The sky churned above burning rooftops. Sirens wailed beneath the roar of black fire and chanting cultists.
Kazuki stood alone at the center of it all, black flames swirling from his limbs like armor. His eyes glowed—not with rage, but resolve.
Across the square, the Cult Leader raised a charred obsidian blade, its edge dripping with cursed runes.
"Azrakar," he said with reverence, "your kingdom waits."
Kazuki stepped forward. "I'm not your king."
With a snap of his fingers, fire leapt from the ground like a living thing.
The Battle Ignites
Flame met blade. The square exploded in chaos.
Kazuki launched into the fray, a whip of black fire wrapping around the Cult Leader's arm, dragging him forward. Their blades—one forged from hellish fire, the other from fanatical devotion—clashed with a deafening crack.
From above, Yuna watched from a rooftop, flinging support spells into the crowd. Her shields shimmered in pale gold, pushing back the more frenzied cultists.
"He's adapting," she muttered. "Every second, Kazuki's growing stronger."
Below, the Cult Leader's movements grew more desperate, more violent.
"You were born in flame! We made you!" he cried."And I was reborn without you," Kazuki snarled.
He unleashed a burst of heat that scorched the ground beneath them—turning cobblestone into molten glass.
Cutaway — Celestial Sanctum, Above the Mortal Realm
High above, far beyond the reach of mortal sight, a holy citadel drifted on light and cloud. The Celestial Sanctum: home of the High Host.
In its heart stood a tall, commanding figure—his silver armor inscribed with divine script, six wings folded behind him in stillness.
Archangel Seraphiel.
A younger angel approached cautiously. "My lord. The Demon King's essence has reawakened. The city burns."
Seraphiel opened his eyes—piercing, unblinking.
"So it begins," he said softly. "The Seal of Binding weakens. Azrakar stirs within the boy."
"Shall we strike?" the younger angel asked.
"No," Seraphiel said. "Let the flames test him first. If he succumbs, then we descend."
He walked toward the Sanctum's edge, gazing down upon the mortal realm.
"If he still walks the path of destruction…" His wings flared out wide, casting long shadows. "I'll ensure he never rises again."
Back in the City – Final Clash
Kazuki panted, blood running down his temple. The Cult Leader staggered as molten chains snapped around his limbs—Kazuki's trap had worked.
"This is the end," Kazuki said.
The Leader laughed, coughing blood. "You think this is the end? This is your invitation."
"You've already lost."
"I served your flame once," the Leader hissed, "and I will serve it again. Whether you accept the throne… or burn on it."
Kazuki stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Then burn first."
He raised his hand.
Above, the sky tore open—revealing a burning sigil the size of a city block.
Ashfall.The forgotten spell rained molten embers like falling stars.
Screams filled the night.
The Cult scattered—those not caught in the spell retreated into the smoke.
Aftermath
Yuna landed beside Kazuki, the fire reflecting in her wide eyes. "That wasn't just power. That was ancient."
"I remembered something," Kazuki said quietly.
She turned to him. "What?"
"The moment before Azrakar died."
He looked up—beyond the clouds, toward something far above.
"He said he'd return. Not to reclaim power… but to end the war he started."
Celestial Sanctum — Seraphiel Watched
From above, Seraphiel narrowed his eyes.
"He's remembering too much."
He turned away.
"Prepare the blade."
To be continued...