The burden of Flames

.A deeper internal struggle for Nero – His visions and his fire continue to torment him.

.Angel and Nagel's fear – They don't trust Nero's power anymore and start questioning what to do next.

.A growing threat – The group isn't alone. Something begins to follow them.

.A turning point – Nero must decide if he will fight his fire's will or accept its destiny.

---

The weight of the vision clung to Nero like thick smoke.

Even as they left the ruins behind, he could still feel and hear the screams of the lost city, still feel the heat of its flames burning through his soul.

The warrior in the vision had spoken to him.

"You carry my fire."

Do you think it's actually yours

You are not worth to carry my fire that's why you can't control it.

What did that mean?

Was he chosen? Or was he just a vessel for something greater?

And if the fire had burned a whole city to the ground before…

What would stop it from happening again?

---

(The Distance Between Them)

The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the jagged cliffs and endless fields stretching ahead.

Angel and Nagel walked ahead of him, speaking in hushed whispers.

Nero clenched his fists.

He was thinking

They were afraid.

Afraid of him.

Nagel had always been the loud one, the reckless one. But now, he was so quiet, his usual smirk replaced by a hard stare.

Angel, usually calm, kept glancing at Nero from the corner of her eye Incase if she notice anything strange.

She was watching him.

Waiting.

For what?

For him to lose control?

---

(The Fire That Wouldn't Die)

Nero's flames had always been a part of him. A gift. A power that had made him strong.

But now…

It felt like a beast inside his chest, scratching to break free.

His fingertips tingled with heat. Sparks flickered along his arms, rising into the air like dying embers.

He gritted his teeth, trying to push it down.

But the fire pushed back.

Harder.

Hotter.

Like it was testing him.

"Why now?"

"Why does it feel like my own fire is fighting me?"

Then—

A whisper.

Soft. Ancient.

Not from Angel.

Not from Nagel.

From the fire itself.

"You cannot run from me."

---

(Fear in Their Eyes)

The moment Nero staggered, Angel turned, her sword half-drawn.

"Nero what's happening again?"

Nagel took a step back, eyes narrowing. "His hands."

Nero looked down.

Flames crawled up his arms, twisting like snakes of light, flickering between gold and white.

Angel's face paled. "Nero, control it."

"I—I'm trying," he rasped.

The fire crackled, alive.

Nagel gripped his axe. "Yeah? Because it doesn't look like you're trying hard enough."

Nero sucked in a sharp breath.

It was the first time Nagel had ever looked at him with fear.

---

(The Hunter in the Shadows)

Then—

Something shifted in the darkness.

A movement.

A shape.

Nero felt it at first.

A presence—watching them from the trees.

Angel drew her sword. "We're not alone."

Nagel exhaled. "Finally. I was getting bored."

Then—

It spoke.

"You are too weak."

A voice like grinding stone, cold and distant.

The air turned sharp, thick with an unseen pressure.

Nero clenched his fists. "Who's there?"

No answer.

Then—

The trees moved.

A shadow lunged forward.

And the flames inside Nero exploded.

---

(The Fire Takes Over)

The instant the shadow attacked, Nero's fire reacted before he did.

It roared to life, white-hot and blinding, surging outward like a living thing.

Angel and Nagel stumbled back, shielding their eyes.

The creature—whatever it was—halted mid-charge.

Nero barely saw it through the firelight.

A blackened figure, its form twisted, its eyes burning red.

It hissed at the flames, retreating just beyond their reach.

Nero's breath came fast. His flames weren't just reacting.

They were angry.

They were hunting.

---

(A Dangerous Realization)

Angel's voice cut through the chaos. "Nero! Stop!"

"I can't control it,it's too strong for me to control

"Angel voice reached him again

Take a deep breath and free yourself"

I know you can do this.

Nero blinked, snapping back to himself.

The flames flickered, then died.

The shadow vanished into the trees.

For a long moment, there was only silence.

Then Nagel spoke.

His voice was quiet.

"You almost lost yourself."

Nero's stomach twisted.

Because he wasn't sure if Nagel was wrong.

---

(The Choice That Must Be Made)

Angel sheathed her sword, eyes locked on Nero.

"We need to talk."

Nero exhaled. "I know."

She hesitated. "Your fire… it's changing."

Nagel scoffed. "Yeah, no kidding. And if he can't control it, what then?"

Angel flinched. "Nagel—"

"No." Nagel's eyes darkened. "We just watched him almost burn something alive without even meaning to. What happens when he can't stop it?"

The words hit hard.

Because Nero didn't have an answer.

Because he had asked himself the same question over and over.

Angel stepped forward. "We need to figure this out. Before it's too late."

I know this isn't the right time

But we have to talk about this .

Nero clenched his fists.

"Before what?"

Angel hesitated. "Before you become something else."

Silence.

Then, Nero whispered:

"What if I already am?"

"What if this flames are turning me into someone like Nachogi?.

---

(The Path Ahead)

They continued walking, but the air was thick with an unspoken fears.

Angel and Nagel were watching him very closely now.

Not just as a friend.

But as a threat.

And Nero?

He wasn't sure they were wrong.

Because deep inside, something was changing in him

And he was beginning to wonder…

If it was too late to stop it.

---

End of Chapter 15

. Nero struggles with his fire—it's no longer fully his to control.

.Angel and Nagel are afraid—his power is becoming dangerous.

.A new enemy appears, but Nero's fire attacks on its own.

.A crucial choice—can Nero still fight this, or is he already too far gone?

Next up:Chapter 16:The path of fire --Nero's decision will shape the fate of everything.