The awaking flame

Chapter 3:

Dawn broke over Mizuhama Village in muted gray. The mist still clung to the earth, heavy and unwilling to lift. Villagers gathered in hushed circles, repairing damaged fences, whispering of serpents in the night.

In the training yard, Akira knelt on the packed dirt, sweat dripping down his forehead. Haruto stood before him, halberd planted firmly in the ground.

“Again,” Haruto commanded.

Akira raised his trembling hand. A spark danced in his palm—then flared wildly, nearly striking the practice dummy but instead scorching the dirt several feet away.

Akira cursed under his breath. “I can’t control it!”

Haruto’s eyes were stern, but not unkind. “That fire is not a weapon you hold. It is a part of you. If you fight it, it will consume you.”

Akira slammed his fist into the dirt. “It just… it just comes out! Like it wants to burn everything around me!”

Haruto crouched down, meeting Akira’s eyes. “And do you want to burn everything?”

The boy froze. The question pierced deeper than he expected. “No. I just… I just want to protect them. My family. The village. Everyone who can’t fight.”

Haruto nodded slowly. “Then listen to the fire. Don’t command it. Don’t fear it. Become it.”

A slow clap echoed from the training yard gate.

Sora leaned casually against the fence, smirking, Kai silent at her side. “Touching lesson,” she said. “But if he doesn’t learn fast, he’ll be ashes before he gets the chance to protect anyone.”

Kai’s gaze was colder than the morning mist. “Last night proved what I said. He’s unstable. The Serpents will exploit that.”

Haruto straightened, glaring at them both. “You two may serve the Shadow Koi, but here, you will respect my student.”

Sora raised her hands innocently. “Relax. I’m just saying… if he wants to survive, maybe a real fight would teach him faster than lectures.”

As if summoned by her words, a cry rang from the village square. Villagers scattered, shouting, “Serpents! The Serpents return!”

Akira spun, heart racing. Smoke curled above the rooftops.

Haruto’s voice snapped. “Stay focused. This is your trial.”

They raced into the square. A massive serpent-beast coiled around a hut, its fangs sinking into wooden beams as it crushed the structure. Villagers screamed inside.

Sora drew her twin blades. “Guess he gets his fight after all.”

Kai’s shadow split into three, darting toward the serpent’s coils.

Akira’s legs trembled. His palms burned with heat, fire threatening to erupt. Haruto’s voice echoed in his head: Don’t fight it. Don’t fear it. Become it.

He stepped forward, raising both hands. The fire surged—but this time, instead of exploding wildly, it gathered like a sphere in his chest, flowing down his arms. His heartbeat matched its rhythm.

“Stay away from them!” he shouted, releasing the flame.

A controlled spear of fire shot forward, piercing the serpent’s eye. The beast shrieked, thrashing violently, before dissolving into ash that scattered on the wind.

The villagers gasped in stunned silence. Some cheered. Others stared in fear at the boy whose fire had slain the beast.

Before relief could settle, the air grew colder. The mist thickened unnaturally, and a low, hissing laugh spread through the square.

A robed figure stepped from the shadows, tall and thin, his mask carved like a serpent’s skull. Crimson eyes glowed from within.

“You burn brighter than expected,” he hissed. “Yes… the Lantern has marked you.”

Akira’s fire flickered uncertainly. “Who… who are you?”

The man spread his arms, the mist swirling around him like living things. “A servant of Lord Orochi. And your executioner.”

Sora stepped forward, blades ready. “Another Serpent lapdog. Great.”

Kai’s voice was steady, but his hand gripped his weapon tighter. “This one isn’t like the soldiers. He reeks of blood magic.”

The figure raised his hand, and the dirt split open. Dozens of smaller serpents slithered out, merging into a grotesque, hydra-like beast.

Akira’s flames flickered wildly. Fear clawed at his chest.

Haruto’s hand gripped his shoulder. “Remember, Akira. Fire is not only destruction—it is purity. Focus.”

The beast lunged.

Sora darted in, blades slicing coils apart, but the creature reformed instantly. Kai’s shadows struck from three angles, but every blow vanished into the serpent’s mass.

The robed man laughed. “You cannot cut what is eternal. The Lantern’s curse belongs to the Serpents!”

Akira’s knees buckled. He felt the flames roar inside him, chaotic, begging to be released. His vision blurred, voices whispering from the mist—Give in… burn them all…

He clenched his fists, shaking. “No… this fire is mine. It’s not yours!”

He roared, thrusting both hands forward. A column of flame erupted—searing, bright, and pure. It struck the serpent construct, burning through it, its shriek echoing across the village as it dissolved into ash.

The robed figure staggered back, hissing in fury. His crimson eyes locked on Akira.

“So it is true… you carry the Lantern’s fire. Then hear me, child: the Blood Serpent Clan will come for you. And when they do, not even your fire will save you.”

His form dissolved into black smoke, vanishing into the mist.

The square was silent. Villagers knelt, bowing in awe—or fear.

Akira panted, sweat dripping down his face. His flames flickered weakly before fading.

Sora crossed her arms, smirking despite the tension. “Not bad, Flame Boy. Maybe you’ll survive a week.”

Kai gave the faintest of nods. “Perhaps.”

Haruto rested a hand on Akira’s shoulder, his eyes heavy with both pride and worry. “This is only the beginning. The clans will come. The Lantern has awakened, and the world will burn with it.”

Akira stared into the mist where the robed figure had vanished. His fists clenched.

No matter what it takes… I’ll master this fire. And I’ll protect them.

The pale Lantern flickered deep in the forest, glowing brighter than ever—watching. Waiting.

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