Chapter 2: A World of Flame

  Solar calendar year 198 Tokyo.

  Causes of death are many and varied, old age, illness, suicide. But out of that long morbid list, there's one end that people fear above all others.

  Death by fire.

  ***********

  The crackling rift shimmered ominously over the First District of Shinjuku, a jagged wound in reality that pulsed with an eerie, rhythmic intensity, like the heartbeat of something alive. Its sharp hum carried an unsettling resonance, blending with the faint hiss of distant flames to create a discordant melody that seeped into the bones of the city.

  The rift’s presence warped the atmosphere, distorting light and sound, as if the world itself recoiled from its existence. Around it, the harmony of Shinjuku’s fireproof buildings and wide, efficient streets faltered, their sharp lines and purposeful design rendered fragile against the chaotic force.

  Neon signs flickered erratically, their light stuttering in broken pulses that cast jagged shadows onto the warped pavement below. Shadows rippled unnaturally across the pavement, as if the rift’s energy warped even the light around it, creating an almost otherworldly distortion.

  From the center of the rift, Ranma Saotome emerged, his body dropping onto the roof of an abandoned industrial workshop, its steel beams and soot-streaked walls bearing the marks of years of heavy use.

  His feet landed lightly on the uneven surface, the faint scuff of debris shifting underfoot as he moved with practiced ease. But the air felt wrong—heavy, charged, like the rift’s pull hadn’t fully let go of him.

  He exhaled, but it didn’t help. The hum of the rift still echoed in his ears, sharp and discordant, like a sound his brain couldn’t quite process.

  His hands flexed at his sides, testing the tension that coiled in his muscles. ‘What was that? A door? A trap? A... thing?’ His mind raced, grasping for answers that refused to come.

  The skyline was alien, a cityscape unlike any he’d seen before. Neon lights flickered erratically, casting jagged shadows that rippled unnaturally, as if even the light couldn’t settle.

  Ranma’s gaze darted over the scene, trying to piece it together. ‘Where the hell am I now.’ The thought struck him harder than he expected, a knot tightening in his chest.

  His fingers brushed the edge of the rooftop as he crouched instinctively, the cool grit grounding him for a moment.

  ‘So, this is it, huh? The universe’s idea of a joke. Toss me in headfirst and see if I land on my feet.’ The idea carried a bitter edge, but beneath it, something else stirred—resolve. Whatever this was, he was still standing.

  Ranma’s stance shifted slightly as he absorbed his surroundings. From his vantage point, he could see the interior of an industrial workshop, its wide floor littered with scattered debris and empty workstations. A broken skylight cast jagged beams of light into the space.

  At its center stood a broad-shouldered man, flames licking up his arms and illuminating his spiky dark-red hair with an eerie glow. The man’s pupils, star-shaped and glinting with malice, locked onto a middle-aged woman huddled in the far corner.

  Her arms encircled her children protectively, their small forms trembling against her. Nearby, a young girl lay sprawled on the floor, her unconscious body emanating a faint feline aura that flickered weakly against the oppressive energy of the room.

  Ranma’s Ki sense stretched outward, brushing against the turbulent eddies swirling around the fiery man. The dissonance gnawed subtly at his instincts, a wild and untamed pulse that seemed to ripple from every corner of the room.

  But there—beneath the oppressive heat, beneath even the man’s blazing aura—was something sharper.

  His gaze flicked to the small vial in the man’s hand, and his focus narrowed. The energy within it felt wrong, a chaotic tremor that pulsed against the room’s tension like a second heartbeat. ‘That thing... it’s not just part of this—it’s driving it.’

  His stance shifted slightly, his body tensing as his instincts aligned. The civilians’ trembling forms, the man’s slow, deliberate movements, and the twisting energy of the bug—it all sharpened into clarity. ‘Take that out, and he’s going to slip.’

  Ranma stood still for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the scene. The civilians’ trembling forms pressed tightly together, their shallow breaths merging with the oppressive heat. Their fear hung heavy in the air, anchoring his focus.

  'They shouldn’t have to see this,' Ranma thought, his gaze flicking to the huddled family. The terror in their faces made his frustration twist into resolve. 'Nobody should have to wonder if their world’s about to burn down while they’re still in it.'

  "First the rift, now this jerk?" he muttered under his breath, his tone wry. He smirked faintly, the absurdity almost grounding him. "At least it’s not another Kung Fu Yeti."

  Drawing a sharp breath, his body shifted slightly, instincts settling into place.

  ‘It’s like the universe has a dartboard, and I’m the bullseye for every insane scenario.’ The weight of the moment steadied him as his determination solidified.

  The unconscious girl lay sprawled on the floor, her faint aura flickering weakly, barely holding its shape against the oppressive energy saturating the room. The man’s fiery gaze shifted to the woman and her children, his strides deliberate and heavy with menace, each step pressing the weight of his presence deeper into the space.

  A broad grin spread across his face as he raised the small vial, its contents writhing unnaturally, the insect inside thrashing against the glass. When he spoke, his voice boomed through the tension, a chilling blend of false reassurance and mocking cruelty.

  “Now then, all of you have been chosen,” he declared, his tone carrying a sinister edge. “You’re going to help me find a host for the Pilot Light.”

  ‘Choosing them? That’s cute.’ Ranma’s blue grey eyes narrowed. His thoughts churned beneath his calm exterior, the oppressive heat pressing against him.

  'This guy really thinks he’s in control,' he noted, irritation flaring before settling into a sharper focus.

  'I bet you think the lion picks which gazelle to eat, too.’ The wry remark wasn’t just an observation—it was a challenge, aimed at the cracks he saw forming beneath the man’s facade.

  The woman’s breath hitched as she clutched her youngest child tighter. Her trembling arms formed a fragile barrier against the oppressive heat. “Please, Rekka,” she stammered, desperation thick in her voice.

  “We changed our minds! Let Tamaki and my children go.” Her voice cracked as her grip tightened, her body trembling as if sheer willpower could shield her family from the growing threat.

  Rekka’s grin stretched wider, his voice slicing through the searing heat, each word measured. “You’d gamble your children’s future on hope?” he mocked, shaking the vial lightly, his voice dripping with false concern, the sharp edge of malice lurking just beneath.

  “Sounds like you’ve already failed as a mother.” He popped the vial open.

  Ranma’s lips tightened, his body moving before the thought fully formed. He dropped from the rooftop with deliberate ease, landing gracefully between Rekka and the family, his presence cutting through the heat-laden tension like a blade.

  The sharp crack of his landing drew the attention of everyone in the room. His stance was low and balanced, a calm yet unyielding barrier against the oppressive heat.

  The mother’s trembling gaze flicked between Rekka and the newcomer. She didn’t know who he was, but something in the calm way he stood—a casual confidence, almost mocking in its ease—felt like the first crack of light through the suffocating darkness. Her grip on her children tightened, not in fear, but in fragile hope.

  Ranma’s eyes narrowed as he kicked a loose stone with precise force. The projectile flew through the air and struck the vial in Rekka’s hand, shattering it in an instant. The room fell into a fleeting stillness as the insect within vanished in a burst of light.

  Ranma’s Ki sense pulsed faintly, tracing the jagged edges of Rekka’s energy. It was wild, sure, but there was something deeper—unsteady, like a flame fighting against its own fuel. "This guy’s not just dangerous. He’s a spark waiting to blow."

  Rekka’s grin faltered, just for a moment, as his eyes flicked to the shattered vial. The flames around him sputtered faintly, as though mirroring his sudden uncertainty. But then his jaw tightened, the smirk returning, forced and rigid.

  For a moment, his eyes darted to the scattered fragments of the vial, and the tension in his posture betrayed the effort it took to maintain his mocking demeanor.

  "Control’s not his strong suit," Ranma noted as Rekka’s hesitation flickered. His smirk sharpened. "That flicker in his eyes… he’s already losing."

  “My stars! We’ve got ourselves a hero,” he said, his tone laced with mocking amusement. “Don’t interfere, or you’ll regret it!” His voice rang too loud, a forced confidence betraying the tension simmering beneath.

  Ranma shifted his weight, lacing his hands behind his head with an exaggerated air of ease. The move wasn’t just for show—it was bait.

  Few things rattled someone more than seeing their opponent act like they had all the time in the world. His gaze fixed on Rekka, his Ki attuned to the unstable energy swirling around the man.

  A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "All that heat, and you’re still just blowing smoke," Ranma snarked, the quiet sharpness in his tone landing like a casual dismissal.

  Rekka’s grin sharpened as his flames surged higher, their flickering light casting jagged shadows across the walls. “Well then, let’s turn up the heat,” he growled.

  Ranma raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. “Turn it up? You sure about that? Seems like you’re already running on fumes.”

  Rekka’s flames flared in response, their jagged light casting wild shadows across the walls. His body tensed, his zeal flickering into frustration as the shattered vial’s fragments glinted ominously on the ground. The oppressive heat twisted around him, his energy growing more erratic with every moment.

  “You think you can stand against this?” he sneered, his tone carrying an edge of zeal and desperation. “The Pilot Light will burn away everything unworthy and leave only the chosen!”

  Ranma flicked his pigtail off his shoulder with a casual motion before sliding his hands into his pockets, his stance loose but deliberate. "Chosen, huh? Must be nice, making up reasons to feel big. I just figure anyone who needs to talk that much about power probably doesn’t have it."

  Then his smirk sharpened, and his voice dropped slightly, cutting through the heated air. “But let’s be honest—you’re just playing with fire because you’re too scared to face the cold.”

  Rekka’s star-shaped pupils narrowed, his flames surging higher, casting jagged shadows across the room. The oppressive heat pressed closer as he spat, "You really think you can stand against me? All you’re doing is throwing yourself into the fire—one more idiot rushing to be burned!"

  Ranma shrugged, his casual tone cutting through the heat. “If I regretted every bad idea, I’d never get anything done.” His gaze sharpened, the relaxed smirk never leaving his face. “So go ahead, big guy—show me what you’ve got.”

  The mother huddled tighter with her children, her trembling hands forming a fragile barrier against the growing heat. “Stay still,” she whispered, her voice shaking as she tried to shield them from the chaos around them.

  Her wide eyes darted between Ranma and Rekka, lingering on Ranma’s calm stance. “Please…” she breathed, the faintest flicker of hope mingling with her fear.

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  The First District at night carried the steady hum of a city built for survival. Streetlights glowed with a functional brightness, their utilitarian design casting sharp beams over reinforced roadways. Towering buildings of steel and glass stood like sentinels, their surfaces marked by rivets and panels that spoke of a city engineered for endurance rather than beauty.

  The streets were quiet but alive, with the occasional rattle of a passing vehicle or the distant clang of machinery from a nearby workshop. Faint trails of smoke curled upward from somewhere in the district, barely visible against the dimly lit skyline.

  Shinra Kusakabe scanned the streets below, his sharp red eyes catching faint signs of movement in the distance. The heat haze rising from the industrial district seemed thicker than usual, and a flickering light—too erratic to be normal—drew his attention.

  'A fight, maybe? Or another Infernal.' He adjusted his trajectory slightly, angling toward the glow as his flames flared brighter beneath him.

  Spiky black hair and sharp red eyes with distinctive white pupils set Shinra apart, but it was his sharp-toothed grin that often drew the most attention—a grin born not of malice, but of nervous laughter. The involuntary response, a legacy of childhood trauma, had shaped how the world saw him.

  Misunderstood and alienated by his peers, Shinra had earned the nickname "devil" during his school years, as others believed he was responsible for his family's tragic fate. Despite this, Shinra had learned to wear that grin like armor.

  Gliding above the quiet streets, his bright orange jumpsuit fluttering against his lean, athletic frame as flames from his bare feet propelled him forward with controlled bursts.

  'Karim told us to stay put,' he reminded himself, the words heavy with unspoken doubt. 'But how can I stand by after what I witnessed?'

  As he moved closer, he noticed the smell of burning debris growing stronger, carried by faint currents in the air.

  'That’s fresh. Not more than a few minutes old,' he mused, his brow furrowing. Whatever had caused it was still nearby.

  Shinra’s stomach tightened at the memory of the alley. He could still see the arm darting from the shadows, pressing a vial—one with a writhing bug inside—against an unsuspecting civilian’s back.

  A sharp scream tore through the night, followed by a surge of flames that left behind nothing but the twisted form of an Infernal.

  The smoke rising in the distance tugged at Shinra’s attention. 'Rekka’s name keeps coming up in all this,' he thought, his fists tightening reflexively.

  'If he really is behind those insects, then he’s creating these monsters deliberately. How many more lives is he planning to burn?'

  It wasn’t unusual for the city to feel on edge, but this felt different. Subtle shifts in the air, nervous glances from civilians, and the memory of Karim Flam’s warnings about insect-induced combustions coalesced into a gnawing unease.

  The heat beneath his feet flared brighter as his thoughts spiraled. ‘He’s supposed to save people, not destroy them! I won’t forgive him!’

  His sharp red eyes swept the skyline, locking on the faint glow ahead. Whatever was waiting for him there, he would not let it spread further.

  Shinra’s gaze swept the streets, tracking the telltale signs of mounting chaos, his mind racing to find Rekka before the destruction spread.

  His fists clenched reflexively; his heartbeat quickened. He wasn’t just walking into a problem—he was chasing a monster. Flames crackled beneath his feet, the heat rising in sync with his determination.

  The first scream reached his ears, faint but clear, rising above the low hum of city noise. It cut through his thoughts like a knife, pushing him to fly faster. Flames burst beneath him, carrying him higher over the crowded streets below.

  An explosion shattered the air ahead, a thunderous roar that sent shock waves rippling outward. Structures groaned in protest, their windows shattering as fiery debris cascaded down.

  Shinra twisted sharply, dodging a searing fragment of rubble, and landed with practiced precision.

  Flames reflected in his white-pupilled eyes as he surveyed the wreckage.

  The oppressive heat pressed against his skin, a suffocating force that made every breath taste of ash. Shadows danced wildly along the fractured walls of nearby buildings, cast by flickering flames that seemed almost alive.

  Each crackle and hiss of the fire resonated in the air, a constant reminder of the chaos surrounding him, while the acrid smell of scorched debris clawed at his senses, grounding him in the urgency of the moment.

  He didn’t have to wait long. From the mangled remains of the explosion, where smoke curled upward in ghostly wisps and the acrid stench of burnt metal lingered, an Infernal emerged, its form wreathed in chaotic, searing flames. The air around it warped with heat, distorting its jagged outline as it moved.

  Shinra’s mind raced as he confronted the creature. 'Infernals—humans who spontaneously combust into fiery monstrosities, losing their humanity in an instant. They are the nightmares we face daily,' he reflected. His jaw tightened.

  Shinra adjusted his stance, his body alive with tension. 'This was someone once. Before the flames took over, they had a life, a name, maybe even a family,' his resolve hardening.

  Flames ignited beneath him as he launched forward.

  The Infernal moved first, its jagged claw sweeping low in a deliberate arc, carving molten grooves into the pavement as it advanced.

  The motion wasn’t erratic; it pressed forward with calculated menace, aiming to destabilize him as its claws skimmed dangerously close to his feet.

  Shinra twisted aside, flames bursting beneath him in a pulse to lift him just out of range, his feet barely grazing the molten stone.

  The thought hit him hard 'Human lives shattered in an instant, consumed by fire from the inside out. No warning, no mercy, just pain and destruction. How do you fight something so cruel?'

  The heat from its movements radiated outward in shimmering waves, distorting the air and making the jagged edges of the debris appear to ripple like water.

  The pavement beneath its claws bubbled faintly, the faint pops and hisses of molten stone. Light from the surrounding flames pulsed erratically, casting the Infernal’s jagged form into stark contrast, its edges flickering like a distorted silhouette.

  Shinra swiveled, the heat rolling past him as he dodged, the soles of his feet skimming the fractured ground.

  'That movement—it’s not just rage. It’s torment, raw and unending. Every step they take must burn like hell itself,' he considered grimly, the weight of that realization settling in his chest.

  As the second claw came for his chest in a high feint, he dropped low, his right hand grazing the street for stability.

  A burst of flames from his left foot shot him sideways, just past the jagged arc of the Infernal’s swipe.

  Using the momentum, Shinra twisted his body mid-air, his right leg igniting in a controlled spiral of fire.

  His kick connected with the Infernal’s midsection, the flames rippling outward in a wave that singed the air around them.

  The force of the impact sent a visible ripple through the creature’s form, staggering it momentarily.

  Shinra’s bare feet struck the ground lightly as he transitioned into a defensive stance, his eyes narrowing to track the Infernal’s recovery.

  The force of the blow sent the creature stumbling, but its footing remained unsettlingly sure. Its claws scraped against the ground as it steadied itself, its distorted movements shifting with an unnerving rhythm.

  ‘Their flames aren’t just weapons—they’re a prison. They’re stuck in this, forced to lash out while the fire eats away at them,’ Shinra realized, his thoughts tightening his focus.

  The Infernal lunged again, its claws carving uneven, jagged paths through the air with deliberate precision.

  One strike came down like a guillotine, its force splitting the pavement as molten fragments shot outward.

  Shinra reacted instinctively. Blazing jets flared under his soles, propelling him upward in a tight arc that carried him just out of reach.

  He landed lightly on a cracked beam jutting from the debris, the unstable surface creaking beneath his weight.

  'Every Infernal reminds me why I joined the Fire Force—to stop this from happening, to fight for the people still left behind,' he thought, the conviction surging through him.

  The Infernal’s second claw came for him immediately, but Shinra pivoted sharply, vaulting off the beam with a burst of fire.

  His body coiled mid-air, a tight spiral of flames wrapping around him as he rolled over the Infernal’s sweeping strike.

  As he landed, his palms brushed the scorched pavement for balance. Flames erupted from his feet in a synchronized pulse, propelling him forward into a low slide.

  The superheated air around him clawed at his exposed skin, and the scorched pavement beneath his palms radiated an unbearable heat.

  His momentum carried him beneath the Infernal’s follow-up slash, narrowly avoiding its claws as he used the slide to regain his balance.

  Sparks and debris clattered like shattered glass around him, a sharp reminder of how close the strike had come.

  With a sharp pivot, Shinra planted his left foot firmly against the fractured ground, spinning into a controlled kick. His right leg ignited in a burst of flame, the fiery arc connecting with the Infernal’s head.

  The impact forced the creature to stagger back, its claws scraping violently against the ground for stability.

  'I’ve seen this too many times—another person lost to the flames. I’ll try to end this quick. They deserve peace, not more suffering,' he wrestled with the thought, his chest tightening as he prepared for the next exchange.

  Shinra pressed the advantage, his movements flowing seamlessly as he shifted his weight and readied another strike, his breathing measured despite the heat pressing against his chest.

  Shinra’s focus sharpened with each exchange, his mind cataloging the Infernal’s shifting patterns. The creature’s rhythm was fractured but deliberate, each jagged movement betraying a deeper intent, as if chaos itself had learned to hunt with purpose.

  'Why is this thing so different?' Shinra’s sharp gaze narrowed, his thoughts racing as he watched its erratic recovery.

  'It’s not just reacting—it’s adapting.' he realized, a flicker of unease tightening his focus. 'I can’t let it stay ahead of me. If I don’t adapt faster, it’ll be me on the ground.'

  Every move tested him, pushing the limits of his reflexes.

  A faint cry broke through the clash, pulling Shinra’s attention. His eyes snapped to the source—a young girl trapped beneath a leaning beam. Her tear-streaked face turned toward him, her wide, frightened eyes glistening in the dim light.

  Her small hands trembled violently as they reached out, barely steady against the chaos of crackling flames and the oppressive groan of the beam above.

  'So small... She shouldn’t have to face this. No one should,' Shinra thought, his resolve hardening with every second wasted.

  The beam groaned ominously, its weight threatening to collapse at any moment.

  Flames burst from his feet as he darted toward her, weaving through falling debris with the swift, honed movements of someone who had faced chaos countless times before. The heat bit at his skin as he reached her, crouching to shield her from a cascade of rubble.

  "Stay still," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos.

  Bracing himself against the beam, he planted his feet firmly. The structure shifted dangerously, every creak of the metal a deafening reminder of its fragility.

  Sweat stung his eyes, but Shinra pushed through, his muscles burning with effort as flames surged beneath him. With a final burst of effort, he lifted the beam away, freeing the girl.

  "You’re safe now," he said, his sharp-toothed grin softening.

  Shinra carried the girl through the chaos, shielding her with his body as flames roared and debris rained down around them. He surged toward a clearing, weaving past the wreckage before setting her down behind a cluster of fallen beams that blocked out the worst of the heat.

  "Stay here. Don’t move," he instructed, his voice firm but steady. Then, his gaze softened, and he added, "I’ll handle the rest."

  Steeling himself, Shinra ignited the flames beneath his feet, launching into the air in a controlled burst. As he soared toward the Infernal, his thoughts sharpened.

  'This is why I joined the Fire Force—to protect the ones who can’t fight back.' His body became a streak of motion against the chaotic backdrop, the heat warping the air as he descended.

  The creature’s movements grew more erratic, its attacks twisting into jagged unpredictability that mirrored a predator testing its prey.

  'Even after all this time, they still feel human. But this thing... it’s something else,' Shinra thought, his gaze narrowing.

  It lunged, leading with its claw in a feint that curved downward, forcing Shinra to sidestep sharply.

  The attack shifted mid-motion, transforming into a wide horizontal swipe that grazed Shinra’s uniform as he dropped into a low spin.

  Flames erupted from his feet, propelling him backward just as the Infernal pivoted, its leg sweeping in a deceptive arc toward his midsection.

  Shinra leapt over the strike, rolled mid-air to align his footing, and countered with a rapid burst of flames that carried him forward into a fiery kick aimed at the creature’s exposed side.

  The strike connected, but even as the Infernal stumbled, its rhythm shifted again.

  'It’s moving faster. More erratic. It’s like it knows I’m adapting too.' His thoughts locked onto every shifting variable as its next motion snapped into a jagged backhand that he narrowly deflected with a flame-powered burst to his left.

  Flames roared beneath his feet as he adjusted, the fractured terrain beneath him amplifying his momentum.

  He slid across a jagged surface, his hands brushing the ground to stabilize himself as he redirected into a sweeping kick.

  The strike connected with force, catching the Infernal off guard and knocking it back.

  Yet even as it stumbled, its rhythm shifted, adapting with an unsettling speed.

  'That kick should’ve slowed it down more. How is it already bouncing back?' His focus narrowed, analyzing every possibility at once.

  A jolt of fragmented visions seared through Shinra’s mind—alien landscapes and fiery spires flickering against the backdrop of chaos.

  The sensation felt strangely alive, pulsing in tandem with the Infernal’s erratic energy. For a fleeting moment, emotions not his own surged through him—a sense of unyielding struggle, chaos pressing in from every side, and a will that refused to break.

  The visions hit like a wave. They weren’t just images; they carried emotions, it felt like someone else’s pain pressing into his mind.

  It left him staggered, his breath catching as the battlefield came back into focus.

  Shinra steadied himself, the fragmented chaos fading as his body instinctively found balance. His movements became sharper, each step driving him closer to the Infernal.

  The Infernal roared, its chaotic energy building to a volatile crescendo. The ground trembled beneath the force of its cry, cracks spidering outwards as the air itself seemed to vibrate with heat.

  The sound pressed against Shinra’s chest like a physical weight, making every breath feel heavy with tension. The air around them crackled with tension, the promise of another clash looming.

  Shinra steadied himself, flames glowing steadily beneath him.

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  Rekka’s flames flared wildly, licking at the beams and floors as if testing their strength. The heat pressed outward in oppressive waves, a faint crackle building in the air with each fiery motion. Shadows leapt erratically across the walls, their jagged forms twisting as Rekka’s energy surged higher.

  The shop creaked faintly, its fragility hinted at in every groan of stressed wood. Ranma stood firm amidst the rising heat, his gaze steady and unshaken as Rekka’s chaotic presence grew more suffocating.

  Rekka barreled forward with a roar, his Star Fist Jab igniting the air with explosive force, sending waves of fire rippling outward and leaving a searing trail of heat that warped the air around it.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  His next strike carved a fiery arc through the air, narrowly missing Ranma as he twisted sharply to the side, the heat brushing his cheek.

  ‘One move and he’s wide open. This guy really thinks flames are gonna carry him,’ Ranma thought, his focus already tracking Rekka’s next move.

  “What’s the matter, hotshot? Can’t hit me without burning the place down?” Ranma taunted, darting behind Rekka in a blur.

  His movements left faint afterimages trailing in the dim light.

  With a sharp grin, he slapped the back of Rekka’s head, the sound snapping through the air before Ranma darted away again.

  Rekka spun around with a growl, his flaming fist carving a fiery arc through the space Ranma had just vacated.

  Rekka charged again, his steps deliberate and heavy, the heat from his fists radiating with an oppressive intensity.

  Ranma darted to the side, evading the strike by a hair.

  In a single fluid motion, he caught Rekka’s wrist mid-strike, swiveled sharply and pulling with calculated force.

  Rekka spun violently, his flames sputtering chaotically as his balance unraveled.

  ‘He’s so busy swinging, he’s not even watching his feet. Am I supposed to take this seriously?’ His focus shifting as he released Rekka with a final yank, sending him spinning into a stack of crates that shattered under the impact, the room echoing with the resounding crash.

  Rekka staggered to his feet, shaking splinters of broken wood from his shoulders.

  With a growl, he advanced on Ranma, his steps gaining momentum as he closed the distance, his fists blazing with concentrated heat.

  Each punch cut through the air with a searing hiss, leaving streaks of glowing embers behind.

  The oppressive heat bore down on Ranma as he sidestepped, positioning himself between Rekka and the civilians.

  Rekka lunged, his flames carving searing arcs through the air.

  Ranma stepped in close, his hand snapping out to grab Rekka’s forearm mid-swing.

  With a sharp twist, he yanked hard, dragging Rekka forward off balance.

  “That’s it? I was hoping for an inferno, not a sparkler.” Ranma said with a grin, driving his knee into Rekka’s stomach with explosive force.

  The impact sent Rekka staggering back, his flames sputtering wildly as he struggled to steady himself.

  ‘This guy’s throwing fire like a drunk dragon,’ Ranma mused, brushing ash from his shoulder as Rekka’s momentum pushed him closer to the groaning beams.

  ‘He's like a walking bonfire with no off switch,’ he mused, his focus shifting to the groaning beams behind him.

  Rekka twisted mid-strike, delivering a sweeping punch that carved through the air, trailing flames that illuminated the room with erratic flickers.

  Ranma ducked low, the heat singeing his hair as he countered with a spinning sweep, his kick connecting with Rekka’s midsection and sending him skidding across the floor.

  ‘Big swings, bigger openings. Makes this easy,’ his body already moving to track Rekka’s next attack.

  Rekka roared in frustration, flames surging wildly as he spun in a reckless arc, his fists blazing with concentrated heat.

  The ground shuddered with each fiery swing, embers raining down like sparks from a forge.

  The civilians huddled closer, their frightened cries blending with the groaning beams above as debris threatened to fall.

  ‘She’s holding her kids like that’s enough to keep them safe. It’s not. I’ve got to do better,’ his jaw tightening as he positioned himself between Rekka and the terrified family.

  ‘He’s trying to bury us in his chaos,’ Ranma observed, his eyes narrowing as the force from Rekka’s blazing swings rippled outward, distorting the air with blistering heat.

  The ground beneath him trembled, embers scattering as pressure built in the unstable structure.

  Ranma pivoted sharply, slipping through the shifting currents of heat, his stance adjusting fluidly to keep his footing as cracks splintered beneath him.

  “Come on! Show me some real fire!” Rekka growled, the zeal in his voice dripping with desperation.

  Ranma smirked, brushing his pigtail from his shoulder. "Real fire? This looks more like a temper tantrum with pyrotechnics," he quipped.

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  Tamaki’s breath hitched as her amber eyes snapped open, her lungs straining against the weight of the heat around her. The ground beneath her felt rough and hot, a faint tremor running through it with each distant impact. She blinked against the sharp orange glow flickering through the air, her thoughts sluggish as she tried to make sense of the chaos surrounding her.

  The sting of smoke crept into her throat, sharp and acrid. Everything felt sharp and wrong—sounds, light, and heat flooding her senses all at once. Flames crackled somewhere close, but it wasn’t random. It moved with purpose, roaring with every heavy sound of impact.

  Her ribs ached as she shifted, fragments of memory surging forward. Rekka’s arms tightening, her vision dimming, the sound of her heartbeat in her ears.

  'How did I get here? Why was I unconscious?' she thought, her hand instinctively brushing her chest where his crushing grip had lingered.

  His words echoed sharply in her mind, with that soft, convincing tone as he spoke of protecting the children.

  "A sacred prayer," he’d said, his smile warm and reassuring.

  "This will keep them safe from turning into Infernals forever." Her stomach twisted as fragments of memory surfaced—the secluded space, Rekka’s insistence that the children stay quiet, the sudden embrace—not gentle, but suffocating.

  Her gaze darted toward the center of the destruction, her focus locking onto Rekka. Flames surged with every motion, wild arcs of heat carving through the shop, the glow casting jagged shadows across the walls.

  She had trusted him, believed in the strength behind his words and his steady smile. But now, every swing of his fists tore through that image, leaving behind a man consumed by chaos and destruction.

  'How did it come to this?' 'Why is he doing this?' The question clawed at her mind, every swing of his fists making it harder to reconcile the man she thought she knew with the chaos he unleashed.

  'Was everything he said a lie? Was I just a tool to him?'

  But her attention shifted again as she caught movement near him.

  Another figure moved through the inferno—deliberate, fluid, a stark contrast to Rekka’s erratic violence.

  Each step flowed through the chaos, relentless and unstoppable.

  'Who is that?' her heart pounding as she watched. 'Why isn’t he hesitating? Is he here to stop Rekka?'

  Her hand went to her chest instinctively, the phantom sensation of his crushing bear hug making her pulse quicken. The pieces didn’t fit—everything still felt unreal, like she’d stepped into someone else’s nightmare.

  Rekka’s voice still lingered in her mind, warm and reassuring, but now it clashed against the chaos he had unleashed. She grit her teeth. That moment—the moment she trusted him—was over.

  The cries of the children pulled her back, cutting through the weight of memory.

  ‘They need me,’ she realized, shoving down the lingering ache and forcing herself into motion.

  Crouching low, she moved steadily, closing the distance to them, her steps quick but controlled. The heat bit at her skin, flames crackling around her as she propelled herself forward, her twin fire-tails flickering in agitation.

  Every cry from the children pushed her harder, her breath coming short as she forced herself to reach them. Just a little more.

  Rekka's snarl cut through the roar of flames as his gaze locked onto her. "You think you can stop me? Stay down!" he bellowed, his voice a mix of fury and disdain.

  The fireball he hurled crackled with raw intensity, the flames coiling and twisting like they carried his rage.

  His movements were no longer calculated—they were driven by desperation, each strike heavier, more reckless, as if trying to smother his growing sense of failure.

  Tamaki saw it coming, her instincts flaring as she tried to push herself further, to reach them before—

  Too late. The heat surged toward her, the fireball swallowing the air between them.

  She barely had time to pivot, her fire-tails flaring behind her as she tried to change course—but it was coming too fast, too wide, and she wasn’t going to make it.

  A blur of motion swept her off her feet before the impact could land. Ranma’s arm wrapped securely under her, pulling her out of harm’s way effortlessly.

  Tamaki barely had time to register what was happening as Ranma landed lightly near the mother and children, setting her down with care.

  "You, okay?" he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos.

  For a moment, all she could do was stare, her mind struggling to reconcile the controlled intensity of his movements with the chaos around them.

  Her wide eyes met his, and in that instant, something shifted. This wasn’t luck—he knew exactly what he was doing.

  She nodded, her pulse racing.

  "I—yeah, I’m okay," she managed, her voice catching slightly. For the first time, amidst the chaos, a flicker of trust began to take root.

  She glanced toward the mother and children, who were clinging tightly together, their fear palpable but their hope returning as Ranma stood firm.

  The mother looked up at Tamaki with a mixture of gratitude and desperation. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roaring flames.

  Tamaki nodded, her chest tightening as she positioned herself defensively near them, her flames steadying into a protective barrier. For the first time, she felt the weight of the moment truly settle—these lives were depending on her, and she couldn’t falter now.

  Without missing a beat, Ranma launched himself back into the fray. His body moved like a shadow through the heat and flames, closing the distance to Rekka in a blur of motion.

  Rekka roared in frustration as he threw another wild barrage of strikes, each one heavier and more chaotic than the last. Ranma ducked and spun through the onslaught, his movements precise and unrelenting.

  "Come on," Ranma said under his breath, his tone calm but challenging as he forced Rekka’s focus away from the civilians, drawing him back to the center of the shop.

  The children clung tightly to their mother, who crouched in the corner of the shop as it steadily succumbed to the flames, shielding them as best she could from the falling debris. Their wide, tear-filled eyes reflected a mixture of fear and awe as they watched Ranma deflect Rekka’s fiery onslaught with effortless precision.

  His fluid movements, so controlled amidst the chaos, seemed almost otherworldly.

  "He’s amazing," one of them whispered, the trembling admiration in his voice barely audible over the din.

  The mother pulled her children closer, her trembling hands forming a fragile but determined barrier against the chaos. She glanced at Tamaki, her expression caught between desperation and hope as she watched the young woman shield them with her flames.

  "Stay behind me," the mother whispered to her children, her voice steady despite the quiver in her breath. Her gaze darted between Tamaki and Ranma, desperation etched across her face—a sharp reminder of what was at stake.

  She pressed the children tighter against her, her heart hammering in her chest as she silently willed both Tamaki and Ranma to hold the line.

  Tamaki’s breath hitched when another fiery burst rattled the walls, the heat pressing down like a suffocating weight. But her gaze found Ranma, unyielding amidst the destruction, his movements sharp and precise as he deflected Rekka’s relentless attacks.

  "He doesn’t stop moving," her flames flickering brighter as she crouched lower.

  The steadiness of his presence cut through her fear like a lifeline.

  "If he can do that, then I can hold my ground too."

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  'Where is all this fire coming from?' Ranma thought, watching the flames lash out.

  Rekka lunged again, his fists ablaze, but Ranma deflected the first strike with a precise palm block, redirecting the flames. Pivoting sharply,

  Ranma dropped low and pushed off with a burst of energy, propelling himself upward.

  swiveling mid-air, he narrowly evaded the follow-up punch, his body rotating fluidly as he landed lightly behind Rekka and delivered a sharp Ki-infused kick to his back.

  'His Ki is guiding it—but it’s surging through him like it’s trying to balance something. It’s pouring out of his core and straight into his hands. His body’s reacting, compensating for... whatever that fire really is. It’s like it’s trying to ground something it doesn’t even understand.'

  The impact sent Rekka hurtling forward, crashing into a splintered beam. He staggered, flames sputtering briefly as the force momentarily disrupted his balance.

  The shop groaned ominously, debris cascading around him as he gritted his teeth and reignited his flame, lunging back into the fray with renewed ferocity.

  ‘There’s another energy…’ His focus sharpening as he tracked the surging flames. 'It feels wrong—off. Like it doesn’t belong. It’s not like anything I’ve sensed before. It’s wild, like it’s alive—but not in a good way. If his Ki is reacting to it, maybe it’s because it doesn’t belong.'

  Rekka spun into a ferocious backhand swing, the fire trailing his fist carving sharp arcs through the air.

  Ranma vaulted back, flipping midair, his feet striking a nearby beam.

  Using the momentum, he twisted in a seamless motion, snapping his leg downward in a crushing kick that sent Rekka slamming into the floor, the impact fracturing the ground beneath him.

  With effortless balance, Ranma crouched on Rekka’s back, smirking.

  “Missed again? You’re consistent, I’ll give you that,” he teased, his tone light despite the heat pressing against them.

  Rekka roared in frustration, flames surging around him as he pushed himself to his feet with brute force.

  Ranma rode the motion fluidly, his body coiling like a spring before launching into a sharp backflip.

  He landed a few paces away with catlike precision, his stance low and ready.

  Rekka’s flames lashed outward, scattering fiery fragments across the room, and the already compromised supports groaned ominously under the strain.

  Ranma’s smirk widened slightly, the flickering flames painting sharp lines across his face.

  “Temper, temper,” he quipped. But Rekka’s relentless energy only grew, the heat radiating from him thickening the air and sending more debris cascading down as the structure began to buckle further.

  'That fire’s not just dangerous—it’s eating him alive,' Ranma pondered focusing on Rekka’s surging flames. 'His Ki’s pushing hard, but the way it’s burning out of him... it’s pulling more than his body can give. If he keeps this up, he’s going to tear himself apart.'

  Rekka’s grin twisted, his star-shaped pupils narrowing as he straightened, flames crackling faintly around his hands.

  “You really think this is a game, don’t you?” he said, his voice carrying a forced calm.

  “Dancing around, cracking jokes—like you’re in control. But I’ve seen your kind before. That bravado only lasts until the fire catches up.” He took a step forward, his smile tightening. “Let’s see how long you keep laughing when this place comes down around us.”

  Rekka hurled a spiraling wave of fire that crashed into the shop’s ceiling, dislodging a cascade of debris and further destabilizing the structure.

  Ranma leapt upward, his jump propelling him effortlessly above the falling rubble, the energy radiating from his body leaving faint shimmering trails in the heated air.

  In mid-air, Ranma spun and delivered a spinning kick, redirecting the largest beam away from the trapped families.

  The redirected beam crashed into the floor near Rekka, forcing him to dive sharply to the side as the structure beneath his feet began to crack and shift.

  Ranma landed lightly, his stance lowering as Rekka surged forward, flames spiraling around his fists and distorting the air with blistering heat. The heat rolled off him in pulsing waves, the space between them tightening as he closed in.

  Ranma smirked, tilting his head as if considering Rekka’s words. “Catch up? You’re barely keeping up, pal.”

  He lazily brushed his pigtail off his shoulder, his grin widening. “But hey, I get it. If I were in your shoes, I’d be embarrassed too.”

  Ranma braced himself, his movements fluid as he squared up to meet Rekka’s strike directly.

  Their fists collided, Rekka’s blazing energy clashing against Ranma’s Ki in a burst of raw power that erupted between them with a deafening crack.

  The force shattered nearby debris, the heat swirling violently around them, igniting the air with the sheer intensity of their clash.

  Sparks and embers danced through the smoke as both fighters adjusted to the shifting floor.

  Rekka’s spiraling flames tore through the shop, their searing heat distorting the air in shimmering waves.

  Ranma shifted his footing against the trembling floor, his gaze locking on the chaos ahead.

  The flames licked dangerously close to the civilians, their cries cutting through the deafening roar of the inferno.

  Ranma’s focus sharpened as he prepared to counter the onslaught. The ground beneath him shuddered, cracks spidering outward as debris rained down.

  'That fire’s not going to stop,' he weighed his options, his gaze darting to the flickering shadows and the groaning structure around them. 'If I keep the pressure on, he’ll burn through himself faster—but I can’t let this place come down on everyone first.'

  Ranma planted his feet firmly, his gaze locking on the falling wreckage and swirling smoke.

  With a sharp exhale, his hands swept through the air in precise arcs, slicing through the chaos with a series of powerful arcs.

  The vacuum blades of the Kijin Raishu Dan cleaved apart the thick smoke and flames, their sharp arcs pulling the air into swirling eddies that ripped through the suffocating heat.

  The air around them spiraled violently as the blades carved through falling beams, pulling debris inward before slicing it apart in a controlled burst.

  Flames bent and twisted into the vortex, consumed by the sharp arcs of energy that left the space momentarily clear of heat and chaos.

  The blades continued their trajectory, carving into the far wall with surgical precision.

  With a thunderous crack, the wall gave way, the blades slicing a clean opening that led to the outside.

  Cool night air rushed in, further displacing the oppressive heat and smoke, the newly formed exit offering a glimmer of escape amidst the chaos.

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  Tamaki took her cue, stepping forward as her flames flared to block the stray embers that swirled through the air. She turned toward the children, steadying her voice despite the deafening inferno around them.

  The youngest clung tightly to his mother’s arm, his soot-streaked face buried against her as he trembled. The older sibling cast nervous glances toward the battle, eyes wide with fear, but Tamaki’s firm presence anchored them.

  "We’re getting through this," she assured them, her determination cutting through the roaring flames. The exit was open—now she just had to get them there.

  As Rekka unleashed waves of flame, each burst surged forward, carving fiery paths through the shop with relentless force. The heat scorched the walls, leaving embers smoldering in uneven patterns, scattered like fresh scars across the surface.

  Shockwaves rippled outward, shaking the already unstable beams and sending jagged vibrations through the trembling floor.

  Smoke and fire swirled in controlled chaos around Ranma as he steadied himself, his stance shifting instinctively to counter the tremors.

  His gaze darted between Rekka’s deliberate strikes, searching for an opening in the relentless assault.

  "Is this really your plan—burn down the building and hope I give up from boredom?" Ranma taunted, his smirk cutting through the heat like a blade.

  Even as the suffocating heat pressed down on him, Ranma’s stance held firm, his focus sharp and unwavering as he dissected Rekka’s chaotic assault.

  Rekka lunged forward, his fists blazing as he twisted mid-strike, unleashing a fiery arc that ripped through the shop with a deafening roar.

  The flames scorched a molten path across the floor, forcing Ranma to step sideways, the searing heat brushing uncomfortably close.

  Rekka’s grin twitched, the flames around him flaring as he took a step forward.

  “Boredom? That’s funny, coming from you,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “All those flips, all those quips—you’ve been putting on quite the show. But that’s all it is, isn’t it? A performance.”

  He exhaled sharply, a flicker of heat escaping with his words. “And the thing about performances?”

  His grin widened, tight and humorless. “They end.”

  Rekka’s hand lashed forward, sending a searing blast of flame that scorched the air, forcing Ranma into motion.

  Ranma darted low, narrowly avoiding the fiery burst, his body flowing instinctively as he used the momentum to angle toward an opening.

  The ground groaned beneath him as Rekka’s flames tore through the shop, leaving blackened streaks in their wake.

  Ranma’s smirk didn’t falter, even as the heat radiating from Rekka’s flames bore down on him.

  He rolled his shoulders, easing into a relaxed stance, his tone carrying the same sharp edge as his gaze.

  “A performance, huh?” he echoed, his voice light but cutting.

  “Funny coming from the guy trying so hard to be the star of this little inferno. What’s next? A soliloquy about your grand, fiery purpose?” He shifted his footing, as he gestured around the collapsing shop.

  “Newsflash shows like yours only play to an empty house. And I don’t stick around for bad reviews.”

  Ranma planted his feet and surged forward, channeling a sharp burst of energy into a sweeping kick.

  His leg cut through the air with a trail of crackling blue energy, the force of the Ki igniting sparks around him as it arced toward Rekka.

  The strike connected with a resounding impact, the burst of energy rippling outward in a shockwave that sent loose debris skittering across the floor.

  The momentum carried through, the kick hammering into Rekka’s midsection with bone-rattling force.

  The force of the impact sent Rekka hurtling backward, slamming into the cement floor with a thunderous crack, fractures spreading outward from the point of impact.

  ‘This place won’t hold much longer,’ his senses on high alert as the air grew heavier with smoke. The flickering light painted jagged patterns on the walls.

  Ranma darted aside as Rekka slammed his fist into the nearest beam.

  The groaning beam snapped with a deafening crack, the structure buckling as debris rained down.

  As the structure groaned, Ranma’s sharp gaze darted toward Tamaki and the civilians.

  ‘Time to wrap this up,’ he thought, his movements blurring into action.

  Rekka’s fiery assault had pushed the shop to its breaking point, beams snapping and debris tumbling in fiery cascades.

  “Cat Girl! Get them out, now!” Ranma barked, his voice cutting through the cacophony of destruction.

  Tamaki didn’t hesitate, her flames flaring brighter as she shielded the children from falling embers. “Stay close to me!” she commanded, her voice steady despite the chaos, guiding the terrified family toward the exit Ranma had cleared earlier.

  Rekka snarled, his flames surging anew as he advanced with calculated fury, flames coiling tightly around his fists.

  The heat radiated intensely, warping the air as he unleashed a relentless barrage of fiery strikes.

  Each blow came with blistering speed, forcing Ranma to weave through the onslaught.

  Ranma locked eyes with Rekka, his voice low but resolute. “You’re not stopping me from ending this,” he said, stepping in close and deflecting a flaming punch with a sharp, controlled motion.

  Ranma slipped under Rekka’s guard, seizing the hem of his shirt in one fluid motion.

  With a sharp pivot, he flipped over Rekka’s head, yanking the fabric up and over his opponent’s face.

  Rekka lurched forward, his arms tangled as his vision was suddenly cut off.

  Before he could recover, Ranma whipped his leg through a low, sweeping arc, taking Rekka’s legs out from under him and sending him crashing onto the cement floor again.

  Behind him, Tamaki reached the exit with the mother and her children, her flames dissipating as she ensured they were safe.

  The mother sank to her knees, clutching her children tightly, her breaths coming in shuddering gasps as relief washed over her face.

  The older child looked up at Tamaki with wide, tear-filled eyes, stammering a soft, "Thank you," while the younger one buried his face into his mother’s shoulder, trembling but safe at last.

  Turning back toward the collapsing shop, her gaze locked on Ranma still inside, surrounded by flickering shadows and the heat of Rekka’s unrelenting fire.

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  Shinra braced himself as the Infernal’s attacks turned erratic, its lunges veering wildly before snapping into sharp, calculated feints.

  Each lunge from the Infernal cracked the weakened ground, dislodging stones and forcing Shinra to vault over shifting terrain.

  The chaotic energy radiating from the creature crackled visibly, warping the air and scattering loose debris in jagged arcs. Shadows leapt and flickered unpredictably, each new tremor pulling the battlefield deeper into chaos.

  Shinra’s sharp eyes locked onto the Infernal’s subtle shifts—a claw arcing slightly inward, a pause in its advance that spoke volumes.

  'At first, everything felt normal—the weight, the movement, the rhythm of the fight. But then, something shifted.' He realized, his instincts sharpening.

  'The whole battle changed without warning.' Reacting instantly, he spun low to evade a scything swipe, his footwork carving arcs through the dust-choked air.

  Shinra leapt onto a crumbling ledge, his body coiling in preparation.

  'It started one way, but now it was different. Sharper. More precise.’ The thought struck him hard.

  ‘This wasn’t just attack after attack—it was adapting. And if that was true, then he was fighting something that wanted to win.' Flames burst from his feet, not just to escape, but to transition smoothly into his next attack.

  His evasions weren’t just to avoid damage—they were calculated steps, each movement setting up the next.

  As he launched upward, his body twisted mid-air, channeling the force of his dodge into a precise aerial kick that struck the Infernal’s chest, sending sparks cascading like a shattered firework.

  Sweat beaded along his brow, the relentless pace demanding every ounce of his focus.

  The Infernal charged with renewed fury, its claws tearing across Shinra’s side, heat searing into his skin as the impact sent him reeling.

  A sharp jolt shot through his nerves, foreign and invasive, forcing his body to respond in ways it never had before.

  He staggered, his breath catching as his body tried to adjust, but he forced himself forward, locking onto the fight ahead with renewed focus.

  He spun away from the impact, flames trailing his movements as he shifted into a crouched stance.

  Shinra drew a steadying breath, the heat still lingering, a burning sensation pressing against his awareness as he forced himself forward.

  'Fire is supposed to have a source. It feeds, spreads, consumes.' The realization unsettled him.

  'But this heat? It didn’t need anything. It just existed—like it was waiting for something.' This wasn’t just fire—it pushed past his natural resistance, embedding itself deeper than any flame had before, triggering every warning in his body.

  'I’ve been through worse,' he mused, his resolve flaring brighter as he pushed the pain aside, transforming it into a surge of energy that fueled his movements.

  Faint steam curled from the contact point, but the sensation lingered unnaturally.

  Shinra clenched his jaw, forcing his body forward, his mind racing to process why this flame felt different—why it actually hurt.

  With a sharp pivot, he dropped into a sweeping kick, flames trailing from his feet in a fiery arc that forced the Infernal to stagger back and recalibrate.

  Following through, Shinra propelled himself upward, his rising kicks igniting with spiraling flames.

  Each spinning strike burned hotter, the relentless barrage driving the Infernal onto the defensive as it struggled to counter the ferocity of his assault.

  A panicked shout cut through the haze of heat and dust—Shinra barely had time to process before his instincts took over.

  The civilians were huddled against a crumbling wall, their eyes locked onto the shifting wreckage overhead. The battlefield crumbled around them, each tremor dislodging more debris, the unstable ground betraying any sense of safety.

  A sharp tremor split through the ground, the force knocking a weakened support beam free.

  It twisted as it fell, sending a cascade of rubble down toward the civilians, their terrified eyes locked onto the collapsing wreckage with no way to escape.

  No time to gauge, no room for hesitation—Shinra ignited his flames, rocketing forward and closing the distance in an instant.

  He scooped up the civilians, adjusting his momentum mid-flight as the force of his ignition carried them clear of the collapsing wreckage.

  Holding them securely, he pushed his flames harder, shifting his trajectory to ensure they cleared the danger before the wreckage slammed into the ground below.

  The air warped from the heat of his propulsion, the force leaving a scorched trail in his wake as he set the civilians down a safe distance away before turning back to the fight.

  He exhaled sharply, pulse still hammering as his gaze snapped back to the Infernal.

  It hadn’t rushed him. It hadn’t attacked.

  It was waiting. 'I know how Infernals fight—pure instinct, mindless destruction. But this one…' His stomach tensed. 'it’s holding back. Watching.'

  "Stay down!" Shinra barked, his voice sharper than he intended, his breath still catching from the sudden burst of exertion.

  The civilians barely had time to react before he was already pivoting back, his focus locking onto the Infernal just as it lunged.

  Its frame surged forward, claws carving the air where Shinra had been a second ago, but he was already in motion, flames twisting beneath him as he rolled into a rapid vault, the heat still rippling in his wake.

  'The strongest enemies don’t roar. They don’t rush in blind. They wait. And when something waits before it moves—It means it’s deciding how to kill you.' He realized

  Reading the Infernal’s next move, he noticed the brief tightening of its claw, the tension in its hind leg as it coiled for the strike.

  Anticipating the trajectory, Shinra pivoted to evade the wild claw swipe, his flames igniting in a sharp, controlled arc.

  He landed light, barely a breath between movements.

  The Infernal’s momentum carried it forward, overextending. Shinra seized the opening.

  Flames surged as he kicked off the shifting ground, twisting back into the attack.

  The searing heat of his counter roared as it cleaved through the Infernal’s defenses, sending a sharp hiss into the air as his foot collided with its molten core.

  The impact sent the creature lurching back, its fractured frame emitting a guttural crackle as embers spiraled upward like fleeting stars.

  As the Infernal’s chaotic energy spiked, Shinra’s vision fractured, flashing with jagged, alien landscapes that pulsed with a disconcerting rhythm. The sensation was intense, but it wasn’t just the Infernal’s energy pressing against him.

  Heat curled along his spine, something foreign yet not entirely unfamiliar threading through the moment. His senses wavered, the battlefield twisting out of focus before snapping back with a jolt. The warped imagery pressed against his mind like a half-remembered dream, but beneath it, something else lingered—a presence unwavering, deliberate, and unrelenting.

  It wasn’t the first time he had felt it. It wasn’t the first time it had reached out to him. Flames danced erratically around him, flaring wild and untamed, their heat scattering debris in sharp bursts as he locked onto the fight ahead.

  His balance wavered under the onslaught of sensations until a piercing cry from the civilians anchored him. Drawing a steady breath, Shinra refocused, his flames folding into a controlled, searing vortex.

  The energy radiating from him throbbed faintly, resonating with an enigmatic pulse that hinted at a connection he couldn’t yet define.

  Explosions erupted, tearing through the battlefield as shards of debris rained perilously close to the civilians.

  Shinra’s eyes snapped toward them instantly, his body already moving before he fully registered the danger.

  Flames burst from his feet as he closed the distance, positioning himself between them and the falling wreckage.

  The rippling heat distorted the air, creating mirage-like waves that blurred Shinra’s vision.

  Dodging a falling slab of stone, he shifted, flames bursting from his feet as he positioned himself as a barrier between the danger and the terrified bystanders.

  His flames flickered and surged, their spiraling glow illuminating his sharp focus and unwavering intent.

  -o-0-o-O-o-0-o-

  The acrid stench of smoke thickened the air, mixing with the muffled cries of the children huddled outside. The wrecked shop groaned as its foundations started to give way, embers drifting lazily through the choking haze.

  Tamaki’s flames flickered against the debris, her protective stance a stark contrast to the chaos unraveling inside. She cast a glance toward the fractured opening, her eyes narrowing as the sounds of combat swelled within.

  A sharp laugh cut through the crackling flames, dragging her focus inward.

  Inside, Rekka pushed himself up from the fractured cement, his breath uneven as flames reignited in his hands with unsettling ease. With a sharp tug, he yanked his shirt back down from his face, his cassock disheveled from the fall.

  A faint trickle of blood ran down his brow where he’d hit the ground.

  Rekka exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the impact, his smirk twisting with irritation. He dragged a hand across his face, wiping away the blood as his eyes locked onto Ranma with renewed scrutiny.

  "Who the hell are you?" His voice was lower now, rougher, the usual arrogance undercut by a lingering edge of frustration.

  "Why do you interfere?" The flames coiled around his fists, casting jagged shadows against the crumbling walls as he took a deliberate step forward.

  Ranma’s smirk faded as the weight of the moment settled in. The heat from the flames pressed against his skin, but it was Rekka’s casual malice that truly burned.

  Adjusting his stance, he measured his voice with steady resolve.

  “Ranma Saotome. I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I’m about to kick you through that wall, so…”

  Flames flickered and danced in Rekka’s hands, their heat licking at the scorched walls and sending trails of smoke spiraling upward, carrying the acrid scent of burning wood. The oppressive weight of the heat pressed against the air, making every breath feel labored and heavy, as though the fire itself sought to smother everything in its reach.

  The light they cast threw jagged shadows against the splintered beams, the collapsing shop groaning under the weight of the destruction. He stepped forward with an unsettling calm, his smirk curling as if savoring the moment.

  “You’re just one more body to burn. Hardly an inconvenience in all this ash and rubble, don’t you think?” Rekka’s voice carried a mocking edge as he surveyed Ranma.

  Ranma’s gaze narrowed. His smirk faltered for just a moment as Rekka’s words dug deeper than the heat radiating from his flames.

  Shifting his stance, he brushed ash from his shoulder, his voice sharp and deliberate. “That’s not the kind of thing you say unless you’ve done this a lot before.”

  The weight of Rekka’s words hung in the air, pressing against Ranma’s thoughts. He could feel the cold realization creeping in—this wasn’t just a casual threat. This man had hurt people, destroyed lives, and treated it as routine.

  The heat of the flames seemed less oppressive than the malice behind Rekka’s casual demeanor.

  As Rekka moved, a faint rattling emerged from beneath his cassock, growing louder with each step.

  The sound drew his attention downward, where he reached inside with deliberate precision, revealing a small vial. Inside, a Bug thrashed wildly, slamming its tiny body against the glass as though desperate to escape. Its high-pitched wail sliced through the heavy air, blending unnervingly with the crackling flames.

  Rekka tilted the vial toward the light, his eyes narrowing as the chaotic movements within cast jagged shadows across the scorched walls.

  “Hah… it seems to be reacting to you. That’s rare.” Rekka’s tone shifted to one of bemusement as he tilted the vial.

  The Bug’s movements grew more erratic, its trembling body slamming against the glass in frantic defiance, as though recoiling from the presence before it. Its shrill wails reverberated through the stifling air, cutting against the crackling flames and the groans of the collapsing shop.

  The unnatural sound carried a sense of dread, as though the creature itself was struggling to reconcile the chaotic forces it sensed. Rekka tilted the vial, watching its chaotic behavior with growing intrigue.

  "I see. It’s drawn to you. Angry, afraid, desperate… It knows you don’t belong." Rekka’s smirk sharpened as he lowered the vial, his voice taking on a tone of cruel amusement. "That only makes this more interesting."

  Straightening his posture, he studied Ranma intently. "Someone like you… why do you exist outside the flame? What are you? Could it be… the missing piece we’ve been searching for—the Adolla Burst?"

  He tilted his head, amusement flickering through his gaze. "No… that’s not it, is it? You’re a mistake. A broken flame."

  He let the moment hang before murmuring, "Or maybe… you’re something even more dangerous."

  Ranma crossed his arms, unimpressed. “What’s an Adolla Burst?” he asked, his tone tinged with skepticism.

  Rekka’s expression shifted, reverence bleeding into his features. “It’s what we who serve under the Evangelist have been seeking. Something that can only be possessed by the offspring of the great Sol.” His voice lowered with a note of awe. “The sacred flame to lead all mankind.”

  Rekka’s words, laced with zeal, carried a weight that hung heavy in the heated air. “For a long time, I’ve hunted for the pilot light, waiting for someone who could withstand it.”

  From outside the collapsing shop, Tamaki’s voice rang out, cutting through the roar of the flames.

  She stepped closer, her eyes wide with disbelief as she processed Rekka’s words. “Is that what all of this was for? I thought you were saving people, Rekka. But all this time, you were using those Bugs to destroy them—to turn them into Infernals?”

  Rekka turned toward her, his smile unwavering, though a flicker of something colder edged into his gaze. “Tamaki, Tamaki… still so naive, aren’t you? You’ve seen the results—the flames, the Infernals. But you refuse to understand what they mean.”

  Tamaki’s fists clenched at her sides, flames licking at her fingertips as a swirl of anger and disbelief churned within her.

  She struggled to reconcile the man she had once respected with the monster standing before her, the weight of his betrayal threatening to crack her voice. “You’re not saving anyone. You’re turning people into monsters, destroying lives, and calling it salvation.”

  Rekka studied Ranma for a long moment, his smirk tightening into something more calculated.

  His amusement dimmed, replaced by something more scrutinizing, his eyes narrowing slightly before he finally exhaled, his gaze sliding back to Tamaki. “Minor sacrifices, Tamaki. That’s all they are. For the greater good.”

  Ranma brushed a hand through his hair, ash trailing from his fingers as he exhaled sharply. The heat hung around him like a suffocating veil, each breath pulling in the acrid tang of burning wood.

  The oppressive air felt heavier with every passing second, pressing down as though testing his resolve to step forward. “Evangelist? Adolla Burst? That sounds like something you came up with just to justify this mess.”

  Rekka gestured with a flourish, his tone reverent once again. “The Adolla Burst is no myth. It’s the sacred flame the Evangelist has promised, pure and untainted. It burns within the worthy to guide humanity to salvation.”

  Tamaki stepped closer, her voice breaking with anger as she glared at Rekka. Her mind swirled with memories of the man she had once admired—the hero who had inspired her to join the Fire Force.

  That image now shattered, replaced by the cruel fanatic who stood before her.

  The betrayal burned worse than the flames licking at the crumbling walls, but she forced herself to channel that pain into strength, her glare sharpening as she took another step forward. “You think sacrificing children makes you worthy? You’re nothing but a monster.”

  Rekka’s smile faltered briefly before tightening, his flames flaring with a mix of frustration and scrutiny. “For years, I’ve sought those who could carry it. I’ve lit pilot lights in countless others, searching for that one perfect flame. But you…”

  He exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. “You don’t fit. You’re not like the others. You’re something else.”

  Ranma’s fists tightened at his sides, his tone cold and deliberate. “So, you’ve been throwing bugs at people to see what sticks? How many lives have you burned for this?”

  Rekka chuckled softly, shaking his head as he stepped forward, his flames rising higher. “Why would I waste time counting?”

  Rekka’s frustration boiled over, his flames surging chaotically as he raised his arms, heat rippling through the collapsing shop. "You can’t stop what’s already destined! The Evangelist’s flame will burn brighter than ever!"

  Rekka’s flames surged chaotically around him, their intensity distorting the air in shimmering waves. The blistering heat pushed outward, warping the edges of the collapsing walls and sending bursts of cinders spiraling upward like tiny fireflies caught in a storm.

  His movements grew wilder, his confident smirk cracking into something closer to frenzied determination. The collapsing shop seemed to groan in response, the beams above creaking ominously as Rekka’s flames surged. Sparks rained down in fiery arcs, scattering across the fractured floorboards as debris cascaded from the weakened ceiling with each step he took forward.

  With a roar, he charged forward, his movements wild and unrestrained as beams snapped and debris rained down.

  Ranma blurred to the side, the heat from Rekka’s Star Fist Jab seared the air as it missed him by inches.

  Twisting mid-motion, Ranma channeled a sharp surge of Ki into his counterstrike.

  His foot snapped forward, glowing faintly with energy as it connected with Rekka’s midsection.

  The blow landed with a thunderous crack, reverberating through the collapsing shop like a shockwave.

  The force of the kick sent Rekka hurtling backward, his body smashing through the weakened wall with a splintering explosion of wood and debris.

  Shards flew outward, catching the light of the flames as they scattered across the darkened street.

  Rekka hit the ground hard, skidding through the rubble in a cloud of dust and ash.

  The ground seemed to quake beneath the impact, his flames flickering weakly as he came to a stop just within Tamaki’s stunned line of sight.

  She moved instinctively, stepping back toward the children and their mother. Her flames flickered protectively as she positioned herself between them and Rekka’s crumpled form.

  Through the settling dust, Ranma emerged, his form cutting through the haze like a sharp edge.

  The heat distorted his outline, making his movements ripple faintly in the oppressive air.

  Each step was deliberate, his gaze steady and unshaken, as though the chaos itself bent to his resolve.

  Arthur’s Notes – Episode 2: The Fire and the Fools!

  "dramatic lighting." The floor was mostly stable. Mostly.

  a mid-air defiance of destiny! Tell us—was your victory a feat of mere skill, or were you, perhaps, chosen by the flames themselves?!"