The Battle is over but the war rages on

Flames roared through the house, devouring everything in their path. The heat pressed against their backs as they barely made it out before the structure collapsed in a fiery wreck.

Amal coughed, glaring at Sai. "Are you trying to kill us?"

Sai didn't answer. His eyes stayed locked on the battlefield. "Focus."

Without warning, he unleashed another wave of fire, scattering it in all directions.

"What are you doing? They already died in there!" Amal shouted.

Shi's eyes narrowed. "No. They escaped."

As if on cue, Xei emerged from the shadows, his expression unreadable.

Sai smirked. "Found you."

A massive explosion followed, flames surging outward, sending Xei flying. He hit the ground hard, smoke rising from his body.

Sai turned to Amal. "The king is yours. Finish him."

Amal didn't hesitate. She charged at the king, blade in hand, but he was fast—too fast. With one swift movement, he sidestepped and struck, sending her crashing to the ground.

Shi lunged in, meeting the king blow for blow. Their strength was equal, but the king's movements were sharper, pushing Shi back.

Xei recovered, his gaze darkening. With a single, powerful kick, he sent Sai sprawling across the battlefield. Before Amal could rise, Xei's sword came down, shattering her weapon into pieces.

The sky rumbled. Dark clouds loomed overhead.

Tai stepped forward, his voice steady. "A war can't be stopped once it has begun."

As if answering his words, the army of the Snake Kingdom arrived. They surged forward, clashing with the king's forces, fangs and steel colliding in a chaotic storm.

Tai, Shi, Amal, and Sai turned their focus to Xei.

Sai raised his hands, flames bursting to life, forming a scorching barrier to keep the king's soldiers from interfering.

Xei smirked. "You think all of you can overpower me?"

He raised his sword and slammed it into the earth. The ground trembled, splitting beneath them. In a blur, he moved—too fast to react.

His fist crashed into Tai, sending him flying. Another punch took Amal down. Shi fell next, blood splattering the ground.

Then he turned to Sai.

Xei struck, his fist colliding with Sai's chest—but this time, Sai didn't fall.

Instead, flames erupted around Xei's arm, scorching his flesh. He hissed in pain, staggering back.

For a moment, his vision blurred. Memories flashed before him—a house burning, a woman's scream—

Before he could recover, the Snake Army struck. Their numbers overwhelmed the king, forcing him to his knees.

One soldier stepped forward, pressing a blade to his throat. "Surrender, or your king dies."

Xei clenched his fists, his body tense, but after a long moment, he exhaled and lowered his head.

He had no choice.

The battle was over.

They threw him into the dungeons, locking the doors behind them.