Unlimited Flames Works

Kazuki groaned, dodging the first spear thrust from one of the warriors. "Okay, just dodge… I'll figure something out."

The warriors surrounded him, their footsteps closing in fast. Kazuki kept moving, rolling out of the way of flaming swords and burning spears until his legs started to feel like noodles. Sweat poured down his face, his breath coming in short gasps.

Lumi furrowed her brow. "Uh… he's slowing down. He's gonna get skewered."

Sonnet stood up, waving frantically. "Kazuki, do something cool!"

Kazuki stumbled to a stop, hands on his knees. Okay, I need a plan. Something big, something more dramatic… Oh man, I'm about to do something more stupid, aren't I?

His eyes lit up with a ridiculous idea. Wait. That anime line. What if…

He stood up straight, took a deep breath, and began speaking dramatically:

"I am the bone of my flame."

"Heat is my body, and fire is my blood."

"I have created over a thousand blazes."

"Unknown to water. Nor known to chill."

"Have withstood burns to create many flames."

"Yet those hands shall never quench anything."

"So as I pray… UNLIMITED FLAME WORKS!"

For a second, silence. The air was still. The group stared down at him, their jaws dropping in pure disbelief.

Andreas scratched his head.

"Uh… did he just—?"

Sonnet's face was blank.

"Did Kazuki seriously—?"

Lumi blinked. "No… He didn't…"

Flames erupted around Kazuki, spiraling upward in a vortex of blazing energy. His entire body was engulfed in a glowing inferno, yet it didn't burn him.

Kazuki glanced down at his hands, his face lighting up with awkward excitement. "Wait… It worked?! I did it! HA!"

Sonnet crossed her arms.

"I hate that it actually worked."

Andreas clapped. "Amazing! He just memed himself into power!"

Lumi rubbed her forehead. "This is either the dumbest or most genius thing I've ever seen. Possibly both."

Kazuki stood tall, flames dancing around him. "Alright, let's go! I've got firepower now!"

The arena crackled with heat, and for a moment, the only sound was the roaring of the flames surrounding Kazuki. Then Prometheus burst into a deep, booming laugh that echoed across the Colosseum.

"HAHAHAHA! What was that?! Truly, I have not seen something this absurd in centuries!" Prometheus leaned back on his throne, wiping a tear from his eye. "You, boy, are either the biggest fool or the most fearless fighter I've ever seen."

Kazuki's face flushed red. "Uh… yeah, I totally knew that would work."

Prometheus stood, clapping his hands. "Well then, if you're bold enough to summon fire with quotes, let's see how you handle a real trial! Face these warriors, and show me what else your ridiculous courage can create!"

The first warrior charged at Kazuki, their spear ignited with blue flames.

Kazuki dodged, sparks flying past him. "Alright… gotta think fast. What else can I do with fire?"

Another warrior lunged at him, and in a panic, Kazuki channeled flames into his legs. His feet glowed with heat, and he kicked off the ground, rocketing into the air at high speed.

"Whoa! Okay, that worked better than I thought!"

He landed behind the warrior and, without hesitation, powered up his right foot.

His foot struck with explosive force, sending the warrior flying across the arena.

From the stands, Sonnet's eyes lit up with excitement. "Did you see that?! He turned his feet into jet engines! That's so cool!"

Andreas grinned. "Man, I've gotta try that someday!"

Lumi, on the other hand, stared blankly. "Wait… How did he actually activate his power just by saying that line?"

Sonnet leaned closer. "Yeah, Lumi, what's the deal? Is that some kind of hidden technique we didn't know about?"

Lumi sighed, crossing her arms. "No hidden technique. Kazuki just… believed in it. That confidence? That sheer, ridiculous courage? That's what triggered his power. His belief in what he was doing made it real."

Andreas chuckled. "So basically… he memed himself into becoming a flame god?"

Lumi nodded slowly. "Pretty much."

Back in the arena, Kazuki rolled his shoulders, his confidence growing.

"Alright! Flame-boosted punches and kicks! Let's see what else I can do!"

The next warrior rushed at him, swinging a massive flaming axe. Kazuki powered up his fists, flames spiraling around them.

The punch connected, flames exploding outward as the warrior was sent skidding back across the arena.

Prometheus clapped again, a wide grin on his face. "Yes! Show me more, Kazuki! Entertain me!"

Kazuki paused, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Man, this is actually kind of fun… if you ignore the part where I could die."