The Fire's Will

. Nero's internal war reaches its peak – Is he choosing power, or is the fire choosing for him?

. Angel and Nagel's desperate defiance – If Nero won't fight back, they will fight for him.

. The stranger reveals the ultimate truth – The fire's will has never been just about power.

.A trial of flame and pain – To become the ruler of fire, Nero must prove his worth.

.A moment of irreversible change – Nero's decision will alter his fate forever.

---

The fire inside Nero was silent now.

No more whispers.

No more commands.

It had given him everything.

And now—

It was waiting for him to choose.

Would he be its master?

Or its vessel?

---

(The Weight of Power)

Nero's flames flickered around him.

They no longer lashed out wildly.

No longer acted on their own.

Instead, they watched.

Waited.

Like the fire itself had stopped pushing.

Stopped demanding.

Because it had finally realized—

Nero had to accept it willingly.

Or not at all.

---

(Angel and Nagel's Final Attempt)

"Nero," Angel whispered.

She still held onto his wrist, her grip firm but trembling.

"You don't have to do this."

Nagel stood beside her, axe lowered, but ready.

"If you can't stop this," he muttered, "we will."

The flames flickered around Nero's hands.

They heard those words.

And they didn't like them.

---

(The Fire's Hunger)

Heat pulsed through Nero's veins.

Not pain.

Not rage.

Purpose.

The fire wasn't fighting him anymore.

It was offering itself.

"You are ready."

His breath hitched.

The fire didn't want to consume him.

It wanted him to accept it.

To become what it needed.

And deep inside—

A part of him wanted to say yes.

---

(The Stranger's True Plan)

The cloaked figure took a step forward.

They knew what was happening.

And they approved.

"You feel it, don't you?"

Their voice was smooth, knowing.

"You were never just a wielder of fire. You were meant to be its ruler."

"You are meant to be his commander"

Nero's heartbeat pounded.

A ruler?

The flames responded.

They rose higher, circling around him in a protective inferno.

They agreed.

---

(Angel's Breaking Point)

Angel's grip tightened.

"Nero, look at me."

Her voice shook.

"You're stronger than this. You're stronger than it."

Nero met her gaze.

And in that moment—

He realized how much she feared losing him.

But deep inside…

Hadn't he already been lost?

---

(The Fire's Will Revealed)

The flames whispered one final truth.

"This world has no king."

A pause.

"We will make one."

The fire didn't just want a master.

It wanted a ruler.

A force that would burn away the weak.

A leader who would reshape the world.

And it had chosen Nero to be his master.

---

(The Last Test)

The flames rose, towering around him.

A throne of fire, built just for him.

The stranger raised their arms.

"Kneel," they said.

"If you accept it, the fire will never betray you again."

Nero's breath caught.

If he accepted—

The whispers would stop.

The pain would end.

The fire would be his completely.

And yet—

Angel still held on.

Nagel still stood ready.

His last ties to his old self.

---

(The Final Choice)

The fire wrapped around him, waiting for Nero to make his choice.

The stranger watched.

Angel and Nagel held their breath.

Nero stood between two worlds.

A choice that would change everything.

And so, he made it.

---

The flames surged higher, crackling with power.

They had waited long enough.

It was time for Nero to decide.

Would he rise as their ruler?

Or would he be consumed?

---

(Angel and Nagel's Last Stand)

Angel refused to let go.

Her hand was still on his wrist, firm but shaking.

"Nero, listen to me," she pleaded.

"You are stronger than this! You don't need the fire to control you!"

Nagel's grip on his axe tightened.

"If you go any further, we won't have a choice," he warned.

His voice was rough.

Not angry.

Not afraid.

Just tired.

He had already accepted what was happening.

And if Nero didn't turn back—

They might have to stop him.

---

(The Stranger's Final Words)

The cloaked figure took a step forward.

"You think they can still save you?"

Their red eyes burned with certainty.

"They do not understand."

A pause.

"They are afraid of what you are becoming."

"They are afraid of losing you."

Nero's chest tightened.

He wanted to argue.

To tell them they were wrong.

But were they?

He had seen the fear in Angel's eyes.

Felt the distance in Nagel's stance.

A deep ache settled in his stomach.

Was he really so different now?

Or had he already left them behind?

---

(The Fire's Last Test)

The flames swirled, forming a circle around Nero.

This was not just a decision.

This was a trial.

"Power is not given. It is earned."

The fire wanted more than acceptance.

It wants a ruler , a master ,a commander and

It wanted proof.

A display of strength.

A moment of dominance.

And there was only one way to prove it.

Nero wondered what it will be.

---

(A Terrible Command)

The fire whispered its final demand.

"Burn them."

Nero's breath caught.

His hands shook.

Angel and Nagel stiffened.

They hadn't heard it.

But they felt it.

Felt the shift.

Felt the change.

And they knew—

This was the moment.

---

(The Moment of Fate)

The fire waited.

The stranger watched.

Angel and Nagel stood their ground.

And Nero—

He had to make a choice.

Would he obey the fire?

Or would he fight for the last piece of himself?

He had to decide

Now.

Will Nero decide to burn his friends?

---

End of Chapter 30:

.Nero stands at the edge—will he attack or resist?

. Angel refuses to let go—but is she already too late?

. Nagel is ready to fight—but can he win against Nero now?

.The fire's last test—Nero must prove he is worthy of its power.

.A terrible choice—burn his friends, or reject the fire?

Next up: Chapter 31: The King of Ashes—Nero's decision will define who he truly is.