Storm-Worn Plains
Lightning split the sky as Nova slid back across the mud, boots digging trenches into the soaked earth. The Forge-Wrought advanced with heavy, uneven steps—each one sounding like hammer strikes on an anvil. Rain hissed against its body, steaming where it touched the glowing runes carved into its skin.
Nova tightened his grip on his sword.
His breath was sharp. Controlled.
But his heart was pounding too fast.
He had fought monsters.
He had fought men.
But this—
This was a mistake born in the Old Forge.
Something his father's hands helped build.
Something that should never have had a soul.
The creature raised its weapon—a jagged greatsword of fused bone and black steel.
Nova moved.
Silent Step.
His body vanished into motion—no sound, no breath, no impact. He reappeared behind the creature, blade flashing in the rain.
Triple Strike.
One
Two
Three blows—angled to sever joints and rune channels.
Sparks burst like stars.
But the creature didn't falter.
It turned its head—slowly—almost curiously.
"Improved."
Its voice was like heat over metal.
"But not enough."
The greatsword came down like a guillotine.
Nova blocked.
The impact shook the earth.
Silvercrest Academy
Sorra stood in the center of a crater of scorched stone, her breath ragged, her hair whipping in the heat that poured from her body. The flame around her didn't burn red or gold as the legends claimed.
It burned white.
Pure.
Unstable.
The envoy steadied themselves, cloak smoldering at the edges.
"Phoenix Flame… altered by foreign mana." Their expression darkened. "You are no natural heir. You are a threat."
They raised their hand—and the courtyard flared gold.
A pillar of flame roared toward Sorra.
Sorra raised her arms without thinking—
Inferno Cage.
White fire erupted, clashing with the envoy's flame mid-air. The courtyard flashed with blinding light. Students shielded their eyes. Stone glowed molten along the cracks.
Sorra felt her magic rising too fast—like it wanted to consume her.
"Come on…" she rasped, breathing hard. "Don't… burn me… too."
Nico rushed to her side—only to be forced back by the heat.
"Sorra! Stop! You'll overload your mana!"
"I don't—" her voice cracked, flame flaring higher, "—I don't know how!"
The envoy stepped through the flames unharmed.
Their eyes were calm.
Sympathetic.
Almost regretful.
"You were not meant to awaken alone."
They extended a hand—
not to attack—
but to take hers.
"Let me guide you."
Sorra froze.
Something deep in her chest trembled.
Then—
She looked up.
And remembered Nova's smile.
"No."
The courtyard shook as white fire surged again.
Storm-Worn Plains
Nova slid back again, boots nearly losing grip in the mud. His sword arm trembled from the force of the last clash. The creature didn't tire. Didn't breathe. Didn't bleed.
He needed something stronger.
Something faster.
Something that struck like lightning—
The idea hit him as the sky cracked open above.
He raised his free hand, focusing Creation not on objects—
but on elemental structure.
Mana spiraled through his veins, burning like molten metal.
Total Creation — Lightning Affinity.
The world flashed white.
Thunder howled.
Lightning wrapped his arm like a living serpent.
Nova exhaled.
"…Round two."
He vanished.
Silent Step, amplified with lightning.
He moved faster than his own shadow.
His blade struck—
And this time, the Forge-Wrought staggered.
Silvercrest Academy
The envoy braced, shielding their face as Sorra's white flame rushed outward, burning so bright it rivaled sunlight. The air wavered—hot enough to melt steel.
Sorra's voice echoed, layered with something ancient.
"I am not the Crown's fire."
She stepped forward—white flame swirling like wings.
"I am my own."
The envoy lowered their hand.
Their expression shifted.
Not anger.
Recognition.
"…Grey blood."
The words fell like iron.
Students whispered.
Sorra's pulse stopped for half a second.
The envoy sighed.
"Then this is no longer retrieval."
Their aura expanded—gold flame roaring.
"This is containment."
Far Away — Storm-Worn Plains
Nova charged.
Lightning cracked from his blade.
Triple Strike landed—
one blow to the chest—
one to the shoulder—
one to the core rune at the sternum—
The creature jerked—metal cracking—
And for the first time—
It bled light.
But it didn't fall.
It leaned close, ember eyes burning.
"There are more."
Nova's blood ran cold.
"…More?"
The creature's voice rasped like dying flame.
"Forged.
Waiting.
Hunting."
Thunder crashed.
The Forge-Wrought seized Nova's collar—lifting him off the ground—
"They are coming…"
Silvercrest Academy
The envoy advanced.
Sorra braced.
Flame met flame.
Two storms.
Two bloodlines.
Two destinies rising at once.
Unseen by both—
The sky above the Academy cracked with lightning.