The day after the duel dawned clearer, the mist finally lifting. Yet even with sunlight warming the ground, the village carried the chill of fear. Ash still clung to walls and fields, and the air reeked faintly of burnt grain and iron. Survivors moved like shadows, voices low, hands busy repairing, carrying, comforting.
Children stole glances at Andy whenever he passed. To some, his presence was awe; to others, it was fear. Fire still lingered in their memory—his blaze clashing against Andrew's corrupted shadows. To them, he was both shield and storm.
Andy ignored the stares. He stood in the square, shirtless under the climbing sun, blades across his back. Bruises striped his ribs, still aching from Andrew's strikes. But the real weight was inside—ember heat pressing relentlessly, clawing at his control.
Nia approached, staff glowing faintly, her silver hair tied back. She stopped in front of him, searching his face. "You didn't rest," she said, though she already knew the answer.
Andy gave a dry laugh. "Rest isn't something the ember allows."
She touched his arm lightly, her warmth steady against the restless fire in him. "Then let's train until it listens."
The system chimed coldly in his mind:
[Quest Progress: Duel of Fangs]
[Training Phase: 2]
Objective: Stabilize Ember Resonance through repeated activation.
Penalty: Aura Instability may cause collateral damage.
The survivors gathered at the edges of the square, whispering, some clutching charms, others holding each other's hands. No one dared come closer.
Andy exhaled deeply. "Alright. Let's begin."
He drew Ember-Edge and Tide-Singer. Instantly, the ember surged, fire flooding his veins, water swirling to counter it. His vision sharpened unnaturally—colors too vivid, air vibrating. The ground beneath him hissed and blackened.
Aura spikes detected...
The system's tone was flat.
[Aura Instability: 74%]
[Risk of Detonation: High]
Andy's arms trembled. He clenched his blades tighter.
"Anchor!" Nia's voice cut sharp, commanding. "Don't fight the ember head-on—guide it!"
Andy forced his eyes to lock on hers. Silver steadiness met fiery chaos. His chest heaved, breath ragged, but the ember's thrash slowed. Flames coiled tighter around his arms, their shape bending under his will.
The ground hissed again, but the eruption never came.
[Aura Instability: 74% → 56%]
[Partial Suppression Successful]
Andy swung Ember-Edge downward. Fire burst, but curved into a controlled arc, scorching a perfect crescent into the dirt. Tide-Singer followed, releasing water that cooled the line instantly. Steam erupted, surrounding him in a glowing haze.
The survivors gasped.
"It's not wild," someone whispered.
"He's shaping it," said another.
A child murmured, "The fire listens to him now."
The system chimed again:
[Skill Advancement: Ember Discipline (Lv. 1 → Lv. 2)]
Effect: Reduce aura instability by 25% when synchronized with Nia.
Andy staggered, dropping to one knee, sweat soaking his hair. His chest burned as if the ember resented being caged. He almost let go—until Nia caught his face in her hands, forcing his eyes to hers.
"You held it," she whispered, her voice fierce despite her trembling. "It listened. Because you didn't fight alone."
Andy's lips curved into a strained smile. "Because of you."
The ember pulsed again—softer, almost syncing with her heartbeat.
[Bond Synchronization Enhanced]
[Bond Progress: +5%]
[Current Bond: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 45%]
From the crowd, the boy who had called him "Shield" raised his voice, braver now. "He's not cursed! He's learning!"
The murmur of voices grew, no longer fearful but reverent.
Andy rose slowly, blades still trembling in his hands, but his stance firm. "Tomorrow," he said, breath rough, "we push harder. The ember has to obey completely."
Nia stood close, her hand lingering against his chest. "Then tomorrow, I'll be there to steady you again."
Above them, the sun broke fully through the clouds, gold pouring across the ruined square. Survivors shielded their eyes, and for the first time in days, hope outshone ash.
The fire still trembled—but it no longer burned alone.