The First Price

---

The moment the fire claimed its price, Nero knew something was wrong.

It wasn't just a rush of heat.

It wasn't just power surging through his veins.

Something had been taken.

And the terrifying part?

He didn't know what.

---

(A Hollow Feeling)

Nero stood frozen, his breath unsteady.

His body felt lighter.

Not in strength.

But in absence.

Like a part of him had been burned away.

He clenched his fists.

He could still move.

Still fight.

But something inside him was missing.

Something important.

And he couldn't remember what it was.

---

(Angel and Nagel Demand Answers)

"Nero!"

Angel's voice cut through the air, sharp with panic.

She grabbed his arm.

"What did it do to you?"

Nagel stood beside her, his expression dark.

"You felt that too, didn't you?"

Nero met their gaze, but—

For the first time… he hesitated.

Because he didn't know what to say.

---

(The Painful Realization)

Nero's fingers twitched.

He tried to focus.

Tried to feel.

But the fire inside him overpowered everything.

It was no longer a power he held.

It was a presence.

A force sitting in his mind, watching.

Waiting.

And now—

It whispered with more than just words.

It whispered with commands.

---

(The Fire's Control Deepens)

The voice inside him was no longer a distant echo.

It stood beside him now.

"You are stronger. You are becoming."

Nero's stomach twisted.

This wasn't what he wanted.

But the fire disagreed.

"You gave yourself to me. And now, I shape you into what you must be."

His heartbeat pounded.

This was not a gift.

This was a transformation.

And he had no idea what he was turning into.

---

(Angel's Fear)

Angel took a step back.

"You're scaring me."

Nero's chest tightened.

"I'm still me," he said.

The words felt hollow.

Angel shook her head.

"No, you're not."

Nagel exhaled, gripping his axe.

"I don't think he even realizes it."

Realizes what?

Nero needed answers.

But before he could speak—

The world around them shifted.

---

(A New Enemy Emerges)

A gust of wind swept across the mountain.

The fire inside Nero reacted instantly.

Not in rage.

Not in pain.

But in recognition.

Something else was here.

Something that had been watching.

Nagel cursed.

Angel drew her sword.

And then—

From the shadows of the burning trees—

A figure stepped forward.

Tall. Cloaked.

Their eyes burning with red flames.

A voice, smooth and cold.

"So, you survived the first price."

They smiled.

"Let's see if you survive the next."

The stranger's red eyes burned in the darkness.

Their presence was different from before.

Not just another enemy.

Not just another threat.

They were connected to him.

And the fire inside Nero recognized them.

It pulsed in his chest.

Not with fear.

Not with rage.

But with anticipation.

Like it had been waiting for this moment.

---

(The Fire's Price Revealed)

The ache in Nero's chest grew stronger.

It wasn't pain.

It wasn't exhaustion.

It was absence.

Something was missing.

Something important.

Angel's voice was urgent.

"Nero, talk to me!"

But Nero couldn't.

Because the fire inside him answered first.

"The price was paid. You are closer now."

His stomach twisted.

Closer to what?

What had he lost?

---

(Angel and Nagel's Breaking Point)

Nagel exhaled sharply.

"You're still not listening to us, are you?"

Nero looked up.

Angel's hands shook at her sides.

"Every time you change, you pull further away," she whispered.

Nagel gritted his teeth.

"You lost something just now, didn't you?"

Nero hesitated.

Because the answer was yes.

But he didn't know what.

And that made it worse.

Nagel's voice hardened.

"Then figure it out before it's too late."

---

(The Enemy's Truth)

The stranger took another step forward.

"You still don't understand, do you?"

Their flames flickered red, the same color as Nero's.

The same shade his own fire had started to become.

Nero's chest tightened.

"What are you?"

The stranger's lips curled into a smile.

"The first lesson," they said, "is that your fire was never yours to begin with."

The flames around Nero flared.

The fire inside him stirred.

Like it already knew this truth.

---

(The Battle Begins)

Nagel had heard enough.

With a roar, he lifted his axe and charged.

The stranger barely moved.

They lifted a single hand.

Red fire exploded outward.

Nagel barely had time to dodge.

Angel dashed forward, sword flashing.

Nero moved without thinking.

Before the fire could react on its own.

He caught Angel's wrist, stopping her.

Angel gasped.

Her sword was just inches from his chest.

And Nero's grip was burning hot.

But not from her attack.

From his own fire.

For the first time—

It had tried to defend itself.

Against her.

---

(The Fire's Will is Changing)

Angel's eyes widened.

"Nero… you're losing control."

Nero let go immediately.

His breathing was shaky.

That hadn't been him.

That had been the fire.

Moving before he could think.

Moving on its own.

And for the first time, Nero realized—

He wasn't just wielding the fire anymore.

It was starting to wield him.

---

(The Enemy's Challenge)

The stranger chuckled.

"Now do you see?"

They raised their hands.

Their own fire swirled in their palms.

Red.

Burning.

Uncontrolled.

"But don't worry," they said. "It only gets worse from here."

Then—

They attacked.

A wave of fire surged toward them.

Nero barely had time to react before—

Everything exploded.

---

(The True Cost of Power)

When the smoke cleared, Nero stood alone.

Angel and Nagel had been thrown back.

But the stranger?

The stranger hadn't moved.

They smiled.

"Your fire has only just begun to wake up."

Nero clenched his fists.

He didn't want to hear this.

But the fire did.

And that was the problem.

Because he couldn't stop listening.

Angel groaned, forcing herself to her feet.

She looked at Nero—

And for the first time, he saw it in her eyes.

Doubt.

Not fear.

Not anger.

Doubt.

Nagel exhaled.

"This is bad."

Nero looked at his hands.

At the fire that wasn't his alone anymore.

And for the first time—

He wondered if they were right.

Was he still in control?

Or was the fire deciding for him now?

And if so…

Had he already lost?

---

End of Chapter 28

.Nero feels something missing—but he can't remember what.

. Angel and Nagel no longer recognize him.

. The fire's whispers are no longer whispers—they command.

. A new enemy appears—someone who knows exactly what Nero is becoming.

.The first battle begins—Nero realizes the fire is starting to act on its own.

. A terrifying truth—was this power ever truly his?

Next up: Chapter 29: Trial by Fire—Nero's first real battle since his transformation begins. And this time… the fire may not let him stop.