing. "This is my chance! GOOOOO!"
Kazuki funneled all his strength and magic into his right hand, delivering a devastating punch to Roberto’s face. The impact was immense, a brilliant explosion of lightning and force erupting as Roberto was sent hurtling through the air, his body crashing into the ground below.
Kazuki descended, his fist still tingling from the impact as it healed.
"I’ll ask once again! Why are you people doing this?" he demanded.
Roberto lay sprawled on the ground, but his mind was elsewhere. He saw an image of his past—the people of Mirkdusk, slashing his face and leaving a deep scar. He recalled their laughter, their mocking words:
"You can’t be here if your only magic is flame! Such a common magic! Most wielders of that magic are weak or just commoners!"
Back in the present, Roberto screamed, "IS THIS WEAK?!" A massive vortex of flames erupted around him as his voice roared across the battlefield. His gaze burned with fury.
"Do you know why I have this scar on my face?! These people did it to me! Even my own family rejected me! Do you know why?!"
His voice cracked as he screamed, "It’s because I’m WEEEAAAAAKK!!"
Kazuki’s mind flashed with his own painful memories—his abusive adoptive parents, the classmates who ignored him, his closest friend Jiro’s betrayal, and the loss of Sato. "This guy… he’s just like me," Kazuki realized.
As Roberto charged at him, Kazuki dodged, creating distance. Roberto stopped and stared, his voice trembling with rage.
"Do you know what I did?! I formed this organization to get revenge and prove them wrong! As we grew, I found I wasn’t the only one who suffered like this. That’s why all of us wanted revenge! You might say we could start over in a new city, but they’re all the same!"
Kazuki, already prepared, put all his strength and magic into his right hand again. As Roberto got close, Kazuki delivered a devastating uppercut, launching Roberto skyward. A thunderbolt crashed down from the heavens as Roberto flew. Seizing the moment, Kazuki leaped after him and delivered another blow, sending Roberto hurtling back to the ground.
The battlefield was in ruins—cracked earth, deep dents, and roaring flames. Kazuki landed with purpose, his eyes fixed on Roberto’s broken figure. But Roberto, driven by sheer will, got up and charged once more, screaming.
As Roberto moved, another memory surfaced in his mind. Roa, Lucan, and Roberto as children. Roa had asked, "What if we don’t succeed and get our revenge?"
Roberto had replied confidently, "We will not fail, you idiot!" Lucan, ever thoughtful, added, "If we fail, maybe someone else will take our place. Someone who will avenge us or, better yet, stop the hatred towards weak children entirely. So no child will experience what we did."
Fueled by these words, Roberto’s flames intensified. He charged at Kazuki, his fist colliding with Kazuki’s chest, engulfing him in a fiery eagle-shaped inferno. As they skidded across the ground, Roberto screamed, releasing even more mana and heat, burning away Kazuki’s upper clothes.
Kazuki emerged, his burns healing rapidly. He punched Roberto again, thunderbolts streaking across the battlefield. In the distance, Selena watched from the evacuation site, her heart heavy. "Please be safe, Kazuki," she whispered.
As Kazuki delivered punch after punch, Roberto saw another flash of memory—Lucan’s words echoing in his mind: "Maybe that guy will change everything."
Roberto’s strength faded as Kazuki landed the final blow. But instead of finishing him off, Kazuki stepped back.
"I’ll show mercy," Kazuki said, his voice heavy. "I feel bad because I stopped you from having your revenge. I want revenge too—for those who rejected me, betrayed me, and killed Sato." Kazuki thought
Kazuki stared at Roberto, his voice softening. "You know, people can change. Maybe those who hurt you are gone, replaced by better people. And you can change too. Who knows? If you’d moved on, maybe you’d be living a better life now."
Roberto’s eyes widened. "Maybe Lucan was right. This guy… he can change everything."
With great effort, Roberto spoke, "Can I ask you a favor?"
Kazuki turned, listening.
"Tell me your name," Roberto said weakly.
"Kazuki Takashi," he replied.
"I’m glad I met you," Roberto said, his voice breaking. "But it’s too late for me. I have one more favor—can you give me a painless death?"
Kazuki hesitated, then gently held Roberto’s neck. "I’m sorry," he said, and with a swift motion, he ended Roberto’s life.
The battlefield lay still, silence replacing the chaos of moments ago. Kazuki stood motionless, his breathing ragged, his shirt torn to shreds, though his body bore no injuries. In his arms, he carried Roberto's lifeless body, his steps slow and heavy as he made his way toward the evacuation site.
When he arrived, the scene was bustling. Adventurers were tending to the wounded, casting healing spells over the injured citizens. As Kazuki approached, many turned to him with suspicion. One adventurer, eyes narrowed, demanded, “Who are you?!” Others followed suit, readying spells in case he posed a threat.
Before Kazuki could respond, Selena appeared, rushing toward him. “Stop! He’s an ally,” she declared, her voice firm. The adventurers hesitated, then lowered their hands. Selena reached Kazuki’s side, her eyes shifting to the body he carried. “Why are you carrying a dead body?” she asked, confusion and concern lacing her voice.
Kazuki didn’t answer. He continued walking, his eyes set on the makeshift graveyard near the site. Rows of freshly dug graves marked the resting places of citizens lost in the battle. Finding an empty spot, Kazuki gently laid Roberto’s body in the hole. Without looking up, he addressed the nearby citizens. “Bury him.”
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances but obeyed without question, silently stepping forward to cover Roberto’s body with earth. Selena touched Kazuki’s arm lightly. “You look exhausted,” she said softly. “You should rest.”
The weariness overtook him. Kazuki swayed, his body giving way to exhaustion as his vision blurred. Selena caught him before he fell, gently lowering him into her arms. “You’ve done enough,” she whispered as she carried him to a tent nearby.
Three days passed.
Kazuki opened his eyes, unfamiliar surroundings greeting him. He noticed the soft fabric of the clothes he wore and the faint scent of herbs in the air. The sound of a door creaking open drew his attention. Selena entered, a small smile on her face.
“You’re awake,” she said, relief evident in her tone.
Kazuki sat up slowly. “Where are we?”
“We’re still in Mirkdusk,” Selena explained, sitting beside him. “After you defeated Roberto, the villagers knew it was over. They returned to clean up the city. Some buildings were destroyed during the fight, but they’re resilient. They didn’t even ask for payment. Oh, and you’ve woken up just in time.”
“For what?” Kazuki asked, confused.
“The Carnival of Forgotten Faces,” Selena replied. “They’ve finally been able to perform the real one. It’s the last night of the celebration. You should see it for yourself.”
Kazuki tried to stand, but his legs wobbled. Selena rushed to his side, slipping her arm around his. “Take it slow,” she urged, guiding him to the balcony.
The cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside. Kazuki looked down at the streets below. Lanterns lit the city, and villagers danced joyfully to lively music. Selena left for a moment, returning with a plate holding a slice of cake.
“Here,” she said, holding up a fork. “You haven’t eaten in three days. Say ‘ahh.’”
Kazuki blinked at her. “What?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself. ‘Ahh,’” she insisted.
Reluctantly, Kazuki opened his mouth. “Ahh.”
Selena placed the cake in his mouth with a satisfied grin. “It’s delicious, isn’t it? The villagers made it for us as a gift.”
Kazuki chewed slowly, savoring the sweetness. “I’ve never felt this feeling before,” he thought. Then, as the memory of a distant summer surfaced, he corrected himself. “No, I have felt this before—when I was five, during the Aomori Nebuta Festival with Mom and Dad. That was the last time I felt this... happy.”
He turned to Selena, his voice soft but sincere. “I haven’t felt this way in a long time, but... I’m happy.”
Selena’s golden eyes widened, glistening under the soft light. She blushed, a warm smile spreading across her face. Before either could say more, a loud crack echoed through the sky. Adventurers cast spells that burst into brilliant lights, mimicking fireworks.
The explosions startled Selena, causing her to lean slightly toward Kazuki. She quickly turned her gaze back to the colorful sky, awestruck by the dazzling display.
Kazuki watched her, his heart unexpectedly light. “I’ve never felt this happy before,” he thought again, his eyes lingering on Selena’s smile as it lit up the night.
TBC