Episode 296: Obstacles (2)

The Fire Spirit King unleashed a torrent of flames that engulfed the field, resembling a river of fire. The heat was so intense that birds flying overhead turned to ash and plummeted to the ground.

Damian extended his hands forward, employing a technique he had learned from the Crimson Knight to control the flames. The fiery path split, diverting away from Damian and his companions, flowing harmlessly to the sides.

Next, he began to absorb the flames into his body. With each breath, the fire was drawn into every pore, and Damian continued to absorb the inferno relentlessly.

This was the pinnacle of mastery known as the Fire Prison Well, a technique perfected by the Crimson Knight. He stored flames within his body, releasing them in battle, making him akin to a walking volcano. Any battlefield he graced quickly transformed into a molten landscape.

“Controlling the Spirit King’s flames wasn’t enough for you? Now you’re absorbing them too?” The Master of Flames looked at Damian with disbelief. “You’re too dangerous to be left alive.”

The Master of Flames raised a fist, and the Fire Spirit King closed its mouth, halting the flames that had been ravaging the field. “Karta, increase the density of the fire. Make it so he can’t control or absorb it.”

Karta raised his hands, and flames erupted from the air, forming serpents of fire that twisted and soared into the sky. “Let’s see how you handle this.”

The fiery serpents descended upon Damian like a rain of fire. He glanced between the falling flames and the elves. “This is going to be a troublesome fight,” he thought. He had to protect the elves while facing the Master of Flames, who commanded the Spirit King. Even for Damian, it was a challenging situation. But he had no choice; he couldn’t let the elves perish.

As Damian steeled himself, the fiery serpents struck. Unlike before, he couldn’t control them. He swiftly drew his sword, Dawn, slicing through the serpents. Their bodies split, releasing flames that, without a focal point, fell under Damian’s control. He absorbed them with the Fire Prison Well to prevent any harm to the elves.

More serpents attacked, and Damian cut them down one by one with Dawn. “It seems you’re too preoccupied protecting the elves to move freely,” the Master of Flames taunted. “Let’s see how you handle this.”

With a gesture, fiery serpents appeared behind the elves. “The so-called Pillar of Pandemonium resorts to such underhanded tactics,” Damian mocked. The Master of Flames chuckled. “As a Pillar of Pandemonium, I must display a certain level of ruthlessness.”

“Burn them, Karta,” he commanded. The serpents lunged at the elves, who screamed and shielded their faces with their arms.

Damian took a deep breath, drawing upon his inner power. “Second Wheel,” he murmured. Two circles formed within him, and a fierce blue light shone from his eyes. Gripping his sword with both hands, he swung it wide. The aura blade spread like a wave, slicing through the serpents threatening the elves. Flames poured out, setting the field ablaze.

The Master of Flames stared at Damian, speechless. The Spirit King was an apex spirit, a transcendent being akin to a natural disaster. Yet Damian had effortlessly dismantled its technique. Even witnessing it firsthand, he struggled to believe it.

“Hey,” Damian called, snapping the Master of Flames out of his shock. “Even if you’re a piece of trash, you should have some standards. Targeting them was a low move.”

Though his tone was calm, the Master of Flames sensed Damian’s anger. “I’ll end you now so you can’t pull any more tricks.”

The flames consuming the field began to be absorbed into Damian’s body. The speed and scope were extraordinary, as the entire field’s fire vanished in an instant. The Master of Flames doubted his own eyes. Damian’s control and speed had vastly improved since the beginning.

“Were you hiding your true strength?” he asked. “I’ve just become more adept,” Damian replied. The Master of Flames frowned. Adept? Was he implying he had grown during the battle?

“You have quite the tongue, throwing me into such confusion,” the Master of Flames muttered. “Think what you will,” Damian said, releasing the absorbed flames. The Fire Prison Well allowed for more than just releasing flames; it could be used in various ways. The fusion of fire and magic intensified, amplifying Damian’s aura.

“You haven’t shown your full hand yet, have you?” the Master of Flames remarked, impressed. “Good. I was looking for someone to push Karta’s power to its limits.”

He issued another command, and Karta summoned flames. Dark red fire engulfed the ground where the Master of Flames stood. “Let’s see who the flames favor more, you or me!” he shouted, his face alight with competitive spirit.

“I’m parched,” a new voice interrupted. Both the Master of Flames and Damian turned to the field’s center, surprised. A man stood there, his skin pale and eyes a vivid red. Recognizing him, the Master of Flames shouted in anger, “Eos!”

The Empire’s Greatest Sword, the strongest human, waved at the Master of Flames. “Leos, your hairstyle is quite striking.”

“Still spouting nonsense, I see,” the Master of Flames said with disdain. Damian glanced between the Master of Flames and the Empire’s Greatest Sword. Now that he saw them together, he realized their faces were identical, like they were cast from the same mold.

“Did you dye your hair to look different from me?” the Master of Flames sneered. “Shut up already,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword shrugged, turning to Damian. “Damian Haxen, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“It’s been a while,” Damian replied. “No need for an umbrella today. The weather’s clear for a while,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword rambled. Damian looked at him incredulously. He knew the man was eccentric, but it was still hard to get used to.

“You found your way to Elfheim. Did you get seasick?” the Empire’s Greatest Sword asked. “Ask later. We have more pressing matters,” Damian said, nodding towards the Master of Flames, who was still radiating a murderous aura.

“Leos, let’s call it a day. It’s almost dinner time,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword suggested. “Retreat? You? That’s not like you. Even you find the Spirit King daunting, huh?” the Master of Flames taunted. The Empire’s Greatest Sword glanced at the Fire Spirit King. “Standing there like that must be uncomfortable.”

“Answer me!” the Master of Flames demanded. “Am I scared? No,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword replied, pointing to a distant spot. Damian followed his gaze and sensed a familiar presence. The leader of Pandemonium stood far away, exuding a fierce energy, eager to join the fray. The Empire’s Greatest Sword waved at her.

“Leos, if you don’t back down, she and I will fight,” he warned. “So what? We’re ready,” the Master of Flames replied confidently. “But you don’t want that,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword said. The Master of Flames hesitated.

“I sense it. You don’t want to fight me now. Neither do I. There are too many here I must protect,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword said, glancing at the elves behind Damian. “Decide. Will you retreat or see this through?”

The Master of Flames deliberated, then grudgingly dispelled the Spirit King. “Next time, I’ll kill you,” he vowed. “Glad you understand. One last thing,” the Empire’s Greatest Sword added. “What?” the Master of Flames snapped. “Eat light for dinner. It helps with digestion and sleep,” he advised. “Enough with the nonsense!” the Master of Flames shouted, turning into flames and vanishing.

The Empire’s greatest swordsman stood silently, gazing at the spot where the Master of Flames had vanished.

After a moment, he turned back to Demian.

“Demian Haxen, welcome to Elfheim. You’ve come at a difficult time, but your presence is appreciated.”

“Aren’t you curious how I found my way here?” Demian asked.

“Lady Milene already informed me. She said you would be visiting.”

It seemed that was why the Empire’s greatest swordsman wasn’t surprised to see Demian.

“I have a question,” Demian continued. “Why do you and the Master of Flames look exactly alike?”

“Is that what you’re curious about? It’s nothing significant,” the swordsman replied, his expression genuinely unconcerned.

“The Master of Flames is my brother.”

Demian couldn’t believe his ears.

“Your brother? But the Master of Flames had pointed ears, and yours are rounded.”

“We’re half-elves,” the swordsman explained.

Demian was too stunned to speak. The Master of Flames added, “I inherited more human traits, while my brother took after the elven side.”