Hunter’s Gaze

The tension there was so thick it could have been choked on.

Ren froze where he was, his blood racing in his ears as he met Dante Raines' gaze.

Dante was no ordinary student at the Pyron Academy. He possessed the supreme power of the combat division, was a direct descendant of the Raines family, and was an astounding genius of the Red Flame.

And now—there he was, in the doorway, obstructing their one means of escape.

His face was expressionless, but passion flickered in his amber gaze.

"You're hiding something, Kaizen.

Ren swallowed but did his best to remain impassive. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Dante stepped forward deliberately. "Don't play dumb. The attack on our academy was the Hellfire Cult, seeking a Wielder of the Blue Flame. And you happened to be in the middle of it all?"

Sera, blocking Ren from view, was tense. "What's your point, Dante?"

Dante didn't look at her. His eyes were focused on Ren, like a hunter prowling its prey.

"I saw you fight." His voice was calm—too calm. "You fought as if you've never encountered real battle in your life, but you still made it. You shouldn't have."

Ren's jaw clenched.

Dante's stare sharpened. "And then there is that moment. When the cultist charged you. Something happened just before Sera came." **Your body rigid with resistance. And the air surrounding you felt … wrong."

Ren's breath caught.

Dante had noticed.

It was the moment few from his home had yet to realize the image Ren almost lost the blue Flame.

Sera moved a little, almost positioning herself between them. "You're imagining things."

Dante's lips twitched, a ghost of a smirk. "You really think you're going to lie to me?"

Dante stepped closer, and the room shrank.

"Ren."

The sound of his name caused Ren's fingers to twitch.

Dante never used his first name.

"Show me your flame."

Silence.

Ren's breath was slow and measured. He knew — she would push harder if he refused. But if he told the truth, he could not take it back.

Sera exhaled sharply. "Enough, Dante."

Dante didn't move. "Step aside, Sera."

She didn't. "You're basing assumptions on nothing.

Dante scoffed. "Nothing?" He looked down at her, ice in his eyes. "I know your father taught you better than that, Asahina." You're smarter than this. So tell me — why are you covering for him?"

Sera didn't answer.

Ren clenched his fists. "Back off, Dante."

Dante's gaze snapped to him. "Make me."

Ren's stomach tightened. He knew that tone.

Dante wasn't asking anymore. He was challenging him.

He wanted a fight.

And if Ren denied it—Dante wouldn't let this go.

Ren took a slow breath. "Fine."

Sera turned her head sharply toward him. "Ren, don't—"

He held up a hand, silencing her.

Then he looked Dante in the eye. "If I win, you drop this."

Dante's grin was knife-edged. "And if I win?"

Ren exhaled. "Then you'll have what you want."

Dante grinned. "Perfect."

And then—the air ignited.

Dante moved first.

When Ren blinked, a bloody arc of fire had already shot toward him.

Too fast!

Ren had just enough time to react—he twisted to the side, the licking heat searing his skin as the flames erupted on the floor.

Dante was in front of him before he could react—his fist surrounded by raging red flames.

Ren's instincts howled, and he barely had time to lift his arms in self-defense.

BAM!

The punch hit his guard, shaking his insides. It was brutal — like being attacked by a goddamned sledgehammer.

Ren slid back, his boots grinding into the wood.

Dante didn't let up.

He lunged forward, throwing a flurry of blazing strikes. Every blow was devastating, unrelenting, never allowing a chance to breathe.

Ren ducked, parried, slipped— but he was losing space.

Dante, meanwhile, was in a class by himself.

"I realized if I don't do something now—"}}

Dante feinted to the left and then drove his knee into Ren's ribs.

Pain erupted in his side, and Ren coughed and staggered.

Dante didn't hesitate. He spun, pivoting on his heel, and unleashed a roundhouse kick at Ren's skull—

But this time, Ren reacted.

Before he could think his body was moving — his instincts better than they had ever been.

He ducked.

Dante's hellish kick just missed.

And for the first time, Ren saw his opening.

He countered.

His body contorted, muscles flexing as he drove a fist straight into Dante's gut.

Dante's eyes began to widen — right before the blow landed.

BAM!

That sent him back k a crashing into the far wall.

A thick cloud of dust and smoke kicked up from the impact.

The fists that were still clenched, pumping as Ren stood panting.

For a beat there was nothing but silence.

Then—

Dante laughed.

The sound was low, amused.

Then he arose, brushing himself off. He smirked, his amber eyes shining. "Interesting."

Ren stiffened.

Dante rolled his shoulders. "You're tougher than you show."

Ren exhaled sharply. "You lost."

Dante's smirk widened. "Did I?"

A lead weight sank into Ren's stomach.

Dante stepped forward slowly, his presence as heavy as ever. "That last move… you were not holding the Red Flame. You weren't using any flame."

His eyes darkened. "You were holding back."

Ren's fingers twitched.

Dante eyed him closely, then let out a deep sigh. "Fine. I'll drop it. For now."

Ren blinked. "What?"

Dante smirked. "You said when you won I had to drop this."

He leaned in slightly. "But make no mistake, Kaizen. You can't hide it forever."

With one last look at Sera, Dante turned and walked out.

At least Ren didn't hold his breath until he was away.

It was only then that Sera finally spoke. "You shouldn't have fought him.

Ren let out a breathe, his shoulders sinking. "If I hadn't, he wouldn't let us leave."

Sera shook her head. "No, Ren. You don't understand."

Her eyes were sharp, serious.

"Dante Raines is not a quitter. He's a hunter."

What she said next sent his blood running cold.

"And now, he's hunting you."